Who wants to see that!
How absurd.
Shen Sangning turned her head away, creating some distance between herself and Pei Ruyan.
Pei Ruyan had changed into a smoky white bamboo-patterned brocade robe, sitting upright like a solitary, proud lotus.
He seemed to notice the strangely quiet atmosphere in the carriage and spoke after some consideration, “My choice of words was inappropriate. I meant no harm.”
He had only wanted to reason with her seriously.
Shen Sangning had thought they wouldn’t speak for the entire journey, never expecting him to be the first to lower his head.
But lowering his head was one thing—the word “selfish” was hard for her to forget.
She had only wanted to prevent his goodwill from being wasted on the Bo Mansion, yet he accused her of being petty and selfish.
This olive branch, Shen Sangning disdained to take.
She thought to herself, today she would let Pei Ruyan see what true selfishness looked like.
The people in this Chengan Earl’s Residence were each more shameless than the last.
The atmosphere in the carriage remained stifling. Pei Ruyan, receiving no response from the person beside him, felt somewhat uncomfortable.
A crow seemed to fly past in the sky, its wings a riotous black, heading toward the eastern part of the city.
Unlike the northern district where aristocratic families and powerful officials gathered, the eastern district was mostly inhabited by officials or newly wealthy families—Chengan Earl’s Residence being one of them.
At that moment, Shen Yi, the over-forty Chengan Earl, was waiting at the entrance. He had deliberately worn an elegant ink-wash robe today, hoping to exude some scholarly aura.
His second wife, Liu Shi, tugged at his sleeve and hinted delicately—
“Master, you are the elder. What father-in-law has no dignity like this? The second son-in-law has already arrived, while the eldest is lagging behind. This clearly shows he doesn’t respect you.”
“Quiet!” A shadow crossed Shen Yi’s shrewd eyes. “Pei Ruyan is highly regarded by His Majesty. If we secure this marriage alliance, our Bo Mansion might even advance further.”
By the time Chengan Earl’s Residence passed to Shen Yi, they had already become marginal figures in the circle of officials and nobility.
Unfortunately, Shen Yi was mediocre in talent and now held an idle position at court with no hope of promotion in this lifetime.
Having finally managed to form a marriage alliance with Ningguo Duke Residence, he had to scheme carefully.
Liu Shi’s tone softened slightly, but she remained discontent. “But Miaomiao and her husband have been inside for quite a while. Isn’t it improper to leave them waiting? The second son-in-law is, after all, the second young master of the Duke’s residence. Master, you are being too partial.”
On her own daughter’s homecoming day, she received no special attention—how could Liu Shi not be angry?
As her husband, how could Shen Yi not detect Liu Shi’s resentment?
He snorted coldly, “What about the second young master? He’s still an idle good-for-nothing. Who knows what came over Miaomiao that she refused to switch marriages? Otherwise, wouldn’t the position of Heir Apparent’s Wife have been Miaomiao’s? It’s too late for regrets now.”
Mentioning the marriage switch made Liu Shi’s heart ache too. She could only watch helplessly as a good son-in-law like Pei Ruyan, with his status, was snatched away by Shen Sangning.
Seeing her aggrieved expression, Shen Yi’s heart softened. He sighed quietly and said, “If Miaomiao had agreed to switch marriages, wouldn’t we have been able to control a mere Pei Ruyan? It’s a pity that the Heir Apparent’s Wife is now Shen Sangning. That girl appears obedient but is actually very stubborn. I’m afraid she won’t be able to please her husband.”
The marriage alliance with the Duke’s residence was both a windfall and a turning point for Shen Yi.
But it had landed on Shen Sangning’s head, and Shen Yi was deeply troubled.
As they spoke, the Duke’s carriage arrived before them. Shen Yi put on a smiling face and stepped forward to greet them. Just as he was about to call out “son-in-law,” he saw Shen Sangning emerge first from the carriage.
His smile froze. “Sangning, you’re back. Where is my worthy son-in-law?”
Shen Yi narrowed his eyes, yet couldn’t conceal the shrewd glint within—a desperate thirst for power and desire. He believed his disguise was flawless, but to those in higher positions, it appeared foolish and artificial.
At least in front of the reborn Shen Sangning, it could be seen through at a glance.
A faint smile tugged at Shen Sangning’s lips as she alighted from the carriage with Zisu’s support, politely addressing, “Father, Mother.”
Her tone was utterly distant, yet Shen Yi, solely focused on currying favor, failed to notice, instead directing his gaze into the carriage.
The next moment, Pei Ruyan bent forward and emerged, greeting indifferently, “Father-in-law, Mother-in-law.”
His back was ramrod straight, his lips pressed into a slight curve that formed a shallow smile. He appeared courteous and gentlemanly, yet conveyed no sense of closeness.
Shen Sangning stood apart, observing Pei Ruyan being “cared for and cherished.”
He responded with composure, showing no trace of impatience, skillfully handling Shen Yi’s sugar-coated bullets.
Watching her usually pretentious father behave this way in front of Pei Ruyan, Shen Sangning couldn’t help but reveal a mocking glint in her eyes.
In her previous life, Pei Ruyan hadn’t returned for the bridal visit, so she had never witnessed such an amusing scene.
While the others were distracted, Shen Sangning turned and entered the residence directly.
Liu Shi noticed first and called out to her, “Sangning!”
At Liu Shi’s voice, Shen Yi finally realized his daughter had entered the residence on her own, completely disregarding propriety.
Shen Yi immediately explained to Pei Ruyan, “Please forgive my daughter’s behavior, worthy son-in-law. It’s my fault for not teaching her properly.”
Pei Ruyan shook his head, his voice calm, “It’s of no consequence.”
As he spoke, his gaze drifted toward Shen Sangning’s direction, only to see her stroll into the residence with an air of nonchalance, as if she hadn’t heard a thing.
In the main hall.
As Shen Sangning entered, she happened to see Shen Miaoyi and Pei Che intimately chatting with a young boy.
The boy was none other than Shen Yi and Liu Shi’s son, Shen Guanyu.
Shen Guanyu was six years old this year, his cheeks still chubby with baby fat. When he spoke, they puffed out adorably, and his upturned eyes were carved from the same mold as Shen Miaoyi’s.
Shen Guanyu’s eyes darted around mischievously, “Sister, brother-in-law, can I come visit you to play in the future?”
“Of course,” Pei Che said.
“Great! Sister said you’re amazing at horseback riding and archery, and you’ll definitely become a great general in the future!” Shen Guanyu’s eyes sparkled, “Brother-in-law, can you teach me later?”
The flattering words delighted Pei Che, bringing a wide smile to his face.
Pei Che effortlessly lifted Shen Guanyu into his arms, “Alright, I’ll teach you.”
Shen Miaoyi watched from the side, comparing the scene to her previous life, feeling even more convinced she had made the right choice this time.
It wasn’t until Shen Sangning appeared that their harmonious atmosphere was disrupted.
“Sister-in-law,” Pei Che set the child down, his gaze unconsciously shifting to look behind Shen Sangning.
Sure enough, he saw Pei Ruyan entering accompanied by Shen Yi.
Shen Yi frowned, trying to keep his tone gentle, “Sangning, come with me outside.”
Shen Sangning’s eyes lowered slightly, knowing this was a summons for accountability.
Just because she had entered first?
Her expression remained neutral as she followed Shen Yi to a side room outside the hall.
“Look at your sister, then look at yourself,” Shen Yi lowered his voice, worried about the thin walls, “How can she win Second Young Master’s favor, but you can’t please the Heir?”
“Capturing a man’s heart is actually quite simple. You just need to lower your stance and curry favor…”
“Father,” Shen Sangning suddenly interrupted, her voice faint and distant, “I am the principal wife, not a concubine. I cannot learn the ways of a concubine.”