The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family-Chapter 1166 - 268: Lesson on Abstinence

Pei Qin was inexplicably warned and threatened by him, and immediately became angry, "Song Ming! Even though you are devoted to Pei Qin, she has been married to Mo Heng for many years. You should give up by now! Better take a good look at some maiden and set up your own family. Leave Pei Qin’s matters to her husband Mo Heng!" He had not married yet because of Pei Qin, and his family was clueless about the details, which made things difficult for her once, and now he had gotten worked up.

Shen Songming saw that he hadn’t understood what he meant at all. Considering he was an Elder Statesman, a Vice-premier, he had delegated household matters to Madam Shen, turning a blind eye to domestic quarrels, caring only about his power, status, and the affairs of the Imperial Court. Thinking of the intimate friend of Great-grandmother Shen who frequented his home, he didn’t bother to explain further and just dropped the statement, "I shall never marry in this lifetime!" before turning and leaving.

Shen Bi’s face turned grim with anger.

Madam Shen heard that he had called Shen Songming to talk and immediately came to ask, "Master! Is there some issue again?" She suspected it might have something to do with Mo Heng and Pei Qin again, as the New Emperor had just ascended the throne that very day, and he had sought Shen Songming as soon as he had finished his duties.

Shen Bi thought back on the previous time when his family was unaware and had invited Pei Qin over in a manner that left her embarrassed. This time he informed her about Xiao Yong in advance and asked her to prep the family, "From now on, we cannot indulge in close relationships, nor should we oppose Pei Qin again."

Madam Shen was stunned for a good while, "The Crown Prince was actually raised by Pei Qin!?"

Shen Bi nodded in affirmation.

"I understand, Master. The family will arrange everything. Once the court situation stabilizes in a couple of days, I will personally send out an invitation for her to enjoy the plum blossoms," Madam Shen said. Although not fond of Pei Qin, given the current changing situation, Pei Qin and Mo Heng’s status meant that tripping them up could just be enough for her family to suffer. The Shen family, deep-rooted as it was, could not withstand the Emperor favoring their household.

Shen Bi thought for a moment and said, "Let mother send the invitation!" After the previous embarrassment, Pei Qin might be hesitant to come.

When he suggested this, it caused a slight discomfort in Madam Shen, a Lady of the Imperial Enjoin of the First Rank, feeling perhaps she wasn’t respected enough to invite Pei Qin. But seeing Shen Bi’s expression, she did not show her irritation and smiled in agreement, "I’ll talk to mother about this later."

Old Lady Shen, seeing how seriously her son treated this matter, agreed to send the invitation to Pei Qin but wasn’t very warm about it. Even if Xiao Yong was the Crown Prince, Prince Yong’an was in his prime years with potentially more descendants on the way, it wasn’t yet decided to whom the throne would pass. The Pei family pursued the glory of aligning with the ruler, while the Shen family, an aristocratic family for centuries, only needed to stay neutral, loyal to the Imperial Court, to stand forever.

The invitation was delivered personally by Sister Momo from Old Lady Shen’s side, along with a few boxes of tonics as a gesture of goodwill, inviting Pei Qin to visit them in half a month for the plum viewing.

Pei Qian had just scolded Pei Qin mercilessly, not minding her health, indulging every whim of her husband, courting her own destruction.

It took Pei Qin a while to understand that the request for water last night had been discovered by Pei Qian, who was scolding her for indulgence. She listened with a sullen face to the scolding. Upon hearing that Sister Momo was at the door, she immediately said, "Bring her to the side hall for a meeting."

Seeing that she was trying to escape the scolding and there were guests, after having complained herself for a long while, Pei Qian got up reluctantly with a displeased expression and followed her out.

Sister Momo met Pei Qin and immediately greeted her with a deep bow and a smile, and did the same to Pei Qian, delivering the tonics and the invitation, explaining the purpose of the visit.

Pei Qian’s expression remained neutral, but she was inwardly displeased. They were quite quick to come running! Was it not because they saw the good prospects of her family, and that Xiao Yong was raised by her elder sister! What’s the meaning of enjoying the plum blossoms? The entire Tiance Mansion was full of plum gardens they couldn’t finish admiring! But as this was a political interaction, she tried to respond with a smile on her face.

Pei Qin thanked her for the tonics, accepted the invitation, and said she would surely attend.

Sister Momo wanted to probe about Xiao Yong, but seeing Pei Qin’s relaxed and composed demeanor, she gave up on the idea. Pei Qin was definitely cunning; otherwise, she wouldn’t have supported one prince to the throne and then replaced it with another, promoting Yong’an to Emperor for the sole purpose of making Xiao Yong the future ruler. She had better not trick herself into spoiling things by carelessly speaking.

As soon as she left, Pei Qian immediately frowned, "What’s there to admire about plum blossoms! It’s nothing but them seeing our good position and fawning over us! Maybe it’s again some jealous fool holding a grudge, trying to harm you, and trample on you!"

"From now on, I’ll just be a virtuous wife and good mother. Such social interactions cannot be avoided," said Pei Qin, giving her a look. The general of Tiance should just rest from now on!