Chapter 29: Proposal

Shen Juan silently cursed the heir of Changping Marquis in her heart, saying, “Where did you run off to? We’ve been looking for you for half the day.”

Did she not know where she had gone?

Suppressing her anger, Shen Tang replied, “The scenery at Dazhao Temple is lovely. I took a stroll around. Weren’t you two busy exploring the market? How did you finish so quickly?”

Shen Luo said, “Eldest Sister wants to return to the manor for lunch.”

The vegetarian meal at Dazhao Temple was actually quite good, but Shen Juan didn’t like it. Unless she was with the old lady, Shen Juan always preferred to eat at the manor.

Second Madam managed the household well, ensuring Shen Juan had the best of everything. In fact, she was likely better off than even the old lady.

If it weren’t for almost being bullied by the heir of Changping Marquis, Shen Tang wouldn’t have minded spending more time at Dazhao Temple today, but now she was eager to leave.

The group walked toward where the carriage was parked, intending to return just as they had come.

During the carriage ride back, Shen Tang kept her eyes closed, not saying a word. Shen Juan sat there, hating Shen Tang’s face. Shen Tang looked a lot like the old lady but was far prettier than Shen Juan. If they weren’t twins, it wouldn’t be a problem, but being born together meant they were often compared. Shen Tang’s beauty made Shen Juan feel jealousy deep within—how had she escaped the clutches of the heir of Changping Marquis?

But with the heir of Changping Marquis focused on her, Shen Tang wouldn’t be able to escape easily.

After bumping along for over half an hour, they finally returned to the Pingyuan Marquis Manor.

As Shen Tang sat at the edge of the carriage, she lifted the curtain and saw a luxurious sedan chair departing.

She didn’t think much of it; the street outside the Pingyuan Marquis Manor was wide, and it was common for people to pass by. However, when she turned her head and saw Second Madam standing at the gate, seemingly seeing off a guest, Shen Tang took a second glance at the departing sedan chair.

Shen Juan got out of the carriage and called out, “Why is Second Aunt at the gate?”

Second Madam smiled, “I just sent the wife of the Minister of Rites on her way.”

Shen Juan stepped up the stairs, puzzled. “Why would the wife of the Minister of Rites come to our Pingyuan Marquis Manor?”

Second Madam glanced at Shen Tang before saying, “Yesterday at the Spring Banquet feast, the wife of the Minister of Rites was also there. She praised your Second Sister’s performance at the feast, and today she came specifically to propose marriage.”

Just when she thought things couldn’t get worse!

Shen Tang regretted showcasing her skills at the Spring Banquet feast to support Shen Juan. Now, it had backfired, causing her to harm herself while trying to hurt others.

Worried that the old lady might agree to the marriage proposal, Shen Tang hurried inside, lifting her skirt as she went.

Behind her, Shen Juan asked, “Did Grandmother agree?”

Second Madam replied, “She hasn’t agreed yet, but she didn’t refuse either. She said she would consult with the marquis first.”

In most families, it would be unusual for a marriage proposal to be accepted on the first visit unless they were very satisfied with the match. For example, when the old marquis of Prince Jingyang’s proposed, he didn’t even ask the old lady or Shen Sui before he agreed.

Although the Minister of Rites had real power, Shen Sui held a respectable position as well. More importantly, he had a noble title. While the two families were well-matched, the old lady was not particularly satisfied. After all, Shen Tang and Shen Juan were twins, and Shen Juan had been promised to Prince Jingyang’s son. Though the engagement had been broken, in the old lady’s eyes, even if Shen Tang couldn’t secure a match as good as Prince Jingyang’s son, she shouldn’t settle for something much lesser. After all, Shen Tang had almost become the fiancée of Prince Jingyang’s son!

While the Minister of Rites’ household was quite good, it was still far from the prestige of Prince Jingyang’s’s household. Moreover, Shen Tang had outshone many distinguished young ladies at the Spring Banquet feast, winning the first prize. News travels fast, and it would be expected for a girl who won a prize to have marriage proposals pouring in within a month.

Having pushed Shen Tang out there to perform, Shen Juan had no intention of letting this opportunity slip away. If the Minister of Rites was genuinely interested, they would return. If they didn’t agree after the first visit, then so be it.

Moreover, as for Shen Tang’s marriage, the old lady wouldn’t casually agree to it. Jiang Shi had sent a dream saying she shouldn’t marry Prince Jingyang’s, and what if she also disapproved of marrying the Minister of Rites’ eldest son?

The old lady was a devout Buddhist and held a deep respect for these spiritual matters.

When Shen Juan mentioned her engagement, the old lady’s smile faded, replaced by a frown.

According to the norms, Shen Juan was supposed to get married first, but she had been jilted by Prince Jingyang’s. Shen Juan’s engagement had been arranged by the late old marquis, who had left the capital after making the proposal. To this day, he hadn’t returned, and they were still unaware of the engagement termination. Perhaps there was still a chance for reconciliation. The Pingyuan Marquis Manor was still holding onto this hope, but even if someone came to propose, they wouldn’t dare agree lightly. Moreover, no one would want to provoke Prince Jingyang’s’s Manor.

It was likely they would wait until Prince Jingyang’s was married before someone would come to propose to Shen Juan…

Thinking about how a good marriage had fallen apart, the old lady felt deeply pained.

To make matters worse, the assailant had yet to be caught, and she couldn’t find anyone to vent her frustrations on.

The old lady didn’t want to dwell on this matter. Since marriage matters were usually decided by the parents, she couldn’t let Shen Tang have any say in it. The old lady waved her hand to dismiss them.

Shen Tang didn’t press further. Without Jiang Shi in the picture, her marriage proposal would need her father’s approval before the old lady would agree. Since the old lady didn’t budge, she could go find her father.

After bowing to take her leave, Shen Tang returned to Qingyi Courtyard with Yin Xing.

It was almost lunchtime when the maid brought in the food. Because of the troubling matters, Shen Tang had no appetite at all. She picked up her chopsticks but had only eaten a few bites when she set them down.

Just then, Si Er rushed in, breathless. “Miss, the eldest son of the Minister of Rites fell off his horse in the market and ended up in the river…”

Upon hearing this, Shen Tang’s first reaction was how unfortunate the eldest son of the Minister of Rites was…

But after a moment’s thought, this misfortune was like a timely gift for her. It was as if she had been served a cushion when she was about to doze off, or someone had poured her a cup of tea when she was thirsty.

Ordinarily, such things could happen, but she didn’t believe the Minister of Rites’ household would still dare to pursue a marriage proposal after this incident. There were some matters where it was better to be safe than sorry.

Shen Tang felt a pang of sympathy for the eldest son of the Minister of Rites for a moment, but she couldn’t help but let a smile creep onto her face. Her appetite returned as if she had just regained her composure.