Volume One, Chapter 16: An Object
Chang’an Residence.
Madam Shen had already smashed the tea set to pieces.
When Shen Nanyue and Aunt Qiu entered, they saw the room in complete disarray.
“Mother.”
They guessed that her fury was due to the maids in the courtyard having been summoned for punishment.
Madam Shen looked toward Shen Nanyue and Aunt Qiu.
“How did she behave?”
Aunt Qiu stepped forward and spoke.
“Madam, the young mistress is truly different. During the punishment, those maids and elderly women were beaten until they bled, but the young mistress calmly sipped her tea and watched without so much as a frown. Such composure is rare indeed.”
Shen Nanyue then spoke.
“Mother, although Jiang Jinshu accepted the account books and keys, her attitude toward me... I feel the Shen family cannot allow her to continue arrogantly like this. Even if she wishes to keep managing the household, I fear we will have no peaceful days ahead.”
“I am fortunate to have married out already and mostly stay at my husband’s home, but you and Xing’er... Yunyan is still carrying the Shen family’s eldest grandson. If Jiang Jinshu dares to make a move...”
Madam Shen’s voice grew stern.
“If she dares, if she harms the Shen family’s eldest grandson, I will never forgive her!”
“Enough. Nanyue, you should return for now. With the Shen family as it is, I cannot keep you here.”
Jiang Jinshu’s actions had not only deprived her of any benefit but repeatedly made her lose face. Shen Nanyue no longer wished to remain within the Shen household.
“I will come back in a few days to visit you, Mother.”
Aunt Qiu, noticing the maids returning from the punishment, immediately said,
“Someone, clean this up.”
Then she addressed Madam Shen.
“Madam, although there was quite a commotion with the young mistress, she did take over the steward’s authority, stabilizing the household. As for her, we can consider matters carefully in time.”
Madam Shen pondered quietly for a moment.
Then she slowly raised her hand, signaling Aunt Qiu to support her.
“Let’s go to Xing’er’s quarters. This matter must be discussed with her.”
---
Starchen Quarters.
Su Yunyan stayed by Shen Nanxing’s side, ostensibly to care for her, but being pregnant, she was not truly tasked with anything; it was Biner and Shen Nanxing’s attendants who took care of her.
Su Yunyan sat on a nearby stool.
“Husband, my sister actually had so many maids and elderly women beaten and then sold off. I heard they were beaten until they bled. Even if the servants were at fault, such harsh punishment and selling them off—those poor maids and elderly women likely have little chance of survival. Sister’s temper is truly fierce.”
Shen Nanxing reclined slightly on the bed, her face still pale.
“Is she really acting so ruthlessly now? Well, she must still be jealous over the two of us, so some anger is understandable. I hope that after asserting her authority today, she will take good care of the Shen family and stop causing me trouble.”
“Yunyan, from now on, just live within your own quarters and avoid provoking her.”
Su Yunyan’s eyes briefly flashed with reluctance, but she quickly replaced it with a gentle smile and said,
“Husband, I do not wish to provoke my sister. As a concubine, I must follow the rules and obey her. But her methods are indeed too cruel. If word spreads, it could damage the Shen family’s reputation.”
Shen Nanxing spoke,
“When my wounds heal, I will have a proper talk with Jiang Jinshu. If she wishes to continue living in the Shen household, she must fulfill her duties as young mistress.”
Su Yunyan, worried, reached out and held Shen Nanxing’s hand.
“Madam, I don’t want you and my sister to quarrel, but I am truly fearful. I carry your child, and surely my sister resents and envies me. Now that she punishes servants so harshly, I fear I won’t be able to rest peacefully...”
Shen Nanxing patted Su Yunyan’s hand.
“Don’t be afraid, Yunyan. Rest assured, with me here, no one can trouble you.”
Su Yunyan looked at Shen Nanxing with complete trust.
“Husband, hearing you say that puts my heart at ease. As long as you protect me, I fear nothing.”
At that moment, Biner entered and bowed.
“Young master, madam, Madam Shen has arrived.”
Shen Nanxing hurriedly tried to sit up straight.
Madam Shen entered with Aunt Qiu, speaking anxiously.
“Xing’er, lie down properly. You’re still injured.”
---
Shen Nanxing said,
“Mother, what brings you here?”
Madam Shen glanced at Su Yunyan.
“Yunyan, you should return to your own quarters and rest. I need to speak with Xing’er alone.”
Shen Nanxing responded,
“Mother, Yunyan is my wife now. Some things she should hear.”
Madam Shen looked at Su Yunyan, then nodded.
“Very well.”
She then glanced at Aunt Qiu and Biner.
“Stand guard at the door. Don’t let a single fly near.”
Aunt Qiu and Biner immediately bowed.
“Yes.”
Shen Nanxing looked at her mother in surprise.
“Mother, what’s so important to make you so serious?”
Madam Shen looked at the closed door and said,
“Xing’er, Jiang Jinshu is no longer the woman we can easily control.”
Shen Nanxing nodded slightly.
“I’ve noticed it too. When my wounds heal, I’ll try to soothe her...”
Madam Shen shook her head.
“I fear soothing her won’t help. You were able to marry her because the Shen family was in financial straits, and because someone was uneasy. If she had obeyed, she could have lived peacefully in the Shen household.”
“But now, with her rebellious attitude, perhaps the Shen family cannot keep her.”