When Chu Ningwan heard Su Qingyao’s words, she couldn’t help but laugh. Did she really think the position of legitimate wife could simply be given away?
As for Shen Yu’s various actions, they were most likely being carried out in secret. Otherwise, given Madam Shen and Lord Shen’s temper, they would have already taken action.
The reason she hadn’t stopped it was because she wanted to see how far Shen Yu would go for his so-called “true love.”
Once things blew up, she wouldn’t even need to act herself.
“Elder sister, why are you looking at me like that? Could it be that you even want to take away my right to stay by Brother Yu’s side?”
Su Qingyao placed a hand on her stomach. As she spoke, her body trembled slightly, and she looked nervously toward Shen Yu.
Shen Yu tightly shielded Su Qingyao. Compared to Chu Ningwan’s arrogance, Su Qingyao’s dependence on him was exactly the image of the ideal wife in his mind.
In his previous life, he had been forced into it, but now he would never again allow the woman he loved to suffer even the slightest grievance.
“Yao’er, don’t mind her!” Shen Yu glared fiercely at Chu Ningwan, his tone full of contempt.
“Chu Ningwan is just jealous of you!”
With that, Shen Yu, in front of everyone, held Su Qingyao’s hand tightly and said affectionately, “In my heart, only you are worthy of the position of my legitimate wife.”
“Nonsense! This is simply…” Madam Qin was about to lose her temper immediately. This was the General’s Residence, and it was already outrageous enough to allow the daughter of a concubine to marry as a second young miss.
For the heir of the Marquis’s residence to behave so recklessly was simply lawless. Yet… Madam Qin glanced at Chu Zhennan standing nearby.
Aside from his earlier remark that Wan’er was the legitimate daughter, he had done nothing else.
Shen Yu, the young heir of the marquis, was hateful—but Chu Zhennan, as a father, was even more detestable.
No wonder Wan’er had said earlier that today would be a good show.
For Shen Yu to act this way, it was clearly with Chu Zhennan’s tacit approval.
Madam Qin couldn’t help but feel a chill. If Wan’er hadn’t been marrying the Regent today, even if the engagement were broken, her reputation would still have been damaged by this incident.
Thinking of this, Madam Qin’s gaze fell on Chu Ningwan. The calmer she appeared, the more it highlighted her own incompetence as a mother.
Chu Ningwan met Madam Qin’s gaze with a reassuring look, then turned to Shen Yu.
“Shen Shizi, are you truly planning to make Su Qingyao your legitimate wife today?”
Shen Yu’s expression stiffened. He glanced at the crowd, then at Chu Ningwan, and vaguely felt something was off.
But with the woman he loved right in front of him, how could he show weakness?
In his eyes, Chu Ningwan was simply worried about losing the position of legitimate wife and was deliberately putting on an act.
Just like that poisonous woman in his previous life.
Shen Yu lifted his chin and looked at Chu Ningwan with a condescending gaze, his tone full of righteous confidence.
“Yes, Chu Ningwan. Yao’er is already carrying my child. Don’t bully her just because she is kind!”
Shen Yu warned her sharply.
“Alright.” Chu Ningwan chuckled lightly. “Shen Shizi, rest assured. I won’t compete with her.”
Shen Yu let out a breath of relief, and even Su Qingyao, who had been tense, relaxed slightly.
“So you’re agreeing to become a concubine?”
Shen Yu’s attitude softened a little because of Chu Ningwan’s words. If possible, he didn’t want things to escalate further, especially since the marquis’s residence was still waiting…
Chu Ningwan did not answer, instead asking, “Shen Yu, do your father and mother know you brought two bridal sedans today?”
Shen Yu froze, then seemed to think of something and immediately grew furious.
“Chu Ningwan, you don’t need to use my father and mother to pressure me. Today I am the one getting married—no one can stop me!”
“Bold spirit,” Chu Ningwan nodded. Her tone carried no anger, nor the expected sadness from outsiders. Instead, she smiled.
“In that case, Shen Shizi, you may take her away. It wouldn’t be good to delay the auspicious hour.”
Shen Yu only felt that something was very wrong with Chu Ningwan today, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
Seeing her say this, he assumed she had compromised.
“Yao’er, let’s go.”
Shen Yu pulled Su Qingyao toward the exit. To show magnanimity, Su Qingyao kept turning back as she left. Seeing Chu Ningwan standing motionless, she deliberately said, “Brother Yu, should we wait for elder sister?”
“She has hands and feet. She can come out on her own,” Shen Yu said disdainfully.
Madam Qin clenched her fists so hard they creaked. If not for the fact that it was her daughter’s wedding day and Chu Ningwan’s prior instructions, she would have already made sure those two could not leave the General’s Residence.
“General, are you just going to watch Wan’er being bullied and do nothing?”
Madam Qin strode up to Chu Zhennan and questioned him angrily.
If not for the events of these past few days, she would never have realized Chu Zhennan was such a person!
“Madam, how can you say I am doing nothing? It’s just that after all, that is…” Chu Zhennan’s eyes darted away, his confidence weakening.
“Mother, please calm down,” Chu Ningwan spoke, though her gaze toward Chu Zhennan grew increasingly cold.
She knew very well that the reborn Shen Yu had the advantage of foresight. As a general, Chu Zhennan agreeing to his demands either meant profit or leverage.
Whatever the reason, this father was beyond redemption.
But Chu Zhennan’s account could be settled later. For now…
Shen Yu, who had escorted Su Qingyao outside, grew increasingly impatient when Chu Ningwan still had not come out.
“Brother Yu, why don’t you go check on elder sister? She is different from me. She grew up pampered, so she must be upset,” Su Qingyao said gently.
“Yao’er, you’re too considerate. Even now you are speaking up for her.”
“Compared to you, Chu Ningwan is worlds apart.”
Shen Yu sighed, but seeing that the time had already passed, he recalled that he had told his father and mother he was marrying Chu Ningwan.
If rumors spread back, his plan to act first and report later would be ruined.
No matter what, he had to bring Chu Ningwan out as well.
As for her status—since Yao’er had kindly offered to step aside, it was Chu Ningwan who refused.
What else could he do? Even if his parents were unhappy in the end, they couldn’t say much.
“Yao’er, wait here. I’ll go bring Chu Ningwan out.”
Shen Yu spoke with obvious resentment. Chu Ningwan truly was still the same poisonous woman as in his previous life—always so pretentious.
“Wan’er, why hasn’t the Regent’s people arrived yet? Could something go wrong today?” Madam Qin worried after everything that had just happened.
“Mother, this is only the beginning.”
Chu Ningwan remained completely calm. While reassuring Madam Qin, she saw Shen Yu striding toward them.
“Miss Chu truly has quite the temper. Very well, come with me.”
Shen Yu spoke mockingly and reached out his hand, full of disdain.
At that moment, Cui’er ran over to Chu Ningwan and Madam Qin, lowering her voice.
“Miss, Madam, General Qin has returned.”
Chu Ningwan curled her lips. Meeting Madam Qin’s shocked gaze, she softly said, “Mother, let’s go out and take a look.”