Madam Shen pondered for a moment and said comfortingly, "Don't worry, Princess. With Princess Chaoyun's talent and character, she can choose any good man in the capital."
Princess Yongjia sighed and said, "My daughter is just like me. She is loyal. Once she sets her mind on someone, it's hard to change."
Old Madam Shen smiled bitterly in her heart and could only chat with Princess Yongjia about this and that, but she didn't talk about Shen Zhixiu.
She hadn't spoken to her son yet, so naturally, she couldn't say anything to anyone. And secretly, she had her eye on Su Qingyu. Status was just icing on the cake for the Shen family. She really hoped her son could find someone he liked, even if their family background was a little less impressive.
Princess Yongjia also knew that this matter still needed to be discussed. She came today just to tell the Shen family her attitude.
Seeing that Mrs. Shen also understood what she meant, she stood up and said goodbye and went back.
After seeing Princess Yongjia off, Chen helped the old lady sit down.
"Mother, in my opinion, the marriage with the Su family can be cancelled. Su Qingyu is not worthy of Zhixiu at all, and the Su family cannot compare with the Shanjunwang Mansion."
Old Madam Shen disagreed and said, "When Zhixiu was gone, we discussed the marriage with the Su family, and now that Zhixiu is alive, we cancel the engagement. If this gets out, the Shen family will be criticized."
"Besides, I think the girl from the Su family is good in all aspects. Although she is young, she speaks and acts very measuredly, and knows when to advance and retreat."
Chen was very disapproving when she heard the old lady praising Su Qingyu. She started to advise, "Mother, you know what Zhao'er is thinking. I'm really afraid that something scandalous will happen in the future. It's better to break off this marriage as soon as possible."
"You can ask Zhixiu again, but he may not be interested in the girl from the Su family."
Shen Yue, who was holding the bird's nest at the door, was so angry that her chest heaved. Just because her eldest brother was pestering Sister Su, her mother was going to ruin Sister Su's marriage?
Although she was registered under Chen's name, she did not have a deep relationship with Chen, but had a deep affection for the old lady as a grandmother and granddaughter.
I thought my grandmother might be tired after a morning of work, so I went to the kitchen to bring her some bird's nest soup, but I didn't expect to hear what Chen said.
After taking two deep breaths, Shen Yue knocked on the door gently and walked in with the bird's nest. She then acted coquettishly with the old lady, saying that she wanted to go to Fanjinlou to look at jewelry, and the old lady naturally agreed.
After leaving the house, Shen Yue got on a carriage and went directly to the Su family.
Su Qingyu had someone take her to the outer courtyard study. As soon as Shen Yue entered, she said, "Sister Su, I have something important to tell you."
Su Qingyu heard this and ordered Zhenzhu, "Take the fourth lady away, and all of you should leave as well."
The servants filed out, leaving only Su Qingyu and Shen Yue in the study.
She personally poured a glass of water for Shen Yue, and then asked: "What's wrong? What's the big deal?"
But I already had a guess in my mind.
Shen Yue said indignantly, "Now that my third uncle has returned, these people have become angry. First, Princess Yongjia came and wanted to renegotiate the marriage, but my grandmother covered it up."
"After Princess Yongjia finally left, Mother persuaded Grandmother to cancel your engagement with Third Uncle. I think Mother did it on purpose, saying she was afraid that the matter between my eldest brother and you would become a big deal."
"What's going on with you guys? It's my eldest brother who's entangled with him."
Shen Yue's mouth was dry as she spoke, so she picked up the teacup and drank it all in one gulp. She continued, "My Third Uncle hasn't expressed his opinion on this matter yet, and they all seem to be unable to wait."
"Since Princess Chaoyun likes my Third Uncle so much, why is there no movement from her family after my Third Uncle left?"
"It's only after seeing the person alive that I feel refreshed."
Su Qingyu looked at Shen Yue lovingly, a warm feeling passing through her heart. This girl was so angry because of her that her face was puffed up.
"Sister Yue, don't be angry. It's okay even if we cancel the engagement. My marriage to your Third Uncle was arranged by mistake. He was not aware of it at the time. I can understand even if he wants to cancel the engagement."
Su Qingyu was ready to break off the engagement. She didn't want to cling to the powerful Mr. Shen Sanye.
Upon hearing this, Shen Yue retorted, "That won't work. How can we cancel the engagement? Besides, I've seen so many people in the capital, and only Sister Su is worthy of my Third Uncle."
Su Qingyu laughed heartily, "You say that because you like me. Others wouldn't think so."
Shen Yue suddenly said mysteriously, "I looked carefully at Huguo Temple yesterday. After my third uncle entered the room, he looked at you several times."
"He's not the type to easily set his eyes on others. When he returns home tonight, I must ask him what he really thinks."
She was afraid that Su Qingyu would worry, so she comforted her, "Don't worry, Sister Su. My mother can't cancel this marriage. Even my grandmother can't make the decision. The specifics of what to do will depend on what my third uncle thinks."
At this time, under the eaves behind the study, Su Yihui was huddled in the corner listening to the noise inside.
She had originally made an appointment to go out with a close friend, but ended up seeing Shen Yue entering Su Qingyu's study, and the maid was sent out.
Su Yihui guessed that the two were about to talk about something private, so she quietly went to the back of the study, and she actually heard it.
Shen Yue said a lot of things, and to her it sounded like: the Shen family wants to cancel the engagement.
In three days, Su Yihui single-handedly made the entire capital know that the Su and Chen families wanted to cancel the engagement.
The Shen family still had no reaction, neither came to cancel the engagement nor clarified the rumors.
However, Su Qingyu didn't pay any attention to this matter. In the past few days, the price of grain in the capital has risen to fifteen taels of silver per stone, and the number of refugees has increased. She and Lin Wuchen are also very busy.
Just when everyone in the Su family was feeling uneasy, a distinguished guest arrived at the Marquis' Mansion.
In the main hall of the main courtyard, Madam Su was drinking tea with Princess Yongjia, wondering why this person had come. Their Su family and the Heshan County Prince's Mansion had never had much contact.
"Madam, I came here this time because I want to discuss something with you." Princess Yongjia exchanged a few pleasantries and went straight to the point.
The old lady smiled apologetically and said, "Princess, if you have anything to say, just send someone to give instructions. Why did you come in person?"
Princess Yongjia smiled warmly and said, "Don't worry if you laugh at me, I've taken a liking to the Su family's daughter and want to arrange a marriage for my fourth son."
The fourth child she was referring to was Li Yunzhou, the fourth young master of the Shanjun Prince's Mansion and the only illegitimate son of the Shanjun Prince's Mansion. Although he was a illegitimate son, Princess Yongjia always treated him as her own son, no different from a legitimate son.
The old lady's face was overjoyed when she heard this. "Which girl does the princess want to talk to me about?"
Now the only unmarried person in the eldest house is Su Shunci, a concubine's daughter. Could it be that Princess Yongjia has fallen in love with the legitimate daughter of the second house?
If he takes a fancy to the second wife's daughter, then it will be easier for the second son to return to Beijing.
Princess Yongjia then said, "The one I'm interested in is your eldest daughter, the Su family's eldest daughter, Su Qingyu."