Chapter 99: Stirring Up Trouble
Shen Shi was usually not close to her sisters-in-law, at most putting on a perfunctory show for Miss Ning, while completely ignoring those born of concubines.
Second Miss Ning knew that Shen Shi was not favored by Madam Ning or her elder brother, so she seldom bothered to warm herself by this stove.
The reason she came today was because she had heard that Shen Shi had reconciled with her brother.
Since the cold stove had turned hot, she seized the opportunity to visit.
“Sister-in-law looks much better.”
These past few days, Shen Shi had been content and comfortable, taking care with her attire and makeup, a far cry from her earlier sickly appearance.
But she disliked hearing such words, as if she were always on the brink of death.
Yet Second Miss Ning failed to notice this and sat beside her with a forced smile.
“When Sister-in-law was seriously ill a few days ago, I wanted to come and pay my respects, but I was afraid you might find it troublesome and needed more rest. Seeing you looking well today puts my mind at ease.”
Shen Shi instructed the maids to serve tea and snacks, letting out a light laugh.
“There was nothing seriously wrong, just a cough and headache for a couple of days due to the weather. Yet people outside made a fuss, saying I was too ill to get up, which made Second Sister worry. I’m usually bored and often wish you’d come to chat, but it seems you all find it unlucky and dare not visit me.”
Second Miss Ning sat there, her face alternating between red and pale, unable to speak for a long while.
Shortly after, tea was served, and the two sat in silence for the duration of two cups of tea.
Second Miss Ning forced herself to stay seated, while Shen Shi could not fathom her purpose for visiting.
It was Zhi Qing who went out to inquire, beckoning Granny Zhao outside and whispering a few words to her.
Granny Zhao couldn’t help but frown. She entered the Side Hall, pretending to handle household matters, and invited Shen Shi to the adjacent incense room, where she relayed the maid’s words.
“Who would have thought this Second Miss, who usually puts on such a gentle and restrained demeanor, actually has such lofty ambitions. With the matter of Fifth Prince’s marriage, Old Madam and Madam Ning haven’t said a word, yet she’s already taken it upon herself to pay attention.”
Shen Shi hadn’t expected this either and hurriedly motioned for Granny Zhao to lower her voice, her brows knitting together.
“Mother said the Ning sisters were frivolous, but I didn’t think much of it. Seeing it today, it’s not just frivolity! A fifteen-year-old girl, hearing some rumors, starts thinking about her lifelong marriage—what kind of behavior is this? Truly shameless and utterly improper!”
Granny Zhao quickly leaned out to check that no one could overhear, then shook her head and sighed.
“The Ning family’s upbringing of their daughters is far too lax. A girl born of a concubine inherently has a petty nature, and it’s likely impossible to change that later. This is also because Madam Ning spoiled her too much, making her neither human nor ghost—nothing like a young lady from a noble family.”
Shen Shi could not stand girls who lacked virtue and was filled with such anger that she wanted to send the visitor away immediately.
“Such a shameless girl, how dare she come to speak with me? She’s only dirtying my floor. Granny, tell Zhi Qing to inform her that I have matters to attend to and she should leave quickly!”
Shen Shi then sat on the heated kang in the incense room, unwilling to continue humoring Second Miss Ning.
Second Miss Ning’s intentions were all too clear—she obviously wanted Shen Shi to step forward and help her compete for the marriage.
But how could that be possible? Madam Shen was already eyeing Fifth Prince’s marriage covetously.
How could it ever be Second Miss Ning’s turn? She must be out of her mind!
Zhi Qing was standing guard by the door curtain, ready to deliver the message as instructed, but Granny Zhao stopped her.
“Madam, please wait a moment. This old servant has been thinking—this might actually be a way to untangle the knot. Everyone has their eyes on Fifth Prince’s marriage. Third Miss from the Ning family’s second branch, and our own Third Miss Shen from the maternal family—both want to become the Princess Consort. Rather than being caught in the middle and finding it difficult to please both sides, why not take this opportunity to pass this troublesome matter to her?”
Granny Zhao spoke with subtlety, and Shen Shi understood a little, though she still felt somewhat hesitant in her heart.
In her own mind, she wished she could order a maid to point at Second Miss Ning and scold her as a shameless creature.
When Madam Ning returned home in the evening, she would also go to Brocade Prosperity Hall to lodge a complaint, to teach her a lesson in propriety and shame.
But upon hearing Granny Zhao’s words, she couldn’t help but look up, her heart stirring slightly.
“What you say makes sense, Granny. I’ve been troubled for days over Fifth Prince’s marriage—afraid that my third cousin from the maternal family might suffer, yet unwilling to offend Old Madam here. And now, that shameless Second Miss Ning has appeared, tangling my thoughts into a mess.”
Shen Shi was not adept at scheming; her methods, whether good or bad, were all written on her face.
Though she understood in her heart, she did not know how to proceed.
Granny Zhao leaned in and whispered, “Tomorrow, Consort He will send a court lady to pay respects to Old Madam at the mansion. They will formally assess Third Miss Ning. Whether she is chosen or not will be decided in that moment.”
Shen Shi naturally knew this; it was precisely what had been troubling her.
When the palace assessed potential consorts for a prince, they would send a ceremonial court lady to go through the motions.
If the girl from the family was chosen, a gold-inlaid jade ruyi scepter would be left on the spot as a small betrothal gift.
If she was not chosen, colored silks and fabrics would be left as a dowry augmentation gift, indicating that the girl should marry elsewhere.
Consort He had already discussed the marriage with the Ning family, and the assessment was scheduled for tomorrow.
In fact, the Shen family had also received word; on the same day, a ceremonial court lady would be sent to assess Third Miss Shen.
Consort He had arranged this matter with extreme care, keeping the Ning family completely in the dark.
Now, within Ningguo Mansion, only Shen Shi knew that Third Miss Ning would certainly not be chosen tomorrow.
According to Madam Shen’s meaning, Consort He felt that Third Miss Ning was not suitable to be the principal consort and could only be selected as a secondary consort or concubine.
But this was something Consort He could not say outright; it had to be proposed by Old Madam Ning herself to preserve dignity.
Madam Shen had instructed her daughter to explain this to Old Madam Ning early on, to avoid the embarrassment of the entire Ning family if the assessment failed.
How could Shen Shi dare to speak to Old Madam Ning? Weighing her words in her heart, she had delayed until today without saying anything.
“Granny means to have Second Miss Ning speak to Old Madam?”
Shen Shi did not understand the method, and Granny Zhao quickly shook her head, explaining a few things in detail.
Only after the mistress and servant had settled on a plan did they step out of the Side Hall.
Second Miss Ning was already restless, having considered leaving several times.
“Tomorrow, the palace court lady will assess your third sister. The steward’s office came to ask a few questions, neglecting you, Second Sister. There are some rumors outside, and I haven’t dared to tell Old Madam, but it troubles me greatly.”
As soon as Shen Shi spoke, Second Miss Ning’s hands trembled.
“What is it that Sister-in-law finds difficult to tell Grandmother? Grandmother has always doted on me; I could help Sister-in-law bring it up.”
Shen Shi picked up her teacup, glanced at Granny Zhao, shook her head, and sighed.
“This is not something I should say to you; you are an unmarried young lady.”
The more she acted this way, the more agitated Second Miss Ning became. Leaning forward anxiously, she said, “I am grown now, Sister-in-law. What could you possibly not tell me? I only fear I cannot help share your worries.”
Seeing her so eager, Shen Shi slowly set down her teacup.
“Rumor has it that Consort He dislikes daughters born of concubines, fearing that a daughter-in-law with a low-born mother would look unseemly when assuming the proper position. Second Sister, don’t blame your sister-in-law for speaking out of turn—a young lady’s marriage prospects are not like a man’s. Someone like you, Second Sister, with no living birth mother, raised since childhood by Madam Ning, is no different from a legitimate daughter. No one can find fault with that, so your marriage prospects are naturally beyond reproach. Your Third Sister is excellent in every way, but the flaw lies with Concubine Qian. She was raised by her concubine mother since childhood and is not close to her legitimate mother—it’s difficult to conceal such a thing!”
Every word struck Second Miss Ning right in the heart. She suddenly raised her head, her eyes bright and shining.
Granny Zhao, fanning herself nearby, smiled and chimed in:
“Madam, allow this old servant to speak a bit of madness. Second Miss’s temperament, appearance, talent, and age are all perfectly suited to the Fifth Prince. Moreover, she is a daughter of the main branch and the Duke’s own younger sister. If the palace officials do not favor Third Miss tomorrow, you could recommend Second Miss instead—they would surely find her suitable.”