Shen Miao’s gaze did not land on Jing Guansheng at all. She stared at Jing Chuchu and could hear herself grinding her teeth.
Jing Chuchu was always like this, shy, sheepish, and non-scheming. She always kept her head lowered timidly, as if she was a pushover everyone could bully. Therefore, when people saw her lying on the same bed with Shen Qiu after drinking, everyone scolded Shen Qiu for being worse than a beast. Who would have thought that such a pure girl would end up making a cuckold of Shen Qiu and sending him to prison for accidentally killing the adulterer? Now that Shen Miao thought about it, the mistakes Shen Qiu made on his post and his falling off the horse and breaking his leg was most likely Jing Chuchu’s doing. Eventually, after Shen Qiu’s corpse was found inside the pond, Jing Chuchu pocketed his money and ran back home.
Shen Miao felt that this rabbit-like face in front of her was even more vicious than a snake. Although Shen Qiu did not like her, he still treated her sincerely after marrying Jing Chuchu. With Shen Qiu’s personality, he would definitely not let Jing Chuchu suffer.
However, Jing Chuchu was an ingrate.
Shen Miao kept staring at Jing Chuchu. Even someone as insensitive as Shen Qiu sensed that something was wrong and asked in confusion, “Sister?”
Jing Guansheng also said, “Fifth Sister, why are you staring at Chuchu?”
Jing Chuchu took a step back and turned to the side nervously, asking Jing Guansheng to block Shen Miao’s gaze for her, as if she was very afraid. Shen Miao smiled and said, “Cousin is really too beautiful. I was absent-minded from infatuation just now.”
Shen Yue bit her lip. Shen Miao had been getting prettier and prettier lately and stole a lot of her limelight. Now that Jing Chuchu was here, she felt even more uncomfortable.
Jing Chuchu blushed and whispered to Shen Miao, “Cousin, you are much prettier than me.”
Shen Miao smiled and did not comment.
Old Madam Shen cleared her throat and said, “Chuchu and Guansheng are our family too. Shen Miao, Shen Qiu, show them around the mansion when you have time.”
There were still Shen Yuan and Shen Yue. At the very least, there was still Shen Dongling. Shen Miao and Shen Qiu were not the only juniors, but Old Madam Shen specially instructed the two of them to show their new cousins around. The corners of Shen Miao’s lips curled up slightly. She glanced at Jing Chuchu, who had her head lowered, and smiled warmly. “I’ll naturally take good care of cousins.”
Among the women in the room, Shen Miao actually had a particularly calm aura. The faint smile that crept up on her face just now had an indescribable charm. Jing Guansheng was a little stunned.
Seeing Shen Miao like this, Old Madam Shen was extremely satisfied. She smiled and said, “In that case, all of you can leave. I still have something to tell Chuchu. We haven’t seen each other for so many years. I wonder if my family is doing well.” When Chen Ruoqiu saw Old Madam Shen’s loving look, she immediately felt something was afoot. However, she only bowed respectfully and led everyone out of Rongjing Hall.
Outside Rongjing Hall, Jing Guansheng said to Shen Miao, “Fifth Sister, what do you like to do at home?”
Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan walked at the front and did not hear this. When Shen Qiu heard this, he walked up to Shen Miao warily and looked at Jing Guansheng without saying anything.
Shen Miao smiled. “Nothing much. Just reading most of the time.”
“Coincidentally, I also like to read at home.” Jing Guansheng smiled and said, “We can probably talk a lot about books.”
Shen Miao glanced at him. Even Shen Qiu could sense the disdain in her gaze. He was a little surprised that Shen Miao was so unfriendly to someone she had just met for the first time. He heard Shen Miao say, “Forget it. I don’t think there’s a lot of books in your house. How about I get someone to send a few books to you later? They are all limited edition.”
Being looked down so blatantly by Shen Miao, Jing Guansheng’s expression froze.
In Rongjing Hall, Old Madam Shen was holding Jing Chuchu’s hand and saying amiably, “You’re so beautiful at such a young age. I wonder if you’re engaged.”
Jing Chuchu said in a low voice, “Old Madam, not yet.”
“I see.” Old Madam Shen’s smile widened. “With your looks and personality, it would be great if you could be my granddaughter-in-law.”
Jing Chuchu lowered her head, and her face turned even redder. She gradually clenched her fists nervously. The Jing family was just an ordinary merchant. When their grandfather heard that his sister had become rich in the capital, he sent them over, hoping that his sister could offer help in one way or another. When Jing Chuchu arrived, she was dazzled by the grand mansion. If she could marry into the General’s Mansion, she would not have to worry about money for the rest of her life and could just enjoy the comfortable life of a rich madam. How could Jing Chuchu not be excited at this prospect? However, she did not show it on her face.
Old Madam Shen patted her hand and said with a smile, “With your age, you’re very suitable for Shen Qiu. He is now a deputy general. What’s better is that he’s not married yet.”
