Chapter 391: Chapter 400: Arguing Even When in the Wrong—Why Show Mercy When in the Right?
The two stone lions outside the Shen Residence are formidable and imposing. The Shen Family estate is also quite grand. It is certainly among the top in Fengzhou City.
Shen Qu’s face was somber as he made his way towards Ningyun Courtyard.
In Ningyun Courtyard, Shen Xue-shi was fuming with rage. The teacup brought by the maid was brushed aside by her scowling face.
"What is wrong with my family staying here? My nephew was ill-fated last year, rendered infertile by some filthy beast. As his aunt, of course, I’m heartbroken. What concern is it to your second branch? Sister-in-law, do not forget, it was in consideration of my husband’s deep brotherly love with your husband that I agreed to let you move back. What kind of life had you lived before, and what kind of life are you living now?"
Shen Zhushi was unwilling to argue with such a vulgar person.
Her Daddy is the Prefect.
She is the daughter of the Prefect.
"Sister-in-law, why must you be angry?"
"Your family knows no etiquette. Your nephew needs discipline even more. Make sure he does not drag our Qu down."
"Moreover, do you think I don’t know? Even though the household has been divided, whether you nodded in agreement or not, it’s not your place to call the shots here."
Even though Shen Zhushi was not willing to admit it, she knew clearly that the bastard she most looked down upon was now like a dragon soaring to the heavens, with ordinary mortals kneeling beneath him.
"In the past few days, Qu has been socializing with my Daddy every day. If he succeeds in the future, he may even drink with Lord Prefect himself. The embroidery workshop is not what it used to be, but as long as we have Lord Prefect’s support, it can only benefit the workshop. Without our second branch, the main branch would not make a single step."
Having said that, she stood up slowly with great presence.
"Sister-in-law, there’s no need to speak those sanctimonious words to me. It was Qu himself who personally invited us back. He is sentimental, and although he regards you as his mother, he has not forgotten his birth mother’s kindness, and naturally he cannot bear to see his birth mother wronged."
This sentence made Shen Xue-shi furiously frown.
Shen Zhushi, however, stepped away with the tread of victory, having just given her a show of force.
In terms of plotting and strategizing, Shen Xue-shi certainly could not compare to Shen Zhushi.
Struck by that blow, all her rationality vanished.
She trembled with anger.
"Lord Prefect?"
She scoffed coldly, "Her father is just a minor Prefect, who usually doesn’t even have the qualification to speak in front of Lord Prefect. Now, Qu spends money like water every day, his father stuffing his face with grease, but I haven’t seen him actually invite Lord Prefect over."
If it weren’t for...
If it weren’t for her thinking of Shen He Wen, and for the convenience of meeting him privately later, she would have lost patience long ago!
What is there for Shen Zhushi to be arrogant about? Her man was still sneaking into her bed last night.
As for Shen Qu.
The Mama he now calls is her!
He is a smart man and will certainly not treat her unjustly.
Shen Xue-shi tried hard to calm her breathing.
Just then, someone strode in, so quickly that even the maid outside couldn’t announce him in time.
Shen Xue-shi suppressed her anger.
"Why are you here? Didn’t you just go out to check the accounts?"
Shen Qu approached and asked coldly, "Did Mama put poison in Yangyang’s medicine?"
Shen Xue-shi: ???
What poison?
"Her body has always been weak. I’ve always said she was useful to keep, and Mama agreed with me just earlier, only to forget so soon?"
"What are you talking about?"
Shen Xue-shi was furious, "Am I mad to poison her? The medicine she takes is brewed by her own maids, no one else can even touch it, guarded like some treasure."
Her demeanor didn’t seem false, yet Shen Qu was still suspicious.
Ever since she entered the family, Shen Xue-shi had not gotten along with Shen Hua. She was the most likely to take action against Shen Hua.
Shen Xue-shi said irritably, "Why bring her up out of the blue? Bad luck!"
Shen Qu looked at her.
"Shen Hua has returned."
Shen Xue-shi’s breath caught, "Returned?"
"What has she returned for?"
That little wench, why didn’t she just die out there!
Shen Qu lowered his gaze, a hint of a smile flickered in his eyes, but his tone sounded regretful: "She must have worn out her welcome with those nobles."
Upon hearing this, Shen Xue-shi burst into a hearty laugh.
"With her temper, who could stand her! Serves her right."
"Is the life of a concubine that easy? With just a pretty face, how could she last long?"
Although Shen Qu agreed, he still found the conversation annoying.
He said, "My son is preparing to bring her back. Mama, get ready, come with me tomorrow."
Hearing this, Shen Xue-shi was utterly surprised: "Bring her back? Wasn’t she arrogant and domineering when she left? On what grounds do we bring her back?"
She couldn’t help but think about how pitiful Shen Hua must be now.
"Who gave her the face?"
"She should be begging at our door, asking for my forgiveness."
Shen Xue-shi hasn’t even agreed to let Shen Hua return!
Yet Shen Qu said, "It won’t be long before the rumor that either you or my son has wronged her will spread everywhere. We must not only go to fetch her but also smile and invite her back."
Shen Xue-shi’s face turned utterly dark.
She said she didn’t harm Shen Hua!
When Shen Wei was around, she went out of her way to please him. After Shen Wei was gone, Shen Hua looked like she could kick the bucket any second—why would she need to harm her?
Just looking at her annoys me!
The moment she comes back! She starts causing trouble!
She really is something!
"If we invite her and she doesn’t come back, wouldn’t you and I have made the trip for nothing? You should be clear, she is the most troublesome, capable of anything."
How could Shen Qu not know that?
But even so, they still had to go.
He said gently, "If one invitation doesn’t suffice, then we’ll invite her a second time, if that fails then a third. Sincerity moves the heart of stone. Once our sincerity is conveyed, she naturally won’t make a fuss anymore."
Shortly after, he spoke again.
"Her courtyard, Mama should also clean it up."
This made Shen Xue-shi thoughtful.
Shen Hua’s courtyard is the best in the entire residence.
"This puts me in a difficult position. The second branch’s son took a fancy to it and wanted to stay. I refused, and your Second Aunt criticized me for it. Have you forgotten that?"
"Someone is already living in the courtyard."
Shen Qu narrowed his eyes but spoke a great truth: "I will discuss it with Second Uncle later on. How could the eldest cousin seize a girl’s courtyard? It’s fine when Yangyang wasn’t back, but now that she has returned, should she just be settled into any available courtyard later on?"
His status now was not what it used to be; naturally, there was no need to bow down to the legitimate son of the second branch.
————
Unlike the suffocating atmosphere of the Shen Family, at this moment, Shen Hua after having schemed against others was humming a little tune in high spirits.
Without even thinking, she could guess how apoplectic Shen Xue-shi must be.
But... this was just the beginning.
She didn’t stay long in the shop and unusually had lunch without any airs alongside the embroidery ladies back at the residence.
Of course, the taste couldn’t compare to First-tier Sky. Shen Hua had become accustomed to finer flavors, but her spirits were high, so she ate quite well regardless.
"Madam, will the Shen Family really send someone over tomorrow?" Ningzhu asked.
Shen Hua replied indifferently.
"Shen Qu is the best at playing the good guy, just wait and see."
She has been tit for tat since she was young; even her Mama used to joke saying: What rose doesn’t have thorns?
Shen Hua countered, "If without reason people oppress me, why should I relent when I have reason on my side?"
She couldn’t wait to see what would happen.
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