However, in the end, Shen Yuan fell into the hands of a girl from a humble background. If it were any other rich families, they would definitely not let such a poor girl be the young madam of the family.
Everyone knew that there was something fishy going on about this unusual match. The reason why Shen Yuan married a girl from the Jing family was because he slept with her when he was drunk. The Jing family was not easy to deal with. They kept saying that they would report to the government and sue the Shen family. Marrying a poor girl was much better than losing his official career, so Shen Yuan didn’t kick up too much of a fuss.
This matter was spread around the noble circle as a joke. For a few days in a row, when Shen Gui went to the imperial court, he was treated as a joke by his colleagues, let alone Shen Yuan.
This matter naturally caused them to lose a lot of reputation, but Jing Chuchu was unaffected. She sat in the room and enjoyed the snacks in boredom.
After falling out with Old Madam Shen, Jing Chuchu’s gentle temperament was gone, and her true nature was exposed. She squandered Shen Yuan’s money and lived a very comfortable life in the Shen mansion.
Beside her was her personal maid, Tao Yuan. Jing Chuchu did not trust the people of the Shen family, so she entrusted Tao Yuan to do everything. Tao Yuan said, “It seems like Old Master and Madam Jing will be here soon. When the time comes, the marriage will definitely be very grand. If word gets back to Suzhou, everyone in the Jing family will be proud.”
Jing Chuchu smiled. “My efforts weren’t in vain.”
“But…” Tao Yuan was a little worried.” Now that Second Young Master Shen and Old Madam Shen treat you so badly, what if they bully you after marriage?”
“What’s there to be afraid of?” Jing Chuchu opened the box of rouge in front of her and said, “I’ve already asked around. Second Cousin Sister is dead, and Second Aunt is crazy now and can’t manage the mansion. There’s only one concubine in the second branch. A concubine can’t interfere in the affairs of the legitimate son. As for Shen Yuan, he is away in the imperial court all the time. At that time, I’ll be alone in this gigantic courtyard and can do whatever I want.”
“That’s true.” Tao Yuan shook her head. “But if Second Young Master takes in concubines in the future and causes trouble for Miss…”
“That’s where you can come in to help.” Jing Chuchu looked at Tao Yuan and said as if she was pitying her, “You’ve been by my side for the past few years. I think you’re loyal and pretty. If that day really comes, I’ll get him to take you in. Help me win him over to express your gratitude.” She smiled in satisfaction. “Not everyone is lucky enough to change their fate from a maid to a concubine of a rich family.”
Tao Yuan lowered her head in embarrassment and quickly said, “I… I will listen to Miss.”
Jing Chuchu closed the rouge box and her gaze landed on a bracelet on the dressing table. She couldn’t help but pick it up and look at it in a daze. Seeing this, Tao Yuan said in surprise, “Isn’t this… the bracelet Young Master Sun gave Miss?”
“Young Master Sun…” Jing Chuchu muttered, her expression a little dazed.
“Speaking of which, Young Master Sun treats Miss very well.” Tao Yuan smiled and said, “I wonder how sad he will be when he hears about Miss’s engagement.”
“What nonsense are you talking about?” Jing Chuchu frowned and interrupted Tao Yuan. Tao Yuan said indignantly, “I’m not wrong. Although Young Master Sun and Miss haven’t seen each other much, you two hit it off at first sight. It’s obvious that he really cares about Miss. Otherwise, why would he send Miss so many gifts? If not for this incident, I believe Young Master Sun will definitely marry Miss.”
