Chapter 2 Fading Affection

Ten years ago, the Xie and Shen families were just beginning to make a name for themselves in Suzhou. Although the Xie family's cloth workshop and the Shen family's dyeing workshop each had their own secret techniques, they had difficulty making breakthroughs.

It was Xie Xuchuan's grandmother, Xie Sanniang, who approached her father and proposed a marriage between the two families.

The Xie family gave the first half of "Xie Family Farming and Weaving Picture" as a betrothal gift, while the Shen family gave the second half of "Shen Family Dyeing Manual" as a dowry in exchange.

With the Shen family's dyeing manual, the Xie family wove the world-renowned crimson and purple brocade.

The Shen family took the Xie family's farming and weaving diagrams and made looms and new patterns.

This is how the two families were able to rise rapidly within ten years and become an unshakeable powerful clan in the entire Suzhou Prefecture.

Over the years, the Xie and Chen families have become inseparable in their weaving and dyeing businesses, so no matter what, the marriage agreement between the two families cannot be broken.

Her legitimate son with Xie Xuchuan means that he will inherit the complete "Xie Family Farming and Weaving Chart" and "Shen Family Dyeing Manual" in the future, as well as the entire Xie family business and part of the Shen family business.

What he and Jiang Wansu wanted was far more than just the title of legitimate son.

What they want is all the assets of the Xie and Chen families.

Shen Yuanzhu gripped her skirt tightly, her voice filled with barely concealed anger: "The Xie family precepts state that if the clan is united, it will prosper; if it is divided, it will decline. Any descendant who divides the family without cause will have their name removed and be expelled from their branch of the family. This child has taken the position of the eldest son, and my child will never have a chance to rise in the family."

"Not to mention that I wouldn't agree, the Shen family wouldn't agree, even the Xie family itself would never recognize a child of unknown origin as their eldest son."

Xie Xuchuan's voice trembled: "I will ask my grandmother for permission, Yuanzhu. I know I have wronged you in this matter, but believe me, I will make it up to you and our child in the future."

"I only want to ask you now, please help me."

"Everyone in the textile and dyeing guild knows that Shen's elder brother swore in front of your mother's funeral that he would treat you well, and promised that you could take any item from the Shen family as your dowry when you got married. As long as you ask for it, Shen's elder brother will definitely agree."

"As long as the Shen family agrees, Grandmother will eventually give in for your brother's sake."

"Yuanzhu, please, please help me this time..."

Looking at the person in front of her, Shen Yuanzhu felt a chill in her heart from Xie Xuchuan's unfamiliarity.

Her brother and sister-in-law seemed kind and generous, but in reality they were always on guard and secretly made things difficult for her.

Her sister-in-law, in particular, used every underhanded and unsavory method imaginable.

If she hadn't pretended to be stupid and obedient all these years, the little business her mother left behind would have been completely devoured long ago.

Xie Xuchuan was not unaware of these things, but in his heart, no amount of her grievances could compare to the child in Jiang Wansu's womb.

Shen Yuanzhu pursed her lips, her still somewhat immature face revealing a resolute expression: "What will you offer to compensate me and the Shen family?"

Xie Xuchuan said, "Although the marriage between the Xie and Chen families is driven by interests, we are childhood sweethearts and have genuine feelings for each other. I also know that you are marrying me not for the Xie family's business."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuanzhu couldn't help but frown.

Seeing her displeasure, Xie Xuchuan carefully added, "We grew up together, and you know my personality. I am not the kind of person who makes empty promises."

"I swear that I will never mistreat our child because of this child."

"Moreover, Wansu is only a little over two months pregnant, and it is still unknown whether it is a boy or a girl. If it is a girl, all your worries will disappear."

Shen Yuanzhu remained silent, but Xie Xuchuan dared not stop talking.

He feared that once he stopped, he would lose the courage to speak again.

"Even if this child is a boy, don't worry, I won't let him take advantage of the Shen family in the slightest. The dowry your mother left for you and the 'Shen Family Dyeing Manual' don't need to be handed over to him."

"In addition, I will also earn other businesses for our children."

What industry?

Shen Yuanzhu said, "Apart from the dowries of the women, none of the Xie family's descendants have any private property."

“Even if a son of the Xie family earns a single copper coin outside, it must go to the public coffers. As the eldest grandson of the main branch, where did you get any other property from?”

Perhaps it was because she had been obedient for so long that Xie Xuchuan had forgotten how her mother had taught her business acumen and calculation from the time she was just learning to speak.

"I……"

Xie Xuchuan didn't know why Yuanzhu was so different from usual today.

He had never seen Shen Yuanzhu so aggressive.

In his memory, Yuanzhu was always gentle and kind. When she saw him, she would just smile sweetly. Because she was still young, she often had a girlish shyness and innocent feelings on her face.

Thinking of this, Xie Xuchuan's eyes reddened: "Yuanzhu, believe me, you know I have the ability to give you and our child a life of wealth and honor."

The Xie family members are all good-looking, and Xie Xuchuan is no exception.

His eyes were bright and his eyebrows were like ink paintings. Every frown and smile revealed the vigor and spirit of a young man.

She had seen Xie Xuchuan in many different forms, but she had never seen him so humble and pitiful, begging for help from others.

Shen Yuanzhu looked away, her gaze sweeping over the mahogany box placed in the pavilion, her heart aching terribly.

Those were the clothes and embroidered handkerchiefs I sewed for him when he went to Huizhou during that time. Looking at them now, I feel inexplicably tired of them.

For the first time, Shen Yuanzhu lost her patience to talk to him.

"Does Aunt Xie know that Jiang Wan is pregnant?"

Xie Xuchuan stammered, "I came to the Shen family as soon as I entered the city, and I haven't told my mother yet."

"Aunt Xie doesn't know..."

A sense of disappointment settled over me.

No one in the Xie family knew that Jiang Wansu was pregnant, nor would they agree to his terrible idea.

So when Xie Xuchuan came to her and said things to make amends, he was just trying to coax her into standing up for herself.

She was asked to persuade the Shen family to stand up for Jiang Wansu's unborn child and force the Xie family to compromise.

This plan is either incredibly foolish or overly shrewd.

Suppressing the stinging in her eyes, Shen Yuanzhu asked, "If I firmly disagree with adopting this child as my legitimate heir, what will you do for Jiang Wansu?"