Chapter 136: Planning to Take a Second Wife

After all, since it was the Old Lady who sent someone to summon him, Wang Qingrui did not dare to openly block the way, so she had no choice but to let "Shen Zhifeng" make another trip to Yansong Hall.

By the time he arrived, the Old Lady and Shen Sisi were gathered together chatting.

"Grandmother, do you remember back then, when Mother made me learn the zither? I was lazy, unwilling, and went to hide in the rockery of the garden to sleep, making the servants of the Duke's Mansion search frantically everywhere."

The Old Lady laughed heartily: "Of course I do! You little monkey, even I was scared out of my wits back then. I couldn't even eat dinner that day and joined the servants in looking for you."

Shen Sisi said with a shy expression, "In the end, it was Father who found me. Father, do you remember?"

The Old Lady teased, "You really should thank your Father properly for this. If he hadn't found you, falling asleep in such a damp and chilly place would surely have made you sick."

Grandmother and granddaughter chatted in a harmonious and joyous atmosphere, both looking over at Shen Zhifeng. He smiled somewhat awkwardly, "That was so long ago, I don't remember anymore. Ever since I fell ill previously, it feels like many things have become hazy."

With him saying this, even if they asked him anything else, he would always have an excuse ready if he got it wrong, wouldn't he?

Shen Sisi wore a look of worry and regret: "Really? What a pity that Father doesn't remember."

The Old Lady stroked Shen Sisi's head: "It doesn't matter. After all, you are his daughter. Since it's rare for you to come back, go pour your Father a cup of tea."

Shen Sisi nodded, picked up a teacup, and walked towards Shen Zhifeng. But being clumsy and losing her footing, she spilled the entire cup of tea right onto him.

Although Shen Zhifeng dodged in time, a large patch of his left sleeve still got soaked, stained with some crumpled tea leaves.

The matron behind the Old Lady reacted quickly and hurried over with a handkerchief.

Shen Sisi looked worried and remorseful: "Father, it's all my fault for being so careless. You didn't get burned, did you?" As she spoke, she took the initiative to pick up the cloth handkerchief to wipe Shen Zhifeng.

"Sisi, really, how could you trip while just holding a tea cup?" While scolding Shen Sisi, the Old Lady pulled Shen Zhifeng's left hand: "Let me see. What would we do if you got scalded?"

As she spoke, she pulled Shen Zhifeng's left hand over to inspect it.

On the back of his hand was a tiny black birthmark, identical in size and position. Upon seeing it, the Old Lady was startled. Could it be that she was really overthinking, and this was truly Shen Zhifeng himself?

"It's nothing. Fortunately, the tea wasn't hot. I'll go change my clothes," Shen Zhifeng said, making ready to leave.

Shen Sisi gritted her teeth: "Father, it's rare for me to come back. Please stay and talk with me a little longer."

Turning back, Shen Zhifeng saw Shen Sisi's tear-filled eyes looking at him with hopeful anticipation, and he could only offer words of comfort: "You're already married, how can you still act like such a child?"

"Father, I will always be a child in front of you," Shen Sisi said, embarrassed.

The Old Lady laughed loudly: "Alright, alright. My child, it is indeed rare for you to come over. Come, sit down for a while longer, and I'll have someone brew a pot of your favorite Longjing tea."

Fortunately, very little of his sleeve was actually wet, so Shen Zhifeng had no choice but to sit back down.

The Old Lady carefully looked at Shen Zhifeng once more, peering left and right. Without a doubt, this truly was her son. Inwardly, she sighed, realizing she had indeed been letting her imagination run wild, and her warmth and smiles toward him became completely genuine.

Shen Zhifeng secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It was a good thing Eldest Miss was meticulous and had taken care of even such minute details, painting the birthmark on his hand with a special pigment that wouldn't wash off easily with water.

Everyone relaxed, and their conversation became much more pleasant.

"Now even Sisi is married. Before long, I will be going to keep the Old Duke company," the Old Lady said, growing sentimental once again as she spoke.

Shen Sisi hurriedly shook the Old Lady's arm: "How can you say that? Grandmother must live to be a hundred. In the future, Father and I still need to show you proper filial piety."

"Indeed," Shen Zhifeng chimed in.

Amused by Shen Sisi's words, the Old Lady smiled: "In this household, only the two of you actually wish me well."

Then, seeming to recall something, she said, "My child, with Sisi away, I truly feel lonely day-to-day. And that person in Jianjia Courtyard is a troublemaker. You are not young anymore; stop entangling yourself with Aunt Wang all day long. Why not take advantage of the fact that I still have some strength left to remarry a proper wife and father a legitimate son? Only then can I truly rest at ease."

"Remarry?" Shen Zhifeng was stunned. "Whom should I marry?"

He felt a bit nervous inside, but upon hearing that he could marry a woman again, he couldn't help feeling a stir of anticipation.

"I will carefully look around for you, pick out a few candidates, and then summon you here to make your decision," the Old Lady said with a smile, thinking to herself that she must find Shen Zhifeng a gentle, virtuous wife who showed filial piety to her mother-in-law. Once he had a legitimate wife, she wanted to see what Aunt Wang had to be smug about.

Shen Zhifeng nodded in agreement and stayed a while longer before finally taking his leave.

Not long after, Shen Sisi also departed.

The more the Old Lady thought about it, the more urgent she felt it was to find a second wife for Shen Zhifeng, so she began making preparations with great fanfare.

When the news reached Aunt Wang, it threw her into such a rage that she tore apart the handkerchief she was half-embroidering. "That old immortal, she simply has to cross me at every turn."

Xiaoqiu also frowned. "Auntie, seeing how your affection with the Duke grows better day by day, if a legitimate mistress really were to come, it would spell trouble. I'm afraid life won't be easy for you then."

Wang Qingrui sighed. Exactly. Which man wasn't fond of the new and weary of the old? If the new wife happened to be a young lady from a prestigious family, it would become even harder for her to advance further!

"Damn old hag, such an advanced age yet she clings tightly to the Duke's household management and meddles in everything, simply unable to bear seeing me have a single good day!" Wang Qingrui cursed incessantly. "When on earth will she ever settle down?"

Xiaoqiu's eyes rolled as an idea struck her. "Auntie, what if the Old Lady were to fall ill, and Eldest Miss was unwilling to manage the household? Wouldn't the authority fall to you? And since the Duke's heart is set on you, he probably wouldn't remarry anytime soon."

Wang Qingrui's face darkened as she looked at Xiaoqiu. Meeting each other's gazes, both understood what the other was thinking.

Since it had come to this, she couldn't be blamed!

The next day, Xiaoqiu sneaked over to the main kitchen. "It's done, Miss. We just wait for the good news."

The Old Lady remained completely oblivious to all this. Having picked out several portraits of young ladies from good families, she summoned Shen Zhifeng. "My child, take a look. These are all women of status and beauty, and I hear their temperaments are gentle as well. What do you think of this one?"

Shen Zhifeng took the portraits and looked at the beauties depicted on them. Finding every single one entirely to his liking, he grew somewhat troubled. "Mother, you pick. I think they are all quite good."

Smiling, the Old Lady began introducing the young ladies in the pictures, but after much deliberation, she herself grew somewhat indecisive.

"Come, accompany me to have a meal first. We can look more slowly after we eat."