When Su Xiaoqi heard that Princess Qionghua had called back, she was startled.
But she quickly understood.
Someone like Princess Qionghua, who could randomly slap anyone she found displeasing on the street.
After being slapped by Mingzhu this time, she would certainly retaliate.
However, she then became anxious: "Mingzhu, are you hurt anywhere? Did she hit you?"
"No, I'm fine, Lan Ying blocked it for me."
Su Xiaoqi said that Princess Qionghua would not have stopped at just one slap.
The fact was, she would tolerate anything but being at a disadvantage.
Since she had resorted to physical violence, she would not easily let Shen Mingzhu go.
"She was, she was sent back," Shen Mingzhu said.
Because Chen Jinji had many distinguished guests, the heir of Prince Xiang's estate happened to have a servant queuing up to buy pastries that day, and his carriage was nearby.
The commotion attracted his attention.
He immediately dismounted and came over.
Upon seeing Princess Qionghua, he ordered her to be escorted back.
"Prince Xiang's heir, oh, she's from Ning King's consort's maternal family."
"Yes, that's right. That person claimed to be Princess Qionghua's maternal uncle," Shen Mingzhu said.
Su Xiaoqi breathed a sigh of relief, glad that Mingzhu was unharmed.
But Shen Mingzhu quickly added, "Princess Qionghua said, said she would never forget that slap.
She will definitely find an opportunity to return it."
Su Xiaoqi held her hand and gently reassured her that their family was no longer afraid of the Ning King's estate.
She wouldn't dare to do anything to them, so there was no need to be afraid of her.
Shen Yun did not speak, but his hands, placed on the table, were clenched tightly, his knuckles cracking.
Su Xiaoqi knew he was enraged.
"Husband, your decision was right. We always want to be ourselves, but some people won't even grant us this small wish."
At first, Su Xiaoqi felt that Shen Yun's pursuit of power was a bit excessive.
But now she understood him completely.
They were already caught in the vortex of power.
They just didn't realize it.
Since they couldn't get out, they might as well stand a little higher!
The hesitation in Su Xiaoqi's eyes vanished, and her expression became even more resolute.
Shen Yun stood up and said, "Mingzhu, you should stay indoors for now. Leave this matter to me."
Shen Mingzhu sniffled and agreed, then asked weakly,
"Brother, am I causing trouble for you? I, I couldn't help it when I heard what she was saying, it was too unpleasant."
"You did the right thing. Whether others know what kind of person your sister-in-law is, you certainly do. You just did what you should have done."
Su Xiaoqi offered a gentle smile: "Thank you for defending me outside. You've done all you needed to do.
Leave the rest to us."
Su Xiaoqi exchanged a look with Shen Yun, their eyes meeting, and a decision was made.
Shen Mingzhu felt reassured, but she still thought of what had happened before and asked, "What about the matter of the name?"
Shen Yun said, "You don't need to change it. Someone will change it themselves."
Shen Mingzhu was puzzled.
Afraid of frightening Shen Mingzhu, Su Xiaoqi took her to Zhao Shi.
Having made a decision with Shen Yun, they needed to inform Zhao Shi.
So as not to hurt her feelings.
Even Shen Mingzhu should know about the decision the family was about to make.
In the backyard, Meixin was sitting in Zhao Shi's courtyard, watching her tend to the flowers and plants.
She seemed to have a request for Zhao Shi, constantly bothering her, quietly pleading for something.
Her voice even had a crying tone.
Seeing Su Xiaoqi arrive with Shen Mingzhu, she quickly lowered her head, wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, and then voluntarily got up to leave.
She dared not meet Su Xiaoqi's gaze.
This woman was too terrifying.
She currently had nowhere else to go and could only remain in the Shen household.
Relying on Zhao Shi's protection, she dared not provoke Su Xiaoqi lightly.
Otherwise, Zhao Shi probably wouldn't be able to protect her.
It wasn't that Zhao Shi didn't dote on her niece enough.
It was that Zhao Shi doted on her daughter-in-law too much.
She now realized that Zhao Shi treated Su Xiaoqi better than her own daughter.
Whatever Su Xiaoqi said, Zhao Shi would agree.
When she had spoken ill of Su Xiaoqi to Zhao Shi several times behind her back, Zhao Shi had interrupted her.
On one occasion, when she deliberately continued, she angered Zhao Shi, who pointed at her nose and called her ungrateful.
Zhao Shi had said that the Shen family provided her with food and clothing.
They gave her the best of everything, and she still gossiped about her daughter-in-law behind her back.
She lacked gratitude.
Since that incident, Zhao Shi's attitude towards her had become less warm.
Before, she would actively send someone to find her and talk to her.
Now, she hardly took the initiative to approach her.
Even when she deliberately tried to gain attention, Zhao Shi would only give her a perfunctory glance.
She seemed indifferent towards her.
This had made her somewhat depressed.
Today, she had finally gathered the courage to approach Zhao Shi and ask for a favor.
But no matter how hard she tried, the old woman seemed not to hear her, feigning ignorance about her words and paying her no mind.
She simply stated that these matters had nothing to do with her and that her current responsibility was only to tend to the flowers and plants in the backyard.
She advised that if any matters needed to be handled, she could approach Xiaoqi or Shen Yun directly.
"But, but, Aunt, my father and your uncle had agreed to a marriage alliance back then.
I and Brother Yun..." Meixin lowered her head and pouted. She had hinted at this to Zhao Shi many times.
But Zhao Shi pretended not to understand.
This time, she had no choice but to be direct.
She hoped Zhao Shi would give her a clear answer.
However, before Zhao Shi could reply, the detestable Su Xiaoqi and Shen Mingzhu arrived.
Having put her pride aside to speak, she was filled with gloom at not receiving an answer.
Her expression soured towards Zhao Shi.
Su Xiaoqi, with her sharp ears, recalled hearing Meixin muttering outside the courtyard about wanting Zhao Shi to fulfill a casually made marriage promise between the two families from years ago.
Su Xiaoqi didn't know about others, but Zhao Shi had never taken it seriously.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have betrothed Shen Yun to Su Yurou back then.
If it wasn't valid before, it was even less valid now.
Su Xiaoqi stopped Meixin, who was about to leave, and cleared her throat, saying, "Miss Meixin, regarding your engagement to my husband, please refrain from mentioning it in the future.
Because there is no such thing, and the more you speak of it, the more I will have people send invitations to the Prefect of Shuntian, accusing you of spreading rumors and damaging the reputation of court officials and ladies of rank."
"You, you, I, I didn't say anything," Meixin exclaimed in shock.
Although she had always thought Su Xiaoqi was not a good person, she had never seen her act so aggressively yet feebly.
Her delicate and beautiful face held only a cold expression, which made her heart clench. She lowered her head, daring not to say more.
Su Xiaoqi continued, "Henceforth, you are a guest in the Shen family. Live honestly and abide by the rules.
If you have any ulterior motives or stir up trouble, do not blame me for being impolite!"
Su Xiaoqi warned her coldly.
Meixin stamped her foot and looked at Zhao Shi, crying, "Auntie..."
Zhao Shi glanced at her with extreme indifference.
She did not speak, but her attitude was unequivocally clear.
She stood on Su Xiaoqi's side.
Meixin was instantly filled with hatred.
She had thought Zhao Shi would help her to some extent.
But she never expected her to be so heartless.
Furious, she left in a huff without even offering a formal farewell.
Su Xiaoqi watched her leave in a rage, naturally understanding her thoughts.
In fact, all of this had come about due to Meixin's own doing.