Chapter 268: Chapter 268: Yun’s Wife Was Well Chosen
The two of them had successfully divided the spoils, and Shen Hua sat there indolently, her gaze shifting slightly. It fell upon those kneeling servants who still wore expressions of utter reluctance.
More specifically, it centered on a wet nurse dressed in fine cloth.
Given her attire, those unaware would think she was a rich lady. Who knows how much she had skimmed off the top.
Shen Hua asked carelessly.
"Whose idea was it to bring the little girl to the Marquis Mansion?"
The wet nurse’s thoughts were in turmoil.
She knew that the Marquis Mansion had many cousins, but having seen the world, she was aware that Shen Hua’s garments must be of great value. The girl’s delicate gestures spoke of genteel charm, and judging by the affection between Shen Hua and Cui Rong, her status must be esteemed.
This was not the type of person to be trifled with.
Even if she hated Shen Hua for being a busybody, the wet nurse insisted through gritted teeth: "It was our Miss Shen who missed the Commandery Princess."
Shen Hua’s face darkened: "Silence! At this point, you’re still spouting nothing but lies! Who are you trying to fool? Even a six-year-old understands that the little girl should first return to the Yongchang Marquis Mansion in Shengjing to meet her elders and get acquainted with her new mother."
"Has a servant trained by the Prince Guo Mansion lost their mind? Do you not understand the rules, or do you want the child to be branded disrespectful to her elders?"
"She’s young and knows nothing. Can she not be coaxed back?"
Shen Hua leaned forward slightly: "Is she not to be coaxed? Or is it that you don’t want to coax her?"
Seeing a group of servants, led by the wet nurse, showing panic, Shen Hua was never the slightest bit amiable.
She was even harshly critical, not willing to save face and insisted on exposing all the subtle schemes of the Prince Guo Mansion openly.
"If you don’t want to coax her, then things are becoming interesting. Is this the intention of the Prince Guo Mansion, or is it just the will of this bunch of dog-like servants?"
Cui Rong gazed admiringly at Shen Hua.
She knew it! Getting Shen Hua involved was definitely the right move! She was sure to leave these people speechless.
She ran off, and quickly brought back a cup of water attentively.
Sycophant.
With a ’tsk’, Shen Hua took it and sipped lightly, moistening her throat.
Only then did she speak methodically, making it difficult for anyone to find fault. She dissected right and wrong from the get-go.
"It is normal for the heir’s wife to worry that the little girl might be mistreated by the new stepmother. It’s also proper that a servant from the Prince Mansion attends to her, showing the care of her elders."
"But... after all, the little girl is the eldest daughter of Heir Xuan; she should call the new wife ’Mama’. Today’s events are truly ugly. Everyone hopes for a kind stepmother so that the child’s life is better, as this would be a win-win situation. It’s fortunate that the current heir’s wife is kind-hearted. If she were a sharp-tongued woman, it would be seen how many times your mistress could still smile so joyously."
"I would think that the noble persons in the Prince Guo Mansion would not be so petty."
It wasn’t pettiness, Shen Hua suspected their heads were filled with mush.
What is the relationship between the Cui family and the Xuan family?
Would the Marquis Yangling Mansion really be manipulated by some nonsensical Prince Guo Mansion, striking their own family’s face?
She then turned her tone, feigning understanding yet pretending to be confused.
"Clearly, this must be the doing of you dog-like servants!"
Shen Hua said slowly.
"Framing the little girl and the Commandery Princess for their deep sisterly affection. Recklessly making accusations to harm her relationship with the heir’s wife. And on top of that, using the name of the Prince Mansion, trying to create a rift between the Prince Guo Mansion and the Yongchang Marquis Mansion. Each and every one of these acts, any single one would warrant cleaning up your corpse, what audacity you have!"
"With such impure thoughts and despicable shamelessness, acting recklessly, it’s clear you’re unfit to care for the little girl. How could you continue to serve her?"
Cui Rong pouted: "Exactly."
"I must speak with my cousin and have all of you expelled from the mansion."
The wet nurse felt a chill in her heart. Sweat started to form on her forehead as she hastily said.
"We couldn’t coax her."
"We have tried, but the young lady wouldn’t listen. There was nothing we could do."
Shen Hua looked at her with unspoken frustration.
"Then she definitely cannot be kept around any longer."
"The young lady from the Xuan Family holds a prestigious status and cannot afford the slightest mistake."
With scorn in her tone: "A group of over ten people, and not one of you can pacify a three-year-old child. How surprisingly incompetent. Even if you can’t soothe her back, you could still carry her back while she’s crying! This clearly shows that you aren’t serving with all your heart. Why bother keeping you around just to freeload?"
In a rush to get here, racking her brain the whole way about how to send the person off, Xuan E fell into a long silence.
An opportunity presented itself on a silver platter, simply too good to pass up!
This little daughter-in-law, Cui Yun, where on earth did they find such a treasure!!!
She immediately changed from a look of worry to standing tall with a straight back.
She walked over.
"Miss Shen speaks straight to my heart."
"The kinship is well-intended, I appreciate that. But anything that’s not good for Yao, I will not agree to."
"Bring people in, and send the guests away politely."
She brought quite a few servants with her before stepping out, who promptly responded with respect.
The wet nurse, seeing this, was about to shout but was quickly muffled forcefully.
"Hurry and take them out, so as not to disturb Yao’s peace and quiet."
The wet nurse’s eyes were about to bulge out as she was staring hard at Xuanyao who was entirely focused on her kite, not far away.
The little girl hugged Yingwu, whispering intimately. She joyfully said,
"I see it, the kite is flying high in the sky, its tail wagging."
The wet nurse: ...
Dowager Cui, who had watched the entire incident unfold from beginning to end, didn’t go over. Instead, she turned with the old woman who stood behind her and walked back.
Halfway back, she paused in her step. Suddenly remarked, "What an impressively sharp tongue."
The old woman, upon hearing this, cautiously observed Dowager Cui’s expression.
Dowager Cui’s face was as usual. Her gaze lowered, she resumed walking, her pace neither hurried nor slow, her hand resting on the back of the old woman’s hand.
"Just now, you heard it all."
"That’s the girl Yun fell for, her surname is Shen, isn’t it?"
The old woman respectfully replied, "Yes."
Dowager Cui pulled up the corners of her mouth, "The women of our Marquis Mansion are literate, reasonable, and wise. We never engage in verbal disputes with others."
The old woman suddenly found herself unable to fathom Dowager Cui’s thoughts.
"Madam speaks the truth."
Dowager Cui walked through the passageway and up the stairs.
"I, mindful of my status, never argue with anyone."
Dowager Cui appeared to speak her thoughts, "Back when the Wu Family was around, how often could Shuyu lift her head? She was gentle-natured, rarely getting into heated arguments with anyone. Sadly, my son Cui Yang does not know how to cherish others."
"And look at Bai’s daughter-in-law."
"They’re all a nest of folks easy to take advantage of."
As she spoke, she suddenly asked, "If Nan Tai Madam holds another banquet, just accept the invitation from the attendees below."
The old woman was taken aback, "Madam, you and Nan Tai Madam are at odds, and she often flaunts herself in front of you, hardly a few words are pleasant. You had said earlier this year that you would no longer attend—"
Halfway through, she seemed to have realized something.
As expected, a smile began to form in Dowager Cui’s eyes.
"Next time, send the jade pendant awarded by the late Emperor from my quarters."
"This daughter-in-law that Yun chose, a good choice."