Chapter 118: Bitten by a Dog

"Ning Dong nodded and replied, "Oh, it's time to go back for dinner after enjoying the sunset."-A few days later, a light rain was falling and people hurried along the streets. A small sedan chair cam...Song Xining's face turned even uglier after hearing this: "No wonder she would feign kindness and speak well of you, it must be because she was guilty."

Seeing her friend's face was grim, she softened her tone and soothed, "Ai Yao don't get angry. It's better to save her, otherwise if she falls, she'll blame you. Jing Ning County Princess will also help her, and then ruin your reputation, saying that you murdered your own sister. Then you really won't be able to defend yourself."

Meng Jin Yao exclaimed in one breath: “Enough, I'll just say that I didn't check the calendar before going out today and ran into bad luck. I was bitten by a dog.”

“Yes, just like being bitten by a vicious dog. Song Xining nodded repeatedly, stepped forward, and reached out to hold her arm. “Ayao, accompany me to choose some rouge and lipstick. The color you chose last time was very suitable for me. This time, get me another new one.”

Meng Jinyao responded, just about to accompany her into the rouge shop, she retracted her steps and softly inquired about Shen's condition: "By the way, An'ning, how is Madam Shen doing"

Song Xining smiled: "Madam Shen is much better, she just had a serious illness and suffered greatly. She needs to rest well."

Having said that, she thought of another matter concerning the Shen family. Her smile faded, and she sneered: "Shen's father's concubine, the one who is carrying twins, has now become his concubine. Relying on her twin pregnancy and Shen's father's favor, she acts arrogantly and haughtily, demanding to have the same treatment as Shen's mother. She doesn't even realize what her status actually is."

Meng Jinyáo was astonished: "The tribute from the mansion is still in Madam Shen's hands. Could Madam Shen allow her to surpass herself"

Song Xining shook her head hurriedly and whispered, "Of course Madam Shen wouldn't want to. Although the Shen residence bears the name Shen, Master Shen came from a humble scholar background. Even with his salary, he didn't have much to begin with. His promotion and raise in salary only happened last year, so the wealth belonging to the official position isn't abundant. Almost all the property in the household is Madam Shen's dowry."

Over the years, Madam Shen had run her dowry shop and estate well, increasing the family's wealth. The prosperity of the Shen family was due to Madam Shen's dowry, which rightfully belonged to her and she could reclaim at any time. Even though Master Shen favored his concubine, he couldn't truly control it unless he used his own private funds to support her. However, Master Shen also valued his reputation and wouldn't do anything to harm his wife for the sake of a concubine. Due to the concubine's arrogance, he reprimanded her severely.

Meng Jinyao replied, "That's good then. Mrs. Shen is strong-willed, and Master Shen has already stood up. There's nothing that a concubine can do to stir up any trouble."

Song Xining's face was once again filled with a smile: "That's right, Brother Shen has already entered the service at twenty-two. Even if his concubine is lucky enough to give birth to twins, they are just infants. It's hard to say whether they will be successful in the future. Ayao, let's go inside and talk." Then she took Meng Jin Yao's hand and walked into the rouge shop.

Meng Jinyo smiled and nodded, also happy for her friend. As long as Mrs. Shen stood firm, the concubine wouldn't make any waves, and the inner house wouldn't be chaotic. Young Master Shen was actually old enough to get married, but he waited for a few years to wait for Anning to grow up. When Anning marries him, she will definitely be cherished like a jewel in his palm.

Then, Meng Jin Yao accompanied Song Xin Ning to buy rouge and lipstick, and then she took her back to the Shen residence.

Before this, Meng Jinyu had been to the Shen Residence and came here upon invitation from Madam Shen along with Song Xining.

Before going to the Shen residence, Meng Jinyao bought some tonics that would be useful for the sick person. It wouldn't be good to arrive empty-handed as a guest.

When Meng Jin Yao saw Madam Shen, she was slightly taken aback. She had only met Madam Shen once before her marriage, and at that time, Madam Shen was radiant and full of life, not showing even a hint of her being close to forty years old. She was vastly different from the sickly, pale, and aged middle-aged woman lying in bed before her now.

Mrs. Shen saw her and showed a gentle smile: "Ah Yao is here, come sit down."

Meng Jiny Yao paid her respects with a curtsy, then sat down on the small stool before the bed and asked concernedly, "Madam Shen, are you alright"

“I’m doing much better,” said Madam Shen, smiling at the prospective daughter-in-law beside her. She teased, “Don’t you worry about me. I’m still waiting for Anning to marry over and have a cup of tea with my new daughter-in-law. I’ve waited so long to be served tea, I simply must have it myself, not let someone else take my place. Besides, it would be such a shame to die before holding a grandchild.”

Song Xining's face flushed red, and she said coquettishly: "Auntie Shen, what if I can't give birth to a son, but a daughter instead"

At that, her face reddened even further. What was she saying Talking about being born and not being born! Truly shameless!

Madam Shen was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "Your daughter is also quite good. Just like An'ning, she is kind and considerate. Your mother-in-law has always regretted not having a daughter as well-behaved and sensible as An'ning."

Song Xining pursed her lips and, decisively, stopped talking. She blushed and lowered her head, gently tugging at her friend's sleeve to signal her to change the subject and save her.

Meng Jinyu tactfully shifted the topic and chatted with Madam Shen for a while. Madam Shen was still unwell, her energy limited, and she soon grew tired and needed to rest.

After Mrs. Shen had rested, it was already noon.

Meng Jinyao and Song Xining were both having lunch in Madam Shen's courtyard.

Meng Jinyáo asked, “An Ning, Madam Shen has gone to sleep at midday and hasn't eaten lunch. Won't she be hungry”

Song Xinning replied, "No, Madam Shen is now eating less but more frequently. Before we arrived, she probably just finished a meal."

After having lunch at the Shen residence, Meng Jin Yao and Song Xin Ning left the Shen residence and rented a pleasure boat to spend time cruising the lake. As evening approached, night fell, lanterns flickered on, and the lake presented a different scene altogether.

Song Xining proposed having dinner on a pleasure boat and admiring the night view after nightfall.

Meng Jinyao readily agreed without hesitation: "Okay, I was thinking the same thing."

Hearing her answer so readily, Song Xining hesitated again and asked, "But, does Lord Gu keep a tight rein on you Would it be alright if you didn't go back at night"

Meng Jin Yao smiled nonchalantly: "It doesn't matter to me whether I go back or not. He and I aren't a normal couple anyway. It's not like I'm stepping out on him, I'm just having dinner with a good friend."

Song Xining's face paled slightly. This sounded fine at first, but upon closer consideration, she found it strange. She stared deeply at Meng Jinyao for a long while, but couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. She asked softly, "Ayao, is Hou Ye not good to you"

Meng Jinyao countered, "He's been quite good to me. Why do you ask that"

Song Xining shook her head and said solemnly, "It's nothing, I was just casually asking. Ayao, if you are wronged at the Gu family, please don't hold it in."

Meng Jinyao's lips curled up, a faint smile appeared: "An Ning rest assured, no one in the Gu family would make me suffer. At most, it would only be Gu Xiumin that rebellious son who provokes a few words, but he can't provoke me in the short term because he was confined again for making mistakes."

Song Xining was taken aback, then chuckled softly: "You really are a handful, making mistake after mistake without end."

Meng Jin yao raised an eyebrow: "Otherwise, how would he be a rebellious son" beautiful too. What are you rejecting"Seeing her angry, Meng Jin Yao let out a giggle. Before she could continue arguing, she quickly explained, "It's not that I dislike it, it's just that I think it...