Almost instantly, the old lady's smile vanished, and a hint of disgust flashed in her eyes.
The old lady had never liked the Wu family, but she could keep it at arm's length because of the third wife's family. However, her granddaughter, whom she had raised with great care, had been stuck in the Wu family's mess. Now, the old lady felt deep hatred whenever she heard the name "Wu family".
She was utterly disgusted, yet she couldn't bear to look away; the old lady nearly crushed the prayer beads in her hand.
"Let her in."
The maidservant withdrew, and a short while later, Madam Wu entered.
Compared to the old lady's hidden displeasure, Madam Wu was beaming with pride, walking with an air of superiority that made everyone in the Pingyang Marquis's mansion itch with envy, except for Shen Wan.
She was probably the only person in the Pingyang Marquis's mansion who wanted Madam Wu to visit. Every time Madam Wu came, it was like rubbing salt into the hearts of the Old Madam and the Third Madam, constantly reminding them that it was their ambition that had ruined Shen Rong's life.
However, today is the day she and Shen Ying return to their parents' home. Most people would avoid visiting on this day, so Madam Wu shouldn't be so impolite.
Madam Wu curtsied to the old lady with a beaming smile, but the old lady's smile was forced as she said, "The manor is busy entertaining Prince Jin and Prince Ling, so I apologize for not being able to greet you properly."
While the old lady said that the Pingyang Marquis's residence had failed to welcome her properly, she was actually criticizing Madam Wu for coming.
Madam Wu understood the underlying meaning, but she didn't care. She knew the old lady looked down on her son, and all the Wu family needed to do was marry him. She didn't care if the words were harsh.
Madam Wu sat down and said, “Today, the new son-in-law of the Marquis of Pingyang’s family has come to visit. I shouldn’t have come to bother you, but I heard that the old lady of the Chen family, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, has passed away. I thought it was a rare opportunity for my husband to get promoted. In a few days, my Wu family will be able to marry Rong’er into the family. It will look better on our behalf.”
Shen Wan wondered what Madam Wu had come to do with her visit, but it turned out she was after the vacant position of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.
In my previous life, I had never heard that Master Wu intended to seize that position, but the situation is different in this life. The Wu family was already related to the Pingyang Marquis's family by marriage, and now they are even closer. The Pingyang Marquis's family has produced two princesses and a prospective duchess. They need the Pingyang Marquis's family to help them win over the position, so it won't be difficult for Master Wu to get his wish.
The third wife was somewhat tempted, after all, it was her own brother who was seeking the official position, and her daughter's relationship with the eldest son of the Wu family was already a fait accompli. Only when the Wu family prospered could her daughter prosper.
The third wife looked at the old lady, whose face was terribly cold. She slowly fiddled with the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand. She doted on Shen Rong and would naturally think of Shen Rong's well-being, but this matter was not easy to help with. If Master Wu was capable of taking on that position, finding Shen Jing would be a simple matter of a word. Shen Jing would not show favoritism to anyone. Even when the second and third masters wanted to be promoted, Shen Jing would avoid suspicion, let alone Master Wu.
If we want to help Master Wu, we can only turn to Prince Jin, but who dares to ask Prince Jin for help?
Empress Song was incredibly shrewd. How could she not guess that what happened between Young Master Wu and Shen Rong in the inner courtyard was orchestrated by the Second Madam, who was outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant? However, in the end, they still followed Empress Song's wishes. Although the plan failed, they couldn't be blamed, and Empress Song had no reason to make things difficult for them.
Empress Song and Prince Jin were seething with anger and had nowhere to vent it. Asking Prince Jin to help the Wu family at this time would be like walking into the line of fire. Not only would they not get any benefit, but they would also displease Prince Jin.
But this opportunity was indeed rare. After weighing the pros and cons, the old lady gave the third wife a meaningful look, and the third wife invited Madam Wu to the South Courtyard.
After they left, the old lady looked at Shen Wan and said, "Of the four of you sisters, only your third sister is unlucky in marriage. This engagement can't be called off. We can only hope that the Wu family will prosper so that your third sister can save face. You sisters..."
Before the old lady could finish speaking, Shen Wan said, "It's a pity that Prince Ling has no power in the court. Even if I wanted to help my third sister, I couldn't do anything about it. However, this little matter is easy for Prince Jin. My second sister and third sister have always been close, so my second sister will definitely help my third sister."
Shen Ying said unhappily, "If Prince Ling can't help, there's still my uncle."
Shen Wan looked at Shen Ying and said, "Father has always respected Grandmother. If Grandmother wanted Father's help, she asked him herself. Why did I need to say it? Do you think I have more face with Father than Grandmother in Second Sister's eyes?"
They schemed against her and still had the nerve to ask her for help; these people's skin is probably thicker than a city wall.
Young Master Wu's misbehavior in the inner courtyard has already angered Father. Asking Father to help the Wu family so that Shen Rong can marry well is a no-no; anyone who asks this will be severely reprimanded, and the Old Madam will be no exception.
My father respected the old lady, but he wasn't blindly filial; otherwise, the old lady wouldn't have needed to make a move on her.
Shen Wan was certain that the old lady would neither dare to speak to Shen Jing nor to Xie Jingyin.
Shen Wan refused to help, and her words were so subtle that the old lady's gaze darkened slightly, but she didn't say anything else.
After another fifteen minutes, feeling utterly bored, Shen Wan, curious about how Xie Jingyan and her elder brother were doing at chess, got up and left.
She strolled leisurely to the front yard and headed towards the study. From afar, she saw Shen Du pushing Xie Jingyan out. As Shen Wan walked over, she heard Shen Du sigh, "It's still better to be the brother-in-law. Before, when we played chess, you never let me win. Now that you've married my sister, you don't even dare to beat me at chess anymore."
Shen Wan stopped abruptly, her face flushed in the sunlight.
Xie Jingyan's ears turned slightly red, and he said, "It's because I haven't played chess for a long time, and I'm a bit rusty."
Chen Du laughed and said, "Although my chess skills are not as good as yours, I still know whether you let me win or not."
Xie Jingyan, "..."
Shen Wan couldn't listen anymore, regretted coming, and prepared to leave quietly.
But before she could turn around, Chen Du saw her and called out to her, "We're over here..."
I want to sew my older brother's mouth shut.
Shen Wan walked over, pretending she hadn't heard anything, and asked, "Did you finish the game so quickly?"
Shen Du said, "Something came up at the military camp. The deputy general came looking for my father, and it was almost lunchtime, so I couldn't log off."
Chen Du pushed the wheelchair forward, and the group chatted casually. They stayed in the garden for a while, and it was almost lunchtime before they went to Qinghui Courtyard.
When they arrived, Xie Jingyin and the Second Master were already there. After waiting for about half a cup of tea, Chen Jing arrived, and everyone sat down to eat together.
After sitting down, Xie Jingyan picked up a piece of braised pork ribs from in front of him and put it into Chen Wan's bowl, which immediately attracted everyone's attention.
Poor Shen Wan's delicate face couldn't take it at all.
Honestly, I was completely caught off guard by his move. We were the ones who served him food at the Ling Prince's residence...
Shen Wan looked up at Xie Jingyan and unexpectedly met his eyes, which were full of doting affection. Shen Wan's heart skipped a beat.
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