Chapter 6: Negotiation

Shen Tang’s voice was gentle, but her eyes held a resolute determination.

Shen Sui knew that his daughter not only resembled Jiang Shi in appearance but also inherited her tenacious spirit. Usually broad-minded and tolerant, she could brush off minor grievances without a second thought. However, when she displayed such unwavering resolve, it signified that nothing could deter her, even at the cost of her life.

It was this stubbornness that had ultimately cost Jiang Shi her life.

Now, seeing his daughter exhibit such traits once more…

Shen Sui said, “There is nothing for you to worry about, my child.”

Shen Tang replied, “I don’t want to create any rifts with my Eldest Sister over this matter. Let us discuss it among ourselves; you needn’t be caught in the middle.”

Her understanding nature was heart-wrenching, even eliciting a hint of surprise from the Old Madam.

The Old Madam had witnessed Shen Juan’s actions and was already taken aback that Shen Tang hadn’t reported her to Shen Sui. Now, Shen Tang was taking the initiative to resolve the issue without putting Shen Sui in an uncomfortable position between his two daughters.

Such thoughtfulness only highlighted Shen Juan’s selfishness and coldness, leaving the Old Madam disappointed.

Shen Sui frowned tightly. He didn’t believe that a satisfactory resolution could be reached. The Old Madam interjected, “Let them negotiate among themselves.”

Since Shen Tang had requested it, and the Old Madam supported her, Shen Sui had no choice but to agree.

Shen Tang bowed respectfully and withdrew.

Everyone believed she was going to discuss things with Shen Juan, but Shen Tang did not. Instead, she returned to Qingyi Garden.

No sooner had she settled in than Shen Juan sent a maid to deliver the wedding gown.

The maid didn’t dare to deliver it directly and hurriedly handed it off to a younger maid who was responsible for cleaning before quickly leaving.

When the younger maid brought in the wedding gown, Ginkgo  was furious. “You’re really going to accept this gown sent by the Eldest Miss’s maid?!”

The younger maid felt wronged at being scolded.

She knew the wedding gown was a hot potato that should not be accepted, but when the Eldest Miss’s maid, Dan Zhu, forced it upon her, she had no choice but to accept it, or else it would have fallen to the ground.

Ginkgo  knew that the Eldest Miss was bullying Shen Tang, but she couldn’t stand to see it happen.

The Eldest Miss schemed against Shen Tang, and despite Shen Tang not reporting it to the Marquis, she still wanted to discuss matters with her, giving the Eldest Miss face. And yet, the Eldest Miss had sent the gown without a second thought, clearly indicating that she had made up her mind for Shen Tang to marry!

Ginkgo  couldn’t hold back. “I’ll return this wedding gown to the Eldest Miss!”

She took the gown and was about to head outside.

Shen Tang said, “Put it down.”

Ginkgo  hesitated, unable to believe her ears. She turned around to see Shen Tang sipping tea. Ginkgo  was confused as to whether she was more annoyed at the Eldest Miss or at her own Miss. “Miss!”

Shen Tang replied, “If you know it can’t be returned, why bother making the trip?”

“Even if we can’t return it, we should at least try,” Ginkgo  insisted. “Are you really going to wear that wedding gown tomorrow to marry Prince Jingyang’s son?”

Shen Tang’s gaze fell upon the gown. “I will wear the wedding gown, but I will not get into Prince Jingyang’s palanquin again.”

The use of “again” in Shen Tang’s statement suggested a prior experience that left Ginkgo  bewildered. Did she really think that Shen Tang had been in Prince Jingyang’s palanquin before? Was she truly confused with anger?

Ginkgo  wanted to ask, but Shen Tang cut her off. “You will see tomorrow.”

Tomorrow would be too late.

Ginkgo  silently cried out in her heart, but as a maid, her worries meant nothing unless Shen Tang took action herself.

Seeing the wedding gown, Ginkgo  put it far away, not wanting to be reminded of it.

Meanwhile, Shen Juan paced back and forth in her room, feeling anxious.

She was certain that once the wedding gown was delivered, Shen Tang would return it to her. But after waiting for a long time without seeing Shen Tang come to find her or any maid return, she was left perplexed about Shen Tang’s intentions.

She couldn’t believe that Shen Tang would knowingly leap into a pit of fire. If she truly had a sisterly bond, she wouldn’t have splashed tea on her and made her look foolish, disappointing their grandmother.

That cup of tea—she refused to believe it was an accident!

Shen Tang was undoubtedly plotting to prevent her from marrying.

She could not afford to be idle.

After pacing several times, Shen Juan stopped.

“Prepare cold water!”

…

The well water was icy and biting in early spring.

Shen Juan gritted her teeth against the chill as she slowly lowered herself into the bath.

Before she was fully submerged, she began to sneeze uncontrollably.

…

Later that night.

Shen Tang went to bed early. Having been married before, she knew she would be woken early in the morning for her makeup, which was not something she could simply choose to ignore.

However, the next morning, before dawn, Shen Tang woke up, and the makeup artist hadn’t arrived yet.

She waited as dawn broke, but there was still no sign of anyone.

In her previous life, the makeup artist had arrived early, so why was there no sign of her now?

As Shen Tang pondered this, Nanny Sun , the stewardess beside Second Madam, arrived. Seeing Shen Tang sitting on her bed, she scolded Ginkgo , “What time is it? Why haven’t you helped the Second Miss get ready yet?!”

Ginkgo  replied, “The makeup artist hasn’t come yet…”

Nanny Sun  said, “She won’t be coming anymore. The wedding was arranged hastily, and there were many disturbances in the mansion yesterday. Second Madam has been so busy that she completely forgot to invite the makeup artist.”

So it was forgotten. In her previous life, Second Madam had schemed against her without such trouble, so things had been handled more smoothly.

Shen Tang felt no anger. The lack of a blade for facial shaving was just what she needed. She sat at the dressing table, handing the ivory comb to Ginkgo , who accepted it with red-rimmed eyes.

After getting ready and donning the wedding gown, Shen Tang sat on the bed, waiting for Prince Jingyang’s palanquin to arrive.

After waiting for a full half hour, she finally heard the distant sound of firecrackers and traditional musical instruments coming from the front courtyard.

Shen Tang placed the phoenix crown on her head and covered her face with a bright red veil embroidered with phoenixes. With Ginkgo ’s help, she stepped outside.

According to tradition, Shen Tang was supposed to pay her respects to her grandmother and father first, then would be carried out by her elder cousin. However, Shen Tang skipped all of that and directly let Ginkgo  help her out of the manor.

Although Nanny Sun  thought this was against the rules, she did not speak up to stop her.

As long as Shen Tang did not enter Prince Jingyang’s palanquin, Second Madam and Shen Juan would not rest easy. If Second Miss changed her mind about the marriage, it would only create trouble for herself.

Nanny Sun  pretended not to hear, and Ginkgo  guided Shen Tang to the front gate of the Marquis’s residence.

The scene outside the gate was lively. In addition to Prince Jingyang’s wedding procession, there was a crowd gathered to watch the spectacle.

Since Prince Jingyang’s son was unconscious, today, the one coming to escort the bride was his half-brother, Xie Guiyin.

When the crowd saw Shen Tang emerge, they were somewhat surprised, thinking they would have to wait a while longer. They hadn’t expected her to come out so quickly; clearly, the Pingyuan Marquis Manor was quite cooperative.

However, just as they thought that, the bride stepping out suddenly lifted her veil.

The scene unfolded so quickly that everyone was taken aback.

Nanny Sun ‘s expression changed. “What is the Second Miss doing?!”

Shen Tang replied calmly, “I lifted the veil so I can speak with the people from Prince Jingyang’s manor.”