Chapter 102 of Volume 1: Suffering Humiliation

  Third watch, asking for pink tickets

  Before long, Chun Hong brought in Cui Er, the little maid who was beside the old lady, to pay respects to Shen Zhongge and Zhen Shimu. "The old lady is not feeling well and told you not to ask for an audience," she said, looking up at Zhen Shimu with a hint of arrogance in her eyebrows. "She only instructed you to be mindful of your words and actions when entering the palace, so as not to lose face for the General's Manor." Cui Er deliberately imitated the old lady's tone, with a hint of haughtiness between her brows.

  Zhen Shining furrowed her brow.

  She only said don't let her go ask for peace, didn't say don't let Shen Zhongge go over... the old lady's intention... she turned her head to look at Shen Zhongge.

  Shen Zhong's fingers on the desk moved slightly, and after a long silence, he instructed, "Set up the meal." His voice carried a hint of subtle helplessness.

  The air suddenly stagnated, and Chuxinyi asked in a low voice: "Is it just placed here?"

  Afraid that the kitchen maid wouldn't know any better, in front of Shen Zhongjie she gave Zhen Shiniang leftover food from last night. Early this morning before coming here, she had specifically gone to the kitchen and ran into Biyue, who said that Old Madam wanted her to send Shen Zhongjie's breakfast over to Yangxin courtyard. Believing Cuier's words, he could understand the meaning behind them, after asking, Chu Xinyi stared fixedly at Shen Zhongjie.

  Shen Zhong Xiao didn't say a word, he just slightly nodded his head.

  Chu Xinyi's face changed suddenly, she slightly lowered her head, and when she raised it again, she had a smile on her face, and with a glance, she let Chunlan go to the kitchen to pass on the message.

  A dozen or so little maidservants flitted about the hall, but not a sound was heard, only occasionally came the faint clinking of bowls and chopsticks, before long, a sumptuous breakfast was brought in.

  Eight dishes and one soup, more sumptuous than her own dinner, Zhen Shiniang sighed when she saw it, "Being the same human being, why is the treatment so different?"

  Shen Zhong's bell rang, and Pei Xiu smiled and walked forward to support Zhen Shiyin to sit down at the table. "What does the lady like to eat?" She took the chopsticks handed over by the maid and served dishes for Zhen Shiyin.

  Chu Xinyi also washed her hands with the water brought by the maid, took over the chopsticks and personally served Shen Zhongge.

  She sat stupidly in front of the desk, looking at the dozen or so maids and aunties on both sides who were as silent as crows and sparrows. Zhen Shiniang felt like a monkey in a zoo in her previous life, surrounded by a large group of tourists.

  For a moment, all appetite was gone.

  He lowered his head and took a bite, out of the corner of his eye he saw Zhen Shiniang sitting upright and still, as if facing a great enemy. Shen Zhongjie looked at her inquiringly.

  Zhen Shining lowered her head and took a look at the dishes that Pei Xiujie had placed on the plate. She picked up her chopsticks and forced herself to eat a few mouthfuls, thinking about how she didn't know when or where she would be eating her next meal. Entering the palace wasn't like visiting a neighbor's house, after all. No matter what people said, there were many rules to follow. Moreover, she still had no idea how Shen Zhongshuo had arranged things until now, so she couldn't just pretend to eat this meal. She raised her head and calmly instructed, "There's no need for anyone to serve us here, you can all go down."

  She was stared at by a group of sarcastic people while eating, and she really lost her appetite. Sorry about that, had to let them leave.

  She is the eldest daughter-in-law. She should have this right.

  The room suddenly fell silent, and even Shen Zhongge was stunned, lifting his head in surprise.

  Qiu Ju nodded and turned around to leave.

  Everyone's eyes were on Chu Xinyi.

  Chu Xinyi's hand, which was holding the chopsticks, paused for a moment. Then, she calmly picked up some food and put it on Shen Zhongjie's plate, "This is the kitchen's new pickled dish, General, try some..." He seemed to have not heard Zhen Shimiang's words.

  There was still a hint of surprise in his eyes. Looking at the slightly furrowed brow of Shang Xun's tenth daughter, Shen Zhongge suddenly thought of the quiet moments when they had meals together without any maidservants attending to them in their ancestral home. She was gentle and soft as water, occasionally breaking the rules of not speaking while eating or sleeping, and saying a few words to him, but he didn't find her noisy at all. Every meal was delicious and satisfying. "She's probably not used to being watched by so many people while eating, is she?" This thought flashed through Shen Zhongge's mind.

  "General..." explained for half a day, seeing Shen Zhongyu didn't move his chopsticks, Chu Xinyi softly called out to him.

  "Didn't you all hear what Madam said?" Shen Zhong's voice was very soft, but it carried a hint of severity.

  Everyone's body shook at the same time, and Hong Lian had already led the way out with Xiao Yatou.

  Her hand holding the chopsticks trembled slightly, Chu Xinyi bit her back teeth tightly, barely holding back from making a scene. In her heart, she thought, "He's determined to give that cheap woman face."

  Let this cheap person be proud for one day!

  In an instant, Chu Xinyi's expression returned to its usual gentle state. She lightly put down her chopsticks and said, "This servant will withdraw."

  Looking at her face changing in an instant, Zhen Shiniang felt a chill in her heart.

  Shen Zhong's eyebrows twitched slightly.

  Seeing Chu Xinyi retreat, the other aunts also bowed and retreated one after another. The eldest aunt, Yang Feng, walked at the very back. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Shen Zhongge hand over the bowl of bird's nest congee in front of him to Zhen Shimai, whose body jerked slightly.

  The room was quiet, and Zhen Shining smiled brightly at Shen Zhong. It's rare for him to cater to her wishes, so she must encourage him well, hoping he'll continue to make progress in the future.

  Shen Zhong was stunned on the spot.

  Eating deliciously, she raised her head and saw Shen Zhongge still sitting there. Zhen Shimiang asked in puzzlement, "General, why aren't you eating?"

  He came back to his senses and Shen Zhongjie quickly lowered his head, picked up a large mouthful of food and stuffed it into his mouth.

  Zhen Shi Niang's eyes widened in shock, "...... isn't that the infamous朝天椒? Isn't he afraid of being spiced to death?" Seeing Shen Zhong Ke's face suddenly turn bright red, Zhen Shi Niang quickly lowered her head and stuffed rice into her mouth.

  ……

  After leaving Haoran House, Chu Xinyi went to Yangxin Academy.

  Normally, except for major festivals, the concubines were not qualified to see the old lady, let alone pay respects in the morning and evening. Because Shen Zhongjie's legitimate wife was not in the mansion, Chu Xinyi was in charge of the middle housekeeping department, many things had to be asked to the old lady for instructions, so everyone turned a blind eye. However, Shen Zhongjie never stipulated that they must pay respects in the morning and evening.

  Chu Xinyi was going to Yangxin Institute, so Yang Feng and Fu Xiu excused themselves and returned to the institute first. Chu Xinyi didn't force them to stay and brought Li Shiniang and Ma Shiniang to Yangxin Institute instead.

  After passing through a screen with golden silk embroidery of cranes, I saw over ten maids and servant girls standing silently on both sides of the hall. In the center of the hall, a sumptuous breakfast was laid out untouched. The old lady sat at the head of the table, her face as stern as water. Eldest Miss Shen Xiaoxian also sat upright like a little adult, not daring to move her chopsticks.

  It's just right to come here!

  Chu Xinyi's heart was filled with joy when she saw her, but her face showed a worried expression. "Madam, please eat something, or the young mistress won't dare to touch her chopsticks..." While speaking, she turned around and took a wet handkerchief from the maid to wipe her hands, then picked up her chopsticks and placed a piece of fresh bamboo shoots on Madam's plate. "The general is also worried about your poor health, afraid that if he leaves you alone in the main house, you'll get angry and not eat anything, so..."

  It's better if you don't say anything, the more you speak, the darker old lady's face becomes, she slammed her hand on the table, "Shut up!"

  Everyone in the house was shocked, and Shen Xiaoxian let out a loud wail.

  Chu Xinyi's face turned bright red, and she hastily bent down to pick up Shen Xiaoyan, gently patting her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Old Madam's face turn dark, and she tentatively asked, "Shall I go invite General?" Seeing that Old Madam didn't respond, she turned her head to Cui'er and made a gesture with her eyes.

  Cui'er turned around and walked out.

  Shen Zhongbo quickly walked in and saw that Chu Xinyi and the others were also here. A hint of surprise flashed across his eyes, but it was fleeting. He noticed that Old Lady's face was pale and was about to approach her when Shen Xiaoxian, who had just been comforted, suddenly burst into tears again and stretched out her arms for her father to hold her.

  Although she was a girl, below her knees was just this one child. Shen Zhong's expression was exceptionally tender as he saw her stretching out her two hands and quickly hugged her over, "Who bullied our Xiao'er again?" His tone was soft and doting, while holding Shen Xiaoyan above his head and tickling her for a few moments, Shen Xiaoyan soon burst into giggles.

  After fooling around for a while, Shen Zhongge hugged her and sat down beside Old Madam, "Mother..."

  As soon as she opened her mouth, she was scolded by the old lady, "Do you still have me in your eyes as your mother!" The anger that had been suppressed all morning suddenly burst out.

  Seeing his daughter about to cry, Shen Zhongge hastily patted her and handed her over to the wet nurse, indicating that she should take her out. Only then did he turn red-faced to Old Madam, "What's going on, Mother?"

  "You!" Seeing him pretending to be confused, the old lady's hands trembled with anger, wanting to scold him for being unfilial. She asked him why he didn't come to pay his respects, but then remembered that she had told someone to tell him not to bother paying respects. Although it wasn't directed at him specifically, as a couple they were one entity, and since he had listened to her instructions and not come to pay respects, there was nothing wrong with his behavior. So she simply started scolding him unreasonably.

  The general is trained, and it's not quite suitable for the slaves to stay here.

  Zi Yue lifted her leg and was about to take the little maid out, Bi Yue quietly pulled her back, casting a sideways glance at Chu Xinyi, silently shaking her head. Turning around, she saw that Chu Xinyi stood with lowered eyebrows and downcast eyes, showing no intention of retreating, Zi Yue hesitated for a moment before stopping there as well.

  Shen Zhong's face turned into a purplish-red color, and his forehead veins were faintly visible.

  He is also a family leader and an important official in the imperial court. His mother scolded him like a servant, how can he hold his head up in the future?

  After all, she is a mother, no matter how difficult it is, she can't just abandon her child.

  After scolding for half a day, the old lady finally cried out in exasperation, "At 24 or 25 years old, you don't even have a son, and yet you're still so reckless. How can I face your father who has passed away?"

  "Mother..." Shen Zhong Ke called out with forced patience.

  "Ah..." The old lady suddenly lifted her head, "When are you planning on giving me a legitimate grandson!"

  That's a bit too much to ask of someone.

  Zhen Shiniang has already been left behind, it's a settled matter. Mother clearly knows that she won't have another legitimate son in the next two years, yet she still persists in pressuring her like this. What is mother trying to do?!

  For a moment, Shen Zhongge really wanted to run wildly.

  After she finished venting, the old lady calmed down and only then did she realize that not a single one of the servants from the upper house had left, with Chu Xinyi at their head. Her heart skipped a beat - her son was a renowned general, what face would they have if this got out?

  Farewell, Shen Zhong's face was dark and gloomy, not the usual purplish-red color after being scolded by himself. Unconsciously, he felt a sense of guilt, but in front of the maidservants, he didn't want to lower his head either. Seeing Shen Zhong say nothing, he gritted his teeth and asked again:

  "It's been abandoned for five years, and now it's only because of the imperial edict that we had to take her in reluctantly for one night, but you actually slept with her without any regard!" Glaring at Shen Zhongge, "Tell me, are you planning on keeping her at General Manor like this?"