Chapter 55: Dog bites dog
Shen Qingtan had long known that Shen Shaohuai was a hypocrite who was very careful about his reputation and cared a lot about what others thought of him, so he was smooth in his dealings and was best at trying to smooth things over.
Anyway, the knife was not stabbed into his body, but just by talking, he gained a good reputation as a righteous person.
If she doesn't listen to the advice, she will be ungrateful and inhuman.
Shen Qingtan lowered his eyebrows and said, "Second brother, I understand."
Seeing that Shen Qingtan listened to his advice, Shen Shaohuai couldn't help but give a few more words of advice: "As the eldest sister, you should first humble yourself and go to the second sister to seek peace.
The second sister is kind and gentle, and will let go of past grudges if you say a few soft words to her.
She likes headpieces inlaid with gold and gems the most. Didn’t the emperor reward you with some pearls, jade and gems?
Just pick a few things to appease her, and she will probably be very happy and willing to reconcile with you as before."
Shen Qingtan sneered in his heart, it's really easy to talk without any pain in the waist.
He has really figured out the concept of being generous to others.
"Second brother..." Shen Qingtan seemed a little reluctant, raised his eyes to look at Shen Shaohuai, as if afraid that he would be angry, and reluctantly agreed: "I know."
Seeing that Shen Qingtan listened to him, Shen Shaohuai was satisfied: "You should go back home earlier."
Shen Qingtan nodded and lowered the car curtain.
Shen Shaohuai stood with his hands behind his back, watching the carriage drive away.
He believed that Shen Qingtan was resentful towards Shen Mingzhu because of the wrong marriage, and because her mother did not support her, she blamed her mother as well.
The fierce fight between the mother and her two daughters was ultimately detrimental to the interests of the Marquis' Mansion.
Only if the two sisters are in agreement with the Marquis' Mansion can they gain more benefits for the Mansion.
Even if Shen Qingtan didn't look for him today, as her brother, he would come forward to have a good talk with her and act as a peacemaker.
Shen Shaohuai’s idea was very simple. As long as Shen Qingtan’s life experience was not exposed, there would be no grudges that could not be resolved.
He thought of the mistress that Shen Qingtan mentioned, and a glint flashed in his eyes. He planned to cooperate with that woman and help her win Zhao Yi's favor.
First of all, it ruined Zhao Yi's reputation.
Secondly, only by leaving Shen Qingtan with no support in the Duke's Mansion and forcing her to rely on the Marquis of Cheng'en Mansion can the thorn in her body be removed and she will listen to them obediently.
Shen Shaohuai didn't dare to go over rashly. He called the servant beside him and gave him a few instructions, then sat in the carriage waiting for news.
——
Shen Qingtan's expression darkened as he got into the carriage.
She took out a handkerchief and motioned Liu Yue to pour a bowl of water.
Liu Yue saw that her master was putting on a big show, but she didn't understand her intention.
As she poured the water, she asked, "Second Madam, doesn't Second Master have a concubine?"
Shen Qingtan wet his handkerchief and wiped his face, then said in a subtle voice, "Shen Shaohuai is hostile to Zhao Yi and has always regarded Zhao Yi as a goal to surpass.
But Zhao Yi was too outstanding and too dazzling. He became famous before him. No matter how well he performed, others could never see him because he was overshadowed by Zhao Yi's brilliance.
In his heart, if he already has Yu, why does he need Liang?
He hated Zhao Yi deeply and wanted to find Zhao Yi's stain and drag him into the abyss so that he could shine.
I am simply presenting Zhao Yi's 'stain' to him."
The feud between her and the Cheng'en Marquisate had long been irreconcilable.
If she doesn't defeat them before then, when her biological parents return to Beijing next year, the Cheng'en Marquisate will definitely kill her at all costs.
Shen Shaohuai is indeed a man of great talent. After entering the Shuchangguan, with the help of Marquis Cheng'en, he will surely have a smooth career in the officialdom.
Not to mention that the Cheng'en Marquis Mansion will decline, it may even rise to a higher level because of him.
Shen Shaohuai is Madam Shen’s life.
She will not let anyone who hurt her go.
Liu Yue thought of Shen Shaohuai's character, and he valued his own interests the most.
It is obvious that the master has been wronged, and the Marquis's Mansion is the first to make things difficult for the master.
He turned a blind eye and asked his master to compromise and resolve the grievances between the two sides.
If Shen Shaohuai knew that his master already knew his life experience, a hypocrite like him would be the first to take action to get rid of his master, right?
Liu Yue said worriedly, "If he really cooperates with Zhu Yu, what will we do to you and the Second Master?"
Shen Qingtan straightened his sleeves and said nonchalantly, "They won't cooperate."
It's just dog-eat-dog.
——
The carriage slowly stopped in front of a teahouse built by the river. Shen Qingtan got off the carriage and went to the private room on the second floor.
Liu Yue knew that Shen Qingtan’s second letter was for Madam Shen.
"Will the wife of Marquis Cheng'en come?"
Liu Yue was angry with Madam Shen when she remembered that her master was in the Duke's Mansion. She was not sure whether Madam Shen would keep the appointment.
Shen Qingtan said firmly: "She will come."
Sure enough, after just a moment, Madam Shen came with Lu Yin and Lu Yuan.
Shen Qingtan stood up and walked towards the door, only to see Madam Shen wearing a bun on her head with a gold pheasant inlaid with gems, a gold and ruby-studded center, and a pair of flower hairpins on both sides. Her head was full of pearls and jade, making her look radiant.
"Mother, you are here." Shen Qingtan supported Madam Shen's arm and took her to sit at the table: "Daughter ordered a pot of Maojian tea that you like to drink."
Mrs. Shen saw several delicate cakes on the table, one of which was cherry preserves with a few rose petals in the middle, which looked delicious.
She had eaten it a few times, and although it was delicious, it was quite expensive.
Mrs. Shen was wondering what tricks Shen Qingtan was going to play.
She asked cautiously, "You invited me to the teahouse today just for this cherry preserve?"
"I just want to see my mother. If I go back to see you, I don't know what rumors will spread when others see me visiting my mother's house so often."
Shen Qingtan picked up a preserved cherry for Madam Shen and sighed, "Someone stopped my carriage yesterday, and there have been rumors going around."
Mrs. Shen had a preserved cherry in her mouth, and she knew that Shen Qingtan was referring to Zhu Yu.
She chewed slowly, thinking.
Could it be that Shen Qingtan asked her out just to test her?
"I've heard about this." Madam Shen swallowed and wiped her mouth with a handkerchief: "What's the matter with the person who stopped your carriage?"
"Maybe it's a misunderstanding?" Shen Qingtan hesitated to speak, as if he had some concerns.
Madam Shen looked at it and frowned, "Between us mother and daughter, is there anything we can't say directly?"
"Because it's a rumor, I'm afraid to tell it and upset you." Shen Qingtan paused and continued vaguely, "Not only are there rumors about that girl stopping my carriage, but there are also rumors that she was seen interacting with my second brother."
Mrs. Shen’s expression changed: “What did you say?”
"Mother, please don't be anxious. Someone might have seen Second Brother enter the Shuchang Hall and deliberately spread such gossip to ruin his reputation."
Shen Qingtan sighed, "I didn't take it seriously at first, but rumors are scary. I figured I'd let you know. If the rumors get out of hand, you'll have a plan to deal with it."
Mrs. Shen initially suspected that Shen Qingtan was deliberately stirring up trouble and using her to deal with Zhu Yu.
But once this kind of thing is investigated, the truth will be revealed. There is no need for Shen Qingtan to use such a clumsy method.
On second thought, was this rumor spread by Shen Qingtan?
On the other hand, Lu Yin, who was standing by, didn't know what she was thinking about. She whispered in Madam Shen's ear, "Second Master left the house early this morning. He usually stays in the old lady's courtyard for an hour after returning from the Shuchang Mansion."
Mrs. Shen's heart sank, and she could no longer sit still. She didn't even care about Shen Qingtan beside her. She hurriedly left the teahouse and got on a carriage to Nanshui Street.
As soon as she got off the carriage, Mrs. Shen saw the scene in front of her and her face turned pale in an instant.
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