Chapter 050
Shen Zi looked at Shen Jin who was taking it for granted and didn't know how to refute. Shen Qi also smiled, but she was a little jealous in her heart. Shen Jin could say such words with confidence, naturally because her husband was responsible and very good to her, but what about herself?
"You have no shame." Shen Zi gritted his teeth and cursed, "It's tiring enough for Earl Yongning to guard the border, but you can't be his good wife and have to rely on him for everything. Don't you feel ashamed?"
Shen Jin looked at Shen Zi. She didn't know her second sister could be so righteous and speak out against injustice. "Oh."
Shen Zi almost choked. She never expected Shen Jin to be so calm. If she had accused someone else, they would have felt wronged or angry. "You just said oh?"
"Second sister, you are so weird." Shen Jin frowned, "What else do you want me to say?"
Shen Zi was stunned by the question. What else did she want to say to Shen Jin? She herself didn't know. If she hadn't been deceived by the bitch, she should be the one who is so happy now. "Did the third sister look down on us sisters because she married a rich man?"
"Second sister." Shen Qi said in a deep voice, "Do you know what you are saying? Third sister is marrying down as a princess. If we really talk about marrying up, it is not third sister who is marrying up."
Shen Zi sneered, "Third sister, you know what I'm talking about. I thought Concubine Chen and Third sister were honest, but I didn't expect that they were actually treacherous. They put on an innocent face but did such despicable things."
Shen Qi stood up and slapped Shen Zi in the face, "If I hear you talking nonsense again, I'll tell mother."
Shen Zi jumped up, covered her face with one hand and pointed at Shen Qi with the other hand and said, "Big sister, you actually hit me, did I say anything wrong? If it wasn't for my third sister snatching my marriage away..."
"Shut up." Although Shen Zi liked to be competitive and always put himself above others in the Rui Palace, he was not like this now. Shen Qi's face darkened and said, "Second sister, some jokes cannot be made."
Shen Zi looked at Shen Jin with hatred in his eyes.
Although Shen Jin's face was no longer smiling, her expression was very calm. Sometimes being ignored is more frustrating than being hostile. In fact, although Shen Jin felt that Shen Zi's words were very irritating, she was not really angry, because she did not care about Shen Zi as a person. This was a habit Shen Jin had developed since she was a child. If not for this, she would have died of anger in the Rui Palace before she married Chu Xiuming. "If you have any questions, you might as well go back to the palace and ask father." Shen Jin looked at the furious Shen Zi and said, "It is my parents' orders and the matchmaker's words. It is not up to me to decide who to marry. I can't even decide my own marriage, let alone my second sister. If you feel that marrying into the Zheng family is aggrieved, go back and talk to father."
Shen Zi's face turned pale.
Shen Jin continued, "Besides, Second Sister is concerned about the affairs of my house, why not pay more attention to the injury of Second Brother-in-law?"
This was a response to Shen Zi's initial words, and was even more embarrassing than directly saying that Shen Zi was meddling in other people's business.
Shen Zi pressed her nails into her palms, breaking her beautifully manicured nails. The pain kept her calm. Thinking of the fate of her fourth sister in the Rui Palace yesterday, she forced a smile and said, "Don't be angry, third sister. I am just worried about you. After all, you are alone in the border town and have no family there. If something happens, there is no one to support you."
"Oh?" Shen Qi sneered, "Could it be that my second sister went out today because she had the support of my father?"
"Look at what my sister said." Shen Zi thought of what her mother-in-law said after she returned home yesterday, and she felt that there was nothing wrong with marrying into the Zheng family. At least the whole Zheng family would support her. Even if she beat Zheng Jiaqu, no one would blame her. Her mother-in-law even drove Zheng Jiaqu to the Buddhist temple, where he could only eat simple meals for three days as an apology. "My mother-in-law is kind." As she spoke, she glanced at Shen Qi's belly. She didn't know that the concubine of Yongle Hou Shizi had been driven away. She wiped the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief and said with a bit of boasting, "She handed over the housekeeping to me. I said I didn't want to be a housekeeper anymore, but my mother-in-law...my mother-in-law said that the Zheng family belonged to us after all, and it was only a matter of time before it was handed over to me."
Shen Qi's eyes flickered, and Shen Jin was also full of surprise. Although she didn't know why Madam Zheng was like this, how could a mother not love her own son and favor her daughter-in-law? No matter how you look at it, it's unreasonable. Could it be that the problem lies with the housekeeper? Madam Zheng was just looking for an excuse to make Shen Zi willing to be the housekeeper without saying anything and not get suspicious?
But the Zheng family is also a noble family, what could happen?
"I heard that the third young lady of the Zheng family is already engaged?" Shen Qi asked, also full of curiosity.
The third daughter of the Zheng family is the younger sister of Zheng Jiaqu. She is engaged to a scholar, who also comes from a scholarly family, but not from the capital. She will get married after the palace examination.
Shen Zi heard this and said, "Yes, that person will be going to the capital soon and will stay at the Zheng family temporarily to prepare for the palace examination."
"How is the dowry prepared?" Shen Qi asked.
Shen Zi said, "My mother-in-law prepared it, so I can't ask about it."
Shen Qi nodded and said nothing more. Shen Jin felt that something was fishy, but even though she had a good temper, she couldn't remind Shen Zi just after being bullied. After thinking about it, she said nothing.
Shen Rong was brought here by the maid in the mansion. She looked a little haggard, and looked a little timid when she saw Shen Jin. After paying her respects to Shen Qi and the others, she sat down below Shen Zi, lowered her head and said nothing.
Shen Zi frowned and asked, "Where's the fourth sister?"
Shen Rong glanced at Shen Jin and didn't say anything. After Shen Jin and the others left yesterday, Shen Xuan had the maid take them directly to the main courtyard with a grim look on his face. Prince Rui and Princess Rui were talking, both with smiles on their faces. When they saw them coming, Prince Rui even greeted them with a smile. Princess Rui's eyes flashed and she asked directly what was going on. After Shen Xuan and Shen Xi told what happened, Prince Rui's face turned red, and then Princess Rui's face darkened. This was the first time Princess Rui changed her expression. She directly ordered people to lock Shen Jing up in a yard alone. Except for a few maids, no one was allowed to visit. She only said that Shen Jing would be released when she figured it out and learned to be sensible.
Princess Rui was just as dignified and gentle. Even when Concubine Xu had just entered the palace not long ago and showed off the favor of the King Rui in front of Princess Rui, she just smiled and walked away.
Shen Rong was almost frightened to death at that time. Prince Rui, who usually favored them, did not say a word. Even when Princess Rui had her and her brother moved out of Haitang Courtyard and asked the nanny to hit Concubine Xu on the palm of her hand twenty times with a ruler and let her reflect on her mistakes behind closed doors, she did not stop them. At that time, Shen Rong realized that in fact, it was just Princess Rui who was unwilling to pay attention to them. If she really made a fuss about it, even Prince Rui would not be able to stop her.
Shen Zi also saw Shen Rong's eyes, secretly hated her, then looked at Shen Jin and said, "Third sister, they are all from our family..."
"Call me Lady of the Earl of Yongning." Shen Jin said expressionlessly.
It's just because of her looks that she is extra likable even when she is not smiling, especially now that she is trying to act serious, but it makes her eyes look more moist and soft, and her lips are pink and tender, because she just drank tea, which makes her lips look more crystal clear, and she doesn't make people feel scared at all.
Shen Zi's eyes twitched, and she resisted the urge to grab Shen Jin and continued, "We are all sisters. Fourth sister didn't have any other intentions yesterday. I'm afraid it was Third sister..."
"Call me Lady of the Earl of Yongning." Shen Jin interrupted Shen Zi again.
Shen Zi gritted her teeth and almost tore the handkerchief in her hand. Shen Qi took a look and found it funny. She asked the maid to bring a new handkerchief to Shen Zi and said, "Second sister, you should change a handkerchief." Then she covered her mouth with the handkerchief and laughed.
"No need." Shen Zi refused bluntly, then threw the handkerchief directly at the maid's face and cursed, "Don't you have eyes? If you don't want to serve me, get out of here."
This maid was Shen Zi's dowry maid. She served in Concubine Xu's courtyard. She was not smart and her appearance was average. After being favored by Shen Zi, she has been serving Shen Zi. At this time, she did not dare to say anything more. She took off her handkerchief and gave it to Shen Zi, "Madam, use it first. I will go get the handkerchief now."
Shen Zi looked at him with some disdain, and just responded without saying anything else.
The maid quickly bowed and stepped back.
Shen Zi vented his frustration and continued, "I'm afraid it's my third sister..."
"Lady Yongning." Shen Jin said again.
Shen Zi gritted her teeth, feeling a fire burning in her heart. If she had been the one to marry Earl Yongning... No, she should have married Earl Yongning. The five words "Mrs. Yongning..." were filled with deep hatred and humiliation.
"Okay, I'll remember that next time." Shen Jin didn't want to disregard the sisterly relationship, but others didn't treat her as a sister. What's more, as she said, Shen Jin now had the right to be willful.
Shen Zi lowered his eyes slightly and said, "I'm afraid you misunderstood. Fourth sister is just curious and concerned about you."
Aunt Zhao's eyes showed a bit of coldness. She glanced at Anping, and Anping suddenly said, "Madam, the master has ordered you not to pay more attention."
"Ah?" Shen Jin withdrew her hand from the pastry, looked at An Ping and said, "My husband clearly said that I could have some."
"You've already eaten some." Nanny Zhao said, "If you eat more, you will lose your appetite at noon, and the master will be worried."
"Oh." Although Shen Jin liked to eat, he was also a very sensible person. He knew it was for his own good and stopped moving.
Shen Qi smiled and said, "My brother-in-law really cares about me."
Shen Jin smiled at Shen Qi, her eyebrows curved with a hint of happiness, and she did not deny it.
Shen Rong saw Shen Zi's ugly face, her eyes were full of anger and hatred, her expression was distorted, she bit her lip in fear, touched Shen Zi's arm carefully, and whispered, "Sister, have some tea."
"Drink, drink, drink. What are you drinking? Is there no tea for you at home?" Shen Zi shouted angrily.
Shen Rong shivered with fear. She was the one with the best temper among Concubine Xu's four children. Not long after she was born, her younger brother Shen Hao was born. Concubine Xu devoted all her energy to her son. The second was Shen Zi, who she spent the most effort on. Shen Jing was also spoiled for a long time because she was a few years older. But even so, Shen Rong's kindness was limited. She was scared by Princess Rui yesterday, and she was also angry when Shen Zi yelled at her today, "If you don't want to drink, then don't drink. Why are you scolding me? No matter how angry you are, it's not yours. Why do you take it out on me?"
Shen Zi's face became even uglier. She was so angry that she slapped Shen Rong in the face. Shen Qi was very careful when she slapped Shen Zi, and it didn't leave any marks. But this time, because Shen Zi's nail was broken just now, she didn't care about the severity of the slap, and her nail scratched Shen Rong's face hard. Shen Rong cried out in pain.
When Shen Qi and Shen Jin looked over, they saw a red mark appearing on Shen Rong's delicate cheek, bleeding. Not to mention Shen Rong, even Shen Qi's face changed. "Go get a sign to invite the imperial physician, and someone else to invite Doctor Qian."
A woman’s face and hands are particularly important, especially for unmarried women. If they have scars, it may be difficult for them to get married.
Shen Jin also said, "An Ning, go to the mansion and get the box of snow lotus cream given by the emperor."
Shen Zi was already terrified, with blood and flesh still hanging from her nails. She took a few steps back and screamed, "I wouldn't do this on purpose..."
Shen Rong's eyes turned red, and she looked at Shen Zi with disbelief. That was her biological sister. Shen Jin had already come over and said quickly, "Don't cry. If you cry, you might get a scar."
"Third sister..." Shen Rong's voice was filled with tears.
Shen Qi pulled Shen Zi away, and then carefully looked at the wound on Shen Rong's face that was bleeding. It looked particularly scary now. Seeing Shen Rong's pale lips, he comforted her, "Don't be afraid, it's just a slight wound. I have asked someone to invite the imperial physician."
Nanny Zhao took a look and then glanced at Shen Zi's hands. Her nails were dyed with Impatiens, and Shen Zi didn't use any strength at all. In fact, because she had just finished a fight with Zheng Jiaqu, her fingers subconsciously scratched Shen Rong's face. It would be difficult to avoid leaving scars. She just hoped that the scar would not be too deep.
In fact, Nanny Zhao knew how to deal with it at this time, but when she knew that it would leave a scar, she didn't say anything, and even winked at Anping. Anping touched Shen Jin without leaving a trace, and didn't let Shen Jin get too close. Shen Qi also had the same concerns, and didn't touch Shen Rong at all, lest Concubine Xu throw all the dirty water on her. Shen Qi was afraid that Concubine Xu would bite her for getting hurt in Yongning Marquis's Mansion. Her eyes flashed and she looked directly at Shen Zi and said sternly, "Fifth sister is your biological sister, how could you be so cruel."
Shen Qi grabbed Shen Zi's hand as he spoke. Who knew that he saw Shen Zi's nails? This time he was really shocked. Anyone who saw nails like that would think Shen Zi did it on purpose, "You..."
Shen Rong also saw it, her legs went limp and she screamed, "Sister, you actually... when did I offend you?"
"No, no..." Shen Zi shook her head vigorously and tried to pull her hand out. She was about to cry, "I didn't mean it."
"You painted your nails like this and you say it wasn't intentional?" Shen Qi also felt that Shen Zi might really want to scratch Hua Shen Rong's face, but at this time he could only insist, "Fifth sister is young, even if she made you angry by talking carelessly, you can't be so cruel, Fifth sister hasn't been engaged yet."
The palace had invited a doctor and called the imperial physician. Such a thing could not be concealed. When the prince of Yongle heard the news, he was also shocked. He hurriedly brought his two brothers-in-law over. Because they were closer than the doctor, they came here first. Who knew that before they entered the door, they heard a sharp female voice shouting, "Even if I want to arrest someone, I will arrest that bitch Hua Shenjin's face. How could I arrest my own sister!"
As soon as Shen Zi shouted, she knew something was wrong. She was terrified and collapsed on the chair. Her face was pale and covered in cold sweat. She shook her head and said, "I was just talking nonsense. It's not true..."
Shen Jin also exclaimed quietly and took a few steps back. An Ping directly stood between Shen Jin and Shen Zi. Nanny Zhao even pressed Shen Jin into her arms and said sternly, "Young Madam Zheng! I will tell Earl Yongning the truth about what you said."
The Prince of Yongle swallowed his saliva and looked at Shen Xuan. This was a private matter of Prince Rui's Mansion and had nothing to do with their Yongle Mansion.
"Shen Zi, you are so brave." Shen Qi felt it was natural to hear Shen Zi shouting like that. She was afraid that Shen Zi held a grudge against Shen Jin and wanted to take the opportunity to scratch Shen Jin's face. However, Shen Rong's words angered her and she forgot about the nails and slapped Shen Jin. Shen Qi didn't know whether to say that Shen Rong was unlucky or that Shen Zi was cruel and ruthless.
"No..." Shen Zi covered his ears with his hands and screamed, "No, ah, ah, I didn't..."
Shen Rong's eyes were dull. She held the maid's hand tightly and kept asking, "I won't have a scar, right? Why hasn't the imperial physician come yet... my face..."
The maid kept comforting her, but she didn't dare to touch Shen Rong's face and still held her hand.
Shen Xuan strode in, stretched out his hand to grab Shen Zi's hand and slapped him. Men are much stronger than women. This slap not only silenced Shen Zi, but also made blood flow from the corner of his mouth. Shen Zi saw Shen Xuan as if he saw a savior. He grabbed Shen Xuan's hand and didn't even feel the pain on his face. "Brother, I didn't do it. It really wasn't me. It was all Shen Jin... Yes, it was all her conspiracy..."
After another slap, Shen Xuan said coldly, "You'd better shut up."
"Brother...Brother, my face..." Shen Rong heard Shen Xuan's voice, looked up and shouted.
Shen Xi also came in. Although he and Shen Rong had a bad relationship, he felt sorry for her. After all, she was his family member. He said, "Fifth sister is fine."
Yongle Hou Shizi hesitated for a moment before walking in and said, "Have someone close the doors and windows. Fifth sister, go into the inner room first and don't let the wind blow."
"Yes." Shen Qi also reacted and said, "Hurry up and help the fifth sister in." Then he looked at Shen Zi.
Shen Xuan said with a dark expression, "I will keep an eye on her and send someone to invite my mother to come over."
Shen Qi nodded and said nothing more.
The maid helped Shen Rong walk to the inner room. Shen Xi and Shen Qi followed. Shen Jin leaned in Madam Zhao's arms and whispered, "Madam, I'm fine. My brother is here."
Shen Xuan also said, "Don't worry, I will give an explanation to Third Sister."
Doctor Qian also came over at this time. Although he was a doctor in the Yongning Marquis's mansion, he was a foreign man after all and lived a little further away. When the Yongle Marquis's son saw him, he quickly said, "Go in and let people see you. Forget it, I'll take you in."
As he spoke, the Prince of Yongning pulled his arm and walked inside, and whispered to Shen Xuan with his back to him, "If it will leave a scar, you should stay away from it, okay?"
"Yes." Doctor Qian was not a fool, and he said after hearing this.
Shen Jin hesitated for a moment, came out of Zhao Mama's arms and said, "Shall we go take a look too?"
Aunt Zhao said, "Okay."
An Ning looked at Shen Zi warily. Shen Zi's cheeks were red and swollen, and there was blood at the corner of his mouth, making him look particularly miserable. She looked at Shen Jin with hatred in her eyes and said vaguely, "It's all your fault, you evil person..."
Shen Xuan frowned and said, "Don't force me to shut your mouth." After all, Shen Zi was already married. If she was still a girl from Prince Rui's Mansion, Shen Xuan would have had someone suppress her long ago.
Shen Jin bit her lip and walked inside under the protection of Nanny Zhao. Nanny Zhao narrowed her eyes. Anping walked behind Shen Jin. In fact, Nanny Zhao guessed that Shen Zi really didn't mean it, and the broken nail was probably an accident. It's not that she trusted Shen Zi so much, but Shen Zi was not that courageous. It's like a dog that bites but doesn't bark, while Shen Zi just likes barking happily.
But what if he guessed it? The fact was that Shen Zi scratched Shen Rong's face and even said that if he was going to catch someone, he would catch Shen Jin. It was good enough that he didn't add insult to injury.
When Shen Jin entered, he happened to hear Doctor Qian say, "My medical skills are limited, let's wait for the imperial physician to come."
Shen Rong shook her body and asked, "Will my face be scarred?"
"I really can't tell." Doctor Qian said, then lowered his head and stepped aside.
Shen Qi blocked Shen Rong's sight and said, "Let's wait for the imperial physician to come."
Shen Rong leaned weakly on the maid, even looking a little desperate.
Shen Jin did not come over, but stood in the corner. An Ping did not follow in, but Nanny Zhao still stood beside Shen Jin.
Princess Rui arrived earlier than the imperial physician. It was the wife of Marquis Yongle who went to greet her personally. Seeing Princess Rui in a hurry, she didn't know what to say, "I just went to see her. I'm afraid she will be left with a scar."
"I'm sorry to cause trouble to your family." Princess Rui said gently.
Madam Yongle sighed, "That's not true. As long as you don't blame me for not taking care of the little ones, we are sisters. Why should we do this?"
Princess Rui did not answer. Madam Yongle also realized that she had said too much and shut up. Shen Zi was still sitting in the hall being watched by two maids sent by Shen Xuan. When she saw Princess Rui, she trembled all over, "Mother... Mother, save me... I didn't mean it."
"Xuan'er." Princess Rui didn't even look at Shen Zi, she just said, "Let the maid send him back to the Zheng family."
"No!" Shen Zi suddenly turned pale and covered her stomach, "It hurts..." The old woman didn't notice that she had fallen to the ground, curled up and screamed, "My stomach hurts so much..."
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