Chapter 438 Spreading Rumors!
As the conversation grew increasingly absurd, Madam Shen felt her vision blurring.
"Second, third, and fourth sons' wives, hurry up and gag them!"
"If you can't speak properly, then don't speak at all. You've made us lose face all the way from Jiangnan to the capital."
Shen Shuniang and Shen Huiniang exchanged a glance. Something was wrong; something was wrong at home!
"Fifth Sister, Sixth Sister, stop talking!"
"Lanxi, was there nothing happening at court today? Why are you back so early?"
"Butler, quickly tell the cook to prepare a few more dishes and stew a bowl of nourishing soup!"
Seeing that the atmosphere was not right, the butler quickly smiled apologetically, accepted the task, and left.
The family's reaction made Shen Shuniang and Shen Huiniang's hearts skip a beat.
They then remembered that before the Shen family's misfortune, they hadn't had much contact with Lan Xi. The few times they had seen her, they had always been very polite.
The tone they used just now might work on other nieces and nephews, but it wouldn't work on Shen Lanxi!
The more they thought about it, the paler their faces became.
“Lanxi, your two aunts haven’t seen you for a long time, and they’re so happy that they’ve forgotten their manners.”
"Grandma promises they definitely won't dare to do it again."
The old lady Shen's humble and subservient manner left Shen Shuniang, Shen Huiniang, and the children they brought dumbfounded.
This isn't talking to a granddaughter, it's coaxing an ancestor!
"Look at my mouth!" Shen Shuniang pretended to scrape her face.
"Lanxi, I'm sorry. That's just how my aunt's mouth is. Sometimes, even if it's meant to be nice, it can sound like something bad to others."
Seeing Shen Shuniang's face fall, Shen Huiniang quickly slapped her face twice as well.
"Lanxi, your aunt brought osmanthus chestnuts and glutinous rice from Jiangnan. She has already ordered people to soak them. She will make you Jiangnan-style osmanthus cake and chestnut cake tonight."
"There's also ham and dried anchovies."
Shen Shuniang and Shen Huiniang tried their best to smooth things over.
Shen Lanxi remained silent, and the atmosphere froze.
“Grandmother, your two aunts live in your courtyard. There are some places in the Duke of Huguo’s mansion that outsiders are not allowed to go.”
Madam Shen quickly replied, "Don't worry, Grandmother will definitely keep an eye on them and not let them wander off!"
Shen Lanxi hummed in agreement: "I'm going out in a bit, so don't wait for me for lunch!"
"good!"
Shen Lanxi changed into casual clothes and then left.
...
"Mother, Lanxi is like this, it's terrifying!" Shen Shuniang didn't dare to speak until a while after Shen Lanxi left.
Madam Shen frowned and gave her two daughters some instructions.
"If you want things to go well, don't provoke her, understand?"
Shen Huiniang was indignant and began to inquire, "Mother, why? Why are you, an elder, so afraid of a junior? If word gets out, people will laugh at you to death."
Madam Shen rolled her eyes at her two daughters: "What do you know? Go out and find out what the people in the capital are saying about her."
Do they think she wanted to do this?
It's because they're scared and intimidated.
'Mother, why did you go outside to ask? You couldn't have told us!'
"Yes, no one outside can explain things as thoroughly as you. What if they're just making things up? Should we believe them or not?"
"That's right, Mother, you should tell us, or we can ask some of our sisters-in-law!"
Madam Shen was afraid that her sons would reveal her most embarrassing secrets, so she quickly stopped them and explained, "Lanxi is not what she used to be. I don't believe that you haven't heard about her in Jiangnan."
Shen Shuniang pursed her lips: "I've heard about it, but it sounds pretty spooky."
What do you mean by taking over Dongchuan and the Northwest in succession? Before the Shen family had any trouble, they often stayed at the Shen family's place, and they had never heard of Shen Lanxi practicing martial arts.
"Mother, could it be that they're exaggerating?"
"It's definitely our Shen family backing Shen Lanxi, isn't it?"
"Even if she's not from our Shen family, she's still a princess. What's the use of building such a reputation for a woman? It would be better to support the male head of our family."
"Yes, the princess is too biased. Why don't my mother and elder brother try to persuade her?"
Seeing that her two daughters were talking more and more outrageous, Old Madam Shen continued to reprimand them.
"What do you know? The Duke of Huguo's mansion was earned by Lanxi alone, and has nothing to do with her family."
As for whether it has anything to do with the princess, that's hard to say.
However, it is a fact that Shen Lanxi was favored by the palace before, so it is only right that they would favor her.
Shen Shuniang and Shen Huiniang both pursed their lips; they simply didn't believe it.
If women are so powerful, what's the point of having men?
Women are inherently inferior to men. Not to mention fighting on the battlefield, even when it comes to farming, women are not as strong as men.
The mother must be afraid of the royal family, which is why she thinks highly of Shen Lanxi.
“Mother, His Majesty governs the country with filial piety in mind and has the least tolerance for those who disrespect their elders. If word gets out that Lanxi has treated you this way, it will surely be criticized!”
“Mother, my elder brother is an official in the court and values his reputation. Lanxi is still young and doesn’t understand many etiquette rules. Out of consideration for his reputation, my elder brother will definitely not discipline her too much. These younger members of the Shen family still need you to keep a close eye on them.”
"How wonderful it was before our Shen family had all this trouble. We were a harmonious family, and there weren't so many taboos."
"That's right, I really miss the old days of our Shen family. Back then, everyone in the family respected my mother, and when the two of us daughters came back for a short stay, no one said anything."
“Unlike now, the whole family has become estranged. When we come, they can't wait to get rid of us. What kind of people treat others like this!”
Shen Shuniang and Shen Huiniang took turns speaking, and at first, Old Madam Shen even retorted and scolded them a few times. But in the end, whether she was out of energy or had taken it all in, she remained silent and listened quietly.
...
With Emperor Renxiao's birthday banquet fast approaching, most of the envoys from all directions had arrived.
The two envoys sent by the rebel king were nowhere to be seen.
As usual, Shen Lanxi and Zhou Ruyuan greeted them at the post station.
"In Lord Shen's opinion, could it be that the two traitors are afraid of our Great Zhou and are not coming?"
Not only were there envoys, but also officials from various regions, creating a magnificent and prosperous scene that even Zhou Ruyuan found stirring.
Shen Lanxi: "His Majesty has already sent people to investigate, so there's no need for us to rush!"
Zhou Ruyuan looked at the person leisurely drinking tea in a corner. She had broken the precedent of women serving in the court, but unfortunately, she didn't know how to manage things. Having a title alone meant she was destined not to go far.
If only the Imperial Guards under her command were to be placed under his command.
Zhou Ruyuan's gaze darkened as he recalled the advice given by the thatched cottage master.
Around noon, Bai Qingling arrived.
"Your Highness, Lord Shen!"
As courtiers who were there to welcome the envoys, Zhou Ruyuan and Shen Lanxi were to accompany the envoys for a meal.
"Why are you here?" Zhou Ruyuan didn't expect Bai Qingling to come. He frowned subconsciously and glanced to his side.
Shen Lanxi smiled and said, "The princess is truly a beautiful woman. The prince and the princess are a perfect match!"
Zhou Ruyuan felt stifled.
Bai Qingling smiled radiantly, but a fleeting hint of disdain flashed in her eyes.
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