"By the way, how do you plan to arrange Shen Zhen's marriage?" Shen Miao suddenly changed the topic and brought up Shen Zhen's marriage.
"Humph! I thought Shen Zhen was a timid and weak girl, but it turns out she's not a law - abiding one either. She's just a concubine - born daughter. When the time comes, I'll find a concubine - born son from an official family for her to marry. There's no need to waste so much time and effort on her!"
Thinking of what had happened today, Lady Shen had no interest at all. She didn't even want to bother with Shen Zhen anymore.
"Mother, if you just marry Shen Zhen off like this, it would be fine if she were grateful and remembered your kindness. But if she holds a grudge, she might even resent you. After she gets married, if she whispers something in her husband's ear and causes you trouble, it won't be good!"
Lady Shen hesitated and said, "I don't think so. Shen Zhen looks so gentle and weak. She's not the type who can make her own decisions."
But Shen Miao disagreed. "Mother, don't forget about Concubine Su! She's not an easy person to deal with. How could she be willing to live under your thumb for the rest of her life? If she turns against you then, won't you be in danger?"
"So, we need to come up with a fool - proof plan to deal with Shen Zhen once and for all!"
"What plan?" Lady Shen advised Shen Miao, "Miao'er, your wedding is approaching. Don't think about other things. Just stay at home and prepare for your wedding in peace. Let me tell you, being a wife and a daughter - in - law is not as comfortable as being a young girl in the boudoir. There are only a few days left. Just stay at home quietly."
"Mother, you're right! But if I don't solve these problems, even if I get married, I won't be able to live in peace. Moreover, I'm not as well - known as Duan Chuchu, and I'm not as beautiful as Wu Qihuan. Even if I marry into the prince's mansion, I'll still be inferior to them."
"The only way for me to have a place in the prince's mansion after marriage is to do more things for the Fourth Prince now and win his favor."
Shen Miao had her own plans and didn't think there was anything wrong with them.
"Seeing you so busy all day, I'm just too worried! It's a pity that I can't help you much!"
Seeing Lady Shen like this, Shen Miao quickly comforted her, "Mother, I'm not tired! You can rest assured. Also, please leave Shen Zhen's marriage to me to handle!"
"I'll find a good place for her. And as for Concubine Su, it's only because you're kind - hearted that you've kept her until now. If it were someone else, they wouldn't have given her a chance to cause trouble!"
Seeing Shen Miao so confident, Lady Shen didn't say anything more. She also thought this would be a good opportunity to let Shen Miao get some experience. After Shen Miao married into the prince's mansion, she would surely be involved in the intrigues in the inner courtyard. The Fourth Prince would have many concubines, and Shen Miao must be able to protect herself.
In Lady Shen's courtyard, the atmosphere was harmonious, while Concubine Su and Shen Zhen were in a gloomy mood.
Shen Zhen was originally very happy when she knew that someone came to propose marriage to her today and secretly looked forward to it. But she never expected that things would turn out like this.
That Mr. Qin, whom she had only met once and even forgotten what he looked like, according to the matchmaker, had become someone who was in love with her.
Now, in the eyes of outsiders, she was a shameless girl who had secret trysts with a man. How could Shen Zhen not be sad? She had been crying for more than half an hour, and her eyes were as swollen as walnuts and could hardly be opened.
When Concubine Su came back, she saw Shen Zhen still crying and felt a sense of powerlessness.
"Zhen'er! Stop crying! I've already explained this matter to the mistress, and she promised to investigate it further. She won't agree to Mr. Qin's proposal!"
"Really!" Shen Zhen immediately raised her head and looked at Concubine Su in disbelief.
"The mistress promised!"
Shen Zhen immediately stopped crying and looked at Concubine Su with her swollen eyes.
"But this matter is not over yet! Who is this Mr. Qin? And why did he deliberately slander your reputation? We need to investigate this matter clearly!"
"Let's wait for your brother to come back. We'll ask him for the details and then discuss the countermeasures."
Concubine Su had been in the inner courtyard for many years and had her own ideas and plans for everything. She knew that what the matchmaker said and how she said it when coming to propose marriage were all according to the wishes of the man's family. Now the matchmaker kept saying that Shen Zhen and Mr. Qin fell in love at first sight and were in love, and asked Lady Shen to make the decision.
So, it must be the man's family's intention.
Today, Concubine Su had spent some silver to bribe a little maid and only then found out what the matchmaker had said. She asked Shen Zhen about the whole thing and made preparations in advance. Otherwise, no matter what Shen Zhen said today, it would be hard for others to believe her.
"I've already sent someone to inform your brother! I believe he'll be back soon!"
At this time, Shen Yi had indeed received the news. After hearing from the servant that it was a Mr. Qin, he understood everything.
As soon as the class was over in the academy, while Shen Yi was still packing up his things, he saw several people standing in front of his desk.
"Brother Shen, why don't we go for a drink today?" One of the scholars in a green robe said to Shen Yi, "Anyway, in the future, our families will be in - laws with the Qin family. From now on, you'll all be good brothers. It's not too much to have a drink."
Shen Yi didn't even raise his head. He continued to pack up his writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, put them all in his book basket, carried it on his back, and then looked at those people and said, "My younger sister is not engaged to anyone. Please watch your words and actions! If there's a next time, I won't be so polite!"
After saying that, Shen Yi was about to leave, but unexpectedly, someone reached out and blocked him.
"Brother Shen, you may not know. Just today, my mother has sent a matchmaker to your mansion to propose marriage to your sister! I believe it won't be long before we become a family!" The one who spoke was Mr. Qin. He was standing right in front of Shen Yi, but unfortunately, he was shorter than Shen Yi. Even standing in front of Shen Yi, he could only look up at him, which made him very angry. So he took two steps back to be on the same level as Shen Yi's sight.
"Mr. Qin, please be careful with your words and actions! You just said that it's just a proposal! And if the servant in our mansion didn't pass on the wrong message, our mansion didn't agree to your proposal either!"
"As for being relatives or not, you may be thinking too much, Mr. Qin!"