Chapter 23: Suck It Up!

Madam Zhao’s face was livid. Her hand wrung the hemlines of her dress, and the gold hairpin on her head was shaking violently, which showed that she was not calm at this time.

Shen Linghan hurriedly ran to Madam Zhao and knelt down next to her arm again. Her emerald-like eyes were full of tears. “Father, mother has always been generous to others. This time, she was angry and ignored my sister because she cared too much about you. If it wasn’t because she wanted to maintain her image in your heart, she would not have listened to the slaves and lost control of her temper. I’m willing apologize to sister on behalf of mother. Please don’t be angry anymore. It’s not good for your health.”

Shen Dong’s expression changed slightly and he finally stepped forward to help Shen Linghan up. “You have always been the most kind-hearted and timid. Well, this time, your mother did something wrong. If Ninghua is willing to forgive her, everything will be OK.”

Shen Ninghua’s expression suddenly changed and she sneered in her heart. Shen Dong was clearly forcing her to reconcile with Madam Zhao! But she simply chose to ignore.

“I was away from home for a long time because of bad health, and failed to express my filial devotion to grandmother, father, and mother. I had thought that I could make up for this after I was back home. Unfortunately, I unexpectedly made mother so embarrassed. In this case, father, please allow me to rehabilitate in the village again.”

Shen Dong slightly frowned and pursed his lips.

When Madam Zhao heard this, she was so angry that she almost gritted her teeth into pieces. Although Shen Dong had given her an out, Shen Ninghua didn’t buy it at all.

“Nonsense!” The old lady pulled Shen Ninghua up and used her handkerchief to wipe the tears off Shen Ninghua’s face. “You silly girl, what are you talking about? Shen family is your home. Since you have come back, there is no reason to let you go out again. Son, do you want to drive Ninghua out of the family?”

Seeing old lady Xiao was so angry, Shen Dong hurriedly presented her a cup of tea to soothe her anger. “Mother, you’ve wronged me. Ninghua is my daughter. How can I drive her out? The courtyard where Ninghua lives now is too far-off. Tomorrow, I’ll let her mother personally arrange her move to Yingyue Courtyard.”

Madam Zhao’s pale face was livid with extreme anger, but she could only agree. “Yes, I will personally see that Ninghua move to the new yard, and whatever she needs, I will get them ready immediately.”

Shen Dong nodded. “Mother’s birthday will be in a couple of days. Linghan, you go back to your yard and copy the Book of Filial Piety a hundred times as a gift for your grandmother. Mother, don’t be angry any more. If there’s anything you want, just let Zhao know and do it right away.”

Madam Zhao’s family was now very powerful in the court. Old lady Xiao also knew that Shen Dong couldn’t let Madam Zhao be embarrassed too much. Today, seeing Madam Zhao’s awkwardness like this already relieved her anger. Going beyond the limit was as bad as falling short. She could take her time.

“Ninghua, do you have anything else to say?”

Shen Ninghua bit her lips and looked at Shen Dong and the first lady with a little uneasiness. “I have nothing else to say, but in another month it will be the anniversary of the death of my birth mother. I want to have a look at the yard where she used to live.”

Madam Zhao’s expression became extremely embarrassed. If Shen Ninghua entered the yard, she would surely know that Madam Xia’s dowry was almost gone. By then, Madam Zhao’s reputation would be totally ruined.

“Ninghua, there are only a few days before we celebrate your grandmother’s birthday. You’d better visit your mother’s yard after the birthday party. After all, it’s not auspicious to visit a deceased person’s residence before the birthday party.” Madam Zhao said stiffly.

“I didn’t think about it properly. Mother is right. Let’s talk about it later.” Shen Ninghua answered with a little embarrassment.

Old lady Xiao glanced at Madam Zhao. “The Shen family has its own style. We cannot forget to maintain decency at any time. Well, it’s been a turbulent day. I am going back.” After saying this, she held the second lady Su’s arm and walked outward.

“See you, mother (grandmother).”

“Linghan was also shocked today. Go back and send for a doctor. OK, help your mother back.” After saying that, Shen Dong turned to look at Shen Ninghua, “You… can tell your mother whatever you need later.”

Shen Ninghua shuddered. She raised her eyes and looked at Shen Dong with her dark shining eyes. “Yes, thank you father.”

Shen Dong paused briefly. Then he said “Hmm” and went out directly.

Zhao Yunxiang took a deep look at Shen Ninghua and brought Shen Linghan back to the backyard.

Shen Ninghua watched the two of them leave from behind. Her eyes were completely cold. She took up the silk handkerchief and slowly wiped the tears off her face. The smile on her lips was also cold. Today’s event was just a warning. If the first lady dared to attack her, she would peel off the first lady’s skin!

“Bai Ruo, Bi Zhu, think about what we need in Yingyue Courtyard, write a list and report to my mother tomorrow.” Since Shen Dong and Madam Zhao had made the promise, she would make a full list for Madam Zhao. Hope she would not be too upset!

Once they were the backyard, Shen Linghan immediately threw herself into Madam Zhao’s arms and cried, “Mother, the bitch Shen Ninghua caused such a big trouble but father didn’t punish her. I’m so angry…”

Yingyue Courtyard was right next to her yard. It was the only yard as beautiful as her Qinxue Courtyard and father wanted to give it to Shen Ninghua! Father also asked her to copy the Book of Filial Piety a hundred times. How could she finish so many copies in such a short time? It was clear that father wanted to lock her in the house. How could father treat her like this? Was father going to support Shen Ninghua?

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Madam Zhao held Shen Linghan in her arms. She clenched her fists so hard that she didn’t realize her fingernails had broken her palms. “Today, we underestimated Shen Ninghua too much. We had thought she was only a little clever dog, but she actually turned out to be a fierce and cunning wolf. Today’s incident was because of our misjudgment. Now she has your grandmother and Madam Su’s support, and we can’t act rashly. Otherwise, your father may be even more dissatisfied. But don’t worry, Shen Ninghua is just a cheap maid. Mother will get rid of her for you. Now let’s bear with her for a while.”

Shen Linghan raised her head. Her face was so gloomy that her beautiful face seemed to be distorted. “Are we going to let Shen Ninghua continue to be so arrogant?”

“If you can’t bear this small humiliation, you will suffer a huge loss. Today’s affairs will surely be known by the outside. The Shen family’s reputation can’t afford to be damaged, neither can your reputation. So, today’s incident can only be interpreted as a misunderstanding. That is, someone wanted to frame up the two of you. Linghan, you have a long way to go in the future, so you need to learn to tolerate, do you understand?” Madam Zhao stared at Shen Linghan and was relieved to see her nod.

She already had a plan in her mind. Shen Linghan was the most valuable asset of the Shen family and the Zhao family. She needed to be as pure as a fairy all the time. She couldn’t get any stain. As for Shen Ninghua, there were thousands of opportunities to ruin her despite today’s failure. She didn’t believe Shen Ninghua could survive in her hand!

“Well, go back to your own yard now. I have something to discuss with Nurse Qin.”

“Yes.” Shen Linghan got up and walked out with the support of her maids.

As soon as Shen Linghan went out, Madam Zhao couldn’t maintain her calm expression. She was suddenly paralyzed in the chair. Her face relaxed and got gloomier. Nurse Qin who was standing beside was startled. She hurriedly offered Madam Zhao a cup of tea to calm her down. “Ma’am, don’t be angry. It’s bad for your health.”

“Nurse, how can I remain calm? Shen Ninghua took all kinds of advantage of me today. Now, I not only have to tolerate her existence, but also need to get back Madam Xia’s dowry as soon as possible…” Madam Zhao covered her chest with her hands. A thought of these almost suffocated her.

Nurse Qin rolled her eyes. In the beginning, when the first lady wanted to use Madam Xia’s dowry, she advised against her, but the first lady wouldn’t listen and thought only about venting her anger. Now it was too late to regret.

“Ma’am, Madam Xia has been dead for a long time. I’m afraid no one will remember how many items were in her dowry. Therefore, we can first get some valuable items back and think about how to recover the rest later.”

Madam Zhao nodded. “That makes sense. Now it’s the only way.” Shen Ninghua repeatedly mentioned Madam Xia’s dowry. If she delayed for too long, not only would old lady Xiao intervene, even Shen Dong would be suspicious. She’d better solve the problem quickly.

As soon as they had finished discussing this matter, a maid named Chun Xiang came in to report. “Ma’am, the first miss’s maid with the name of Bi Zhu is here.”

“What is she doing here?” Madam Zhao frowned. Then she calmed down, tidied her clothes and said, “Let her in.”

“Greetings, ma’am.” As soon as Bi Zhu entered the door, she paid her respects to Madam Zhao respectfully.

Madam Zhao smiled. Her face did not reveal the slightest anger she was having a moment ago. “Did Ninghua send you here? What’s the matter?”

Bi Zhu respectfully handed over two pieces of paper to Madam Zhao. “In reply to ma’am, the miss asked us to tidy up the yard and was ready to move to Yingyue Courtyard tomorrow. Originally she didn’t want to bother you, but master and you just said that she can ask for the things she needs. So I helped the miss make a list. This is the list of the things she needs.”

Madam looked at the many items on the two pieces of paper. Her eyelids twitched violently. Although these things were the proper items for the first daughter of a big family, Shen Ninghua used to be merely a transparent person in the Shen family, and she didn’t have any of these things. It was impossible to buy them all without tens of thousands of taels of silver. This bitch was now so insatiable!

Bi Zhu secretly smiled. Shen Ninghua had asked for only one-third of the items that Shen Linghan now possessed. The first lady was really biased. She was never stingy when spending money on Shen Linghan. But when she had to spend money on Shen Ninghua, it was like cutting her flesh. As she thought about this, Bi Zhu took out another two pieces of paper.

“Ma’am, the miss heard that you had trouble sorting out her birth mother’s dowry, so she asked me to find the previous dowry list. She didn’t expect I could really find it. So she asked me to make a copy of it and send it to you for your convenience.”

Madam Zhao felt dizzy and gasped to suppress her anger. She bit her lips so hard that they began to bleed.

Nurse Qin was shocked. She hurriedly took over the dowry list from Bi Zhu’s hand. “I’ll take this on behalf of the madam. Today, the first miss was also frightened, and she was having rashes on her body. You’d better go back to take care of her.”

“Yes, then I’ll leave.” Bi Zhu glanced at Madam Zhao and turned back to leave.

As soon as she was out of the door, Madam Zhao suddenly fainted and fell down from the chair.

Nurse Qin was scared out of her wits and hurriedly went forward. “Ma’am!”

Madam Zhao sat up and hit the ground with her fist. The exquisite jade bracelet on her wrist broke instantly. The broken jade cut her wrist but she didn’t realize it. She shouted, “Nurse, I must take the life of that bitchy Shen Ninghua!”

“Yes, ma’am, don’t worry. I will help you!” Nurse Qin’s eyes were evil and cold.

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