Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Fang Shi, without a shred of mercy, openly chastised Shen Anning before everyone present.

At these words, the spacious dining hall fell into an abrupt silence.

Shen Anning, who had been about to bend and take her seat, paused for a moment before slowly straightening her posture. Soon after, she raised her gaze to meet Fang Shi's eyes, who sat at the head of the table. Her eyes flickered slightly as she calmly inquired, "Might I ask what transgression your daughter-in-law has committed?"

Shen Anning's face conveyed a puzzled expression.

Her innocent eyes seemed to hold a hint of bewilderment.

However, what was an utterly ordinary question to Shen Anning was perceived by Fang Shi as nothing less than outright defiance.

It was well known that in the past, Shen Anning had been like a trembling little rabbit in Fang Shi's presence—easily manipulated and completely under her thumb. Fang Shi reveled in asserting her authority as a mother-in-law over the wife of the Chief Grand Secretary's heir, constantly flaunting her status as the lady of the Marquis's estate.

She had fully expected that a casual reprimand today would, as always, send Shen Anning scurrying to admit her faults and dutifully attend to her. To her astonishment, Shen Anning actually dared to talk back.

As soon as Shen Anning spoke, not only did Fang Shi's expression change, but even Fang Siyan, who had only recently married into the family, looked at her in astonishment. How could this sister-in-law, whom her aunt had molded into a docile kitten, suddenly display such audacity today?

Meanwhile, Yu Shi, standing nearby, abruptly turned her head, her gaze fixed on Shen Anning. It was a look of disbelief, yet subtly tinged with a secret satisfaction, as if she relished seeing someone finally dare to resist the oppression.

"What fault?" Fang Shi's face twitched violently. She disdained to even argue with Shen Anning, launching straight into a furious tirade: "If you still don't know what wrong you've committed, then kneel right here and now, and reflect thoroughly on where you went astray!"

Fang Shi spoke sternly, her face etched with disdain.

Had it been Yu Shi or her niece, Fang Shi might have patiently enumerated their transgressions. But with Shen Anning, who had always been meek and submissive, Fang Shi never needed a reason to oppress her.

As Fang Shi's words rang out, Fang Siyan's heart skipped a beat. Having only recently married into the family, and with her mother-in-law being her own aunt, she often arrived late or left early during morning and evening greetings. Her aunt would merely offer a gentle rebuke, sometimes even leaving her nourishing tonics like bird's nest soup. She had never faced any real punishment.

Yet today, her sister-in-law, who had just recovered from a serious illness and was only slightly late, was being publicly ordered to kneel.

The esteemed wife of the heir... kneeling in punishment while her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law dined...

Such a scene was one Fang Siyan found utterly unbearable.

With this thought, Fang Siyan instinctively clutched her chest, a lingering sense of dread washing over her.

Yu Shi, on the other hand, was long accustomed to such sights. In the first three months after her sister-in-law married into the family, she had personally witnessed how Fang Shi, under the guise of teaching the "unrefined" country daughter-in-law the rules of the Marquis's estate, had manipulated and oppressed her.

Any secret satisfaction Yu Shi had felt earlier vanished the moment Shen Anning turned to accept her punishment.

Hah, as expected, she was nothing but a lost cause.

However, in the very next moment, the fading satisfaction on Yu Shi's face was instantly replaced by shock, creating a contorted expression that mingled both emotions—

Shen Anning actually rose, walked past everyone, and exited the room into the courtyard. Just as everyone assumed she was about to rebel and storm off in a fit of pique, Shen Anning paused at the courtyard gate. A moment later, under the watchful eyes of all the maids and servants in the courtyard, she subtly lifted the hem of her dress and knelt down publicly, just outside the courtyard entrance.

The hem of her dress swirled gracefully as she knelt, lending an unexpected air of composure to her humble posture.

After Shen Anning knelt, her two maids immediately followed suit, kneeling in unison behind her.

In the early morning, Jinyuan was bustling with activity.

There were maids sweeping the grounds, servants attending to Fang Shi, personal maids from the third and fourth households waiting in the courtyard, and kitchen staff constantly moving in and out with food and water.

All of them witnessed the heir's wife being forced to kneel outside by Fang Shi early that morning.

Inside the room, Fang Shi was so enraged by the sight that she shattered a teacup on the spot.

It was true that she had deliberately sought to punish Shen Anning. She had grown accustomed to Shen Anning's service. In her absence these past few days, no one else had been as adept or convenient. Moreover, Shen Anning possessed a substantial dowry, while the household kitchen operated on a limited budget. If Fang Shi desired luxurious meals, she often had to dip into her own private funds.

Since her two sons had married, Fang Shi had incurred considerable expenses, especially for the younger son, which had depleted much of her private wealth. She couldn't help but feel the pinch.

But after Shen Anning entered the household, the situation improved significantly. Fang Shi would often find fault with Shen Anning's cooking or subtly hint at her desire for rare delicacies. To appease her, Shen Anning had no choice but to grudgingly pay for them out of her own pocket.

Shen Anning's dowry was immense, and Fang Shi couldn't help but covet it, believing such wealth was wasted on an unsophisticated countrywoman.

Over time, Fang Shi's palate had grown accustomed to such indulgences.

However, since Shen Anning had fallen ill, the daily meals had become considerably plainer. Her other two daughters-in-law were either clumsy or feigned ignorance.

Fang Shi was deeply discontent.

Oppressing her daughter-in-law, Shen Anning, had become an essential part of her daily routine.

But today, she had only intended for Shen Anning to kneel inside the room as usual, not to publicly humiliate her outside.

By acting this way in front of everyone, wasn't Shen Anning openly proclaiming to the Marquis, to Xiao Shi, and indeed to the entire household, that Fang Shi was a cruel mother-in-law?

Wasn't this a public slap in Fang Shi's face?

Although Fang Shi was domineering and tyrannical, she usually confined her theatrics to the privacy of her own courtyard. Even if rumors of her harshness occasionally circulated within the estate, no outsider had ever witnessed it firsthand. Without witnesses, there was no proof. Moreover, all the servants in the courtyard were bound by their contracts, so who would dare to utter a single word outside?

Who would have thought that Shen Anning would be so utterly defiant today? Had she, after just a few days, suddenly grown a backbone?

Fang Shi was so furious that her eyes bulged, and her entire body trembled.

Yet, she had just punished the woman. If she immediately ordered her to rise, wouldn't that undermine her own authority?

For a moment, Fang Shi found herself trapped by Shen Anning's actions—caught between a rock and a hard place. She was so enraged that she nearly fainted.

Inside the room, all the maids and servants held their breath, not daring to utter a sound. The large room was so quiet that one could hear everyone's breathing.

A fragment from the shattered teacup bounced and pricked Yu Shi's calf, but Yu Shi endured the pain, not daring to lift her head.

Just then, the kitchen staff brought in a pot of chicken porridge, simmered for two hours until the meat was tender. The clay pot sizzled, steam rising, filling the air with a rich aroma.

However, given the tense atmosphere in the room, none of the maids or servants dared to step forward.

In the past, Shen Anning would have personally taken it to serve.

But now—

Yu Shi glanced at her fourth sister-in-law, who had never lifted a finger in her life and showed no intention of serving. Swallowing her frustration, she had no choice but to grit her teeth and pick up the clay pot. Imitating Shen Anning's former actions, she ladled the porridge into a small bowl and carefully presented it to Fang Shi, respectfully saying, "Mother, please partake of your meal!"

After a pause, she added obsequiously, "Don't trouble yourself over Eldest Sister-in-law's behavior. It's not worth harming your health."

While seemingly pleading for Shen Anning, her words subtly implied that Shen Anning's defiance was an act of filial impiety. She was clearly helping Fang Shi subtly condemn Shen Anning.

However, Fang Shi was in such a rage that she had no patience for Yu Shi's convoluted insinuations. She simply swatted Yu Shi's hand away and glared at her, snapping, "When did it become your place to interfere?"

The bowl in Yu Shi's hand instantly crashed to the ground.

The scalding porridge splashed onto Yu Shi's hand, instantly reddening the skin.

Yu Shi's eyes immediately welled up with tears.

Inevitably, Yu Shi became Shen Anning's scapegoat, enduring a furious dressing-down from Fang Shi throughout the meal. Fang Shi unleashed all her anger upon her, and even Fang Siyan, who had always been her favorite, was unexpectedly caught in the crossfire and scolded for the first time ever.

Fang Siyan instantly seethed with resentment towards Shen Anning!

Shortly after breakfast was cleared, figures approached in the distance outside Jinyuan.

Bai Tao, with her keen eyesight, immediately announced, "It's the Luo family."

Mrs. Luo and her party had arrived as usual to visit with Fang Shi and discuss important matters!

From a distance, seeing someone kneeling outside the courtyard, Mrs. Luo was somewhat surprised.

As they drew closer and saw that the kneeling figure was none other than the heir's wife, Lady Shen, Mrs. Luo's heart skipped a beat. Luo Sutong, standing beside her, was equally astonished.

"Greetings to the heir's wife."

Luo Sutong quickly curtsied to Shen Anning.

Shen Anning nodded slightly to her, then turned to Mrs. Luo with a smile and said, "I am currently indisposed, so I cannot properly greet you, Aunt."

Shen Anning spoke to Mrs. Luo openly and frankly.

Seeing this, Mrs. Luo knew the heir's wife was being punished. This was the second time she had seen her, and each time she appeared more wretched than the last.

Hadn't she heard she was ill? How could she be kneeling here so early, just after recovering from a serious illness?

The wife of a noble family—wasn't this simply mistreating her?

Mrs. Luo shook her head ruefully. Her elder sister, after all these years, truly hadn't changed a bit.

Though she felt sympathy, the more humble and despised this heir's wife was, the more advantageous it was for them.

People are often selfish in this way.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Mrs. Luo led Luo Sutong past Shen Anning and into the courtyard.

Once inside, Luo Sutong couldn't resist turning back for another look. The figure in light green knelt there with a straight posture. Whether it was Luo Sutong's imagination or not, she felt it was a far cry from the humble, bent-backed posture she had seen the first time, when the heir's wife had been harshly reprimanded by her "aunt."

These past few days, rumors about her had gradually spread within the Lu family, yet now this heir's wife still regarded her with a normal expression, devoid of any wariness or resentment.

So, which one was her true self?

...

"Hmph, she started defying her elders first thing in the morning. I'm afraid I've made us look like a laughingstock in front of you."

"She's knelt, she's been punished. Enough. Since you spoke up for her, let her get up."

Not long after Mrs. Luo entered the room, Fang Shi's maid, Qiluo, soon told Shen Anning to get up and summoned her inside.

As soon as Shen Anning entered, she saw Fang Shi, seated at the head of the main hall, her face slightly stern, saying to her, "Since your aunt has pleaded for you, today's punishment ends here!"

After a pause, she continued, "Lady Shen, from now on, you must remember: you must not defy or disrespect your elders above, nor mistreat or bully the maids below. Being filial to your parents-in-law, serving your husband, and being kind to your sisters-in-law are your duties. Don't blame me, your mother-in-law, for being strict with you. You are the heir's wife of our Marquis's estate. Being strict with you is being responsible for our entire Marquis's estate!"

Fang Shi spoke with feigned righteousness.

In front of outsiders, she maintained an air of impartiality and strictness.

At first hearing, these words seemed like nothing more than a mother-in-law's careful guidance of her daughter-in-law. But upon closer reflection, they clearly sounded like an explanation and complaint to outsiders about the reason for punishing her: "defying and disrespecting elders"!

Quite cunning, indeed!

If Shen Anning were to argue further, wouldn't that simply confirm the accusation of "defying elders"?

Shen Anning did not mind these verbal games and merely responded calmly, "Your daughter-in-law will carefully heed Madam's teachings."

Having spoken, and seeing that Mrs. Luo was present, seemingly for important discussions, Shen Anning prepared to excuse herself. At that moment, Fang Shi suddenly addressed everyone with a serious expression: "Don't anyone rush off!"

She looked as if she had something significant to announce.

No sooner had she spoken than she turned to Shen Anning and asked, "Is the heir in the residence today?"

Shen Anning knew immediately that this was about the real business.

According to court custom, Lu Suian had three days off monthly. This time, for some reason, he had been staying home for several days in a row, though he was always busy and nowhere to be seen. He had come to Chuanze Residence to visit her during her illness the day before yesterday, but Shen Anning had used her illness as an excuse, so the two had not met.

Shen Anning vaguely recalled that in her previous life, not long after the Luo family matter was settled, he seemed to have left the capital to investigate a case for a while. She couldn't remember the exact date.

So she replied truthfully, "The heir has been busy with official duties lately, and your daughter-in-law is still ill, afraid of passing it to the heir. So the heir has been staying in his study these past few days. This morning, after serving here at Madam's, I was preparing to go serve the heir shortly."

Shen Anning's answer was watertight.

Fang Shi could find no flaw in her words, yet she still nitpicked: "It's rare for the young master to be resting at home, yet you are so careless. If you can't even keep your own husband's attention, how can you talk about continuing the family line for our Lu family? Since you are not attentive, there are plenty of others who are. Lady Shen, I hope you remember well your duty as a daughter-in-law."

Fang Shi seized on this point and chewed her out harshly. After this outburst, she finally vented the frustration she had felt earlier. A moment later, she glanced at Shen Anning.

But Shen Anning remained unmoved, as if she were still the same easily bullied, ineffectual daughter-in-law as before.

Sometimes, calm silence is the most potent form of defiance. This calm silence was different from the silence of before, when she was too humble to dare refute at all. In moments of silence, it sometimes made the other party seem like a clown making a scene, revealing their ugly side.

Shen Anning did not refute or respond further. Instead, she glanced with a faint smile in Luo Sutong's direction.

She saw Luo Sutong gripping her handkerchief tightly, her expression complex. There probably wasn't a daughter-in-law in the world who would want such a mother-in-law.

On the day she first arrived, she had only come with the idea of watching a show, but now she couldn't help putting herself in the situation.

Even the smile on Mrs. Luo's face gradually faded.

After giving Shen Anning a severe warning and seeing that she was indeed still the same hopeless case as before, Fang Shi, who had been worried that she might have grown wings, felt slightly relieved.

Fang Shi pursed her lips, her tension easing, and then moved on to the main topic of the day. Addressing everyone, she said, "Your aunt and cousin have rarely come to the capital. It so happens that both the eldest and the fourth are idle at home today, so let's call them over to meet the guests. They're all family; they should see more of each other to avoid bumping into each other outside someday and not even recognizing each other's faces—wouldn't that make people laugh?"

With that, she sent someone to invite the heir, Lu Suian, and Fourth Young Master, Lu Jingxing. As for the third young master, Lu Jinxuan, Fang Shi was uncharacteristically lenient: "The third son is in poor health, so let's not trouble him. There will be time to meet another day."

No sooner had she spoken than Fang Siyan said, "Mother, the fourth young master was called away by his superior this morning. He left early, and we couldn't stop him."

Fang Shi listened, feigning displeasure: "I specifically told him yesterday to ask for a day off. Why did something have to come up today of all days?"

Then, with a helpless expression, she explained to Mrs. Luo, subtly boasting: "Jing'er has just taken on a new role in the City Guard Patrol. The City Guard Patrol is responsible for the entire capital's security; it really can't be delayed."

Mrs. Luo quickly praised, "The young man is young and capable. Official duties are important, official duties are important. We can meet another time."

Fang Shi then said, "Then let's invite the eldest first."

At these words, everyone present exchanged glances, all understanding perfectly.

Some took the opportunity to glance at Shen Anning.

Shen Anning pretended not to hear, calmly picking up a teacup beside her and sipping with lowered gaze.

Sitting back, waiting to watch the big show.

Author's note: