Chapter 70: Shen Si Jier

Madam Ning was secretly pleased to see her mother-in-law displeased.

“Mother is right, but we can’t meddle too much in relatives’ affairs. Judging by Shen Si Jier’s behavior, I imagine the other daughters are the same. I never knew my in-laws were so frivolous, mistreating their concubine-born daughters like this.”

After seeing Miss Ning off, Old Madam Ning sighed. “This Shen Si Jier is quite pretty and is Shen Shi’s own younger sister. I originally thought of making her a secondary wife, so any children she bears would still be descendants of Yuan Jun and his wife. But seeing how things are, we should forget it.”

Madam Ning nodded with a smile. “Although it’s about taking a concubine, it’s also about securing heirs as a secondary wife, not just having someone serve. Let’s take our time looking. After all, Yuan Jun must like her himself—that would truly be Mother showing love for her grandson.”

With just a few words, Old Madam Ning and Madam Ning sealed Shen Si Jier’s fate, though she remained unaware.

She was kneeling in Shen Shi’s room, holding a sweet tea and embroidered shoes on a red lacquer tray, kowtowing like a candle being lit.

“Fourth Sister relies on Eldest Sister’s favor to serve Eldest Sister and the Duke!”

In modest households taking concubines, upon entry, rank is established, and the concubine presents tea and shoes.

Paying respects to her legitimate elder sister—this was the etiquette her concubine mother had taught her.

Her concubine mother had also instructed her that once in her legitimate sister’s room, she must humble herself completely, acting like a maid.

At the Shen household, Shen Si Jier had spent ten years doing needlework with her concubine mother, longing to marry and rise above her station.

The elegance and wealth before her were unlike anything she had ever seen.

The room was filled with luxurious furnishings: lotus-patterned bedding, beaded curtains of emerald green, mandarin duck pillows, dragon-and-phoenix candles.

If she could stay and live here, even as her brother-in-law’s concubine, it would be an excellent home.

Shen Si Jier’s face flushed crimson, her waist soft and supple, the golden gourd earrings dangling low.

Her face was like a peach blossom, her waist as slender as a willow, tender as a spring onion.

Shen Shi sat before the glazed screen, nauseated and itching with anger in her palms.

Zhi Qing quickly took away the teacup and had someone help Shen Si Jier to her feet.

“What are you saying, Fourth Miss? Between sisters, what talk of favor? This is your sister and brother-in-law’s home, your closest relatives. What kind of behavior is kneeling and presenting tea? Get up quickly, don’t let the maids laugh at you.”

Shen Si Jier remained kneeling, clutching the pair of embroidered shoes, on the verge of tears.

“I beg Eldest Sister to accept these shoes and keep me in your room.”

The bright red soft silk women’s shoes, with paired lotus blossoms and multicolored mandarin ducks, were garishly vulgar to behold.

Shen Shi ordered a spare room prepared and had a matron take Shen Si Jier away.

Finally, peace returned to the room, but Shen Shi was so choked with anger her face turned pale.

Granny Zhao quickly signaled and shooed all the maids away.

“Granny, look! Mother wants to push me into a pit of fire! Sending a little vixen raised by a concubine to challenge me, take my place—does she still see me as her daughter?”

Madam Shen’s actions had completely disillusioned Shen Shi.

In the past, no matter how harsh or demanding Madam Shen was, Shen Shi always believed her mother had her best interests at heart.

Today, she finally understood: if she didn’t strive, even her own mother would abandon her.

Even the usually despised concubine-born sister wanted to suppress and replace her.

Shen Shi had no one to trust; her wet nurse, Granny Zhao, was her only confidante.

Her eyes reddened, filled with fear and unease.

Seeing her like this, Granny Zhao’s heart ached, and tears fell.

After all, she had nursed and raised her—sometimes a foster mother is closer than a birth mother.

Granny Zhao even regretted letting her own resentment cause such great harm to Shen Shi.

She never expected Madam Shen to be so ruthless.

The matter of taking a concubine hadn’t been formally announced, but none of the noblewomen present today were fools.

Those with sharp eyes and quick minds couldn’t help but guess a thing or two.

Moreover, the maids in Phoenix Ripple Courtyard might well go out and gossip carelessly.

If word spread, Shen Shi’s dignity would be trampled underfoot.

“The Son-in-law is a first-rank Duke. Not to mention properly taking a concubine, even if he were to take a Chamber Maid, he would have to hold a ceremony, have her kowtow to Old Madam and Madam Ning, and only then bring her over for the wedding night. There’s no reason to keep someone like this.”

How could Shen Shi not know this reasoning? But Madam Shen had acted so suddenly.

She brought Shen Si Jier to visit this morning, and as soon as they entered the room, she had her kowtow and pay respects. In the evening, she even left the girl behind, giving Shen Shi no time to think it over. How could she not be flustered?

If it were a proper arrangement to take a concubine, even if Old Madam Ning and Madam Ning agreed, they would still need to send someone to the Shen family with betrothal gifts, set a date for the wedding, and have a small sedan chair carry her to the side gate before she could be welcomed in and her status determined.

How could there be a situation where shoes are presented at night? Even a concubine-born daughter shouldn’t be so shameless!

“But Mother left her here. What can I do? Drive her out? Although our Shen family distinguishes clearly between legitimate and illegitimate children, we can’t control the chaos in other households. Outsiders won’t say the concubine-born daughter is lowly; they’ll say I have no shame either!”

Seeing Shen Shi lose her composure, Granny Zhao advised her not to panic.

“Eldest Young Mistress, as the saying goes, the dragon’s nine sons are all different, and even ten fingers aren’t of equal length. I’ll say it again: our Ningguo Mansion must choose good candidates when taking concubines, and we must also consider status. Just look at Fourth Sister’s demeanor—does she have even a hint of noble bearing? Although the Son-in-law is young, he’s not foolish, nor is he blinded by lust.”

Shen Shi calmed down and slowly asked, “Granny means that Madam Ning and my husband won’t keep Fourth Sister?”

“If they wanted to keep her, they would have spoken up during the banquet. Even if Madam Ning remained silent, Old Madam would have mentioned something, asking Fourth Sister to stay for a few days. Yet neither of them said a single word. As for the Son-in-law, it’s even more obvious. Madam Shen invited him several times, but he avoided coming out. That shows he doesn’t think much of Fourth Sister.”

Granny Zhao broke down the day’s events in detail for Shen Shi.

Only then did Shen Shi’s anxious heart slowly settle back into place.

Seeing that Shen Shi had taken it in, Granny Zhao put on a stern face and spoke a few firm words.

“Eldest Young Mistress, listen to me. Tomorrow, prepare some gifts and pay a visit to the Tan family. Bring an extra carriage and send Fourth Sister back. If Madam Shen asks, you have an answer: without betrothal gifts, the person cannot be accepted. A concubine-born daughter is still a proper young lady, not a purchased wet nurse or hired maid. If the husband’s family doesn’t send a sedan chair, and the wife’s family sends her over themselves, there’s no such principle under heaven.”

Shen Shi knew this was reasonable, but she was still somewhat timid.

“What if Mother refuses? She sent my concubine-born sister here for my own good, after all. I am still her daughter. What if she says I’m unfilial?”

Granny Zhao sighed. “Eldest Young Mistress, a married daughter is like spilled water—you must think of yourself in all matters. Whether Madam Shen is truly acting in your best interest, you know perfectly well in your heart. Why should this old servant say more?”

With things put so plainly, there was no need for further explanation.

Shen Shi sat quietly, her eyes lowered, saying nothing.

The night had settled, the moon hanging over the willow branches, casting frost-like shadows in Phoenix Ripple Courtyard.

Only the west wing showed signs of activity, with maids carrying things in and out.

Pear Moon had already gone to bed but was startled awake by a sudden pounding on the door. She hurriedly dressed and opened it.

“Fourth Young Lady wants to bathe. Hurry to the tea room and heat water!”