Chapter 17: Return

Although Cuiyu's temperament is somewhat flighty, as a home-born slave of the Shen family, her contract is in Shen Yunyao's hands.

If Shen Yunyao fares well, she naturally benefits as well.

Thus, Cuiyu is one of the few in this manor who genuinely considers Shen Yunyao's interests.

Of course, this is also the result of Shen Yunyao treating Cuiyu very well.

Like Shen Yunyun, who schemed against Shen Yunyao, when the plot was exposed she made the little maid take the blame, only to be stabbed in the back by the maid, utterly losing face.

"Yes, make them die of anger!"

Looking at Cuiyu, whose words still carried a childish air, Shen Yunyao went along with her and continued speaking.

What if the official matchmaker comes to the door?

Indeed, those who can afford an official matchmaker are usually wealthy or official families, but she suffered the broken engagement with Zheng Si Que, and her reputation is damaged.

Perhaps someone wants to pick up a bargain, like having her become a secondary wife for someone.

Although a secondary wife counts as a principal wife, before the spirit tablet of the first wife she is still the junior.

When the man passes away a hundred years later, only the first wife can be buried alongside him.

Generally, many legitimate daughters whose reputations are damaged either never marry or become secondary wives; occasionally they may become concubines of powerful, wealthy families.

A concubine-born daughter cannot marry into the legitimate son of a powerful family, but a legitimate daughter may become a concubine of such a family.

What kind will I be?

Shen Yunyao is also somewhat curious.

However, she has made up her mind: if this marriage proposal displeases her, she will absolutely not nod in agreement.

Parental orders, matchmaker's words?

When she complies, she acknowledges these rules.

When she does not comply, this is bullshit!

"Miss, shall I go inquire about the news?"

Compared to Shen Yunyao's curiosity, Cuiyu is very excited, with anxious excitement.

She, too, is not completely ignorant.

Shen Yunyao thought for a moment and said, "What can you find out?"

The matchmaker came to the door, directly seeking an audience with Zhou Shi.

That Cuiyu could learn that this matchmaker came for Shen Yunyao is already information deliberately leaked by someone; further details probably won't be revealed until the last moment.

"But, we can't just keep waiting like this, can we?"

"Why not, you write a letter to the two young masters?"

As Shen Yunyao's personal attendant, Cuiyu naturally knows her lady's situation in the Shen family; if anyone could help Shen Yunyao, it would certainly be her lady's two younger brothers.

"Distant water cannot quench immediate thirst!"

"Moreover, the news of Zheng Si Que topping the imperial examinations should have already spread."

"The news of the broken engagement should be the same!"

"If they were to return, they should already be on the road by now, or nearly home!"

Shen Yunyao also hopes someone will come to back her up.

But the problem is, this is very difficult!

Although the two brothers truly treat her well, after all they are still young.

Being young means they hardly have any say in major matters.

It is even possible that Lady Lu will conceal the news.

"Miss, if, if I'm saying if, if this marriage prospect isn't good, what would you do?"

Cuiyu is very worried.

Shen Yunyao, hearing this, actually laughed.

"Silly girl, you should know that accomplishing something may not go as wished, but ruining something is too easy!"

Insufficient to succeed, excessive to fail.

This saying can describe a person's inadequacy, but it also precisely shows how easy it is for someone to ruin something.

"Miss, you have offended the elder lady; I fear the elder lady's side..."

"Don't worry!"

"My paternal aunt may be muddle‑headed on some matters, but on others she is absolutely not muddle‑headed."

On this point, Shen Yunyao is full of confidence.

Because, after all, she is a legitimate daughter of the Shen family's Third Branch; if her marriage goes badly, it will inevitably affect the whole Shen family.

Zhou Shi, however, has three sons.

Damage to the Shen family's reputation will also affect her sons' future marriages.

Most importantly, if under her influence Shen Yunyao's marriage prospects go awry, then outside there will inevitably be gossip.

Who, with a mother‑in‑law who cannot even tolerate her niece, would willingly let their beloved daughter marry into such a household?

And among those willing to let their daughter marry in, how sincere are they toward this daughter?

If they lack sincerity toward the daughter, how can we expect them to look favorably on the son‑in‑law?

Zhou Shi is a smart person; she will not do foolish things.

Shen Yunyao can let it go, but Cuiyu is not so optimistic.

She still decided to go inquire about the news; for this, she even sent away the silver hairpin that Shen Yunyao had previously bestowed upon her.

When Zhou Shi speaks with the official matchmaker, there are certainly attendants present.

And as long as the money is sufficient, basically no secret in this world cannot be bought.

Unfortunately, Cuiyu's money is not enough.

She paid with a silver hairpin, only obtaining a piece of information whose usefulness is unclear.

The matchmaker was invited by a noble from the capital.

As for more information, it requires more money.

"Miss, the people around the Eldest Madam are too greedy!"

"That silver hairpin was a gift from you back then; it's worth several carts of silver!"

Regarding having paid a high price but failing to reap information of sufficient value, Cuiyu always feels unwilling.

"This is a case of Zhou Yu beating Huang Gai—one willing to strike, the other willing to suffer!"

Seeing Cuiyu so distressed, Shen Yunyao felt not the slightest sympathy for her.

However, through this situation, one can basically confirm that, from the perspective of those around the Zhou clan, this marriage is not considered a good match.

If not so, how would she dare to extort Cuiyu like this?

Fortunately, this girl Cuiyu is not quick-witted; otherwise, at this moment she wouldn't be worrying about money but about how to get through the days ahead.

……

At that moment, outside the north gate of Liu Cheng, two carriages, under the protection of guards, entered the city unhurriedly, heading toward the Shen Family's direction.

On the first carriage, a beautiful lady, attended by a young maid, was tidying her appearance.

On the second carriage, two youths who looked identical were cracking their knuckles, eager to fight.

Teenagers over ten years old, they were remarkably outstanding in appearance.

Dressed in neat and capable warrior attire, they looked full of vigorous energy.

"Brother, should we set off now?"

One of the youths glanced at the other, who looked exactly like him, and asked anxiously.

"Not in a hurry!"

The other youth lifted the carriage curtain, glanced at the outside street, and replied unhurriedly.

Meanwhile, as the two brothers were speaking, Xie Zian, on the nearby tavern, spotted the two carriages below.

"Uncle Lu, there's a good show to watch!"

In Liu Cheng these past days, Xie Zian had thoroughly investigated the Shen Family's background, naturally knowing that Shen Yunyao had two brothers studying away from home.

These carriages bore the Shen Family's mark, and just now, when the curtain was lifted, the two identical youths inside were clearly Shen Yunyao's two brothers.

According to the information Xie Zian possessed, these two brothers-in-law were very protective of their sister.

"Tsk tsk, the top scholar has been carefree these days; it's time he suffered a bit!"

(End of chapter)