above the galaxy

Chapter 589 The Madam is Sick!

Chapter 589 The Madam is Sick!
In the deep and secluded depths of the South China Sea, towering cliffs rise majestically, connecting to the underwater palace.

Phoenix is located next to the southern sea, so many wealthy families choose to build mansions by the sea.

Dozens of miles from Luojia Mountain, there is a Moon Gazing Island, where more than a dozen families live.

The Shi family mansion, one of the nine great families of the empire, was also built here.

It is said that the gate of the Shi family villa originally had a sign that read "Shi Mansion".

Later, when Shi Zhiyuan, the old master of the Shi family, had nothing to do, he read the sign a few more times and felt that the two characters were a bit awkward to pronounce. So he had the sign taken down, leaving only the address: No. 9, Wangyue Island.

This is the confidence of powerful families. As long as someone mentions Wangyue Island No. 9, everyone knows that it must belong to the Shi family.

Even Wangyue Island has become a synonym for historians, just as Luojia Mountain is to the Shen family.

'That family on Wangyue Island', 'That person on Luojia Mountain'.
Everyone knows that this specifically refers to the Shi family and the Shen family.

The current head of the Shi family is Shi Hongyun. When he was young, Shi Hongyun was a playboy and unrestrained man. Despite the pressure from his parents and clan, he forced himself to marry actress Chen Zilin.

For decades, the couple loved each other dearly, and Chen Zilin gave birth to two sons and a daughter for the Shi family, namely Shi An, Shi Ming, and Shi Yuxiu.

The female celebrity is shrewd and cunning. Through her careful planning, she gradually secured her position as the matriarch of the family.

Today is Chen Zilin's fiftieth birthday, and the Shi family naturally wants to hold a very grand birthday banquet for her.

If it were any other family, they would only be cautious and keep a low profile during this sensitive period.

It wouldn't be good if someone had their eye on you.

The Shi family, considering their good relationship with the Shen family and being among the first families to pledge allegiance to Shen Wuxiang, were exceptionally bold and concerned with saving face.

Shi Hongyun sent out numerous invitations, inviting celebrities, socialites, high-ranking officials, and even the Crown Princess Dongguo Chenxi, who rarely goes out these days, personally attended to offer her congratulations.

Chen Zilin, a former celebrity, was disliked by her in-laws, looked down upon by her family, and even the entire upper class laughed at the Shi family.
He held onto this pent-up anger for decades.

On this birthday, she wants to announce to the world: everything I've lost, I'll take back.
Wangyue Island is brightly lit tonight, and from a distance, it looks like a pearl on the sea.

In the spacious and luxurious courtyard, there are artificial hills, ponds and pavilions, and a beautiful view at every turn. Even the lush green lawn has been carefully trimmed by servants to ensure that every blade of grass grows to the same length.

Guests dressed in suits or evening gowns mingled and laughed.

The watch or the glittering necklace that is casually revealed represents another world that is beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Before the birthday girl even appeared, the guests started making merry on their own.

After all, everyone knows that attending such a banquet is not about eating and drinking, but about networking.

You have to squeeze into a circle to become a member.

"Phoenix hasn't been this lively in a long time."

"Yes, the bandits are causing a lot of trouble on the border. Who would dare to hold a banquet at this time? Wouldn't that be inviting trouble from that person?"

"I heard that the battle went very poorly, with several major cities lost, including Carp Port. The North Sea Fleet also suffered a major blow, and we don't know the final outcome. Can the Shen family defeat them?"

"Brother Wuji, be careful what you say. While we're in Phoenix City, we still need to stand on the side of the Empire."

"Brother Yu Che's reminder was timely; I almost made a mistake. Sheng Jing voluntarily resigned from his position as Minister of Finance yesterday. I'm afraid it's related to that person, isn't it?"

"That's right. The Finance Minister's daughter and that young man surnamed Tang have a close relationship; I heard they even dated. Hehehe, can the Shen family really trust them with their money?"

"I wonder who will take over this position. It's a meteoric rise!"

"Brother, how come you still haven't realized what's going on at this point? Think about it, why would the Shi family dare to hold a banquet at this time? Why would so many people come to support them?"

"Could it be that someone from the Shi family stole this enormous fortune?"

"Isn't that right? Shi Hongchuan was originally the Vice Minister of Finance. With Sheng Jing retiring, it was only natural for him to take a step up."

"This isn't just taking one step; it's taking several. The Shen family is rewarding those who have contributed, and it's a reward for those who have chosen to side with the Shi family."

"Shh, be quiet, the mistress is coming out."
-
Chen Zilin wore a crimson silk cheongsam with gold thread embroidered peonies on the lapel, and a jade hairpin in her hair shone with warmth.

Despite the passage of time, the female celebrities show no signs of aging; on the contrary, they appear even more elegant and beautiful thanks to their wealth and status.

She stood on the high steps, her whole being radiant.

Chen Zilin greeted the guests with a smile, displaying her elegant demeanor in every gesture.

Shi Hongyun, the head of the Shi family, stood beside his wife, gently tapping his champagne glass with a spoon, and the entire room fell silent instantly. Shi Hongyun didn't speak, but looked tenderly at his beloved wife, gesturing for her to give the opening remarks.

This is the only main character tonight; even the male lead is giving way.

Chen Zilin smiled sweetly at her husband, then turned to face all the guests, meeting their eyes one by one. Her voice was clear and crisp, like the first melting of snow: "First of all, I want to thank my husband, Hongyun. At fifty, one knows one's destiny; the earth is about to fall to one's waist. At this age, what is there to celebrate?"

“But Hongyun said it was a big day, a good day. The children chimed in, so he shamelessly invited all the relatives and friends over to celebrate together.”

"Then I want to thank everyone here, because your presence has made this humble courtyard shine. And because of your presence, this place has been filled with laughter and joy."

"I felt incredibly happy when I heard that, as if I had suddenly become several years younger. So you should come more often, and we should get together more often."

When Chen Zilin said something funny, everyone burst into laughter, which was very kind of her.

"As a woman from the backyard, I shouldn't be saying such things. However, the fate of each of us is closely related to the fate of the nation, so I wish our country prosperity and strength."

"Most importantly, I hope that the fine men of our empire will soon eradicate the bandits and bring peace and prosperity to the country."

Chen Zilin raised her glass and said loudly, "Let us raise a glass to the prosperity of our nation."

"cheers!"

Everyone shouted in unison.

No wonder this woman, a former celebrity, managed to carve out a path for herself in a wealthy and powerful family.

That mindset, that vision—you can't help but admire them.

Even Shen Wuxiang would have to give her a thumbs up if he heard it.

On her fiftieth birthday, a woman's wish was to eradicate bandits and bring peace and prosperity to the country. Wasn't this exactly what Shen Wuxiang longed for?
These words really struck a chord with Shen Wuxiang.
Besides, if a woman can have such awareness and sentiments, what about all those high-ranking officials and dignitaries present? Don't you all have any sense of responsibility?
Everyone who can attend this banquet is an extremely shrewd and capable individual.
As they raised their glasses to drink, countless thoughts raced through their minds.

This is the historian publicly declaring that he shares the same fate as the Shen family, sharing both glory and disgrace.

Doesn't this further confirm the speculation that Shi Hongchuan is about to replace Sheng Jing and take over as the Empire's Minister of Finance?
With such a mistress, how could a historian not prosper?

Many of Chen Zilin's celebrity friends were also present. Looking at Chen Zilin, who was gracefully standing on the steps, they felt a sense of unease, a mixture of familiarity and strangeness.

Such women are beings they can never reach.

Is this the benefit of marrying into a wealthy family?

It's a pity that they had fantasized about it when they were young, but all of their dreams came to naught.

Except for Chen Zilin.

Chen Zilin and Shi Hongyun held hands, gazed deeply into each other's eyes, and then tilted their heads back to drink the rosé champagne from their glasses.

"Zilin, happy birthday," Shi Hongyun said with a doting expression.

"Thank you, Hongyun. Marrying you is the happiest thing in my life."

"I can marry you."

Shi Hongyun was about to confess his feelings when his words came to an abrupt halt.

He looked at his wife with a horrified expression, as if he had seen something terrifying.

Before him, in his pupils, blood was seeping from Chen Zilin's facial features and orifices.

Eyes, nose, mouth, and ears
The blood looked like little red snakes, quickly spreading and migrating to other areas.

At this moment, the stunningly beautiful Chen Zilin looked like a demon.

"Help! Help!"

Shi Hongyun roared loudly.

"The lady is ill."

"Get a doctor quickly!"