After returning home, Shen Bochun didn't sleep a wink all night, and Zhao Shi didn't dare to sleep either. When the couple got up, they both had dark circles under their eyes, which startled the maid.
Shen Mingzhuang stayed at Shou'an Hall every day and soon noticed that something was wrong with the atmosphere at home.
Fortunately, Manhuan was also a social butterfly and quickly found out the prevailing opinion in the mansion.
When summoned by the Empress Dowager, Shen Mingshu went straight to the palace without even having time to bring the clothes and jewelry that Lin had made for her. Soon after, Old Madam Shen sent someone to the Wen residence to ask Shen Mingzhuang to make the trip in person.
After reading the letter sent by the old lady, Madam Wen burned it in front of Shen Mingzhuang, leaving people puzzled about what was written inside.
Shen Mingzhuang came under the pretext of returning the gifts. The Wen family had sent her so many things before, but she had never come to thank them. It was reasonable for her to come this time and it would not arouse any suspicion.
Madam Wen's expression was complicated. Seeing that Shen Mingzhuang was waiting for her to speak, she forced a smile and said, "When you go back, please give my regards to the old lady. If there is an opportunity, I will visit her in person."
Normally, this sentence might just be the literal meaning, but in this context, it made Shen Mingzhuang dare not underestimate it.
What opportunity did she need, and what was the purpose of her visit? The old lady had Granny Tian accompany her to the Wen residence, ostensibly to prevent her from acting carelessly, but in reality, she was there to monitor her!
She was now eager to know what was written in that letter.
As mentioned in the book, interactions between wealthy and powerful families are never simply about making friends; the underlying motivation is often the intertwined interests.
However, the book doesn't mention much about the fate of the girls from the Shen family. After Shen Mingzhuang entered the palace, it was all about the love and hatred in the palace. During her time in the Shen family, although the family had some dissatisfaction with her, they managed to maintain a semblance of harmony.
Now, Madam Shen's actions are like throwing a pebble into a calm lake. Although it seems like a small matter, it has made Shen Mingzhuang feel uneasy.
Her arrival was destined to disrupt the established course, and the course of events had already deviated. She was also worthy of deep consideration about what kind of butterfly effect the old lady's actions would bring.
"Don't worry, Madam Tian." Shen Mingzhuang nodded with a polite but somewhat distant smile. Thinking that she had been at the Wen residence for more than an hour and was still concerned about the old lady's letter, she got up to take her leave.
Suddenly, an old woman dressed in a light blue dress with cloud and auspicious patterns walked in. The old woman's attire made her look like the mistress of a humble family. It was obvious at a glance that she was a respectable and favored nanny by Madam Wen's side. She winked at Madam Wen.
Madam Wen, disregarding their presence, asked Shen Mingzhuang to wait a moment while she went to the side to listen to the old woman's whispers.
Shen Mingzhuang stood calmly in place, but his mind was racing. The Wen and Shen families had never had any relationship. Wen Han was only friends with Shen Anqing because they were classmates. If the old lady wanted to see Madam Wen, Shen Mingzhuang could only think of one possibility after thinking it over and over, and that was—marriage.
Now that the Shen family is working for the Emperor, they must have many concerns. With the Empress Dowager and the Emperor now on equal footing, and the Empress Dowager holding two of the Shen family's daughters in the palace, the Shen family is essentially in the Empress Dowager's hands. However, I am someone that Jiang Wang placed in the Shen family. If the Shen family does not take action, they will inevitably be tied up.
If the Shen family is put in a passive position, the situation will be very bad.
Therefore, the old lady wanted to arrange marriages for all the eligible girls in the family as soon as possible, so as to avoid the Empress Dowager using it as a pretext.
So... which grandson-in-law will Wen Han, a young man of marriageable age in the Wen family, be the one favored by the old lady?
The second wife, Madam Gu, came from the Yongning family. Her great-grandfather was the Grand Tutor of the previous dynasty. Before Jiang Wang ascended the throne, the Gu family had been glorious for a time, but they went into seclusion after the new emperor took the throne.
This is why the old lady had Gu teach the young ladies in the mansion manners. The Gu family was known for its family traditions, and for thirty years no disgraceful things had happened in the family. Apart from not having many children, Gu had no other major problems. Compared to Zhao's arrogance, she was smooth and considerate, like a perfectly polished piece of jade.
Although the Gu family is not as powerful as it used to be, they are biding their time and are willing to endure hardship. No one can predict what the future holds, so people still treat the Gu family with a certain respect when they mention them.
In this way, Shen Mingrong's marriage will naturally not be related to the Wen family, which has no real foundation. As for the other young ladies, the old lady knows their identities, namely Shen Mingshu, Shen Mingxi, and Shen Ming'e.
Although the Third Master Shen Shuchun was an official in the court, he was born out of wedlock. In addition, he married a woman from a merchant family named Lin, which made him even more undesirable to families with any standing in the capital. As a result, the daughters of the Third Branch of the family had the most difficult time finding husbands.
However, if Shen Mingshu were to marry, she would certainly receive a generous dowry. It would be almost impossible for her to marry into the royal family, but it would not be difficult to find a marriage better than that of the Wen family.
Wen Han's legitimate son marrying a concubine's daughter... naturally it wouldn't be Shen Ming'e. Shen Mingxi serves the Empress Dowager in the palace, which is much better than Shen Ming'e. The only couple that the Wen family would agree to and that would please the old lady is probably Shen Mingxi and Wen Han.
That day at Daci Temple, Wen Han seemed to have ulterior motives towards her, and he probably didn't know her true identity.
Lord Wen must know this, and Madam Wen should not be completely unaware. Therefore, even if Madam Wen is unwilling to agree to this marriage, she will probably have to give the Shen family some favor.
Therefore, it's not hard to explain why Madam Wen had that expression when she saw that note.
Imagine, who would want their son to marry a lowly concubine's daughter?
Just as he was pondering this, Madam Wen returned with a smile on her face, but Shen Mingzhuang inexplicably sensed a hint of fear in her eyes. What was she afraid of?
"Miss Jiu, would it be convenient for you to have a cup of tea at my place?"
Without a doubt, he has something to tell her.
Shen Mingzhuang glanced at Granny Tian, who nodded slightly and bowed, smiling, "This old servant will wait for Miss Jiu at the door."
Shen Mingzhuang nodded and followed Madam Wen to the main courtyard.
Man Huan tried to follow them inside, but was stopped at the door.
"Miss Jiu, there are some private things we shouldn't let outsiders hear..."
Manhuan looked worried as she gazed at her young mistress.
Upon hearing this, Shen Mingzhuang pondered for a moment. Since the Wen family belonged to Jiang Wang, they shouldn't be a threat to her. So she nodded to Man Huan.
Once inside, Madam Wen led her to the back courtyard and stopped there. She glanced hesitantly at the passageway in front, and Shen Mingzhuang immediately understood. Her heart skipped a beat. Madam Wen bowed to a secluded spot in front of her and then turned and left.
Shen Mingzhuang took two deep breaths, already guessing who wanted to see her.
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