Although it wasn't a grand wedding, Shen Jiming still held a few tables and invited relatives and friends to give Fang family face.
The current head of the Shen family household is He Shi, the eldest daughter-in-law of the second branch of the family and Shen Jiming's cousin's wife.
She treated Xiao Yitang as an honored guest, praising all the children, including the infant Jiang Shumiao.
After sitting down, Xiao Yitang asked, seemingly casually, "Where is Madam Fang?"
Madam He remained calm. "My sister-in-law is only three months pregnant. The doctor said she should not overexert herself, so she cannot come out to greet the Princess. I apologize on her behalf and ask for the Princess's understanding."
Although Jiang Sixian disliked her husband Shen Jiming, she forbade him to take a concubine. After eighteen years of marriage, they had only one daughter, Shen Zhixian.
Who knew that just after her seven-day mourning period, Fang, who used to practice Buddhism in the temple, revealed that she was three months pregnant.
The act of engaging in illicit relations in the Buddhist temple was originally a shameful affair, but Madam He showed no embarrassment or discomfort whatsoever, which was clearly intentional.
Shen Jiming is the eldest son of the main branch and should have inherited the family business. Madam He is worried that Fang Shi is too favored and will eventually rise above her, so she is using today's banquet to confirm Fang Shi's crime of being "seductive and shameless".
Shen Jiming will also be stigmatized as a result.
It will be difficult to secure the position of head of the household.
She's so pitiful.
Jiang Shumiao didn't care about these intricacies. Mortals have their own way of surviving, and immortals, though concerned for all living beings, would not interfere with the rules of the human world.
Xiao Yitang was slightly taken aback.
Jiang Shuman is now immune to it; everyone is miserable, which is a strange kind of equality.
[My cousin disfigured me, forced me to be mute, pulled out all my fingernails, and crushed all ten of my fingers with a clamp...]
Back when they lived in the Duke of Anguo's mansion, Jiang Shuman and Shen Zhixian actually had a pretty good relationship. Although the old lady preferred Shen Zhixian's knowledge, manners, gentleness, and obedience, Jiang Shuman didn't feel resentful. They were sisters, and should have been of one mind.
After Jiang Sixian returned to the capital, she always tried to sow discord between the old lady and the family.
But Jiang Shuman knew Shen Zhixian was innocent, so she didn't hold a grudge and treated her as before. It wasn't until the witchcraft doll incident that she was completely heartbroken.
Perhaps this cousin is not as gentle and kind as she appears.
Shen Zhixian noticed her gaze, looked up, and was slightly taken aback.
"Cousin, what's wrong?"
Jiang Shuman withdrew her gaze.
"You don't look well. Are you feeling unwell?"
Before Shen Zhixian could speak, Madam He said understandingly, "You knelt before your mother's coffin a few days ago and didn't get much rest. How can your body hold up? Why don't you go back and rest early?"
Shen Zhixian then stood up, curtsied, and took her leave.
[My future brother-in-law went to climb the wall.]
Jiang Shumiao was extremely excited.
She saw it; Lu Yanhe climbed over the inner courtyard wall and secretly went to find Shen Zhixian.
Jiang Shuman perked up and immediately said to Xiao Yitang, "Mother, my cousin has probably suffered a lot of grievances recently. I'll go and see her."
Xiao Yitang nodded, signaling her not to go too far.
Jiang Shumiao stretched out her chubby little hand and grabbed her sister's sleeve.
My sister took me there; when it comes to the art of being a simp, my love-obsessed cousin is the best.
Jiang Shuman hesitated.
She had wanted to smoke Lu Yanhe for a long time, but it might be inconvenient to bring her sister along.
Xiao Yitang said, "Take Miaomiao with you. She always clings to you. If you leave like this, she'll definitely cry."
[Yes, yes, yes, I'll cry if you don't take me!]
The baby's threat is childish and adorable.
Jiang Shuman had no choice but to take her younger sister from the wet nurse's arms.
Jiang Yining rolled her eyes and followed along to watch the excitement.
Inner courtyard.
Lu Yanhe had already avoided everyone and quietly arrived at Shen Zhixian's room.
"Sister Zhixian."
The maid was startled. "Young Master Lu, what are you doing here?"
When the Shen family held a wedding banquet, Princess Huaiyang naturally received an invitation. However, she was unaware of the details and, although she disliked Jiang Sixian, she despised Shen Jiming's shameless and ungrateful behavior. Therefore, she did not attend, but only symbolically sent a congratulatory gift out of respect for the emperor.
Lu Yanhe, who was deeply in love with Shen Zhixian, naturally couldn't hold back.
Shen Zhixian was somewhat surprised to see him, and then slightly annoyed.
“How dare you, an outsider, trespass into this inner quarters? If word gets out, you'll at most be gossiped about, but I'm afraid I'll be sent to a nunnery to spend the rest of my life. In more serious cases, I might not even be able to save my life.”
By the end, her eyes were red.
Lu Yanhe was at a loss. "Zhixian, don't cry. I... I came secretly. No one will find out. I was just worried about you and wanted to come and see you."
Hiding behind the artificial hill, Jiang Shuman saw his worthless appearance and finally understood the meaning of 'simp'.
Jiang Yining clenched her fists and glared at Lu Yanhe with hatred.
Jiang Shumiao, however, sensed a familiar aura, faint and hard to pinpoint.
Shen Zhixian ultimately did not let Lu Yanhe into the house, saying, "I'm fine, cousin, you should go back."
"How could it possibly be good?"
Lu Yanhe became anxious, "I've already inquired about it. That Fang woman was restless in the Buddhist hall. She came back pregnant, and now she's been elevated to the status of the principal wife. Uncle has lost his mind. How could he issue such an order? Isn't this a blatant slap in the face to you and your aunt?"
Jiang Shuman: "..."
However, I can't say this out loud.
Don't they know walls have ears?
She seems to have figured out what it means to be love-struck.
What a complete idiot!
Someone's here.
Jiang Shuman's eyes sharpened as she stepped out from behind the artificial hill.
Shen Zhixian was urging Lu Yanhe to leave when she saw her, and her expression immediately changed.
"Cousin, cousin."
Lu Yanhe also felt a little guilty.
"Manman, I..."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a large group of people rushed over. The woman leading the group had a slightly protruding belly, so she must be Madam Fang.
Who are you?
She stared at Lu Yanhe in shock, then said angrily, "How dare you trespass into a young lady's room? Guards, seize this lecher and take him to see the master."
"Who dares!"
Jiang Shuman had no desire to save Lu Yanhe, but this scoundrel was clearly only wishful thinking; Shen Zhixian had been trying to drive him away.
Regardless of whether Shen Zhixian's moral character is flawed, she is innocent in this matter. She should not be implicated by Lu Yanhe and branded with the crime of promiscuity.
She has always been open and honest, and even if she were to become enemies with Shen Zhixian in the future, she would not stoop to using such despicable and underhanded means.
"He is the second young master of the Lu family, my fiancé, Lu Yanhe."
Jiang Shuman glanced disdainfully at everyone, "My aunt has just passed away, and my cousin is heartbroken. We are just visiting her, and before we even entered the house, Madam barged in with her entourage. Is this how your family treats its guests?"
Madam Fang's expression changed.
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