When Mrs. Shen heard that Mrs. Zhu asked her to keep a low profile for the next six months, although she understood that this was undoubtedly the best choice, she hesitated in her heart. She was afraid that it would delay the good fortune of her own daughter.
After some consideration, Mrs. Shen finally decided to tell Mrs. Zhu about the matter between Shen Miao and the Fourth Prince. "Mother! You know that the emperor has already agreed to select concubines for the three princes! I think it doesn't matter what I do in these six months. I'm just afraid it will delay Miao'er's matter!"
"Miao'er?"
Mrs. Zhu recalled Shen Miao she saw today. Not only was she beautiful, but also behaved generously and appropriately. She was also talented. She was really good. So she also affirmed, "This child Miao'er is really good! Her appearance, etiquette and knowledge are all impeccable! But... the princes are of noble status, and there are many noble ladies in the capital!"
"Miao'er may not be able to be the main concubine! But if she were to be matched with the Tenth Prince, she would have a bit of a chance! The maternal families of the Fourth Prince and the Seventh Prince are both of high status. Especially with Concubine Chen's vision! Alas! Miao'er's status is just a bit low!"
At the end, Mrs. Zhu shook her head regretfully. She was satisfied with her granddaughter Shen Miao, but it was a pity that her son - in - law's official position was low, which dragged her down!
Even Mrs. Shen felt sorry for her precious daughter after hearing Mrs. Zhu's analysis. Fortunately, her Miao'er was ambitious and resourceful, and had made preparations early.
Thinking of the Fourth Prince's appreciation and admiration for Shen Miao, Mrs. Shen also gained some confidence. "What mother said is right! In terms of appearance and talent, my Miao'er is among the best in the capital. It's just that her status is a bit low! Fortunately, the Fourth Prince appreciates talented people. So, Miao'er has also caught the Fourth Prince's eye a bit!"
"Wanqiu, this is..." Mrs. Zhu was both surprised and delighted when she heard this. She only said half of the sentence, then saw Mrs. Shen nodding, so she didn't continue.
Nowadays, a girl's reputation is important. Before everything is certain, it must not be spread.
"When did this happen? How likely is it to succeed?"
"Miao'er is a smart and flexible girl. Since last year, she has been studying the art of chess!" Mrs. Shen said this vaguely, but Mrs. Zhu understood. It was well - known to many outsiders that the Fourth Prince loved playing chess.
"As for the likelihood of success, judging from that person's attitude towards Miao'er, there is a 90% chance for her to be a side concubine. As for the position of the main concubine, it depends on Concubine Chen and the emperor's will. Miao'er only has a 30% - 40% chance!"
"Being a side concubine is also good! Miao'er's status is there! After all, it is a bit low! With Concubine Chen's ambition and strategy, she will surely find a girl for the Fourth Prince whose family background, status and power can all help the Fourth Prince!"
"As long as a man's heart is with a woman, Miao'er also has a chance to rise. I understand this truth well. Even the current Concubine Chen herself took this path!"
Mrs. Zhu deeply summarized and realized the above truth from her own experiences in the first half of her life, and always believed in it.
Mrs. Zhu was originally just the daughter of a poor scholar. Because of her outstanding appearance, she caught Shen Zhuo's eye and became a concubine of Shen Zhuo, who was just a small official sent to a remote place at that time.
Later, because of her young and outstanding appearance and her ability to coax Shen Zhuo happily with sweet words, she lived quite well in the mansion and even fought fiercely with the main wife.
Later, she was more skillful. The main wife died more than a decade ago. Because she had also given birth to a son and a daughter for Shen Zhuo, she was promoted to be the step - wife.
Subsequently, Shen Zhuo was promoted all the way. He came from a remote place to the capital. Now he was also a fifth - rank official in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, holding real power. She was also an official's wife respected by everyone.
Although she was now in a prosperous situation, Mrs. Zhu regretted finding a son - in - law like Shen Junming for her daughter. Back then, Shen Zhuo's official position was low, while the eldest branch of the Shen family was at the height of their power. Her daughter Wanqiu's marriage into the Shen family was really a high - climbing one.
But now, although Shen Junming had a fourth - rank official position, two ranks higher than her husband, it was actually a sinecure with little real power.
Look, now the disadvantage was shown. It dragged down the marriage of her granddaughter Shen Miao.
Over the years, Mrs. Shen had watched her mother, Mrs. Zhu, turn the tables beautifully and rewrite her fate. So she deeply believed in Mrs. Zhu's words.
"What mother said is right! But if I lie low for half a year now, there will be no one to guide Miao'er in the matter of the selection of concubines for the three princes!"
"You sent someone to deliver a letter yesterday saying that you would visit your parents today. I had already guessed it! Now your father also has some power and influence in the Ministry of Revenue and can speak up. He can also see more clearly about the affairs in the court!"
"The matter of Marquis Xuanping interfering in the marriage affairs of the three princes this time is just the result of the struggle between the queen and Concubine Chen. Now the emperor's attitude is still unclear, and the position of the crown prince has been vacant. Sooner or later, there will be a day for the Second Prince and the Fourth Prince!"
It was obvious that Mrs. Zhu had heard Shen Zhuo talk about the affairs in the court and understood something about them.
"Your father also said that compared with the Second Prince, the Fourth Prince's power is weaker now. This concubine - selection is a good opportunity for us to take sides. Even a few days ago, someone introduced your father to someone on the Fourth Prince's side."
"If there is a marriage, this relationship will be even stronger!"
Mrs. Shen nodded after hearing this. Compared with the Second Prince, she and Shen Junming also favored the Fourth Prince more.
Then, the mother and daughter talked about some other things for a while before Mrs. Shen returned to her room.
The courtyard where Shen Li lived was different from that of Mrs. Shen and Shen Miao. Without guessing, Shen Li knew what those people were thinking.
But after all, this was not her own home. Shen Li wanted some bath water, and only when Jiaoyue bribed the servants with money could she get it. She couldn't do things as she pleased. Since she had nothing to do, Shen Li decided to go to bed early.
After taking a bath and changing into her nightgown, Shen Li talked to Jiaoyue for a few words and then felt sleepy. She told Jiaoyue to blow out the lamp. Just as Jiaoyue blew out the candle in the outer room, Shen Li heard something hitting the window of her room.
"Who?"
Shen Li immediately turned over and got up. Hearing the sound, Jiaoyue also opened the door and ran outside to look around.
Not finding any abnormality outside, Jiaoyue returned to the room. "Miss, there is no one outside!"
Just as she finished speaking, she saw her young lady standing in front of the couch in a white nightgown, and there was actually a man lying on the bed where Shen Li had just slept.
Xuan Yuanjue was in a black robe. He propped his head with his right hand and was lying obliquely on the bed that Shen Li had just left. With a smile on his lips, he said to Shen Li, who was standing in front of the bed with a cold face, "Long time no see, little thing! I haven't come to see you for some time. How have you been recently?"