novelInternal Strife
| ← Ch.156 | Ch.158 → |
"There is really a troublesome matter." Shen Wan laughed bitterly as he replied.
Cang Zai Qing patted Shen Wan's hand and smiled, "If there is anything annoying Master, why not tell me about it? Perhaps I could still help you with something."
Shen Wan looked at Cang Zai Qing's abdomen. Even though one was unable to see anything at the moment, he still said, "Never mind. It is the most important thing for you to take care of one's health in the residence. There is no need to handle such complicated things, moreover it is a court matter."
However Cang Zai Qing was not discouraged. She smiled, "When one had not entered to the household, Master treated me as a confidant and would always talk to me about bothersome matters, no matter if it was trivial courtyard matters or important court matters but now segregate by status. How is it that upon entering the household, it was not like in the past?" She shook her head, "I do not necessarily only know about things of that unmarried females know, like picking flowers and sewing clothes. Even though one is not intelligent, it is much easier for two person to think of ideas rather than one. There is no harm for Master to tell me about it."
Her gentle words touched the core of Shen Wan's heart. The difference between Cang Zai Qing and Chen Rou Qiu was that Chen Rou Qiu was really a 'pampered wife'. In the past, even though she was gentle and graceful, she would never intervened Shen Wan's career. When Shen Wan's career was flushed with success, it was good to have this kind of pampered wife that kept to her duties. However once there was something wrong, in career wise, Chen Rou Qiu was unable to help one bit at all.
Cang Zai Qing was however different. Before Shen Wan had opened himself up to Cang Zai Qing, he would call Cang Zai Qing a friend. Both of them would talk about everything under Heavens and there was nothing that they did not talk about. Cang Zai Qing's wealth of knowledge was not shallow and could even make some points on matters of court and Shen Wan appreciated that of her a lot.
For Cang Zai Qing to say that now, Shen Wan's heart moved slightly.
Not only could Cang Zai Qing have her own opinions about court matters, the most important thing was that Cang Zai Qing was a female. There were lots of winding matters to let Shen Miao marry Prince Zhou. If it was two years ago, before Shen Miao's personality drastically changed, that would be much easier. One only needed to say some words to move her but now it was not workable. Due to the tense relationship with the Eldest household, it was impossible to do anything from Shen Xin's end. Perhaps one was able to reap benefits from Cang Zai Qing about this marriage.
After thinking about that, Shen Qan looked at Cang Zai Qing and asked probingly, "If say, I want Fifth Lady to marry to His Highness Prince Zhou, what would you do?"
"His Highness Prince Zhou?" Cang Zai Qing was startled and asked surprisingly, "Why let Fifth Young Lady marry to Prince Zhou?"
Shen Wan chuckled, "Just saying casually." Even though he had treated Cang Zai Qing as his woman, but his mouth had to be tighter when handling matters for Prince Ding, thus he dared not talk about such confidential things.
He did not speak about it but Cang Zai Qing was a smart person and quickly understood. She did not linger on that matter, "Fifth Shen Young Lady is the beloved daughter of General Shen and one that he held on the palm on his hands. Currently His Highness Prince Zhou already has a WangFei (aka Consort) so if Fifth Shen Young Lady marries over, the highest she can go is a CeFei and General Shen and Shen Furen will definitely not be agreeable."
Shen Wan frowned and nodded her head with a difficult expression.
When Cang Zai Qing saw it, her heart slightly moved.
In any case, it was not anything good for Shen Miao to be a CeFei when marrying to Prince Zhou. Even though Cang Zai Qing did not know what was Shen Wan's intention behind it, once this was successful, Shen Miao would be in difficulty. Thinking of that delicate young female's bright eyes that could see through one's heart, Cang Zai Qing felt restless in her heart. She did not know why but Cang Zai Qing had an instinct of fear and unease, as if Shen Miao's presence would cause some unpredictable consequences for her. Cang Zai Qing was one who seeks security, so if one could settle Shen Miao, then it would be a good thing for her.
Particularly... She looked at her lower abdomen. Currently she was already with child and the position of the matriarch of the Third household was her's. Not only she want to sit on it, she wanted to do it well thus no matter who or what threatens it, she would remove.
"However, it is not one that is without a solution." Cang Zai Qing said with an engaging smile.
Shen Wan's eyes brightened as he asked, "What ideas do you have?"
"It would depends on what kind of attitude Master wants Prince Zhou to have." Cang Zai Qing said, "Does Prince Zhou want to have this marriage or not?"
Shen Wan's heart moved. Prince Zhou would definitely not want this marriage. The Princes of Ming Qi were not fools, whoever that marry Shen Miao now would undoubtedly making a target of oneself. Prince Zhou was not willing to be related to Shen Miao but Fu Xiu Yi's goal was to make it look like Prince Zhou was eager to marry Shen Miao.
He then said, "Prince Zhou is definitely unwilling but... One must make others believe that Prince Zhou is willing."
Cang Zai Qing thought of something, "This is a little difficult. However females cherish their reputation as when one loses it, there would not be any dependence for the rest of one's life. I would think that if Master want to be a matchmaker, one may wish to start from Fifth Young Lady."
Shen Wan saw Cang Zai Qing's appearance of having a card up her sleeves and asked, "There is no harm in saying what one thinks."
"Shen Furen and General Shen are not willing to let Fifth Young Lady be a CeFei but there would only be a situation worse than another in the world. If there is something that is worse than being a CeFei, Shen Furen and General Shen would step back and beseech to let Fifth Young Lady marry Prince Zhou."
Shen Wan heart moved.
He heard Cang Zai Qing continue speaking, "As for things worst than being a CeFei, there are so many. For example being kidnap by bandits, being robbed of one's innocence by ruffians, or do not know who is the adulterer is? When these are being suppressed, suddenly information come out, that person might be Prince Zhou. No matter if it is Prince Zhou or not, General Shen and Shen Furen would still choose Prince Zhou because this is the best option and could also save the Fifth Shen Young Lady.
Cang Zai Qing did not make things clear but smart people would only say seventh or eighth tens so Shen Wan understood most of it in a turn of a head and found that there was an option in front of him. Cang Zai Qing smiled gently and touched her lower abdomen, "It's just that all these are shady ideas and if one did not see Master frowning, one would not have said such things."
Once Shen Wan had gotten such excellent plans, how would he felt that Cang Zai Qing ideas were poisonous? Currently he only felt that he had picked up a treasure. Cang Zai Qing was able to be pregnant once, was so smart and was able to provide intelligent solution that she had solved his current difficult problems. He kissed her cheeks and smiled, "How would I dare frown when I have such a beauty?" Finishing, he then stood up, seemingly in a hurry to do something, "I have some important things to do and will come and see you later."
Cang Zai Qing naturally complied gently. After Shen Wan left, Zhao Mama walked over to Cang Zai Qing's side and said worriedly, "Third Master is going to deal with Fifth Shen Young Lady?"
"Perhaps so." Cang Zai Qing smiled, "It is not the first time one heard the Eldest and Third household of the Shen family clashing."
"Young Lady plans to help Third Master to deal with Fifth Young Lady?" Zhao Mama asked, "Fifth Young Lady has General Shen behind her. Will something happen to Young Lady?"
"This matter is not done by me so how can this be on my head?" Cang Zai Qing did not change her smile, "Shen Wan is not a fool and naturally would not be caught easily. Even if thing really happen, the Shen family would be busy with Shen Miao's rumours, how would they still think about other stuff?"
Zhao Mama still did not feel rest assured, "Why does Young Lady help Third Master to deal with Fifth Young Lady?"
"Providing solutions and advice to one's husband is what a matriarch of a family does and one have to let him feel that I am different from Chen Rou Qiu. One have to let him know that I can do what Chen Rou Qiu can do and what Chen Rou Qiu cannot do, I can also do, then he would not leave me." Cang Zai Qing stroke her lower abdomen and narrowed her eyes, "Moreover with regards to Shen Miao, I have a kind of premonition that if she is not removed, one fear that she will cause a big calamity."
When Zhao Mama heard her words she jumped in shock and no longer spoke. Cang Zai Qing changed the topic of conversation, "Speaking of which, there are no news from Liu Province's side?"
Zhao Mama said, "The people sent are on the way. Even if one was quick, a few more days are required. They should return in a couple of days' time."
"Tell them to settle things properly." A glimmer of coldness flashed in her eyes, "I do not want anyone to know about my past."
*****
At that night, Shen Miao received the letter that Pei Lang sent over.
The letter had indicated that Fu Xiu Yi unexpectedly let Shen Wan think of a method so that she would be married to Prince Zhou. When Jing Zhe and Gu Yu saw that Shen Miao's expression was not good, they thought that something happened, "Did Young Lady encounter something not good?"
Shen Miao shook her head but the vigilance in her heart was up. Be it in this lifetime or the past lifetime, Fu Xiu Yi was as usual, good in scheming. No matter if she was or wasn't able to marry Prince Zhou, as long as she was implicated with Prince Zhou, it would not be good for both the Shen family and Prince Zhou. The Shen family would have provoked Emperor Wen Hui and made him feel that the Shen family was supporting Prince Zhou and secretly stand at one side in the fight of the heir apparent. As for Prince Zhou, he would become the target of a multitude of arrows. Without wasting a single pawn or servant, Fu Xiu Yi would be able to remove two potential dangers. Fu Xiu Yi really calculated everything well.
As for her 'somewhat hardworking' Third Shu, in order to tie her to Prince Zhou, it was needless to say that he would definitely use methods that could not be seen in public. As Shen Miao thought about it, she could not help but sneered in her heart. No matter how long has passed, the people of Third household of the Shen family would harm the Eldest household's people without any scruples. If it was possible, they would use the entire Eldest household as a stepping stone for glory, splendor, wealth and rank. Such hearts should be punished!
She said, "Let Mo Qing enter."
Jing Zhe went out to call Mo Qing over.
Shen Miao asked Mo Qing, "The people, that one ask you to go Liu Province for, has been found?"
Mo Qing cupped his hands, "Replying Young Lady, the people in Liu Province had already returned with information that they have already found them. However, there was another group of people who is inquiring about the whereabouts of the father and son. Also heard that an order was given that life or death is not regarded."
Shen Miao laughed out abruptly, but the laughter was somewhat cold.
"Cang Zai Qing's heart is really vicious."
Life or death was not regarded. The people that Shen Miao instructed Mo Qing to look for were Cang Zai Qing's husband and son but now who else, other than Cang Zai Qing, would there be to hunt down and kill the father and son? Now that Cang Zai Qing had cling onto Shen Wan, she even rush to kill the husband and son to spare all later trouble. No wonder she would have such a fate in the past life, this kind of viciousness was something that normal people could not do.
"Go and send someone to tell the people in Liu Province to protect the father and son and bring them to Ding capital as soon as possible." Shen Miao said.
Mo Qing nodded his head in compliance. Shen Miao suddenly thought about something, "Wait." She then continued, "Help me to bring a letter to Manager Ji of Feng Xian Pawnshop."
The lawsuit between the Shen and Chen families was really very long and drawn out. Many people had thought that the lawsuit was settled but upon asking, it was still not over. After two entire months, the case finally came to an end. Chen Rou Qiu indeed had no son and in addition, Old Shen Furen mentioned that Chen Rou Qiu did not respect her, thus at the end Shen Wan gave Chen Rou Qiu a divorce letter.
This pair was praised by everyone as a perfect pair, an immotal marriage but it turned out as such a farce. The most important thing for Shen Wan was that after divorcing Chen Rou Qiu, he swiftly brought Cang Zai Qing in as a GuiQie (aka Valued Concubine).
However in spite of that, it was a lawsuit with a lose-lose situation for both side. Shen Wan's career was obstructed because of this and a lot of money was spent. Yet the Chen family was worst off in comparison.
The Chen family had somewhat of a reputation but because they were a scholarly family, they were not well-off in terms of money. The Chen Master originally fight this lawsuit because he did not want others to look down on the Chen family but had not expect that the lawsuit would drag that long. After fighting the lawsuit for two months, it was not too far off if one were to mention that the Chen family was becoming bankrupt.
Because of this matter, the Chen Master was greatly affected and blamed everything on Chen Rou Qiu. Chen Rou Qiu's mother also had some complaints. Chen Rou Qiu's heart was hurt by Shen Wan and she was very upset that Shen Wan disregarding the many years of relationship and angry that Cang Zai Qing was of two faced but she was most upset that there was no news of Shen Yue till now. Now with her parents turning their back on her, she felt as of all her hopes turned to dust and she had reached the end of the road.
And what she did not know was that her daughter, which was not found, was currently in the residence of the Qin Prince, on Yan Qing Lane.
In the residence of the Qin Prince, Shen Yue was dressing up in front of the mirror.
The clothes that she wore were of the highest grade. Even though the Shen family was a wealthy official family, it was still incomparable with the fabric that the Imperial Palace of the Qin country used which was extremely luxurious. She looked like an entire different person when she wore it. Shen Yue followed Chen Rou Qiu's instructions and would wear very refinery, without having gold or silver on her but currently her appearance looked much more luxurious.
Naturally it was so since Shen Yue had become HuangFu Hao's concubine.
The maid beside was carefully passing a cup of hot tea to Shen Yue but there was impatience in Shen Yue's expression.
She had a face that looked like flowers fluttering against the moon and under Chen Rou Qiu's daily training, it was considered as gentle and could speak comforting words but she could still see that HuangFu Hao still had some interest in Shen Miao and would pick topics on Shen Miao. One day HuangFu Hao asked her frivolously if she was willing to become his concubine and Shen Yue thought about it the entire night before agreeing to it on the next day.
She had no route of retreat at all.
The news were spreading all around in abuzz and the Shen and Chen families' lawsuit had almost became a joke. Cang Zai Qin was currently pregnant and if she gave birth to a son then she feared that she, a daughter, would be thrown at the back of the Shen family's mind. Even if it was not a son, because of Chen Rou Qiu had caused Shen Wan to be pointed at, Shen Wan and Old Shen Furen would also hate her. Shen Dong Ling had occupied her name and these days there were rumours that the Wang family's Wang Bi doted and favoured 'Shen Yue' a lot and the more it was said as such, the more regret filled Shen Yue's heart.
No matter if she really liked Wang Bi or not, as long as she thought of Shen Dong Ling's comfortable life should belong to her, Shen Yue became very resentful.
She hated Shen Wan's ruthlessness and also hated that Chen Rou Qiu was disappointing. At this moment she also understood that with her current self, it was not possible to approach Fu Xiu Yi and if she were to return to the Shen family, Shen Wan might arrange a crappy marriage for her due to the anger he had for Chen Rou Qiu.
Shen Yue also had the unique characteristics of the Shen family for being cold towards relationship. Shen Wan and her had been Father and daughter for so many years and was happy and loving but now, Shen Yue looked at Shen Wan with more vigilance than when looking at a stranger.
Shen Yu thought that instead of being married to some unknown family, It would be better to be HuangFu Hao's concubine. HuangFu Hao was handsome and young, the most of all was that he was the Crown Prince of Qin country. If in the future she was able to have HuangFu Hao's favour, perhaps she would be able to rise up the ranks. The most important was that currently she was able to borrow HuangFu Hao's and perhaps could even protect Chen Rou Qiu and herself.
Thus Shen Yue because HuangFu Hao's concubine.
In all fairness, HuangFu Hao treated Shen Yue rather well and there was also a reason to deliberately win Shen Yue's favour. However currently in Ming Qi, among the concubines that HuangFu Hao brought along, Shen Yue was the most favoured one. Perhaps HuangFu Hao enjoyed the taste of having a Di daughter of an official being his concubine and was currently coveting this freshness.
Shen Yue asked the maid beside her, "The letter for the Chen family has been sent already?"
The servant said, "It is on route and most probably reached."
Shen Yue drank a sip of tea in response.
*****
Chen Rou Qiu received a letter.
One did not know who was it that send the letter into her room. Currently the Master and Furen did not want to see Chen Rou Qiu as it was her who greatly undermined the Chen family. The public fund had been reduced a lot thus her Older Brothers and SaoSao see her like a spirit that stir up trouble in the family. Chen Rou Qiu was not living well and would simply stay in the room and not go out.
She looked around and did not see anyone thus she opened it up curiously and a letter fell out. When she open it up, she was shocked with the look.
Chen Rou Qiu could not be clearer of the words on the letter as it was Shen Yue's handwriting. Shen Yue's soft handwriting was learnt from the only book written from the calligraphy master Wang Furen that was searched by Chen Rou Qiu specifically for her. As Shen Yue's strength was weak, she could only learn seventh to eighth tens of Wang Furen's calligraphy thus Chen Rou Qiu was able to recognise Shen Yue's handwriting with one look.
She very quickly looked around and saw that there was no one else in the room before she felt assured enough to open it up. It had indicated for her to go to a rather isolated inn to meet up but there was no sign off at the bottom. However Chen Rou Qiu understood in her heart that it was definitely Shen Yue who was secretly meeting up with her.
The stone in Chen Rou Qiu's heart was finally put down. For Shen Yue to write to her and seeing that the steady handwriting, she should be safe now. The worries that she previously had were all swept away and Chen Rou Qiu gradually calmed down.
These days each even came continuously that it made her shock and unable to normalise the worst of it was that she felt that life was hopeless. However Shen Yue's letter seemed to have light up her hope as she still had a daughter. Chen Rou QIu's heart was suddenly full of fighting spirits. At least she was not alone. How could Cang Zai Qing, that kind of woman, able to enter and steal her belongings? Cang Zai Qing still wanted to give birth to Shen Wan's son? She wanted to see if she had that ability.
Having a pillar in her heart, Chen Rou Qiu gradually calmed down. Later in the day, the servants by Chen Rou Qiu's side also discovered that Chen Rou Qiu's mood was had changed a lot and seemed to be that gentle and graceful Third Shen Furen. Even when a servant bump onto her, Chen Rou Qiu would only just smile.
If a more observant and smart person saw it, one would discover that the fighting spirit in her eyes had rekindled and burning brightly.
On the morning the next day, Chen Rou Qiu went out.
No one in the Chen family stopped her. Chen Furen was somewhat worried but after being glared by the Chen Master, she then did not speak. Chen Rou Qiu's Older Brothers and SaoSaos were even more dismissive. If it was in the past, Chen Rou Qiu would have quarreled with the few SaoSaos no matter what but she did not have the mood to do so today. She wore an inconspicuous brown dress and this dress had a style that was a few years old, one that Chen Furen had worn before. She did not bring any money when she came out from the Shen residence as she was acting rashly. She only took some jewelry and only brought a few pieces of clothes. Afterwards she was busy with the lawsuit that she did not have time to purchase and now the Chen family was unable to afford it.
Chen Rou Qiu could only press down the humiliation in her heart of wearing unsuitable and outdated clothes. She brought along a bamboo hat to wear so that others would not be able to see her but even if they were to see her, one feared that they would not be able to link this shabby dressed woman with the talented female that was previously applauded by the entire Ding capital.
In order to save money, Chen Rou Qiu only hired an old horse carriage. When the horse carriage reached the Eastern city, Chen Rou Qiu paid for it before heading to the inn as indicated in the letter.
Upon entering the inn, Chen Rou Qiu sized the surrounding up and did not see Shen Yue's presence at all. Just when her heart was doubtful, a waiter walked towards her and took a glance before asking, "Is Furen looking for a Young Lady?"
Chen Rou Qiu was startled before nodding her head. With her and Shen Wan's lawsuit, everyone in Ding capital was aware of it and she felt a little conscious and feared to be recognised and pointed out, and even more afraid that Shen Yue was pointed out. That waiter then said, "May Furen come with me."
The waiter brought Chen Rou Qiu to a room up the stairs of the inn and stopped right in front of the doors before speaking with a smile, "The person Furen is waiting for is inside." Then he left.
Chen Rou Qiu pushed the door open to enter and saw that there was a young female sitting in front of the table in the room. Chen Rou Qiu could recognise that back no matter what. If it wasn't Shen Yue, who else could it be?
Chen Rou Qiu closed the door before crying out, "Yue-er!"
Shen Yue turned her head and could not help but was startled when she saw Chen Rou Qiu's appearance. It was only when Chen Rou Qiu came forward and held her hands that Shen Yue saw Chen Rou Qiu's face and shouted, "Mother!" But then she frowned, "How did you become like this?"
If she did not see herself, Shen Yue would not believe that this simple dressed female was her noble and gentle mother.
When Chen Rou Qiu heard it, a flash of resentment appeared on her face as she said with gritted teeth, "If it weren't that slut, Cang Zai Qing, and your heartless Father, how would I be like this!" After finishing, she that looked at Shen Yue eagerly, "Yue-er, where have you been these days? Do you know Mother's heart is so worried about you? Are you alright? Did something happen?"
Chen Rou Qiu only had Shen Yue, a daughter and would dote and love her on normal days so this concern for her was not fake. When Shen Yue heard it, her heart felt sour but there was still a smile on her face, "Mother, don't need to be scared. I am currently living well. I have found a backer that is even richer than the Wang family. With this backer, the Shen family will not dare to bully us in the future."
Chen Rou Qiu asked in doubt, "Who are you talking about?"
Shen Yue hesitated a bit before saying, "His Highness the Crown Prince of Qin country."
Chen Rou Qiu cried out in surprise but heard Shen Yue quickly explaining, "His Highness the Crown Prince treated me very well. Initially when I left the Shen residence, one had encountered some gangsters and it was His Highness the Crown Prince that saved me. Afterwards one wanted to send me back but due to the matters of the Shen residence, I stayed in the residence of the Crown Prince. His Highness the Crown Prince is a good person. Mother, do not think that it is not good. It is really better for me to follow His Highness the Crown Prince then those impudent people of the Wang family. One cannot just let me be on equal status as Shen Dong Ling right? If I return to the Shen residence, Grandmother and Father would be even unhappier with me, who know how would they arrange my marriage? Mother, just go along with me once alright?"
Chen Rou Qiu initial instinct was that it was not good but her expression became slightly better upon hearing that HuangFu Hao saved Shen Yue. However as the other person was not from Ming Qi and even though Chen Rou Qiu did not understand the matters of court, she was influenced but why she seen and heard from Shen Wan after so many years, thus she was still vigilance.
"He is after all from Qin country and moreover a Crown Prince..."
Seeing that Chen Rou Qiu was still disagreeable, Shen Yue's heart harden a little and told a lie, "His Highness the Crown Prince said that in the future, upon returning to Qin country, he would bestow a new identity for me and let me be his CeFei (aka Secondary Consort)."
"These words are genuine?" Chen Rou Qiu was in a daze. If Shen Yue left Ming Qi and upon arriving Qin country, became the CeFei then in the future there would be endless glory and splendor. After experiencing the matter with Shen Wan, Chen Rou Qiu's thoughts were different from before. What was the use of sentiments? Sentiments were just illusions, when flowers were lovely and the moon was round, naturally relationships were close but in a blink of an eye, one could be treated coldly. And those stink of money that the books said were the things that one could truly relied on. Without money, even the Chen family could mock and ridicule. If a Crown Prince's CeFei came from their family... Chen Rou Qiu's heart started to slowly warmed up.
"Absolutely true." Shen Yue said.
Chen Rou Qiu hesitated for a moment before speaking, "The matter can be discussed later, there is still one matter at the moment."
Shen Yue asked, "What matter?"
"That slut Cang Zai Qing had schemed behind my back, behaved one way in front of me and another behind my back and I fell for it. Now I have become a scurrying mouse but the person I hated the most is not Cang Zai Qing but your Father. If one had your Father's protection, how would I become like this? He did not even take into consideration the ten over years of husband and wife relationship. I am not willing to let him live with a clear conscience! I hate it!"
| ← Ch. 156 | Ch. 158 → |