Chapter 22: Acting Skills

With those words, everyone’s gaze was drawn to Second Madam.

Second Madam immediately felt as though she were sitting on pins and needles.

In terms of illness, Shen Tang had also been unwell.

In terms of grievances, most of Shen Tang’s grievances were caused by Shen Juan.

If Shen Juan could spend so much public money to buy jewelry, why couldn’t Shen Tang?

Shen Tang looked at the old lady, her eyes reddening as she said, “Grandmother, I didn’t intend for the public funds to be used. I also didn’t know that Second Aunt allowed Eldest Sister to buy more jewelry. It’s just that the people from Prince Jingyang’s’s Manor took away my favorite gold hairpin, and I didn’t dare to ask Father to get it back.

Today, I spotted this set of jewelry and kept wanting it after walking around. After counting the money I had, I realized it was just enough, so I bought it…”

The matter of the gold hairpin being taken away had also reached the old lady’s ears. She was puzzled as to why the guards of Prince Jingyang’s had taken it, but it was certainly impossible to get it back.

Seeing the look on Shen Tang’s face, as if she were spending her own money and was afraid of being scolded, the old lady shot a cold glance at Second Madam. Second Madam felt as if thorns were growing from the chair beneath her, making it hard for her to sit still.

The old lady’s tone softened, “Grandmother won’t blame you. Since the public funds have been used, consider it a reimbursement from the public.”

Shen Tang was first taken aback, then pleasantly surprised, quickly rising to her feet, “Thank you, Grandmother.”

Her acting skills were so superb that her unexpected joy was vividly displayed.

Shen Juan was so angry that she nearly crushed the silk handkerchief in her hand.

The joy of buying more jewelry was completely gone.

In Shen Tang’s previous life, she had always given way to Shen Juan, but that didn’t mean she didn’t understand Shen Juan. When Shen Juan abandoned them to go to Jinbao Pavilion, Shen Tang had already guessed what she was planning.

Shen Tang didn’t need to buy that set of jewelry, but when there was an opportunity to annoy Shen Juan and Second Madam, she didn’t want to miss it.

Watching the fire in Shen Juan’s eyes and her suppressed anger, Shen Tang felt immensely pleased.

Second Madam was unwilling to let Shen Tang take such great advantage of the public funds. Even if she had to endure the same amount as Shen Juan, she could accept it, but now it had doubled. She couldn’t oppose it openly, so she kept signaling Third Madam to take the lead and change her mind later.

Third Madam also had her concerns, as the public funds belonged to everyone. Just as she was about to speak, Shen Tang took the jewelry box from the maid and handed it to Third Madam, “This is the jewelry chosen by Fourth Sister. It’s especially beautiful; take a look, Third Aunt.”

The words that were about to spill from Third Madam’s lips were abruptly halted as she instinctively reached out to take the jewelry box.

Opening the box, she saw that, besides the pair of jade hairpins chosen by Shen Luo, there was also a pair of gold hairpins and a heavy gold bracelet.

Third Madam was no fool; she immediately realized what was going on and said, “I know Second Sister-in-law has always favored Eldest Miss, but since the old lady has asked Second Sister-in-law to help with the management, she should treat everyone equally. We don’t lack that little bit of money, do we?”

Second Madam felt a mouthful of blood rising, nearly choking herself.

The old lady’s gaze toward Second Madam grew even more displeased. She made up an excuse that she was tired and dismissed everyone but kept Second Madam behind.

Shen Tang knew that the old lady was reprimanding Second Madam for her unfair management, but she wasn’t pleased. The main family had no matron; the old lady would only assign the management of the household to her legitimate daughters-in-law, never allowing the third and fourth wives, who were born out of wedlock, to interfere.

Even when reprimanding Second Madam, she had to send everyone away, fearing it would affect Second Madam’s authority in managing the household.

But Shen Tang wouldn’t let Second Madam monopolize the household management forever. By allowing Shen Luo to take a few more pieces of jewelry today, she aimed to placate Third Madam and also see if Third Madam had the courage to stand against Second Madam.

As Shen Tang walked ahead, lost in thought, Yin Xing followed behind, looking at the jewelry box in her hand as if in a dream.

Not only had the young lady avoided being outwitted by Eldest Miss, but she had also received jewelry as a reward from the old lady. She had bought such expensive jewelry from Wancui Pavilion without spending a single tael of silver. How had the young lady suddenly become so capable?

Had Second Madam’s outburst finally sparked a change in the young lady’s mind?

Yin Xing even thought about offering incense and bowing to that pillar.

After walking a bit further, a voice filled with suppressed anger called from behind, “Stop!”

It was Shen Juan’s voice.

Shen Tang halted her steps but did not turn around.

Shen Juan angrily caught up, blocking Shen Tang’s path, gritting her teeth as she said, “Are you happy that Grandmother is punishing me?!”

Shen Tang laughed, “Who started this? You and Second Aunt accused me of treating Grandmother’s words as wind, all to get Grandmother to reward me? If you act first, don’t blame me for acting later.”

Shen Juan suppressed her anger and said, “We’re sisters; must it come to this?”

Now that she realized they were sisters, why hadn’t she thought about that when she plotted to make her substitute marry?

Shen Tang felt disgusted but held back, knowing what Shen Juan was trying to do. “If we are sisters, let’s speak plainly.”

Shen Juan stopped beating around the bush, “You go plead with Grandmother to spare me from copying family rules!”

As expected…

Shen Tang replied coldly, “I don’t have that ability.”

Shen Juan insisted, “You go plead with Grandmother; she won’t reject you.”

Fine.

She could go plead with Grandmother.

As long as Shen Juan doesn’t regret it.

Shen Tang turned around and headed back to Pine Crane Hall.

Shen Juan didn’t go with her but took her maid back to her residence at Qinglan Courtyard.

However, just after she returned and had half a cup of tea, a maid named Hongxiu, who served the old lady, entered carrying a stack of papers.

Hongxiu said, “Eldest Miss wants to go to the Buddhist hall to copy Buddhist scriptures to pray for the late Madam in the underworld. The old lady has approved it.”

“This is the old lady’s usual gold-sprinkled paper for copying scriptures. She specifically instructed me to deliver it. Once Eldest Miss has copied it, take it to Dazhao Temple for offerings.”

Shen Juan, “……!!!”

Really.

Shen Juan’s face turned red with anger.

What she wanted was to avoid copying family rules, not to change it to copying Buddhist scriptures!

And certainly not to copy them in the Buddhist hall!

Shen Juan was so furious she felt like she could kill someone, but she could only comply.

When Shen Tang returned to Qingyi Courtyard, she sneezed twice but felt even better.

Since she didn’t want to copy family rules, then let her copy Buddhist scriptures.

Copying Buddhist scriptures would calm her mind, and using the old lady’s gold-sprinkled paper to do so in the Buddhist hall would make it even more peaceful.