RPAGF Chapter 154 Matters Regarding the Change of Surname
Chapter 154 Matters Regarding the Change of Surname
Despite saying that, Shen Funian was still busy running around while grumbling.
They helped Ling He choose a few maids who wanted to get to know him, but in the end, they were all discouraged by his temperament.
Shen Funian collapsed onto the bed, murmuring, "The day after tomorrow is the day to change my surname, and I still haven't accomplished it. I've let my elder brother down..."
Wen Jiayue comforted her, saying, "The Marquis didn't ask you to finish before changing your surname, so you don't need to be in such a hurry."
“But I’m just anxious,” Shen Funian sighed. “My brother has been busy with Yao’er’s affairs for so long, and he even has to teach Yao’er to read, but I can’t even do a small thing that he asked me to do well.”
Wen Jiayue said helplessly, "I see you spend all day with Guard Ling, and you've become just as stubborn as him."
Shen Funian sat up abruptly: "Hmph, have I really spent a lot of time with Guard Ling these past few days?"
Wen Jiayue nodded, not understanding why.
Shen Funian has practically moved into the main courtyard. Every day she either interrogates Ling He about his preferences or goes to the mansion to find the maids. She never has a moment of peace.
“Su Ye said the same thing,” Shen Funian said with difficulty. “I’ve explained it to him, but he’s still angry.”
Since learning that Wen Jiayue knew about her and Su Ye, Shen Funian stopped pretending and would occasionally mention it to her.
Wen Jiayue smiled and said, "What do you mean you're angry? You're clearly just jealous. You can just coax her a little."
"Why should I coax him?" Shen Funian raised her chin and said stubbornly, "He's just a minor physician in the prefecture. It's an honor for him that I, this great lady, have taken a liking to him. He even dares to bargain with me. He's really gone too far!"
Wen Jiayue remained silent, knowing that Su Ye was more than just a "minor physician in the prefecture."
After venting her frustrations, Shen Funian rallied and went to find Ling He again.
Wen Jiayue shook her head and chuckled. She was truly undeterred by setbacks; let her do whatever she wanted.
Unexpectedly, Shen Funian did not come to the main courtyard the next day.
Wen Jiayue found it a little strange, but didn't think much of it. Tomorrow, Yao'er's surname would be changed, which was a big deal, and she would definitely be busy.
In the evening, Shen Fuhan returned to his residence.
Wen Jiayue asked with concern, "Have all the matters for tomorrow been taken care of?"
Shen Fuhan nodded and said, "Remember to go to bed early tonight."
Wen Jiayue nodded: "Of course."
As the wife of a marquis, she naturally has to take care of various matters tomorrow to prevent any mishaps.
Seeing that she didn't fully understand his meaning, Shen Fuhan paused and reminded her, "Tomorrow is also the tenth day."
Wen Jiayue: "..."
She simply didn't know what to say.
How could anyone utter such words, leaving one utterly defenseless, in the coldest, most restrained tone?
She forced herself to speak and said, "I understand."
The next day was also a day off. After the rooster crowed three times, a continuous sound of firecrackers came from the Jing'an Marquis's residence.
After daybreak, members of the Shen family's collateral branches arrived one after another.
Wen Jiayue and Shen Funian smiled and accompanied the old lady, entertaining the highly respected elders of the Shen family.
She had never seen these people before, but everyone recognized her.
Last night, I crammed for the information and learned about the appearances and titles of these elders from Shen Fuhan. Today, I matched them up one by one and guessed them pretty accurately.
She was terrified of making a mistake, so she had to be on high alert, and her smile became so stiff it was almost painful.
When no one was looking, she counted and realized that she was only missing one great-uncle before everyone would be together.
Wen Jiayue glanced at Shen Funian and asked softly, "Were you too excited to sleep well last night? Why are your eyes so dark and bruised?"
Shen Funian gritted her teeth and said, "It's Su Ye... Never mind, I'll explain to you later."
Wen Jiayue immediately understood and didn't say anything more.
Not long after, the eldest uncle arrived.
Wen Jiayue looked over and saw that this was the old lady's older brother, who looked about five or six parts like the old lady.
However, a young girl with her head down was following behind him.
Wen Jiayue looked at the old lady and saw the satisfied look on her face, and understood.
Is this another new concubine being found for Shen Fuhan?
This girl must be Lin Wanwan's sister; she really is taking advantage of her own family.
Wen Jiayue's gaze fell back on the girl.
The girl was wearing a brand-new, bright pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), but her movements were timid and hesitant. When she followed along to bow, her movements were disjointed, as if she had just learned it.
Wen Jiayue pondered silently, thinking that she looked like a concubine's daughter.
The old lady beckoned to the girl with affection.
"Is that Qianqian? Come to your great-aunt's side quickly."
Lin Qianqian glanced timidly at her grandfather before slowly walking to the old lady's side.
The old lady pulled her into her arms, looked her over carefully, and smiled, "It's been three or four years since we last met. Qianqian has grown into a young lady."
Lin Qianqian was flattered and stammered, "Qianqian thanks you for the compliment, Grandma."
Wen Jiayue then saw her face clearly. Her almond-shaped eyes were clear, and her appearance was gentle and graceful, with a touch of Jiangnan charm. She was a beautiful girl from a modest family.
The old lady said, "We get along well. Why don't you stay at the Marquis's residence and keep me company for a while?"
Lin Qianqian was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously looked at her grandfather.
Seeing that he agreed, she nodded gently: "Qianqian couldn't be happier."
The old lady looked at Wen Jiayue and said coldly, "After this is over, remember to arrange accommodation for Qianqian."
Wen Jiayue snapped out of her daze and replied with a "okay," then introduced herself to her.
"I am your cousin-in-law."
Lin Qianqian quickly smiled at her, her face full of flattery.
She didn't dare ask her cousin-in-law to establish a connection, but instead gave a graceful bow and softly said, "Greetings, Madam."
Wen Jiayue saw a resemblance to her former self in Lin Qianqian.
When she first entered the Marquis's mansion, she was always careful and attentive, never daring to overstep her bounds.
Did the old lady find a copy of her to win Shen Fuhan's favor?
Wen Jiayue couldn't help but sigh. That old lady really overestimated her and miscalculated.
When the auspicious time arrived, the area outside the ancestral hall was filled with people standing in order.
After going through all the red tape, Wen Jiayue was already exhausted from just standing and watching, let alone Shen Fuhan, who was the head of the family.
She glanced at Shen Fuhan, who was kneeling on a prayer mat in the ancestral hall, and thought gleefully, "He definitely won't have any energy tonight."
Shen Fuhan suddenly looked at her.
Amidst the surging crowd, he precisely locked onto her, casting a cryptic glance at her.
In the blink of an eye, he knelt down again, as if what had just happened was her hallucination.
Wen Jiayue was momentarily doubtful whether Shen Fuhan had actually looked at her.
After kneeling and bowing, Shen Fuhan calmly stood up and looked at the memorial tablet.
There was no name for her, no name for Zhao Zhao, and no name for her fourth brother.
Shen Fuhan lowered his eyes and wrote the three characters "Shen Chengyao" on the family genealogy.
He put down his brush and quietly watched the ink stains dry, forever sealed in the family genealogy.
The dust has settled, and nothing can be changed.
As he wished, nothing happened in his dream.