Chapter 7
With Shen Rong's wedding over, life returned to normal.
During this time, Jiang Mian continued to attend classes at Muxi Hall during the day and spent most of her free time with Shen Yan. Except for a few days when she went out to banquets with Madam Jiang, she stayed at home embroidering.
Another half month passed, and the weather gradually turned cooler. Madam Jiang invited several tailors to the mansion to provide the younger generation with more clothes. Jiang Mian and Shen Yan each received three sets, while Shen Tang received four.
Jiang Mian didn't feel anything about this. She was already living under someone else's roof, so she was already quite grateful for what she had. Shen Yan's mind wasn't on this either, and she didn't complain at all.
As for Shen Tang, she had been going to various occasions with Madam Jiang these days. Once, Shen Yan secretly slipped out a few times and came back to tell her that Madam Jiang was choosing a husband for Shen Tang.
"My eldest sister married into the capital, my second sister married into the Lu family, and my mother said that if my third sister is to marry, she must marry into a higher social class. I just don't know which young master my third sister likes."
Shen Yan held a pastry in her hand and unintentionally mentioned it to Jiang Mian.
The two of them watched the spectacle with amusement and didn't think much of it.
Half a month later, I heard that the largest house in the south of the city had been bought by someone. The person was very mysterious, and all that was known was that he was a high-ranking official from the capital.
In no time, all the well-known officials in Jeju City sent their visiting cards, and even Chen Yuan requested an audience several times.
However, all these invitations were rejected. The person in charge said that his master was unwell and that he bought the house in Jeju to recuperate and did not want to be disturbed by outsiders.
Even so, some still refused to give up, trying to curry favor and catch the eye of influential people, hoping that promotion and wealth would be just around the corner.
These are all things to be discussed later, and have nothing to do with Jiang Mian.
Spring came and autumn went, the days passed by one by one, the whole autumn was quiet, nothing major happened, and before we knew it, winter had arrived.
Jiang Mian had lived in Jeju for half a year and had probably gotten used to the customs and culture of Jeju. Unlike Yangzhou, which was bustling and lively all day long, Jeju had no night market. It was bustling during the day but deserted at night. However, Jiang Mian rarely left the mansion. In the past six months, she had focused on her studies and, apart from occasionally fooling around with Chen Yan, she was mostly alone.
Winters in Jeju are slightly colder than in Yangju.
Jiang Mian was somewhat weak, and she was even more tired in winter, not wanting to move. When Madam Shen heard about this, she specially ordered a doctor to come and check on her every few days, fearing that she might catch a cold.
Jiang Mian was touched, but she also heard that the doctor sent by Madam Shen was the one who took Shen Ji's pulse every day. She heard that Shen Ji was not in good health, especially after winter, when he was even more afraid of the cold.
Jiang Mian recalled that she could count the number of times she had seen Shen Ji in the past six months on her fingers. In her memory, he was always wrapped in a cloak even in the sweltering summer, which showed that he was indeed in poor health.
Jiang Mian sighed inwardly, reflecting on the past six months since she came to the Shen family mansion.
She roughly knew everyone's temperament. Her second cousin was gentle and polite, and easy to get along with. Although her third cousin often acted foolishly, he was still quite good to the sisters. As for her eldest cousin, Jiang Mian thought about it for a long time but still couldn't figure out what kind of person he was.
All I remember is that the other person didn't like people getting close to them.
He has a somewhat eccentric personality.
**
Shen Yuan has been somewhat worried these days. He has been an official for many years but has never had any real power. He watches as his contemporaries are transferred, promoted, or even go to the capital to take up positions. Only he remains in this city of Jizhou, working as a minor prefect, day after day for decades.
He was filled with unresolved frustration, and just then he heard that a powerful minister had arrived in the capital. If he could catch that man's eye, his future success would be assured.
However, the man refused to see any visitors, which troubled him.
"Second Master, Madam has arrived."
It was late at night. Chen Yuan was sitting in his study when he heard the servant's words and raised his hand.
Not long after, Madam Jiang came in from outside.
"Master, it's so late, why aren't you asleep yet?"
"What brings you here?" Shen Yuan didn't exchange pleasantries with her, but went straight to the point.
Jiang's expression showed a momentary displeasure, but she concealed it very well. She and Shen Yuan were only superficially harmonious. To outsiders, she was still the mistress of the Shen family, but only she knew that over the years, Shen Yuan had frequented brothels and didn't care about her at all.
However, she accepted it.
She would be content as long as her children were successful.
"It's getting cold, I'm concerned for you, sir," Madam Jiang said politely for a few moments, then suddenly added, "I heard a distinguished guest has arrived in Ji'an Lane, from the capital. Our Tang'er is of marriageable age, why don't you..."
"Pfft..." Shen Yuan was drinking tea when she heard this, and spat out a mouthful of hot tea. "You really dare to think that way!"
Madam Jiang's face darkened for a moment. What kind of talk was this? Her Tang'er was the most talented woman in Jizhou. Not to mention marrying a high-ranking official, she thought it would be fine even if she married a prince or nobleman. She was just asking around, why did she have to put on such a show?
Do you know who that person is?
"I don't know, sir. Please tell me." Madam Jiang's face was full of anticipation.
Shen Yuan was suddenly speechless. He stood up, took a few steps with his hands behind his back, and saw his wife's innocent and naive face. An inexplicable anger rose in his heart.
"This man is unfathomable. He has only been in Jeju for a few days, and he has never accepted the visiting cards sent to him. There are rumors that he is the heir of a marquis's family."
Crown Prince?
Your Highness is well!
Jiang's eyes suddenly lit up. The powerful and influential people in the capital had condescended to come here, precisely to facilitate a match made in heaven with Tang'er. If she could seize this opportunity, she would one day be the heir apparent's mother-in-law, how glorious that would be...
"I advise you not to get your hopes up."
Before Jiang could finish her beautiful dream, Shen Yuan poured cold water on it.
She was puzzled: "Why? This is such a wonderful thing."
Shen Yuan turned to look at her again, realizing that he had never noticed before that his wife was completely brainless.
If it's such a good thing, how could it possibly be their turn?
"I heard that this young master suffers from a hidden illness. He went missing when he was young and was only found three years ago. In the past few years, he has been discussing marriage, but..." Shen Yuan suddenly sighed and paused for a moment before continuing, "Every time the Lady of the Marquis organizes this matter and brings in beauties, those who walk in standing up always come out lying down!"
“Ah…” Mrs. Jiang was stunned.
Why do the sons of wealthy families all have some strange quirks? The one from Qinghui Hall never goes out all year round, and we thought he had contracted some kind of strange disease that he couldn't show his face. How come this Marquis's son is the same? This hidden ailment is probably not a good one, and he is probably impotent.
Shen Yuan sighed for a moment.
If a marriage alliance were feasible, he would have eagerly sent his daughter there long ago. Why is he now worrying about it, with his invitation disappearing without a trace?
Chiang was somewhat displeased that his plan had backfired.
The couple paced around the room for a while, and Madam Jiang was still somewhat unwilling to give up: "Master, is there really no other way?"
"What else can we do? Tingzhuxuan is holding a poetry gathering next month. That person might attend, but what good will it do? He has no connections or influence. Even if he manages to strike up a conversation, what then?"
At this moment, Shen Yuan seemed to have figured it out and began to deflate. If he couldn't offer benefits to others, why would others give him benefits for no reason?
After a moment of contemplation, Madam Jiang suddenly asked, "Master, are you really not going to reconsider?"
"Do you have a solution?"
Shen Yuan glanced at her. He usually wouldn't talk to his wife so much, but tonight, for some reason, he told her everything at once.
Madam Jiang sat down, her eyes flickering slightly: "This matter is not difficult to handle, it just depends on whether you, sir, can be ruthless. Isn't that girl from Birou Courtyard just over her coming-of-age ceremony?"
"You mean Mianya?"
Shen Yuan hesitated.
“Sir, you might as well think about it. She has no father or mother and is an orphan. If it weren’t for the old lady’s soft heart, why would she have taken her back? Besides, a concubine in a wealthy family is far more noble than a wife in a humble family. Even if this matter reaches the old lady’s ears, we have a solid argument.”
Jiang Mian has a foxy, seductive look. If she doesn't marry her off early to extinguish Qi Yu's feelings, who knows what kind of trouble she'll cause in the future.
"This matter... please allow me to think about it."
Shen Yuan calmed down. Although Jiang Mian was his sister's daughter, Shen Yun had severed ties with the family over the years, and he had long since stopped associating with her. He only agreed to let Jiang Mian return this time because of the old lady's face. If what Jiang said was true, he would rise to prominence in no time after the matter was settled, and then he would no longer have to live at the mercy of others.
Seeing that he had taken it to heart, Jiang was no longer in a hurry; no one can resist a windfall.
Moreover, whether they succeed or not, they will suffer no loss.
Thinking of this, Madam Jiang said no more. She had been married to Shen Yuan for many years and knew his personality very well. Although he was hesitant now, he would probably give up even his own daughter if he had the chance to climb the social ladder in the future.
Moreover, Jiang Mian is just a woman from another family.
Let it go.
If I kowtow and admit my mistake to the old lady tomorrow, this matter can be let go.
...
"Miss, it's getting colder, you should wear more clothes."
Birouyuan.
Yunji brought in hot tea and looked up at the person sitting at the table. Half a month ago, the old lady went to the temple to pray and chant sutras, saying that she would not return until after the spring. All matters of the mansion, big and small, were handled by the second madam, Jiang.
Jiang Mian thought that the Buddhist temple was cold, so she wanted to make some knee pads to send to the old lady. Since it would be troublesome to go back and forth, she decided to make more so as to save herself from having to make several trips.
This made things difficult for Jiang Mian, who had to sit at her desk for several days in a row. The candlelight was dim, and Yun Ji, worried that she would ruin her eyes, specially lit more lamp oil.
"Cough cough..."
After sitting by the window for several days in a row, Jiang Mian caught a chill and couldn't help but cough twice. Yun Ji said worriedly, "Madam, please rest early. I'll take care of you."
“It’s alright. By the time we finish embroidering these few pieces, the snow will have melted. Then we can go up the mountain and deliver them to Grandmother.”
Jiang Mian rubbed her eyes and put the needle and thread aside. These days, she had to learn etiquette and manners from the old woman during the day and embroider this knee pad at night. She hadn't had a proper rest for several days.
It wasn't that she didn't want to rest, but for some reason, these past few days, when she closed her eyes, she always thought of the days when her mother was still alive. It just so happened that her mother's death anniversary was coming up in a few days, and she planned to take advantage of those days to go to the temple to deliver knee pads to her maternal grandmother and also to chant sutras in front of the Buddha for a few days. After all, in this huge Shen Mansion, she didn't have a proper reason to pay tribute to her mother.
After finishing everything, Jiang Mian blew out the light, climbed into bed, and fell soundly asleep.
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