Chapter 43: Sent Back to Her Maiden Home

Shen Shi’s face was as pale as paper.

For a married woman from a common household to be sent back was a disgrace to the entire family—and her Shen family was a lineage of scholarly refinement for generations!

How could her father and brothers bear the humiliation if the legitimate daughter of the current Chief Grand Secretary were sent back?

Was her mother-in-law trying to drive her to death by shaming her like this?

“Since marrying into the Ning family, I have served my parents-in-law and assisted my husband without fault. How can you, Mother, send me back to my maiden home? The marriage alliance between the Ning and Shen families is meant to foster goodwill—does Mother not care about the face of our in-laws?”

Madam Ning turned to look at her, her expression one of utter disbelief.

Not only Madam Ning, but all the matrons and maids in the courtyard were so shocked they could hardly close their mouths.

Was Shen Shi trying to threaten her mother-in-law with the Shen family’s power?

Pear Moon’s eyes widened, her little heart pounding wildly, and she no longer felt the pain in her fingers.

Since entering Ningguo Mansion at the age of six, she had seen how the ladies of Madam Ning’s generation served their mother-in-law.

In front of Old Madam Ning, they were always respectful and smiling, never daring to defy even a single word.

If Old Madam Ning so much as frowned, they would ponder it for a long time.

In terms of power and influence in the capital, aside from the imperial clan, the Duke of Ningguo’s mansion ranked at the top.

Even if Father Shen held a high official position, a married daughter was like water poured out—irretrievable.

To rely on her father and brothers to pressure her mother-in-law was nothing short of a fantasy.

The more prestigious the family, the less they indulged their daughters, fearing it would tarnish the family’s reputation.

For the women of noble households, filial piety was paramount—there was no room for argument.

But Shen Shi did not think this way.

She believed she had done nothing wrong. As the mistress of Phoenix Ripple Courtyard, it was her duty to punish and sell off maidservants.

Madam Ning was protecting the maidservant and sending her back to her maiden home merely to humiliate her.

Proud and arrogant, Shen Shi straightened her back.

As long as Heir Ning did not inherit the title, Ningguo Mansion would be inferior to her Shen family, and her mother-in-law could not insult her!

The Shen family was of scholarly origin, with three generations of ancestors passing the imperial examinations. Her father had become a Hanlin academician in his twenties.

Her father had taught her since childhood that no matter where she married, she must never lose the dignity of a Shen family daughter.

To be neither subservient nor arrogant toward her parents-in-law, and to offer honest advice to her husband—this was the demeanor of a Shen family daughter.

Blindly flattering and currying favor would only make others look down on her, losing the grace befitting a noble lady.

These words were firmly engraved in her heart.

In addition, her mother had taught her that a legitimate wife and mistress must have integrity.

Only by balancing kindness and authority toward subordinates would they remain loyal and assist her.

Kindness should be reserved for her dowry maids and attendants—they were her own people, their lives and deaths in her hands.

Authority should be directed toward the servants and concubines of her husband’s family—strict discipline would make them obedient.

Her mother had led by example while managing the household, and Shen Shi had observed it since childhood.

It was common for maidservants and matrons to be slapped, have their fingers crushed, or be sold out of the household for their mistakes.

Not just maidservants—her mother had even dismissed several chamber maids and concubines who had borne children.

However, when punishing subordinates, it was best to avoid involving one’s husband. If men interfered in the trivial matters of the inner household, things would become complicated.

Shen Shi’s mother had managed the household for many years, assisting her father from a lowly Hanlin academician to the current Chief Grand Secretary.

She had also managed the numerous concubines, chamber maids, and illegitimate children in the household with clarity and order.

Shen Shi believed that only with her mother’s decisive and firm approach could one become the mistress of a scholarly and refined family.

How could the Shen family’s methods of household management be labeled as harsh and cruel in her mother-in-law’s words?

Was Ningguo Mansion more noble than her Shen family?

It was merely a hereditary dukedom, yet it put on airs and pretended to be prestigious—what kind of hereditary noble family was that!

Shen Shi clenched her teeth tightly, the taste of blood spreading in her mouth.

Even though the Ningguo Mansion holds the title of a first-rank duke, it merely relies on the hereditary titles passed down from ancestors.

The Young Lord goes off to war, mingling with common soldiers, fighting and killing on the frontier. Even if he inherits the title, what prospects could he possibly have?

All professions are inferior, only scholarship is exalted. Her father is the one truly valued by the Emperor!

The more Shen Shi thought about it, the more agitated she became, her palms bruised by her own nails.

“I have observed three years of mourning in Phoenix Ripple Courtyard, enduring hardships without a single day of comfort. If Mother sends me back to my maiden home, aren’t you afraid of gossip from outsiders?”

Deep down, Shen Shi was convinced that the Ning family would not dare to divorce her.

With her father-in-law killed in battle and her husband away at war, she had endured three years of loneliness and suffering.

If not for fear of displeasing the Ning family, her brothers would have petitioned for a chastity archway in her honor.

If the Ningguo Mansion dared to divorce her, not only would her father object, but the Censor would also impeach them!

Shen Shi lifted her chin high, tears welling in her eyes, her pride unyielding.

But Granny Zhao, her wet nurse, was utterly stunned.

She had raised Shen Shi since childhood, devoting her heart and soul to her.

Throughout these days of Shen Shi’s tantrums and troubles, Granny Zhao had never complained.

She believed her young mistress was merely spoiled and stubborn but would not err in matters of propriety.

Who could have imagined that, cruel as she was to servants, she would also dare to speak disrespectfully to her mother-in-law.

Recalling the words Madam Shen had entrusted to her when Shen Shi married, Granny Zhao felt a chill down her spine.

Her entire family’s contracts were in Madam Shen’s hands. If Shen Shi were truly divorced, she likely wouldn’t survive many more years.

“Young Mistress, as a daughter-in-law, when Madam scolds you, you should kneel and accept it. How can you stand here with your head held high? Is this how Madam Shen taught you propriety?”

But Shen Shi had long grown tired of Granny Zhao, resenting her for siding with the in-laws instead of herself.

“Well said. I have truly witnessed the character of a daughter of the Shen family.”

Madam Ning smiled faintly.

“For a young lady from a noble family to suffer hardships in our home is our fault. It has been three years since the old duke passed away, and we still have not received the imperial decree for the Young Lord’s succession. Indeed, we have disgraced you.”

Shen Shi froze, her legs feeling as heavy as lead.

Of all things, Madam Ning mentioned the succession decree—it seemed she knew.

If the Ning family learned of this, they truly intended to send her away!

If this matter were brought into the open, her mother might still support her, but her father, being rigid, might not stand by her.

Unaware of the deeper implications, Granny Zhao stamped her feet in anxiety, pounding her chest in distress.

Zhi Qing was also frightened. She gathered all the dowry maids, and they knelt in the courtyard with a rustle.

“Our young mistress is young and ignorant. Madam should guide her properly. For the sake of our families’ relationship, please do not send her back. Madam, please do not be angry.”

Madam Ning remained silent, glancing behind her.

Steward Sun Cai’s wife immediately stepped forward. “To say the Eldest Young Madam has suffered hardships—this servant dares not accept such a claim. In the years since she married into our family, she has never ground grain, carried burdens, fetched water, or spun thread. What hardships has she endured? She has neither shown filial piety to her mother-in-law nor served her husband. How has our mansion disgraced her?”

“Since Eldest Young Madam married into our family, the expenses on her food, clothing, furnishings, and decorations would be enough to cast a golden statue of you! Your entourage of dozens of dowry maids and servants is all supported by the household funds, costing a thousand taels monthly, and they still find it insufficient.”

“Don’t take offense at my blunt words. The Ning family did not marry a daughter-in-law to quarrel with her husband or defy her mother-in-law. If Eldest Young Madam harbors such intentions, our Ning family is not afraid of gossip. It would be better to send you back early!”

A barrage of cold, cutting words left Shen Shi flushed and her previously straight posture slumped, head bowed in tears.

Madam Ning said no more, leaning on her maid as she departed.

Steward Sun Cai’s wife couldn’t wait until tomorrow; she immediately arranged two blue velvet-covered carriages.

One carried the half-dead Chun Tang along with that box of assorted torture instruments.

Two matrons dragged the weeping Granny Zhao onto the other carriage.

“Please convey our regards to Grand Secretary Shen and Madam Shen. Send a carriage tomorrow morning to fetch your daughter, so she may suffer less!”