Shen Wanyin naturally knew about the struggles between his several concubines, but he wouldn’t get involved. After all, the value of these two illegitimate daughters was merely to make marriage alliances. He needed to curry favor with the Crown Prince, but he couldn’t offend Prince Xian. So, giving a daughter to each was like doubling the insurance. As for who married whom, what did it matter?
Fortunately, he had two daughters. If there had been only one, he would have had to be more cautious.
Of course, if he had known that his two concubines not only wanted their daughters to marry a prince but also schemed against each other, he probably wouldn’t be able to laugh about it.
Speaking of Ma Zhong, after Yang Ruxin had left, he dashed to the Shen Family to see Shen Wanyin.
Shen Wanyin was somewhat surprised because there were fixed days for reporting work, and one couldn’t just ask to see him unless required by circumstances. Therefore, he quickly went outside and met Ma Zhong in the outer study.
"Master," Ma Zhong began as soon as he entered, promptly paying his respects.
"What’s wrong?" Shen Wanyin frowned at Ma Zhong. "Coming at this time, has something happened?"
"It’s that country girl surnamed Yang..." Ma Zhong glanced at his boss’s face before recounting the day’s events. He naturally depicted Yang Ruxin as being especially ungrateful. "I didn’t expect that girl to be so ignorant..."
"Imbecile!" Shen Wanyin burst into anger upon hearing this and kicked Ma Zhong to the ground. "What did I tell you?"
Ma Zhong was stunned by the kick, quickly scrambling to his knees. "Master, I..." He felt terribly wronged.
"Do you know who is willing to vouch for her?" Shen Wanyin growled, trying to suppress his rage. "It is the eighth prince, Prince Ba, who is treated even closer than a real brother by Prince Yi of the Crown Prince..."
Ma Zhong immediately swallowed hard, but he still seemed somewhat unconvinced: "She’s just a country girl; how good can her work be? I bet the prince just mentioned it in passing..."
"Idiot, you really are..." Shen Wanyin was at a loss for words. "Right now, the prince is in the back yard. Do you want me to go ask him if it was just a casual remark?" After taking a deep breath, he continued, "I’m telling you, by any means necessary, bring that country girl back and sign a contract with her. Offer her as much silver as she demands, whatever the amount..." After pacing back and forth, he added, "If you can’t manage it, then pack your things and leave immediately..."
Ma Zhong finally realized the gravity of the situation and quickly nodded: "Right, I’ll go at once." He then hurriedly ran out, praying the two girls were still in the town.
At that moment, the Yang Ruxin sisters were in high spirits. Why? Because they had spent money. Shopping is a woman’s nature, an activity that brings joy.
Sanni was initially a bit heartbroken, but under Yang Ruxin’s encouragement—arguing the items weren’t available in either home—she eventually ended up spending all the silver she had.
Yang Ruxin couldn’t use her space, and in the end, because they had too many items, they had no choice but to buy a large basket.
"We should hurry back. Mimi and Xiaobao love gnawing on meat buns." Sanni packed a dozen buns into the basket and said, "They’ll be overjoyed once they see them." With that, she and Yang Ruxin headed toward the town entrance.