Chapter 22: To marry or not to marry?

That heartless scoundrel has been punished by family law?!

Thinking of Madame Zhou's words before she left, Lady Lu was indeed somewhat surprised.

With her mother-in-law's temperament, how could she possibly impose family law on that treasured son? Could there be something she doesn't know going on here?

Lady Lu was puzzling over this when she saw Shen Yunyao approaching, led by her two sons.

Looking at her daughter, who resembled her own features by seventy percent but was even more outstanding in appearance, Lady Lu's mood was very complicated.

This is the child she bore after ten months of pregnancy!

Before she came to this world, she too had been full of anticipation, harboring various fantasies about a beautiful future life.

However, the son she had longed for ultimately turned out to be a daughter.

What upset Lady Lu the most was that, to give birth to this daughter, she truly had walked through the gates of hell, losing half her life.

I pay my respects, Mother!

Mother, I hope you are well!

Shen Yunyao stepped forward, looking at Lady Lu's complex expression, her own mood also very complicated.

This is her mother in this world, but they are not close.

Shen Yunyao had thought that, since she had essentially swapped cores, meeting would not stir much feeling; but when they actually met, her mood was quite different.

The previous incarnation was indeed gone, but an obsession remained.

There are two obsessions: one is to gain Mother Lu's approval; the other is to watch her two younger brothers become accomplished, so Mother's wishes are fulfilled.

Although there appear to be two obsessions, they ultimately boil down to one thing: Lady Lu.

"Silly girl!"

Shen Yunyao let out a quiet sigh in her heart, but she could not avoid facing all of this.

She is now Shen Yunyao!

Whether it's transmigration or borrowing a corpse to return to life, everything from her previous life feels more like a dream.

Now she is merely Shen Yunyao, and can only be Shen Yunyao, the legitimate daughter of the Shen Family's Third Branch in Liu Cheng.

"You've grown up!"

Lady Lu gazed at her gentle, well-behaved daughter before her, let out a quiet sigh, and said, "In the past, I, as your mother, have fallen short toward you."

"I do not dare to hope you will forgive me!"

"Your marriage arrangement should be settled soon."

"From now on, perhaps we mother and daughter will be separated by heaven and earth, and opportunities to meet again will be few."

"Mother...?"

Shen Yunyao stared at Lady Lu in astonishment, pondering what exactly Lady Lu meant by saying these things upon their first meeting.

"After you marry, you will become another family's daughter-in-law, taking your husband's surname; for the Shen family, if you cherish this affection, you should look after your two brothers more."

"If you don't have that intention, I won't blame you!"

"I gave birth to you, but I did not raise you!"

"From now on, if there's nothing, you don't need to come to me!"

"Alright, you may go back now!"

As for this daughter, Lady Lu ultimately could not bring herself to like her.

Seeing her, she recalled the sincere affection she had misplaced.

"Mother—"

Shen Zhengdun and Shen Zhengyi, after hearing Lady Lu's words, both became anxious; this was not what they had agreed upon before returning.

Their elder sister had just suffered a broken engagement, a time of fragility when she needed comfort; Lady Lu had clearly promised the brothers to properly comfort their elder sister.

"Yes, daughter takes her leave!"

Shen Yunyao had not held great expectations, so naturally there was no disappointment.

The previous incarnation's obsession is not so easily achieved; otherwise, it would not be an obsession.

Although the previous incarnation ended in depression due to the engagement with Zheng Si Que, that person did not occupy a large place in the previous incarnation's heart.

Or rather, the engagement with Zheng Si Que was merely the final straw that broke the camel's back.

"Elder sister!"

Seeing Shen Yunyao perform her rites and then about to leave, the two brothers grew even more anxious.

"I'm fine, you lot, be obedient!"

Shen Yunyao stopped the two brothers who still wanted to say something, gently shook her head, then took Cuiyu and left, returning to her small courtyard.

"Mother, you don't keep your word!"

After Shen Yunyao left, Shen Zhengdun gazed at Lady Lu with some indignation.

Lady Lu snorted and said, "Isn't what I said the truth?"

"But... but... you clearly promised!"

Shen Zhengdun was unwilling to accept it.

Facts are facts, but now we don't need facts.

Lady Lu smiled faintly and said, "Your sister is tougher than you imagine!"

"The dissolution of the engagement with the Zheng family may not be a bad thing for her!"

"Zheng Si Que, raised by Zheng Wangshi to be somewhat petty and overly strong-willed, such people often cannot tolerate even the slightest grievance."

"These things, you will understand naturally when you grow older!"

The Zheng family mother and son are both overly sensitive.

Because their family has declined, they have suffered too many grievances and endured too many scornful looks; they crave success and recognition more than anyone.

Therefore, an offhand remark or a slight action by others could provoke an extreme reaction from them.

This is not a good thing.

Shen Zhengdun was lectured by Madam Lu, wanted to refute, but found he didn't know how to refute.

Madam Lu ignored him and continued: "Just now, your great-aunt said your father was punished by family law; as his sons, shouldn't you go and visit him?"

"Sons, take your leave!"

Hearing Madam Lu's words, the two brothers immediately bowed and took their leave.

But, as the brothers left, the expressions on their faces actually showed a hint of excitement.

In their view, their father being punished by family law was a matter worth being happy about.

"Brother, why do you think our father was punished by family law?"

"You ask me, who should I ask?"

"Hehe, brother, do you think I'm being unfilial?"

Shen Zhengyi suddenly lowered his voice: "I heard our father was dealt with; why do I feel like laughing?"

"Me too!"

Shen Zhengdun hehe-laughed.

It's obvious that, in the brothers' view, Third Master Shen is quite incompetent as a father.

……

Shen Yunyao returned to her small courtyard, her face grave as never before.

Madam Lu's words signified one matter.

That is, her marriage matter has apparently been settled by Madam Lu.

Being able to make Madam Lu so directly accept this marriage shows that the other family's background must be extraordinary.

However, at that time, the people around Zhou Shi thought this was not a good marriage.

"Cuiyu, go inquire which family the official matchmaker is making this marriage proposal for!"

Shen Yunyao felt she still needed to find out first.

In this world, marriage is a major matter, obeying parents' orders and the matchmaker's words.

With Madam Lu's agreement, this matter is basically settled.

Shen Yunyao does not want to enter a blind marriage.

She had been a salted fish all along, but now she knows she cannot continue like this.

The people around Zhou Shi wanted money; coincidentally, she still had some silver on hand.

Cuiyu's efficiency in gathering news was high; within a quarter hour she brought back the information.

The official matchmaker represents the Xie Family of Jingcheng; the suitor is the Xie Family's young master, the younger brother of the Grand Tutor of the current dynasty, the twin younger brother of the Empress, and a Prince Consort!

"If that's the case, if I marry him, would Zheng Si Que have to call me young aunt when he sees me again?"

"Miss, is now the time to say this?"

Cuiyu worried for Shen Yunyao; is a family like that really easy to marry into?

"Cuiyu, do you mean I should marry or not marry?"

(End of chapter)