After tidying herself up, Shen Yunjiao drank some hangover soup and ate some light breakfast before slowly walking to Ci'an Hall.
When they arrived, they saw Madam Xu sitting on a sandalwood chair in the main room of Ci'an Hall, chatting and laughing with others.
Sitting next to her was the second wife, and a woman dressed in plain white gauze. As Shen Yunjiao got closer, she discovered that it was Fang Ziyu.
Shen Yunjiao was slightly surprised. When did they become so close?
Madam Pei was the first to spot Shen Yunjiao, and she snorted disdainfully, turning her head away as if she didn't see her.
Today, Shen Yunjiao wore a lilac-colored flowing dress with delicate orchid patterns embroidered in gold thread on the hem. Her slender figure resembled a wisp of smoke after the rain in Jiangnan. She wore a silver bracelet inlaid with glass and bells, which made a crisp sound as she walked, adding to her charm.
Shen Yunjiao stepped forward and bowed, "Hello, Mother. Hello, Second Aunt."
"What kind of mother-in-law is sick and her daughter-in-law dresses up so ostentatiously?" Madam Pei said coldly.
Shen Yunjiao smiled calmly, then pretended to be troubled, "Oh dear, Second Aunt, this is the simplest set in my room."
"You!" Madam Pei almost couldn't sit still when she heard this, and Madam Xu gave her a look.
Aunt Pei took a deep breath and smiled with a hint of resentment. "I called you here today to have you teach Miss Fang some manners."
Upon hearing that she was mentioned, Fang Ziyu gracefully stood up and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Madam and Second Madam."
Then he sat down, staring straight ahead, not even glancing at Shen Yunjiao.
Shen Yunjiao thought to herself, Fang Ziyu is really stupid to associate with Xu Shi and the others.
Madam Xu glanced at Shen Yunjiao a few times and said indifferently, "I used to exempt you from serving me because I was considerate of you being a new bride; I haven't been feeling well these past few days, and since you cured my illness, I can't help but ask you to work a little harder."
Understanding?
Shen Yunjiao sneered inwardly. Was it out of consideration for her or fear of the power of the Shen family behind her?
“Sister-in-law, you are such a kind person. I don’t have such a good temper. Sister-in-law, you have worked hard and made great contributions, managing the entire Duke’s mansion. We outsiders have all seen how hard you have worked.”
Madam Pei put on a smile and flattered Madam Xu while glancing at Shen Yunjiao and saying, "Of all virtues, filial piety is the most important. Since ancient times, it has been a daughter-in-law's duty to serve her mother-in-law. How can she be allowed to refuse?"
Shen Yunjiao smiled and calmly replied, "Second Aunt is right. Then let me serve Mother."
Seeing her so readily agree, the three people in the hall were slightly taken aback.
Xu thought to herself, "A few days ago, Shen Yunjiao seemed to have suddenly gone into a nightmare and started arguing with me, making me lose face completely."
But looking at her today, for the sake of her son, doesn't she have to obediently submit and serve her?
The thought of trampling and ravaging the noble daughter of the prime minister under her feet still gave Xu a secret sense of pleasure.
Not only Xu Shi, but Fang Ziyu was also secretly looking forward to seeing how disheveled Shen Yunjiao would be.
Madam Xu waved her hand, and a maid standing outside the door brought over a round wooden plate with a white porcelain bowl on it, containing a steaming bowl of Ganoderma lucidum soup.
“Miss Fang, when we serve our elders, we must stand by their side. If they don’t tell you to sit down, you must stand respectfully. This applies even to pouring tea and feeding soup,” Madam Pei said to Fang Ziyu with a smile.
Fang Ziyu listened obediently to the side, then glanced at Shen Yunjiao who was standing still, and feigned humility, saying, "May I ask you to teach me, Mistress?"
Shen Yunjiao was laughing so hard. She had been rubbing her hands together for a while when she came over, thinking that there would be some advanced moves waiting for her. This was it?
"Mother, your daughter-in-law is here to serve you soup." Shen Yunjiao walked gracefully to Xu Shi.
She picked up the porcelain cup, and the scalding heat instantly traveled to her fingertips.
"Ouch—" she cried out in pain. Madam Pei urged her quickly, "You'd better hurry up, or the soup will get cold and the medicine won't be as effective."
Xu scoffed and said, "Ladies from noble families are just so spoiled."
Hmph, you just wait.
Despite the pain, Shen Yunjiao scooped up a spoonful, pretended to blow on the clear juice in the spoon, and handed it to Xu Shi.
Xu opened her mouth naturally, enjoying Shen Yunjiao's service.
Just as she was about to put the spoonful of Ganoderma lucidum soup into her mouth, Shen Yunjiao suddenly burst into a violent cough.
As she swayed, most of the scalding soup spilled onto Madam Xu, and a few drops were deliberately splashed onto Madam Pei's legs by Shen Yunjiao.
"ah!"
Although Xu was covered with a soft woolen blanket, it was a thin layer and was quickly soaked by the scalding juice. She immediately stood up and screamed.
Shen Yunjiao took a step back, half ashamed and half annoyed, and said, "Mother, please calm down. I caught a cold after falling into the water the day before yesterday. I'm still coughing and haven't fully recovered yet."
"I accidentally spilled soup on my mother and second aunt. I am so sorry. Please forgive me."
Despite the apology, Shen Yunjiao showed no remorse whatsoever.
"You! You did this on purpose!" Madam Pei said, baring her teeth.
"No, I just haven't learned it yet. I'll learn it a few more times," Shen Yunjiao replied, feigning a pitiful expression, before coughing a few more times.
Xu's old face was very gloomy at the moment. Fortunately, she was covered with something, otherwise she would most likely have been scalded by the hot soup.
"Shen Yunjiao, didn't the maid who accompanied you in the Shen family teach you these rules before you entered the manor?" Madam Xu gritted her teeth, her face becoming somewhat ferocious.
Just like the ancient demons described in supernatural tales.
Shen Yunjiao replied calmly, "I never needed to learn etiquette at home, nor did I ever think that I would have to serve others after marriage. All of this has been clearly explained to His Majesty."
"If Mother is dissatisfied, she can simply go and tell the Emperor to rescind the decree."
Upon hearing this, Xu was speechless and could only sit down in anger.
Fang Ziyu, who was standing nearby, suddenly spoke up: "The Crown Princess doesn't know how to serve, it must be because the nannies below are incompetent in instructing her."
Shen Yunjiao's heart suddenly tightened, and she glanced at Fang Ziyu with a cold, sharp look.
Unexpectedly, Fang Ziyu appeared calm on the surface, but she had quite a few schemes and calculations in her heart.
Upon hearing this, Madam Pei immediately understood. She slammed her hand on the table and shouted, "Which maid is serving Shen Yunjiao? Bring her in!"
While Lin Mama was still waiting outside the main room, she was dragged and pulled into the room by several aggressive maids from Ci'an Hall.
One of the maids even kicked Lin Mama hard in the calf.
"Oh dear!" Granny Lin cried out and hurriedly prostrated herself on the ground.
She was old, with graying temples, yet she still had to beg for mercy from her mistress with trepidation.
Upon seeing this, Shen Yunjiao's anger surged to her brow. She walked over to Lin Mama and helped her up, saying, "Mama, you don't need to kneel before them."
"You lowly servant, today I'll teach you a lesson!" Seeing that Shen Yunjiao still dared to defend her, Madam Xu's face turned pale. She clapped her hands and shouted outside, "Guards, seize this old hag and give her a good whipping!"
Shen Yunjiao shielded Lin Mama behind her, a cold smile playing on her lips. "Let's see who dares!"
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