Chapter 7: Walls Have Ears

Shen Mengli was busy with her embroidery in the courtyard, listening intently as Xique vividly recounted the trials Shen Mengqing was facing at the Zhuo household.

"Miss, you wouldn't believe how miserable the Second Miss and her people have been at the Zhuo residence these past few days. Not only is their living space cramped and dilapidated, but they aren't even getting enough to eat. Dujuan and the others have been starved for three days; right now, they’re all huddled in the kitchen scrounging for scraps. Furthermore, the Zhuo family stole the Second Miss’s dowry, yet they refuse to admit it, turning around to accuse the maids of being light-fingered. When they get worked up, they even threaten to invoke house rules and whip them. From what I’ve seen, those maids have gathered quite a few injuries in just a few days, and they’re currently weeping to the head governess. Even someone as shrewd as Nanny Liu has a face like a funeral shroud; she’s been complaining to the Madam all morning."

In an attempt to help Shen Mengqing establish her authority at the Zhuo residence, Lady Liu had sent several experienced nannies and maids as part of her dowry. Instead of asserting control, they had been dealt a harsh blow right from the start. It was truly foolish. In her previous life, Shen Mengli had taken only Xique with her. Knowing that one does not strike a smiling face, she had presented everyone with gifts the moment she arrived, winning them over with ease. Even Zhuo Hua’s sister had praised her for being a virtuous sister-in-law. Whenever she encountered their petty provocations, she had always managed to deflect them with grace and ease.

Even that old shrew in the Zhuo family had failed to gain any advantage over her.

Xique continued, "Miss, word has it that the Second Miss and her husband have been arguing, and they haven't even consummated their marriage since the wedding."

Shen Mengli looked surprised. "You managed to find out all that? Keep your voice down. Walls have ears; if Shen Mengqing hears you, she’ll surely slap you for your insolence."

"Don't worry, Miss. The entire household knows by now. Everyone is whispering about it; I thought you were the only one who didn't know."

Shen Mengli was speechless. How had Shen Mengqing managed to make such a private matter public knowledge? If this spread further, what would become of her reputation in the capital? She would undoubtedly become the subject of endless gossip. Zhuo Hua’s mother possessed an unusually high level of possessiveness, terrified that a close bond between her son and daughter-in-law would result in her being neglected.

In her previous life, Shen Mengli had not consummated her marriage on the wedding night either, but she had kept it under tight wraps. By the time she returned to her maiden home, not a single whisper had leaked out. Zhuo Hua had treated her with the utmost respect and defended her at every turn. As for arguing? That was unthinkable. In her past life, she and Zhuo Hua had never once exchanged a harsh word.

How had Shen Mengqing managed to start quarreling with him the moment she arrived? With this change in marriage arrangements, would Shen Mengqing ever find the life she had so desperately craved?

After Shen Mengqing returned to her maiden home, she simply stayed there, while the household began preparations for Shen Mengli's grand wedding. The Prince Duan’s estate had sent a governess to instruct her in etiquette. Nanny Lin was a veteran who had spent twenty or thirty years in the palace, once serving the Empress Dowager and earning her deep favor. When Prince Duan moved out of the palace to establish his own household, the Empress Dowager had gifted Nanny Lin to him to oversee his daily life. Nanny Lin was notoriously strict regarding posture and decorum.

In her previous life, it was Nanny Lin who had been sent to instruct Shen Mengqing. Shen Mengqing still remembered the torment she had suffered under the woman. If her movements were even slightly off-standard, Nanny Lin would scold her and strike her palms with a bamboo rod.