After mentioning the reconciliation, Jiang Shu stopped taking care of the affairs of the government. After closing the courtyard door of Tingzhulou, no one paid attention.
Shen Qingrong was worried for several days because of Jiang Shu's warning. After seeing that Jiang Shu didn't make any move and didn't even come out of the bamboo building, she relaxed and felt that Jiang Shu was just a bluffing paper tiger.
Seeing that the birthday banquet was approaching, Shen Qingrong was thinking about how to shine at the birthday banquet.
On the ninth day of August, when the sweet-scented osmanthus was fragrant, Shen Changhuai came back.
Dressed in Tsing Yi, his posture is straight and majestic. His eyebrows are somewhat similar to Shen Changze's, but his temperament is completely different.
Shen Changze is a resolute and solemn general, while Shen Changhuai is a bright and upright Confucian official.
The reunion banquet that day was held at Shouyong Hall, but Jiang Shu did not go.
Shen Changhuai was puzzled: "Why hasn't my sister-in-law come yet?"
In Shen Changhuai's impression, Jiang Shu behaved politely and never behaved like this.
"She's a little unwell, so there's no need to wait for her." Shen Changze explained forcefully.
Mrs. Shen changed the topic: "Why did you come back alone? Where are Shuqin and Yueyao?"
Liu Shuqin is Shen Changhuai's biological mother, and Wang Yueyao is Shen Changhuai's first wife. They both live with Shen Changhuai in Hengzhou.
Shen Changhuai said respectfully: "Yue Yao is feeling heavy and will give birth soon, so she doesn't dare to travel far. My aunt doesn't trust her and stays in Hengzhou to take care of her."
Mrs. Shen nodded: "That's how it should be."
After some pleasantries, everyone began to eat.
Shen Changhuai looked at the empty seat next to Shen Changze and everyone's expressions, and felt that there was another reason for Jiang Shu's absence.
But he was just a concubine, and he moved out of the Hou Mansion, so it was inconvenient for him to get involved in the affairs of the manor.
At the same time, listen to the bamboo house.
Chu Yu held a two-foot-long brocade box and said to Jiang Shu, "The jade Guanyin customized by Madam has been delivered."
Jiang Shu opened it, took it out and admired it carefully, and was very satisfied.
"Put it away and give it to the eldest princess later."
"Isn't this a birthday gift for the old lady?"
"Guanyin is kind-faced and kind-eyed. She is merciful and compassionate. She is not suitable for an old lady." Jiang Shu mocked.
Chu Yu was confused: "I will have my birthday party in a few days, won't you give me a gift?"
Although Jiang Shu had made up her mind to leave, she had not yet made peace with her. She was still the wife of the Hou Mansion, so it was unreasonable not to give her anything away, which might lead to criticism.
Whatever Chu Yu could think of, Jiang Shu could naturally think of it, so she said: "Send it to me, of course I have to give it to you."
"Then what to give?" Chu Yu asked.
Xingmu glanced at the screen in the room, and Jiang Shu suddenly had an idea: "Go get some five or six feet of rice paper."
"Why does Madam need so much rice paper?" Chu Yu was confused.
Jiang Shu curled her lips: "Bring it to you and you'll know. Go quickly."
She not only wanted to give a gift, but also wanted to give a filial piety gift that would touch the heavens and keep it so that no one would find fault with it.
As for whether Mrs. Shen likes it or not, it's hard to say.
Chu Yu moved quickly and soon brought the rice paper Jiang Shu asked for.
Jiang Shu spread the paper on the desk and asked Chu Yu to study the ink.
Chu Yu did as he was told and watched as Jiang Shurun dipped his pen into ink and wrote on the paper.
One character for longevity, two characters for longevity... Each character for longevity has a different shape and size.
After writing a piece of paper, Jiang Shu got tired of writing and asked Chu Yu to put it away and write again tomorrow.
After breakfast the next day, Jiang Shu picked up his pen and continued.
These characters for longevity are all different and are extremely troublesome and slow to write. But when he thought of Mrs. Shen's expression when she received the birthday gift, Jiang Shu became very motivated.
After spending nearly two days, Jiang Shu finally finished writing. He rubbed his wrist and told Chu Yu: "Take it and make it into a screen with peach wood. Be careful not to break it."
"Made into a screen?" Chu Yu was surprised.
Jiang Shu nodded and chuckled: "Yes, make a screen with a hundred longevity pictures and give it to the old lady as a birthday gift."
Chu Yu was stunned for a moment, then understood and went away with a smile.
The Hou Mansion was empty. Mrs. Shen loved precious things the most and had no interest in calligraphy, painting or calligraphy.
What's more, this hundred-year-old picture was written by Jiang Shu and is worthless.
But what Jiang Shu wants is worthless.
On August 13, Jiang Shu asked Chu Yu to send a letter to Lu Mingke.
A letter written by Shen Qingrong four years ago to the person he admired was returned.
Jiang Shu had collected this letter for many years, originally to help Shen Qingrong cover up and keep the secret, but he didn't want it to become a weapon against Shen Qingrong.
Lu Mingke's expression changed dramatically after seeing the contents of the letter, and he felt angry and angry.
He knew Jiang Shu had bad intentions, but the handwriting on the letter was indeed Shen Qingrong's.
This letter is a love letter written by Shen Qingrong to the person he admires.
"What does your wife want to do when she takes out this letter now?" Lu Mingke asked warily.
Chu Yu followed Jiang Shu's words and said, "Madam said it was to repay Young Master Lu's favor and to make Young Master Lu see the person next to him clearly."
"What do you mean?" Lu Mingke frowned.
This letter was written a few years ago. Now Shen Qingrong has married him. The past is in the past. What else needs to be seen clearly?
"Tomorrow's birthday party, Mr. Lu, you can find the answer if you pay more attention."
Lu Mingke was shocked after hearing this.
What Jiang Shu means is that Shen Qingrong will have a private meeting with the person in the letter at tomorrow's birthday party?
Thinking of this, Lu Mingke clenched his fists and looked gloomy.
He can ignore that Shen Qingrong once liked another man, but he cannot tolerate that Shen Qingrong is still unclear with that person now!
On August 14, Mrs. Shen’s birthday, there was a big banquet at the Marquis Mansion.
Jiang Shu stepped out of Tingzhu Tower, and Shen Changhuai finally saw her.
"Sister-in-law." Shen Changhuai greeted her respectfully.
When Jiang Shu married into the Marquis Mansion, Shen Changhuai was still studying hard. He was supported by Jiang Shu for three years before he passed the exam.
Later, when Shen Changhuai got married, Jiang Shu paid for all the betrothal gifts and banquets. Shen Changhuai always kept this kindness in mind and respected Jiang Shu very much.
Shen Changhuai couldn't see Jiang Shu in the past few days, so he asked around in the house and got a rough idea of what happened in the house, and also heard about Jiang Shu's desire to reconcile.
"Changhuai." Jiang Shu was a little surprised to see him.
For today's big banquet, he and Shen Changze should welcome the guests in the front yard.
The backyard is where the female family members are. Jiang Shu has packed up and is about to go meet the guests.
"I haven't seen my sister-in-law for a few days since I came back. How is she doing?" Shen Changhuai asked worriedly.
Jiang Shu smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'm fine."
After seeing that Jiang Shu was radiant and calm, and that there was nothing wrong with him, Shen Changhuai felt relieved and went to the front yard to help Shen Changze greet the guests.
At this time, Shen Changhuai thought that Heli was just a temporary anger of Jiang Shu and was not serious.
When Jiang Shu rushed to the backyard where the women were staying, Shen's mother and Shen Qingrong were talking to someone.
After dressing up, Shen Qingrong looked gorgeous and eye-catching, becoming the focus of the backyard.
All the ladies and ladies looked at Shen Qingrong curiously, with envy and jealousy... which greatly satisfied Shen Qingrong's vanity.
Seeing Shen Qingrong's proud face, Jiang Shu sneered in his heart.
"Jiang Shu." Yu Lan saw Jiang Shu and waved her over.
Jiang Shu came to his senses and walked towards Yu Lan with a smile.
After getting closer, Yu Lan took Jiang Shu's hand and asked, "Is that the wife that Marquis Shen brought back from the border?"
Like everyone else, Yu Lan was also full of curiosity about Cheng Jinchu.
Jiang Shu looked at Cheng Jinchu, whose pregnant belly was slightly visible next to Shen Qingrong, and nodded.
With her luxurious and brocade clothes and Nanzhu hair and face, Cheng Jinchu looked more like the lady of the Hou family than Jiang Shu did.
A group of people surrounded Cheng Jinchu asking questions, as if they could not see Jiang Shu's presence at all.
