Su Xiaoqi, having understood the situation, asked no further questions, only concerned about Madam Zhao's thoughts.
As it turned out, Concubine Zhang informed her that the Old Madam had no objections whatsoever.
"Ever since Madam informed the Old Madam about Mei Xin's actions, she declared she would no longer interfere in this matter.
The Old Madam said that if that woman knew what was good for her, the Shen family would not be stingy with her meals.
When she found a suitable partner, they would even prepare a dowry for her.
But now, it seems, there is no longer any need for that."
Zhang Yu was relaying Madam Zhao's exact words.
Su Xiaoqi's heart eased upon hearing this.
However, she soon felt a headache returning.
An envoy from Prince Xiang's manor had arrived.
It was Prince Xiang's Consort herself, accompanied by Huan Niang and Liang Xi'er.
Oh, and Prince Xiang's heir, Liang Jingting.
The entire family, excluding Prince Xiang himself, had come in full force.
Yet, among these people, she only wished to see Liang Xi'er.
She truly did not wish to see the others.
The reason for their arrival was not to see her, but to find Shen Mingzhu.
"See? When people are fine, they should make more friends. Look, if the east isn't bright, the west is.
Next, perhaps the south will be bright, and the north will be bright too."
Su Xiaoqi's words were teasing, but everyone present understood.
As Shen Yun's status and position increased, his family members also rose in prominence.
Those who might have looked down upon Shen Mingzhu's humble origins in the past would now choose to strengthen their ties with him due to Shen Yun's unexpected rise to prominence.
The best method for this was to form marital alliances through their children.
Shen Yun was already married, and Shen Zhao was still too young for betrothal.
Therefore, everyone's attention turned towards Shen Mingzhu.
It had not fully unfurled yet.
Recently, only official matchmakers had come to inquire about her.
But it was believed that more would arrive soon.
Hence, Prince Xiang's manor had been visiting frequently.
Especially Liang Jingting.
If he couldn't get past, he would come over.
One day he would bring food from Xijiang.
The next day, he would bring ice silkworm silk from Tianshan.
The day after, he would bring a fine item from Jiangnan.
Then, diamonds from Nanyang...
In short, he came to the Shen residence in various guises.
On the surface, he was visiting Shen Yun and paying respects to Old Madam Shen.
But in reality, his intentions were far from innocent.
Anyone could tell that he was interested in Shen Mingzhu.
In fact, putting aside external considerations.
Su Xiaoqi was generally satisfied with Liang Jingting.
After all, his status and position were undeniable.
Moreover, he was a good person, well-mannered and knew his limits.
His only flaw was his reputation...
The reputation of being a widower, no matter how high his status, made people reluctant to pursue him.
Furthermore, he was at least nine years older than Shen Mingzhu.
This age difference created three generations of gaps.
Su Xiaoqi worried if Shen Mingzhu were to end up with him, would they be unable to communicate due to the age difference, like an older husband and younger wife?
Yet, he seemed smitten.
No matter how subtly Shen Yun explained that his younger sister was not yet ready for betrothal and had no intention of being with him, he would not listen.
He would still come the next day.
He even went to great lengths to collect all sorts of miscellaneous items to give to Shen Mingzhu.
And whenever Shen Mingzhu went out, he would automatically act as her protector.
While you might find him annoying, he never approached Shen Mingzhu too closely. It was always a chance encounter.
Upon seeing her, he would not overstep boundaries, would greet her, and then follow at a distance.
In this way, he had actually helped Shen Mingzhu out of difficult situations several times.
Because Shen Mingzhu's status was different now, and her attire and appearance had been guided by Su Xiaoqi, compared to her previous awkward and ungainly self, she was now a complete swan.
Spreading her elegance and beauty with contentment.
However, she was not accustomed to bringing many people with her, feeling it was cumbersome, and she was afraid of troubling others.
Therefore, she only brought Zi Yan with her whenever she went out.
As a result, she encountered street ruffians in an alley.
Liang Jingting stepped in to help her.
It was the same on a few subsequent occasions. Shen Mingzhu hadn't mentioned it, and it was only later, after Shen Yun had people investigate, that he found out.
He then informed Su Xiaoqi, who assigned her more escorts.
Regarding that matter, Liang Xi'er quietly told Su Xiaoqi that Liang Jingting had been depressed about it for a long time.
He lamented that he would no longer have the chance to be a hero saving a beauty.
What a pity, he thought, for finally making his presence felt by Mingzhu.
Moreover, Shen Mingzhu seemed to be in a bad mood these past two days and hadn't gone out.
He waited outside, unable to see Shen Mingzhu, and thus wanted to enter the manor.
However, when Shen Yun was not in the manor, it was improper for him, a man, to visit alone, so he called his mother and sister, and even dragged his niece, who was visiting them, along.
Under the guise of visiting the Old Madam, Su Xiaoqi had no reason to refuse them.
She had no choice but to lead them to the main courtyard.
Upon entering, Shen Mingzhu was indeed there.
She was massaging the acupoints on Madam Zhao's legs.
This was something Su Xiaoqi had taught her, and after a few attempts, she had become quite proficient.
Madam Zhao had suffered a lot in her youth, so her legs always had problems.
But after Su Xiaoqi's arrival, she had improved significantly.
From time to time, Su Xiaoqi would perform acupuncture to dispel the cold, or directly massage to promote blood circulation.
Upon meeting, they exchanged greetings.
Su Xiaoqi noticed Liang Jingting's eyes constantly glancing at Shen Mingzhu.
His gaze was filled with tenderness, making one wonder if it was true love.
Su Xiaoqi specifically looked at Shen Mingzhu.
She appeared completely unfazed, sitting beside Madam Zhao, demure and lovable.
When her name was called, she would respond with a couple of words; otherwise, she would hold her teacup and ponder her own thoughts.
Her demeanor made her appear even more virtuous and gentle. Not only Liang Jingting, but Prince Xiang's Consort was also very fond of her.
She held Madam Zhao's hand and praised Shen Mingzhu profusely, saying she didn't know which young man would be fortunate enough to marry such a fine girl from their family.
Upon hearing about Chen Jia'an, Madam Zhao's expression stiffened.
She became somewhat melancholic.
Shen Mingzhu's eyes immediately welled up with tears.
Fearing she might lose composure, she made an excuse and left.
A moment later, Liang Jingting also found an excuse to leave.
Since she had left midway, Shen Mingzhu did not go far.
Instead, she stood by the rockery in the courtyard, gazing blankly at the landscape made of Taihu stones.
"Mingzhu... Miss Shen, I've heard about Chen Jia'an." Liang Jingting approached and said this directly.
Shen Mingzhu's face immediately flushed with embarrassment.
Liang Jingting then realized, uh, he seemed to have said something he shouldn't have.
But his intention was not this, and he quickly explained, "I, I didn't mean it that way. I meant, there are plenty of fish in the sea, uh, not that. I mean, in this capital city, there are many, many people better than your Chen Jia'an. For example..."
For example, himself, standing before her.
Shen Mingzhu actually didn't harbor any lingering feelings for Chen Jia'an.
Nor did she have what her sister-in-law called the sentiment of a broken heart.
She simply felt that her momentary soft-heartedness had almost brought shame upon the Shen family and made them a laughingstock in the capital.
She felt very embarrassed, and more so, she felt she had let down her mother and elder siblings.
But Liang Jingting's words made it seem as though her feelings for Chen Jia'an were profound. If others were to know this, it would have a bad influence.
She instinctively explained, "Does the Heir speak in jest? Young Master Chen and I were merely... familiar with each other, after all, we are from the same place."
As for any talk of private affections, there were none.
In their usual interactions, their feelings were pure and their encounters were proper, merely nodding and greeting each other.