bestfiction Chapter 398 has been established.
Chapter 398 has been established.
Wang Ling had been instructed by Prince Yong to harm her, but he ended up reaping the consequences. He was caught by Emperor Wenjing having an affair with a monk at Huangjue Temple. Although the matter was suppressed, rumors still spread.
Although Emperor Wenjing only punished Wang Ling and did not extend his anger to Wang Ling's relatives, Wang Ling's relatives were criticized as a result, and not long after, they moved away from the capital because they could not bear the rumors.
Wang Jin, who married out of the area, was ridiculed a lot because of this, and didn't dare to go out for a long time.
Now, Wang Jin looked hostile, clearly taking out his resentment on Shen.
Not far away, Wang Jin slowly approached, a smile on his face, but his eyes were like poison, staring fiercely at Shen Shi.
She wore a bright pink brocade dress, embroidered with intricate and gorgeous peony patterns. As she walked, the gold hairpins on her head jingled, making her appear even more arrogant and domineering, and clearly someone not to be trifled with.
Lady Anguo frowned and said to Yu Wan with concern, "Wan'er, Wang Jin is arrogant and unreasonable. Judging from her attitude, she's probably going to cause trouble for your mother-in-law."
"Can they handle it?"
Yu Wan stared intently at Wang Jin, a hint of worry rising in her heart.
She wasn't sure if the Shen family could handle it...
Shen didn't know Wang Jin, but Wang Jin's intentions were not good. She and Yun Xi exchanged a glance and both felt the hostility in Wang Jin's eyes.
But Shen showed no fear. Instead, a faint smile curved her lips as she stood gracefully in place, meeting Wang Jin's venomous gaze with composure.
Yunxi quietly moved half a step in front of Shen Shi, subtly protecting her behind her.
When Wang Jin saw Yun Xi, a hint of disgust and jealousy flashed involuntarily in his eyes.
Is this Shen's daughter?
How could a woman from a humble rural background give birth to such outstanding children?
Today, Madam Shen and her daughter Yunxi came to the banquet. In order not to attract too much attention, they did not dress up much. However, even so, the appearance of the mother and daughter was very eye-catching among the ladies of the noble families.
Previously, the women hadn't paid much attention to the two, but now, after Wang Jin's outburst, many people's eyes fell on them, and they were surprised to find that the mother and daughter were so beautiful.
Yunxi was fine, being only sixteen years old, but Shen Shi, a woman, looked like a young girl in her twenties who had not yet given birth. Time seemed to have left few marks on her face.
Wang Jin already hated the Yun family to the core, and seeing the still charming Shen Shi now only fueled his anger.
She stopped a few steps away from Madam Shen and let out a sharp, piercing laugh: "What brings Madam Yun here today? Could it be that you've come to the wrong place?"
Her eyes were filled with disdain, and her tone was mocking, "Some people don't even know their own place. They really think they're something special, daring to come to such a high-society gathering. Aren't they afraid of disgracing the class of this banquet!"
Her words were sharp and harsh, showing no respect whatsoever to the Shen family.
Many ladies sized up Madam Shen and leaned closer to whisper among themselves.
Yu Wan overheard a few words among them, all of which echoed Wang Jin's words.
Shen remained calm, as if she hadn't heard Wang Jin's sarcastic remarks.
Her tone was calm, and she even had a smile on her face: "Madam's words are quite novel. I came here for the banquet with an invitation from your household, and I entered the Li family's residence openly and honestly through the main gate with birthday gifts. How could I have come to the wrong place?"
"On the contrary, this lady, we are complete strangers, yet you are so sharp-tongued and relentless from the moment we meet. What deep-seated grudge do you hold against me, or is this just your usual way of making things difficult for others?"
Madam Shen smiled and glanced at the other women present. "I have indeed just moved to Shengjing, and this is the first time I have ever heard that the wives of officials in Shengjing behave in this way."
She spoke in a gentle and amicable manner, but every word in her mild tone carried a sharp edge.
Wang Jin could easily tell that she was mocking him!
They mocked her for being arrogant and domineering!
His face flushed red and then paled, his chest heaving with rage, and he wished he could rush up and tear Shen's mouth apart.
She originally thought that Shen, who came from a small town, would be intimidated by her imposing manner and obediently submit.
Unexpectedly, Shen not only remained humble and assertive, but also cleverly outmaneuvered him.
It seems I underestimated her!
Realizing that Madam Shen was not someone she could easily manipulate, Wang Jin calmed down. Just then, Old Madam Li was being helped by a younger relative and walked over.
Wang stared at Shen with a sinister look for a moment, then her expression changed, and she smiled and followed the other ladies to greet her.
"The birthday celebrant has arrived..."
"Today is truly a joyous day. The weather is fine, and the old lady seems to be in good spirits..."
The women chatted happily, their faces beaming, as if the little incident had never happened.
Yu Wan and Lady Anguo simply stood there without going to greet them.
The relationship between the two families is not yet that close, and the Duke of Anguo's mansion has no demands on the Li family, so there is naturally no need for them to curry favor.
Yu Wan's attention was not on Old Madam Li at all; her gaze met that of Madam Shen and Yun Xi across the bustling crowd.
Seeing the worry on her face, Madam Shen gently shook her head, a reassuring smile on her face, indicating that she was alright.
Lady Anguo breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "We were overthinking it. If Madam Shen can raise a son like Yunshang, she must be just as capable herself."
Upon hearing this, Yu Wan muttered to herself.
That's not it.
She still remembered when she first transmigrated into the book, Shen Shi couldn't handle the difficulties caused by the people of Shijia Village and only knew how to cry.
It seems that the Shen family has indeed changed a lot now.
Yunxi was equally astonished.
She knew what kind of person her mother was. Back in Shijia Village, when her mother was bullied and wronged, she would only shed tears silently and wouldn't even dare to argue back loudly.
But now, faced with Wang Jin's arrogant and domineering provocation, she could calmly and rationally retort, which she could hardly believe was her own mother.
Perhaps sensing Yunxi's gaze, Shen turned to look at her.
Yunxi suppressed the shock in her eyes and praised softly, "Mother, you are amazing! I was so worried about you just now, afraid that you would suffer a loss."
Shen was still a little scared at this moment.
She understood that in this capital city, she represented not only herself, but also the reputation of the Yun family.
If she shows weakness, not only will the Yun family lose face, but also Shang-ge'er, Xi-jie'er, and Yu-niang.
For their sake, she had to hold on.
She tried to suppress her trembling voice and said calmly, "Don't be afraid, Mother is fine. We have done nothing wrong, so we don't need to be afraid of these unreasonable people."
But her slightly trembling fingertips betrayed her inner tension.
Yunxi noticed this scene and felt both bittersweet and happy for her mother.
Yu Wan had been keeping an eye on them, and naturally did not miss Shen Shi's slightly trembling fingertips hanging by her side.
She couldn't help but smile.
The Shen family finally stood up.