Chapter 5 Entering the Earl's Mansion through the Middle Gate
The princess was furious when she saw the mess in front of the mansion. "Wen Lanting, how dare you!"
Seeing that he had alarmed the princess, and looking back at the chaotic scene, Wen Lanting could no longer maintain his arrogant demeanor.
Meanwhile, he winked at Zhao's mother, signaling someone to quickly fetch the old man back.
Wen Lanting hurriedly bowed in greeting.
“It was my second daughter who was ignorant and offended the Princess’s residence. Our ancestral hall will restore the soup kitchen to its original state. Please forgive me, Princess.”
Shen Shu sneered; Wen Lanting really wanted to shift all the blame onto her.
So he hurriedly crawled out from under the table and knelt down.
"Please, Your Highness, understand that this matter did indeed originate from me, but it is truly not my fault."
The princess had never heard such a ridiculous excuse before. "The evidence is overwhelming! Do you still want to deny it?"
Only then did he turn his attention to Shen Shu, and was stunned when he saw her face.
"Aren't you Shen Xiao, the young lady of the Shen family? What tricks are you and your mother up to!"
"What do you take the Princess's residence for! It's not a place for your idle squabbles!"
Shen Shu composed herself, and when she looked up, her eyes were red.
“Princess, please look closely. I am not Shen Xiao, but her twin sister Shen Shu. Today’s events are not what I wanted. Please hear me out.”
The princess was suspicious. "I've only heard that the Earl's family has one daughter and one son. I've never heard of any twin sisters."
He then turned his gaze to Wen Lanting, wondering if Wen Lanting and her daughter were trying to trick him again.
Wen Lanting wished he could stuff a cloth into Shen Shu's mouth.
But now she was in a difficult position and had no choice but to admit, "I do have another daughter being raised elsewhere, but very few people know about it."
"It's probably not that few people know about me, but that my mother has never mentioned me to anyone else."
Shen Shu shed a few tears.
“My mother sent me to the countryside after I was born, and I haven’t seen her in eighteen years. Today she said she was going to take me back, and she said she would bring me back in a grand sedan chair with eight bearers and the main gate wide open.”
"I never expected the sedan chair to be carried so reluctantly, and they even lied to me that the side gate was the main gate."
I only asked a few questions, and they had me arrested, saying they would use family discipline. What kind of mother are you!
Besides, how could I not be afraid when I saw so many people arresting me? That's why I panicked and fled to the soup kitchen at the princess's mansion.
"It was the servant under Mother's command who was incompetent and spilled the porridge. Why is Mother blaming me!"
These words were sincere; besides wanting to get revenge on Wen Lanting, they were also mixed with her grievances.
She once loved and respected Wen Lanting as if she were her mother, but what did she get in return?
She was scolded and beaten by the nanny who taught her manners, and the servants in the mansion didn't take her seriously. She was always hungry and couldn't sleep well. She endured it all, but it didn't make Wen Lanting soften his heart.
She's so stupid!
"My mother told me she was afraid I was destined for a weak life and wouldn't be able to handle the wealth and status of the Earl's family, so she sent me to the countryside."
But what's the difference between my sister and me, born on the same day? Why was my sister raised by our mother, while I was sent to the countryside?
"I'm afraid my mother made up the story about my light fate. Perhaps it was because my eyes were lighter than others that my mother thought I was unlucky, which is why she sent me away."
Shen Shu's words were sincere and touched the hearts of everyone present.
The surrounding people couldn't help but speak up for Shen Shu.
"It's really pitiful that the second young lady of the Bo Gong Mansion is living a worse life than us."
“Even ordinary people like us don’t mistreat our children. This uncle and his wife are really heartless.”
"Shu'er!" Wen Lanting hurriedly defended herself.
“Xiao’er was born before you, at different times, so naturally your destinies are different. You and Xiao’er are both flesh and blood of your mother. How can your mother bear to say such things?”
"What Mother says is even more beautiful than singing. Whatever you say goes." Shen Shu silently turned her face away.
"Enough!" The princess interrupted Wen Lanting, who was about to speak again.
They then had someone lift Shen Shu's chin to examine her closely. Sure enough, her eyes were different. Although her features were identical to Shen Xiao's, her temperament was quite different.
Shen Shuna's eyes were clear and flawless, and she seemed to have a straightforward and forthright personality.
Unlike Shen Xiao, she was exactly like Wen Lanting, with a calculating look in her eyes that made her repulsive.
Although the princess's tone was unfriendly, her anger had lessened by three points. She had always disliked Wen Lanting, but unfortunately, she couldn't find any fault with her.
Today, Shen Shu's outburst finally brought Wen Lanting into her hands, allowing her to vent her anger. How could she not be happy!
"Today's events all stemmed from the Bo Gong family's lax management of their household. We can let it go for now and restore this place to its original state."
"And the patriarch and his wife must personally distribute the porridge from morning till night to the people, and reflect on their conduct as mothers. Only then will the matter be considered closed."
"Otherwise, I will definitely tell His Majesty that the steward of the Bo Gong Mansion is lax, mistreats his children, and even smashes the porridge shop. I wonder how many crimes the Bo Gong Mansion can bear."
Wen Lanting's face turned pale. If this really escalated to the Emperor's attention, even the Earl would likely be implicated.
But she is the lady of the Bo Gong Mansion! How can she treat these lowly people like a servant and give them porridge!
If she really did that, where would she put her face?
"Yes, Princess is right. I will definitely order people to restore things to their original state. However, Shu'er is not without fault. Why not let Shu'er go to distribute porridge? Princess, you can punish her however you like. It will be considered an apology from the Bo Gong family."
Shen Shu didn't hear wrong, did she?
Should she be punished as well?
Before Shen Shu could even refute, the princess spoke up for her.
"Your daughter has to bear the blame for your mistakes? What kind of logic is that? Please, Madam, handle this independently and don't lose your composure!"
My uncle's wife changes her attitude faster than turning the pages of a book. One second she's all lovey-dovey with her daughter, and the next she's completely at my mercy.
I don't see a word of truth in your mouth, but your second daughter's words do seem somewhat sincere."
Shen Shu hadn't expected the princess to protect her; she only hoped to show her face in front of her to ensure her safety. She was surprised that the princess would actually speak up in defense of her.
He then cast a grateful glance at the princess.
He then said to Wen Lanting, "Mother, there's no need to say more. Since you want me to be punished, how can I refuse?"
Once I've made amends for my mistakes, I won't return to the old mansion.
I'm going back to my hometown. From now on, I'll pretend you never came to pick me up.
Wen Lanting was speechless; at that moment, he really wanted to faint.
She really misjudged her; she never expected Shen Shu to be such a tough nut to crack.
Now that things have come to this point, how can we let Shen Shu go and all our efforts be in vain!
"Alright, if Shu'er wants to open the middle gate, then open it. If your father blames you, your mother will take the blame for you."
"As for the soup kitchen, you don't need to worry about it. I'll take care of it all. Stop making a fuss. I'm begging you."
"It's such a waste that someone with such acting skills isn't performing in a troupe in the Southern District," Shen Shu sighed.
But did Wen Lanting think that was the end of it?
In her previous life, she returned home without any status or identity, and no one knew that the Bo Gong Mansion had a second young lady until her death.
She couldn't possibly be so pathetic if she had a second chance.
"Since Mother says so, then Shu'er will listen to you, but..."
"But what?" The veins on Wen Lanting's forehead throbbed. Was it not over yet? Was it not over yet?
Even a princess should be here by now! Why is this brat so difficult to please? Why doesn't she just go to heaven and become the Jade Emperor?!
Who taught her so many tricks and schemes?!
Shen Shu said, "I heard that once the main gate is opened, a banquet must be held to inform guests of the important events that have occurred in the mansion. I wonder when Mother has decided to hold the banquet?"
At this point, the princess had truly begun to like Shen Shu.
It turns out that if you want to control that bitch Wen Lanting, you really can't use her usual straightforward approach.
So he chimed in, "That's right, there is such a rule. Since I've overheard it today, Madam, I'll take it as you've already sent the invitation. Don't forget it."
The princess gave Shen Shu an appreciative look and continued, "It just so happens that the Duke of Qing's family has invited me to see a play tonight."
I've heard that your wife and your family have always been on good terms, so I'll inform her about your plans to hold a banquet.
Wen Lanting forced a smile, but little did she know that her smile was more like a grimace; she was currently suffering as if she were being roasted in a fire.
"Yes, the invitation will be sent out at the set time, Your Highness, please rest assured."
He then turned to look at Liu Mama and the others carrying the sedan chair, "Hurry up and help the Second Miss into the sedan chair and carry her through the middle gate!"
How could Liu Mama and the others disobey? Seeing that Shen Shulian had Wen Lanting completely under her control, how could these old women dare to disobey?
Shen Shu saw that the heavy middle door next door was open, and the plaque above it was engraved with the Shen family's symbol. She couldn't help but smile.
This time, she will return openly and honestly.
Wen Lanting was so angry she almost vomited blood; all her plans and schemes were completely useless.
Instead, she was completely overwhelmed by Shen Shu, who succeeded in everything she wanted. How could she swallow this insult?
Just as Wen Lanting was about to go in, she saw a maid from the Princess's residence who was distributing porridge blocking her way.
"Please wait, Madam. The porridge stall is set up, but you will need to serve the porridge yourself. Please do not go in yet."
The maids who were distributing porridge had to beg and urge Wen Lanting to leave. Now that she had finally fallen into the hands of the princess's mansion, how could these maids let her escape so easily?
Liu Mama brought the sedan chair to a stop in the inner courtyard, respectfully called out "Second Miss," and carefully helped Shen Shu down.
Before Shen Shu could even catch her breath, a furious roar came from outside the door, "You wretched girl!"
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