In the horse carriage on the way back to Shen Residence, Shen Miao sat alone in a carriage as before. Gu Yu and Jing Zhe who were beside her were all worried for her. Prince Yu's evil reputation was well known to the people of Ming Qi and he just gave Shen Miao an invitation. Not to say that it was inappropriate for Shen Miao, a young lady, to head over, one could see what kind of idea Prince Yu was playing at.
If it was Shen Xin, he would have refused it at the risk of his life. But at the moment, Shen Xin was not in the city and the two daughters-in-law of the Shen family had sinister motives. Previously, Shen Miao was young but now that she has reached marriageable age, naturally, that idea was planted in her head.
Jing Zhe endured and tolerated but finally could not help but said, "Xiǎojiě, that Yù Wángzǐ… What can be done in today's matter? How about getting someone to write a letter to Lǎoyé? If Lǎoyé were to know of the matter, he will definitely rush back."
"Yes." Gu Yu was also deeply worried and sick in her heart, "That person does not have a good purpose for coming and currently the inner courtyard is still… Moreover, today Xiǎojiě was in the limelight, one is afraid that there would be a number of troubles encountered in the residence." She sighed.
At Shen Miao's young age, she would not be able to see clearly thus Gu Yu and Jing Zhe, who were specially picked by Shen Fūrén, were able to see it clearly. The Second and Third Households were clearly jealous of the resounding name of the First Household and thus would secretly trip Shen Miao. With the narrow-minded hearts of the two households and with Shen Miao's limelight today, they were afraid that she would be an eyesore to them. There was nothing fearful about other matters, but if Prince Yu was linked into it… With his devious mind, it would be difficult for Shen Miao to handle all this. After all, the people in the First Household were already mostly switched by the two other households.
Shen Miao lightly said, "What is there to be afraid of? What idea he is playing with, would have to depend if he has that ability."
She was calm and composed but the words she spoke were faintly imposing, with a difficult-to-detect trace of viciousness. Gu Yu and Jing Zhe looked at one another, they did not know what was going on but the panic that they felt dissipated a little and they gradually calmed down.
Upon returning to the Shen residence, Shen Miao said that she was tired today and needed to rest thus she would return first to the West courtyard. Ren Wan Yun and Chen Rou Qiu smiled and said some things to Shen Miao and instructed her to rest well. Perhaps after they knew that it was not good for Shen Miao that Prince Yu had now his sights on her, both of their smiles were unable to conceal the joy of her misfortune. Ren Wan Yun even patted Shen Miao's head and lovingly said, "Seeing that Wǔ niáng had reached such an age and could be so moving and loving. Not too much time later, you should be married off already."
"Yes." Chen Rou Qiu echoed meaningfully, "Our Xiǎo wǔ's kind of young lady is only compatible to match with nobility. Ordinary people would not be able to marry our Xiǎo wǔ."
A trace of happiness flashed on Shen Yue's face and Shen Qing was unable to hold herself back and said, "That is of course. Wǔ mèimèi would definitely get a 'noble' husband." Finishing, she covered her mouth as she snickered, using a look of understanding on Shen Miao as she laughed.
But even with such a suggestive gaze, Shen Miao's expression did not even waver a bit. Shen Qing's smile stiffened. The more Shen Miao was as plain as the clouds and light as the wind, the angrier her heart became. Today, Prince Yu of the First Rank sent the invitation to everyone and they all are well aware that he was interested in Shen Miao. But now Shen Miao was not the least emotionally moved, most likely she did not know the serious implication of it. There was a trace of ridicule in her eyes. She was indeed a stupid fool.
"Shěnshěn and Jiějiě have spoken." Shen Miao said without additional comments, "Talking about age, Dàjiě and Èrjiě are a little older than me. As for finding a husband, naturally, it would not be me first."
The few people's expressions paused before Ren Wan Yun smiled, "This child. It is because bǎizi is not in the capital most of the time. Shěnshěn's heart aches for you and as for Dà jiě'ér and Èr jiě'ér, both I and your Sānshěn are still in the Ding capital, naturally, there is no need to worry."
"Is it?" Shen Miao lightly questioned rhetorically. There was no expression in that pair of clear eyes but it made one's heart tremble. It was as if when that pair of eyes gaze, whatever intent in one's heart would be disclosed. She smiled lightly, "Since it's shěnshěn who worry this much about me, in the future, I would have to return a couple."
She mentioned it casually but for unknown reasons, Ren Wan Yun and Chen Rou Xiu felt a flash of uneasiness in their hearts. But they tossed this absurd idea to the back of their minds as even though Shen Miao was much more clever than before, she was still a fourteen-year-old girl. How big a wave can she create? Moreover… Thinking about the matter of Prince Yu, both of them were pleased with themselves.
"Ai, what is Wǔ niáng polite for? We are all a family." Ren Wan Yun laughed, "Since you are tired, then head back to rest first. Your Sānshěn and I still have matters to do. Gu Yu, Jing Zhe, take good care of Wǔ xiǎojiě."
Gu Yu and Jing Zhe complied and followed Shen Miao out.
After they left, Ren Wan Yun and Chen Rou Qiu gave a look at one another and they saw one another's schemes.
After half an incense stick (1 incense stick = 30 mins), the Old Shen Fūrén of Rong Jing Tang frowned, "You all are saying that Yù Wángzǐ has taken a liking to Wǔ yātou?"
Shen Yue and Shen Qing were banished to the inner chambers as they were young ladies who cannot participate in these matters. Even so, both of them still went up to the folding screen secretly, regardless of Zhang Mama's discouragement, to eavesdrop on the conversation inside.
"Exactly." Ren Wan Yun's face was full of smiles but her words were pompous, "Wǔ yātou's results were so impressive in today's academy examinations that it made Yù Wángzǐ have a whole new level of respect for her. Since an invitation was sent, it must mean that there is an intention to obtain Wǔ yātou. This xífù sees that our Shen Residence may be able to produce a Wángfēi."
When Chen Rou Qiu heard it, her mouth was pulled back a bit. Ren Wan Yun said it so high-soundingly, but that Prince Yu's interest in Shen Miao did not mean that she would be married officially. Even if she would be married officially, with Shen Miao's life, no one knew how many days she could survive. One was afraid that she could only be a Wángfēi for a few days before the fragrance diminished and the jade perished. After all, Prince Yu's infamous reputation was something that everyone in Ding Capital City knew.
Hearing this, Old Shen Fūrén's expression instead dropped a little, as in her heart, she naturally did not want the First Household to do well. On what basis did that dead person's son be more outstanding than hers. Previously, when Old General Shen was alive, he was biased towards the First Household and now that the First Household would produce a Wángfēi this made her feel unhappy. She remarked at once, "How could Wǔ yātou be a Wángfēi with her temperament? Dà yātou and èr yātou are still good enough."
Old Shen Fūrén spent all year round in the inner courtyard and only knew how to enjoy it. Thus, she was totally ignorant of the matters outside. Hearing her words, Chen Rou Qiu's and Ren Wan Yun's expression changed uniformly. Shen Yue and Shen Qing who were hiding behind the folding screen jumped in shock as both of them knew even though Old Shen Fūrén did not know. Once entering the residence of Prince Yu, there was only the circumstance of being tortured till death and it was a hellish fire pit.
Ren Wan Yun quickly spoke, "Pópó, it is not like this. We naturally wish Wǔ yātou, this gūniáng, well. Even though Yù Qīnwáng Diànxià is a widower, age-wise he is somewhat older and his reputation is not very good, but his family is good." She thought about something and her lips raised, "In the future, when Qī gē'er grows up, it would be extremely good to have Yù Qīnwáng Diànxià's care and guidance. If Wǔ yātou encounters any mishap, Yù Qīnwáng Diànxià would compensate and take greater care of Qī gē'er."
To actually use Shen Miao's life in exchange for Shen Yuan Bo's future, Chen Rou Qiu looked at her Èr bǎisǎo, it was truly a good scheme.