Liu Shi fell silent for a moment, ultimately having no choice but to unconditionally support her daughter—
“The Bo Mansion is short on funds recently, but the Weisheng Family will visit soon. We’ll have money then!”
Compared to money, Liu Shi was more concerned about other matters. “Miaomiao, is Pei Che treating you well? With all those concubines in his rear courtyard, you must keep them under control.”
“Mother, don’t worry,” Shen Miaoyi’s eyes flashed with pride as she spoke with confidence. “In the future, Second Lang will dismiss all his concubines for me. I’ll be the only one in the rear courtyard.”
Liu Shi was half-convinced. “Did he promise you that?”
A promise? Not exactly.
But Shen Miaoyi remembered the developments from her previous life and believed it wholeheartedly.
She said no more and walked out arm-in-arm with Liu Shi.
Seeing this, Shen Sangning grabbed Pei Ruyan’s sleeve and hurriedly ran in the opposite direction.
They only stopped when Liu Shi and her daughter were no longer in sight.
Catching her breath, she said, “Now we really should go eat.”
“You…” Pei Ruyan’s face darkened. He paused, seeming to want to say something but holding back.
Despite having long heard of the Chengan Earl’s Residence’s notorious reputation, he couldn’t help feeling disappointed and concerned.
Having witnessed officialdom’s deceit and the unpredictable intrigues among noble families, he couldn’t help but feel angered by Liu Shi’s shamelessness.
Shen Sangning suddenly smiled. “Are you worried about me?”
Pei Ruyan remained silent, the complexity in his eyes fading away.
“Did you hear what she just said?” Shen Sangning’s eyes sparkled.
Her smiling eyes curved like crescent moons—
“If I can’t bear children, I’m doomed!”
Though those weren’t the exact words, that was essentially what they meant.
Pei Ruyan watched her pink, flower-like lips curl upward. Her laughing eyes shone with a cunning light, like a little fox.
“Shen Sangning.”
He rarely called her by name instead of “Madam,” speaking seriously—
“Whether we have children or not has no necessary connection to your financial status or whether I like you.”
Shen Sangning was taken aback.
She didn’t know what to say in this serious atmosphere.
Should she thank him?
Before she could speak, a pleasant, bell-like young girl’s voice rang out:
“Elder Sister, Brother-in-law, you’re here!”
The girl had delicate features and wore a slightly worn Purple Ru Skirt. Holding up her skirt as she approached, she said, “The banquet has started in the front courtyard. Father sent me to find you.”
Shen Sangning looked toward the voice and saw her half-sister Shen Luoyu approaching. “Alright, we’re coming.”
Turning back, she whispered to Pei Ruyan, “Regarding the matter of children, let’s discuss it in detail when we return home.”
Pei Ruyan hadn’t expected her to be so fixated on the issue of heirs. His thoughts became complicated as he watched her retreating figure, his expression troubled.
Front Courtyard of Bo Mansion.
The Eight Immortals Table was fully occupied, with all the Bo Mansion’s illegitimate children also present.
Perhaps Shen Yi had instructed them beforehand, as these half-siblings affectionately called “Brother-in-law” repeatedly, delighting the Pei brothers.
As for Pei Che, that fool—already bewitched by Shen Miaoyi—he completely lost himself in the constant addresses of “Brother-in-law.”
In contrast, Pei Ruyan remained much calmer.
Shen Yi kept making conversation with Pei Ruyan, as if having forgotten the earlier unpleasantness. “With my worthy son-in-law’s talent and the Emperor’s favor, you could be promoted to Minister within ten years!”
Ten years?
While eating, Shen Sangning inwardly sighed.
Actually, given Pei Ruyan’s ability and relentless drive, he wouldn’t need ten years at all.
But where would he borrow those extra eight years of life?
Pei Ruyan subtly furrowed his brow. “Father-in-law, please weigh your words. The Emperor’s thoughts are not to be speculated upon.”
“Ah,” Shen Yi laughed, wrinkles forming across his face. “We’re just speaking among family, among family.”
As he spoke, he didn’t forget to observe Pei Ruyan’s preferences.
Noting that he treated every dish with equal impartiality, taking merely two bites of each.
The only exception was the steamed perch, of which he took three bites.
“My worthy son-in-law enjoys perch,” Shen Yi said, looking pointedly at Shen Sangning. “You should remember what your husband likes and dislikes. In your spare time, you could learn to cook.”
Shen Sangning happened to be biting into a spring roll at that moment, producing a crisp sound.
Hearing this commanding tone, she immediately found the spring roll tasteless.
“Father, he isn’t picky,” Shen Sangning swallowed her food. “It’s just that the perch happened to be closer, making it more convenient.”
As her words fell, she saw Shen Yi frown deeply, about to say something when a soft chuckle suddenly broke the silence.
The laughter came from Pei Che, not meant sarcastically, likely something he couldn’t hold back.
After this interlude, Pei Ruyan remained composed, though throughout the meal, he never touched the perch again.
Meanwhile, Shen Yi continued to frown, perhaps feeling his dignity wounded by his daughter’s rebuttal, leaving him displeased.
It wasn’t until after the meal, when both newlywed couples had returned to the Guogong Manor, that his anger surfaced.
“Such nerve, daring to defy me in public! Does she think that becoming Pei Ruyan’s wife means she can rest easy?!”
“Just like her mother, utterly disgraceful! Without the Bo Mansion, what qualifications would she have to marry into the Guogong Manor? If not for the Bo Mansion backing her, who would even glance her way?”
Liu Shi closed the door securely and approached Shen Yi, gently patting his back to soothe him:
“Master, she’s already married now. Even if she turns against us in the future, there’s nothing you can do.”
“Hmph,” Shen Yi grew angrier upon hearing this. “Since we managed to place two daughters there, we can place a third! If she doesn’t obey, there are plenty of ways to deal with her!”
“A third? Master, you mean…” Liu Shi’s words trailed off abruptly.
There was indeed a legitimate unmarried daughter of age in the mansion.
But—
“Won’t this look too unsightly if word gets out? Two sisters serving the same husband would inevitably invite ridicule,” Liu Shi feared it might affect her own daughter. “Wouldn’t it be better to send a maid we can control?”
Shen Yi brushed off Liu Shi’s hand. “Shortsighted! Those who achieve great things shouldn’t fuss over minor details. How can a maid compare to a proper young lady?”
A maid’s status was naturally inferior to that of a legitimate young lady.
Yet at this moment, Shen Yi failed to consider deeply: what kind of household was the Ningguo Duke Residence? Could they simply insert people at will?
“Yes, yes,” Liu Shi’s expression turned grim. “Luoyu is just the right age and has always been obedient.”
Shen Yi nodded with satisfaction. “You personally tutor her for a period. Later, register her under your name. I’ll find a way to send her to the Guogong Manor soon.”
Outside the door.
Shen Luoyu overheard her father and mother’s private conversation, her delicate brows knitting into a sorrowful line.
She was born of a concubine, one who came from poverty and was sold into the Bo Mansion.
Her mother had no choice, but she always taught her:
She, Shen Luoyu, was the third young lady of the Bo Mansion. She had a choice; she could marry an official as his legitimate wife.
Yet since coming of age, no one had come to seek her hand.
For some reason, even though they shared the same rank, other young masters and ladies from other Bo Mansions looked down on her, or rather, looked down upon Cheng An Bo.
“Ah.”
Shen Luoyu was lost in thought and didn’t notice Liu Shi opening the window, thus Liu Shi discovered her.
“You child, what are you squatting here for?” Liu Shi exclaimed in surprise. “Since you’ve overheard, it saves me the trouble of explaining to you.”
“Are you willing?”
Liu Shi only asked perfunctorily.
In reality, whether Shen Luoyu agreed or not, she had to comply with their arrangements.
Shen Luoyu stood up, thinking of the brother-in-law she had just seen, his aloof demeanor flashing before her eyes.
His renowned reputation was known throughout the capital.
Such an ethereal figure, like an immortal banished to earth, was someone all young ladies couldn’t help but admire.
If she missed this opportunity, Shen Luoyu would certainly never encounter anyone better.
“Mother, I am willing, and I will obey father’s wishes.”
Gazing at Liu Shi, Shen Luoyu’s voice was gentle, her smile blooming like a flower.
Just as Liu Shi nodded with satisfaction, she was startled by Shen Luoyu’s next words—
“But daughter doesn’t wish to be a concubine.”
If I must marry, I will be the wife.