Shen Ajiao followed Shen Qin'er slowly to the Zhao family. Although the Zhao family was a prominent local family in Cangzhou, they were only average in the capital.
The Zhao family that came to the capital this time was the second branch of the Zhao family's direct line, the branch of Shen Qin'er's parents-in-law.
Shen Qin'er's parents-in-law have two sons and one daughter. Shen Qin'er's husband, Zhao Changchun, is the eldest son of this branch of the family. The other son and daughter are engaged but not yet married, and they are currently in the capital.
The whole family lived in a three-courtyard house. The parents-in-law lived in the main courtyard, and Shen Qin'er had no objection. But why did her unmarried sister-in-law and brother-in-law live in places that were bigger and better than hers?
Shen Ajiao was speechless upon hearing this. It was truly a family that couldn't see things clearly, and it was also Shen Qin'er's retribution.
"Madam, you're back. Madam wants you to come over."
As Shen Qin'er walked through the Zhao family compound arm in arm with Shen Ajiao, a maidservant approached, offering a perfunctory bow with no respect whatsoever.
Shen Ajiao was extremely disappointed in Shen Qin'er. How could a mere maid have bullied Shen Qin'er like this?
Where did the ruthlessness she showed when she bullied Shen Ajiao go? Did it all get fed to the dogs?
Shen Qin'er didn't dare to look Shen Ajiao in the eye. She hardened her heart and slapped the maid. "Get out! Can't you see I'm entertaining a distinguished guest?"
"Be careful, your hands will hurt."
Upon hearing this, Shen Qin'er quickly stepped back and ordered her maid to come forward and "slap her twice more."
She was still wondering to herself, "How come Shen Ajiao can fight by herself, but I can't?"
“The eldest mistress is so domineering, not afraid of being punished by the madam, and even said that the eldest mistress has forgotten the rules.”
Shen Qin'er gritted her teeth, so angry that she couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal.
Shen Ajiao finally understood that Shen Qin'er was a bully at home, but a coward outside.
"What? Your mistress's rules aren't your rules? You're just a maid, what rules do you have? Are you trying to act like a goose with your neck sticking up like a chicken?"
Seeing that Shen Ajiao was dressed in fine clothes and spoke sharply, unlike the mistress of an ordinary family, the maid dared not make a fuss. So she admitted her mistake and said, "It was my fault. It was not that I wanted to do anything, but I was representing our mistress. Our mistress said that during the New Year, people come and go, and the family cannot break the rules."
"Oh, representing your wife, huh? Tsk tsk tsk, your wife is quite good at self-degradation. Instead of being a proper lady of the house, she insists on being a maid."
Shen Qin'er silently gave Shen Ajiao a thumbs up. Humph, this maid usually bullies her a lot because her mother is the nanny by the Madam's side. If she retorts, it's always the Madam who does this or that, and she gets labeled as unfilial.
Indeed, without morality, there are no scruples.
Shen Ajiao was completely impolite. She acted like a company receptionist, looking down on everyone who came to do business. This showed what kind of person she was on a daily basis.
She knew what kind of person Mrs. Zhao was from this, but she had another purpose for coming today. She glanced at the smug Shen Qin'er and a smile flashed in her eyes.
Unaware of anything amiss, Shen Qin'er arrogantly boasted to the maid, "Go tell Madam that my sister, the wife of Lin Ruhai, the doctor of Lantai Temple, has arrived."
The maid was taken aback. She didn't know who the eldest mistress's sister was, but she had heard the madam mention Lin Ruhai in the room. She said he was a favorite of the emperor and had a promising official career. They were related by marriage, but they couldn't find a reason to visit. They said they would take advantage of the holidays to visit each other, so this person came first.
The young maid smiled and immediately adopted a respectful attitude, "This servant will go and report right away."
Shen Ajiao snorted coldly. This person is really annoying. Just focus on your work and don't bring your personal emotions into it. How annoying.
Shen Qin'er first pulled Shen Ajiao to her courtyard. When Shen Ajiao saw it, she thought, "Good heavens, don't be fooled by how small the courtyard is, there are quite a few beauties there."
She counted them and found ten women of exceptional beauty, two more than her own entourage.
Shen Qin'er is truly blessed.
Seeing that Shen Ajiao's eyes were lingering on the beauty, Shen Qin'er assumed that she also wanted such a beauty. "If you want to take a few for Lin Ruhai, I'll tell you where to find them. Even if they become concubines, they'll still be easy to control."
Shen Ajiao chuckled and said, "No need. Lin Ruhai is too old to need it. She is young and just right."
A moment later, a commotion arose outside. Upon hearing the sound, Shen Qin'er became excited. "Hmph, what a despicable and snobbish old shrew."
"Qin'er? Qin'er?"
Shen Ajiao and Shen Qin'er both shuddered. Shen Qin'er whispered to Shen Ajiao, "Help me."
Shen Ajiao smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'm good at getting things done for money."
Shen Qin'er was relieved and pretended to get up to greet him.
A woman dressed in a navy blue magnolia-patterned dress, around fifty years old, with her hair neatly combed and sharp eyes, immediately fixed her gaze on Shen Ajiao upon entering.
Instead of his usual fierce demeanor, he greeted everyone with a smile.
"Qin'er, this must be your little sister Ajiao."
Shen Ajiao stood up and bowed, "Happy New Year, Mrs. Zhao. Qin'er is not feeling well today, so I brought her back. I apologize for the inconvenience."
Mrs. Zhao smiled and subtly sized up Shen Ajiao; the two sisters did indeed look somewhat alike.
However, this Shen Ajiao is different from when she was a child; she doesn't seem insecure anymore.
On the contrary, she had the composure of a well-bred woman. Now she was really regretful that she had acquiesced to marrying Shen Qin'er. If she had married this Shen Ajiao, perhaps the family would have risen to a higher level!
“You are Qin’er’s younger sister. Qin’er is our child now that she has married into our family. There’s no need to be so polite.”
Shen Ajiao smiled; she wasn't going to stand on ceremony.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony. I heard from Qin'er that Madam is usually very generous. I'd like to take advantage of the New Year to ask for a red envelope to bring me some good luck."
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