She hadn't felt this strongly before, but now, seeing that both Shen Yunxi and Jiang Ying needed protection, Shen Qiuyan felt quite uneasy.
These days she only sees her own grievances, but doesn't think about whether her daughter is also suffering grievances.
Jiang Ying was the most pitiful child, as her father didn't love her and her mother's heart wasn't with her.
"Yunxi, don't worry, I understand. I won't let anyone scheme against me. As for the Jiang family, they can forget about bullying me in the future. I'm no longer someone who can be easily manipulated. The Jiang family was using the power of our Yong'an Marquis's Mansion, so why can't I stand up for myself?" Shen Qiuyan gritted her teeth.
She considers all her past affection as having been wasted; now she just wants to protect her daughter and stop worrying her sister.
Her younger sister had suffered enough by loving the Emperor for so many years, and Shen Qiuyan couldn't bear to let her worry about her after giving up her feelings. As the older sister, it was she who should care for her younger sister.
Shen Yunxi held Jiang Ying and sat her on her lap. She looked at Shen Qiuyan and saw the determination in her eyes. She finally breathed a sigh of relief.
In fact, Shen Qiuyan wasn't stupid. The reason she ended up in such a state in her previous life was because she cared too much about Jiang Wenye.
But when Shen Yunxi said she was giving up on Junxuan, Shen Qiuyan would make a comparison in her mind. She realized that she could let go of so many years of feelings, so there was no reason for her to care so much about these three years of feelings and disregard everything else, especially since she also had a daughter to take care of.
That's why Shen Qiuyan was able to understand and make up her mind.
“Sister, don’t worry. If we are really bullied, I will certainly not stand idly by. Even without the Emperor’s connection, sister, don’t forget that the Empress Dowager also loves us sisters. With our status and the Empress Dowager’s love, we will not be bullied by the Jiang family.” Shen Yunxi said earnestly.
Jiang Ying couldn't understand her aunt and mother's conversation. She sat obediently in Shen Yunxi's lap, snuggling close to her aunt, knowing not to disturb them. She played with her little hands by herself.
Looking at her considerate and sensible daughter, Shen Qiuyan felt a pang of sadness, suddenly realizing that she owed her daughter too much.
“Yunxi, you’re right. I think I know what to do,” Shen Qiuyan said earnestly.
Perhaps it was a change in mood, but Shen Qiuyan, who had been somewhat sickly, looked much better now, with brighter eyes, and seemed much better than before.
Shen Yunxi chuckled, "That's good then."
The matter with Shen Qiuyan has been resolved, but she is still worried about her younger sister.
"Yunxi, what are your plans for the future? Your engagement to the Emperor is still valid. Even if you give up your feelings for him, you will still have to enter the palace in the future," Shen Qiuyan said worriedly.
The younger sister has always been stronger than her older sister, and Shen Qiuyan is worried that Shen Yunxi's attitude is too much.
Shen Yunxi didn't care much, but she comforted Shen Qiuyan, "Sister, you don't need to worry about me. The Emperor doesn't care about this marriage. After I break off the engagement with the Emperor, Mother will definitely find me a marriage."
Seeing Shen Yunxi speak these words without any hesitation, Shen Qiuyan truly believed that she had given up her feelings for the Emperor.
"That's fine. You're more decisive than me. I believe you'll be happy in the future. The Emperor wasn't a good match for me anyway." Shen Qiuyan smiled gently.
Shen Yunxi had heard the words "Junxuan is not a good match" many times, and each time it was said by a different person. Unfortunately, she was so engrossed in the conversation that she couldn't understand the meaning of the words at all.
Shen Yunxi wouldn't be displeased at all; she simply nodded in agreement.
The two sisters talked for a long time in the house. Shen Qiuyan also agreed to go down to participate in the Lotus Viewing Festival. Under Jiang Ying's reluctant gaze, Shen Yunxi left the Jiang family.
She was probably lucky; from the time she entered the Jiang family until she left, Old Madam Jiang never returned.
It wasn't that Shen Yunxi was afraid of her, but rather that she was worried that she wouldn't be able to control her temper and that she might harbor resentment towards Old Madam Jiang, which could easily upset her.
She didn't care whether Old Madam Jiang would get sick from anger, but she didn't want her to bully Shen Qiuyan while she was sick, or to stay by her bedside to take care of her and continue to manipulate her.
If only Shen Qiuyan could leave the Jiang family, but unfortunately, societal norms and ethics are too unfair and harsh on women.
Women who left their husbands' homes were generally divorced, and they couldn't take their children with them.
Back at the Shen family home, Shen Yunxi mentioned Shen Qiuyan's situation to Lan Pei. Lan Pei felt heartbroken; after all, she was her own daughter. She even had the urge to go to the Jiang family home and cause a scene.
But for her daughter's sake, she had no choice but to swallow her anger.
It seems she should also take the opportunity to visit the Jiang family, meet her son-in-law, and give him a good talking-to.
Shen Yunxi saw through Lan Pei's idea, and of course she wouldn't object. After all, Lan Pei's intervention could indeed change the Jiang family's attitude. They were completely disregarding the Shen family and needed someone to remind them.
“Alright, you must be tired today. Get some rest. The Lotus Viewing Festival is in a couple of days. You should all go and visit the area. Ying’er will probably be going with your sister. Be careful then, and don’t run into kidnappers,” Lan Pei said.
Shen Yunxi nodded in agreement, "Yes, Mother, don't worry, we will take good care of Ying'er."
Lanpei smiled and returned to her own courtyard.
In the following days, Lan Pei went to the palace to accompany the Empress Dowager, and the next day she went to the Jiang family. Shen Yunxi was relieved to know this.
In the blink of an eye, it's June 24th, the day of the Lotus Viewing Festival.
Besides admiring the lotus flowers, visitors can also enjoy delicious food during the Lotus Viewing Festival. The lotus is a treasure trove of resources; lotus sprouts, fresh lotus roots, lotus leaves, and lotus seeds can all be used in cooking, and they all have a unique and refreshing taste. Green lotus leaf rice is a must-try, and lotus flower pastries are also very popular.
The event was organized by the government and attracted a large number of participants, including men, women, and children. The largest lotus pond in the capital had already been surrounded by tents, and vendors were ready to do business.
On this day, people of all ages flocked to the lotus pond to row boats and admire the lotus blossoms.
People who grow lotus flowers in their ponds will make paper lanterns, put candles inside, light them, and place them on the water's surface to float away as a way of celebrating.
Another custom on this day is that men and women can exchange lotus seeds to express their feelings, which can be considered a disguised version of Qixi Festival. Many men and women have found their sweethearts on the lotus viewing festival and eventually got married.
Early in the morning, Shen Yunxi got up to wash and dress up. Zhizhi and Cai'er put a lot of thought into Shen Yunxi's appearance, seemingly intending to make their young lady amaze everyone.
Shen Yunxi didn't care. She wasn't interested in stunning everyone; she just felt that dressing up nicely for a trip would make her feel good.
There was no doubt that Lu Wanqing would be there today, and she would certainly be dressed up in her finest attire. Looking at herself in the mirror, Shen Yunxi felt that she would not lose to Lu Wanqing.
Zhizhi went out and soon brought over breakfast.
"Miss, Young Master Lin has arrived."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
