SGEIRS -Chapter 118 Bitten by a Dog

Song Xinning’s expression darkened as she heard this. “No wonder she was pretending to be nice and praising you—it turns out she was just feeling guilty.”

Seeing her friend’s gloomy face, she softened her tone and reassured her, “Don’t be angry, A-Yao. It’s better to save her—otherwise, if she falls, she’ll pin it on you. Princess Jingning will support her, and then your reputation could be ruined. They might even accuse you of trying to harm your own sister, and then you wouldn’t have a leg to stand on.”

Meng Jinyao exhaled. “Forget it. I’ll just consider today as a day I ignored the almanac and went out, bringing bad luck… like being bitten by a dog.”

“Yes, just consider it being bitten by a vicious dog.” Song Xinning nodded repeatedly, stepped forward, and hooked her arm through Meng Jinyao’s. “A-Yao, come help me pick out some rouge and lip balm. The color you chose last time suited me so well—let’s pick a new one this time.”

Meng Jinyao agreed. Just as she was about to walk with her into the cosmetics shop, she paused and quietly asked about Madam Shen: “By the way, A-Ning, is Madam Shen feeling any better?”

Song Xinning smiled. “Aunt Shen is much better now, but after such a serious illness, her vitality was greatly depleted—she still needs proper rest.”

Then she thought of another matter concerning the Shen family. Her smile faltered slightly, and she chuckled softly, “That concubine of Master Shen—the one who’s pregnant with twins—is now his official concubine. Since she’s carrying twins and enjoys Master Shen’s favor, she’s become haughty and demanding, wanting her expenses to match Madam Shen’s. She doesn’t even consider her own status.”

Meng Jinyao was taken aback. “But the household accounts are still under Madam Shen. How could she let that concubine bypass her?”

Song Xinning quickly shook her head and lowered her voice. “Of course Aunt Shen wouldn’t allow that. Although the Shen household bears the Shen name, Master Shen came from a modest scholarly background, and his original stipend wasn’t much. He only received promotions and pay increases last year, so the household’s assets weren’t extensive. Most of the property belongs to Madam Shen from her dowry. Over the years, Aunt Shen has managed her dowry shops and estates well, increasing the family wealth. The apparent prosperity of the Shen family is all thanks to her dowry—it belongs to Madam Shen, and she can reclaim it at any time. Even if Master Shen favors that concubine, she can’t decide anything herself, unless he personally supplements her expenses from his private funds. But Master Shen is careful about appearances—he wouldn’t harm his wife just to favor a concubine. In fact, when the concubine got arrogant, he even reprimanded her.”

Meng Jinyao responded, “Good. Madam Shen is firm, and Master Shen is already established—so that concubine won’t be able to stir up any trouble.”

Song Xinning’s smile returned. “Exactly. Brother Shen is twenty-two now and already in office. Even if that concubine is lucky enough to bear twins, they’re just infants. Who knows if they’ll amount to anything in the future? A-Yao, let’s go inside.” With that, she linked arms with Meng Jinyao and stepped into the cosmetics shop.

Meng Jinyao nodded with a smile, genuinely happy for her friend. As long as Madam Shen stayed firm, the concubine wouldn’t cause trouble, and the inner household would remain orderly. Young Master Shen was actually old enough to marry by now, but he had waited a few years for A-Ning to grow up. When A-Ning married him, she would surely be cherished like a precious gem.

Afterward, Meng Jinyao accompanied Song Xinning to buy rouge and lip balm, and then they returned to the Shen residence.

Meng Jinyao had visited the Shen household before, invited by Madam Shen, alongside Song Xinning.

Before visiting this time, she bought some supplements suitable for someone recovering from illness, since it would be inappropriate to arrive empty-handed.

Upon seeing Madam Shen, Meng Jinyao was slightly taken aback. Before her marriage, she had only seen Madam Shen once—at that time, she was radiant, with no sign of her nearing forty. But now, lying ill in bed, with a face pale and thin, she appeared years older, looking quite frail.

Madam Shen smiled gently upon seeing her. “A-Yao, you’re here. Come, sit.”

Meng Jinyao bowed and sat on the small stool by the bed, asking with concern, “Madam Shen, are you feeling alright?”

“Much better,” Madam Shen replied, smiling at her future daughter-in-law teasingly. “Don’t worry about me. I’m still waiting for A-Ning to marry in so I can drink a cup of daughter-in-law tea. I’ve waited so long—I must drink it myself, not have someone else drink it. Also, it would be a shame to die before holding a grandchild.”

Song Xinning’s cheeks turned red as she teased, “Madam Shen, maybe I’ll have a daughter instead of a son?”

Her face flushed even more after speaking—what was she saying? How shameless!

Madam Shen paused, then laughed. “A daughter would be fine too. Someone as considerate and sweet as A-Ning—Aunt Shen has always regretted not having a daughter like her.”

Song Xinning opened her mouth but didn’t respond, shyly lowering her head and gently tugging Meng Jinyao’s sleeve, signaling her to steer the conversation away.

Meng Jinyao thoughtfully changed the topic, talking with Madam Shen for a while. Since she was still recovering, Madam Shen quickly grew tired and needed rest.

By the time Madam Shen rested, it was already noon.

Meng Jinyao and Song Xinning had lunch in Madam Shen’s courtyard.

Meng Jinyao asked, “A-Ning, since Madam Shen slept through noon and didn’t eat lunch, isn’t she hungry?”

Song Xinning replied, “No. Aunt Shen now eats little at a time but more often. She probably just ate before we arrived.”

After lunch, Meng Jinyao and Song Xinning left the Shen residence and rented a painted boat to pass the time on the lake. By evening, as night fell and the lanterns lit up, the lake presented a different scene.

Song Xinning suggested having dinner on the boat and then enjoying the night view once it grew darker.

Meng Jinyao didn’t hesitate to agree. “Sure, that’s exactly what I had in mind.”

Hearing her respond so readily, Song Xinning hesitated slightly and asked, “But does Marquis Gu control you strictly? Can you stay out after dark?”

Meng Jinyao smiled indifferently. “We’re not a normal married couple. Whether I go back or not doesn’t matter. It’s not like I’m having an affair—I’m just having dinner with a good friend.”

Song Xinning froze. At first, it didn’t seem odd, but thinking it over, she felt something strange. She scrutinized Meng Jinyao for a long moment but couldn’t find any clue, then softly asked, “A-Yao, does Marquis Gu treat you badly?”

Meng Jinyao countered, “He treats me well. Why do you ask?”

Song Xinning shook her head and spoke earnestly, “Nothing, I was just asking. A-Yao, if someone at the Gu household mistreats you, don’t hold it in.”

Meng Jinyao’s lips curved slightly into a faint smile. “Don’t worry, A-Ning. No one at the Gu household will mistreat me. At most, that unfilial Gu Xiuming might provoke me a bit, but even he can’t do much for now, since he’s been confined for making mistakes.”

Song Xinning was astonished, then lightly laughed. “Your eldest boy really is something—mistakes one after another, never-ending.”

Meng Jinyao raised an eyebrow. “Otherwise, how could he be called unfilial?”