Shen Qingran’s words were like a thunderclap, igniting the quiet Wan household.
Sun Li didn’t expect that she had completely misjudged this young girl.
Eldest sister-in-law, Duan Hui, was equally surprised.
At this moment, Wan Ming, who had been silent on the side, stood up.
“Enough! This is all baseless gossip, and there’s no evidence!”
People who are used to believing rumors seemed to have discovered a “new continent.” They thought they’d made a major discovery, but it turned out to be a farce.
Wan Ming even regretted coming—such trivial family matters were wasting her time.
Wan Ning was regretting too.
Outside, the sound of a jeep approached.
The gate opened, and two people in Zhongshan suits returned.
Shen Qingran recognized them: Wan Ning’s mother, Yu Xue, and father, Wan Changqing.
“Mom, Dad, didn’t you say you had a meeting today? Why are you back so early?”
Second sister-in-law Sun Li looked nervous.
Shen Qingran confirmed her earlier suspicion: Sun Li hadn’t told the elders about the incident.
It seemed she intended to take advantage of the elders’ absence to manipulate her and ruin the marriage!
Such intentions were unforgivable.
Shen Qingran politely greeted the two elders.
Wan mother immediately asked, “Who just said outside that this engagement is unnecessary?”
Shen Qingran replied politely, “That was me.”
Wan mother liked Shen Qingran very much. This future daughter-in-law was one in a million.
Moreover, Wan Ning rarely contacted the family. His only request had been for his parents to help arrange a marriage proposal with Shen Qingran.
Thinking of Wan Ning, Wan mother’s expression softened. She held Shen Qingran’s hand and sat on the sofa.
Wan father pointed to the others and asked them to explain the situation.
The eldest and second daughters-in-law kept their heads down.
Wan Ming recounted the events in full.
Shen Qingran hadn’t expected that the previously arrogant second sister-in-law would now bury her head like an ostrich, pretending to know nothing.
So, the eldest and second sisters-in-law weren’t clueless—they had deliberately acted that way before!
Shen Qingran snorted inwardly.
She had thought the Wan family could produce children like Wan Ning, and that the others might be similar.
But the reality was completely different.
Every dragon has nine sons, each different. This Wan family was interesting.
However, such petty tricks were no match for the experienced Shen Qingran.
She now abandoned her earlier calm and deliberately acted aggrieved, sitting beside Wan mother with a slight sob in her voice:
“Auntie, tell me, if you didn’t want me as your daughter-in-law, why arrange this engagement?”
Wan mother saw Shen Qingran’s pitiful expression and recalled the previous events. She was furious.
This daughter-in-law had been chosen by the old master of the Wan family.
Shen Qingran lightly let two tears fall, striking directly at Wan mother’s heart.
“Enough, dear child, don’t cry. Auntie will handle this—you are my daughter-in-law, and I acknowledge it!”
Wan father slammed the table angrily: “A bunch of women, how could you do such a thing!”
Second sister-in-law Sun Li tried to defend herself: “It’s not that. We just feared Wan Ning would be deceived!”
“Deceived?” Wan mother snorted coldly. “Deceived? Were you after Wan Ning’s bonuses? Before, when you wanted to borrow money, he ignored you. Now you worry about him spending on marriage?”
Sun Li’s face changed. She waved her hands: “No, no! It’s all a misunderstanding!”
“Yes, Mom, I only followed my sister-in-law because I feared my brother would be deceived! Nothing else!”
Eldest sister-in-law, Duan Hui, spoke sensibly.
Wan mother wasn’t impressed: “Hmph! So by your logic, should I thank you for this?” Her voice rose dramatically.
Everyone suddenly realized something was wrong—Wan mother was about to lose her temper!
Although Wan father seemed authoritative outside, he was a paper tiger at home. Everyone knew he feared his wives!
And it was a tradition passed down in the Wan family.
Yet he had two sons who married such daughters-in-law! Wan father regretted letting them freely choose their partners—it seemed to have gone too far.
Sun Li watched Shen Qingran, her teeth gritted in envy. Earlier she had been brazen; now, in front of her mother-in-law, she acted like a little white rabbit!
Wan Ming, after explaining the events, crossed her arms with interest, observing the future sister-in-law.
Shen Qingran didn’t fear any of them, glancing at Sun Li and Duan Hui.
Where was their earlier lecturing energy?
From this, Shen Qingran realized that Sun Li had probably spent a long time among women in the performance troupe, so her thinking was biased toward judgment based on conduct and scandal.
Duan Hui, the eldest sister-in-law, was just a follower—easily swayed by others’ opinions.
At this moment, Wan mother called out:
“Are you idle? Do you have nothing better to do than gossip while eating the Wan family’s food?”
“Idle, the First Madam’s here, jabbering away!”
Her voice echoed through the room. No one responded.
The two daughters-in-law, who had intended to defend themselves, suddenly fell silent.
Sun Li regretted underestimating Shen Qingran—she hadn’t expected this trick!
Wan mother held Shen Qingran’s hand tightly.
“Qingran, don’t be afraid. Auntie truly didn’t know about this. No one can ruin your marriage with Wan Ning. You two are made for each other!”
Shen Qingran looked at Wan mother’s heartfelt smile, momentarily dazed. It reminded her of the love and care her mother had shown in her past life.
But in this life, her mother had passed away early.
After speaking, Wan mother went into the bedroom and returned holding a small, antique-style box.