Page 53

Shen Lantang glanced around and saw that everyone present was an extraordinary person from Zhaojing.

In terms of social status, Lady Yunya was a distant relative of the Xie Family, and despite the large number of guests, Lady Yunya still personally went out to greet them.

"Xie Family lady Xie, you've finally arrived! I've been waiting for you. This must be the new lady. You are indeed young and beautiful. You are so lucky, young lady!"

The relationship is too distant and complicated to be clearly defined, so as they get older and feel more secure without anyone to control them, they simply start calling each other "sister" and "younger sister."

This scene resembled being led by parents to meet distant relatives during the Lunar New Year. As a good child, all you had to do was stand by your hometown and smile. You had to say whatever your parents told you to say. So, adhering to the rules of being a good child, Shen Lantang only half-closed her lips and looked at the other person shyly and reservedly.

Madam Xie smiled and said, "She's still a child, of course she has to take care of her appearance. Come, Lan Tang, this is Lady Yunya, you should call her your great-grandmother."

Shen Lantang gracefully curtsied and said, "Lan Tang greets her great-grandmother. May she enjoy a long and healthy life."

"Alright, good children, I'm busy today so I won't be able to look after you much. You take good care of your mother and aunt."

"Lan Tang knows."

Lady Yunya was indeed very busy; she chatted with them for a few minutes before leaving.

After she left, Madam Xie took Lan Tang to meet many dignitaries, all of whom came from very prominent families. Some had served as prime ministers or cabinet ministers, while others were relatives of the emperor. This made Shen Lantang dizzy and disoriented, and the dead Dream of the Red Chamber of the Red Chamber suddenly began to attack her.

Not to mention her and Madam Qian, even Xie Ying and Xie Zhou were stunned.

Madam Xie found it amusing. "Let's not talk about the others, but why are you all dizzy?"

Xie Zhou retorted, "My husband and I are often away in the countryside and only return occasionally. It's quite normal for some people to forget."

"You're always right."

"Alright, alright, we've seen everyone we needed to. As for the others, our relationship with the Xie Family is just so-so. We'll talk about them when we meet them again. You all go have fun."

Xie Ying couldn't wait any longer and said, "Then, Mother, I have a few girlfriends over there, I'll go first."

Xie Zhou: "Go."

She turned to her daughter-in-law and said, "I'll go for a walk with you; I've been going to too many social engagements with my sister-in-law."

Madam Xie: "You're just teasing me. Go on, go on."

Madam Zhou and her daughter-in -Madam Qian also left gracefully, leaving Shen Lantang behind. As the daughter-in-law, she felt embarrassed to leave. Fortunately, Madam Xie was also tired from socializing, so she just took some food and found a quiet place to sit.

Unfortunately, this peaceful moment didn't last long before a sharp, piercing sound entered my ears.

"Big sister, why are you here all alone?"

The term "elder sister" was very affectionate. Shen Lantang turned her head and saw a middle-aged woman dressed in purple silk leading a young woman in a sky-blue traditional Chinese dress towards them, followed by several maids.

Shen Lantang withdrew her gaze, noticing a fleeting hint of disdain on Madam Xie's lips.

As a qualified daughter-in-law, Shen Lantang had some understanding of her mother-in-law's family situation.

Madam Xie's maternal family name was Lin. Madam Xie's father was a womanizer and had three concubines in addition to his wife. Madam Xie was born to the principal wife, so the girl in front of her who called her "elder sister" was the child of one of the concubines.

Despite Madam Xie's decisive and efficient actions, her mother was somewhat confused and allowed those concubines to take advantage of her. Madam Xie had been fighting with the sisters in the family since she was a child, but fortunately, she always had the upper hand because of her grandparents' favoritism.

Later, she married into the Xie Family, while her sister, with whom she had a falling out, married into the Chen Family, an official family in Zhaojing. Although not as prestigious as the Xie Family, the Chen family had been promoted and risen through the ranks over the years.

Her son then married the daughter of Hanlin Academician, a fifth-rank official, higher than Shen Lantang's father. Most importantly, Hanlin Academician were always close advisors to the emperor, known as the emperor's secretaries, and could enter the cabinet to discuss important national affairs with the emperor. Therefore, there was a saying among the people, "It is better to offend the Minister of Judicial Review than to offend a Hanlin scholar." The Minister of the Minister of Judicial Review was the chief justice of the Court, which shows how high and powerful Hanlin Academician. Of course, it was best not to offend either of them.

The sisters felt they had finally outmaneuvered Madam Xie in one way, and how could they not be smug and triumphant?

Shen Lantang understood this point and sighed inwardly, "At home, people fight over hairpins; after marriage, they compare husbands; now even daughters-in-law are compared. This noble lady of Zhaojing must be under a lot of pressure."

Madam Chen looked at Shen Lantang and said warmly, "This is my new niece-in-law. She looks so gentle and refined. Sister, you are so lucky to have had two wives who are both beautiful and virtuous."

These words sound like praise, but they are actually a sarcastic jab at Madam Xie, as she has already had two daughters-in-law at such a young age.

Even without mentioning Madam Xie, Shen Lantang frowned upon hearing these words, thinking to herself, "Is there any way to talk like that? If you can't say it, then don't." After glancing at her mother-in-law, who was clearly angered, she thought for a moment and stood up.

"Hello, Auntie."

Shen Lantang was dressed in a light pink outfit today, her eyes lowered, like a budding flower. She spoke shyly and timidly:

"I've heard my mother talk about my aunt before. She said she's generous and easygoing, and if she met me, her nephew's wife, she would definitely give me a big gift and tell me to try my best to please her. My aunt... ah!"

Shen Lantang abruptly covered her mouth, looking as if she had misspoke.

Madam Chen's eyes twitched. What kind of daughter-in-law was this? She asked for gifts as soon as they met.

Madam Xie also noticed Shen Lantang's mischievousness and added, "Our meeting today was rushed, so I suppose your aunt wasn't prepared. But when your aunt comes to the manor another day, she will definitely bring something for you."

This... this is actually a direct begging?

Shen Lantang nodded like a chick pecking at rice. "Daughter-in-law understands. Then, Aunt, your niece-in-law is waiting for you."

Madam Chen: "..."

"Ahem." She coughed twice to start a conversation, her gaze sweeping over her gentle and quiet daughter-in-law behind her, before pushing her forward.