Chapter 58.1

After visiting Shen Rong, Shen Qi went to the pavillion on top of the fish pond in the garden. A maid brought her fish feed, Shen Qi grabbed some to throw in the pond, attracting the golden carps in the pond to gather around the pavillion.

She partly leaned on the wooden railing, watching the fish fought for feed. That year before she got married, in this pavillion, on a day such as today…..

Shen Jin brought Anning with her, Shen Qi was brewing tea when they arrived. She smiled at her, “Come.”

“Elder Sister.” Shen Jin called out before slowing walking over.

Shuangqiao put a soft cushion on the stone bench, Shen Jin smiled and sat down next to Shen Qi. Shen Qi laughed, “Today is not your lucky day. There is only the tea I am brewing with dew water.”

“Elder Sister must be doing it on purpose.” Shen Jin laughed.

Shen Qi didn’t deny, she told Shuangqiao, “Go to the kitchen and bring the things I have prepared here”

Shuangqiao bowed, “This Slave goes now.”

Shen Jin was silent for a while. After the tea finished brewing, she asked with some concern, “Elder Sister isn’t in good mood today?”

Shen Qi liked brewing but not drinking, she put it aside after tasting, “Share it among yourselves.” It was directed to the maids. Knowing her habit, they quickly took the small teapot away to share.

Shen Jin smiled at Anning, “You are lucky today, Sister doesn’t brew tea very often.”

“This Slave has wasted the tea. I only feel it good but can’t explain why it is good.” Anning smiled.

Shen Qi didn’t mind at all, “There is nothing to be fussy about.”

Shen Jin said, “Tea lovers outside will feel it a waste if they could hear you.” But then she laughed, “I agree. Tea is drunk for the flavour, it’s enough to taste good.”

Shen Qi liked this thing about Shen Jin, good or bad had nothing to do with the price, as long as it was suitable and useful, then it was good.

Shuangqiao quickly returned with some fresh fruits, a bowl of red date curdle and goat milk. It’s obviously prepared for Shen Jin, Shen Qi couldn’t stand milk smell, even if the milk was mixed with almonds.

“Thank you Sister.” Shen Jin picked up the goat milk and started to drink in small sips.

Shen Qi’s eyes fell on the still-flat tummy of Shen Jin’s, she inevitably thought of the child who wasn’t destined to be hers, she quickly hid the pain that flashed in her eyes.

When Shen Jin finished her goat milk, Shen Qi picked up a handkerchief for her to wipe her mouth, “I still don’t get how you could drink goat milk and cow milk.”

Did Shen Jin like it? Yes, if it was with almond to remove the smell and some honey stirred in while the milk was still hot. But she wasn’t allowed almond now, and her honey consumption was limited, the goat milk didn’t taste good, she still drank it only for the baby. But Shen Jin certainly couldn’t say it, it would look as if she was flaunting her pregnancy in front of Shen Qi.

She laughed, “If there is an opportunity, Brother-in-law and Elder Sister could visit the border. I will take you to eat whole-lamb roast. The lamb there doesn’t smell at all, so fresh and delicious, Sister will be able to eat more.”

“If there is an opportunity, I will definitely go to the border to have a look.” Shen Qi smiled.

Shen Jin nodded, she pinched some walnut kernels into the red date curdle, stirred it and started to eat. She couldn’t stop feeling the dates here wasn’t as good as the ones at the border.

Watching Shen Jin ate, Shen Qi’s eyes softened some parts. The way Shen Jin ate always made other people felt like she enjoyed her food so much that everyone also felt like eating. Shen Qi picked up some walnut kernels, “I went to see Fifth Sister.”

“Oh.” Shen Jin swallowed, her eyes was on Shen Qi with some misgivings.

Shen Jin was expecting so Shen Qi didn’t tell her the news about Xu-cefei and Shen Jing, she only said, “I never expected the quiet Fifth Sister is actually that ruthless.”

Shen Jin’s head was slightly tilted, “What is it that Elder Sister doesn’t expect?”

“Xu-cefei is her birth mother, and Shen Jing is her own sister.” Shen Qi slowly released a breath. She would have understood better had it been Shen Jin or herself who was Shen Rong’s plotting target.

Shen Jin’s eyes turned vague, Shen Qi thought she didn’t understand when Shen Jin said, “So what about it?”

What about it? The confused one was Shen Qi now.

It was only a small bowl of red date curdle, Shen Jin had finished it, she took a handkerchief to wipe her mouth after putting the bowl aside. She had guessed that Xu-cefei and Shen Jing were probably not in a good condition. It should have been about the time, and Rui-wang’s incident could be named as the reason. This way even if Rui-wang’s heart softened when he came back, it was already done.

“Could you enlighten me?” Shen Qi asked in low voice.

Shen Jin said it plainly, “Fifth Sister was also Fourth Sister’s own sister. That time Fourth Sister was also ready to sacrifice Fifth Sister, wasn’t she?”

For some people noone, even the closest family members, was more important than themselves. Between Shen Jing and Shen Rong, Shen Rong won because she was able to sense Rui-wangfei’s intention more accurately.

“I confused myself by thinking too much.” Shen Qi exhaled slowly, “I thought since Fifth Sister is now fine, so……” So she made the mistake of sympathising with the weak, while the weak wasn’t really weak.

Shen Jin didn’t pursue it and Shen Qi had also stopped. “Mother said Father is coming back soon.”

“Excellent.” Shen Jin said with a face full of joy, “I don’t know if Father had lost weight.”

Shen Qi spoke, “Wait until Father is back then we’ll see. Mother said to invite Second Sister here when Father returns.”

Shen Jin didn’t know why it was mentioned so specifically, Shen Qi told her, “Second Sister isn’t of good character. You must always have people around you when she is here. You are currently expecting, it’s not good to be bumped into.”

“I understand now.” Shen Jin obediently responded. “I’ll just keep some distance with Second Sister. Right, I wonder how Second Sister in Zheng family is lately.”

“She will be fine as long as her dowry isn’t spent yet.” Shen Qi said mockingly.

After Rui-wang got into trouble, Shen Jin sent someone to Wangfu everyday, and her husband had even contradicted Emperor Cheng in an attempt to protect Rui-wang. Shen Zi who was so much loved by Father sent noone ever, what an ungrateful thing.

Shen Jin nodded, “En.”

Shen Qi was a considerate person, Shen Jin had been sitting there to keep her company for a long time, “Since there is nothing to do, why don’t we go sit at your place? Shuangqiao has made a box full of string knots for you.”

“Great.” Shen Jin smiled, “Good Shuangqiao. If only Sister could be without you, I really want to ask you to come with me.”

Shen Qi didn’t try to pull Shen Jin like she used to do, she let Anning supported her.

“I still don’t know who to choose for Shuangqiao’s husband, I always feel that noone deserves her. I want Sister to help me think of a suitable person.”

Shen Jin thought seriously, “But I don’t know anyone.”

“I want to send Shuangqiao to marry far away.” Shen Qi finally spilled the beans.

But Shuangqiao said, “I am not leaving Young Furen.”

“Silly.” Shen Qi paused to poke Shuangqiao’s forehead, “Do you think I want to let you go? In the Capital even if I return your deed, everyone will still think of you as a servant, look down on you. Anyone proposing will not be worthy of you.”

Shuangqiao said, “Young Furen…..”

“Don’t say any more.” Shen Qi interrupted her. She was genuine towards Shuangqiao, they grew up together, they learned to read together. She didn’t like to see Shuangqiao wasted but she hadn’t found anyone suitable.

Many people in Yongle residence thought that Shen Qi was preparing Shuangqiao to give to Yongle Shizi, it had more or less impacted Shuangqiao, she couldn’t let this continue. Shen Qi didn’t want to give Shuangqiao to Yongle Shizi as a concubine. It’s not that Shuangqiao wasn’t trustworthy…. But when Shuangqiao had a child, she was afraid herself wouldn’t be able to trust her as much as she did now.

But Shen Qi didn’t have the heart to just casually marry Shuangqiao to anyone either. Those who had came to propose wanted to seek benefits from being related to the marquis residence or to the Wangfu. The sons of the stewards were out of question as well, they would treat her well because of her identity, but Shuangqiao’s children would forever be slaves like them.

Most important was, none of them deserved the literate and educated Shuangqiao. Sometimes Shen Qi wondered whether it was a good thing to let Shuangqiao learned, her marriage matter has now becoming a heartache for Shen Qi.

Shen Jin was sighing too. Shuangqiao could marry a military man if she followed her to the border, but would she be willing to?

“Young Furen, I am not marrying all my life,” Shuangqiao had actually thought about it, “I can be with Young Furen forever, and later I can serve the little masters and the little misses.”

Shen Qi’s eyes reddened, “No!”

Shuangqiao stopped talking, Shen Qi took a deep breath. After recovering, she said to Shen Jin, “I have let Sister see a ridiculous thing, this girl is very braindead.”

Shen Jin spoke, “Sister showed off on purpose?”

Shen Qi didn’t talk about Shuangqiao’s matter again, she just smiled, “Yes.”

The two of them entered Moyun Courtyard, Chen-cefei was in the garden making little stuff for the baby in Shen Jin’s tummy while the sunlight was good. Chen-cefei stood up but before she could speak, Shen Qi smiled to her, “Chen-cefei, please don’t blame me for disturbing again.”

Chen-cefei only smiled, Shen Jin pulled Shen Qi towards her own room, she said to Chen-cefei, “Mother, I am going inside to talk with Sister.”

“En.” Chen-cefei nodded, she ordered the maid to bring fruits and snacks for the sisters then sat back down. She continued the discussion with Zhao-momo about the material for baby clothes, baby’s skin was tender so the ends of the threads should also be hidden.

Shen Jin’s room was simple and elegant, it was comfortable to look at. Seeing soft cushions everywhere, Shen Qi laughed, “Your place is still the more comfortable one.”

“If Sister likes it, just make some too.” Shen Jin smiled.

Shen Qi took one to hold in her arms, and with one more on her back, she said in comfort, “Shuangqiao take note, make some for me too when we are back.”

“Yes.” Shuangqiao saw there was nothing else, she said, “I am going to bring the presents here.”

“Go.” Shen Qi waved.

Anping came in with snacks and refreshment. “Sister, try Zhao-momo’s fruit tea.”

Shen Qi tasted it, it had the special sweet and sour flavour of fruits, “It’s good.”

After taking a cup, Shen Jin let Anping prepared some more for Shen Qi and herself before going out. Shen Jin kicked away her shoes, lied down sideways on the soft bench with a small blanket to cover her legs.

Shen Qi laughed, “Lazy girl.” She said so but she was feeling very relaxed too. Leaning her back on the soft bench was very comfortable.

“Sister, would you like to stay for a few days?” Shen Jin wiggled with a soft cushion in her arms, she let out a small yawn.

“Take a rest if you are sleepy.” Shen Qi saw it.

Actually Shen Jin hadn’t been awake for long, “No, I’ll sleep after lunch.”

Shen Qi didn’t urge her, she took a small piece of pastry to try, “I will stay for a little while. Right, thank you for the medicine for Mother-in-law.”

“It was from Mother Consort.” Shen Jin was a bit embarrassed, “Fujun is going on a trip, the medicines at home have all been given to Fujun, so….”

Shen Qi started to laugh, the depressed look had diminished a lot, and with her Father coming back soon, she looked much more relaxed, “Not a problem, it’s not used anyway.”

“Ah?” Shen Jin asked without thinking, “Not sick?”

Shen Qi nodded, “Sickness of the heart.”

“Oh.” Shen Jin sighed, “No wonder. Sickness of the heart doesn’t need medicine.”

Shen Qi “En” once. She had been wanting to talk to someone so she started. On the day of Rui-wang’s incident, Yongle Shizi had wanted to accompany her back to Rui Wangfu but was held up by Marchioness Yongle. The Marchioness also sent someone with 200 liangs to drive Shen Qi away, Shen Qi didn’t give her a face, she dumped the money and left with her maids.

Yongle Shizi had unexpectedly followed her, accompanied her to Wangfu, until Rui-wangfei told him off and had him go home. Yongle Shizi was moved that Rui-wangfei was thinking for his sake, moreover Rui-wangfei had also exerted much effort in securing his Shizi position. Marchioness Yongle was partial to his little brother.

After listening to Rui-wangfei, Shen Qi had also regretted the matter of the 200 liangs, so she said she would try to make it up. Despite the worries for Rui-wang, they had put efforts into preparing some reparation gifts, at this point it wasn’t just about Shen Qi anymore but even involving Rui-wangfei’s face.

“I was a little too anxious.” Shen Qi tried to control the distress on her face. “I have been the eldest at home, Father and Mother loved me….. And it was Father’s birthday, which even Third Sister and Third Brother-in-law came from far away to attend…”

When they returned, Yongle Shizi accompanied Shen Qi to seek forgiveness from Marchioness Yongle. But the angry Marchioness refused to meet them and their reparation gifts, even sent a message that she wouldn’t bother herself with Shizi and Shizifei matters anymore.

Yongle Shizi’s several younger brothers and sister-in-laws took the chance to badmouth Shizi so Marchioness Yongle fell sick with anger. The more they talk, the worst it was, his youngest brother’s wife even said that Shen Qi was too arrogant without limit because she had been spoiled since young, such person should have been sent to the temple to pray for Marchioness Yongle!

But what happened next? Marquis Yongle returned and saw Yongle Shizi and Shen Qi kneeling in front of Marchioness Yongle’s door. After knowing what had happened, he went into the room and slapped the Marchioness. Without leaving a face for the Marchioness, he stated that the management of Yongle residence was to be handed to Shen Qi.

Marchioness Yongle was still expecting that Shen Qi would politely refused, but Shen Qi simply agreed to it right away. The Marchioness could only handed over the authority while deliberately left things out hoping that after everything became a mess under Shen Qi’s hand, the management would be handed back to her.

She didn’t know that even though Shen Qi never said anything about the management of the residence, it didn’t mean she had never prepared for it, Shen Qi proceeded to replace Marchioness’ people with her own people. In just two days Shen Qi had firmly grabbed the authority in her hands.

After sending the youngest brother’s wife to the temple to pray for the Marchioness, everyone had changed their behaviour so she stopped there.

Marquis Yongle sighed inwardly as he saw it, she was really worthy to be a di daughter of a Wangfu. All these times she never made a move but once she did, Marchioness Yongle wasn’t her match at all. Having been husband and wife for so long with several children for him, the Marquis steeled himself to confine her to her own courtyard so she couldn’t do more big mistakes, like how she fell into Yun-niang’s trap, or interfered too much.

The most critical problem was the situation wasn’t right, and it would still be a while as long as Count Yongning, the person Emperor Cheng disdained the most, was still around. Who knew whose turn it would be after Rui-wang. The heaviest punishment for Rui-wang would only be taking his title away, but how about other people. Marquis Yongle had to think for the people in the residence.

Shen Qi said, “I am afraid Marchioness Yongle is cursing me everyday from the confine of her courtyard.”

Actually the current situation wasn’t much to Shen Qi’s liking. The Marquis title would one day become Zhu Yuhong’s so she was willing to wait, and anyway, noone had dared to mistreat her despite not holding the management right. She had been tolerant despite the Marchioness ever increasing opposition to herself.

Shen Jin comforted her, “It is fine, Sister can’t hear the cursing anyway.”

Shen Qi laughed, “That’s right.”

After the sisters finished talking, they went with Chen-cefei to the main courtyard for lunch. Rui-wangfei sent someone to call Shen Rong but she rejected it for being unwell.