Shen Miao pestered Shen Li for another two days, insisting that Shen Li take her around the Night Shadows Department. Only after she was fully satisfied did she bid farewell to Shen Li the next day and return to the Shen Mansion.
As soon as Shen Miao entered the mansion, her personal maid, Chun Xi, informed her that someone had come to the mansion to propose marriage for Shen Zhen.
"Do you know which young master from the capital it is?"
In Shen Miao's view, this was simply inconceivable. Shen Zhen was a concubine's daughter and had only returned to the Shen Mansion a few months ago. She had never had the chance to show herself in front of the official ladies in the capital. So how could someone come to propose marriage now?
"The maid just heard from the wet - nurse beside the madam that it seems to be a scholar from the academy!"
Chun Xi told Shen Miao what she had learned. "He is also the second young master's classmate. I heard that the third young lady happened to meet him once when she went to deliver something to the second young master, and that's why he came to propose marriage."
Chun Xi's words were veiled, but a discerning person could read between the lines.
"Classmate?" Shen Miao thought for a moment and then scolded contemptuously, "She always seems so honest and quiet on the surface. Who would have thought she was such a shameless slut! Just like her mother! What a disgrace!"
After scolding, Shen Miao asked Chun Xi again, "Where is the one who came to propose marriage?"
"He just left!"
"Did mother agree?" Shen Miao walked towards the courtyard where Shen Shi lived while asking Chun Xi for information.
"The madam only said she needed to think it over. She didn't agree immediately."
"What is my mother doing now?"
Chun Xi thought for a while. "Not long ago, the madam summoned Concubine Su. They should still be discussing things."
Hearing this, Shen Miao didn't stop. When she reached Shen Shi's courtyard, instead of waiting outside, she stood by the window and eavesdropped on the conversation inside.
Inside, Shen Shi was sitting in the upper - most seat. Concubine Su had her head down, weeping and constantly dabbing at the tears on her face with a handkerchief.
"Cry, cry, cry! What's there to cry about! I just said a few words, and you start crying. Weren't you quite tough before? Why are you like this now!"
Shen Shi glanced at Concubine Su and said impatiently.
"Madam! I was just ignorant before. Now, even if you beat or scold me, I won't complain. But you know, Zhen'er is my daughter, the apple of my eye! How could I let her be wronged?" Concubine Su didn't take Shen Shi's sarcasm to heart. The only thing she was worried about now was Shen Zhen's marriage.
"Humph! Wronged? In the Shen Mansion, have I ever lacked her food or clothing? And she still feels wronged! If you still think she's wronged, then take her back to the manor. Why bother to beg for a living here with me."
Hearing this, Concubine Su cried even more loudly. Tears fell one by one onto her hands. "Madam, you've misunderstood. I don't mean that! Zhen'er's life in the mansion is far better than what she could have in the manor. But you know, a child is a mother's heart and soul!"
"I know that I was ignorant when I was young and caused you a lot of trouble. Now that I'm back in the mansion, I've been living an honest life. The only thing I'm concerned about now is Zhen'er's marriage. I know that you, madam, are magnanimous and won't haggle with someone like me. You'll surely make proper arrangements for Zhen'er's marriage."
Hearing this, Shen Shi's anger subsided a bit, but she still found Concubine Su extremely unpleasant. "You don't need to flatter me! It seems you don't need me to decide on Shen Zhen's marriage. Didn't someone already come to propose?"
"I don't know how you taught your daughter. How could she engage in improper relations with an outside man! If this gets out, where will the Shen Mansion's face be? When Miao'er marries into the royal mansion in the future, how will people mock her half - sister? All this is thanks to your good daughter!"
Hearing this, Concubine Su "thumped" and knelt on the ground. "Madam, Zhen'er would never do such a thing. We can't believe what the matchmaker just said!"
"I've already asked Zhen'er. She just happened to meet him once when she went to deliver something to Zhang'er. Since then, she hasn't seen him again, and she doesn't even know his name. How could she have any relation with that young master? I can swear to heaven that Zhen'er has absolutely no connection with that Young Master Qin. If I'm lying, may I die a horrible death!"
Concubine Su spoke so emotionally and even swore a poisonous oath that Shen Shi's attitude softened. "Fine! I'll send someone to investigate this matter!"
"However, I will never agree to the Qin family's proposal!"
"Everything is up to you, madam!"
Shen Shi had said that last sentence just to test Concubine Su. Now seeing that Concubine Su agreed without hesitation, some of her doubts disappeared.
"Alright! There's nothing else here. You can go back first."
Hearing this, Shen Miao, who was eavesdropping outside, quickly slipped to the side.
After Concubine Su had walked far away, Shen Miao entered the room.
"Mother!"
Shen Shi was naturally very happy to see Shen Miao return. "Miao'er, you're back! You seem to have lost some weight. Did Shen Li bully you there?"
Hearing this, Shen Miao leaned her head on Shen Shi's shoulder and coquettishly said, "Mother, these days when I was away from you, I couldn't sleep well at night or eat well during the day!"
"That Shen Li just deliberately made things difficult for me. She said some nonsense about the stupid rules of the Night Shadows Department, insisting that everyone do things themselves. She even made me chop wood, light the fire, and cook!"
Shen Shi was greatly shocked. She lovingly stroked Shen Miao's hair. "Did Shen Li really bully you like this? She's too presumptuous! Does she really think that there's no one in this world who can control her?"
"Moreover, I advised you not to go to that useless place. See! Now you've been bullied!" After saying that, Shen Shi gently tapped Shen Miao's forehead with her fingertip.
Shen Miao shook her head on Shen Shi's shoulder and said seriously, "Alas, mother! I went there to handle a major matter for the Fourth Prince. After this matter is completed, just wait and see! By then, both Shen Li and Shen Yi will have to kneel down and beg me!"
This piqued Shen Shi's curiosity. She grabbed Shen Miao's hand and asked, "Shen Yi is the emperor's confidant. It's not easy to bring him down! What's this major matter you're going to do? Tell your mother."
"Mother, don't ask about this for now. You'll know when I've done it!"
"Okay! I won't ask. I'll just wait for you to bring me good news!"