Chapter 3: Lacking Brains
She truly felt hatred on behalf of the Young Lady and Madam. It would be best if something happened to this Shen family one day and the imperial court confiscated their property.
However, they couldn't be seized just yet, it would be better if this entire family named Shen died out completely after the Young Lady was married off.
"Hehe, that is actually a misunderstanding. Han Shi said that on purpose. I suspect my dear father doesn't even know about this matter. It was merely to demoralize me," Shen Yi laughed softly.
To demoralize her, she would have to actually care first. What little paternal affection existed had vanished the moment he forced Li Shi into the manor to be a concubine.
"Alright, just keep these things in mind; there's no need to tell Zhu Mama. Otherwise, she’ll just have another crying fit. Simply say the Madam called for me to ask my opinion, and I answered as we planned."
"Yes. You have truly suffered such grievances, Young Lady. This servant will certainly serve you well; if you have anything on your mind, please do tell me," Fanxing said.
"Good, let’s go," Shen Yi smiled.
Shen Yi’s residence was at the very back of the westernmost side of the estate. While it wasn't far from the family garden, it was extremely secluded.
Coming all the way to Han Shi’s West Courtyard was no short walk.
Returning in the height of summer, her small courtyard naturally wouldn't be allotted any ice mountains or ice blocks.
However, there was a well not far from there. Zhu Mama had already ordered cold water to be drawn to lower the temperature in the room.
Shen Yi allowed Zhu Mama to attend to her, washing her face and neck before changing into a fresh set of clothes. Shen Yi didn't have many clothes, but it wasn't so few that she had nothing to change into.
Large families, though they might be rife with internal strife, still valued their public reputation.
Currently, it was not Han Shi who managed the household, so even if she wanted to intentionally withhold resources, she couldn't easily touch everything allocated by the First Branch’s Madam.
Large families have their own difficulties. The First Madam, Miao Shi, did not come from a particularly good background; her family had fallen during the reign of the previous Emperor due to involvement in a legal case.
However, the brother of the Second Madam, Han Shi, was a Censor-in-Chief, though only of the secondary third rank, he nonetheless held an actual official post.
The First Madam, Miao Shi, managed the household, but her background could not suppress that of the Second Madam, Han Shi; one can well imagine the relationship between these two sisters-in-law.
Furthermore, because both were wives of legitimate sons, the strife between them was significant.
"Young Lady, you must be exhausted from the heat?" Zhu Mama said distressedly.
"It’s nothing, don't worry, my health is good. This bit of heat is nothing. They only think my living so far away is an inconvenience, they don't realize that by walking every day, my body stays healthy. Am I not sturdier than those who never leave their boudoirs year-round?" Shen Yi laughed.
"You certainly have your ways of comforting us," Zhu Mama shook her head.
"Fanxing, stay with the Young Lady. I'm going to do some needlework for a while," Zhu Mama said.
"Don't strain your eyes. As long as we have enough to wear, it's fine. This is simply the level of treatment we receive; there's no need to care too much," Shen Yi said.
"I know, rest assured, Young Lady. I only do it in the morning and at noon; I don't do it at any other time," Zhu Mama said with a smile.
Back with Han Shi, after Shen Yi had left, Sun Mama said, "Madam, please don't be angry; it's not worth it over her."
"What is there to be angry about? She's just a low-born wench born of a cheap woman. Since she's so unwilling, we’ll find her another family in the future. There are plenty of 'good families' out there,"Han Shi said.
"It's good that you can think of it that way. The First Madam has always only been harmonious with you on the surface. If she really went to the Earl’s Manor, who knows what the First Madam would be thinking then? It’s better to keep the girl within your grasp for peace of mind. Besides, she's just a girl; whether she lives or dies is up to you. This also avoids making the Old Madam angry again," Sun Mama said.
Han Shi gave a loathing snort. "Fine, allow me to speak with my sister-in-law tomorrow."
Sun Mama hurriedly withdrew.
Once outside, she breathed a sigh of relief, hoping the Madam wouldn't blame her for not handling the errand well.
The next morning, Shen Yi went to the West Courtyard early. After first paying her respects to Han Shi, she followed Han Shi to pay respects to the Old Madam.
Han Shi herself had only one son and one daughter. The sons had their own way of paying respects. The daughters followed Han Shi to greet their grandmother.
At this moment, those present included Shen Yi and two other concubine-born daughters: Shen Yi was the Fourth Young Lady, along with the Third Young Lady and the Sixth Young Lady.
The Fifth Young Lady, born to Lady Shi herself, was raised in the Old Madam's main courtyard because she was a legitimate daughter, she was the most favored girl in the manor.
As time was tight in the morning, Han Shi had no time to make things difficult for Shen Yi, so they went to the main courtyard together.
The Shen family was large. The Old Duke, Shen Zhong, lived in the front courtyard, and quite a few people had gathered in the Old Madam Zhao's main courtyard at this time.
Besides the eldest daughter-in-law, Miao Shi, and the second daughter-in-law, Han Shi, there were also the wives of the two concubine-born sons. Additionally, the grandsons' wives were also present.
There were also a dozen or so granddaughters, both legitimate and concubine-born.
After everyone paid their respects in order of seniority, the juniors departed first, and the Old Madam kept only her four daughters-in-law behind.
Once the pleasantries were finished, Han Shi spoke up, "It was my oversight. Although the Fourth Young Lady's background isn't exactly honorable, she is, after all, in mourning. It's truly not suitable for her to be married out right now. Otherwise, it would make things difficult for the Eldest Young Lady's side. It’s quite inauspicious."
Miao Shi smiled. "I said all along that this was inappropriate. Although the Fourth Young Lady's background is poor, since she has been recognized and brought back, she is a member of our family. No matter how lowly her status is, there is no precedent for a daughter of our house to become a concubine. Don't worry, Sister-in-law, I will simply choose someone else."
While Miao Shi and Han Shi were speaking, the other two wives generally remained silent, as wives of concubine-born sons, they rarely had the right to interject.
The Old Madam huffed. "Life is good, so live it well. Why entangle yourselves in those past affairs all day long?"
Han Shi hurriedly rose. "Mother's lecture is correct."
"Enough. The rest of you may go, but Second Daughter-in-law, stay behind. I have words for you." The Old Madam waved her hand.
Miao Shi and the other two rose, performed their salutations, and left first.
Han Shi did not dare sit down. Only after the others had left did she speak, "Mother..."
"Li Shi has been dead for over a year. Now she has left behind this one daughter. She has formally entered our house and been added to the genealogy. Years ago, it was you who insisted on bringing that mother and daughter into this house. Only then did your father and I agree. After she entered the manor, I never interfered with how you tormented that Li Shi."
"Now she is dead too. What do the events of back then have to do with the Fourth Young Lady? Do you insist on driving her to her death as well? If you wanted her dead, why didn't you just let her die outside? Why did you have to bring her through the gates of this manor? Do you think our family's reputation has been too good these past few years?" The Old Madam slapped the table.
Han Shi knelt. "Mother, you truly misunderstand. I had no intention of wanting her dead."
"Do you take me for a fool? I knew what you were up to when you wanted her to go to the Earl of Yong'en's Manor. I just wanted to see what you would do! I didn't expect that you would be so stubbornly deluded."
The Old Madam stood up. "Don't forget why we have spent these years painstakingly educating the Fifth Girl. In the palace, the Crown Prince is already fourteen this year. In two years at the latest, there will be a grand selection. Even putting the Crown Prince aside, the Fourth and Seventh Princes are also thirteen or fourteen. They have all reached the age where they will soon take wives. If a scandal breaks out at a time like this, you can forget about your daughter marrying into the Imperial Family. If the Fifth Girl's future is ruined because of these matters, see if I don't skin you alive."
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