Chapter 136 Invitation
"But I don't think that little girl from the Shen family is someone who can be manipulated."
Zheng Shu said, "Look at the eldest daughter-in-law and the old lady, they are both shrewd people, but they were still outmaneuvered by the Shen family girl time and time again."
“I’m a woman too, and I know Shen’s girl’s mind best. This dyeing manual is her life-saving talisman, so why would she take it out so easily?”
Brushing the cigarette ash off the couch, Zheng Shu pouted and said, "Putting everything else aside, Shen Yanhuai isn't exactly an idiot, but after all these years, he still hasn't been able to get the 'Shen Family Dyeing Manual' out of that girl's hands."
"This shows how formidable they are."
Xie Chengzhi waved his hand: "He's just a bit sharp-tongued. Shen Yanhuai can't figure out the dyeing formula because he's not legitimate."
"Everyone in Suzhou knows about his mother's affair with Ji Zhiyi. If Shen Yanhuai goes too far, the Xie family won't let him off the hook either."
Zheng Shudao: "So, you have your own ideas?"
Xie Chengzhi nodded: "There is a method, but whether it will work or not is unknown. Let's wait and see, maybe it will work."
The couple were pondering the Shenyuan Pearl in the room when Xie Yingshou, with his short arms and legs, ran in.
Xie Lurong overheard this and timidly asked, "Mother, I think my second sister-in-law is a good person. Is it inappropriate for us to scheme against her like this?"
"Inappropriate my foot!"
Zheng Shu reached out and poked Xie Lurong on the forehead: "If it weren't for your parents' constant scheming, would you and Yingshou be able to eat and drink well every day?"
“If we, the second wife, don’t take things into account, you’ll be getting married naked one day.”
"mother!"
Zheng Shu spoke very roughly, which made Xie Lurong blush.
“How am I wrong? Your grandmother’s heart is completely biased. In her eyes, there’s no one from our second branch of the family but her eldest grandson and youngest son. You…”
Zheng Shu poked Xie Lurong hard again: "Once we leave this courtyard, keep your mouth shut. Don't let your second sister-in-law hear any gossip, understand?"
"knew."
Xie Lurong was so dizzy from being pushed and shoved by Zheng Shu that she ran out with Xie Yingshou in her arms.
The Xie family was busy trying to figure out what to do with Shen Yuanzhu, while Shen Yuanzhu was leisurely listening to Luo Shi report on the movements of the other branches of the family.
"I heard that the eldest son and his wife had been arguing all day. The couple has always been at odds, and now it seems that they also have disagreements over the fabric sample competition."
"However, this morning the eldest mistress summoned the warehouse manager, and this old servant guesses it was for the purpose of purchasing raw silk."
"really."
Shen Yuanzhu rested her chin on her hand and blinked her eyes: "Since we know we're setting off today, let Brother Nai find someone to keep an eye on things and see who has taken on this assignment."
"There's no need to get stuck in traffic on the way back; we can just have our people go with us."
"Let the purchasing team have diarrhea or twist their ankles along the way, which will delay them. Just keep them occupied and prevent the raw materials from entering the city on time."
Madam Luo nodded and said, "There's been no movement from the third branch. Third Master went out early this morning and hasn't returned yet. But from the second branch, a steward named Sun Qi called Mianhe over this afternoon."
Shen Yuanzhu said, "Ignore her for now."
As the two were talking, Ling'er lifted the beaded curtain and walked in.
Ling'er pouted and said, "Miss, you're right. Someone really did come looking for me today."
"who?"
"lilac."
Upon hearing that she was Jiang Wansu's maid, Shen Yuanzhu became interested: "What does she want with you?"
"Nothing much happened. It was like a chance encounter. We chatted casually for a few minutes, he gave me a handful of candy, complimented me a few times, and then left."
Shen Yuanzhu sighed softly, "It seems that the Xie family doesn't have any extraordinary methods."
She lightly tapped her cheek with her fingertip and said with feigned regret, "Since they haven't made a move, I'll have to take action."
It's time to go and ask Xie Xuchuan for the "Xie Family Farming and Weaving Pictures".
Shen Yuanzhu's eyes darted around, and just as she came up with an idea, she saw Xiaozhi walk in carrying a card.
"Huh? Whose is this?"
She had few friends when she was young, and unlike Shen Yuanqiong, she didn't enjoy making friends, so she received very few invitations.
When Shen Yuanzhu opened the package, she found that Zhou He had invited her to the Jiang residence that evening to admire the flowers.
Madam Luo glanced down, somewhat puzzled: "Why did Madam Jiang suddenly invite Miss here? Is it also about the sample fabric?"
"That shouldn't be the case."
Zhou He was her mother's best friend, and Zhou He even came to see her off when she got married.
Zhou He came from a scholarly family; both her grandfather and father were scholars. Later, she married an official named Lord Jiang and became the wife of an official.
They should have no worries about life.
It's a pity that Lord Jiang was sent away to a post in his early years, and he was gone for more than ten years. When he returned, he brought with him the concubine he had married during his time away.
The two lived like a real married couple, sharing hardships and enjoying harmonious relationships in the harsh land.
After Lord Jiang was transferred back to the Suzhou Prefecture Textile and Dyeing Bureau, my mother's old friend found himself in an awkward situation.
The Zhou family doesn't run businesses. Although Lord Jiang works at the Textile and Dyeing Bureau, he's in charge of documents and contracts.
Therefore, Shen Yuanzhu couldn't figure out why the other party wanted to contact her.
"Never mind, I'll find out after I go to the appointment."
Madam Luo said, "Should we inform the son-in-law and have him accompany us?"
Shen Yuanzhu thought for a moment and shook her head slightly: "Xiaozhi can keep me company tonight. You should rest at home, Nanny. You've been working hard these past few days, so don't go out anymore."
She looked up at Madam Luo, who immediately understood what Shen Yuanzhu meant.
Although Xie Qi seems alright now, people's hearts are unpredictable. Her young mistress wants to see if Xie Qi is interested in the "dyeing chart" on the dressing table when she's not around.
Luo gave her a reassuring look. Shen Yuanzhu held the invitation card, her face beaming, but the smile in her eyes gradually faded.
Mrs. Luo knew exactly what kind of person her own child was.
Her young lady may seem gentle, but she is actually cold-hearted and ruthless; gaining her trust is not easy.
But Shen Yuanzhu always held Zhou He in some respect.
Perhaps it's true that people fade away with time, but the lady has very few old friends left who she still keeps in touch with, and Zhou He is the only one with whom she has no conflict of interest.
Over the years, Miss has treated Zhou He as her own aunt, and Zhou He has indeed been very kind to her.
When the young lady was young, Ye Yunyi secretly manipulated her, which was discovered by Zhou He. Zhou He led a group of servants to the house and forcibly carried the young lady back to the Jiang family.
Later, when Shen Yanhuai wanted to return home, Ye Yunyi had no choice but to humble herself and go to the Jiang family to apologize to the young lady and bring him back.
But later...
Later, after Lord Jiang brought that person back to the manor, Zhou He's position as Madam Jiang...
Seeing Shen Yuanzhu staring blankly at the invitation, Luo sighed softly.
The timing of this invitation is too coincidental.
The Xie family had barely made a move when someone invited the young lady out...
Mrs. Luo clasped her hands together, hoping that there would be more people in this world who genuinely cared for her young lady, regardless of personal gain.
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