Capítulo 14: The So-Called House Fight
Editor: Atlas Studios
The corners of Shen Mingjiao's mouth twitched. Eunuch Hua always overthinks.
The guards carried the boxes of the dowry into the Rose Courtyard while Eunuch Hua handed a thick list of gifts to Shen Mingjiao.
Shen Mingjiao took it and flipped through casually. She was a little surprised. These were almost all the belongings of the Prince's Mansion except for those in Huitong Bank and the warehouse that she had been thinking about for a long time.
Eunuch Hua smiled and said, "His Highness personally chose these and instructed me to send them over. We can all see that His Highness is deeply in love with you, Miss."
Shen Mingjiao did not even look up. She exposed him bluntly. "You're thinking too much. His Highness isn't that kind of person."
Eunuch Hua was stunned. He was about to say something when she continued, "He wouldn't have made such a big fuss. He would have just given me money."
Eunuch Hua smiled awkwardly. "You really know His Highness well!"
"Although His Highness did not personally choose these, he had personally instructed for this arrangement."
In actual fact, he had suggested to the Prince that it was time to betroth the Princess Consort after learning of the rumors about her when he was at the wine shop.
At that time, Feng Lisheng was focused on reviewing the official documents. When he heard this, he said without looking up,
"That's not necessary. Since the token representing my estate has been given to her, the entire Prince's Mansion will be hers. It's so troublesome to give things here and there!"
Eunuch Hua looked at him speechlessly. He thought to himself that it was fortunate that His Highness had a good background. Otherwise, with his straight thinking, he would definitely be single for the rest of his life.
However, Shen Mingjiao did not continue pursuing this topic and generously accepted these betrothal gifts. She only thought that this was Eunuch Hua's idea. After all, this person in her previous life was dedicated to matchmaking her and Feng Lisheng.
As for Feng Lisheng, he was a man who could not even differentiate between a hairpin and the dangles. How could one expect him to know how to give gifts!
In the end, Eunuch Hua left a guard to protect Shen Mingjiao in secret and left with his men.
…
Over the past few days, Shen Mingjiao had been learning the rules from the two nannies bestowed by the palace. Although she knew them by heart, she could only pretend in order not to expose herself.
As such, the two nannies were surprised to find that although the Princess Consort was usually lazy, she was really fast at learning the rules.
Coupled with the fact that the Emperor and Empress really loved Feng Lisheng, the people they sent over were naturally carefully chosen. There would not be a scene of the Etiquette Nanny rubbing off a layer of her skin like the rumors said.
One of the two nannies was surnamed Feng and the other was surnamed Xu. They were both very kind, or at least that was what they looked like.
Nanny Feng was good at medicinal cuisine for nursing Shen Mingjiao's body, while Nanny Xu was good at embroidery.
On this day, Shen Mingjiao was discussing the new design with Nanny Xu.
An old woman who looked like a manager came over. "Fourth Miss, Old Madam invites you to Shou'an Courtyard."
Shen Mingjiao glanced at the person and raised her eyebrows. "Okay, I'll go over now."
Haitang secretly tugged at her sleeve and whispered, "Why does Old Madam suddenly want you to go over? And she even sent Nanny Wu here?"
Shen Mingjiao said ambiguously, "It's obvious that they're up to no good!"
…
When Shen Mingjiao arrived at Shou'an Courtyard, the main hall was already filled with people. The third branch of the Duke Mansion had also arrived.
She curled her lips with interest. This was quite a shock!
She took a few steps forward and bowed to Madam Cui. "Greetings, Grandmother!"
Madam Cui glanced at her towering chest and that soft waist that looked like it could be broken with a snap. Her eyes could not help but reveal disgust. However, she thought of something and forcefully suppressed her emotions. She said with a rare pleasant expression, "Fourth girl, come to Grandmother."
Shen Mingjiao did not move. She chose a corner and sat down. "Grandmother, if you have something to say, just say it!"
Ever since her father married her mother under pressure back then, Madam Cui had disliked her mother in all sorts of ways. In the end, she forced her father to bring his family out to work. Later on, her parents passed away in an accident and her sister went missing. Madam Cui hated her mother even more and naturally, she hated Shen Mingjiao as well.
Unless it was a festive occasion, she was usually not allowed to even step into Shou'an Hall. She was initially sad for a while, but as time passed, she slowly seemed to forget that she had a grandmother.
Perhaps Madam Cui did not expect Shen Mingjiao to reject her directly, but her expression was extremely ugly. The Marquis of Yong Chang, Shen Jian, was afraid that his mother would speak rashly in her anger, so he hurriedly smiled and continued,
"Fourth Girl! I'm really happy for you to be able to marry into the Prince's Mansion. I believe that if Second Brother in heaven knows that you're so promising, he'll definitely be very gratified."
Shen Mingjiao sized her uncle up. The men of the Shen family were all good-looking, but it was a pity that Shen Jian did not have much ability. Instead, he liked to go around.
She answered calmly, "Uncle, you must be joking. If Father finds out, he will probably be very sad. After all, Father has always been upright. He will surely disapprove of the act of using his daughter to cling to the rich and powerful for a bright future!"
The main hall fell silent for a moment, but Shen Jian did not feel awkward at all. He continued with a smile. "According to tradition, the Prince will have two concubines two weeks after his wedding. Although you're the main Consort, our residence has been declining year after year. If there are two more concubines of higher status at this time, what will you do?"
Shen Mingjiao raised her eyebrows slightly. "Then does Uncle have any good ideas?"
Shen Jian's eyes flashed, and he said patiently, "Since he has to choose a secondary consort, why not choose someone we already know? This way, not only will it not affect your position as the first wife, but you will even have another helper in the backyard."
Shen Mingjiao seemed to be really taking in his suggestion. She asked, "Oh, then who do you think is best, Uncle?"
Shen Jian thought that she had not seen much of the world and was intimidated by his words. He could not help but feel smug. He pointed at Shen Mingyao, who had dressed up meticulously opposite him, and said, "Mingyao is your biological cousin and she has always been gentle. What do you think, Fourth Girl?"
Shen Mingjiao glanced at Shen Mingyao, who gave her a timid smile.
"Uncle, this is a good idea, but—"
She stood up and looked down at Shen Mingyao. "Is she as beautiful as I am?"
Shen Jian's face twitched as he stared at her extremely beautiful face. For a moment, he was stuck, but he heard her continue.
"Or is she talented?"
Shen Mingyao's face turned pale. She lowered her head and looked like she was about to cry.
"Or…" She looked at Shen Mingyao and smiled. "Is she good in bed!"
"You…"
Third Aunt pointed at her and shrieked, "How can you be so shameless? How can you say such things?"
Shen Ming smiled lazily. "Am I wrong? Since she shamelessly plans to covet her brother-in-law, shouldn't she go to the brothel in advance to learn how those girls seduce men?"
Shen Mingyao's eyes were red as she stared at her. Then, she gritted her teeth and slammed into the wall, as if she wanted to die to prove her innocence.
Immediately, a maidservant went forward and grabbed her. Third Madam hugged Shen Mingyao and cried her heart out.
-- Presente
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