As they walked through the corridor, Shen Tangning tilted her head and asked, "Have you met that Miss Pei the Second?"
Shen Ci's body tensed up involuntarily, feeling the nervousness of being questioned by a teacher. His voice was muffled: "...We've met once, haven't we?"
She glanced at him, and he immediately raised his hand to show his innocence: "It was at a banquet; we've never met in private!"
A smile spread from the corners of her eyes to her eyebrows, and Shen Tangning deliberately drew out her words: "I didn't say anything, why are you so nervous?"
Judging from his appearance, he must have a good impression of that second young lady of the Pei family.
Having a general idea in mind, she paused, then her tone softened further, "If you are satisfied, I will pick an auspicious day for someone to come and propose marriage. Since she is the girl you like, let's try to marry her as soon as possible."
Shen Ci's eyes instantly welled up with tears: "Sister..."
Shen Chang has always been strict with him. Madam Xie has to manage the household, so it's inevitable that she will neglect his discipline. Strictly speaking, Shen Ci was raised by Shen Tangning, and the bond between the siblings goes without saying.
Forcing back his tears, Shen Ci nodded emphatically.
Not long after the two sat down in the pavilion, the second young lady of the Pei family arrived, along with her elder sister-in-law, Madam Pei.
Perhaps because they come from a family of military generals, the second young lady of the Pei family, Pei Mingzhu, has a straightforward and frank personality, while the young mistress of the Pei family seems more gentle and graceful.
After exchanging greetings and taking their seats, Madam Pei glanced at Pei Mingzhu before smiling and speaking:
"I had long heard that Madam Chi was a model of a noble lady, and seeing her today, I can confirm that she truly lives up to her reputation. Young Master Shen is also a handsome young man."
Shen Ci's ears turned red without her noticing, and she lowered her head, looking unusually reserved: "Young Madam Pei, you flatter me."
Shen Tangning smiled brightly and gracefully, and returned the compliment by saying, "Miss Pei is also frank and lovely."
Seeing Pei Mingzhu staring intently at her, she smiled and asked, "Miss Pei, is there something wrong with my face?"
Pei Mingzhu laughed: "I was a little distracted because I thought Young Madam Chi was so beautiful. Please don't take offense, Young Madam."
Just as Shen Tangning was about to smile, she heard her say, "I originally thought that all the young ladies in Yanjing were as dignified and reserved as my sister-in-law, but Madam Chi is not like that at all. I was too narrow-minded."
Her smile faltered, and she subconsciously glanced in the direction of Madam Pei. Seeing that the other woman pursed her lips and looked slightly embarrassed, she couldn't help but feel a little strange.
Soon, Madam Pei regained her smile: "My second young lady was raised in her maternal grandfather's house since she was a child. She has a rather unruly personality. Please forgive her if she has offended anyone."
Pei Mingzhu smiled and stuck out her tongue: "The young mistress is very magnanimous and won't hold it against me!"
Shen Tangning remained calm and composed: "Not at all, I quite like Miss's frank personality."
After exchanging a few words, she took the initiative to suggest, "They probably won't be interested in the topics we're discussing here. Why don't I, your younger brother, accompany you for a walk by the lake?"
Madam Pei did not respond immediately. She first glanced at Pei Mingzhu before nodding, "Madam Chi is indeed very thoughtful."
Shen Tangning felt an even stronger sense of unease. Clearly, Madam Pei was the eldest sister-in-law, so why did she seem to have to act according to the whims of the Second Miss Pei?
She kept a watchful eye on them, having Xueqing follow them at a distance so she could help them if anything happened.
Hopefully, she's just overthinking it; let Aci contact the other party herself.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
