Chapter 126 Power and money are like wings for a tiger.
Mother Shen pulled her two daughters-in-law over, making no attempt to hide her scheming and greed.
"It's good that the Du family has power, but think about it. Mo Yan is now the top scholar in the imperial examination. In the future, how will he entertain officials and cultivate relationships? Doesn't he need money for all of that? If he can marry Miss Du and then take a concubine like Shen Yuejiao, who is extremely wealthy... With power and money, wouldn't our Mo Yan be like a tiger with wings, with a truly bright future and a meteoric rise to power?"
Upon hearing this, the two sisters-in-law were first taken aback, then their eyes instantly lit up with an alarming brightness.
Yes! With the Du family's power and Shen Yuejiao's money, wouldn't the Shen family be soaring to new heights?
Whether Shen Yuejiao was willing to become a concubine was completely outside their consideration.
You have to understand, given Shen Moyan's current status, it's already an incredible blessing for her to take a merchant's daughter as a concubine!
"Mother is absolutely right!"
"Mother is truly wise and farsighted!"
The two daughters-in-law vied with each other to flatter him.
The more Chen's mother thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. With a 'gold mine' right in front of her, how could she miss it?
She thought that since they had met, she might as well go up and say hello to her and get acquainted with her. If the girl was sensible, she should take the initiative to show respect to her, her future mother-in-law.
She gave her second daughter-in-law a wink.
Shen Ersao understood, immediately straightened her clothes, put on a warm smile, and swayed her hips as she walked towards the table where Su Xiaoyu was.
"Oh my! Isn't this Miss Su? What a coincidence, I didn't expect to run into you here!"
Su Xiaoyu looked up and was immediately confused.
Isn't this one of those eccentric mother-in-law and daughter-in-law from the Shen family? Why is she being so enthusiastic towards her?
Could it be that he has selectively forgotten the time he argued with the second young lady on the street?
Seeing that Su Xiaoyu didn't speak, Sister-in-law Shen ignored her and turned her gaze to Shen Yuejiao, looking her up and down at her expensive outfit.
"This young lady has such a refined air about her, exuding an air of nobility. She's clearly not from an ordinary family. She looks unfamiliar; she doesn't seem to be a local of the capital. May I ask who she is…?"
Shen Yuejiao was having a pleasant conversation with Su Xiaoyu when this inexplicable woman interrupted her. Somewhat annoyed, she turned to Su Xiaoyu and asked:
"Who is this? Do we know each other?"
Su Xiaoyu shrugged innocently and lowered her voice as well: "I don't know any strangers."
She had no desire to have anything to do with this family.
Sister-in-law Shen's smile froze on her face, and she cursed Su Xiaoyu in her heart.
But the smile on his face didn't change. "Look at me, I've been so busy talking. Miss, I am Shen Fangshi, the second sister-in-law of Shen Moyan, the newly appointed top scholar of the imperial examination! Today I accompanied my mother-in-law and sister-in-law to an appointment, and I happened to meet you, Miss. I felt an instant connection with you and couldn't help but come over to say hello."
After saying that, she stared at Shen Yuejiao with a look of surprise or perhaps a stutter.
To everyone's surprise, Shen Yuejiao merely raised an eyebrow slightly, picked up her teacup, and took a sip.
"Oh, the lady of the top scholar's residence, my apologies. But I'm chatting with my friend right now, so I won't disturb your business any longer."
These words were tantamount to an invitation to leave, and Sister-in-law Shen's smile remained stiff on her face.
Just then, Shen's mother and sister-in-law also came forward. Shen's mother, in particular, adopted a condescending attitude, looking Shen Yuejiao up and down with a critical gaze:
"You must be Shen Yuejiao, the daughter of the Shen family from Qingshui County? I've heard of you. Your father was a scholar who passed the imperial examination, and your mother's family were merchants. They were quite influential in the county."
Sister-in-law Shen chimed in, "Now that Mo Yan has become the top scholar in the imperial examination, our Shen family is quite prominent in the capital. If you need any help since you're new to the capital, please let us know. As a member of the same clan, we'll do our best to help you out."
These words were implying to Shen Yuejiao that it was a great blessing for her that her family had taken a liking to her.
Shen Yuejiao was amused by the three women, who were so familiar with each other.
She sneered and put down her teacup. "Thank you for your kindness, but although my father was only a scholar who passed the imperial examination, he taught me to treat others as equals. As for taking care of you, although my Shen family is not a family of high-ranking officials, we are not short of food and clothing, so there is no need for the scholar's family to trouble themselves."
Su Xiaoyu added from the side, "We're tired from shopping and just wanted to rest. Please, ladies, move aside so we won't disturb you."
Madam Shen was taken aback by Shen Yuejiao's rudeness; her face instantly darkened, and any pretense of politeness vanished completely.
"Hmph! You're just a mere merchant's daughter, reeking of money. We've already shown you respect by lowering ourselves to serve you. Don't be so ungrateful!"
Madam Shen spoke with an arrogant tone, raising her voice: "My son is now the top scholar in the imperial examination, and he has the support of the Third Prince and Minister Du. In this capital, not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can offend the Shen family. Do you think you can afford to offend him?"
Such arrogant and disgusting remarks made Shen Yuejiao want to vomit.
She immediately bent down and made a 'yue' gesture to the side, then pretended to be surprised and grabbed Su Xiaoyu:
"Little Fish, look at this! How can anyone still use shamelessness as a way to flaunt their official power these days?"
She turned her head and smiled at Chen's mother, raising an eyebrow:
"Madam, if you used your skin to plaster the city walls, even the barbarian arrows probably couldn't pierce it."
Hearing this, several guests at neighboring tables couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Mother Shen was so agitated that her face turned red and her blood rushed to her head.
Having lived most of her life, she had never suffered such a humiliation.
"What an arrogant and ignorant brat! Sharp-tongued and disrespectful to elders! Do you know that my son is now a guest of honor of the Third Prince? How dare you insult me like this? Believe me, with just one word from me, your Shen family will find it impossible to move an inch in this capital!"
Sister-in-law Shen, standing to the side, also put her hands on her hips and chimed in:
"Did you hear me? Quickly kneel down and kowtow to my mother-in-law to admit your mistake. If you know what's good for you and are sincere, your uncle might grant you the title of concubine. This is a blessing you've earned over several lifetimes. Don't be ungrateful!"
These audacious words left Su Xiaoyu and Shen Yuejiao speechless.
The surrounding guests, who had been listening intently, also erupted in an uproar.
"My God, have the people in this top scholar's family gone mad?"
"In broad daylight, they coerce and entice people to take women as concubines? What kind of rule is this?"
"This is truly an eye-opener; the family of the top scholar is of such character..."
For a time, the Shen family mother-in-law and daughter-in-law became the target of public criticism.
Just then, the sound of jade pendants suddenly came from the stairwell, accompanied by an arrogant voice.
"What's all this commotion about?"
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw that Du Tingting had been standing not far away at some point, her eyes sweeping arrogantly over the people present. When she saw Su Xiaoyu and Shen Yuejiao, her smile froze.
"Ha, who do we have here? It's just the two of you again."
"Last time you even fell out in public over a man. What, you've forgiven each other and made up like nothing happened? Such deep sisterly affection?"
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