The first wife was already in a bad mood, and upon hearing this, she gave a sarcastic laugh. "That's right. It's just a pity that being beautiful isn't as good as having a good life. Our young lady married far away and can only come back to her parents' home a few times a year."
These words, once spoken, were unmistakably sarcastic.
Madam Gu was at a loss for words. She thought to herself that her sister-in-law still spoke without any restraint. It must be because her family was wealthy that she had the confidence to do so!
In fact, Madam Zhao did not think Shen Mingzhuang resembled her sister-in-law at all. Although she spoke bluntly, she was not stupid. Why did the Second Madam talk so much about Shen Mingzhuang? Wasn't it because she thought Shen Mingzhuang might be able to establish a connection with the Wen family in the future?
What kind of family is the Wen family? They produced a salt inspector, and Master Wen was good at flattery and fawning, so he actually won the emperor's favor. The Wen family has only become wealthy in recent years. In the past, the Wen family wouldn't even be worthy of carrying shoes for the Zhao family!
She wouldn't go out of her way to curry favor with a concubine's daughter for such a small benefit.
Mingzhuang remained silent, simply listening to whatever they said.
Two coughs, carrying a hint of warning, came from behind the curtain, and everyone fell silent.
The jade beaded curtain made a crisp clinking sound as the old lady, supported by two maids, slowly walked out.
"Mother!"
"Mother."
"grandmother."
The three bowed to each other, and only sat down after the old lady had taken her seat in the high position.
"I heard you all talking so excitedly. Although I'm not feeling well, I couldn't resist coming out to join in the fun."
The old lady's voice was deep and resonant, yet carried an imposing and authoritative air.
No one in the hall dared to act rashly. The old lady's sharp gaze swept around the room, finally settling on Mingzhuang.
"Why did Mingzhuang arrive so early?"
The implication is that your mother and sisters haven't arrived yet, and you've already come, which is against the rules.
Mingzhuang looked at the old lady and thought to himself that the old lady was asking a question she already knew the answer to; it was really interesting.
The old lady naturally knew Shen Mingzhuang's true identity, but saying this was also meant to give Mingzhuang a warning.
Regardless of her past status, her current status as the ninth daughter of the Shen family, born out of wedlock, is an undeniable fact. If one does not abide by one's duty, disaster will surely follow.
Before Mingzhuang could speak, a servant announced from outside the door: "Third Madam and her young ladies have come to pay their respects to the Old Madam!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the faint clinking of pearls and jade hairpins could be heard from outside the door.
Everyone's eyes turned to the doorway, where they saw the Third Madam, Madam Lin, enter, supported by her nanny and adorned with jewels.
The first wife, seeing this, was the first to lose her temper, snorted coldly, and turned her face away.
Such a vulgar merchant's behavior is truly unbearable!
Lin was dressed in a jade-green straight-collared short-sleeved shirt with a jade rabbit holding the moon, and a vermilion horse-face skirt embroidered with pomegranate patterns in silver thread. Her attire was stunning and outshone all others. This flamboyant style was in line with the Third Madam's usual personality.
In contrast, the first wife wore a pine-green round-necked cardigan with a dark blue horse-face skirt, while the second wife wore a dark purple vest with a matching pleated skirt. The contrast between the simple and the elaborate styles was too obvious.
Behind her followed two young girls dressed in their boudoir attire, both in their prime. One wore a lilac-purple short blouse with a cloud-patterned shoulder and a white pleated skirt, while the other wore a light green round-neck blouse and a pale yellow horse-face skirt.
Both were dressed in very delicate, feminine clothing. One was Shen Mingxi, the seventh daughter of the third branch of the family, and the other, wearing a purple shirt like Mingzhuang, was Shen Mingshu, the third daughter of the Shen family, who had slapped Ruyi twice today.
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