Young widow in her boudoir

But Shen Xiaoxiao had her eye on this Zen temple. It was the same in the Shen family. She always wanted to be number one. All the good things had to pass through her eyes and be selected by her. Only the leftovers could be given to Xie Rutang, who was her sister-in-law.

Whenever there are novel toys, precious fabrics, or food, if Shen Xiaoxiao's wishes are not fulfilled first, she will be very unhappy and will always cause a lot of trouble.

"I want this Zen temple, you trade with me!"

Xie Rutang never expected her sister-in-law to be so spoiled and willful.

Shen Xiaoxiao crossed her arms, relying on her status as the eldest daughter of the Shen family, and spoke as if she had gotten a free advantage, "Although my room is big, it is next to the guest quarters, and it is noisy with the pilgrims coming and going, so you can't rest at night. Anyway, it's the same wherever you stay, so why don't you give me this room?"

"My mother said that once you marry into the Shen family, you must obey me, your sister-in-law, in everything."

Jin Yue frowned. Shen Xiaoxiao had the old lady's approval. If she were to cause trouble again and complain to the old lady, the madam would probably be punished again.

Xie Rutang lowered her eyes indifferently: "Since my sister-in-law wants her mother-in-law to make a decision, I will go with her. I will also invite the abbot over so that everyone can see how you usually bully your elder sister-in-law."

"In this sacred Buddhist sanctuary, you, as Shen Yuan's younger sister, are slacking off, wandering aimlessly everywhere. Not only do you refuse to join me in copying Buddhist scriptures to pray for your brother's well-being, but you also come to make things difficult for his widow."

"I'd like to see if you'll still be able to get married after this news gets out."

Shen Xiaoxiao's face turned pale and then flushed.

Since ancient times, marriage has never been based solely on social status. When a prominent family hires a matchmaker, they always carefully inquire about the girl's character before marriage. When the matchmaker arrives, she first asks about her character, whether she is worthy of the title "virtuous and proper," and only then does she consider her appearance and talent.

Because his sister-in-law was a close relative and knew him best, her words became a crucial test. Only if Xie Rutang nodded in approval could the marriage be considered a sure thing.

Shen Xiaoxiao understood this principle. She was only using her mother as leverage; she wouldn't dare to actually cause trouble in front of the abbot. If word got out that she, a young lady from the Shen family, had stolen her sister-in-law's meditation room, the aristocratic circles in the capital would inevitably make this a laughing stock.

Shen Xiaoxiao also knew that she had gone too far.

Her arrogance instantly diminished, and she tried to smooth things over: "Sister-in-law, I was just joking, I didn't really intend to take your meditation room..."

To everyone's surprise, Xie Rutang was furious this time. She slammed the travelogue she was holding onto the small table next to her. "I am so young and in the prime of my life, yet I have been forced to remain a widow by your Shen family. It is already incredibly difficult for me. And now you are pushing me step by step, bullying me one after another."

She was only eighteen. Shen Yuan was dead, and she could see the end of her life at a glance. What more did they want?!

Shen Yuan died at such a young age; it is the Shen family's fault for letting down their new bride!

Xie Rutang rarely loses his temper, and he even smashed a teacup at the door.

The teacup was smashed directly at Shen Xiaoxiao's head. Shen Xiaoxiao was so frightened that her face turned pale. She took a step back but tripped on the threshold and fell face-first into the mud.

Xie Rutang's imposing manner even startled the old lady.

When Madam Shen came over, she first called Shen Xiaoxiao into her room and scolded her, "Why did you have to go and provoke your sister-in-law?"

Shen Xiaoxiao was pale and still felt lingering fear.

She couldn't understand why Xie Rutang had gone crazy. It was just a meditation room, why was he being so petty?

Madam Shen: "Even a rabbit will bite when cornered, let alone your brother who died in battle, and your sister-in-law is already feeling depressed."

"Princess Nianmin just sent you an invitation a few days ago, inviting you to a tea party at the Prince's residence in a while. She specifically asked you to bring a new painting. You'd better be more careful from now on, otherwise how will you continue to trick your sister-in-law into painting one for you to impersonate?"

Shen Xiaoxiao kept her head down and didn't speak. The teacup had just narrowly missed her face; she had almost been disfigured by Xie Rutang!

But her mother actually made her swallow her anger!

The old lady pondered, "Your sister-in-law treated you well before, but you broke her heart. It's inevitable that she'll be disappointed. From now on, you just need to put on a show, do some superficial work, treat her better, speak to her more gently, and coax her to still paint for you. Have you forgotten what I told you before?"

"Besides, you have a face that resembles your brother's. If you put in the effort to please her, Xie will definitely soften her heart over time."

The old lady knew Xie Rutang's temperament; he was easy to talk to.

Furthermore, she also wanted her daughter-in-law to continue consummating their marriage with Pei Zhiheng.

She had to keep Xie Rutang calm first. If Xie Rutang was humiliated too much and became desperate and refused to have sex, then it would be a loss, and her wishful thinking would not work out.

Seeing that Shen Xiaoxiao was still unconvinced, the old lady became furious, her face darkening to a frightening degree. "Let me tell you, if you ruin my plans, I'll bring a proper etiquette matron from the palace to discipline you!"

Even her own daughter couldn't ruin her plan to have Xie Rutang use her offspring to climb up the social ladder to the Pei family.

Upon hearing this, Shen Xiaoxiao shrank back in fright, "My daughter doesn't want to!"

"Then come with me to apologize to your sister-in-law!"

After calming herself down, the old lady took Shen Xiaoxiao to her daughter-in-law's meditation room.

Seeing Xie Rutang still sitting on the couch reading, the old lady's expression softened, and she revealed a kind smile. "Rutang, Xiaoxiao was just being naughty and ignorant. I have already given her a good scolding. You have always been magnanimous, so please don't take it to heart."

Seeing Shen Xiaoxiao clutching the belt tightly, still awkwardly standing there.

The old lady's voice turned cold: "Xiaoxiao, hurry up and apologize to your sister-in-law!"

Shen Xiaoxiao stepped forward timidly, "Sister-in-law, I was wrong. I apologize to you, I'm sorry..."

Xie Rutang had finally seized this opportunity to manipulate Shen Xiaoxiao, so how could she let it go so easily? "In that case, I will not make things difficult for my sister-in-law."

"Let the younger sister copy the 'Women's Virtues' ten times, so that she will know how to respect her elders in the household in the future."

"What did you say?!"

Shen Xiaoxiao immediately exploded, as she had been forced by the old lady to come and apologize.

She couldn't keep up the act any longer. "Xie Rutang, don't push your luck!"

The old lady's expression also began to falter. She lowered her gaze and was about to reprimand her daughter-in-law.

Xie Rutang calmly replied, "Mother, since I am Xiaoxiao's elder sister-in-law, I have the right to educate her. Yuanlang in heaven would naturally want me to do so as well. My sister-in-law lacks manners and is arrogant and unruly. It is probably because she has not learned the rules well. Why not have her copy 'Women's Virtues' ten times to calm her mind and temper her nature, so that she can remember the lesson and abide by her duty?"

"Otherwise, given my sister-in-law's temperament, she'll inevitably cause trouble after marrying into her husband's family, bringing disaster to our Shen family. Do you really want to wait until then, letting the whole capital laugh at the Shen family for failing to raise their daughter properly?"

Xie Rutang's words accurately hit the old lady's concerns.

Ignoring Shen Xiaoxiao's cries, Old Madam Shen gritted her teeth and said, "Since that's the case, then listen to your sister-in-law. Copy the 'Women's Virtues' carefully and show it to your sister-in-law when you get back!"

Xie Rutang saw all this, but inwardly she sneered silently.

The old lady was extremely concerned with the family's interests and was extremely selfish. Only when her interests were affected would she be willing to punish Shen Xiaoxiao. Otherwise, she would always spoil her sister-in-law, which was like scratching an itch without getting to the bottom of the matter.