Chapter 91: A Dilemma
Madam Shen’s words placed Shen Shi in a difficult position. Not daring to speak of it to Old Madam Ning, she returned directly to Phoenix Ripple Courtyard.
Granny Zhao, noticing her troubled expression, inquired about the matter and could not help but feel troubled herself.
Though sisters from the same mother share a deep bond, Madam Shen was far too partial to her youngest daughter.
How could she be willing to let her eldest daughter take on such a task that would offend her in-laws?
Naturally siding with Shen Shi, Granny Zhao spoke a few words of reason.
“Don’t blame this old servant for speaking plainly, but your mother’s words show too little consideration for you. If Third Miss Shen wishes to marry above her station, we would of course be delighted—who wouldn’t wish for your younger sister to become a princess consort? But marriage matters follow the principle of ‘first come, first served,’ respecting the order of precedence. Since the Fifth Prince and Third Miss Ning have already begun marriage discussions, how could they possibly change to a Shen family girl just because your mother says so? If you were to bring this up, wouldn’t you become the villain who ruins a marriage arrangement?”
While speaking, the maids were not in the room. Shen Shi, feeling unbearably hot and restless, removed her outer garment.
Clad only in a Fragrant Concubine-colored Ruyi Cloud-patterned Linen Shirt, she undid her Golden Silk Chignon and removed her Gold and Kingfisher Feather Headpiece, letting her dark hair fall loosely to one side, secured with a single Double-stranded Ruyi Gold Hairpin.
Even so, a light sweat still beaded her forehead, and she waved her Gold-sprinkled Small Fan frantically.
“Granny, you didn’t see how Third Miss was dressed today at the family banquet. Only just fifteen and of age, she wore a Jade-inlaid Lotus Gold Crown and an Embroidered Gold Thread and Decorative Flower Garment, looking down on everyone, even me. Mother and the sisters-in-law couldn’t stop praising her, making her out to be a perfect flower.”
“They said that some days ago, Consort He summoned Mother into the palace to bestow gifts for the Fifth Prince’s teacher selection. Mother brought Third Miss along, and in the palace, she recited books like the Biographies of Exemplary Women. Consort He praised her greatly, calling Third Miss an outstanding model of virtue, and was so delighted she immediately brought up marriage with the Fifth Prince.”
Grand Secretary Shen was the Fifth Prince’s teacher, so Third Miss Shen would be a suitable match for the Fifth Prince as his consort—except that discussions had already taken place with the Ning family.
Consort He and Old Madam Ning were aunt and niece by blood, and a marriage between their families was too dear to reject, leaving both sides in a dilemma.
Madam Shen, wholeheartedly hoping for the marriage to succeed, hastily suggested an idea to Consort He.
Third Miss Ning was the same age as the Fifth Prince but was born of a concubine.
Third Miss Shen was three years older than the Fifth Prince and was Grand Secretary Shen’s legitimate daughter by his principal wife.
Madam Shen proposed a perfect pair: her Shen daughter as the principal consort, with the Ning girl as the secondary consort.
Consort He feared Old Madam Ning would not agree, so Madam Shen instructed Shen Shi to return to her husband’s family and persuade them.
Easier said than done—who could possibly persuade them?
Granny Zhao shook her head. “In this old servant’s opinion, you should stay out of this matter. Old Madam Ning dotes on you the most. For your mother to ask you to handle this—isn’t she sending you to offend the Ning family? Offending others might be one thing, but how could we dare offend the Old Madam?”
This was precisely Shen Shi’s dilemma. Demoting a wife to a concubine was such an insult—how could the Ning family possibly agree?
Not to mention Old Madam Ning, even Second Master Ning would refuse.
Truth be told, Shen Shi would prefer her own younger sister to become the princess consort.
Her relationship with the Ning family’s second branch was distant, and if Third Miss Ning became the princess consort, she would gain no real benefit.
Moreover, Second Master Ning was born of a concubine, and Third Miss Ning was also born of a concubine—Shen Shi looked down on her from the bottom of her heart.
She simply felt she was unfit to be a prince’s consort, let alone a crown princess or empress.
Shen Shi leaned sideways against a bamboo pillow, tapping the carved patterns on the tea table with her fan handle.
“You’re mistaken, Granny. Though I married into the Ning family as the Duchess, my foundation remains that of a daughter of the Shen family. You may not know this, but if Father can support the Fifth Prince in securing the position of Crown Prince, it would bring glory that generations could not achieve, and I too would share in that honor. Therefore, this matter cannot be abandoned; I must assist my parents and sister.”
“Consider that Second Uncle Ning is a concubine-born son, and Third Miss Ning is also of concubine birth. The Old Madam may not hold them in high regard. Now, if she is made a consort to the Fifth Prince, and when the Fifth Prince ascends the throne in the future, she will surely be granted a position among the Four Consorts. That would be considered an unparalleled honor. How could she still be dissatisfied? There’s no need to compare distant examples; just look at Consort Ning, who was also concubine-born, yet the Old Madam paid little attention to her.”
As this matter concerned the honor and disgrace of her maternal family, Shen Shi’s thoughts grew active once more.
If Third Miss Shen’s marriage to the Fifth Prince succeeded, and years later he ascended the throne, the entire Shen family would bask in glory.
By then, her father would hold the esteemed position of the Emperor’s tutor, her sister would be the Empress, and the Shen family’s prestige would far surpass that of the Ning family.
Despite all that had happened, Shen Shi’s attachment to her maternal family had only deepened.
Hearing today about Censor Tang and his wife, she felt even more shaken.
Wasn’t Madam Tang driven to her death by her husband precisely because her maternal family lacked power and influence?
Shen Shi’s mouth felt dry, and she lowered her head to take a sip of honey-infused tea.
Seeing that she had only heeded advice for a couple of days before reverting to such behavior, Granny Zhao felt both anxious and frustrated.
But upon second thought, she understood the dilemma in Shen Shi’s heart.
Her own parents had repeatedly urged her, and she could not possibly ignore their pleas.
As Shen Shi was about to call a maid to help her change clothes and go to Crane Longevity Hall, Granny Zhao hastily reached out to stop her.
“You’re too hasty, Madam. What is so urgent about this? Today is finally a bit cooler, and the Old Madam is watching the young ladies play at tea whisking. Even if you go, you won’t be able to speak with her. This old servant thinks that if it truly is as your mother said, and this matter reflects Consort He’s intentions, the palace will surely send a court lady to pay respects to the Old Madam. When that time comes, you can seize the opportunity to offer a few words of advice. That way, you will have done your part for your sister’s marriage without arousing the Old Madam’s suspicion or anger.”
This approach seemed like the best of both worlds, and Shen Shi found it reasonable.
She then gracefully sat back down, picked up the Crabapple Blossom Silver Spoon, and took a sip of chilled fruit nectar.
After barely easing the heat and sweat, Shen Shi asked Granny Zhao about matters at home.
“Out in the garden, which guests has the Duke invited? Aside from that troublemaker from the Tan family, why did I also see sedan chairs from the Directorate of Ceremonial?”
Granny Zhao, fearing this would provoke her anger, did not mention the presence of a eunuch director and decided to keep things vague from both sides. She only said she had sent someone to deliver dishes and fruits, and the guests had all thanked the Madam.
“Five or six accompanying guests are those we usually interact with. Aside from General Tan, I don’t really recognize the others. This old servant sent someone to deliver a few dishes, and they all thanked you profusely.”
Grand Secretary Shen’s anger was directed at General Tan, and Shen Shi naturally despised him as well. She sneered and cursed him as a corrupt official.
She then remembered the unfamiliar-looking Pink Gauze Sedan Chairs at the side gate and asked with a sidelong glance, “I heard singing over there, and it didn’t sound like our household musicians or actors. Did they call in singing courtesans?”
Seeing that she could not hide it, Granny Zhao hurriedly stepped closer and said with an apologetic smile, “General Tan called for four brothel girls to sing, serve wine, and play drinking games at the banquet. How could the Duke possibly send them away?”
Hearing that there were indeed courtesans at the banquet, Shen Shi felt discomfort in every part of her body. Two lines of worry creased her brow as she softly cursed, “Those worthless, shameless scoundrels.”