When Chen Wanran heard the words “a letter of divorce,” she let out a cold snort and strode into the garden.
Shen Ruoyue had been secretly watching her mother’s reaction the entire time. Seeing the displeasure on Chen Wanran’s face, she immediately stepped forward obediently and said in a soft, fragile voice:
“Mother, Sister said she wants to break off her engagement with Brother Zimo. But how could there be a woman in this world who annuls an engagement with a man?”
“If word of this spreads, how are we supposed to face society? If the Marquis Manor’s reputation is damaged, how will little Sister Xuan ever find a good marriage in the future?”
Shen Ruoyue furrowed her brows slightly, putting on a worried expression. Every word she spoke sounded as though she were sincerely concerned for the reputation of the Marquis Manor and her sisters.
She had not expected Shen Zhiyi to remain so calm and composed.
The thought made her grind her teeth in hatred.
Even if she failed to provoke Shen Zhiyi into losing control, as long as Chen Wanran became disappointed in her, Shen Zhiyi would still be unable to threaten her position within the manor.
Standing nearby, Shen Zhiyi quietly watched Shen Ruoyue fawn over Chen Wanran.
The original Shen Zhiyi had wandered the countryside for fifteen years before the elegant and noblewoman before her had personally brought her home.
If it were the original owner of this body, she probably would have longed for maternal affection, hoping her biological mother would protect her from the storm and uphold justice for her.
Because of the fond filter left behind in the original owner’s memories, Shen Zhiyi initially had a fairly good impression of this cheap mother of hers.
But after learning the plot of the novel, Shen Zhiyi knew that under normal circumstances, this so-called mother would definitely side with the fake daughter.
[Sigh, looks like I’ll soon be packing up and kneeling in the ancestral hall.]
Chen Wanran froze.
Why would Yier think she was going to kneel in the ancestral hall?
[That cheap mother loves Shen Ruoyue so much. And now that I’ve supposedly damaged the “Marquis Manor’s reputation,” she’s probably about to scold me harshly and make me kneel in the ancestral hall for three days and nights to deeply reflect on my mistakes.]
A wave of bitterness and heartache surged through Chen Wanran’s chest.
If she had not heard Yier’s inner thoughts, she likely would have been deceived by Shen Ruoyue and perhaps truly would have punished Yier.
She had indeed neglected her biological daughter far too much, to the point that the girl felt so insecure.
In the future… she would definitely treat Yier well and make up for all the years she had missed, doubly so.
“Shen Zhiyi, I know what you said was only spoken in anger.”
Wang Zimo finally recovered from his shock. The anger on his face gradually faded, and the way he looked at Shen Zhiyi became tinged with amusement.
What a pity—he had already seen through her little trick.
Another woman hopelessly in love with him. Just to get his attention, she had actually dared to say she wanted to break off their engagement—such a shocking declaration.
He knew it. No woman could resist his charm.
Wang Zimo’s gaze shifted between Shen Zhiyi and Shen Ruoyue.
He had never looked carefully before, but now he realized Shen Zhiyi was stunningly beautiful as well, not inferior to Shen Ruoyue in the slightest—perhaps even more pleasing to the eye over time.
If Shen Zhiyi knew her place and behaved properly, he would not mind fulfilling her infatuation by marrying her as a secondary wife, allowing the two sisters to serve one husband together.
“But there’s no helping it.” He gazed tenderly at the blushing Shen Ruoyue. “My heart belongs only to Yue’er.”
“I cannot hurt her feelings. I want to give her supreme love and devotion.”
Wang Zimo bowed respectfully to Chen Wanran.
“I ask Madam to grant us your blessing.”
Shen Zhiyi’s inner voice echoed again in Chen Wanran’s ears.
[Oh wow, “supreme love and devotion,” huh? If you really loved Shen Ruoyue that much, would you still be fooling around with all those random women?]
[If Shen Ruoyue stopped being the eldest miss of the Marquis Manor, let’s see whether you’d still love her then.]
So Yier truly did possess some uncanny insight—she even knew about Wang Zimo’s secret behavior behind the scenes.
Chen Wanran naturally understood why Wang Zimo insisted on changing the marriage partner. It was nothing more than lust for beauty, reputation, and status.
Since Wang Zimo was all glitter on the outside but rotten underneath—and had even treated Yier so poorly—there was naturally no need to let Yier marry him anymore.
As for Shen Ruoyue’s subtle manipulations and pointed insinuations—
Chen Wanran smiled faintly, the imposing aura of the mistress of the household fully on display.
“Who says women cannot break off engagements with men? Yier is the legitimate eldest daughter of the Marquis Manor. Why shouldn’t she cancel her engagement with the Wang family?”
“Xuan’er is still young, so there is no need to discuss marriage matters yet. As for Yue’er, if you are worried this matter may affect your future marriage prospects, then that is easily solved.”
Chen Wanran spoke slowly:
“If you are no longer a young miss of the Marquis Manor, naturally you would no longer be affected.”
Shen Ruoyue froze in place, nearly unable to maintain the expression on her face.
She had thought her mother would stand up for her and scold or punish Shen Zhiyi.
Who would have thought that when her mother finally spoke, it would be like this?!
She was actually favoring Shen Zhiyi so blatantly!
Panic filled Shen Ruoyue’s heart. Tears instantly welled up in her eyes as she forced a smile.
“Mother, please don’t joke around with Yue’er.”
She turned toward Wang Zimo.
“Brother Zimo, don’t you agree?”
Wang Zimo had also not expected the mistress of the Marquis Manor to take Shen Zhiyi’s angry words seriously.
Shen Ruoyue had always been deeply cherished in the manor. How could Shen Zhiyi’s return possibly mean Shen Ruoyue had to leave?
He had even heard that the Marquis intended to continue raising Shen Ruoyue as his own daughter…
Yet seeing Chen Wanran’s calm expression, Wang Zimo suddenly felt uncertain.
If he offended the Marchioness for Shen Ruoyue, and the marriage ultimately fell through, not only would he gain nothing, but his own reputation might also suffer.
Avoiding Shen Ruoyue’s pitiful gaze, Wang Zimo lowered his head and stared at the ground, pretending not to hear her.
Seeing that Chen Wanran did not seem to be joking, Shen Ruoyue became increasingly anxious, crying so beautifully that she resembled a pear blossom drenched in rain.
She had clearly already sent word to Father—why hadn’t he arrived yet?
If Father were here, things definitely would not have turned out like this. Father would absolutely stand on her side!
Shen Ruoyue hurriedly shot a meaningful glance at her maidservant Xiaozhi.
Xiaozhi rushed toward the garden entrance. Upon seeing the Marquis approaching, she immediately shouted:
“The Marquis has arrived!”
“Marquis! Someone wants to drive Miss Yue’er out of the Marquis Manor!”
A furious roar rang out before the man himself even appeared, his voice booming like thunder.
“Who dares drive my Yue’er out?!”
Shen Honglang strode in with a face full of rage.
He swept his furious gaze across the crowd before fixing his glaring eyes on Shen Zhiyi.
“So it was you who wanted to chase away my Yue’er?”
[Oho~]
[Scumbag Dad is finally here to stand up for the daughter born to his beloved mistress!]
Chen Wanran: ???