The tense atmosphere between the two drew the attention of the ministers nearby, who offered various opinions, but none of them sided with Shen Feng.
"I originally thought the rumors about Marquis Chengen mistreating his own daughter were just exaggerated by others, but I didn't expect it to be true."
It's truly astonishing that there are such clueless people in the world.
"Some people are blind and mistake pearls for fish eyes. I have heard that Miss Song, who was rejected by Marquis Chengen, is a skilled doctor. At the lake banquet, her acupuncture skills amazed everyone present, and even the Empress Dowager praised her highly."
"It's quite a coincidence that Miss Song also treated my elderly mother. My mother suffered from illness for many years and no doctor could cure her, but she was cured by Miss Song. This is enough to prove her skills."
"..."
Among the crowd were many courtiers who disliked Shen Feng and made sarcastic remarks without any politeness.
Being touched on a sore spot, Shen Feng was somewhat embarrassed and angry, but what angered him even more was the praise these people gave to Song Zhiyu.
"That's just sophistry! I'm too lazy to argue with you." He couldn't win against Pei Qingyan, and was even exposed in front of his colleagues, which was extremely embarrassing.
Only after Shen Feng's figure had disappeared into the distance did Pei Qingyan conceal the ruthlessness in his eyes. He slightly curled the corners of his lips, cupped his hands to the courtiers who had not yet dispersed, and made every move dignified and polite, with proper manners.
Seeing this, the courtiers who still had daughters of marriageable age at home couldn't help but have other thoughts. They looked at Pei Qingyan with even more kindness and began to subtly inquire about his marriage.
Pei Qingyan smiled without saying a word, knowing what they were thinking, and subtly changed the subject.
As Ling Chen walked behind, he saw Pei Qingyan easily divert the attention of the court officials, and the image of Song Zhiyu involuntarily flashed through his mind.
No wonder they're siblings; their ability to deceive people is exactly the same.
In this light, it's not surprising that the aloof and godlike Crown Prince would fall for Song Zhiyu.
*
Shen Feng got into the carriage and returned to his residence in a disheveled state, thinking that once he got back, he would definitely teach Song Zhiyu a lesson.
If he can't do anything to Pei Qingyan, surely he can do something to Song Zhiyu?
With nowhere to vent his anger, Shen Feng urged the coachman to quicken his pace.
In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the carriage came to a steady stop in front of the Marquis of Chengen's gate.
Shen Feng angrily lifted the curtain and stepped down from the carriage, but the anger that was on his face froze when he saw Old Madam Shen.
With a pale face, Madam Shen was gently helped out of the carriage by the old nanny beside her, leaning most of her body against her, as if she had suffered a great shock.
"Mother, where have you been?" Shen Feng hurriedly stepped forward to help her up.
When Madam Shen thought of the Empress Dowager's warning to her today, the last bit of color drained from her face. "The Empress Dowager has summoned me to the palace."
Before Shen Feng could even ask for the reason, Old Madam Shen spoke up again, "Release the person from the ancestral hall, and never mention that promise again."
The news that Song Zhiyu was punished by kneeling in the ancestral hall and almost perished in a fire was somehow exaggerated and spread to the Empress Dowager's ears.
She was summoned to the palace today and was severely reprimanded by the Empress Dowager. She was so embarrassed that she had nowhere to put her face. How could she dare to make a move on Song Zhiyu again?
Now look what's happened! Not only did she fail to receive the Empress Dowager's favor, but she has also almost completely lost face for the Marquis of Chengen. Old Madam Shen is filled with regret.
"What? Even the Empress Dowager knows about this." Shen Feng suddenly staggered, realizing that the relationship between Shen Rushan and the Prime Minister's daughter was doomed.
He felt incredibly nauseous. He had just been upset by Pei Qingyan, and upon returning home, he received this devastating news, causing a sharp pain in his chest.
He had been wondering why Song Zhiyu had been locked up in the ancestral hall without any resistance; it turned out that this was where they were waiting for him.
Driven to the extreme of anger, Shen Feng's mind became much clearer. Things that he couldn't understand before suddenly became clear, connecting everything together.
Song Zhiyu did not struggle or resist, letting him lock her in the ancestral hall. She then spread the word about the matter and, through the mouths of the people in the capital, brought it to the attention of the Empress Dowager.
Not only that, she also plotted to have Granny Li burn down the ancestral hall, making a big fuss and forcing the Empress Dowager to take action.
The fire further confirmed that they were enraged and humiliated by their failure to obtain the Empress Dowager's promise.
He had no doubt that even the fire at the ancestral hall was orchestrated by Song Zhiyu.
What a clever scheme!
After this incident, they would never dare to make a move on Song Zhiyu again, and they even had to release her from the ancestral hall.
Shen Feng raised his hand to rub his temples and summoned Steward Lin, instructing him to send Song Zhiyu away from the ancestral hall as soon as possible.
They thought the matter was over, but less than half an incense stick's time later, Steward Lin returned with a troubled expression.
"My lord, the second young lady said she's doing quite well at the ancestral hall and plans to stay there for a long time." Steward Lin said this with a forced smile, not even daring to look up at Shen Feng's expression.
Shen Feng's anger, which had just subsided, surged up again, and he asked, word by word, "What did you say?"
"My lord, it seems the second young lady is upset, that's why..." Steward Lin carefully chose his tone, his heart filled with bitterness.
He knew the second young lady was no pushover; it's easy to invite a god but hard to send him away, so this matter probably wouldn't be so easily resolved.
"Outrageous! Do I have to personally go and greet her?" Shen Feng gritted his teeth in hatred, and even Steward Lin, who was far away from him, could hear the faint grinding of his teeth in the air.
At this moment, after a long silence, Madam Shen finally spoke, "That's right, you go and fetch her yourself."
“Mother…” Shen Feng frowned, somewhat incredulous.
"A small act of impatience can ruin a great plan. You should prioritize the overall situation. If we let her continue to stay in the ancestral hall, who knows what people outside will say about the Marquis's mansion, and it will also be difficult to explain to the Empress Dowager." Old Madam Shen was shrewd and had a clear understanding of the current situation.
If Song Zhiyu is not brought out of the ancestral hall, those with ulterior motives will make trouble, and the only one who will suffer is the Marquis's family.
Shen Feng belatedly realized what was happening, but he just couldn't bring himself to do it.
"You should think about the future of the Marquis's mansion, and not put it in a disadvantageous position because of a moment of anger." Old Madam Shen glanced at Shen Feng indifferently, and her words went straight to his weakness.
He has always valued Chen Rushan highly and gone to great lengths to plan and pave the way for him. He would not tolerate any factor that is detrimental to Chen Rushan.
As expected, Shen Feng only hesitated for a moment before giving in.
"Okay, I'll go."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
