High-class maid

Chapter 296 Forced smile

Upon hearing Shan Tao's words, even the usually composed Chen Shan's face darkened. So this is how his daughter-in-law slanders people outside.

"I, I didn't."

Shi Pingniang was still trying to argue, but her voice was much softer, making one wonder if she was feeling guilty.

“We’ll find out if we go to the Jia family and ask!” Shan Tao said.

Shi Pingniang stopped talking and lowered her head, pretending to be a quail.

"Is what she said true?"

Chen Shangen released Shi Pingniang's hand that had been supporting her, walked up to her, and asked in shock.

“Father, Mother, I meant well. No matter how favored that page is, he is still just a man. As long as my sister marries him and bears children for the Jia family as soon as possible, we won’t have to worry about not being able to control him. I also think this is the best marriage, which is why I didn’t tell you.”

Shi Pingniang continued to argue.

"The two of them were pulling and tugging at each other in the street without any restraint. Pedestrians were already used to it. It was obvious that their relationship hadn't started overnight. If they were so shameless in public, who knew how outrageous they would be behind closed doors?"

Shen Xing'er took a step forward and looked at Chen Shan.

She knew that Chen Shan, who had remained silent, was the true head of the Chen family.

“Exactly, Xing’er is right. Besides, that Jia family boy knows someone is going to arrange a marriage for him, and he has an ambiguous relationship with the gentry’s daughter. He also has a pageboy at home to warm his bed. Do you really think he’s a good match, sister-in-law?”

With red eyes, Shan Tao questioned Shi Pingniang. Shan Gen was also a little embarrassed, as it was the first time he couldn't hold his head up in front of his parents and sister.

"That's not the point. The important thing is that the Jia family boy and his page are scheming to get control of Shan Tao's dowry, as if it's only a matter of time before they get their hands on her. How do they know how much dowry Shan Tao can bring? Could it be that someone promised them something?"

Shen Xing'er glanced at Shi Pingniang, and although her words were plain, they sent a shiver down Shi Pingniang's spine.

The Chen family members looked at Shi Pingniang, waiting for her explanation.

"Ah, my stomach hurts! Yamane, quick, quick, go find a midwife!"

Enraged, Shi Pingniang's water broke. Chen Shangen, disregarding what had just happened, hurriedly carried her to the bed.

"I know you've been wronged. I'll settle the score with her after the baby is born."

Chen Shan hesitated for a moment, then walked up to Shan Tao, patted her hand, and said.

"I know, Mother, go and fetch the midwife. I'm off."

She knew that the priority was to let Shi Pingniang give birth to the child in peace, but she wasn't happy staying here, so it would be better to go with Xing'er.

"Where are you going?"

Chen Shan's family asked, still worried.

"She can go wherever she wants! Go and fetch a midwife!"

Chen Shan said.

"Uncle and Aunt, let Shantao stay with me. We'll let her come back tomorrow."

Seeing that the relationship between the Chen family was somewhat tense, Shen Xing'er hurriedly spoke up.

"Good child, I've caused you trouble again," Chen Shan's wife said.

"It's alright, we'll be going then."

Shen Xing'er grabbed Shan Tao and left without looking back.

She didn't want to stay here either. Could she pray for this woman's safe delivery? She couldn't! Could she curse this woman to die along with her unborn child? She couldn't do that either!

It would be better to take Shan Tao home, out of sight, out of mind! What she becomes is her destiny.

Yamane looked at his sister who was walking away without turning her head, opened his mouth as if to say something, but was pulled back to his attention by Shi Pingniang's cry of pain.

It wasn't until dusk that Shi Pingniang gave birth to the child in her womb.

"It's born! Mother and daughter are safe! Although the baby is premature, it's quite heavy, weighing a full six pounds!"

The midwife held the baby and loudly announced the good news inside the house.

"What? A girl?"

Yamane asked from outside.

The midwife felt a pang of disdain. This was their first child, and they were already so sexist? The family she had delivered yesterday had already had five daughters, and they hadn't reacted this strongly.

She suppressed her disdain and tried her best to make her voice sound cheerful.

"My lord, as the saying goes, 'flowers bloom before fruits ripen.' With your wife in good health, there's no need to worry about not giving birth to a healthy, chubby son!"

Chen Shangen met the disapproving looks from his parents and in-laws, sullenly touched his nose, and said nothing more.

He had always been proud to be a man, and if he had given birth to the eldest grandson of the Chen family, he would have been even more valued by his parents. But Shi Pingniang had given birth to a daughter! What a disappointment!

When Shi Pingniang, who was inside the house, heard that she had given birth to a daughter, she could hardly believe it. Shan Tao's marriage had already been exposed, and she had not given birth to the eldest grandson of the Chen family. How could she stand in the Chen family in the future?

Was she supposed to call a slave or servant "father-in-law"? She was unwilling to do so.

Overwhelmed with grief and resentment, Shi Pingniang fainted.

Unlike the chaos and turmoil in the Chen family, Shan Tao was focused on embroidery at Jinxiu Workshop.

I still owe Xing'er eighty taels! I must earn money as soon as possible to pay it back; only money will never betray me!

"What's wrong with Shantao? She looks unhappy. Did she have a fight with her mother?"

Wang leaned close to Shen Xing'er and asked in a low voice.

Shen Xing'er told Wang Shi what Sister-in-law Shan Tao had done, which made Wang Shi furious.

"That heartless woman, how dare she scheme against her sister-in-law? Why doesn't she marry herself off to such a good match? Shan Tao's marriage has been so bumpy, sigh."

"Shan Tao and I won't be going home for dinner tonight. She's in a bad mood and probably doesn't want to be in your way," Shen Xing'er said, seizing the opportunity.

"Where do you want to eat? Two young ladies should eat at home. You can always eat indoors."

Wang knew that Shan Tao didn't want her to see her with a long face, nor did she want to force a smile, but she was also worried about the two girls eating out at night. What if they encountered bad people?

"We'll just grab a quick bite at the noodle shop at the alley entrance, and tomorrow I'll coax Shantao to eat at home."

"Alright then, your dad won't be home for dinner tonight, and neither will you. Fatty and I will just grab a bite or two," Wang said dejectedly.

Where did Dad go?

Shen Xing'er then remembered that she hadn't seen Shen Kun yet.

"He went with Master Hou to meet the managers of Nanshan Hall. It's their first time meeting, so your father must treat them to a meal and drinks as a matter of courtesy," Wang said.

"After tonight, Father will be the head of Nanshan Hall, and I won't be able to see Father anytime, anywhere anymore."

"Silly child, he will always be your father. We only have you as our daughter, and all the money we earn in the future will be yours."

Shen Xing'er smiled and nodded. She wasn't being pretentious; she was just feeling a bit sentimental.

Keep busy, the busier the better. Ideally, the Shen family should monopolize the market in Qin and become the richest family in Qin!

Shan Tao came downstairs after everyone in Jinxiufang had left.

"Xing'er, I've realized that I've never been happy when I come to your house. I'm so sorry. Come on, I'll treat you to something!" Shan Tao deliberately tried to make herself look happier.

"Great, Momoko is treating me to something to eat? Then I'll have to make you pay for this!"

Shen Xing'er pretended not to see her forced smile and went along with her words.