Chapter 581: Chapter 569: Why Do Proper Husband and Wife Blush Just from Holding Hands?
The mansion has acquired a new bride.
Chun Yun thus intended to add some servants.
The baby broker, leading the candidates, energetically espoused with silver-tongued persuasion: "Madam, take a look, these are meticulously selected individuals, if you’re looking for help, rest assured, I have taken the utmost care."
"They come from pure backgrounds, their contracts are all here."
Chun Yun took a look, indeed, they were all decent.
"Pick four that you find pleasing to the eye."
Xiao Sesu was just about to decline.
Shen Hua walked in from outside, petulantly kicking the stones on the ground: "Pick what? They say Mama is stingy, but there are only a bit over twenty people here, might as well take them all!"
Her words were no joke. Previously in the jewelry store, the girl was even more audacious.
"Do you like the store, sister-in-law? I’ll have brother buy it for you."
Hearing this, Xiao Sesu got scared and quickly chose four that caught her eye.
Seeing this, the baby broker, however, pulled someone forward and started pushing hard for a sale.
"Madam. Miss Shen is of noble birth. This girl comes from a large estate and knows some Martial Arts. I’ve specially reserved her for you."
Daughters are not without attendants, yet Chun Yun was intrigued when she heard this.
Standing aside, Shen Hua lifted her head, munching on the grilled meat she bought from outside and glanced over.
"What’s your name?"
The person stared straight at her... and at the chicken leg in her hand.
Swallowed saliva.
"Yingwu."
————
After Shen Wei’s death, it was Shen Zhi who personally retrieved the body.
The marriage had taken place, but this year’s Imperial Examination was ultimately delayed.
Da Qi holds the Imperial Examination every three years, and Shen Zhi, being in the mourning period, must now wait another three years before he could take the examination.
Many people sighed over this. Even Shen Zhi’s teacher lamented greatly.
"Among all these students, he was indeed the most outstanding. It’s truly a pity at this critical juncture."
"Look at what you’re saying, Wu Cheng is not bad either, his essay from the other day, in my opinion, is on par with Shen Zhi. Yes, your sister-in-law had a difficult labor earlier, and the Shen Family sent assistance which safeguarded both mother and child. Gratitude is natural, but as a teacher, impartiality is paramount."
The teacher was angry.
"What do you think I am? Wu Cheng was also nurtured by me. I don’t deny that he is good, but the child lacks resolve. When I sternly teach Shen Zhi, he always asks for advice humbly, but if I just point out where Wu Cheng falls short, he could be in a daze for an entire day."
Can they even be compared?
"Looking ahead, if these two were to participate in the Imperial Examination together, Shen Zhi could still look after him a bit, but now that’s no longer an expectation. Wu Cheng is currently doing well in school, but once he really faces the examination, I fear he might not hold up. Just you wait and see, I’ve been teaching for many years. Who will pass, who will fail, and who’s on unsure footing, can’t I discern as much?"
Saying that, he couldn’t help but sigh deeply.
"I’m just worried that, among those who are disheartened, if Shen Zhi isn’t open-minded, time will erode him into mediocrity."
The Shen Family was unaware of these thoughts.
These past few days, Chun Yun had become noticeably thinner. Lying on her bed, coughing ceaselessly, she was plagued by a persistent concern.
"His death is not a loss, but you, studying diligently every day, have been burdened, and it’s ruined a great future."
Shen Zhi, holding a bowl of medicine, showed no trace of sorrow. On the contrary, he encouraged Chun Yun to look on the bright side.
"Even if I had taken this year’s Prefecture Examination, next year’s College Examination would’ve been delayed all the same."
"Isn’t this also a blessing in disguise? Our son is not calm and composed enough in the face of situations, although somewhat better compared to his peers in Fengzhou, he falls far short when compared to Brother Cui. Leaving Brother Cui aside, there are always others out there, worlds beyond this one. Our domain of Fengzhou is really too small. It would be better for the son to take this opportunity to prepare for another three years and continue to mature."
Shen Hua stood by, frowning.
"Why would brother demean himself and elevate Cui Yun?"
She zeroed in on the key point.
"The person has been gone for half a year now, brother, how do you still have contact with Cui Yun?"
Just then, Aunt Sun from the embroidery workshop hurried over to pay her respects to everyone.
"What happened?"
Aunt Sun anxiously said, "The Tong Family from Hengzhou, half a year ago, wanted to celebrate the Dowager’s longevity. They specifically requested for Madam to personally embroider something. Now they have sent someone to pick it up."
Chun Yun slightly frowned: "I have not yet finished."
"The contract that was drawn up clearly states the time for collecting the embroidery, if I remember correctly, is ten days from now."
Aunt Sun found it difficult: "This servant should not have come to disturb Madam’s peace."
"But the Tong Family has suddenly met with misfortune. They were clearly among the most respectable families in Hengzhou, it’s unknown whom they offended. Mr. Tong has been sentenced to exile thousands of miles away, and it’s imminent, happening in these few days. The Tong Family’s property was confiscated, Dowager Tong has sold everything she could. It may be that the silver is still insufficient, thus they want to collect the embroidery and sell it to raise some funds to settle matters for Mr. Tong."
That Dowager Tong had helped Madam several years ago. That was a favor.
"In her urgency, the Dowager even suffered a stroke, and the young man from the Dong Family is like a useless lump. It looks like the Dong Family is completely in disarray."
An embroidery piece, duly paid for in advance, if given to the Tong Family now, can’t be deemed as the workshop being recklessly lawless and biased.
Chun Yun’s expression turned somber.
Shen Hua suddenly got a bad feeling. She leaned against the wall, inching her way outwards step by step.
"The embroidery just needs the final touches to be finished. I’m currently too weak to put any strength into it, and despite willing, I’m helpless. Although it is Su Embroidery, each embroidery lady has her own style. I can’t ruin our good name. Yangyang was taught by me personally, and despite her young age, the work she produces is nothing short of excellent. She also knows every stitch I make, so if she goes, with luck the work could be finished by evening."
"Brother Zhi, please do Mama a favor and run an errand, take Yangyang to the embroidery workshop."
Shen Zhi readily agreed. He grabbed Shen Hua, who was trying to run out, stooping as she went. He handed the medicine bowl he was holding to Xiao Sesu, and their fingertips accidentally touched.
Xiao Sesu’s heart trembled, and she hurriedly went to sit down by the bed.
Shen Hua was really reluctant at first.
But now she burst into a smile.
She clapped her hands.
"Ah, truly married and through the ceremony, yet when just touching hands, sister-in-law blushes."
"Are you saying you’ve got a thicker skin then?" Shen Zhi, taking people with him, headed outside.
"How am I thick-skinned? How am I thick-skinned?"
Shen Zhi: "Half a month ago, County Magistrate Liu came with the intention of proposing marriage. Young Master Liu also came along, what did you do?"
Shen Hua: "I sized them both up."
"Then what?"
The girl was not at all frightened: "I questioned County Magistrate Liu."
"Go on."
Shen Hua: "How could he be so shameless to present a son who looks as misshapen as a cracked melon and crooked dates?"
Shen Zhi could not help but laugh in exasperation.
"County Magistrate Liu left with a face as dark as iron."
"What could I do about that? I couldn’t just give him a box of rouge, make over an old man until he looks spick-and-span, and then send him off, could I?"
Shen Hua, with her cold and noble demeanor: "Besides, it wasn’t half an hour later that he turned back around, utterly sincere, admitting that today’s matter was a flight of fancy on his part, claiming that for a girl like me, his son wouldn’t dare to aim so high."
All implied a state of fear and anxiety.
"And you still can’t see what’s wrong with that?"
Shen Zhi: "It seems that he must have remembered Brother Cui’s friendship with me, and hence didn’t dare to offend."
"If it weren’t for that relationship, do you think he wouldn’t blame you?"
"Not possible!"
Shen Hua confidently raised her pinky finger: "What County Magistrate Liu said was clearly the truth!"
