The Double-Chapter 601 - 174: Faces_5

Mei Xiang stood outside the door, her eyes revealing worry. It seemed that the crisis had been temporarily resolved, and Princess Yongning had rightfully moved in to live with Shen Yurong, but would things truly go smoothly? Not to mention other concerns, even Mother Shen’s sharp tongue, when faced with Princess Yongning’s innate pride, was bound to clash eventually.

...

Princess Yongning’s demotion to commoner status and Shen Yurong’s resignation from his position had greatly impacted the entire Shen family. As a result, Mother Shen held considerable resentment towards Princess Yongning, while Shen Ruyun lost all the care she had been receiving in the Marquis of Ningyuan’s Mansion overnight.

Zhou Yanbang grew increasingly reckless in his actions. He would not return home at night, spending his time seeking pleasure in brothels. When he did return to the mansion, he never visited Shen Ruyun, but would go to Jiang Yue instead.

Following the incident involving Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning, the servants at Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion began to look at Shen Ruyun with different eyes. Some even said that the incident at the palace banquet, which was supposed to have been Shen Ruyun being treated improperly by Zhou Yanbang, might actually have been her throwing herself at him. They speculated that perhaps Zhou Yanbang did nothing at all, and it was Shen Ruyun who wanted to marry Zhou Yanbang, thus smearing mud on him, accusing him falsely. After all, her elder brother was no better, secretly getting involved with a princess and causing her to bear a child for another man.

Wherever Shen Ruyun walked within the mansion, she could hear these gossipy whispers. And when Shen Yurong indeed resigned from his official position, just as he had said, the mocking grew even more intense, daring to be voiced right in front of Shen Ruyun’s face.

Shen Ruyun was extremely distressed. She hadn’t expected that Princess Yongning, who once brought boundless aspirations and glory to the Shen family, had now become an adhesive plaster that couldn’t be shaken off. Their past relationship with Princess Yongning was no longer seen as a "stroke of good fortune for the Shen family’s ancestors," but rather as a stain reviled by the public. The Marquis and Madam Ningyuan had even called her to their quarters that morning, insinuating obliquely that Shen Ruyun should initiate a divorce, to allow some peace for Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion, and to avoid becoming a joke in the eyes of others.

Shen Ruyun, seething with anger, nearly nauseous when she left Madam Ningyuan’s quarters, unexpectedly encountered Jiang Yue.

Oddly enough, although Shen Ruyun was the main wife, naturally in control of the concubines’ allowances, the monthly silver she allowed Jiang Yue was pitifully little. It seemed that Zhou Yanbang had never given any silver to Jiang Yue either, yet Jiang Yue’s food and clothing were almost as good as Shen Ruyun’s. It was rumored that she received aid from her family home. Shen Ruyun found it strange, considering Jiang Yuanxing was just an illegitimate son of the Jiang Family, with no substantial salary—how could he afford such generous contributions?

Regardless, Jiang Yue originally had better looks than Shen Ruyun. With proper grooming, it was no wonder that Zhou Yanbang was unwilling to visit Shen Ruyun’s courtyard.

"Oh, if it isn’t my sister." Upon seeing Shen Ruyun, Jiang Yue, with a willowy grace, performed a curtsy and smiled, "I’ve heard about the incident at my sister’s parents’ home these past few days. Is it serious? The young prince mentioned it, and I really felt anxious for you. Now, more than ever, you need to stay strong. Persevere, and it will pass."

Her tone was clearly one of taking pleasure in another’s misfortune. When Shen Ruyun thought of Zhou Yanbang being aware of the incident, even speaking of it in front of Jiang Yue to embarrass her, she wished she could simply bash her head in to spare herself the shame. Looking at the elegantly dressed Jiang Yue, Shen Ruyun sneered, "Aunt Jiang seems to be in such high spirits, leisurely wandering around the mansion every day."

"After all, I am in a good mood," Jiang Yue replied, "Just now, passing by the lady’s quarters, it seemed she wanted you to propose a divorce from the young prince? Indeed, after such an incident, lingering in the mansion feels uncomfortable."

"Even if I were to divorce the princely heir, it would not be your concern!" Shen Ruyun said through gritted teeth, "You merely entered this mansion by underhanded means, and your father is nothing but an illegitimate son from the Jiang Family. Even if Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion were to find another wife for the princely heir, they would never choose someone as vulgar as you. No matter how much effort you put in, you’ll just end up dressing another woman for her wedding day!"

"So what?" Jiang Yue’s smile disappeared upon Shen Ruyun’s words, but she still wanted to sting her, "When I entered this house, I knew I was just a concubine. Even if I spend my whole life as one, it doesn’t matter as long as the princely heir loves me. But you? You were carried into the mansion on a grand palanquin as the official wife. It seems like you’re in a much better position than me, but your fate isn’t necessarily any better! At least I won’t be thrown out, but as for you, who knows where you’ll end up in the latter half of your life."

"The young prince won’t divorce me, and I won’t consent to a divorce from him," Shen Ruyun said hatefully.

"Really? Originally, the young prince married you merely because your elder brother was a minister favored by the emperor. What qualities do you, Shen Ruyun, have that are worth anything? Lost in a crowd, no one could find you. Now, your elder brother has resigned from his post; he’s nothing, and the Shen family’s reputation is tainted. What makes you think Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion would still want you, a fallen household? When Shen Yurong held an official position, the young prince barely glanced at you. With Shen Yurong having nothing, the young prince is even less likely to favor you."

"So I would advise you, make yourself scarce while you can!"