Chapter 14: Losing face

　The implication of Mrs. Tantai's words is that the East Palace and the Shen family are one.

　　The Shen family holds military power, and the eldest son of the Shen family is in charge of an army of 300,000 people outside the Great Wall. The prince needs the support of the Shen family. If the scandal about the unrest in the Shen family spreads, the face of the East Palace will also be damaged.

　　The prince is not stupid, of course he understands this.

　　He nodded to the old lady in Tantai: "What the old lady said is absolutely true, Jing Yu will take it to heart."

　　After a pause, the prince told Shen Zhenshan in an appreciative tone: "In my opinion, the third lady of the Shen family is the most filial of the general's five children. Such a woman with excellent conduct should sit at the spring banquet."

　　Shen Zhenshan was overjoyed!

　　The spring banquet is the seat closest to His Highness King Chen!

　　Is the prince intending to bring San Yatou and Prince Chen together?

　　Shen Zhenshan handed over his hand: "My three girls have always been the most sensible and obedient, and they will definitely live up to the prince's expectations."

　　After a while of politeness, the awkward atmosphere gradually disappeared.

　　Shen Baiyu's eyebrows were lowered, disgust flashed out of her eyes. She didn't want to sit with King Chen, so she had to find an excuse to postpone the Spring Banquet.

　　However, there was something gained today. The prince personally said that Shen Baiyu no longer has to take care of the house. She sleeps as much as she wants every day, free to do whatever she wants.

　　If Tantai dared to force her to take charge of the house, Shen Baiyu would dare to visit the Crown Princess in the East Palace.

　　Today's farce was about to come to an end, but Tantai, who was hiding under the quilt, suddenly felt dissatisfied. She heard clearly just now that the prince actually gave the three girls a seat at the Spring Banquet?

　　How can the three girls compare to Shu'er!

　　Shu'er had already mentioned to the Tantai clan that she had a deep admiration for His Royal Highness, Prince Chen, and would become Princess Chen in the future.

　　Shen Shu'er was the favorite among the five children of the Tantai family. He opened the quilt in desperation and said in a loud voice: "Your Highness, please wait. In my heart, the most filial children are An Xing and Shu'er. The spring banquet should be reserved for them." Shu'er."

　　The prince's feet hung as he stepped out of the threshold.

　　Mrs. Tantai's face turned red. She had known that Mr. Tantai was too naive, but she didn't expect that she would be so embarrassed! What kind of status do you have that you dare to influence the prince's will?

　　Shen Zhenshan, a rough man who had been on the battlefield, felt embarrassed for the first time in his life.

　　In the past, the Tantai family in his eyes was innocent and kind. Even in his forties, he still maintained the innocence and straightforwardness of a girl, like a child who has not grown up, daring to love and hate.

　　But now Shen Zhenshan understands that if a fourteen-year-old girl speaks freely, she is cute and innocent; when a forty-year-old woman speaks freely, she is stupid.

　　"I have heard that Mrs. Shen has a pair of twins. If you are free someday, I should meet them." The prince showed a faint smile that showed no emotion.

　　Tantai family was overjoyed.

　　Coincidentally, the maid Manchun who went to report the news to Zhuangzi in the suburbs came back. Tantai's eyes widened: "Manchun! You went to the suburbs to look for Shu'er and An Xing. Have they come back?"

　　It was just time for the prince to see that the little daughter raised by Tantairou herself was many times better than the Shen Baiyu raised by Mrs. Shen.

　　Seeing the crowd of people at the door of the main house, Manchun was so frightened that she knelt down and replied loudly: "Madam, I will go to Zhuangzi in the suburbs to inform the Fourth Young Master and the Fifth Young Lady of your condition. But the two young masters are busy roasting wild rabbits. , the fourth young master said...said...that my wife will not die anyway, so I will come back to visit my wife tomorrow."

　　Tantai's face only felt burning pain.

　　The prince's smile did not reach his eyes: "Princess, my mother-in-law is ill and has not returned. Your little brother and sister must be disciplined and disciplined."

　　Shen Wan'er's pretty face was stiff and her heart sank to the ground.

　　The prince values ​​filial piety the most, but the Shen family is disrespectful to his mother and unfilial to his son... I am afraid that she will not be able to win back the prince's heart for a long time.

　　If the prince ascends the throne in the future and the ministers remonstrate with him about today's events, will she be able to keep her position as queen?

　　Thinking about this, Shen Wan'er felt secretly resentful towards the Tantai family.

　　The eunuch beat the gong, and the prince and his wife drove away.

　　The farce finally came to an end.

　　Shen Baiyu was sleepy and tired. He vomited blood for a long time and his tongue was numb with pain. Shen Zhenshan couldn't help but feel guilty when he thought of his usual neglect of Shen Baiyu, and wanted to say a few words to his daughter to ease the relationship.

　　Unexpectedly, Shen Baiyu weakly saluted everyone: "Grandma, uncle, aunt, father, Bai Yu is dizzy and feels really uncomfortable. Please leave first."

　　Mrs. Tantai sighed and took Shen Baiyu's hand: "My child, you have suffered. Go back to the yard and have a good rest."

　　Shen Baiyu left slowly with the support of Jade and Manchun.

　　It was a cold day in March, and the wind made the flowers and plants in the yard sway. Shen Baiyu was so thin that it seemed like a gust of wind could blow her over. Wang's eyes were red, and she said resentfully: "Brother-in-law, Bai Yu has not yet reached hairpins, and is sick from exhaustion. You, a father, don't know anything about it! You are busy catching fugitives every day, and you have forgotten your children?"

　　Shen Zhenshan knew that he was in the wrong, but he still doubted: "It's just a housekeeper, how can he get sick from exhaustion?"

　　Wang was furious: "Do you think the housekeeper just sits there and looks at the books? The affairs of the back house may not be as easy as those of you men! In charge of the central government, one is in charge of the food and other matters at home, the other is in charge of the daily expenses of food, clothing, housing and transportation, and the third Manage the concubines and servants in the mansion, and take care of social activities. General, are all the things you eat, wear, use and play fall from the sky? The third girl managed the general's mansion in an orderly manner at a young age, but she was sick for two days. Housekeeper Tantai Rou actually pretended to be sick to avoid being lazy, and even made trouble in the ears of the Prince of the East Palace..."

　　Wang said a lot, but Shen Zhenshan was still hesitant to believe it.

　　Mrs. Wang was so angry that she gritted her teeth and begged Mrs. Tantai: "Mother, after all, I don't have a daughter. I only gave birth to a son, Xuan'er. Why don't you adopt the third girl to our Hou Mansion? I will treat her as my own daughter!"

　　Mrs. Tantai sighed: "We will discuss this later."

　　Wang was overjoyed when he heard this. This was an opportunity.

　　Mrs. Tantai lowered her voice and told Shen Zhenshan: "Beat Zhang's mother to death with random sticks. This kind of evil servant should not be kept. Today's affairs in the house must not be spread, otherwise the reputation will be ruined."

　　Shen Zhenshan valued family honor and nodded immediately: "My mother-in-law said so."

　　When Mrs. Tantai entered the house, Mrs. Tantai hid in the embroidered quilt and did not dare to show her face. Tantai's real name is Tantairou. She is the daughter who is loved by the entire Tantai Hou family. After getting married, I received all the love from Shen Zhenshan without any pain.

　　Now that I have only been in charge of the family for two days, I am afraid of being tired and suffering, and I will not hesitate to frame my own daughter.

　　Mrs. Tantai regretted her mistake.

　　Being spoiled is like killing a child, and pampering one too much is how the Tantai family was developed to have such a selfish temperament!

　　Mrs. Tantai said word by word: "Rou'er, I will send two mothers in charge to the general's mansion to teach you step by step how to manage the affairs of the house."

　　Tantai opened the quilt, her almond-shaped eyes were red, and she acted coquettishly: "Mom, I don't like the housekeeper. I'm so tired."

　　A woman in her forties acts like a coquettish woman. In the past, Shen Zhenshan thought she was cute, but today, after everything she has gone through, she just finds it hard to look at.

　　Mrs. Tantai said coldly: "If you don't learn to manage the inner house within three months, I will personally choose a good concubine for General Shen."

　　Tantai's eyes widened.

　　Her tone is no longer as gentle as before, but more like a shrew: "Mother, you actually found a concubine for my husband! How is your behavior different from that of your deceased mother-in-law! I am your biological daughter! Besides, the third girl She has managed the back house since she was a child, and she will manage it for a few more years——"

　　"Shut up! Is this what a mother should say?" Mrs. Tantai simply couldn't stand it.

　　Tantai was infinitely wronged.

　　Before Mrs. Shen passed away, she repeatedly told Shen Zhenshan to find a good concubine who could be a good housekeeper. The Tantai family secretly resented that she had given birth to five children for the general's mansion, but this old immortal still wanted to take a concubine for the general!

　　Tantai felt aggrieved and tears fell down her cheeks.

　　But this time, her mother and brother, who had always doted on her, stopped paying attention to her.

　　Mrs. Tantai turned to look at her husband. Shen Zhenshan couldn't bear it and asked Mrs. Tantai: "Mother-in-law, can you please invite some women who are good at housekeeping to come to my general's house to take care of the house? In this way, the third girl and Rou'er can It can be easier."

　　Mrs. Tantai said coolly: "When the general is marching to fight, how about we find a few experienced soldiers among the soldiers to lead the whole army in battle?"

　　Shen Zhenshan frowned, understanding what his mother-in-law meant.

　　After thinking about it, Shen Zhenshan had no choice but to comfort Tantai: "Madam, housekeeping is not difficult. The third girl can take care of the house at such a young age. I believe you will be better than your master."

　　Tantai was extremely wronged.

　　Even her husband didn't help her!

　　...

　　...

　　Shinpakugyoku Asahakubaiin direction running.

　　Spring is beginning to show in March, and you can see early spring flowers blooming along the way, which is full of greenery. The wind was still cold. Shen Baiyu hugged Mrs. Tang tightly and asked Manchun Jade: "Is what I did today excessive?"

　　Manchun and Jade looked at each other and shook their heads.

　　Manchun said: "Miss, the Mistress is in charge of the Zhongming Dingshi House. Miss, you have already paid a lot for the General's Mansion."

　　Shen Baiyu smiled lightly.

　　There was no way out for her.

　　The three masters and servants walked towards the White Plum Courtyard. On the wall of the courtyard, the newly bloomed apricot flowers crossed the top of the wall. Jiang Xun squatted on the wall, watching Shen Baiyu's thin back as he left.

　　Jiang Xun remembered the description of Shen Baiyu in the information - [Respect parents].

　　Jiang Xun's eyes flashed with amusement.

　　...

　　...

　　Not long after Shen Baiyu returned to Baimei Courtyard, her aunt Wang came over with a crowd of people. Seeing that Baimeiyuan was remote and dilapidated, Mrs. Wang cursed Tantai in her heart, and then sent boxes and boxes of gifts to Baimeiyuan.

　　There are story books that girls love to read, pills and ointments to treat wind and cold and replenish qi and blood, vases and antiques, and more than a dozen spring skirts... The most precious of them is a box of ointments called [White Jade Concealer], which is packed in In a small porcelain bottle, it is said to be extremely effective in stopping bleeding and reducing swelling, and it can also cover and eliminate scars.

　　Shen Baiyu was about to refuse, but Wang had already left with his people.

　　Shen Baiyu looked at the gifts in the room, rubbed his eyebrows, and asked Jade Manchun to pack and store these things. Shen Baiyu got into the warm pavilion and lay down, swaying on the rocking chair. There were two plates of snacks on the small desk, and she held the storybook "A Dream in the Lioruan Opera" in her hand.

　　After reading two pages, I fell asleep.

　　So I threw aside "A Dream in the Lioruan Opera" and replaced it with "Du Shiniang's Angry Sinking of the Treasure Box", but I couldn't read it anymore. The shelves were filled with exquisite gadgets, and on the desk was a palm-sized white jade vase. ..all given by my aunt.

　　Aunt often brings things to Shen Baiyu, such as food, drinks and entertainment. In the past, these things would be taken away by Shen Shu'er if they could not stay in Shen Baiyu's room for a few days.

　　Shen Baiyu couldn't help but get distracted and remembered an old incident. Aunt Wang was also pregnant with a girl that year and gave birth to full term. It is said that she died after birth. Coincidentally, not long after, Tantai also gave birth to Shen Baiyu, who miraculously survived even before full term.

　　The thought just came out, like a stone dropped into a calm pond, causing ripples in Shen Baiyu's heart.

　　Manchun opened the curtain and entered the room, bringing in warm typhoid medicine. Shen Baiyu pinched his nose and drank it in one gulp, almost nauseating from the pain.

　　Jade quickly handed over the candy balls that had been prepared. Shen Baiyu held the candy balls in his mouth: "What's going on in the main house?"

　　The two maids Shen Baiyu are loyal and have completely different personalities. Jade has a wild temper and is good at quarreling and gossiping. Manchun is calm, wise and capable of doing things.

　　Mentioning the main house, the joy on Jade's face was almost unstoppable, and she gloated: "Old Madam Tantai sent two shrewd housekeepers to personally teach Madam how to handle the affairs of the house. Madam was unwilling and was hiding in the house crying. They refused to eat and went on a hunger strike. The general sent someone to bring the fourth young master and the fifth young lady back, gave them a rare scolding and made them kneel in the ancestral hall."

　　Shen Shuer is crying, Shen Anxing is making trouble, Tantai family is on hunger strike... The main house is in chaos.

　　Shen Baiyu had no interest in getting involved in the affairs of the main house and handed Manchun a note: "Manchun, find someone capable and go to the countryside to help me find someone."

　　Manchun took the note and looked at it, and said in surprise: "This is... Wen Po from the General's Mansion back then?"

　　Shen Baiyu nodded.

　　She has always had a secret suspicion in her heart. She had no chance to confirm it in her previous life. Shen Baiyu now has plenty of time to confirm her suspicion.

　　Maybe, she is not a child of the Shen family.

　　Manchun put the small note away and lowered his voice: "Don't worry, miss, I will find someone to take care of it. However, Po Wen lives in a remote place, and it will take a month at the earliest to bring her back to the capital."

　　Manchun went out to do errands. After Shen Baiyu drank the medicine, she lay on the rocking chair and continued to read her storybook. She closed her eyelids and fell asleep again.

　　Outside the house, Jiang Xun finished walking his dog and saw the scene inside the house through the slightly open window. There were half-eaten candied fruits on the small desk. Shen Baiyu had a storybook covering his face and was sleeping soundly on the rosewood rocking chair. His sleeping condition was very poor.

　　Jiang Xun frowned, how many hours did she need to sleep a day?

　　What's even more troublesome is that Shen Baiyu spends most of the day in the Baimei Courtyard, never leaving the front door or taking a step forward. It's not at all like what the information says about "being busy all day long."

　　If Jiang Xun wanted to go out, he could only go out late at night.

　　The information investigated by that guy Meng Qingtai was really full of errors!

　　...

　　Shen Baiyu slept all morning, got up at noon and had something to eat, and continued to sit in the Nuan Pavilion and read his storybook in the afternoon. Occasionally, I looked through the window and saw Jiang Xun standing at the door of the moon.

　　Jiang Xun was wearing a gray-black nursing uniform, with a long black knife on his waist. He was tall, had long legs, and had a firm profile. Next to him is Dahuang, who is squatting properly. Dahuang is full of food and drink, with his head held high.

　　The spring breeze of March was blowing. Jiang Xun and the big yellow dog, one on the left and one on the right, guarded the gate of Baimei Courtyard conscientiously.

　　The picture is quite ridiculous.

　　Shen Baiyu pinched a candied fruit and tasted it, thinking to himself that this Jiang Liu was not a simple person. It would be better if he stayed by his side as a nurse, keeping an eye on him every day, so he wouldn't dare to commit any crime.

　　Shen Baiyu flipped through a few pages of the storybook, and the dogs barked outside the house. Shen Shuer's voice came from outside the house:

　　"Third sister!"