Chapter 95 - Agree

Shen Ziqiao stood to the side, feeling wronged after being scolded by Madam Zhou. She lifted her pair of jet-black and bright eyes at Shen Xiao, her gaze innocent and pitiful. She murmured in a low voice, “How come I can’t input my suggestions when I’m the one getting a stepmother?”

Chen Xueling’s expression turned red then paled. She knew that she couldn’t stay here anymore. After she curtsied, she hurried and retreated.

She hadn’t married into the Shen Family yet. She wasn’t supposed to listen to their family matters.

Even more, it had to do with her.

She returned to her room and then her personal mama, Mama Jin, greeted her. “Eldest Miss, why do you look unwell? Did something happen?”

Chen Xueling told her wet nurse what Old Madam Shen had done. “That old woman is being too excessive. It’s unclear what Shen Xiao thinks of me right now, and it’s hard to get along with Shen Xiqiao as well…”

Mama Jin was shocked. “Shen Family is known for its literary talent, but why does this Old Madam Shen have no manners? She’s very shameless.”

“She’s shameless because she wants to force Shen Xiao to submit to her ways.” Chen Xueling reclined against her bed, slightly closing her eyes. Her charming face was covered by a layer of ice. There was a scheming glint in her eyes. She was thinking about how to act weak in front of Old Madam Shen.

“Eldest Miss, what should we do now?” Mama Jin asked. She knew that her lady had ideas and she believed that she had one already.

Chen Xueling said faintly, “I already made my stance clear with Shen Ziqiao when I was at Madam Zhou’s place. There’s no way that she’d like me anymore. Shen Xiao is an upright person and is filial to Old Madam. Now, it depends on whether the Old Madam… could change his mind or not.”

“Why bother being serious with Third Miss Shen? She’s just an idiot.” Mama Jin said in disapproval.

“Idiot?” Chen Xueling sneered. “If I’m not serious with her, how can I get Madam Zhou to help me? I’m just picking a side beneficial to me. Look at Shen Ziqiao. She is an idiot to you because you don’t know her. This Third Miss Shen… is quite astute. She’s an idiot? I think the others in the Shen Family are idiots instead. They couldn’t see through Third Miss’ true identity.”

Mama Jin asked shockingly, “Is she the hardest to deal with in the future?”

Chen Xueling lazily changed her position and glanced at her slender fingers. She said in disdain, “Why should I deal with her? She’s going to get married in the future. Do I need to spend my effort dealing with her? I’d rather us get along peacefully for the next few years. When she gets married in the future, is she really going to come back and argue with me?”

“Eldest Miss, it’s best that you thought everything through.” Mama Jin smiled in comfort.

There wasn’t a smile on Chen Xueling’s face however. She still thought that this wasn’t going to be over that easy.

In De’an Courtyard’s room, after Chen Xueling left, Old Madam Shen finally flared up. She sat up and pointed at Shen Ziqiao, cursing, “What exactly were you thinking? How can that Lady Liu compare to Lady Chen? Are you going to be happy to see your father die alone?”

“That’s not what I mean.” Shen Ziqiao said faintly. “I’m just considering it for your sake, grandmother. Eldest Miss Chen looks very similar to my mother. If you see her face every day, you won’t be able to eat or sleep well. You’d think of your late daughter-in-law whenever you see Eldest Miss Chen. Won’t you feel uncomfortable?”

“Jiao Jiao!” Shen Xiao yelled, “You’re too presumptuous.”

Old Madam Shen swayed back and forth from anger. She originally was just pretending to have a heartache, but she really felt her heart aching right now. “Kick… kick her out for me.”

“You don’t need to kick me out. Old Madam doesn’t like to see me, so I’ll just go.” Shen Ziqiao said peacefully. She really didn’t want to anger that old woman to death. “However, I still want to say something. Father, I don’t like that Eldest Miss Chen. Even if she looks like my mother, she isn’t my mother.”

When she was done talking, she already turned and left before Shen Xiao could say anything. She didn’t even bother to salute to the others.

Shen Xiao suddenly noticed that his daughter had unconsciously grown up. Her untamed personality was really just like Pan Madam!

He felt bitter inside, not knowing whether to be happy or worried.

“Mother, let’s talk about this in the future.” Shen Xiao said in a low voice. Although he was shocked that Chen Xueling looked really similar to Pan Madam, he didn’t have the urge to marry her.

He loved Pan Madam, not for her charming appearance but her harmonious personality.

Old Madam Shen clenched her teeth. “Do you really want to anger me to death?”

“Mother, I still need to enter the palace. Let’s talk about this after a few days.” Shen Xiao was helpless. He gave her an excuse and wanted to escape from this place.

“Shixiu!” Old Madam Shen called but she could only see the silhouette of Shen Xiao’s back walking out of the door.

“I’m so angry, I’m so angry!” Old Madam Shen knocked her chest firmly. “The father and daughter want to anger me to death!”

Madam Zhou hurriedly comforted her, “Old Madam, don’t be angry. I don’t think my brother-in-law doesn’t want to get married. He’s just scared by that stupid girl. Let’s go find Kai’er. That girl always listens to her elder brother. Have Kai’er teach her a lesson.”

If Shen Ziqiao hadn’t come suddenly, Shen Xiao probably would’ve agreed.

Old Madam Shen was advised by Madam Zhou for a while before she slightly calmed down. She heard someone call Shen Zikai over.

At this point, Shen Zikai was planning to look for Shen Ziqiao. When he heard the Old Madam look for her, he had no choice but to come to De’an Courtyard first.

Before he could pay respects, Old Madam Shen already pulled him over to sit down. She started crying before saying anything. “Kai’er, grandmother has no other methods. When your mother was still alive, your father already didn’t like the three concubines. In the years that your mother has been gone, your father has refused to get remarried. You’re the eldest grandson of the Shen Family. Are you willing to watch your father live like an old man? Jiao Jiao isn’t mature, but can you be like her? Originally, you youngsters shouldn’t intervene in us seniors’ matters. However, your father pampers you guys. He lets Jiao Jiao do whatever she wants… You guys need to consider for him…”

Shen Zikai asked a bit confusedly, “Grandmother, you… what happened?”

“This grandmother wants to look for another woman for your father.” The Old Madam cried as she exclaimed, “However, your sister doesn’t like her.”

Jiao Jiao just doesn’t like Chen Xueling.

Shen Zikai smiled bitterly. She actually came to seek him out for help. “Grandmother, this is father’s matter. As his son, it’s not convenient for me to intervene.”

Since when do sons intervene in fathers’ marriages?

He was still unwilling to persuade Shen Ziqiao? Old Madam Shen pushed him away angrily, “Fine, since you said you won’t intervene, then don’t. Whoever your father marries has nothing to do with you two.”

Shen Zikai obviously knew what Old Madam Shen was planning to do. He could only advise, “Grandmother, if father likes someone, we naturally don’t dare to stop him.”

But if he was forced to, they were clearly unwilling to accept this.

Old Madam Shen humphed. “It’s best like this. You can leave now.”

“Grandmother…” Shen Zikai had a bad omen. He felt like Old Madam wasn’t the type of person to give up so easily.

Old Madam Shen was already impatient, saying, “My whole body aches because you guys keep on angering me. I’m going to rest.”

“Then this grandson will retreat now. Grandmother, rest well.” Shen Zikai said.

Coming out from De’an Courtyard, Shen Zikai went straight to Qiao Xin Courtyard.

“Ah? That’s what Old Madam told you? What is she planning on?” Shen Ziqiao was unable to calm down, exploding. “She’s not trying to pressure father with her death, right? I can’t believe the author could write such a dog-blooded plot.”

“If that’s really the case…” Shen Zikai’s expression became solemn.

Shen Ziqiao snorted. “Even if she really does that, Old Madam won’t die. She wouldn’t bear to die.”

If she dared to die, she wouldn’t be hogging over Shen Ziqiao’s dowry.

“In the end, this depends on our father. If he doesn’t want to get married, no one can force him to.” Shen Ziqiao said.

Shen Zikai understood Old Madam’s personality more than Shen Ziqiao. He didn’t agree with Shen Ziqiao’s views.

After the discussion, the sky got dark. Shen Zikai had to go. He decided to ask father about it in depth tomorrow.

Shen Ziqiao was exhausted. After the fuss with Old Madam Shen, she felt even more exhausted. After freshening up, she went to eat. Then, she got in bed and fell asleep right after. The next day, she was called up by Lady Meng.

Normally, Lady Meng and the rest wouldn’t disturb her sleep. Plus, everyone knew how tired she was from yesterday. Therefore, the moment she opened her eyes, she knew that something happened at home.

“What happend with Old Madam?” Shen Ziqiao knew.

“She’s in the Dō and refuses to eat anything. The Lord and Eldest Master are kneeling outside.” Lady Meng said.

Shen Ziqiao slowly sat up. She knew that old woman wouldn’t just let this go. She was being serious this time.

“Let’s go check it out.” She thought that she could force Shen Xiao to marry Chen Xueling by going on a hunger strike?

How would Chen Xueling have any good days after getting married into the family? Would Shen Xiao like his wife who was forced upon him?

Oh, that Old Madam Shen definitely wouldn’t care. She only cared about whether someone would suppress her after getting married into the family or not.

By the time Shen Ziqiao arrived at the Dō behind De’an Courtyard along with Lady Meng, she saw a handful of people kneeling there. Shen Xiao and Shen Zikai were in front, all begging for Old Madam to come out.

This is really...

Shen Ziqiao was never so furious. She really wanted to starve that old woman.

“Mother, come out. Let’s talk this through.” Shen Xiao said.

“Just let me starve to death!” Old Madam Shen’s vigorous voice rang.

Shen Ziqiao sneered. She wanted to see how long she could stay there for.

But who knew that Old Madam Shen refused to come out even at night. She hadn’t eaten anything for the entire day and night. Madam Zhou choked, exclaiming that Old Madam had a weak body from the start. If this continues, she may not be able to hold on.

Shen Ziqiao just felt a stabbing pain. She was slowly losing strength.

She hadn’t eaten anything for the entire day either.

She heard buzzing in her ears, “Mother, come out. This son will listen to you.”

Shen Ziqiao sneered. This old woman really put on a good show.

Madam Zhou helped Old Madam Shen out. She appeared in front of everyone. Under the fim lighting, she saw a happy smile on Old Madam Shen’s face.

In this era where filial piety was everything, Shen Ziqiao had no power to change anything.

She just underestimated Old Madam Shen’s shamelessness. She didn’t think she could actually do it to this point.