Normally, betrothal gifts are returned according to the betrothal gift list. However, at least half of the betrothal gifts given by the Zhao family came from the Yun family. And these weren't the usual subsidies the Zhao family received; they were the kind of gifts the Zhao family had saved up. When Madam Zhao was giving betrothal gifts to her son, she made a special trip to the Yun family, wiping away tears and saying that the Zhao family was poor and that even if they sold everything they owned, they couldn't afford a decent betrothal gift. She felt sorry for the young lady in the family.

The Yun family knew perfectly well how poor the Zhao family was. The Yun family's marriage alliance with the Zhao family wasn't for the Zhao family's money. The Yun family didn't care how much the Zhao family's dowry was; the Yun family was rich enough that the money they gave would be enough for Yun Mo to live a life of comfort and ease in the Zhao family for several lifetimes.

However, the betrothal gifts offered by the Zhao family were too meager, which was a disgrace to both the Zhao and Yun families.

To save face for both families, the Yun family allocated a portion of Yun Mo's dowry to the Zhao family, allowing the Zhao family to use it for betrothal gifts. In essence, anything of value in the betrothal gifts from the Zhao family belonged to the Yun family.

Now Madam Zhao is demanding that the Yun family return the betrothal gifts according to the list, and Old Madam Yun is so angry that her face turns purple.

Shen Wanzhen was in a real headache. The Yun family was incredibly shrewd in business, but they were completely unguarded with the Zhao family's orphan and widow. They treated the young master Zhao like their own son and grandson. A small favor is appreciated, but a large one breeds resentment, which has fueled the wolfish ambitions of the Zhao family mother and son.

The Yun family hadn't taken that little bit of stuff seriously, but they couldn't swallow the fact that it was given to the Zhao family so easily.

Even if it's donated and thrown away, it won't benefit the Zhao family.

If the Zhao family is heartless, then the Yun family cannot be blamed for being unrighteous.

Yun Qi directly sent someone to tell Young Master Zhao that if the Zhao family insisted on returning the betrothal gifts according to the betrothal gift list, they shouldn't blame the Yun family for breaking their word.

The threat worked; Young Master Zhao rushed over and dragged his mother, Madam Zhao, away.

The lunch was truly unpleasant. Shen Wan barely managed to eat half a meal. After finishing, Shen Wan took her leave. Originally, Yun Mo and Yun Rui wanted to see Shen Wan off, but Yun Qi said, "I'll see my cousin off. I happen to be going out of the manor anyway, so it's on my way."

Shen Wan didn't think much of it. Her cousin was so busy that she was lucky if she could see him twice out of ten visits to the Yun family.

But Shen Wan didn't expect that Yun Qi was busy because he was busy going to the Ling Prince's Mansion to express his gratitude.

Just before leaving, the person in charge showed the gift list to Yun Qi, and Shen Wan only found out after casually asking a question.

Shen Wan couldn't stop Yun Qi from going to the Ling Prince's Mansion to express her gratitude. She pinned her hopes on Xie Jingyan not being at the Ling Prince's Mansion or not seeing her cousin, but that was impossible. Everyone in the capital knew that the Yun family was her maternal grandparents' family. If Xie Jingyan didn't give her cousin face, even if she agreed, her elder brother wouldn't.

To avoid being exposed, Shen Wan quickly took a carriage back to the Marquis's residence, without even waiting for Yun Qi to give her a ride.

The carriage stopped in front of the Marquis's mansion. The maid was about to go forward to report something, but before she could get close, Shen Wan quickly walked away.

The maid was completely baffled. What serious matter had happened that made the young lady so anxious?

Shen Wan practically ran all the way back to Qinglan Garden. Once inside, she went straight to the window and called out, "Chen Yu?"

After calling several times, Chen Yu finally appeared.

Shen Wan said, "Go back and tell your master not to reveal to my cousin and elder brother that it was I who poisoned Miss Chen..."

Chen Yu didn't understand. Miss Shen had already let his master know about this, so why was she keeping it from his elder brother and cousin?

The master told him to listen to Miss Shen, and he did as he was told.

After Chen Yu left, Shen Wan finally breathed a sigh of relief and sat down to pour herself some tea.

Yinshuang entered the room, her eyes sparkling, and said, "Miss, Prince Jin is unwilling to marry the Second Miss as his principal wife..."

This was expected, and Shen Wan was not surprised.

Without her father's military power, Shen Ying wouldn't have caught Xie Jingyin's eye.

But given the nature of the second wife and Shen Ying, they would never be content to be just a concubine.

...

Prince Ling's Mansion.

Xie Jingyan sat in his wheelchair by the lake, enjoying the breeze.

A servant came over and said, "Your Highness, the eldest son of the Yun family requests an audience."

Xie Jingyan remained silent, so Chen Feng asked, "Which Yun family?"

The servant replied, "The Yun family is Miss Shen's maternal grandparents' family."

A hint of surprise flashed in Xie Jingyan's eyes.

"Please let him in."

The servant boy withdrew.

Chen Feng then pushed Xie Jingyan toward the main gate of the Prince's Mansion.

From afar, they could see Yun Qi walking over, followed by two servants carrying a lot of things.

Yun Qi stepped forward and bowed, "Greetings, Prince Ling."

Xie Jingyan asked, "Why would Young Master Yun come to my Lingwang Mansion?"

Yun Qi said, "My Yun family has received great kindness from Prince Ling, how could we not come to express our gratitude?"

He has shown me great kindness?

What makes you say that?

Xie Jingyan said, "I don't remember ever helping the Yun family..."

He had barely finished speaking when he was interrupted by an urgent shout, "Master!"

Chen Yu returned just in time to hear Xie Jingyan say this, and was so startled that he forgot all about etiquette and interrupted Xie Jingyan.

Chen Yu stepped forward and said, "Sir, I have something to report."

Even if there is an urgent matter to report, one should not interrupt the master's speech, especially in front of outsiders.

Chen Feng thought Chen Yu was just asking for trouble and wanted to be punished.

Chen Yu, however, didn't care and pushed Xie Jingyan aside, whispering, "Yesterday's events, Miss Shen asked you to help keep it a secret from Young Master Yun and the Marquis of Pingyang's heir."

Xie Jingyan frowned.

It was strange enough that Shen Wan knew about Scholar Zhao and Miss Chen's affair, but to make matters worse, she needed his help to keep it a secret from her elder brother and cousin...

Xie Jingyan couldn't figure it out, but that didn't stop him from being in a good mood.

Chen Yu pushed him back, and Xie Jingyan asked, "What did Young Master Yun thank me for just now?"

Yun Qi said, "My cousin mentioned it to the Yun family today, and I learned that yesterday at the Changshan Prince's Mansion, it was Prince Ling who helped the Yun family and saved my sister from jumping into a fire pit."

Xie Jingyan smiled.

It's true what they say, you can sit at home and have credit come from afar.

She helped the Yun family, but gave all the credit to him.

interesting.

Xie Jingyan said, "Wan'er and I will be getting married next month. The Yun family is her maternal grandparents' family, so it is only right for me to help the Yun family. Saying thank you is too formal."

A servant brought tea, and Xie Jingyan invited Yun Qi to sit down and have some tea.

Yun Qi stayed for a quarter of an hour before taking his leave.

After Yun Qi left, Xie Jingyan looked at Chen Yu, who stepped forward and asked, "What are your orders, Master?"

"Please pass on a message to her."

Inside the house, Shen Wan stood by the window, gazing absently at the drifting clouds in the sky. It had been so long, why hadn't Chen Yu returned yet?

Did I miss it?

Shen Wan was somewhat worried.

She had been thinking for a long time, but still couldn't figure out how to cover it up if she were really exposed...

Shen Wan's face was full of worry, but it vanished when she saw Chen Yu return. She asked, "Your master didn't give himself away, did he?"

Chen Yu shook his head, "We got back in time. Young Master Yun didn't know it was you who helped the Yun family."

"That's good……"

Chen Yu said, "Master asked me to convey a message to Miss Shen."

"What did you say?" Shen Wan asked.

"The master said he has never lied in his life and feels guilty, so he asked Miss Shen to embroider a belt for him as compensation."

"..."