Shen Cheng felt sorry for Zhou Shi and quickly helped her up, saying, "Get up first, then we can talk."

Zhou mistakenly thought that Shen Cheng had agreed to her request, so she stood up.

"So you're saying you agree?" she asked expectantly.

"This matter is of utmost importance. Please allow me to discuss it with Ru'er."

Zhou's expression froze, the smile that had just appeared on her face.

"Why should we discuss this with Ru'er? Will acknowledging Qing'er have any impact on her? She's Princess Chaoyun now, and she's the one who has the final say in the Duke's mansion. What more could she ask for?"

Seeing that Zhou had misunderstood him, Shen Cheng hurriedly explained:

"Although Ru'er is a woman, she has the far-sightedness. Compared to the future fate of the Duke's mansion, do you think Ru'er would care about these petty squabbles among the young ladies?"

"I don't care. If Qing'er can't marry the Crown Prince smoothly, she will become the laughing stock of the entire capital. Qing'er is very strong-willed. How will she live then?"

“We raised Qing’er for fifteen years, watching her grow up little by little. Can you really be so heartless as to disregard the fifteen years of affection we have shared with her?”

Seeing his wife say this, Shen Cheng was in a dilemma.

Qiaoqiao is right.

After all, how could you not have any feelings for the child you raised with your own hands?

However, he could not ignore the fate of the entire Duke's mansion.

Furthermore, if Qing'er is brought back, how should Ru'er get along with her?

Although Ru'er didn't say it explicitly, as a father, he wasn't a fool and would investigate.

When he learned that his daughter had been switched at birth, he went to the Marquis's residence to pick up Shen Danru, but he was kicked out before he could even see her.

Later, Shen Danru went to Shangqing Village to claim her relatives, which surprised her.

It wasn't until he moved to Shengjing that he learned of all the grievances Ru'er had suffered in the Marquis's mansion.

How could Qing'er do something like tearing off Ru'er's clothes and kicking her out?

Considering the enormous contributions Ru'er has made to this family, he couldn't let her feel disheartened.

Without Ru'er, how could he have worn this official robe, and how could he have been recognized as a member of his clan?

All of this is thanks to his daughter, whom he has never raised for a single day.

On the contrary, Yu Qing did not have any intention of acknowledging his kinship when he did not know that he was Shen Shi's son.

With this in mind, Shen Cheng became more and more determined in his idea.

"Qiaoqiao, listen to your father. Qing'er cannot be acknowledged."

Zhou was stunned, as if struck by lightning. She hadn't expected her husband to change his mind so quickly, after he had been hesitant just moments before.

Since arriving in Shengjing, her husband no longer seemed to love her as much as he did in Shangqing Village.

Although she had endless chores to do every day and suffered from the torment of her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law, she was fortunate that her husband loved her and she persevered through it all.

An'er no longer respects or relies on her as her mother as before; last time, she even locked her in the courtyard to reflect on her actions.

Tang'er no longer seemed close to his mother, and instead followed his grandfather more.

Yu Lan, since she got married, seems to have grown distant, no longer as close as she was in her childhood.

She knew that she had let Yu Lan down as a mother, but what could she do as a mother in that situation?

Needless to say, Ru'er had never been close to her mother.

Then there's Yu Yan. Ever since Ru'er came back, he's always relied on her and always stands by her side when something happens. He's gradually drifting away from his mother.

She thought that now only Qing'er was there, constantly saying that she would take good care of her mother in the future.

This distressed her greatly, as it seemed she only had this one daughter left.

Zhou pointed at Chen Cheng: "You, how could you go back on your word? Now that you've become successful, you look down on me. I might as well just die."

Zhou cried and went to bang her head against the wall.

Shen Cheng stepped forward and grabbed Zhou Shi.

Zhou's constant weeping and wailing annoyed Shen Cheng.

In the past few months in officialdom, Shen Cheng has become much more clear-headed than he was when he was in Shangqing Village.

Now, faced with Zhou's commotion, he was very annoyed.

Since arriving in Shengjing, Zhou Shi seems to have become a different person, and she often quarrels with him.

At first, Shen Cheng would patiently comfort Zhou Shi, but as time went on, he gradually felt powerless.

The cutthroat competition in officialdom had exhausted him, and returning home only made him more irritable.

He instructed Mei'er, "Take good care of the lady."

After saying that, Shen Cheng flicked his sleeves and left.

###

Since the opening of Xiankelou, Shen Danru has never been able to find the time to visit.

For the past few months, she has been at the border, while her elder brother, Shen Yu'an, has been in charge of managing the restaurant.

Today she finally had some free time and decided to go to the restaurant herself.

Following the address previously given by Shen Yu'an, Shen Danru and Qing Tan arrived at Xiankelou together.

Located in a bustling area of ​​Shengjing, this restaurant boasts a grand and luxurious exterior, showcasing its high-end status.

Upon entering, Shen Danru observed her surroundings. They had chosen to arrive at noon, but there weren't many customers dining at that time.

"Waiter."

Shen Danru shouted at the group of people dressed like waiters.

Three people were resting on the table. When they heard the sound, they lazily looked up, then went back to sleep.

There was only one waiter wiping the table. He quickly ran forward and warmly welcomed Shen Danru and his companion inside.

Shen Danru ordered several dishes from the menu, but the waiter told her that these dishes were not currently available.

Because it was winter, fresh vegetables were scarce, and even the most skilled cook couldn't make a meal without ingredients.

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