Chapter 37: Let the arrows fly first for a while

The uncle has arrived!

Li Shi also reappeared in the sight of the Shen family members; Shen Shen faced Li Shi with his usual humility, making many realize that the old lady was back again!

Indeed, they are mother and son; between mother and son, what knot can't be untied!

This frightened the Shen family's servants badly.

Originally, Shen Shen confined Li Shi to Wenxi Hall, cutting off all news; the servants had deeply offended this old lady!

Moreover, Wang Mama beside Li Shi had suffered untold grievances.

Now Li Shi has regained freedom; although she may not hold much power, the old lady wants to discipline a servant, and even Shen Shen, the head of the Shen family, must comply.

Filial piety!

Today, Wang Mama's limelight is unmatched.

The stewardesses and maids who had once offended her in the manor all came to apologize, bringing gifts.

Wang Mama was in a great mood.

She also had no intention of settling old scores.

At her age, being kind to others is better than nitpicking.

That night, Shen Shen held an extremely lavish welcome banquet at home.

As the center of attention, Li Yifu enjoyed great limelight.

In this process, Shen Yunyao and other younger members of the Shen family went one after another to pay their respects.

Logically, as an elder, Li Yifu should give the juniors a greeting gift, but the Li clan's circumstances were still not as good as before the Zheng family's.

Li Yifu's visit was essentially to mooch off others; how could he produce a greeting gift?

Li Shi hadn't expected this either.

Only after the juniors had each paid their respects and left did Li Shi suddenly realize that her brother was lacking in etiquette.

"Great nephew, second nephew, third nephew, your uncle I have no face to see you!"

"As an elder, I can't even produce a small greeting gift for the juniors, sigh..."

Li Yifu naturally knew his behavior was impolite and could see the nephews' discomfort; he immediately began self-reproach.

Tears streamed down his face!

"Uncle, please don't say that!"

"Over these years, it's been the nephews who have been remiss, neglecting to look after you!"

Shen Shen, seeing this, quickly said that they, as nephews, also had faults.

Li Shi then spoke up, saying, "It's my fault; I didn't let the children come see you!"

"It's all my fault, this old fool!"

Well, the welcome banquet had barely started when a crowd began fervent self-reflection.

Lady Lu sat in the inner chamber, behind a screen, listening to the voices outside; the corner of her mouth twitched, almost making her laugh out loud.

She had lived so long, yet this was the first time she had seen a welcome banquet turn out like this.

"Third sister-in-law!"

Zhou Shi saw Lady Lu's expression and quickly called out to her softly, fearing Lady Lu might cause an inappropriate scene.

Lady Lu returned a smile and said nothing.

She still had that composure.

Shen Yunyao sat at a table with her female cousins and also heard the remarks at the main table, nearly bursting into laughter as well.

As for this suddenly appearing uncle, Shen Yunyao could only say, "He's a talent!"

Coming to mooch, he turned it into a grand self-reproach and competition.

Such a person truly is a talent!

But how did such a talent end up like this?

However, Shen Yunyao always felt that this uncle had ill intentions, especially when facing him, his smirking look resembled a weasel.

She's about to marry; what could he possibly want from her?

Shen Yunyao couldn't figure it out.

The welcome banquet, because of this sudden self-reproach, had a slightly subdued atmosphere.

But overall the atmosphere was still good.

Host and guests enjoyed themselves fully!

Returning to her own small courtyard, Shen Yunyao called Cuiyu over.

"Miss, what are your orders?"

Seeing Shen Yunyao, Cuiyu wore an ever-ready expression, leaving Shen Yunyao a bit dazed—what was up with this girl?

"Cuiyu, what's going on with you?"

Shen Yunyao looked astonished at Cuiyu, who seemed ready to roll out the film set, always feeling that something bad was about to happen.

"Miss, you already know, don't you?"

Cuiyu countered with a question.

"Know what?"

Shen Yunyao grew more doubtful.

Cuiyu immediately spoke up, saying, "I heard that this time the uncle came intending to have you, Miss, bring the Li family's daughter and marry off to the capital together!"

"What?!"

This time Shen Yunyao was truly startled.

"Speak clearly!"

Shen Yunyao grabbed Cuiyu's hand, pulled her to sit on the chair beside her, and said, "Tell me from the beginning, what exactly is going on?"

Exactly, this time Maternal Uncle came hoping you, Miss, would help him find a prestigious marriage for the Li family's daughter in Jingcheng.

Of course, if you can't do that, then help the Xie Family's young master take a concubine!

Miss, you don't know?

After Cuiyu finished speaking, she suddenly realized that her mistress apparently didn't know about this matter.

Tell me, how did you find out about this?

This matter is utterly unbelievable!

In her view, even if Maternal Uncle really had such an idea, he would gradually plan it, not immediately cause a scandal upon arriving at the Shen Family.

Miss, this matter is what my second older brother heard from a servant beside Maternal Uncle.

At today's welcoming banquet, my second older brother was arranged by the Eldest Young Master to drink with that servant; my second older brother plied him with a few extra cups, and then the servant spilled everything.

After hearing Cuiyu's words, Shen Yunyao finally understood just how true it was when that girl earlier said her two brothers were talented.

Such a secret, and yet Cuiyu's second older brother managed to uncover it first.

Miss, you don't know about this? Then, at the welcoming banquet, didn't Maternal Uncle mention it?

He didn't bring it up at the welcoming banquet; I suppose the situation wasn't appropriate.

Shen Yunyao suddenly recalled the confession-and-competition scene at the welcoming banquet; this Maternal Uncle really is talented, having already laid the groundwork early on.

But what good thing could he be planning?

Even if I were to help someone find a prestigious marriage in Jingcheng, I should consider my own sisters; how could I consider the Li family's daughter, who is barely connected?

As for helping the Xie Family's young master take a concubine—

It would be better to simply make room for her with the Li family's daughter!

Miss, what should we do now?

Cuiyu was very anxious for her mistress, especially as the old lady walked out from Wenxi Hall; if that old lady were to get involved, things would become terribly complicated!

Shen Yunyao pondered for a moment, then spoke slowly: "Don't rush!"

Maternal Uncle hasn't even made a move yet; relying solely on a servant's drunken words can't count as evidence.

If they seize the opportunity to find an excuse, wouldn't we be very passive?

Shen Yunyao wore a cold smile.

She wanted to see how Maternal Uncle would act, and how many in the Shen Family would support or oppose him.

Miss, shouldn't we strike first?

No!

Sometimes we need to learn to let the arrow fly first!

(End of chapter)