Chapter 18: Praise to death, something went wrong
Shen Qingtan could feel Shen Shaoheng's gaze on her, as if the reptiles in the gutter were sticking to her skin, and she felt nauseous in her stomach.
He was the eldest son of the Cheng'en Marquisate, born in the eldest house. On the way back to Beijing to take up his post, the eldest master and the eldest mistress were killed by bandits, leaving behind the infant Shen Shaoheng, who was adopted by Madam Shen and was very much loved by the old lady.
Mrs. Shen also indulged him in everything, and he became unlearned and unskillful, and indulged in cockfighting, running errands, and sleeping with willows and prostitutes.
Many maids in the mansion were abused by him, and all of them were covered up by Madam Shen.
This was Mrs. Shen's deliberate praise and punishment. After all, the title was originally inherited by the eldest wife. Because Master Shen died early, the title was inherited by the current Marquis Cheng'en.
If Shen Shaoheng becomes successful, the title will not be inherited by Mrs. Shen's son.
"Brother, please respect yourself."
In her previous life, when she was imprisoned in the other courtyard, she heard the maids gossiping, mentioning that Shen Shaoheng had an affair with Marquis Cheng'en's concubine, and was eventually removed from the Shen family's genealogy.
Shen Qingtan walked past Shen Shaoheng and entered the yard.
Facing Shen Qingtan's disregard, Shen Shaoheng stared at her gloomily. Her graceful figure and exquisite curves made him feel itchy. He turned around and went to the backyard.
Shen Qingtan looked back at the direction where Shen Shaoheng left, retracted his gaze, and prepared to go into the house.
Hong Xing, the maidservant beside the old lady, came out and said, "Miss, when the master came over just now, he made the old lady so angry that she felt dizzy. She took medicine and went to bed. She told you not to greet her and to stay with her for a while."
Shen Qingtan was not surprised. The old lady loved Shen Shaoheng the most and hoped that he would inherit the title. She was always indifferent to her other grandchildren.
Unfortunately, Shen Shaoheng was not up to the task, which disappointed the old lady.
She whispered softly, "Please give my regards to Grandmother, and I won't disturb her."
After saying this, she returned to her boudoir before she got married, and waited for the servant to come and tell her before she went to the side hall in the outer courtyard to have dinner.
There is one table for female relatives and one table for male relatives, separated by a screen.
Shen Qingtan met Madam Shen at the door, but Madam Wei was not following.
Madam Shen smiled at her gently and asked with concern: "Tan'er, you don't look well. Didn't you get enough rest?"
Not a single word was mentioned about Wei's mother.
Shen Qingtan touched her face with the back of her hand, her cheeks slightly flushed: "I slept too much, and it makes me feel uncomfortable."
"You still look like a little girl." Mrs. Shen took Shen Qingtan's hand affectionately and pulled her to sit at the table.
Shen Mingzhu bit her lip and sat on Mrs. Shen's left with a feeling of depression.
Marquis Cheng'en had four half-brothers, all of whom were sent to serve as officials in other places, and all of them brought their families with them.
In addition to Madam Shen, Shen Qingtan and Shen Mingzhu, there were Marquis Cheng'en's two concubines and a concubine's daughter at the banquet.
Shen Qingtan remembered that Marquis Cheng'en had three concubines. The new one was only eighteen years old and did not come to dinner.
"Aunt Mei is not feeling well, so she won't come to avoid disturbing you two." Madam Shen mentioned it and wiped her hands with a handkerchief: "Let's eat."
Aunt Liu and Aunt Hu stood behind Madam Shen, serving dishes and waiting on her during meals.
Liu Yue picked up a dish close to Shen Qingtan and placed it on the small plate in front of her.
Shen Qingtan was holding his chopsticks when he vaguely heard a voice from next door: "Why didn't Heng'er come?"
Her eyelashes fluttered and she ate slowly.
The dish in front of him was not to his liking, so Shen Qingtan moved his chopsticks a few times and then stopped eating.
Liu Yue brought tea and prepared to help Shen Qingtan rinse his mouth.
"ah--"
Suddenly her arm was bumped and tea spilled on her skirt.
Madam Shen looked up.
Liu Yue's face turned pale, and she knelt on the ground: "I didn't hold the teacup steady, and I disturbed the masters. Please punish me."
Madam Shen put down her chopsticks and wiped her mouth with the handkerchief handed to her by Aunt Liu: "Today is the auspicious day for the return of the young lady and the son-in-law of the mansion. You are also a capable person by Tan'er's side, so I will spare you the punishment."
Liu Yue kowtowed gratefully: "Thank you, Madam, for your grace."
"Don't be so careless next time. Be careful not to hurt the master." Madam Shen warned and waved her hand: "Go down and change your clothes."
Liu Yue looked at Shen Qingtan, and when she saw Shen Qingtan nod, she said respectfully, "I will go right away."
Shen Qingtan stuffed a handkerchief into her hand and said, "Wipe it off."
Liu Yue thanked him in a low voice, clenched the handkerchief in her hand, and retreated with a pale face.
He went back to the servant's room to change his clothes, stuffed the dirty clothes into his bag, and hurried back to the side hall to find Shen Qingtan.
Just as she reached the waterside pavilion, Shu Yue stopped her. "Sister Liuyue, the eldest lady has finished her meal. She and her brother-in-law went to Wanfeng Pavilion for a walk to digest their food. She asked me to wait for you here and let you know."
Liu Yue stared at Shu Yue closely. The two of them, along with Tingxue and Yanxue, had followed Shen Qingtan since they were young and had served her personally until she got married.
Now, apart from her and Tingxue, Shuyue and Yanxue got married and stayed in the Marquis' Mansion.
Shu Yue met Liu Yue's gaze, pinching her thumb against her index finger, suppressing the urge to escape. She blinked and asked blankly, "Sister Liu Yue, what's wrong with you? Don't you believe me?"
"Why are you asking me this?" Liu Yue tapped Shu Yue's forehead with his index finger and said with a grin, "We grew up together. I know you best. Apart from you two, I don't trust anyone else."
Shu Yue's expression relaxed and she smiled: "My eldest lady likes the cloud cakes I make the most. I made some yesterday and I'll send them to you later."
"Okay." Liu Yue asked, "Is there anything else you want to say to me?"
Shu Yue shook her head and urged, "Go and serve the young lady quickly. We'll talk later."
Liu Yue waved her hand and said, "Then I'll go first."
Shu Yue stood where she was, watching Liu Yue walk towards Wan Feng Pavilion. She clenched her fists tightly, turned around and left.
——
Side hall.
Shen Mingzhu folded an embroidered handkerchief in her hand and glanced at Shen Qingtan from time to time. She saw her lowering her long and curled eyelashes, drinking tea gently and quietly, and patiently waiting for Liuyue and Tingxue.
Mrs. Shen glanced out the window, and the bright sunshine shone on the lush green branches and leaves, bringing a warm spring atmosphere.
She suggested, "It's a nice day today, why don't we go for a walk in the garden?"
Shen Qingtan put down the teacup in her hand and said worriedly, "Mother, Liuyue hasn't come back yet after changing her clothes. Tingxue went looking for her, but she's nowhere to be found. I'm worried that something has happened to them, so I want to go find them first."
Madam Shen frowned: "Maybe something delayed him. I'll ask someone to hurry him up..."
"Madam! Madam!" A terrified voice interrupted Madam Shen's words, and then a servant rushed in, gasping, "Something big happened!"
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