Chapter 066
"Cousin, you're joking." Shen Qi said with a smile.
Princess Ruyang's face turned serious when she heard this, and she said, "Then I have something to say to you. Since no one has neglected you and you are already married, staying here for a day or two on weekdays is considered to be filial to your parents. Now that you are pregnant, why do you keep staying in the Rui Palace?"
Shen Qi's face changed, but he knew in his heart that Princess Ruyang was talking about him openly, but was actually referring to Shen Jin. If she gave in, the next step would be to target Shen Jin directly.
Princess Chenyang glanced at the calm Shen Jin and said, "Cousin, could it be that you think the Yongle Marquis's Mansion is too small to accommodate a princess?"
Shen Jin swallowed the food in his mouth, picked up the tea, took a look, and said to the woman in palace dress behind him, "Change me a cup of warm water."
The woman in palace dress looked at Princess Ruyang. Shen Qi and Princess Chenyang had no grudges against each other, so when she saw Shen Jin, she asked, "Cousin, do you think that my elder sister's tea is not good, so you don't want to taste it?"
"You're overthinking it." Shen Jin said, "I'm pregnant and I can't drink tea." Only Shen Jin would dare to say so directly that Princess Chenyang was overthinking it. Princess Chenyang had a spoiled temper, and many people knew it. She would sometimes fight over a disagreement.
Princess Ruyang nodded slightly, and the woman in palace dress took the teacup down and changed the warm water for Shen Jin. Shen Jin looked at Shen Qi and asked, "Sister, do you want to change it?"
"Okay." Shen Qi smiled when he heard it, "Thank you for the trouble."
Another woman in palace dress picked up the teacup in front of Shen Qi and changed it.
Princess Chenyang looked at Shen Qi and said, "My cousin hasn't answered my question yet."
After changing to warm water, Shen Jin took a sip and said no more. With Princess Rui around, there was no need for her to say too much.
As expected, Princess Rui said, "Ruyang asked the wrong person today. It was the prince's idea to keep the children at home. The children are just filial. You know your uncle. How can a younger generation go against the wishes of his parents?" Then she looked at the wife of Yongle Marquis, "When the prince is better, let him come to your house to apologize in person."
"We are all relatives, Princess, you are too polite." The wife of Marquis Yongle said quickly.
Princess Rui looked at Princess Ruyang and said, "You know, the prince is in charge of the palace. Even if I can't refute it, why don't you go and talk to your uncle?"
Princess Ruyang tightened her grip on the handkerchief. Princess Rui was almost about to say directly, "My family's affairs are decided by my Lord and me. What qualifications do you, an outsider, have to interfere?"
Shen Jin put down the cup, took a tangerine, squeezed it in his hand and said, "Didn't my cousin just come back?"
Princess Ruyang's expression changed, and she saw Shen Jin's puzzled expression, "How did you know that your sister has been living in the Rui Palace since she became pregnant?"
Many ladies present wiped their mouths with handkerchiefs or took a sip of tea to hide their smiles. Princess Ruyang really shot herself in the foot, but looking at the appearance of the wife of the Earl of Yongning, it seemed that the Earl of Yongning was fine.
However, thinking about the fact that Princess Ruyang had been targeting the wife of the Earl of Yongning from the very beginning, everyone was even more certain of this. Everyone had their own guesses as to why Emperor Cheng summoned Princess Ruyang and her husband back, but it was because there had been no news about the Earl of Yongning so far that they had been keeping it to themselves. Now it seemed that they could talk to their families when they returned.
No matter how you look at it now, Lady Yongning is more confident than Princess Ruyang.
Princess Zhaoyang also heard something wrong and said, "By the way, cousin, I wonder why your brother-in-law defeated the pirates? A small pirate actually broke the myth of the undefeated Earl of Yongning."
"My cousin said it was a myth." Shen Jin said as a matter of course, "Of course it is not credible."
Princess Zhaoyang bit her lower lip and said with a wronged look on her face, "Cousin, you know that's not what I meant. I'm just worried about my cousin's husband and the people in Minzhong."
Shen Jin looked at Princess Zhaoyang in surprise. Her almond-shaped eyes became particularly round and watery. "I'm not worried about my husband, so what are you worried about, cousin?"
As soon as these words came out, Princess Zhaoyang's face changed drastically. She covered her face with a handkerchief and began to cry quietly. Princess Chenyang said angrily, "Cousin, you are so rude. I just asked a question, but you slandered me like this."
Shen Jin became even more confused. He looked around and bit his lower lip with an innocent and puzzled look on his face. "But...what did I say?"
Yes, what did Shen Jin say? It was just that Princess Zhaoyang said she was worried about Earl Yongning, and Shen Jin asked back, "I, as a wife, am not worried, so what are you worried about, cousin?" In the final analysis, Princess Zhaoyang just said the wrong thing, and now crying and making a fuss seems to be out of order.
"Big cousin." Shen Jin also had tears in her eyes and said, "I really don't know how I offended my two cousins."
Before Princess Ruyang could speak, Shen Jin sniffed, holding back tears, and stood up with the help of the table. She held her lower back with one hand and rubbed her stomach with the other, looking even more pitiful. She bowed to Princess Zhaoyang and Princess Chenyang and said, "I said something wrong. I apologize to the two princesses here."
As soon as these words came out, Princess Ruyang said sternly, "Zhaoyang, Chenyang, you two still don't apologize to your cousin. If you continue to make trouble unreasonably, I will have you sent back."
Princess Zhaoyang and Princess Chenyang bit their lips, stood up and saluted Shen Jin, saying, "It's our fault, please don't be offended, cousin."
Shen Jin sighed, held An Ning's hand and said, "Forget it, we are all family, and I am your sister too." After saying that, she returned to her seat.
Princess Zhaoyang and Princess Chenyang were filled with humiliation. After they sat down, they felt ashamed to face people. They lowered their heads and stopped talking. However, Princess Ruyang said, "Don't take it to heart, cousin."
"It's okay." Shen Jin leaned back in his chair and just smiled when he heard this, "The two cousins are still young."
These words were a slap in the faces of the two princesses. Zhaoyang and Chenyang were only less than a year younger than Shen Jin.
Princess Ruyang thought of the purpose of today and swallowed her breath. She glared at Chenyang who wanted to speak, and then said, "By the way, cousin, you haven't told me what happened to Earl Yongning's defeat. Are those pirates really that powerful?"
"Ah?" Shen Jin frowned and thought for a moment before saying, "But is there any new news in the palace?"
Princess Ruyang looked at Shen Jin and thought she was playing dumb, "Hasn't it spread all over the capital?"
"Oh, rumors, that's not credible." Shen Jin said, "At first they said my husband looked like Zhong Kui."
Those who knew about the rumors about Earl Yongning couldn't help but laugh.
Shen Jin looked at Princess Ruyang with a serious face and said, "Cousin, outsiders can say whatever they want, but you, as a princess, cannot. Since we are members of the royal family, while enjoying the glory and wealth, our words and deeds should also be a statement of the world. What if what you said today spreads out and is believed by others? Not to mention anything else, what if someone says that you lied about the war situation?"
Princess Ruyang said, "My cousin, what you said is too serious. I just asked a question."
Shen Jin smiled shyly when she heard this, "I was overthinking it. I tend to have wild thoughts after I get pregnant. But my cousin should also pay more attention."
Princess Ruyang felt suffocated and drank a few sips of water before she felt better. She looked at Princess Rui and said, "My cousin is really eloquent. I'm afraid that among the children of my uncle, my third cousin is the smartest."
This was obviously a provocation. Princess Rui smiled and said, "Jin usually doesn't talk much, but she talked so much today because she got to know Ruyang and the others."
"Yes, I felt close to my cousin as soon as I saw her." Shen Jin said with a smile.
Princess Ruyang narrowed her eyes and said, "I also feel that my cousin is kind, but unfortunately my husband and I will be leaving the capital in the next few days."
Princess Zhaoyang also knew this for the first time and asked, "Where are you going, big sister? You just came back not long ago."
"It was my father's order." Princess Ruyang said, "I was just about to ask my cousin, what's the environment like in the border town? Is there anything I need to prepare?"
"The environment is nice." Shen Jin said with a smile, as if he had expected it. "Anyway, I think it's very good."
"What are you doing in the border town, elder sister?" Princess Chenyang asked.
Princess Ruyang sighed with a hint of helplessness and regret, but she looked at Shen Jin and said, "The Earl of Yongning has been missing for so long, and no one knows whether he is alive or dead. There are barbarians eyeing the border town covetously. There has been no one in charge of the border town, and I am afraid it is not good. Father thinks that the prince consort is still a good candidate, so he let the prince consort give it a try, so I came here today to ask my cousin for advice."
"Oh." Shen Jin said, "Actually, there is not a shortage of anything in the border town. If you want to go there, it would be better to bring more medicinal herbs." Shen Jin thought about it and thought that Chu Xiuyuan would like things like medicinal herbs, and he would not mind the trouble for Princess Te Ruyang to take over and take care of them. "War horses and the like are also in short supply, as well as food and supplies. I don't know much about the rest. I don't go out seldom." When Shen Jin said the last sentence, he didn't blush or feel nervous, as if he was telling the truth.
Shen Qi glanced at Shen Jin slightly. He didn't know who was bragging in the mansion a few days ago that he could go to the teahouse to listen to storytelling every day.
Seeing Shen Jin say it so easily, Princess Ruyang's heart skipped a beat and she couldn't believe it. "I heard that the brother of Earl Yongning is still in the border town. I wonder if my cousin has any news to send to him? I'll just pass it on to my cousin on the way."
"Then I'll trouble you, cousin. I'll go back and pack some things, and you can help me send them there when the time comes." Shen Jin said, "But the people there are tough, so it would be better for you to bring more guards."
Princess Ruyang suddenly felt that Shen Jin was a fool. How could she think that Shen Jin was thoughtful? Thinking of what Emperor Cheng said, she became more friendly to Shen Jin. "By the way, I heard that the army over there only recognizes the Chu family, not the imperial court."
"Cousin, why do you always listen to some people's nonsense?" Shen Jin frowned and said, "Anyone who says these things to you should be dragged out and beaten with a stick. All the land under heaven belongs to the king, and all the people in the world are the king's subjects. Cousin, you are worrying too much."
It was the same as if he hadn't said it, but Princess Ruyang felt that Shen Jin was sincere, so she was just a little unhappy.
Shen Jin smiled and said, "Well, the maid next to me grew up in the border town. Let her come in and talk to my cousin about the border town. My cousin will know more about it and can make arrangements when packing up. If it were me, I think my cousin should prepare more food. It's a bit desolate over there."
Princess Ruyang felt strange when she heard this, as if Shen Jin was too enthusiastic. Could it be that she didn't understand that she and her husband had gone there to seize the military power of the Earl of Yongning, or did she have other support? But thinking about it, she felt that it was impossible. Princess Ruyang looked carefully at Shen Jin's expression and saw that she was full of sincerity, as if she was expecting Princess Ruyang to go there early.
As expected, Shen Jin smiled again and said, "When my husband comes back, I will have someone to talk to after he and I return to the border town."
Princess Ruyang said tentatively, "Maybe when Earl Yongning returns, father will let him stay in the capital."
"That's great." Shen Jin almost cheered, and said with a happy face, "I don't have to be separated from my sister, but my eldest cousin is pitiful. There is no one to talk to over there."
At the end, he complained again, "But other than these, the rest are pretty good."
Not to mention Princess Ruyang, all the ladies present felt something was strange. They not only secretly looked at Princess Rui's expression, but also saw that her face was full of smiles, as if she was particularly satisfied with what Shen Jin said.
Princess Ruyang was even more suspicious. She was very similar to Emperor Cheng, suspicious and superficial. She asked, "Why don't you let the maid behind you speak?"
"Oh, she's not very good at talking." Shen Jin complained, "If the eldest cousin asked, she would finish her answer in just a few words. Doesn't the eldest cousin want to know more?"
"Really?" Princess Ruyang said.
Princess Chenyang said, "I just want to hear her say it."
Shen Jin looked at Princess Chenyang helplessly and said, "Well, An Ning, tell everyone about the situation in Border Town."
"Yes." An Ning bowed before speaking, "It's a little colder and windier in the winter than in the capital, and a little hotter in the summer, but there's nothing else."
Shen Jin looked at Princess Ruyang, "She just can't talk."
"Why does my cousin still keep such a person around?" asked Princess Ruyang.
Princess Chenyang smiled and said, "How about this, cousin, I will use two of my palace maids to exchange for your maid?"
"No." Shen Jin refused directly, "Peace is very important."
"Well?" Princess Zhaoyang smiled, "Didn't my cousin complain that she can't speak?"
"When did I complain that she can't speak?" Shen Jin asked in confusion.
Princess Ruyang asked, "Then how important is she?"
Not to mention Ru Yang and the others, even everyone else was curious. Looking at the ordinary An Ning, they couldn't see any difference.
Shen Jin stroked his belly and said, "Oh, I don't want to tell you."
"..."Princess Ruyang took a few sips of the tea before she suppressed her anger.
Princess Chenyang felt as if something was stuck in her throat, and she could neither spit it out nor swallow it.
Princess Zhaoyang fiercely tore the handkerchief in her hand. How could someone be so shameless and say such things as if it were a matter of course?
Some ladies did hide their smiles with their handkerchiefs, and some who were on good terms exchanged glances with each other, but Shen Jin was sitting high up, so he saw all these people's expressions and small movements. He lowered his eyes slightly, leaned back in his chair, and said nothing more.
Shen Jin's posture was naturally comfortable, but Princess Ruyang, who was kneeling on the warm mat, felt uncomfortable, as if she was inferior to Shen Jin. Although Shen Qi was also sitting on a high chair, he was inevitably a little restrained, not like Shen Jin at all.
Princess Ruyang glanced at Princess Chenyang, who asked as if she had just discovered something, "Hey, where's my second cousin? Why isn't she here?"
Princess Zhaoyang also said, "Yes, why is there one less cousin?"
Princess Ruyang frowned and looked at the maid behind her and said, "How do you do things?"
The maid said, "I invited the Second Princess to come, but she refused, saying that she wanted to accompany Madam Zheng."
"Mrs. Zheng can come together." Princess Chenyang said, "My second cousin is too particular about rules, but I heard that there is a conflict between my second cousin and my third cousin? Could it be..." Her eyes swept over Shen Jin.
Shen Jin yawned slightly with her handkerchief covering her eyes. The room was warm, making her a little sleepy. Naturally, she did not notice Princess Chenyang's gaze.
Princess Chenyang gritted her teeth and said, "Third cousin, I heard that there are some misunderstandings between you and second cousin. Could it be that second cousin is afraid of third cousin? But it is true that although they are both princesses, second cousin only married into the Zheng family, while third cousin married the Earl of Yongning who has made great military achievements."
"Yes, my husband is the Earl of Yongning." Shen Jin was so tired that his reaction was a little slow. He only noticed the last sentence of Princess Chenyang.
If she hadn't been concerned about her image, Princess Chenyang would have almost overturned the low table in front of her, "Is Third Cousin showing off?"
"Ah?" Shen Jin looked at Princess Chen Yang in a daze, "No, isn't this the truth?"
Seeing that Princess Chenyang was about to get angry, Princess Zhaoyang quickly said, "Third cousin, why don't you invite Second cousin to come over and sit down? Can we all talk together?"
"I'm a guest too." Shen Jin was even more confused. He simply couldn't understand these two cousins. "Isn't the host today my eldest cousin? Did cousin Zhaoyang come back so soon after getting dressed?"
Princess Zhaoyang's face changed. She didn't really cry just now, so there was no need for her to go to the back to wash up. However, Shen Jin pointed it out specifically at this time, making Zhaoyang feel very embarrassed.
Princess Ruyang reached out to take the tea, and just after taking a sip, she realized that it was already empty. She glared at the maid behind her, then put the teacup on the low table. The maid quickly filled it up to 80% full. Princess Ruyang took a few more sips of the tea, and then she suppressed the powerlessness and frustration in her heart, and said, "Sisters don't hold grudges overnight. The third cousin and the second cousin will talk it out later, and don't make a fuss anymore."
Shen Jin didn't respond, but glanced at An Ning. An Ning took out an oil paper bag from her sleeve. Shen Jin took it, opened it, pinched a piece of dried fruit from it, put it in his mouth and started eating.
Princess Ruyang felt that it was too awkward to look up when she wanted to see Shen Jin. "The plum blossoms are in full bloom right now. Why don't you all go to the courtyard with me to appreciate the plum blossoms?"
Princess Chenyang smiled and said, "I heard that my father knew that my elder sister loved the purity of plum blossoms the most, so he specially had a plum garden built for her."
Princess Ruyang smiled gently, but her eyes could not hide her pride. She said, "You are the only one who talks too much. Just invite Madam Zheng and my second cousin to the Plum Garden."
Princess Zhaoyang also smiled and said, "My father loves my eldest sister the most."
"Okay." Princess Ruyang said with a smile and looked at Princess Rui and said, "Aunt, please."
Princess Rui held Cui Xi's hand and stood up, saying, "Yes."
Princess Ruyang also stood up, followed by Princess Zhaoyang and Princess Chenyang. Shen Qi also stood up, holding the hand of her maid. Her eyes swept over the Crown Prince's Consort who was also pregnant. The Crown Prince's Consort had been kneeling for so long that her face had turned pale. When she heard that they were going to appreciate the plum blossoms, she showed no joy at all. She was really suffering.
Shen Jin thought it would be good to go out for a walk. She couldn't fall asleep in the princess's mansion after all. Holding An Ning's hand, Shen Jin followed behind Princess Rui. An Ping and other maids were waiting outside to see Shen Jin. An Ning first took a large cotton coat from An Ping's hand and put it on Shen Jin. Then An Ping shook out the cloak and tied it for her. He then took his hands and covered Shen Jin, wrapping her up warmly, and then followed behind Shen Jin.
Princess Chenyang was wearing a bright red cape today. Seeing Shen Jin's appearance, she said, "My cousin is really delicate now."
"Yeah." Shen Jin nodded as a matter of course, not feeling embarrassed at all, "You'll know when you have a child."
Shen Qi also wrapped herself up a lot. After all, after being pregnant, many medicines tasted bad, and it would be bad for the baby if she caught a cold.
Princess Rui checked her two daughters, and even reached out to help Shen Jin adjust her cloak, saying, "Don't talk while you're walking. You'll get a stomachache if you get cold air."
"Got it." Shen Qi and Shen Jin responded with a smile.
Shen Jin's cloak had a hood and a thick circle of rabbit fur on it. After putting it on, it covered half of her face. An Ping and An Ning walked forward slowly on both sides of her. For a moment, Princess Rui and her daughter fell behind. Shen Jin saw the pale-faced Crown Prince's Consort, thought about it, pulled her hand out, and took out an oil paper bag the size of a copper coin from her sleeve. She opened it and ate a candy inside, then put the rest in the Crown Prince's Consort's hand and whispered, "It's made with brown sugar and ginger, and it doesn't taste very good."
"Thank you." The Crown Princess immediately took out the remaining one and put it in her mouth.
Shen Jin shook his head and said, "Go back and warm your feet."
The Crown Princess nodded and glanced at her mother-in-law, who was talking to Princess Rui. As if she sensed her gaze, she reached out and held her hand and patted it, "Go sit for a while. I will apologize to the princess. We will go back first."
"Yes." The Crown Princess said with red eyes, "It's my daughter-in-law who is not doing her best."
Princess Rui said, "A pregnant woman should not feel well. You have been holding on for a long time. You are making your mother-in-law feel guilty."
The Crown Prince's wife said, "Princess Xie Rui teaches."
Princess Rui shook her head. She looked at the Crown Prince's mother-in-law, then left with Shen Qi and Shen Jin.
In the plum garden, plum blossoms are in full bloom, and the surrounding area is decorated with deep and light green silks. It looks just like spring. This scene is even more ironic when thinking about what Emperor Cheng said about the tight treasury.
When Shen Jin and the others arrived, they were led to a pavilion in the middle of the plum garden. Zhaoyang and Chenyang were not inside. Instead, Shen Zi was sitting next to Princess Ruyang. It was unknown what he was saying, but it made Princess Ruyang laugh non-stop. However, Madam Zheng was not seen. In fact, come to think of it, with Madam Zheng's noble character, she would probably have to greet everyone when she came here, so how could she be willing to do that?
When he saw Princess Rui, Shen Zi stood up and saluted, "Mother."
Princess Rui nodded and sat down in the seat reserved for her. Shen Qi took a look and said, "Cousin, this garden is really exquisite. My sister and I will also go to appreciate the plum blossoms to add some elegance."
Princess Ruyang said, "Just leave the third cousin to talk to me. Why don't you go play with Zhaoyang and the others?"
Shen Qi hesitated, and Princess Rui said, "Qi'er, go ahead. Jin girl, come and sit next to me."
"Sister, just come back if you are tired." Shen Jin also said with a smile.
Shen Qi nodded, holding the hand of the maid and leaving the pavilion. Shen Jin walked to sit beside Princess Rui. Shen Zi said, "I haven't seen Third Sister for a long time. Third Sister has become more beautiful."
Shen Jin smiled but didn't respond. Instead, she looked at the plum trees outside. She felt that without the silk, the plum trees would look more beautiful. Besides, the flower grower in Princess Ruyang's mansion was an expert. Shen Zi said, "Does my sister have any misunderstandings about me? Why don't you talk to me?"
Princess Ruyang also said, "If there is anything, just talk about it."
"Oh?" Shen Jin stroked his stomach and said, "I'm just a little sleepy."
Princess Ruyang smiled and said, "Why don't you go to the guest room and rest for a while, cousin?"
"No." Shen Jin refused with a smile, "I recognize my bed."
Princess Ruyang glanced at Shen Zi, who looked thinner than before, but still as beautiful as ever. She gave people an overbearing feeling. She poured a cup of tea herself and said, "No matter what happened in the past, I have borrowed the tea from my cousin's house to apologize to you today. I only hope... I only hope that after you drink this cup of tea, you will allow me to return to Prince Rui's Mansion, where I was born and raised." As she spoke, she walked towards Shen Jin with the cup of tea.
Shen Jin frowned and said, "Why do you have to be like this, Second Sister? The people who are in charge of the Rui Palace are the King and the Concubine. What's the point of you telling me?"
Shen Zi looked at Princess Rui with tears in her eyes, "Mother, my mother has become like that. Please allow me to return home. I also want to be filial to my mother."
"If you want to take Concubine Xu, I will talk to the prince." Princess Rui said, "When you have cleaned up the house, I will send someone to send your mother over."
Shen Zi's face changed. He put down the tea in his hand and didn't want to continue to serve it to Shen Jin. Thinking of what Princess Ruyang said and the disappearance of Earl Yongning, Shen Zi's expression became more aggrieved and said, "Mother, you also know that my life in Zheng Mansion is difficult. How can I let mother suffer with me?"
Shen Jin frowned and asked, "Second sister, you are a princess, how dare the princess treat you badly?"
"It's hard to explain." Shen Zi looked at Shen Jin, his eyes full of hatred, and said in a softer tone, "After getting married, how can it compare to life at home? Not only do I have to look after my parents-in-law, but even..." As he spoke, he lowered his head and shed tears, "I don't ask for anything else today. I just hope that my sister can drink this cup of tea, and the grudges between you and me will be resolved. In the future, sisters should support each other."
Shen Jin said, "There's no need to do this. Mother, Second Sister is in such a difficult situation. Even if she has done many things wrong, she came from the mansion. Today, Mother has told her everything. Why don't we help Second Sister vent her anger?"
"That's fine." Princess Rui said, "Cui Xi went to invite Madam Zheng to come."
Shen Zi suddenly raised his head and looked at Princess Rui and said, "What is mother going to do?"
Princess Rui said, "Don't worry, since you have specifically said it today, if she doesn't show up, the Zheng Mansion might think that the Rui Mansion is afraid of her."
Princess Ruyang cursed Shen Zi in her heart. In this situation, even if Princess Rui didn't want to care about her, she couldn't. "There's no need for the maids around my aunt. Someone, go and invite Madam Zheng over."
"Yes." A maid immediately went to look for Madam Zheng.
Shen Zi said, "What are you going to do?" She was a little excited for a moment. Suddenly someone touched her from behind. The cup in her hand shook. She quickly held it steady, but when Shen Zi saw Shen Jin's face, she paused for a moment, as if she really didn't take it out. She screamed and threw the cup towards Shen Jin.
Faced with such a situation, most people would probably have only two reactions: watch the teacup fall on them, or scream and dodge. Shen Jin was heavy now, and if he tried to avoid the teacup, he would easily hit his stomach. However, An Ning, who had been standing beside Shen Jin, took a step forward, reached out and grabbed the teacup, some tea spilled on her hand, and then she put the teacup on the stone table.
"Second sister, be careful." Shen Jin lowered his eyes slightly and spoke.
Shen Zi said, "Someone clearly pushed me just now."
"Second cousin, are you saying that I was the one who pushed you?" Behind Shen Zi was Princess Ruyang, who asked in a deep voice.
Shen Zi turned her head to look at Princess Ruyang and bit her lip. It was clearly the princess who had just instructed her that as long as she could find a way to get Shen Jin to go to the guest room, she would help her speak in front of the queen and let the queen summon her every few days. In this way, even if the Rui Palace no longer cared about her, the Zheng family would not dare to neglect her.
At this moment, Princess Ruyang was no longer as gentle and amiable as before. Shen Zi gritted her teeth and lowered her head and said, "I didn't hold it firmly just now."
Shen Jin frowned and looked at Princess Ruyang and Shen Zi, then lowered his eyes slightly but did not speak. Shen Zi took a deep breath and said, "I just frightened Third Sister. Why don't I accompany Third Sister to the guest room to rest?"
"Yes." Princess Ruyang said, "You are a loyal maid, but you should not get burned. Go and have a look."
"You really want me to go to the guest room?" Shen Jinyu was not going to stop until she was shocked. She looked at Princess Ruyang and Shen Zi in confusion and asked directly, "Why?"
Shen Zi's face changed and he said, "I'm just concerned about my third sister."
Princess Ruyang also said, "She is my cousin's maid anyway, it doesn't matter if you don't feel sorry for her."
Shen Jin looked at the two of them for a long time before saying, "Oh."
Sometimes, no matter how many mysteries and secret arrangements you make, you will feel powerless when encountering someone who doesn't follow common sense. It's like setting up many traps when hunting, but the prey has no awareness at all, and instead sits aside and watches a bunch of people busying around, as if watching a joke.
Princess Rui acted as if she hadn't heard or seen anything, sitting next to them without saying anything. Just then, the maid brought Madam Zheng over. Shen Zi shook his body and looked at Madam Zheng, then turned to look at Princess Rui and said, "Mother..."
Unexpectedly, the person who spoke was not Princess Rui, but Princess Ruyang. She said in a cold voice, "Zheng, do you know your mistake?"
Madam Zheng looked at Shen Zi in surprise. Seeing Shen Zi's expression, she had a bad feeling in her heart. Princess Rui said slowly, "Although the second girl has many faults, she is a princess after all. Your family neglected her. Since you mentioned it to me, I can't pretend not to know. Ruyang still needs to borrow two maids from your family."
"Please give me your instructions, aunt." Princess Ruyang said.
"Give him twenty slaps on the face as a warning." Princess Rui said.
Princess Ruyang nodded, and a maid went to call the maid over. Shen Zi said, "Mother, cousin...it's not like that."
"But just now, my second sister was crying and complaining to mother." Shen Jin said with some doubt, and looked at Madam Zheng whose face was pale, "Don't be afraid, second sister, you are a princess after all. Although father is angry with you, he still has to give you the respect you deserve."
Madam Zheng looked at Shen Zi with eyes that seemed to want to tear her apart. Shen Zi shook her head vigorously and said, "I didn't..."
"Could it be that my mother and cousin have misunderstood what Second Sister meant?" Shen Jin frowned and said, "Madam Zheng, please be nicer to Second Sister in the future. Look how scared she is."
The maids had already come over. One of them pressed Madam Zheng's shoulders and made her kneel on the ground, while the other one bowed and then started slapping her in the face. Compared with the pain on her face, the looks from the people around her made Madam Zheng even more unacceptable. Today, Princess Ruyang had invited all the noble ladies in the capital. She would have become the topic of conversation before she even left the princess's mansion. Madam Zheng had always wanted to save face, but today, not only did she lose all her face, but she was also severely stepped on by others.
Shen Zi... Madam Zheng was filled with hatred. Why did she let her son marry such a vicious woman? If not... If not... Madam Zheng clenched her hands tightly. She would definitely repay today's humiliation a thousand times. Shen Zi... Madam Zheng's biggest regret in her life was letting her son marry Shen Zi.
After the twenty slaps, Shen Zi had already slumped in the chair, not even daring to look at Madam Zheng's expression. Shen Jin said, "Let's call the imperial physician for Madam Zheng. If we go out like this, people will probably gossip about us."
Mrs. Zheng was helped to stand up by her maid, and she lowered her head and dared not speak.
"You are really thoughtful." Princess Rui smiled and patted Shen Jin's hand, then looked at Shen Zi and said, "Since they have taught Madam Zheng a lesson for you, I think they won't dare to bully you again after you return to the Zheng Mansion. But you also need to be filial to your parents-in-law, understand?"
Shen Zi's expression was distorted. "Mother, do you hate me so much? Are you jealous that I am living a good life?"
Shen Jin hid beside Princess Rui, and An Ning also became alert. Shen Zi sneered, "You did it on purpose! Shen Jin, your husband is dead, so do you wish that others would have a bad life? I knew you were always jealous of me..."
Shen Jin, who had been looking at the harmless person, became furious and said in a deep voice, "Catch him." Even now, Shen Jin still remembered that he had to protect himself before punishing others.
An Ning grabbed Shen Zi's hands while Shen Zi was screaming. Shen Jin stood up holding An Ping's hand, walked over and slapped Shen Zi twice, saying, "If I hear you say that about my husband again..." She felt unsatisfied and slapped him twice more before she slowly let out a breath, "My husband will come back!" The last sentence was said with great force.
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