Chapter 3: Like a Hanging Blade

Only after Zheng Wangshi had left for a while did Shen Shen slowly turn his head to look at his birth mother, Li Shi.

Mother, what about this?

Shen Shen had enjoyed fine clothes and food since youth, never experiencing much; thus, although he was past the age of no doubts, his conduct remained rather childish.

Now, to let him casually decide a niece's life or death, he doesn't have that ruthlessness.

If you're willing to give, you will gain!

Li Shi closed her eyes and slowly spoke those words.

In her lifetime, she bore four sons and had over a dozen grandsons and granddaughters.

If sacrificing a granddaughter could preserve the Shen family's estate, Li Shi would hesitate not at all.

The Shen family raised them; when the Shen family needed them to contribute, they had no right to refuse.

Mother, shouldn't you discuss this with your third son and his wife?

Or, since Zheng Wangshi said it's just a matter of giving an explanation, we could completely...

There's no wall that doesn't let the wind through!

Li Shi suddenly opened her eyes wide, glaring fiercely at her eldest son.

Back then, if it weren't for you lot wanting to break off the engagement, how would we have today's situation?

You've done evil; this is all retribution!

As for that girl, the Shen family gave her life and raised her; we owe her nothing!

Handle this matter, arrange your trusted people to do it; if it's not done properly, you shouldn't remain as head of the family!

Faced with Li Shi's sudden assertiveness, Shen Shen yielded.

It's always been like that since childhood.

……

The eldest aunt wants to see me?

When Cuiyu brought a stewardess granny to Shen Yunyao's presence and explained that Zhou Shi wanted to see her, Shen Yunyao furrowed her brows again.

As the saying goes, when things go awry, there must be something uncanny.

She and Zhou Shi are not close.

Miss Seventh, earlier the Zheng family lady came over to discuss your marriage with the Zheng family's young master.

The third lady is not in the manor now; this matter can only be handled by the lady herself.

This stewardess granny is a respectable person close to Zhou Shi, and her speech is indeed pleasant.

However, Shen Yunyao did not believe it.

How could her engagement to Zheng Si Que possibly continue after all that has happened?

But if it weren't for this matter, why would Zhou Shi deceive her?

Full of doubts, Shen Yunyao took Cuiyu and followed the stewardess granny to Zhou Shi's residence.

The Shen family's residence is large, and as head of the family, Shen Shen's dwelling is undoubtedly the finest and also the largest.

When Shen Yunyao arrived, she received Zhou Shi's warm hospitality.

Greetings, eldest aunt!

Shen Yunyao bowed respectfully to Zhou Shi before taking a seat beside her.

You girl, you're really being distant!

Your mother these past years has been with your two brothers at the academy, also neglecting you, you've been wronged!

Actually, I'm doing fine!

Shen Yunyao smiled and didn't want to talk more about that topic.

She only wanted to know why Zhou Shi had summoned her.

Yunyao, earlier the Zheng family lady came over, mentioning your engagement to the Zheng family's young master; her intention was to follow the elders' original arrangement.

Once the top scholar returns home, you two will marry!

Ah…?!

Hearing Zhou Shi speak so seriously, Shen Yunyao was truly dazed.

This doesn't fit the plot!

In the story, she, this expendable female supporting character, is clearly doomed to die upon appearance. That's why Zheng Si Que ends up flying together with that Xie Xiaojie, achieving a beautiful immortal couple's fate.

Shen Yunyao didn't know where things went wrong, but she vaguely suspected something was fishy.

Your mother isn't here; only I, the eldest aunt, can handle your marriage preparations!

Tomorrow, let's first go to the street to pick out hair ornaments and accessories.

Then we must hurry to arrange the wedding dress!

……

Zhou Shi chattered on, seemingly genuinely laboring heart and strength for Shen Yunyao's marriage.

But the warmer Zhou Shi was, the more Shen Yunyao felt something was off.

But Shen Yunyao couldn't figure out exactly what was wrong.

Even after returning to her own chambers, Shen Yunyao still couldn't find a reason.

Miss, this servant really wants to congratulate you now!

In a few days, after you marry the top scholar, you will truly be the top scholar's wife!

The delighted Cuiyu's voice was filled with uncontainable joy.

But Shen Yunyao, through Cuiyu's words, instantly grasped the key point.

After the wedding rites, she truly is the top scholar's wife!

But what if they couldn't complete the wedding rites?

Before, she had always misunderstood.

She had transmigrated, believing that the original owner's this cannon‑fodder female character had died of depression, but now she sees that her becoming a cannon‑fodder female character probably has another cause.

Is it an accident?

Or is it a plot?

Shen Yunyao could be sure that before Zheng Si Que, this newly appointed top scholar, returned home, she would certainly encounter trouble.

Only if she were gone would the marriage be called off.

Meanwhile, the top scholar also kept his reputation.

Otherwise, the marriage would have to be rescinded, and the top scholar's reputation would inevitably suffer.

Grasp one, grasp all!

Shen Yunyao finally understood everything completely.

Therefore, Zhou Shi's warmth was probably just an act.

The Shen and Zheng families had reached an agreement.

"Zheng Wangshi, you truly have the most vicious heart of a woman!"

Having figured out the truth, Shen Yunyao understood that all of this was likely Zheng Wangshi's demand.

In the plot, Zheng Wangshi stands for the wicked mother‑in‑law, and she once put many stumbling blocks in the way of that Xie Xiaojie.

"For your son's good reputation, this weak and bully‑able little woman like me must die!"

"Good, good, truly good!"

"You are unkind, I am unjust!"

Shen Yunyao had originally only wanted to call off this marriage—either live a single, leisurely life, or wed an ordinary person and live an ordinary life.

But now, she refuses to be mere fish and meat!

Even if the Shen and Zheng families are behind this together, she still has to fight.

She only wants to survive.

……

A good night's rest.

Early the next morning, after Shen Yunyao had taken her breakfast, Yan Mama from Zhou Shi's entourage arrived.

Yesterday, Zhou Shi had already made the arrangements for Shen Yunyao; today they head to the silver shop to choose her wedding jewelry and headpieces.

Shen Yunyao realized that if she were to come to harm, it would definitely occur outside.

Best if it happened under the eyes of all!

That way, her death could be staged as a simple accident.

And she, moreover, is a beauty whose life is as thin as paper.

"Miss, what about me? What about me?"

As they were leaving, Cuiyu noticed Shen Yunyao hadn't called her, and hurriedly spoke up to remind her.

"You stay at home and help me tidy the books in the study; later I'll take them all away!"

"I'm going out with my great aunt; I have plenty of attendants, so don't you dare think of slacking off!"

This trip may not be peaceful.

If she fails to prevail, then this journey will be without return.

Cuiyu is an innocent, unaware little thing; to avoid getting dragged in, she'd better stay home.

Yan Mama listened to Shen Yunyao's words and didn't think further.

After all, hardly anyone knows about this.

If she weren't the lady's trusted maid in the dowry, she wouldn't know any of this, much less be involved herself!

(End of chapter)