Chapter 31 Marriage Proposal

The old lady paused slightly in her hand holding the prayer beads before raising her eyes: "I only heard about what happened to Yue Niang yesterday today."

"But I don't blame you."

"I only blame myself for not raising my son well!"

There were faint tears glistening in the old lady's eyes: "Your father married you into our Huo family. I always thought that our Huo family had treated you quite well."

“Especially Yun Zhan…”

"I saw how considerate he was to you before, and he even joked with the nanny, saying that our Huo family has produced a romantic. Seeing your harmonious relationship as a couple makes me genuinely happy."

The old lady sighed deeply: "I know you are very saddened by Yun Zhan's death in battle, and I was also moved by your feelings for Yun Zhan."

"But no matter what, I never imagined that Yun Zhan would actually... actually do such a thing outside, and that the prostitute even got pregnant!"

She slammed her hand on the table: "That prostitute is vicious! She dared to harm you like that so that her unborn child could rightfully enter the Huo family! You were right to give her an abortion pill! You did absolutely nothing wrong!"

Shen Qingci lifted her eyelids. What was the Huo family up to now? What tricks were they playing?

If she hadn't overheard the conversation between the old lady and Huo Yunzhan, hadn't known about Huo Yunzhan's faked death, and hadn't heard the old lady mention the Shen family, she might have...

I would be moved by her unwavering support and lack of blame.

But now all she can think about is speculation.

Everyone else plays the good cop, so the old lady plays the bad cop, right?

She lowered her eyes, imagining the old lady's expected reaction: "I thought Mother would blame me."

"How could that be?" The old lady reached out and tightly grasped Shen Qingci's hand, which was resting on her knee. "Although you haven't been married into our Huo family for long, you have a good nature and are gentle and generous. I have always regarded you as my daughter."

"Don't worry, your mother will always be on your side."

"From now on, you can stay peacefully in the Marquis's mansion. I will never let you suffer any more grievances!"

Shen Qingci's eyelashes fluttered slightly. Why would the old lady say that?

Could it be that she came here specifically to pave the way so that Huo Yunzhan could inherit both branches of the family while bearing Huo Yunting's identity?

Shen Qingci's sixth sense has always been quite accurate. Just as she was thinking this, she heard the old lady hesitate and then speak: "Yun Zhan has wronged you. What do you think of Yun Ting?"

Shen Qingci gritted her teeth. This family really was treating her like a fool and playing with her.

Just as Shen Qingci was about to speak, hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the door: "Madam, the wife of Minister Wang of the Ministry of War requests an audience with you."

The old lady frowned: "Why is she here?"

And it didn't come earlier or later, but it just happened to arrive at this most crucial moment.

"Please come in."

The old nanny quickly led in a middle-aged woman, who greeted her with a smile: "Madam Hou, it's been a long time! I've come to pay my respects to you!"

Madam Wang's eyes darted around and landed on Shen Qingci: "The General's wife is here too."

Madam Hou glanced at her: "You didn't come here just to pay your respects, did you? You never come without a reason. Tell me, what brings you here today?"

Madam Wang chuckled, glanced at Shen Qingci, and then said with a smile, "I did come here today because I have something to discuss."

"And it just so happens that the General's wife is here too, so it's perfect for me."

Madam Wang's lips curved into a smile: "It's been more than two months since General Zhengxi died in battle, hasn't it? I'm here to ask about my good-for-nothing son, to ask Qingci if he's planning to remarry? If he is, should he consider my son?"

The old lady's face immediately changed: "What did you say?"

Madam Wang gave an awkward smile: "Although the General Who Conquers the West has only recently passed away, it's not a good time to bring this up. But... the General Who Conquers the West is dead, and people have to move on, don't they?"

“Before, Qingci was pregnant with Yunzhan’s posthumous child, so I couldn’t have any such thoughts. But now that the child is gone, the Marquis’s mansion can’t just keep Qingci here forever, can it?”

"Qingci is only seventeen, still young, she will remarry eventually."

"Since I'm going to remarry sooner or later anyway, I just want to get there first. Old Madam Hou, you have no idea how many families in the city are eyeing Qingci these days."

Shen Qingci raised her eyebrows. How come she remembered that before, when she wanted to remarry, no one dared to marry her?

Later, Chu Jichen sent someone to deliver the message.

Why are so many families now eyeing her again?

Is it because she no longer has a child?

“My son is quite good-looking. Although he had been married before, his wife was unlucky. She died in childbirth, along with her unborn child.”

"Qingci was also the legal wife in the past..."

Before Madam Wang could finish speaking, a furious roar suddenly rang out from outside the door: "Get out!"

Everyone in the room looked towards the door and saw that Huo Yunzhan had arrived at some point.

Huo Yunzhan stood outside the door, furious and with an extremely ugly expression.

"Oh, the Marquis is back." Madam Wang stood up, her face somewhat pale from being startled by Huo Yunzhan's shout. "Your arrival is just in time. I've come to discuss your sister-in-law Qingci's remarriage."

Huo Yunzhan strode in and stood in front of Madam Wang, his eyes fixed on her with a deep, oppressive gaze: "I told you to get out, did you hear me?"

"I don't care how many of you are after Shen Qingci, I hope that as soon as you leave the Marquis's residence today, you will tell everyone to give up on this idea!"

"Shen Qingci will never marry again!"

Lady Wang then realized that the Marquis of Yongning's rolling was indeed aimed at her.

Madam Wang's face also darkened: "My lord, I've come to ask for Qingci's opinion. Although you are Qingci's elder brother, you can't control whether your sister-in-law remarries or not, can you?"

"Huo Yunzhan has been dead for more than two months, yet you still won't let Qingci remarry. Isn't that a bit too domineering?"

"Why don't we ask Qingci what he thinks?"

As soon as Madam Wang said this, everyone's eyes fell on Shen Qingci's face.

Shen Qingci couldn't help but laugh.

Has someone finally remembered that she is the protagonist in this whole affair?

"Qingci, are you willing to remarry? If so, could you consider my son?"

Shen Qingci lowered her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly: "Thank you for your kindness, Madam Wang, but for the time being... I have no intention of remarrying."