Mother Shen was both furious and helpless.
She had come today intending to force Shen Yunzhi to stop Su Jingci from studying. Instead, things had spiraled further and further out of her control.
Shen Yunzhi clung to Liu Lihua and burst into tears again.
The crowd began openly criticizing Mother Shen.
“She treats her own daughter like this — wouldn’t she be even worse to her daughters-in-law?”
“I heard she’s always trying to ‘lay down rules’ for her eldest daughter-in-law. In the first few years, that poor woman had an especially hard life. Only after she gave birth to a promising son did her days in the Shen family improve.”
“It’s one thing if you’re lucky enough to bear a son who can study. Not everyone is that fortunate. If you couldn’t give birth to a son, wouldn’t you be bullied to death in that household?”
“A few days ago someone was asking me about the Shen family. I wonder if they’re considering marrying into them.”
“I heard the Shen family’s second son is engaged to a scholar’s daughter from the county.”
“A scholar’s family has real status. Would they really push their daughter into a pit of fire?”
The Shen family had indeed arranged a marriage with a scholar’s household. But the wedding had been postponed again and again. Whenever the Shen family went to inquire, they were told the girl’s family wished to keep her at home for a few more years.
Mother Shen’s heart tightened. Could it be that the other side had sent people to investigate the Shen family’s reputation — and someone had said something they shouldn’t have?
Although the groom’s immediate family only held the title of xiucai, their extended clan included men who had passed the provincial and even the metropolitan examinations. Those connections could greatly benefit her grandson’s future.
If this marriage fell through, the Shen family would truly be finished.
“What nonsense are you all spouting? How could our family possibly mistreat our daughters-in-law?” Mother Shen could no longer gain any advantage today. She refuted them while hastily retreating.
Ohhh this chapter is deliciously strategic.
Shen Yunzhi didn’t just defend herself — she shifted public opinion. And now the Shen family’s precious marriage alliance is at risk because of reputation? That’s social pressure at its finest.
You can feel Mother Shen starting to panic — not over her daughter… but over status.
Send the next one. This social unraveling is getting good.
Shen Yunzhi let out a breath. She had passed today’s trial.
But Mother Shen would never let things go. She had to hurry to her maternal grandmother’s house.
Her maternal family lived in the neighboring village. Their household was fairly well-off, and all the children studied — though none had truly distinguished themselves.
Shen Yunzhi brought along freshly made ice jelly, stewed chicken, a basket of eggs, and six jin of raw pork. Carrying large and small bundles, she made her way over.
After her father died, her grandmother had treated her kindly. Whenever there was something good to eat, she would send someone to deliver a portion. But her grandmother had never liked Mother Shen. Unable to stand seeing her daughter bullied at her maternal home, Shen Yunzhi had gradually cut off contact.
“Grandmother! Grandfather!”
When Shen Yunzhi entered, the two elders were sunning themselves in the courtyard.
At first they thought they had misheard. When they saw her, the old woman slowly rose to her feet.
“Is that Da-ya?”
“It’s me.” Shen Yunzhi set the gifts on the table. “I came to see you.”
“If you’re coming, just come. Why bring all this?” the old woman scolded lightly, pretending to be displeased.
Warmth spread through Shen Yunzhi’s chest. “I can earn money now.”
She carefully recounted how she had started a stall selling ice jelly.
The more the old woman listened, the happier she became for her. “From now on, you must also plan more for yourself.”
“Grandmother… I came today because I need your help.”
Shen Yunzhi explained how Mother Shen had repeatedly gone to the Su family to cause trouble. As she spoke, her voice began to tremble.
“No matter how she mistreats me, I can endure it. After all, she gave birth to me. But Ci-ge is innocent. I can’t let him lose his future because of me.”
The old woman stared at her in shock.