Shen Yuan returned to Changfeng Residence and found that Xiao Ling had also returned at some point.
He was covered in rainwater.
Shen Yuan dismissed the maids in the courtyard and called Xiao Ling into her room.
"General Shen will submit a memorial to annul the engagement at the meeting tomorrow." Shen Yuan paused for a moment, "But I'm worried that this engagement won't be so easily annuled."
"Xiao Yuncheng dislikes Shen Yunjin, but for the sake of General Shen's military power, he has maintained a facade of courtesy to Shen Yunjin for so many years. He can't bear to give up this piece of meat that's already in his mouth!"
Xiao Ling smiled faintly: "Whether he's willing to part with it or not, I'm afraid it's not up to him."
Hearing Xiao Ling say this, Shen Yuan looked up at him and knew that besides Shen Wei, there would probably be quite a few other people making moves in the court tomorrow.
But besides Xiao Yuncheng's faction, there is another person who could be a variable in this matter.
That is Shen Yunjin.
She heard from the servants in the mansion that Shen Yunjin had been in love with Xiao Yuncheng for several years. She didn't care that Xiao Yuncheng was twelve years older than her, nor did she care about the concubines in the Crown Prince's mansion. She only wanted to marry Xiao Yuncheng.
Therefore, she worried that even if Shen Wei was determined to break off the engagement, Shen Yunjin would not compromise.
Who will come out on top between the father and daughter then?
The rain outside the window fell all night until dawn.
After washing up, Shen Yuan opened the window, and the smell of damp earth wafted in.
The old saying goes that spring rain is as precious as oil, and it's true. The green plants in the yard, nourished by a night of spring rain, have become even greener and more lush.
Shen Yuan suddenly missed the medicinal herbs she had planted in Chu Family Village, wondering how they were doing now.
She really wanted to go back and take a look.
But right now, she really can't leave.
Shen Yuan thought that once things in the capital were settled, she would return to Jian'an to properly renovate her pharmacy, restaurant, and the medicinal herbs in Chu Family Village.
Just then, a servant brought breakfast into the room.
During breakfast, Shen Yuan heard from the servants that Shen Yunjin had knelt outside the gate of Wude Courtyard all night, getting soaked in the rain, just to prevent Shen Wei from going to court.
Upon hearing this, Shen Yuan only asked, "Has the general left the manor?"
Bai Zhi, the head maid of Changfeng Residence, replied, "Master went to court at dawn. It was still dark then. The second young lady was asleep on the stone platform at the courtyard gate. Master simply walked past her and left the mansion."
Shen Yuan asked again, "Where is Shen Yunjin?"
Bai Zhi said, "It seems that the Second Miss is ill. She developed a high fever after being caught in the rain all night. The family physician is still in the Second Miss's courtyard."
Shen Yuan nodded after hearing this. Even if the heavy rain had damaged Shen Yunjin's brain, it was better than having an incurable love-struck person.
After having breakfast, Shen Yuan went out again.
Yesterday, she strolled around Zhuque Street and took a fancy to a rouge shop.
If we could move Baicaotang to the capital and open a shop that makes perfume powder, lip balm, and rouge from herbs, it would probably be very profitable!
Shen Yuan had previously tried to sell sachets at a stall but failed for only a few days, which she found particularly regrettable. Now that she had entered the General's Mansion, Shen Wei had given her a considerable amount of money, both openly and secretly, which she could use to invest in business.
Since she couldn't stay idle anyway, she decided to go out again to see if there were any suitable shops.
When Madam Jiang came out of Shen Yunjin's courtyard, she happened to see Shen Yuan leading Xiao Ling and Bai Zhi out the door. She frowned, and the image of Shen Yunjin clinging to her arm and pleading involuntarily came to mind.
"Mother! Shen Yuan just returned, and Father's heart is already set on her. Do you think he'll let that slut Shen Yuan replace me and marry into the Crown Prince's palace?"
Jiang had considered this possibility, but even if Shen Wei really wanted Shen Yuan to replace Jin'er, what could she do?
Shen Wei is, after all, the head of the family, and there are only so many things she can do.
But no matter how limited the resources, she had no choice but to take the risk for her daughter.
Jiang was somewhat flustered. Seeing that she was still standing there, the maid asked, "Madam, aren't we going to the kitchen to check on the Second Miss's medicinal diet?"
Jiang came to her senses and glanced at the maid behind her: "Hurry up and follow the young lady, keep a close eye on her, and see what she's up to by running around outside every day."
Upon receiving the order, the maidservant hurriedly lifted her skirt and ran out through the back door.
When Shen Yuan returned to the general's mansion that evening, she heard from the servants that Shen Wei had returned, but he stayed alone in the study in the front courtyard and had given orders not to see anyone.
Even though Shen Yunjin knelt at the door of the study, looking sickly, Shen Wei did not see her.
"Father, Jin'er knows she was wrong. Please, Father, see me! I just want to know why you did this? What is the reason behind it all!"
Shen Yuan followed Butler Cheng to the study, where she saw Shen Yunjin with tears in her eyes.
She hadn't dressed up today, wearing only a thin inner garment and an outer robe. Her face was pale, her hair was disheveled, and she looked particularly haggard.
She was completely different from the dazzling, arrogant, and domineering persona she had when Shen Yuan first met her.
Shen Yuan couldn't help but click her tongue softly.
Hearing the noise, Shen Yunjin turned her head and saw that it was Shen Yuan. Her expression turned serious, and she even forgot to cry.
She raised her hand to wipe away her tears, then glared fiercely at Shen Yuan: "What are you doing here? Did you come to laugh at me?"
"A joke?" Shen Yuan strolled over to Shen Yunjin's side. "You know you're a joke now!"
"you……"
Shen Yunjin was so angry that she jumped up from the ground and pointed at Shen Yuan, wanting to scold her. But perhaps because she was sick and had been kneeling for a long time, she felt dizzy as soon as she stood up.
If it weren't for the maid's quick reflexes in catching her, Shen Yunjin would have definitely fallen to the ground.
So she couldn't say what she wanted to say.
Seeing Shen Yunjin leaning weakly against Tao Hua, Shen Yuan curled her lips, walked to Shen Yunjin's side, and glanced back at Shen Yunjin.
"I just can't understand how a man could make the daughter of the dignified General Zhenbei so humble and self-deprecating."
Shen Yuan emphasized the last few words.
Shen Yunjin's face turned pale instantly.
Peach Blossom and Butler Cheng also looked extremely unpleasant, especially Butler Cheng, who frowned and sized up Shen Yuan, clearly disapproving of her words.
"Please, Miss, consider our sisterly bond and say no more!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Yuan turned to look at Butler Cheng, her gaze lingering on his hunched back for a moment before she simply smiled and remained silent.
Shen Yuan glanced at the closed door of the study and gestured for Butler Cheng to announce her arrival.
Butler Cheng stepped forward and, through the door, said, "Master, the eldest young lady requests an audience!"
While speaking, Butler Cheng couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
Does this young lady think she's someone special? The master has even disappeared from seeing the second young lady, why would he want to see her? Anyone with a modicum of sense would know that this isn't the time to rush in and join the fun.
But this country girl just doesn't know how to read the room!
They're practically begging to be disliked!
Isn't she just waiting for the master to scold her?
Contrary to what Butler Cheng had anticipated, as soon as he finished speaking, Shen Wei's deep, resonant voice rang out from inside the door: "Let Miss in."
Butler Cheng was taken aback, but Shen Yuan didn't wait for his reaction and pushed open the study door.
Shen Yunjin also hurriedly stepped forward.
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