Chapter 97 - Pan Family's Lord

Old Lord Pan was a spirited old woman with white hair. He wore an extremely ordinary outfit, a deep gray and golden embroidered designed robe. He walked down from the pitch-black colored and flat-roofed horse carriage, smiling at the pair of grandchildren standing before him.

“Kai’er, you’ve grown taller again.” The old man’s voice was vigorous and loud, patting Shen Zikai’s shoulders firmly. Then, his gaze shifted to the girl besides Shen Zikai.

Likewise, Shen Ziqiao was also observing the old man.

He had gray and thick brows with spirited eyes, wrinkles left by years of experience and a tall nose bridge… He was smiling at her right now.

“Grandfather.” Shen Ziqiao shifted her gaze and politely greeted.

Shen Zikai hurriedly exclaimed, “Grandfather, this is Jiao Jiao.”

Old Lord Pan nodded. “You’ve already become a mature young lady. Are you still as unruly as you were before?”

“Not anymore, not anymore. I’m very well-behaved right now.” Shen Ziqiao hurriedly explained. She was eager to explain that she was different now.

“Grandfather, Jiao Jiao is different from the past now.” Shen Zikai smiled as he replied.

Old Lord Pan chuckled out loud and turned to look at Shen Family’s door. Shen Xiao was walking out boldly and decisively. The moment he saw Old Lord Pan, he immediately cupped his hands into fists and greeted, “Father, when did you come? How come you didn’t have someone report your presence? That way, I can personally come to pick you up at the city gate.”

“I’m just going on a stroll. I don’t really have a destination in mind.” Old Lord Pan smiled and exclaimed, “I just passed the capital so I thought about coming to visit you guys.”

Shen Zikai and Shen Ziqiao kept their heads down and stood by Old Lord Pan, acting ignorant to Shen Xiao’s gaze.

“Father, please come in and drink tea first.” Shen Xiao welcomed Old Lord Pan inside.

Old Lord Pan proposed visiting Old Madam Shen first however.

Shen Xiao chuckled. He was unable to tell whether Old Lord Pan specially came to the capital to support Jiao Jiao or if he really did pass by.

They all walked to De’an Courtyard, and it was unclear why but Old Madam Shen had called Madam Zhou over as well.

“Hello, we haven’t seen each other in countless years. Are you still doing okay?” Old Lord Pan walked into the lounge and glanced at Old Madam Shen sitting at the head of the table, smiling.

Old Madam Shen already came up with a plan. She decided on arguing with Old Lord Pan to death if he refused to let her son get remarried. Who knew that he walked in and happily greeted her. Meanwhile, she wore a taut expression, making her seem stingy.

Madam Zhou had to tightly tug on Old Madam Shen’s sleeves for her to react.

“Hello, I hope you have been doing well. Please take a seat.” What was going on? Didn’t he come because of Shixiu? Or… did he plan on pleasing her and then persuading her to not let Shixiu get remarried?

Old Madam Shen glanced at Shen Ziqiao standing at the side, a mocking smile floating on her face. Look at herself. She was the one that declared to cut off relations with the Pan Family and now she looks to them to help her seek justice? She really is shameless.

“I just think that I need to travel around the world some more now that I’m getting old. I just passed by the capital and recalled my grandchildren. I haven’t seen you guys in many years as well, so I specially came to visit. I bought you guys some gifts that I bought on the way here. Please don’t mind them.” Old Lord Pan smiled as he said this.

Pan Family was a well-known wealthy family in Minyue. How could he possibly be gifting cheap presents to her? They must be valuable and expensive! Old Madam Shen’s eyes brightened.

“You’re too polite. Our Shen Family is apologetic to you. I’m quite embarrassed myself seeing how polite you are to us.” Old Madam Shen smiled, her tone softening by a lot instantly.

“Please don’t say that.” Old Lord Pan said shamefully. “My daughter isn’t blessed. All these years, Shixiu has stayed single for my daughter… Our Pan Family is grateful to you. I am gratified and ashamed with how Shixiu raised my grandchildren on his own. Even more, I feel apologetic…”

Shen Ziqiao couldn’t help but praise Old Lord Pan for his beautiful and slick words. He really is making the old woman look good.

Ah. Old Lord Pan didn’t know that Shen Xiao was going to get remarried, so Shen Ziqiao glanced at her elder brother to see him looking helplessly as well. She clenched her teeth and pinched her thigh firmly, her tears flowing down her face. “Grandfather…”

Shen Ziqiao choked with emotions as she looked at Old Lord Pan. “Father is going to get remarried. That woman hasn’t even married into the family and she is already wearing the bracelet left by my mother. I don’t even know who gave it to her.”

It was supposed to be a welcoming and heartwarming scene, but everyone’s expressions changed upon hearing Shen Ziqiao’s grieving words.

Old Madam Shen’s expression flushed as her expression changed. She looked at Shen Ziqiao as if she could shoot lasers and tear her alive.

Old Lord Pan was so shocked that he didn’t know what to say however. He looked at Shen Xiao to see his head down. This was real then.

Seeing that everyone was frozen in place because of Shen Ziqiao’s words, Madam Zhou immediately reprimanded, “Jiao Jiao, what is this nonsense? Lady Chen has never worn your mother’s bracelet. When did you see your mother’s bracelet? Don’t think that good things are all left by your mother.”

“If that isn’t my mother’s, why would I dare to announce it out loud? If it wasn’t my mother’s, Old Madam, please show me my mother’s regent green bracelet then.” She obviously couldn’t tell, but Lady Meng could. Did they really think they could just flaunt her mother’s dowry as they wish?

Old Lord Pan asked confusedly right now, “Why don’t you know about the things your mother had left for you?”

“Grandfather, I don’t even know how much dowry mother had left for me.” Shen Ziqiao said in a low voice.

Shen Xiao hurriedly said, “Jiao Jiao was young back then, so mother has been managing it for her.”

Old Lord Pan nodded. “That should be the case. It must be troublesome for you.”

Old Madam Shen sighed and smiled, saying that it wasn’t troublesome.

“Shixiu is in his prime years, so it makes sense for him to get remarried. I know that Pan Family shouldn’t interfere, but… remarrying means that the children might be neglected once he forms a new family. Back then, my daughter left all her dowry to Jiao Jiao. I was thinking that before Shixiu gets remarried, you should give the dowry back to Jiao Jiao to manage for now.” Old Lord Pan exclaimed politely.

“She’s still a young girl. How can she manage all of those things? Don’t be tricked by outsiders.” Old Madam Shen dryly laughed.

Old Lord Pan stated, “The Pan Family has left this for my daughter. Since my daughter decided to give the dowry to her daughter, it’s Jiao Jiao’s own problem if she gets swindled or flaunts them.”

Old Madam Shen choked, unable to refute.

“Fine, give all the dowry back to Jiao Jiao for her to manage.” Shen Xiao knew what his mother was thinking. Before she could find any excuses, he agreed.

Old Madam Shen felt as if someone was slashing her heart.

“Fine, then let Jiao Jiao manage them.” She gave Madam Zhou a look. After all, Jiao Jiao had no idea how much dowry there was.

Old Lord Pan smiled as he took out a red paper. “My daughter brought all the dowry listed on the paper. Please have someone check them.”

Old Madam Shen and Madam Zhou’s face flushed from anger. They didn’t expect for the old man to pull that trick up his sleeves.

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T/N: Cheers to a new month~

For this month, I donated $27 to Doctors without Borders!