“Old Madam.” Mrs. Zhang pondered for a moment and said, “I’m afraid Fifth Miss is already suspicious of Miss Jing. I’m afraid we can’t wait anymore.”
When Jing Chuchu heard this, she was even more embarrassed. She thought that she was beautiful and smart. Back in her hometown, even the rich landlords would find her sheepish personality attractive. Unexpectedly, she was brutally rejected by Shen Qiu.
“You mean…” Old Madam Shen frowned.
“Go to the extreme. If this situation continues, it will be too late when Eldest Young Master is engaged.”
Old Madam Shen shuddered and said, “You’re right. By then, it will be too late.” She looked at Jing Chuchu and put on a loving smile again. However, in the eyes of others, that smile was fake. She said, “Chuchu, do you want to marry Shen Qiu or not?”
Jing Chuchu lowered her head and said, “Yes.”
“Are you willing to do anything to marry Shen Qiu?”
Jing Chuchu was stunned for a moment. She vaguely guessed something and her heart couldn’t help but beat wildly. She was always popular among men, and her personality had won her the hearts of many rich masters in Suzhou. However, Shen Qiu was the first-born son of the mighty general. His wealth was incomparable, so she was naturally tempted. Although she had never done this before, when she heard Old Madam Shen’s words, it was as if a lot of gold and silver had appeared in front of her. She clenched her fists and whispered, “I am… willing.”
Old Madam Shen smiled in satisfaction.
…
For the next few days, the Shen family had a temporary peace. Jing Chuchu and Jing Guansheng stayed in the courtyard behind Rongjing Hall and did not go out.
On this day, when Shen Miao was on her way out through the corridor, she happened to meet Jing Chuchu. Jing Chuchu was wearing a moon-white jacket and an emerald-colored dress. In the capital, a girl like her from Suzhou was unique and was enough to make passers-by stop to glance at her for the second time.
“Fifth Sister.” Jing Chuchu bowed to her.
Shen Miao smiled faintly. “Cousin, where are you going?”
It was rare for Shen Miao to talk to Jing Chuchu. Jing Chuchu was stunned for a moment before saying, “I’m going back to my room to do some embroidery.” She lowered her head shyly. “I have nothing to do anyway.”
“Since you have nothing to do, why don’t you go out with me?” Shen Miao said, “I’m going to the jewelry shop to pick some jewelry. If you don’t mind, you can go with me.”
This time, Jing Chuchu was really stunned. Shen Miao had always been indifferent to her. No matter how hard she tried to please her, Shen Miao was unmoved. Today, for the first time, Shen Miao was willing to go out with her. Jing Chuchu had seen many concubines scheming each other back at home, and her first reaction was to be wary. However, when she heard that Shen Miao was going to a jewelry shop, her eyes immediately lit up.
She carefully sized up Shen Miao. Shen Miao was wearing a snow-green dress with crane patterns and cloud brocade. She always wore dark colors, but that did not make her look old-fashioned at all. Instead, her skin was like jade, making her look noble. Jing Chuchu was secretly jealous. She thought that her appearance was not inferior to Shen Miao’s, but when she stood side by side with Shen Miao, she could not help but feel a sense of inferiority. Shen Miao was born noble. However when people looked at Jing Chuchu, they knew at a glance that she was from a small family.
The more jealous people were, the more they wanted to climb up. Jing Chuchu’s gaze landed on the lotus pearl hairpin on Shen Miao’s head. The pearl was big and round, and the faint luster almost blinded Jing Chuchu. She quickly lowered her head to avoid being seen by Shen Miao. Jing Chuchu said, “Since Fifth Sister has no one to keep you company, I’ll go with you.”
