Chapter 61

Chapter 61

Shen Linfeng was thinking about something else, but after hearing Lady Shen's words, he quickly replied, "Mother, I don't need anyone to serve me. Don't worry about me. Haven't I been fine all these years?"

"Putting a maid in the room of a young master is quite normal. Do you think you're protecting her? In fact, you're harming Miss Yan. People will assume she's jealous, and that's not a good reputation for a woman," Lady Shen, being the experienced one, pointed out.

In her view, her arrangement was very reasonable, even considerate. She had planned to send the maid away before the wedding, showing her sincerity as a mother-in-law. She never expected her son to refuse even a concubine.

Before the marriage, she already showed such strength. If she really married into the family, her son might be completely bewitched?

Shen Linfeng didn't think from Yao Niang's perspective. He just felt that he didn't place much importance on romantic relationships. Honestly, the imperial examinations had already exhausted him, and half his mind was still on the Yan family.

Shen Linfeng asked seriously, "Mother, what if I fall in love with the maid you give me? Should I not marry Sister Shen Fei then?"

"How could that happen? These concubines are just maids," Lady Shen found her son's words absurd.

Shen Linfeng lowered his eyes, "Mother, you know they are maids, mere servants. They should do their duties well. Why must they always overstep their bounds? If every servant thought about advancing themselves by sleeping with their master instead of doing their job, wouldn't the household be in chaos?"

Lady Shen looked at her son, so angry she laughed, "I never thought my son would be such a devoted lover."

Shen Linfeng quickly stood up, respectfully saying, "Son dares not."

"This is the rule. Your cousin has had someone serving him for a long time, and his household hasn't fallen into disorder. No one has dared to overstep. If you still recognize me as your mother, you should follow this custom," Lady Shen said.

Shen Linfeng looked at Lady Shen in disbelief, "Mother, why didn't you act like this when I wanted to marry Yan Ningxin? Are you treating Sister Shen Fei differently now?"

At that time, although Lady Shen heard from Shen Mo that her brother liked Yan Ningxin and sent someone to propose, she sensed that while her son spoke nicely, it was more out of duty. Even Shen Mo mentioned that her brother didn't understand women at all.

She originally intended to have them get to know each other better before the wedding, but her brother only played polo with Yan Ningxin, treating her like a brother. Shen Mo complained that her brother was just a handsome face, unable to interact with women.

But now, Lady Shen realized that he wasn't incapable; he was very capable.

He knew that Miss Yan San loved shrimp and crab, so he sent them to her house daily. He knew she loved swinging, so he built a swing in his own home. He even knelt down to ask for her hand in marriage.

Lady Shen tilted her head, looking at him, "You argue with me repeatedly for a woman. Where is your filial piety? I never thought my son would become like this."

Shen Linfeng also found Lady Shen unreasonable. Why was she so lenient with Yan Ningxin but so strict with Sister Shen Fei?

But bound by filial duty, Shen Linfeng quickly knelt, "Mother, please don't be angry."

Seeing her son kneel, Lady Shen's mood improved. She didn't want to be the villain, so she pulled him up herself, "Good child, we can't let a few servants come between us. Actually, if you ask Miss Yan San, she would agree. If you refuse, she might think you're ruining her reputation."

"Is that so?" Shen Linfeng pondered.

Lady Shen thought, which woman would admit to being jealous? Even Miss Yan San's father and brother had many wives and concubines. If she complained, it should be about her own family.

Seeing her son deep in thought, Lady Shen smiled, "I am an experienced woman. Don't you trust me?"

Shen Linfeng, fearing further conflict, said, "Mother, I have some matters to attend to. I'll take my leave."

After Shen Linfeng left, Lady Shen turned to Zhou Mama, "I originally chose Qinghong and Mo Yu because they are usually simple-minded and not prone to jealousy. But now it seems that Miss Yan San, though not yet in the door, has already captured my son's heart. Once she enters, I fear I will have to live under her shadow."

Zhou Mama replied, "Madam, Miss Yan San is still young. She won't be like that."

Lady Shen smiled, "Being young doesn't mean she's easy to control. Listen to me, have Li'er serve the young master. There's no need to force him to favor her. Just keep her in the study. With her beauty and charm, which man could resist?"

Zhou Mama thought, Li'er was bought into the Shen family and often cried like a pear blossom in the rain, hence her name. The key was that Li'er was different from other women; she was gentle and obedient, truly pure-hearted, never seducing anyone, with excellent character and conduct. Living with the young master day and night, how could he not be moved?

Miss Yan San was indeed beautiful, but there's a difference between a fourteen-year-old girl and a seventeen-year-old woman in terms of allure. It seemed the madam was very upset.

At this time, Shen Linfeng went out to find Yan Jingzhao, as it was said that the couple should not meet before their wedding, but he really wanted to see Yao Niang and have a chat with her.

Yan Jingzhao naturally refused outright: "Brother Shen, passing messages for you on a regular basis is already risky under the watchful eyes of our elders, let alone now..."

Shen Linfeng glanced at Yan Jingzhao and sighed again: "This concerns our lifelong happiness; I'll trouble Brother Boying."

He also wanted to know what kind of person Yao Niang was. He could, of course, kneel and beg his mother, but the more he did such things, the more it seemed to make his mother target his sister, the divine concubine, which would not do.

Yan Jingzhao didn't expect Shen Linfeng to be so earnest. Honestly, the Yan family and the Shen family had already faced significant issues due to the previous marriage alliance. If they were to proceed now, the Yan family's daughter might face criticism.

However, Yan Jingzhao said, "Brother Shen, I understand your urgency, but don't rush. If you want to see my sister, you must first get her consent. If she agrees, I will discuss it with Mother and make arrangements."

Shen Linfeng nodded eagerly.

Yao Niang mentioned that the blood blister on her head from a mosquito bite hadn't healed yet, though it was small, she feared touching it because it bled when poked. Previously, she couldn't resist scratching uncomfortable spots on her body, and just when it was almost healed, she scratched it open again. Now, she dared not do so anymore.

She was busy with embroidery, knowing that she would need to present items like sachets, fragrant pouches, and shoes to the Shen family. It was already too late to complete everything, but she would do as much as possible, better than showing up empty-handed.

Fortunately, she was skilled in needlework, though it strained her eyes.

Just then, Yan Jingzhao arrived.

Yao Niang put down her needlework: "Brother, why are you here? Is there something wrong?"

Yan Jingzhao relayed the message: "He didn't say what it was, but he mentioned it concerns your lifelong happiness. I didn't dare take it lightly, so I came to see if you're willing to meet him."

"He wants to see me?" Yao Niang felt a bit surprised but responded, "Perhaps he has something important. Please trouble yourself, brother."

Taking his sister away in broad daylight would be outrageous, so Yan Jingzhao had to come up with an excuse for Yao Niang to go to his study to read, and then personally invite Shen Linfeng over to speak, arranging for them to meet in his study.

Today, Yao Niang wore a bright red Hu-sleeved narrow skirt, making her figure appear even more graceful and well-proportioned. When she pushed the door open, she saw Shen Linfeng standing up. She hadn't expected that although Shen Linfeng was dressed simply in blue and white today, his clothes shimmered in the light, as if made of gold and silver threads.

"I heard you have something to discuss with me," Yao Niang closed the door, feeling bold for meeting a man privately, even though he would soon be her husband.

It was the first time Shen Linfeng saw Yao Niang without her usual ethereal air, instead, she exuded a feminine charm. His ears turned slightly pink, "Sister Divine Concubine, there's something I need to talk to you about."

Yao Niang looked at him: "Go ahead."

"My mother insisted on giving me two women, and I refused. But she said you might be jealous, and if I don't accept them, you might feel hurt," Shen Linfeng explained.

Yao Niang looked at him, puzzled why he was telling her this. Was he trying to pressure her or test her? But seeing Shen Linfeng's sincerity, she asked, "Do you want to?"

Shen Linfeng shook his head immediately: "No, I don't."

"Why?" Yao Niang privately thought that she and Shen Linfeng had only met a few times, and there was no deep affection between them. She could only say that she suited him well.

Recalling the year she hid behind a rock and overheard Shen Linfeng and Wang Mian talking about how he wanted a capable wife, she wondered if this was a test.

Shen Linfeng looked at Yao Niang, seeing her probing, and replied matter-of-factly, "Because you are going to be my wife, and I naturally care about you."

What Yao Niang wanted to hear wasn't this answer. She turned away and said, "Would you ask any woman you marry the same question?"

Shen Linfeng was taken aback: "No, I wouldn't."

Seeing his reaction, Yao Niang stepped closer, narrowing the distance between them. Shen Linfeng dared not look directly at her, but Yao Niang stared into his eyes, "By coming here to ask for my opinion, doesn't that show your intentions?"

Shen Linfeng clutched his chest: "I didn't think about anything, I just ran over here."

"I know you've always been thinking of me, and I never expected your family to have me marry into your household so soon. Although I don't understand much, I know that you, Linfeng, are the best person to me after my parents and brother. So I really care about you, and I'm very happy." Yao Niang looked at him, stepped forward, and held the hem of his robe, her face blushing with maidenly shyness.

Shen Linfeng looked at her, feeling his heart thump. He felt somewhat awkward and didn't know what to say, so he changed the subject: "I'll refuse outright when I speak to Mother, Sister Shenfei, don't worry."

Yao Niang tugged at his sleeve, shaking it gently: "If you say that, she will definitely be even angrier. From Lady Shen's perspective, she thinks you're being disobedient and going against her. I don't want you two to fall out because I know that since you have me in your heart, there's no room for anyone else, right?"

Shen Linfeng looked at Yao Niang: "I know this isn't good, but I don't know what to do either."

"Then lean in closer," Yao Niang whispered softly.

...

Yan Jingzhao, who had been waiting outside the door, heard the voices inside stop. As an older brother, he couldn't really let a man and a woman be alone together, even if they were betrothed, but he was also afraid of the awkwardness, so he stood outside the door.

He couldn't help but think that Shen Linfeng would come specifically to discuss a concubine and even risk defying his parents over it. If it were him, he probably wouldn't have the courage. And Yao Niang, young as she is, has quite sophisticated means. She doesn't talk about jealousy or loyalty; instead, she constantly praises Shen Linfeng, saying he cares about her and has no room for anyone else in his heart. It's almost like brainwashing. If not for his intelligence, he might have fallen for it too.

No wonder Shen Linfeng is willing to fight for her now; her brainwashing skills are terrifying. He doesn't know what plan she has in mind. Yan Jingzhao took a step back.

To be dealing with her mother-in-law before even crossing the threshold, this is truly unique.