Chapter 117: Cold and Desolate

The Shen family is small, especially at this critical juncture, even the side branches dare not show up, and only Shen Anan and Shen Changhe are guarding the coffin in the mourning hall.

The cold wind was blowing, and even though she was guarding the fire basin, Shen Anan was still freezing cold.

The next morning, the Shen family still hadn't received any condolences, but the procedures had not been neglected at all, and the burial arrangements were carried out in an orderly manner.

Mo Xiang helped Shen Anan, whose body had long been frozen stiff, to stand up, and whispered, "I heard that the old man of the Duan family passed away a few days ago. I guess everyone went to the Duan Mansion to pay their respects."

“Yeah,” Shen Anan responded calmly.

Old Man Duan is Xiao Yuan's mentor. With Xiao Yuan guarding him, those people will not refuse him face.

"We are doing business on the same day, but our house is so deserted." Mo Xiang sighed.

Even the Lin family, who had not yet broken off the engagement, did not come. And what about the Fourth Prince? Isn’t he and the girl in love with each other? Why don't you come and burn some incense for the old lady?

Shen Anan didn't say anything. The world is as thin as paper, and who would want to be associated with disaster?

"Go and prepare some generous gifts and send them to the Duan family." The speaker was Shen Wen.

"Master, Master Duan is no longer around. I'm afraid the women in the family won't accept our gifts." The housekeeper said in embarrassment.

Except for the old man, the rest of the Duan family are not easy to get along with. The master of the Duan family is not in charge of the family. It is all managed by the old lady Duan, who is a short-sighted person.

Shen Wen was of course clear about the situation of the Duan family. Apart from other things, he had great respect for Old Man Duan, so he had to give the gift.

The master insisted, so the butler had no choice but to follow orders and go down to prepare.

The servants in the mansion were busy, funeral music was playing at the gate, but the courtyard was extremely desolate and quiet, with only the rustling sound of white silk in the wind.

When the time came, Shen Wen, holding the mourning bag, escorted Old Madam Shen to the burial place.

"Master, Master," the servant hurried into the mourning hall and whispered, "The Lin... Lin family, someone is coming from the corner gate."

Upon hearing this, Shen Changhe raised his head and looked outside, and saw a man and a woman led by a woman walking towards this side under the corridor.

"Sir Shen, Madam Shen, please accept my condolences."

The people who came were the Lin siblings. Lin Yurou had red and swollen eyes. Her gaze first fell on Shen Changhe, her eyes full of sadness.

Shen Wen nodded slightly, "You have this heart, and my Shen family is grateful."

Being able to secretly come to pay condolences at this time can be considered as a person of affection and righteousness.

"Master Shen, please don't say that. It's all as it should be. It's just that... there was also a funeral at the Duan family today. My father went to the Duan family and didn't come to pay his respects to the old lady. Please don't be angry."

Lin Yurou bowed deeply, her eyes full of guilt.

Shen Wen and Madam Shen both tilted their heads to look at Shen Changhe and seemed to sigh slightly.

This girl is a sentimental person, and her words don't imply any intention of canceling the engagement.

“Miss Lin, don’t say that. If the old lady knew that you could come, she would be very happy.” Madam Shen stepped forward to help her up, tears streaming down her face.

Lin Yurou also started to cry. Her face looked haggard and there were dark circles under her eyes. It was obvious that she had not had a smooth life recently.

Shen Changhe lowered his eyebrows and never looked up at Lin Yurou from beginning to end. His coldness and silence made Lin Yurou feel a sharp pain in her heart.

The eldest son of the Lin family stepped forward and lit a stick of incense for Old Madam Shen.

Lin Yurou followed, but knelt on the futon and performed a junior's salute, "Old Madam, I am late, please don't blame me."

Madam Shen looked at her back, her lips moved a few times, but she didn't speak in the end. She gently pulled Shen Changhe's sleeve and gave him a wink.

Miss Lin obviously had feelings for He'er. She was reluctant to break off the engagement with such a good girl.

Shen Changhe's eyes then fell on the woman's thin face, and his thin lips pursed slightly.

No one else spoke. Even the eldest son of the Lin family just stood aside and watched, without stopping Lin Yurou from kowtowing.

"Miss Lin," Shen Changhe stepped forward and spoke in a low voice, "It's almost time for my grandmother to be buried. Thank you and your brother for coming to pay your respects."

He was trying to chase people away.

Lin Yurou raised her head, her eyes full of mist, staring blankly at Shen Changhe.

She finally persuaded her brother to escape from the mansion and came to the Shen Mansion as soon as possible. She never expected that the first thing he said was to drive her away.

"I'll see you two off." Shen Changhe took a step back and made a gesture of invitation.

Lin Yurou shed more tears and half-supported herself to stand up. She didn't speak or move, just looked at Shen Changhe, biting her red lips tightly.

The eldest son of the Lin family frowned, stepped forward and pulled Lin Yurou's sleeve, "Don't delay the old lady's burial, let's go."

Lin Yurou still didn't move, just stayed in that stalemate.

Madam Shen couldn't bear it and turned her eyes away, unwilling to look at the two of them again.

Shen Changhe kept his head down, and except for the initial eye contact, he never looked at Lin Yurou's tear-stained face again.

He took the lead and walked out.

Lin Yurou sniffed. She knew that he was always cold and indifferent, but today, she was really sad.

She bowed to Shen Wen and Mrs. Shen, and greeted Shen Anan, then she lowered her head and quickly left the mourning hall.

Shen Changhe walked the brother and sister out of the corridor before he stopped and looked back.

The atmosphere was cold and quiet, and his eyes were as cold as ever.

Lin Yurou was still sobbing quietly, but he did not look at her. Instead, he bowed to the eldest son of the Lin family and said, "There is something I want to discuss with Brother Lin. Can I borrow your space?"

The eldest son of the Lin family was about to nod, but Lin Yurou spoke first, "This is our marriage, right? I am the person involved. You can't say anything in front of me."

When dad said he wanted to cancel the engagement, she refused to eat or drink. Mom felt sorry for her and delayed until now. But mom also said that if the Shen family really knew what was good for them, they should take the initiative to cancel the engagement.

So she already had some guesses about his indifference today, but when he really said it out loud, her heart still ached so much that she could hardly breathe.

Shen Changhe's throat seemed to be blocked by a ball of cotton wool. Looking at Lin Yurou who was looking up at him, his eyes felt inexplicably sore and he couldn't utter a word.

"This matter should be decided by your family. How can I discuss it with a girl like you?"

"I am the one who is going to marry, why should they decide for me?"

She has always been gentle and polite, and in the few times she had contact with Shen Changhe, she spoke softly and was extremely obedient.

Shen Changhe had never seen such sharpness today. He was a little at a loss for words for a moment and looked up at the eldest son of the Lin family.

"My sister has always been stubborn. If you have something to say, you can speak frankly."

He glanced at his sister helplessly. She had always pretended well in front of the Shen family in the past, but she must be anxious today.

Shen Changhe gave a wink to the servant behind him, and that person left immediately, not forgetting to call away other servants nearby.

When there was no one around, Shen Changhe spoke softly.

"The engagement with Miss Lin is something that my Shen family is not blessed with. I hope Brother Lin will tell Lord Lin about my intentions when he returns. After my grandmother's funeral, my mother will come to return the marriage certificate and keepsake. From now on, the man and the woman will get married and live happily ever after."

Lin Ye didn't say anything and turned to look at Lin Yurou.

"Do you really want to break off the engagement with me?" she said in a difficult tone.

"Yes." Shen Changhe narrowed his eyes, "The Lin family is kind and righteous, and never took advantage of others' misfortune, but my Shen family cannot pretend to be confused."

Lin Yurou's heart ached, and she couldn't stop crying, "Mr. Chen, you are truly a gentleman."

She spoke in a sarcastic tone, but Shen Changhe remained silent and did not respond.

"I'm busy at home, so I won't see you off. Take care, both of you." He stepped aside to make way.

Lin Yurou didn't move, but stared at him.

She had been engaged before, but out of courtesy, she had never taken a close look at the man who was about to marry her.

“Chen Changhe, it was your Shen family who wanted to get married in the first place, and now it is also your Shen family who wants to cancel the engagement. I tell you, I will not agree to it.”

She said, biting her lip.

She was a lady from a wealthy family, and it was rare for her to have the nerve to say these things, but looking at Shen Changhe's unchanging face, she felt inexplicably angry.

She is a woman and she is not afraid, so why is he a man so cautious?

Shen Changhe lowered his head and remained silent. Lin Yurou was so angry that she pushed him hard and walked away.

Lin Ye was a little embarrassed. "My sister is quite fond of you... Don't bother with her."

"Ms. Lin is affectionate and righteous, and it's me who is unlucky." Shen Changhe said in a difficult tone.

He clenched his hands tightly in his sleeves and tried his best to remain calm. "I hope Brother Lin will take good care of Miss Lin. In the future... don't let her come to the Shen Mansion again."

"Have you really thought about canceling the engagement?" Lin Ye asked with a frown.

At this time, he knew that it was right to avoid the Shen family, but he did admire Shen Changhe as a person, and privately felt that the Shen family would not fall like this.

After all, there is the Fourth Prince behind him.

"Ms. Lin is straightforward, but as a man, I cannot be selfish and not consider her."

Lin Ye sighed and nodded slightly.

He looked up and patted Shen Changhe on the shoulder heavily before walking away.

Shen Changhe was the only one left on the bluestone path. He stood there for an unknown amount of time, staring at the ground with his eyelashes lowered.

The woman's questions and anger kept emerging in his mind. He felt a sharp pain in his heart, and it was almost difficult for him to breathe.

It was a feeling he had never had before.

In the past, he always felt that it made no difference who he married, as it was always about getting married, having children, and living a normal life. This was the first time he had felt such a difficult and painful feeling.

He raised his hand to his chest, his eyes suddenly filled with endless darkness, and for the first time, sadness appeared on his face.

"Brother." Shen Anan stood on the corridor and called him softly.

"Yeah," Shen Changhe restrained his expression, and there was no trace of emotion when he looked up. He forced a twitch of his lips and smiled at Shen Anan.

That smile was sour and ugly.

She didn't ask him what he had said to Miss Lin, nor did she ask him if he really wanted to cancel the engagement.

Meaningless words only add to people's sadness when spoken.

only……

"Ms. Lin appears gentle and virtuous on the surface, but deep down she is extremely stubborn and opinionated. This can be seen from the time she saved me. If Big Brother wants to cancel the engagement, I'm afraid it won't be easy."

"It's the parents' orders and the matchmaker's words." Shen Changhe said in a hoarse voice.

As long as both parents agree to cancel the engagement, it is not something she can influence.