Chapter 87: Mrs. Li's Generosity
"Since I am a member of the Shen family, I have the final say on whether or not to see guests at the gate of the Shen Mansion, and who to see."
Chen Shuwei turned his head to look at the doorman next to him, "Show the guest away."
"You--" Marquis Jingning boasted of his official position and that coming to the Shen family was an honor for the Shen family, but he did not expect to be met with such a setback from Shen Shuwei.
He looked at Shen Shuwei with a gloomy expression. It seemed that what the fool Ji Jinglan said was right. It was not that she could not coax Shen Shuwei back, but that this daughter had completely alienated herself from their Marquis' Mansion.
Madam Li narrowed her eyes and stepped forward, looking at Shen Shuwei with an arrogant expression, her eyes full of criticism and disdain, "No matter what feud you have with Marquis Jingning, leaving two guests outside is your Shen family's way of entertaining guests?"
Chen Shuwei didn't miss Madam Li's contempt for him and chuckled, "Guest? Madam, do you mean that anyone who comes to your house casually is a guest?"
Madam Li's eyes darkened. "I never realized you were so sharp-tongued before. I called you here today for a serious matter, not to listen to your empty talk. Please invite Marquis Jingning and me in."
"Or do you want me to talk to Shen Yuan and ask him about the rules of his house?"
Yun Ling, who was following behind Shen Shuwei, became angry when she heard her almost commanding tone.
What the hell, it’s fine if you come here uninvited, but why are you acting like a senior here?
Chen Shuwei held Yun Ling's wrist, looked at the two of them, and suddenly chuckled, "Okay, since it's business, then please go in."
Madam Li snorted, took the handkerchief handed to her by the maid, covered her mouth and nose with her hands, and walked in with a look of disgust on her face, followed closely by Marquis Jingning.
Yun Ling looked at their backs and stamped her feet. "Girl, it's obvious they have bad intentions. Why did you let them in?"
Shen Shuwei glanced at her, bent his fingers and tapped her forehead, "Those two are definitely going to come in today. I'll just say a few words. They are both of high status. If they are left outside like this, it will only bring unwarranted rumors to the Shen family."
Shen Shuwei glanced at Madam Li's back. This Madam Li came from a prominent family in Bingzhou. She had been married into the Li family for many years, but the only children in the family were her legitimate sons, while the rest of her concubines only had daughters. This showed how powerful she was.
"Ask the kitchen to prepare some tea and snacks. It doesn't need to be too much, just some ordinary tea leaves." Chen Shuwei and Yun Ling instructed.
The two people on the left and right came to cause trouble for her, so she just had to entertain them with all her heart and save face.
When Shen Shuwei arrived at the flower hall, both of them sat down, sitting in the main seat and the second seat on the right.
When Shen Shuwei saw this scene, he curled his lips silently, thinking that he really thought of himself as a thing.
She immediately sat down at the main seat on the left. Before her buttocks even touched the mattress, Madam Li placed her teacup on the table with a clang and said sarcastically, "You don't greet your elders first, but sit down on your own. Miss Shen's upbringing is really good."
She squinted at Marquis Jingning and said, "This is how you raise your daughters. When she marries into my family, I'll have to take the trouble to train her."
Marquis Jingning took over the conversation, puffing his beard and glaring at Shen Shuwei, "Shuwei, why don't you stand up and greet Madam Li."
Chen Shuwei sat down completely, leaning back against the pillow in a relaxed manner, and picked up the teacup to skim off the foam.
When Marquis Jingning saw that she was insulting him, his face darkened and he slammed the table.
Mrs. Li looked down on him even more and sneered.
Chen Shuwei drank half a cup of tea slowly, put down the cup, and met the two people's different gazes. "Since you have something serious to say, just say it. There is no need to act like an elder here in a sarcastic tone." "Shuwei, how do you talk like that--" Marquis Jingning frowned and said in a deep voice.
Chen Shuwei raised his eyelids and interrupted him, "Don't even bother singing the same tune. This is where I meet guests, not a stage."
Madam Li glared at her and sneered, "I've met you a few times before in the Marquis' Mansion. I thought you were an honest and decent person, and worthy of Jue'er."
"I haven't seen you for a few years and your temper has become so twisted."
When Marquis Jingning heard this, he pursed his lips, obviously dissatisfied with Shen Shuwei's performance.
In his heart, even if Chen Shuwei left the Marquis' Mansion, she would still belong to their Mansion. Their Mansion had raised her for so many years, and she had to make contributions when it was time for her to repay them.
"Forget it, she is just a concubine. It doesn't matter if she doesn't know the rules. As long as she can please Jue'er, it's fine." Madam Li said contemptuously.
To her, a concubine is just a plaything. Once she marries into the Li family, she will find a few maids to teach her the rules and make sure she doesn't break the rules in front of her.
"Your sister's wedding is scheduled for after the Autumn Imperial Examination. You can enter the palace a day or two later than her. This will prevent others in Luojing from saying that our family has no rules for bringing in wives and concubines on the same day." Madam Li continued, "Also, there are two maids in Jue'er's courtyard. After you are brought in, I will make them concubines as well. This is my idea. You don't have to go to Jue'er to make trouble then."
"Don't even think about using any despicable means to take advantage of Jue'er's affection for you. My Li family is a wealthy and noble family. It's a compliment for someone of your status to be Jue'er's concubine."
"Serve Jue'er obediently and give him a child. That's the most important thing."
Madam Li felt that her words were magnanimous. She had been feeding Li Jue's two maids contraceptive soup for so many years because she didn't want the marquis's grandson to be born from the maids' bellies.
If Jue'er hadn't begged her several times, she would not have made an exception and allowed her concubine Chen Shuwei to get pregnant.
After hearing Madam Li's words, Marquis Jingning stroked his beard with satisfaction. He looked at Shen Shuwei, who was drinking tea and eating snacks over there, frowned, and said with suppressed anger: "Shuwei, your future mother-in-law has spoken, and you still don't stand up to thank her."
The Shen family was, after all, a poor family with no background at all. Even their most obedient daughter had been spoiled after coming here. No one knew what rules they had taught her.
Fortunately, the Li family took a liking to her and she could still provide support for her career.
Chen Shuwei took out a handkerchief and slowly wiped his fingers clean, the corners of his lips slightly curved, "Are you done?"
Madam Li scoffed and lowered her head to drink her tea. Marquis Jingning looked at her with a frown, "She's your future mother-in-law. You're going to marry into the Li family and become a concubine to the young master of the Li family. If you follow these rules, are you going to make everyone laugh at us, the Marquis Jingning Mansion, for not being able to raise our daughter properly?"
"Being Li Jue's concubine, when was this arranged? Was it arranged by the elders of my Shen family, or was it the emperor's golden words that granted the marriage? Or did my Shen family's ancestors send a dream to the Li family?" Shen Shuwei glared at him coldly, "I don't know if the Marquis will teach his daughter, but he is quite good at selling his daughter."
"How dare you!" Marquis Jingning threw all the teacups on the table to the ground with a bang, staring at Chen Shuwei fiercely, "You have been raised in the Marquis' Mansion for so many years. I have the right to decide your marriage. This marriage is my decision."
"It would be best if you were obedient. The young master of the Li family likes you, and your life after entering the mansion will not be bad. If you are disobedient, this marriage cannot be changed. How dare these people from the Shen family go against me!"
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