The Hidden Beauty

Chapter 22: Has the Duke forgotten?

After the Dragon Boat Festival banquet, Old Lady Shen from the Duke's Mansion personally delivered a visiting card, intending to pay a visit.

Unexpectedly, the post was returned intact: "The people in the Governor's Office said that Madam Ru was frightened after returning from the palace, and she has been closed to visitors for the past few days."

Shen Yunxiang coughed several times: "She did this on purpose, there is nothing wrong at all..."

"Shut up!" Shen Bian shouted angrily, and everyone in the front hall fell silent.

Shen Bian looked around at everyone: "Don't you think the Duke's Mansion is shameful enough?"

Shen Yunqi had just been reprimanded for visiting a brothel a few days ago, and now his granddaughter had caused trouble again after entering the palace to attend a banquet. Shen Bian felt overwhelmed.

Although he, as a Duke, had not made any political achievements in recent years, he had not caused any trouble either. He seemed to be about to retire, but unexpectedly, troubles occurred one after another.

Although they are not a big deal, they are really annoying.

Shen Yunqi has been feeling aggrieved while reflecting on his mistakes at home recently. He said angrily, "That woman must have come here for the Duke's Mansion. When the Jiang family got into trouble, we avoided seeing guests, and now she is doing the same thing."

A word to wake up the dreamer!

Shen Bian frowned and glared at his grandson with his yellow eyes: "This matter is your fault for taking the initiative. You should keep her at bay when she came to you for help. Wait for me to rush back from the old house for anything else. When the Jiang family fell into decline, our Duke's Mansion married her as a concubine regardless of past grudges. Not only will His Majesty not blame us, but he will also think that we have done our utmost. But now... she has moved into the Governor's Mansion and is unwilling to show up."

After being scolded by his grandfather, Shen Yunqi's face became even uglier.

How could he not regret not keeping her at that time, so as not to let Meng Tingzhou get away with it!

"Grandfather!" Shen Yunqi stood up, "Why don't I go?"

"You go?"

"After all, we were engaged before, and she must be holding a grudge against me because I didn't save her. I'll go to her house in person to apologize and let her calm down, so that I can give an explanation to His Majesty."

Shen Bian's eldest son Shen Zihe also thought this was a good idea: "Father, it's not bad for Qi'er to go. If she can see him, that would be the best. If she doesn't want to see him, that's fine."

Shen Bian held his forehead and said, "Why did I give birth to such brainless things like you? He goes? Even if Jiang Shiwan is willing to see him, will Meng Tingzhou be willing?"

"Haven't you heard the recent rumors about how the Left Commander dotes on his wife? Could it be that you are better informed than an old man like me?"

Everyone present looked embarrassed.

Shen Bian's eyes flickered: "Now Meng Tingzhou is in a high position among the ministers, and the emperor values ​​him very much. If we don't handle the matter of this lady from the governor's mansion well, I'm afraid Qi'er won't be able to return to his post next."

Shen Zihe was startled and murmured, "It can't be... like this."

Shen Bian shook his head and sighed: "Although the previous emperor was absurd, he valued noble families. Now the emperor values ​​merit and ability the most. However, the court is already full of holes. What use is a mere Meng Tingzhou?"

It's just that I'm almost forty, and I just want to enjoy the status and position of a Duke and live out my old age in peace. I don't want anything to happen to me when I'm old.

He seemed to have mustered up his courage and said slowly, "Send the visiting card again in a few days and say that I will go there in person."

Meng Tingzhou handed the visiting card from the Duke's Mansion to Jiang Shiwan: "Shen Bian came to visit you personally, you are really honored."

He blew on the tea and said, "This old fox hasn't been very active in recent years. I guess he has to bow his head this time to save his grandchildren's butts."

Jiang Shiwan glanced at the few embarrassing and powerful words on the visiting card and put it aside: "He wants to use the status of the Duke to suppress the matter."

Meng Tingzhou tapped the table with his fingertips: "What do you think?" "My request is very simple, return the Jiang family's private collection of military books."

Meng Tingzhou's expression darkened. "Even I was almost deceived by you. Did you do that incident at the Dragon Boat Festival Palace Banquet on purpose? Shen Yunqi and Shen Yunxiang have fallen one after another. Are you trying to force Shen Bian to come forward?"

Jiang Shiwan did not comment: "I just guessed that Shen Yunxiang's temper must be uncontrollable..."

"What if something really happened?" Meng Tingzhou suppressed his anger, "You didn't know you were pregnant, but you took this risk?"

Seeing that he was about to quarrel, Jiang Shiwan patiently said: "I said, I will protect myself..."

"Jiang Shiwan." Meng Tingzhou's face was as dark as a cloud. "I will help you with your matter, but you must not take risks. Especially in the palace, I don't have eyes and ears everywhere. Don't let this happen again."

Jiang Shiwan turned his head away.

He walked in front of her: "Look at me, promise me."

His tone was full of warning and oppression, like a sharp knife piercing into the heart.

Jiang Shiwan bit his lip and finally nodded.

It was the first time that Shen Bian stepped into the gate of the Governor's Mansion.

He naturally disdained to associate with a new court upstart like Meng Tingzhou.

But seeing that the courtyard of the Governor's Mansion was spacious and exquisitely decorated, much more magnificent than the Duke's Mansion where he had experienced two dynasties, he couldn't help feeling a little sad.

Seeing the maid leading her in, Jiang Shiwan stood up from her seat and said, "Greetings, Duke."

Seeing her slightly protruding belly, she gradually lost her youthful look and became more mature and decent. Shen Bian said with emotion: "If nothing unexpected had happened, my niece Shi Wan would be the granddaughter-in-law of my country's mansion now."

"Alas." Shen Bian sighed to himself, "Since I came back from the old house, I heard about your family's affairs and severely punished the people in the Shen Mansion. Niece, it is our Duke's Mansion that has let you down. If you want to blame someone, blame me for not teaching you well."

As expected of the Duke, his words of apology were very touching.

But the person in front of her is no longer Shi Wan’s niece who is ignorant of the world.

Jiang Shiwan smiled slightly: "My Lord, don't blame yourself. Marriage is all about fate. I think my fate with your family is not deep enough."

Seeing that she was not angry, Shen Bian bowed slightly and said, "I heard that my granddaughter Yun Xiang offended many people at the Dragon Boat Festival banquet. I apologize on her behalf."

"Sister Yunxiang is so lucky that the Duke can always be called upon for help. I just don't know how many times the Duke will have to run around for his descendants according to this rule."

Seeing her speaking with deep meaning, Shen Bian knew that she was not as easy to fool as she seemed, so he just laughed it off: "I came here today mainly because I wanted to take this opportunity to come and see you. Seeing that you are doing well in the Governor's Mansion, I am relieved."

Shen Bian wanted to stand up: "It's late, niece, I'll take my leave first."

"Duke." Seeing that he was about to leave, Jiang Shiwan did not stand up from his seat, and said in a leisurely voice, "Did Duke forget something before coming here today?"

"Niece Shi Wan, what do you mean?"

"Maybe the Duke has a bad memory because of his age." Jiang Shiwan said nonchalantly, "Since the engagement is cancelled, shouldn't the Duke's Mansion return some of the things that belonged to my Jiang family?"

　Dudu: My future self will thank my vengeful wife, because this military book will be of great use in the future.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)