Chapter 51: Pressuring

Lady Lu wanted to change, wanted to make amends.

But her daughter was about to get married soon.

Marrying up!

This marriage, which she once delighted in, now made Lady Lu regret it even more.

Is it really that easy to enter a noble household?

Her daughter suffered injustice in the Xie family; what could she do?

The Shen family is quite prominent in Liu Cheng.

But the Xie family is the top clan in all of Dayong, a pillar of the nation.

And the Lu family?

It is indeed a bit stronger than the Shen family, but still just a minor local clan.

Back then, her parents chose this marriage with the Shen family for her: first, because of Shen Zhen's character and talent; second, because the Shen family was weaker than the Lu family, so if Shen Zhen dared to mistreat her, the Lu family would stand up for her.

And what could she do for her daughter?

She could do nothing!

"Shen Zhen!"

Lady Lu suddenly rose to her feet.

She wiped the tears from her cheeks, quickly fixed her makeup, and strode out of the room, heading straight for Shen Zhen's study.

Third Master Shen was currently "studying hard".

Seeing Lady Lu approach, Third Master Shen hastily put aside the miscellaneous books in his hands and looked at her solemnly.

"Wan Ning!"

"Shen Zhen!"

Before Third Master Shen could say anything else, Lady Lu interrupted him, "I'm giving you one last chance!"

"If you pass this examination and place in the first class, our marital bond will not be broken!"

"If you cannot, then our marital affection ends; we part ways, each going our own way in peace!"

The daughter is not solely her own.

She, Lu Wan Ning, feels ashamed toward her daughter, unable to change anything. In this world, a woman's domain is only the inner quarters.

Even if she harbors grand ambitions, she can only be confined to the inner court.

But Shen Zhen is different.

He is the daughter's father.

These years, he too has failed their daughter.

She wishes to make amends, and so does he.

Nothing compensates for years of neglect toward a daughter like a strong natal family.

Upon hearing Lu Wan Ning's words, Third Master Shen was stunned.

Is this... trying to drive him to death?

"If you can't do it, you can just say it—I won't force you!"

"We'll divorce, each finding our own happiness!"

Initially, Lu Wan Ning loved Shen Zhen for his talent and character. Now she wonders whether she merely loved an illusion or truly married the right person.

"Very well, I agree!"

"In this year's examination, I will pass with flying colors!"

After hearing Lu Wan Ning's resolute words, Third Master Shen already understood that his usually frank wife was not joking.

He truly cherishes her.

Although he doesn't understand why things have come to this, he will prove to her that she did not marry the wrong man!

"A gentleman's word—I hope Third Master Shen can follow through!"

Lady Lu finally glanced at her husband, then turned and left resolutely.

After Lady Lu had completely gone, Third Master Shen sat back down, reflecting on what had just happened, feeling certain he had gone mad.

Now summer has arrived, the examinations are in spring, and he has only half a year left.

However, words spoken are like water spilled.

"I, Shen Zhen, will never be inferior to anyone!"

"Dear wife, I will let you know that your husband truly possesses the talent of a top scholar!"

Third Master Shen glanced at the miscellaneous books on the desk, tossed them aside, and pulled out the classic texts he had long neglected.

……

When Shen Yunyao arrived at the main residence of the Shen Family Third Branch, Lady Lu had just returned.

Hearing from the maid downstairs that Shen Yunyao had come, Lady Lu felt a stir of excitement.

But the excitement came quickly and faded just as fast.

She quickly regained her composure and had someone call Shen Yunyao in.

"Greetings, Mother!"

Shen Yunyao greeted Lady Lu with proper decorum, showing none of the coquettish affection a ordinary young woman would show toward her mother.

Propriety signifies distance.

In the past, Lady Lu thought this was normal.

But now she only felt ashamed.

What a failed mother she is, to have her own daughter behave so properly and sensibly upon seeing her!

When she was a maiden in the Lu family, only those concubine-born sisters were this proper and sensible, for that was their means of survival.

Thinking of her own unkindness, Madam Lu's heart felt as if it were being cut by a knife.

"Anything the matter?"

Madam Lu bore the inner torment, striving to stay calm, fearing that her sudden change would frighten the maiden.

"Mother, it's like this: when a daughter marries, she needs to bring a dowry; the daughter wants the Cuiyu family!"

"Sure!"

Hearing Shen Yunyao's words, Madam Lu didn't hesitate, directly agreeing: "When you marry, I intend to prepare four dowry households for you; you've chosen the Cuiyu family, and if you don't pick any of the remaining three, I'll decide for you!"

"Everything is up to Mother!"

As for the Shen Family's home-born son situation, how could a cloistered young lady like Shen Yunyao possibly know?

"Anything else?"

"Anything at all, if you have any thoughts, just tell me!"

Madam Lu gazed at Shen Yunyao, her expression a little anxious.

However, Shen Yunyao didn't notice.

"The daughter has no other thoughts; everything, just follow Mother's decision!"

"Mm, good!"

Madam Lu nodded.

"The daughter takes her leave!"

Shen Yunyao didn't know how to get along with Madam Lu; after finishing speaking, she immediately took her leave.

Although Madam Lu really wanted to keep Shen Yunyao, she fell into the same predicament as Shen Yunyao, not knowing how to face this daughter or what to say.

In the end, she could only watch Shen Yunyao leave.

"Sigh..."

Madam Lu let out a long sigh, recalling that before her marriage, her mother had endless words to say—worrying about this, worrying about that, giving this advice, giving that advice, tears she couldn't stop.

Unfortunately, she was blinded by resentment, her mind confused, and she missed too much.

……

Shen Yunyao returned to her small courtyard and saw that her female cousins and aunts had all arrived.

Well, I have to perform again!

Smile!

Be friendly!

Force a smile!

Be humble!

After seeing off the guests, Shen Yunyao felt her cheeks sore.

But facing these people's closeness, she still couldn't refuse.

Fortunately, it's only three days!

Moreover, during these three days she still had to learn etiquette from the etiquette granny, and she didn't have to constantly face these people's insincere flattery.

"Miss, Miss!"

"Good news!"

Shen Yunyao was vigorously rubbing her somewhat stiff and sore cheeks when Cuiyu rushed in from outside in a flustered hurry.

"What good news?"

"The Fourth Master has returned!"

"Fourth Uncle?!"

Shen Yunyao froze upon hearing that.

In her memory, she really did have a memory of this Fourth Uncle.

In the original body, the young maiden in this vast Shen Family found only this Shen Fourth Master to be a blood relative who made her feel close.

"Miss, the Fourth Master has surely returned because you're about to marry!"

Cuiyu's face was full of excitement: "I remember, the Fourth Master once said that when you, Miss, marry, he would give you a one-of-a-kind dowry!"

Hearing Cuiyu's words, Shen Yunyao's face showed bitterness.

What kind of dowry could be called one-of-a-kind?

(End of chapter)