Even Shen Cheng himself didn't know how he got back to the manor.
It all feels like a dream.
As soon as he arrived at the mansion, the imperial eunuch who delivered the imperial decree followed closely behind, bringing generous rewards. To compensate Shen Danru, he also bestowed upon her the title of Princess Chaoyun.
The revocation of Song Yuqing's title of Princess Xuanwen made him the biggest laughing stock in Shengjing.
Now, the way everyone in Shengjing looks at her has changed; it's as if they're rebuking her: stealing their achievements is shameless.
"Ru'er, your father has met the Emperor."
Shen Cheng felt as if he were in a dream.
Shen Danru replied with a smile, "Father, the Emperor is just like us. He doesn't have three heads and six arms, so you don't need to be nervous."
"I... I was appointed as the fifth-rank Minister of Agriculture, and the Emperor even encouraged me to study agriculture diligently. He also praised me in front of all the civil and military officials for having such a wonderful daughter. Father, you're truly riding high today! You didn't see the ugly look on Marquis Xuanping's face..."
Shen Cheng realized he had said too much and quickly looked at Shen Danru's expression.
Seeing that his daughter's expression was normal, he said, "Ru'er, I want to thank you. It's all thanks to you."
"This is also the result of Dad's own hard work."
Shen Yulan stepped forward with a smile: "My second sister will be the Princess of Chaoyun from now on. Today I will personally cook to celebrate for you."
Shen Yuyan also said happily, "My second sister is really amazing."
Shen Yu'an offered his congratulations: "Congratulations, Second Sister."
The whole family was happy for Shen Cheng and Shen Danru when, just then, Madam Zhou rushed out and demanded:
"You've got a good life now, do you want to force Qing'er to her death? Qing'er suffered in the countryside for fifteen years, you stole her good fortune, and now you've taken away her title of county princess. Have you lost your conscience?"
These words stunned Shen Danru.
Qingtan said angrily, "Madam, you're wrong to say that. Song Yuqing suffered in the countryside for fifteen years, and that wasn't caused by Miss. She can only blame her bad luck. Besides, who caused Miss's suffering?"
Madam Zhou never expected that a mere maid would dare to contradict her in front of everyone. Her status was no longer the same as before; she was now the wife of an official.
This is all because her second daughter dotes on her maid too much.
She said impatiently, "What right do you, a servant, have to speak? Mei'er, slap her."
Upon hearing this, Shen Danru's eyes instantly turned icy cold.
"Let's see who dares."
Her cold eyes were fixed on Zhou Shi: "She is not a servant, she is my sister."
Zhou shrank back in fright at Shen Danru's gaze.
Then she realized what was happening.
She didn't know why, after only a little over a month in Shengjing, Ru'er had become like this.
She was so understanding and respectful to her mother when she was in the countryside.
Shen Yu'an said, "Mother, that's not right of you. When did Qingtan become a servant?"
Shen Yuyan muttered softly, "I've always treated her like an older sister."
Shen Yulan also agreed.
When Zhou saw that none of her children were on her side, but instead protected Qingtan, completely disregarding her dignity as their mother, she was shocked.
Now even a maid in the house is more important than her.
It seems that her husband and children are becoming more and more capable, and they are starting to look down on her, a peasant woman.
The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt, and she couldn't help but cry.
In the past, whenever she shed tears, Shen Cheng and the children would rush over to comfort her, but today no one paid any attention.
Shen Cheng knew that Zhou had suffered a lot with him in the countryside, and in the end, he couldn't bear to blame her.
"Mei'er, help Madam inside to rest," he instructed.
"Yes, sir."
Mei'er stepped forward to help Zhou Shi, but Zhou Shi pushed her away.
"Now that you're an official, are you looking down on me, a peasant woman, because you've been promoted? I don't need your disdain. I'm packing my things and going back to the countryside right now."
These words stunned Shen Cheng, leaving him completely bewildered.
Shen Danru's face was as cold as water: "Since Mother wants to go back to the countryside, Mei'er, pack her bags. I will have Xiao Wei arrange for someone to send her back to Ningzhou."
Zhou was stunned and looked at Shen Danru in surprise.
As expected of her good daughter, now that she's the Princess of Chaoyun County, she doesn't respect her mother at all.
It seems that person was right.
They were so ruthless to the Shen family, and to Xiaohua too, and now they're going after her, her mother.
She looked at Shen Cheng and her other children: "You all want me to leave too?"
Shen Yulan sighed and said, "Mother, no one wanted you to leave. Didn't you want to leave on your own? Second Sister was just going along with your wishes."
"You keep calling her 'Qing'er,' aren't you afraid of hurting your second sister's feelings?"
Zhou looked at Shen Yulan in disbelief: "Lan'er, even you say that? You and Qing'er grew up together, and you are the eldest sister. Don't you even care about this little bit of affection?"
"Mother, all I know is to put myself in someone else's shoes."
"Fine, since you all want me to leave, then I'll leave."
Zhou glanced at everyone with a chilling look, then went inside to pack her luggage.
Shen Cheng said with heartache, "Ru'er, do you really want your mother to go back to the countryside?"
“Father, Mother is better suited to living in the countryside,” Shen Yu’an said.
“Let Mother go back. Cousin Wenxuan, several uncles, and Uncle Dashan are here at home. Mother won’t be wronged. Let Mother go back to Ningzhou to reflect on her actions, and then I will bring her back.”
Shen Cheng felt that Shen Yu'an's words made sense, and he was also fed up with Zhou's constant nagging.
She was perfectly fine in the countryside, but after coming to Shengjing, she seems like a completely different person.
“Alright, your mother might be suffering from acclimatization issues. She's been quite depressed lately, and her health isn't as good as it was in Shangqing Village. This isn't a good solution. Let her go back to Ningzhou to recuperate. An'er, go and make the arrangements.”
"yes."
After Shen Yu'an left, Shen Cheng offered Shen Danru a few more words of advice.
Shen Danru smiled and said, "Father, I'm fine."
Back at Biluo Courtyard, Shen Danru had Qingtan invite Xiao Wei over.
"Xiao Wei, has Madam gone out today?"
Xiao Wei answered with certainty: "I didn't go out."
Xiao Wei thought for a moment and said, "However, the old lady who delivers vegetables to the mansion today is different."
"I understand, you can go ahead and get busy."
So, Qingtan called Mei'er over again.
"Mei'er, has my mother seen anyone recently?"
Mei'er's eyes darted away, and she stammered, "Second Miss, no, nothing."
Qingtan glared at her and rebuked her sharply: "Mei'er, if you dare to tell a lie, Miss is kind-hearted and can't bear to punish you, but my sword is merciless. Believe me or not, I'll cut you into eight pieces right now and throw you on the mountain to feed the wolves."
Mei'er was so frightened that she knelt down on the ground: "Second Miss, spare me! Sister Qingtan, spare me! Madam did see someone today, who seemed to be a relative from Ningzhou. Madam called that person 'eldest sister-in-law'."
My wife threatened to sell me to a brothel if I told anyone, so I had no choice but to keep it a secret.
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