Chapter 3: Xiahou Mansion, Dragon Boat Festival Banquet
Not long after the sisters' conversation, on a dark and windy night, several tall and thin figures in night clothes quietly landed outside the window of the west room.
Chen Xihe was wearing a light green dress, with her long hair tied up, revealing her slender white neck. There was no sign of fatigue on her face, and it was obvious that she had made preparations long ago.
"Miss Shen, the master is waiting for you outside." The leading secret guard whispered, "There is no time to lose. We need to rush back to the capital tonight."
Chen Xihe didn't bring much with her. The servants of Xiahou Mansion had been knocked unconscious outside. She bit her lip and said, "I want to take another look at my sister."
The secret guards retreated silently into the darkness. Shen Xihe walked out of the yard and took a last look in the direction of the east room, but saw a slender figure sitting in the pavilion.
Chen Wangshu was also looking at her, his face calm and his eyes clear, as if he had shed all his tears that afternoon and was left with only an indifference to accept everything.
Chen Xihe's nose suddenly felt sore. He stared at the hazy figure under the veil for a moment, gritted his teeth, and turned away.
After all, the two sisters tacitly agreed not to see each other for the last time. Chen Xihe could feel that gaze following her as she left, and every step she took was heart-wrenching.
Under a big tree outside the back wall of Xiahou Mansion, a low-key carriage was parked quietly. Shen Xihe took a deep breath and held back the tears in her eyes, but her eyes were still red.
A slender and bony hand opened the curtain and pulled her into the carriage. A man's comforting voice came from inside the carriage: "Aman, don't be sad. I will try my best to send someone to take care of my little sister..."
After leaving the territory of Moyun City, this carriage will be replaced with fast horses and arrive in the capital before dawn.
From then on, there was only Miss Shen left in Xiahou Mansion.
*
When Chen Xihe left, he only left a letter for his grandfather. The two cousins from Luoyingyuan rarely showed up in public, so no one noticed their disappearance for a while.
The little maid who was knocked unconscious woke up and called for help in panic. Except for Shen Wangshu, no one knew how a person could disappear. Finally, the old man who came late looked at the clean west room in silence, sighed, waved his hand, and asked everyone to leave and not mention the matter again.
The person who was most happy about the loss of a cousin in the Xiahou Mansion was Madam Xiahou. Although she didn't understand why, she listened to the old man and ordered all the servants to keep their mouths shut.
Old Master Xiahou decided to change Shen Wangshu's surname to Xiahou, and publicly announced his identity as a distant cousin. His food, clothing and other expenses were the same as those of the master in the mansion. From then on, he lived in Luoying Courtyard, erasing all traces of the two beauties of the Shen family.
After Shen Xihe left, Shen Wangshu's life did get better for a while - mainly because of the old man's face, Madam Xiahou did not deduct her food, clothing and daily expenses, and occasionally sent people to send precious herbs to care about her health, and did not allow anyone to disturb her.
Shen Wangshu accepted all the benefits from Madam Xiahou - no matter if it was superficial or sincere, this woman would be ruthless when she wanted to use her in the future, and now she deserved it.
Especially the medicinal herbs that were sent to you, such as thousand-year-old Ganoderma lucidum and ten-thousand-year-old ginseng. These are valuable things that are in short supply in modern times. Don’t miss them.
Before the new plot came, Shen Wangshu stayed in his west room to study medicinal herbs to nourish his body. Every morning when he got up and had nothing to do, he would practice a set of Five Animal Exercises, and he never stopped taking the Calming and Tongxin Decoction.
After half a month of treatment, this frightened body finally got a little better. At least it no longer had nightmares in the middle of the night, and it no longer suffered from insomnia. Its complexion was also much better.
I stayed in Luoying Pavilion for half a month and the Dragon Boat Festival family dinner was here.
Old Master Xiahou is the prefect of Moyun City. His sons also hold important posts. They are usually very busy with affairs of state, and it is not easy for them to have a Dragon Boat Festival family dinner to relax. Naturally, the whole mansion celebrates.
Shen Wangshu has been here for several months and will be living in the Xiahou family permanently from now on. It is time for him to show up in front of everyone.
Before the banquet started, she went to see the old man first.
The old man was the only one in the study. There was a painting of a beauty hanging on the wall. It was a portrait of the late Madam Xiahou when she was young. She was 80% similar to Shen Wangshu's mother.
"Nian Nian," the old man subconsciously lowered his voice as he looked at his little granddaughter who was still sick, fearing that he would scare her if he spoke louder: "Have you felt better these days? When you finish taking the medicine, find your aunt for a new one. From now on, just treat this place as your home and don't be restrained."
Shen Wangshu bowed deeply: "Thank you for your concern, Grandfather. Nian Nian is fine now."
Old Master Xiahou originally wanted to talk to her about Shen Xihe, but when he looked at his granddaughter's face, he couldn't say it for some reason. He was afraid of making her sad, so he had to say a few more words of concern and let her go.
Coming out of the study, Tao Hong led the way while softly introducing Xiahou Mansion to her. Except for Madam Xiahou, whom she had met a few times, Shen Wangshu didn't know anyone else.
Madam Xiahou gave birth to three sons but only one daughter. She loved her like a precious child. Although she was not as stunningly beautiful as the two girls from the Shen family, she was also bright, lively and lovely. No wonder she was reluctant to marry her.
At the banquet, Shen Wangshu found a secluded seat, but was found by Xia Houfu all of a sudden. She came over with her maid and sat down, looking her up and down without disguising, “I’ve been here for so many days, and I finally see you, cousin Nian Nian.”
Shen Wangshu heard her screaming in her heart: "Ahhh, she is so beautiful! Why couldn't my mother give birth to me like this!!!"
The girl couldn't hide the surprise in her eyes, but she pretended to be calm on the surface and said, "I heard that your house was confiscated... Ugh!!"
Before she could finish her words, Xia Houfu was covered by the old nanny behind her and gently scolded: "Girl! Don't be rude!"
Xia Houfu remembered her mother's advice, closed her mouth guiltily, and whispered: "Okay, I know, this is a secret that cannot be told, but I am just curious."
The old lady smiled at Shen Wangshu and said apologetically, "My daughter has been spoiled since she was young. Sometimes she speaks without thinking. Please don't blame me, cousin."
Shen Wangshu smiled and said tolerantly: “Sister Afu has a straightforward and lively personality, and is very lovable.”
Everyone likes to be close to a beauty, especially this beauty is so gentle. Xia Houfu didn't leave once she sat down, sticking to Shen Wangshu the whole time and asking her to tell her about things in the capital.
It's no wonder that this little girl is so heartless. She just keeps poking at other people's sore spots, and the person involved is totally unaware of it. Anyone else sitting here would be pissed to death.
As Shen Wangshu was dealing with her, he was thinking that if this young lady from the Xiahou family really married into the Duke's Mansion, she would probably offend everyone in a few days, and she might not even live as long as the original owner.
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