Ren Wanyun had said this, so Old Madam Shen wasn't so foolish as to not understand the hidden meaning behind her words. From Ren Wanyun's tone, it seemed that Prince Yu was a devilish character. Shen Miao falling into his hands was merely a name that sounded better. The true beneficiaries were the Shen family. As for Shen Yuanbai, he was indeed Old Madam Shen's darling. Using Shen Miao to pave the way for Shen Yuanbai was an idea that perfectly suited Old Madam Shen's heart.
"In that case, since both of you are right, it seems that Prince Yu is indeed the ideal match for the fifth girl." Old Madam Shen was extremely shameless. She said such words in such a serious manner that a trace of contempt flashed in Chen Ruoqiu's eyes.
"Mother thinks it's a good idea, too," Ren Wanyun, who was quite good at lying, said immediately, "When choosing a husband for Xiaowu, I naturally can't choose one of low status. A prince's mansion is truly a place of high status."
Madam Shen nodded when she heard this, then she remembered something and asked, "Did the Prince's Mansion send someone to make a statement?"
Ren Wanyun's face trembled. Even though she was no pushover, she hadn't expected this old woman to be so impatient, so eager to decide Shen Miao's marriage. Of course, the sooner the better, otherwise it would be disastrous if Shen Xin returned. But even if the dust had settled, Shen Xin wouldn't necessarily let Shen Miao marry into the Prince's Mansion. Therefore, some unusual means would have to be used.
Fortunately, the people in the Prince's Palace didn't seem to be planning a formal marriage. Prince Yu, however, was fond of tricks, and he was quite creative. Naturally, they would remain unknown.
"Mom, it's too early now," Ren Wanyun said with a smile, "Xiaowu is still young, there's no need to rush. If we decide now, people will inevitably talk about it. Let them get along for a while. When they are in love and Xiaowu is willing, we can propose marriage. That way, no one will say that we forced Xiaowu into marriage."
Even if Shen Miao was a fool, it was impossible for her to be in love with Prince Yu. This was nothing more than covering up those ugly intentions with beautiful words. What kind of result would appear in the middle was unknown.
Chen Ruoqiu smiled quietly but said nothing. Although she also wanted to see Shen Miao suffer misfortune, she was cautious by nature. It would be better to leave this matter to Ren Wanyun. If Shen Xin really pursued it in the future, it wouldn't be her fault anyway. Sitting on the mountain and watching the tigers fight was what Chen Ruoqiu was best at.
Behind the screen, Shen Yue and Shen Qing were both filled with fear. They hadn't anticipated that, in just a few words, Shen Miao's life would be decided. For a daughter, a husband meant happiness for the rest of her life, and Shen Miao was destined for misfortune. However, Shen Yue and Shen Qing didn't feel a single sympathy for Shen Miao. In official circles, Shen Xin oppressed their father, and in status, Shen Miao oppressed them. Coupled with the influence of Old Madam Shen, the eldest wife was nothing more than a thorn in their eyes. Seeing Shen Miao suffer misfortune, they could only gloat.
Although Old Madam Shen knew nothing about housekeeping, she was a master of the feuds among the women in the harem. This was especially true of her underhanded tactics. She had risen from a humble singing girl to the head mistress of the general's mansion, relying not only on her alluring appearance but also on her ruthless tactics. Therefore, after hearing Ren Wanyun's words, she understood the implication and said with a smile, "Oh, so, then let the fifth girl get closer to Prince Yu. Indeed, if we really forced the fifth girl into this situation and then angered the eldest brother, it would not be a good thing."
Her current face was already harsh, and when she put on this kind expression, she looked like a weasel forcing a smile, with strangely malicious intentions. Shen Yue and Shen Qing both shuddered and quickly retreated away from the screen.
…
In the west courtyard, under the oil lamp, Shen Miao sat quietly. In front of her was a piece of snow-white parchment, with nothing on it, and the pen and ink had been sharpened. She seemed to want to write, but after a moment, she sighed softly and put the parchment away.
It's good to plan ahead for some things, but now she's just a girl, and all she can rely on is the intelligence she has. But these things can't be used to their full potential in her current situation. As expected, the road must be paved step by step.
Guyu and Jingzhe saw her sighing and thought she was thinking about Prince Yu. Guyu stepped forward to comfort her, saying, "Don't worry, young lady. If there really is any evil intention over there, we servants will protect you even if we ask for your name. If all else fails, you have good friends in the capital, so at most..."
Shen Miao shook her head. "The Prince's Mansion is high-ranking and powerful, and it has the protection of the Imperial Family. No matter how close my father is to others, he wouldn't risk making an enemy of the Imperial Family to protect me." Furthermore, the Imperial Family was eyeing the Shen Family covetously. If they were to act rashly, the naturally suspicious Mingqi Imperial Family would suspect that Shen Xin was colluding with others. After all, it was not a good thing for any emperor to have his subjects get too close.
"Or, let's write a letter to the master," Jingzhe said. "Although the master has military duties, the eldest young master is only an attached soldier and has not been transferred. If he returns to Dingjing, he will not be punished by the higher-ups. The eldest young master is here, and he can always protect the young lady."
"Big Brother, even if he gallops back from the northwest, it will take more than a month. How can he make it in time? Do you think they will be patient for that long?" Shen Miao said calmly. Shen Xin's intimidation would make them act in the shortest possible time. They thought that since the matter was already settled, a few more threats would make her obey their orders.
Shen Miao might, but Queen Shen, who bathed in blood and tears in the harem, never would!
"What should we do then?" Guyu and Jingzhe's expressions both changed drastically. Although they knew this was not going to go well, they hadn't imagined it would be this serious. Prince Yu's methods had ravaged any girl in Dingjing, even those from high-ranking officials, whom he favored. The imperial family intervened with some consolation, but they were powerless. His methods were so sinister and biased that they didn't show any signs of harm. Ultimately, it was the girls who suffered.
"What should I do? No one else can be relied upon." Shen Miao looked at the flickering flames and said, "I'd better rely on myself."
"But Miss..." Gu Yu was a little anxious. How could Shen Miao protect herself? If it were someone else, her family might be able to resist a few, but the people from the second and third houses might have formed an alliance with the other side!
“I have my own way.” Shen Miao played with the paperweight in her hand.
The Prince Yu's Mansion relied only on its favor to the Emperor and the royal family's willingness to protect it. If the royal family wasn't willing to protect it, what would happen if an enemy came looking for it? Tsk, without the royal family's protection, the Prince's Mansion would be nothing more than a handful of mud.
Prince, Prince, he has some blood ties with the royal family after all, so let’s start with him. By the way, she looked outside and saw a faint figure moving outside the window. It was a fat figure, who else could it be but Aunt Gui?
By the way, clean up the mess in the west courtyard.
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