CHAPTER 100: CHAPTER 99 UNCLE’S BIRTHDAY BANQUET

The carriage traveled for almost half an hour before stopping in a secluded alley.

Shen Yinning lifted the curtain to take a look.

Sun Miaoniang was sitting in the courtyard, holding little Fang Ge’er as they basked in the sunlight. A woman in her forties walked in carrying a plate of dumplings, chatting casually, "It’s only been a few days, but I swear that little Ge’er has grown again!"

Sun Miaoniang looked at her child with a gentle smile. "Children grow up quickly, after all."

"These are dumplings I made this morning, stuffed with shepherd’s purse and pork. I’ve brought you some to try." The woman sat down on a small stool and teased Fang Ge’er, adding lightheartedly, "Miaoniang, you’ve got such striking features and even bore a healthy boy, but your husband still doesn’t seem to care much for the family? He only comes back every couple of days—could it be he’s keeping a mistress outside?"

Sun Miaoniang’s expression shifted slightly. "My husband and I have always shared deep affection, Aunt Zhang, please don’t speak recklessly!"

"Oh, I only meant it out of concern for you and the child," Aunt Zhang said with a gossiping tone, "I’ve got a distant niece who’s also very beautiful. But alas, she’s orphaned, and had no choice but to attach herself to a silk merchant. Even after giving birth to twins, they never had a proper wedding or binding ceremony. Later, when the merchant went south on business, he became infatuated with the daughter of a wealthy family there. He wrote back to my niece, saying that he planned to marry the lady in the south, but claimed it was all just a temporary act. He said that once he’s gotten what he needs from her family, he’ll return to the north—and her."

Sun Miaoniang listened with rapt attention.

Wasn’t her situation with Shen Lang the same?

Xue Qingqing was like that wealthy daughter—more noble in lineage, more socially suited to Shen Lang.

As for Shen Lang, he had decided now to marry Xue Qingqing...

Unable to help herself, Miaoniang asked anxiously, "And then what happened?"

"Then? Well, the man ended up marrying the wealthy young lady, of course! They had seven, eight kids together! Sure, he said it was all a show, but men—they’re all the same, aren’t they? They forget the old flames once they’ve got new love. With a fresh, legitimate wife, what becomes of the past lovers? My poor niece is left raising two kids all alone, tirelessly aged into obscurity after ten years, still stuck living in a dilapidated temple on the outskirts, endlessly wishing for his return to the north!"

Sun Miaoniang bit her lip hard.

Is... that what awaited her and Shen Lang?

She had once caught sight of Xue Qingqing from afar—the woman was delicate and refined, graceful in every movement.

Compared to Xue Qingqing, she was worlds apart!

Even though Shen Lang had assured her verbally that after the marriage he wouldn’t touch Xue Qingqing or father children with her, what if he changed his mind? What if he regretted it and fell in love with Xue Qingqing later?

What would happen to her and Fang Ge’er then?

Unlike Xue Qingqing, Miaoniang had no backing from the Minister’s Mansion. She was just an orphan with no one to turn to. Her future, and her son’s prospects, entirely relied on Shen Lang’s efforts and goodwill.

If Shen Lang’s promises turned out to be hollow, she’d be left helpless!

Would her fate be dragging Fang Ge’er to live in a decrepit temple, waiting on charity like Aunt Zhang’s niece?

Sun Miaoniang’s thoughts spiraled into an abyss of fear. Her voice began to tremble as she asked, "Aunt Zhang, in your opinion, what should a woman do if she encounters such circumstances?"

Aunt Zhang snorted. "If I were my niece, I’d make a scene!"

"Make a scene?"

"Go directly to the man’s house—cause an uproar! Even if it means throwing decency aside, rolling on the ground, demanding justice! Best to do it when a crowd is around—make it public! Let everyone know that this man already has a mistress and a child outside marriage. For the sake of his reputation, he won’t dare simply beat you down and throw you out! When it gets to that point, he’ll have no choice but to take you in. Even if his family disapproves, they’d still have to bite the bullet and accept, given the witnesses. Forcing a clear statement to at least secure the status of a concubine—it’s better than skulking in shadows forever!"

Aunt Zhang’s bold voice hit exactly where Sun Miaoniang’s worries lay.

Yes, instead of hiding fearfully, waiting for an uncertain future, better to risk it all—forge her path to becoming a concubine in the Duke Mansion!

Once she’d claimed formal recognition, Fang Ge’er would be Shen Family’s second branch’s legitimate eldest son!

She’d overheard Shen Lang’s sister-in-law hadn’t borne any sons yet. If Fang Ge’er was Shen Guogong Duchess’ first grandson, which grandmother wouldn’t dote on her grandchildren? Even if he was born out of wedlock, the Duke and Duchess would surely treasure Fang Ge’er!

And wasn’t tomorrow Shen Guogong’s birthday celebration? According to Shen Lang, it was Crown Princess Consort hosting it in the Capital’s grandest restaurant, with all the city’s elite attending.

If she brought Fang Ge’er and exposed their relationship publicly...

The Shen Family could hardly deny her and her son, could they?

The more she considered it, the clearer her resolve became. She made up her mind then and there—to create a scene tomorrow at the banquet and force her way into the Duke Mansion!

Aunt Zhang observed every change on Miaoniang’s face, a victorious glint flashing in her aged eyes before she got up with a smile. "The hour grows late. I won’t keep you chatting. My poor niece is still waiting over at the broken temple—I need to hurry and bring her these dumplings before she starves to death, right?"

Shen Yinning lowered the curtain.

She turned to Lu Jiazhe, saying, "This Aunt Zhang was certainly your arrangement, wasn’t she? You handled this matter beautifully."

Lu Jiazhe grinned broadly. "I’ve despised Shen Xinglei for ages. Always putting on the appearance of a good man, while secretly behaving worse than beasts! If this ruins his engagement to the Xue Family, I’d call it justice!"

Shen Yinning smirked faintly, sipping her tea at leisure.

"By the way," Lu Jiazhe looked at her, "Sister Shen, you’ll be attending Shen Yan’s fortieth birthday celebration tomorrow, won’t you? How about I pick you up from Lotus Lane? It’s your first public appearance since returning to the Capital—you’ll need to make an impression!"

Shen Yinning accepted his thoughtful offer with gratitude.

The Shen Yan birthday feast finally began the following day.

Currently, the Shen Family stood at the peak of their influence in the Capital—naturally, all the city’s dignitaries were in attendance. By midday, the street outside the western-style restaurant was filled with traffic, carriages jammed with guests arriving to pay their respects.

Shen Yunxi wore an ornate embroidered gown featuring phoenixes amidst peonies, along with a flamboyant golden crown adorned with pearls held by a majestic phoenix. She stood with other members of the Shen Family, greeting incoming guests.

The venerable Elder Lady Chen was there as well. Her last visit to Shen Yunxi’s cherry banquet resulted in her losing a tooth; today, she came solely for Lu Ying’s sake.

She scanned her surroundings, her brows furrowed with concern, asking: "Crown Princess Consort, where should we, the wives, be seated?"

The first-floor hall had been cleared of all tables and chairs under Yin Shanshan’s instructions, leaving a large open space with bar counters and a champagne tower lining the edges.

The guests were left lingering awkwardly in the hall, with men and women alike clearly unsure of where to stand or what to do.

Some of the more reserved women retreated to the corners, fearing they might accidentally mingle with the men.

Noticing the question, Yin Shanshan stepped forward cheerfully to clarify. "Dear elder lady, this hall is modeled after western dining rooms—unlike traditional Chinese banquet halls. Today’s celebration disregards separation by gender; all are to mingle freely here. This arrangement is meant to foster conversations and help old friends reconnect. I hope everyone can relax and find a spot they like."

Elder Lady Chen stared in disbelief. "Since ancient times, men and women over the age of seven do not sit together in public. It’s improper to mix—this ought to be avoided, not encouraged! And yet you suggest we women share the space with the men?!"

Yin Shanshan took quick note of the elder’s conservative attire and couldn’t help but glance at her disdainfully, "What’s this nonsense about dividing genders after seven? Your mindset is so outdated and rigid. Besides, you’re old—who’d possibly have any designs towards you?!"