“Young Lord Shen, I have no objection to you marrying this daughter of a concubine kept outside the household, but Wan’er is my daughter—and the legitimate daughter of the General’s Manor.”
“For a legitimate daughter of a noble household to be taken as your concubine, do you not consider what this makes of my General’s Manor?”
Madam Qin’s expression was dark. There were many things she could endure, but anything involving her daughter was where she would not yield even a single step.
What was more, Shen Yu had spoken so brazenly in front of so many people!
Shen Yu felt somewhat embarrassed after being reprimanded by Madam Qin. Meanwhile, Su Qingyao, upon hearing the phrase “daughter of a concubine,” clenched her fists tightly, a vicious glint hidden deep in her eyes.
“Madam Chu, I have always treated you with respect out of regard for my mother’s acquaintance with you, but Yao’er is about to become my wife. I ask that you mind your words.”
Shen Yu shielded Su Qingyao tightly behind him.
“Moreover, Qingyao lost her mother at birth, which is already tragic enough. Now that her identity has been acknowledged by General Chu, Madam Chu, why must you be so aggressive?”
“Acknowledged, you say!” Madam Qin was clearly enraged and turned sharply to look at Chu Zhengnan.
After all, the root of this entire matter lay with him.
Chu Zhengnan, now being pulled into the conflict, quickly averted his gaze, looking guilty and evasive.
Shen Yu, however, was not willing to let it end there. He immediately asked Chu Zhengnan:
“General Chu, does the promise you made earlier still stand?”
“I…” Chu Zhengnan froze.
Before he could respond, Chu Ningwan calmly spoke up.
She had remained silent the entire time, letting Shen Yu finish speaking—just waiting for this very moment.
“Father, I wonder what promise you made to Young Lord Shen that would allow your legitimate daughter to be taken as his concubine?”
With that question, Madam Qin’s gaze turned even sharper as she demanded coldly:
“General, did you truly make such a promise?”
Chu Zhengnan did not dare answer.
More importantly, he already knew who Chu Ningwan was marrying today.
If he admitted to it, not only would his reputation be ruined, but even his position as a general could be jeopardized.
Realizing the consequences, he hurriedly denied it.
“Madam, there is no such thing. Wan’er is your daughter and my daughter, the legitimate daughter of the General’s Manor—how could she ever become a concubine?”
Su Qingyao’s expression turned ugly upon hearing this.
Today was meant to be the day she and Chu Ningwan were both married, and the entire setup was supposed to humiliate Chu Ningwan in front of everyone.
But now Chu Zhengnan was saying that a legitimate daughter could not be a concubine—meaning the one who would have to be a concubine… was her.
“Brother Yu…” Su Qingyao looked at Shen Yu anxiously.
“Yao’er, don’t be afraid. With me here, no one can do anything to you today!”
Reassured by his words, Su Qingyao finally relaxed slightly.
After all, the one marrying her was Shen Yu. He was the groom. As long as he refused, no one could force anything.
Even if Chu Ningwan was a legitimate daughter, even if she had backing, what could she do?
Thinking this, Su Qingyao glanced at the surrounding onlookers and decided to step forward to display her “grace.”
She suddenly addressed Chu Ningwan:
“Elder sister, I know you have disliked me ever since you learned of my existence, but I have never wanted to compete with you for anything.”
“Today is the day of our marriages, and I do not wish to make things difficult for Brother Yu.”
Su Qingyao put on a sorrowful, helpless expression.
“Therefore, I am willing to give up the position of principal wife. I ask only to stay by Brother Yu’s side—that alone is enough…”