Chapter 19: Invitation

After a few days of rest, Shen Tang’s arm had completely healed.

On this day, the weather was clear and pleasant. After breakfast, Shen Tang, as usual, took Yin Xing to Songhe Hall to pay her respects to the matriarch.

Before they even entered the room, they heard the matriarch coughing, her spirits not particularly high. Concerned, Shen Tang asked, “Grandmother, are you alright?”

The matriarch sighed, “I’m getting old and not as strong anymore. I just couldn’t sleep well last night and ended up thinking too much.”

Shen Tang inquired, “Is there something troubling you, Grandmother?”

How could the matriarch not have worries? Shen Sui had no children, which was a constant worry for her. Now, with Shen Juan’s engagement to the Prince Jingyang’s family being called off, the matriarch had spent last night thinking about Shen Juan’s future.

However, the matriarch wouldn’t share her troubles with Shen Tang. She waved her hand, inviting Shen Tang to sit down just as the Second Madam and Third Madam entered, followed by Shen Ran and Shen Luo.

Seeing the matriarch’s poor complexion, the Second Madam suggested, “Should we call a physician for you, Mother?” The matriarch refused, stating that if she needed a physician, she would have called one long ago.

While they were speaking, a maid entered, announcing, “Old Madam, the Eldest Miss has arrived.”

Shen Tang turned to look at the screen, and in walked Shen Juan. To be honest, Shen Tang had never seen Shen Juan looking as gaunt as she was now, resembling a peony battered by the wind, making her look pitiful.

Knowing the cause of Shen Juan’s condition, Shen Tang couldn’t muster any sympathy. But while she felt none, everyone else in the room was visibly concerned.

The matriarch had always favored Shen Juan, and although she disapproved of her efforts to resist the rushed marriage, seeing Shen Juan in such a frail state made all her anger dissipate.

“How did you get so thin?” the matriarch asked, filled with concern.

The Second Madam chimed in, “Eldest Miss hasn’t eaten much these past few days, of course she will lose weight.”

Tears welled in Shen Juan’s eyes as she choked out, “It’s my fault for being thoughtless, making Grandmother upset.”

The matriarch said, “Forget about the past; the most important thing now is to take care of your health.”

Shen Juan nodded obediently and then turned to Shen Tang, asking, “Why haven’t you come to see me these past few days? Are you still angry with me?”

If she already knew, why ask?

Was she trying to use Grandmother to pressure her into suppressing her anger?

Shen Tang smiled without sincerity, “How could I? I wouldn’t hold a grudge to Eldest Sister.”

Shen Juan bit her lip, saying, “I know you won’t forgive me easily, but I still want to defend myself. I was truly afraid of being a widow and took some medicine, but I didn’t instruct Doukou to frame you. You are my own sister; I wouldn’t push you into the fire pit when I can’t bear to jump into it myself.”

The matriarch had already told them not to bring up the past, but Shen Juan still insisted on mentioning it to irritate her. Did she think that since Doukou was dead and couldn’t testify, she could say whatever she wanted?

If Shen Juan didn’t instruct Doukou, then it meant that she, as the master, had failed to manage her maid, leading to resentment and such actions.

Some things Shen Juan had forgotten; Shen Tang didn’t mind reminding her. Shen Tang said with a faint smile, “I understand that Eldest Sister wouldn’t do that to me. The wedding garments were sent to me by the maid on her own initiative.”

Shen Juan’s expression faltered, as if she had been slapped twice, feeling humiliated.

The matriarch frowned deeply. One granddaughter made a mistake and showed no remorse, while the other was fully aware yet offered no mercy. Neither of them was easy to deal with.

The matriarch was somewhat angry and began to cough. The Second Madam quickly moved to help her breathe easier and scolded Shen Tang, “You both should stop talking.”

While she scolded both of them, her gaze was clearly directed at Shen Tang. However, Shen Tang was skilled at infuriating others. She picked up her teacup and took a sip, appearing to heed the Second Madam’s words, but in reality, she knew perfectly well to treat the Second Madam’s admonitions as mere background noise.

The Second Madam’s face turned green with anger, but she couldn’t say anything more. After catching her breath, the matriarch’s coughing subsided.

Shen Tang didn’t want to stay longer and prepared to take her leave when a little maid entered, holding a large red and gold invitation card. “Old Madam, the Shou Palace has sent a messenger with an invitation for the young ladies to attend the Spring Banquet at the Shouwang’s Manor in a few days.”

Upon seeing the invitation card, Shen Ran eagerly stood up and took it from the little maid. She had been waiting for the invitation to the Spring Banquet for a long time, and it had finally arrived.

Both Shen Ran and Shen Luo were delighted, but Shen Juan’s eyes fell on the invitation, and rather than showing any joy, she struggled to hold back her tears.

The Spring Banquet at the Shouwang’s Manor invited young ladies who were not yet engaged from various noble families, and every year, several engagements were arranged afterward. Last year, Shen Juan had attended, but this year, no one expected she would still be invited. The embroidery room hadn’t even prepared a dress for her to wear to the banquet.

In her previous life, neither Shen Tang nor Shen Juan had attended. Shen Tang had been unable to go after her marriage, while Shen Juan had been in a bad mood. Even after Shen Tang had fulfilled the marriage contract, Shen Juan still felt bound by her engagement to the Prince Jingyang’s son and refused to attend the banquet.

This time, whether Shen Juan went or not was up to her, but Shen Tang was definitely going.

The Spring Banquet would invite many young lords, and if, as she suspected, her brother held a prominent position, he would likely be there as well.

Although the chance of finding her brother was slim, not going would mean losing any chance at all.

Nothing was more important than finding her brother.

The Second Madam, reluctant to see Shen Juan cry, said to the matriarch, “All the families in the Capital are very attentive to the Spring Banquet held by the Shouwang’s Manor. The embroidery room has made dresses for the young ladies. How about allowing the young ladies to go out and pick some jewelry as well? It would also help Shen Juan to get some fresh air.”

The Third Madam chimed in, “Sister-in-law is right. The young ladies of the Pingyuan Marquis Manor mustn’t be overshadowed by others.”

With the Second Madam’s suggestion, the Third Madam’s agreement, and Shen Ran and Shen Luo eagerly awaiting the matriarch’s consent, how could the matriarch douse their enthusiasm?

With the engagement to the Prince Jingyang’s family broken, many would be laughing behind the Pingyuan Marquis Manor’s back, but this was an opportunity to show them otherwise at the Spring Banquet.

The matriarch agreed but cautioned, “You sisters can bicker within the manor, but once you step outside, remember your status and don’t let people laugh at the Pingyuan Marquis Manor for having discord among its sisters.”

This was clearly directed at Shen Tang and Shen Juan. Shen Ran knew they wouldn’t respond, so she stood and said, “We will heed Grandmother’s teachings.”

The matriarch’s gaze fell on Shen Juan and Shen Tang, both of whom stood and acknowledged her.

Feeling exhausted, the matriarch raised her arm, and Mother Wang helped her into the inner room to rest.

As Shen Tang and the others left Songhe Hall and walked toward the manor gate, they found a carriage waiting for them.

There were two carriages—one luxurious, adorned with tassels and bells, clearly indicating the nobility of its passengers, and the other much more understated.

Usually, Shen Tang and Shen Juan would share one carriage, while Shen Ran and Shen Luo would occupy the other.

Shen Juan had acted weak and demure in front of the matriarch, but once outside, her attitude changed. “Third Sister, you will sit in the same carriage with me today.”

As she spoke, Shen Tang stepped on the carriage steps and climbed aboard.

Shen Juan’s expression turned green with anger, wishing she could pull Shen Tang down from the carriage.

Shen Tang didn’t care whom Shen Juan wanted to ride with, but she wouldn’t give up her spot in the carriage.

Either Shen Juan would have to confront her directly or go sit in the back carriage with Shen Ran.

After sitting in the carriage for a while without anyone joining them, Shen Tang pulled back the curtain and looked at Shen Luo. “Eldest Sister wants to share a carriage with Third Sister. Does Fourth Sister also want to squeeze into the same carriage with them?”

Two people in one carriage felt cramped enough; three would be unbearable.

Shen Luo quickly climbed into the carriage.