“I’ll write a few more invitation letters later.” Chen Ruoqiu said, “Get someone to send the letters to other noble ladies.” The more people there were, the better.
…
Two days later, at the Shen family’s banquet.
Ever since Ren Wanyun went crazy, those noble ladies had cut off all contact with her. Although they did not know what happened to Ren Wanyun, none of them asked about or showed any concerns for her. It was true that when a person falls from power, his hangers-on disperse.
The ladies who were originally on good terms with Ren Wanyun gradually got closer to Chen Ruoqiu. Although they didn’t want to have anything to do with Ren Wanyun, the relationship with the Shen family still had to be maintained. The Shen family had more than one madam. Compared to Luo Xueyan, who was not in the capital all year round and had a bad temper, Chen Ruoqiu, who came from a scholarly family, was obviously easier to curry favor with.
Madam Yi and Madam Jiang arrived early. Jiang Xiaoxuan and Yi Peilan pulled Shen Yue to the side and said, “I can only go to Guangwen Hall after the new year. I’ve been locked up in the mansion for a long time. It’s so boring.”
They chatted as if they had completely forgotten about Shen Qing who died miserably. They forgot that not long ago, they were really good friends with Shen Qing. The friendship between the noble young ladies in the capital was also cold. After all, friendship was nothing in comparison to benefits. It wasn’t the person they wanted to befriend but the power behind the person.
Shen Yue also smiled back and chatted happily with them. On the other hand, Bai Wei looked at the figure in the distance and said, “Hey, who is that? Is that the Miss Jing you mentioned?”
She raised her chin and pointed at the girl standing not far away. The girl was wearing an apricot-colored dress and was talking to the maid beside her.
“That’s my third sister, Dongling.” Shen Yue smiled and said, “She was born to a concubine. In the past, when she was not in good health, she didn’t show up at all. It’s natural that you haven’t seen her.” She deliberately emphasized the word “concubine”.
Hearing this, Jiang Xiaoxuan and the others immediately looked at Shen Dongling with disdain. Yi Peilan said, “Not in good health? I think she was just avoiding Second Madam Shen. These born to concubines are the most scheming. Yue, don’t be deceived by her.”
Shen Yue smiled and said, “Third Sister doesn’t leave the courtyard much. Look, that’s my new cousin.”
As Shen Yuan spoke, he saw Jing Chuchu walking over from the side. She probably did not see Shen Yue and the other two, so she did not come over to greet them. On the other hand, Bai Wei had sharp eyes and asked in confusion, “Yue, didn’t you say that your cousin is from Suzhou and is poor. That doesn’t look like it. Look at the bracelet she’s wearing. It’s better than yours.”
Bai Wei said it unintentionally, but Shen Yue’s face turned pale. She forced a smile and said, “I don’t know either. It’s probably a gift from Grandmother.”
“What’s there to see?” Jiang Xiaoxuan said, “She’s from Suzhou. How can she compare to the girls in the capital? She can put on expensive clothes and jewelry for all she wants, but her horizons and knowledge are not far inferior to ours. Look at her timid look. How is she presentable?”
Shen Yue shook her head and said, “Don’t say that about my cousin.”
“You’re being too kind-hearted.” Yi Peilan said righteously, “Why are you so nice to everyone? You even protected that idiotic sister of yours in the past. Now that she’s become smarter, she even looks down on you. Speaking of which, why is that idiot nowhere to be seen?”
The “Idiot” she was talking about was naturally Shen Miao. Ever since having an argument with Shen Miao in Guangwen Hall, Yi Peilan had treated Shen Miao as her number one enemy and was trying to find every chance to belittle her.
At this moment, Shen Miao was drinking tea with Shen Qiu in the west courtyard.
“What does Grandmother want?” Shen Qiu frowned and said, “Why did she invite so many women? They are really noisy wherever they go.”