Madam She’s eyes were full of worry.
"Why is there no time left? It is still..."
Before she could finish, Xiao Ling interrupted her. He let out a few sharp coughs and gripped Shen Feiwan's sleeve. "My dear, my chest hurts terribly. Help me for a moment, then tell Zhuying to check on Zhizhi and Yanran. Make sure they aren't frightened. Girls are more delicate than boys; we must be careful."
These words struck a chord in Madam She’s heart. She could no longer bring it upon herself to ask Shen Feiwan to step in and handle the situation. To put it bluntly, it was Xiao Huanyu who had caused the trouble, and Xiao Zhizhi and Xiao Yanran were right there alongside him. If they were to be dragged into this scandal, it would ruin their reputations—a lifelong catastrophe. They weren't even Shen Feiwan’s children!
Madam She had only wanted to push Shen Feiwan to the front because she knew she was capable. While Shen Feiwan could certainly save the Yongan Marquis Manor’s face, she would likely incur the resentment of the two adopted sons and the Third Branch.
His wife would never do such a thankless task!
Xiao Ling seemed so frail all of a sudden...
Shen Feiwan hurriedly supported him, asking with concern, "Where does it hurt? Let me help you back first." She was already thinking of calling for a physician.
Xiao Ling gazed at her with deep eyes. He covered the back of her hand with his other hand, leaned in, and whispered into her ear, his voice raspy and alluring, "I am fine. Such a wonderful show—we must stay and watch it to the end."
"You... are you feigning illness in front of Mother?" Just to keep her out of it and save her the trouble?
Shen Feiwan was momentarily stunned. As she looked down, a faint smile flickered in her eyes. Xiao Ling was truly different from Xiao Nian'an! Had it been Xiao Nian'an, he wouldn't have spared a thought for his wife's predicament. Today, Shen Lianxin would surely come to realize just what kind of useless husband she had swapped for.
"My dear, you wrong me. I am not pretending; I am truly exhausted," Xiao Ling said, pulling her to his side with his free hand. His palm was warm and firm, and his movements were swift—hardly the behavior of a sick man.
Shen Feiwan glanced up, catching a fleeting flash of coldness in his eyes.
Behind her, several people rushed past like a gust of wind. In the distance, Zhuying had just brought Xiao Zhizhi and Xiao Yanran to the side.
Then, they saw Shen Lianxin rush forward like a madwoman, slapping the maidservant standing behind Xiao Huanyu across the face.
"How dare you bring such a thing to the young master! I will tear your mouth apart, you lowly wench!"
"I... I didn't mean to, my lady! Last night, the young master insisted..."
Last night!
The guests around them wore various expressions. They never imagined the Yongan Marquis Manor could be so decadent—lacking biological heirs, they had pampered their adopted sons to such an extent that they already had private maids at such a tender age.
Nanny Chen from the palace held Princess Qiyan tightly. Refusing to show the Manor any mercy in front of the gathered guests, she scolded loudly, "Third Young Mistress, how exactly is the Yongan Marquis Manor educating its children? How can you allow such filth to be displayed on such a formal occasion? It is an insult to the eyes of our princes and the Princess!"
Of the three princes, the Third Prince Qi Huan was the eldest, but the other two were only thirteen or fourteen. Princess Qiyan was still very young, and being a girl, she had been truly frightened by what she had just seen.
Hearing Nanny Chen’s outburst, Shen Lianxin felt her heart skip a beat. She lowered her head, acting subserviently. "Nanny, please do not be angry. Perhaps the children weren't paying attention while they were playing. I see that the Princess wasn't really scared, right?" She smiled and reached out, wanting to pat Princess Qiyan’s head, but the child burst into tears.
"Nanny, take me back to the palace! I am never coming to the Yongan Marquis Manor again!"
And just like that, the entire Yongan Marquis Manor was shunned by the Princess. Shen Lianxin’s hand hung in mid-air, and she stood frozen, at a total loss. She looked around, only to see Xiao Huanyu standing there with his head bowed, sullen and unhappy, while Xiao Nian'an and Xiao Aoshi were nowhere to be found. Whenever something like this happened, Xiao Nian'an never uttered a word in her defense.
Shen Lianxin was furious, and she couldn't help but snap back at the nanny, "Nanny, there is no need to make such a fuss. I suspect the Princess’s reaction is mostly influenced by your attitude. It’s just an ordinary item, not..."
"What kind of nonsense is that? To think the Third Young Mistress of the dignified Yongan Marquis Manor would raise her children this way? Utterly laughable!" Furious, Nanny Chen knitted her brows and prepared to leave with the young Princess.
If the Princess really left, the other guests would surely find excuses to depart as well, and the Dowager’s birthday banquet would be ruined!
Aunt Mei watched Madam She’s expression from the side and whispered, "It seems the Third Young Mistress cannot settle this. If the Eldest Young Mistress were here, she would certainly have resolved it perfectly."
The other concubines chimed in, "Indeed, it has to be the Eldest Young Mistress; she handles matters with such grace."
They kept looking toward Shen Feiwan. After all, this concerned the face of the Yongan Marquis Manor, which was tied to all of them—if this continued, they wouldn't even dare to show their faces in public!
Shen Feiwan acted as if she hadn't heard them. She had seen all sorts of storms; why should she step forward and sacrifice herself just because of a few words?
Xiao Ling caught her expression and smiled faintly. "My dear, you are only responsible for the West and Middle Courtyards. Even if you went over now, your words would carry no weight in front of the princes and the Princess."
With this low, deliberate remark, he distanced her from the mess.
Madam She looked at the pathetic state of Shen Lianxin and felt a sharp pain in her heart. Gritting her teeth, she said, "Feiwan, from now on, all affairs in the manor, large and small, shall be entrusted to you. The future of this manor depends on you." She added, in a very difficult position, "After all, today is the Dowager’s birthday banquet—nothing must go wrong."
Shen Feiwan exchanged a glance with Xiao Ling; both knew it was time to step off the stage.
"If that is the case, I will go and try. But if I cannot persuade them, Mother, please do not blame me," Shen Feiwan said with deliberate modesty.
"You’ve worked hard, my dear. Go on, don't worry. I can take care of myself. *Cough, cough.*"
As Xiao Ling spoke, he slowly released his grip on her hand. Those watching thought he was too ill to look after himself. The entire Manor now relied on Shen Feiwan alone; it was clear that the household would be handed over to her in the future.
Shen Feiwan walked forward slowly. She first ordered the maids and matrons to resume the performance on the stage. As the drums and music swelled, the commotion no longer sounded so jarring. She then had the maids clear away the shattered cups and fruit platters from the floor.
Only then did she walk straight to the center and declare sharply, "The Third Young Mistress’s migraine has flared up again; take her back to rest. And take Young Master Huanyu to change his clothes. This behavior has offended the princes and the Princess; it is a sign of lax discipline in the manor. From today on, without Madam She’s permission, he is not to leave the courtyard or see guests! He is to remain in his room and reflect on his mistakes!"
"As for the matrons and maids in the Middle Courtyard, all are to be docked half a year’s wages."
"And this maidservant—send her to the outer courtyard. She is never to come near the two young masters again!"
The maid’s face turned deathly pale. Even though Xiao Huanyu was young, everyone in the manor knew she had already entered his inner chambers. How would she ever be able to marry with a clean reputation? Thinking of what Shen Lianxin had told her earlier, she crawled to Shen Lianxin’s feet, sobbing, "Please have mercy, my lady! I truly didn't mean it. Young Master Huanyu was satisfied with me—please, I beg you, spare me this once! I only want to serve the young master..."
Shen Lianxin’s face changed drastically, terrified that the girl might let something slip. She kicked the maid away. "What are you begging me for! Someone, drag her away!"