Chapter 56: The Engagement Remains
Lin Yurou curled and stretched her fingers, and finally lowered her eyebrows and placed her hand on Shen Changhe's wrist, using the force to get on the carriage.
Sitting in the carriage, her heart was still beating wildly. A large shadow was cast on the curtain, and the carriage sank. She knew that it was Shen Changhe who was driving the car himself.
The feeling of retreat that had just arisen in her heart suddenly disappeared. She was reluctant and unwilling to let go like this.
In the dark, Duan Yingying watched helplessly as Shen Changhe sat on the board of the Lin family's carriage, doing the work of a coachman and personally sending the girl home.
The scene where he considerately reached out his hand and let the girl from the Lin family help his wrist to get into the car was like a steel needle piercing her heart, making even breathing painful.
Shen Anan did not look back at Duan Yingying who was standing in the night. She turned around and got on the Shen Mansion carriage, and told Uncle Zhong to follow the Lin Family carriage.
The brother and sister accompanied Lin Yurou all the way to the door of the Lin Mansion.
Shen Anan lifted the carriage curtain and watched her elder brother helping Miss Lin get off the carriage. The two of them stood in front of the Lin Mansion, with the colored glass lamp hanging high, illuminating their brows.
She sat in the carriage without moving, not disturbing the two people who were talking.
Shen Changhe was not good at speaking, and apart from thanking him, he remained silent and didn't know what to say.
Lin Yurou bit her lower lip, and after struggling for a few times, she spoke softly, "Today's incident happened suddenly, and I think the mansion will be busy. If Mr. Shen is too tired to deal with it, the betrothal ceremony tomorrow can be postponed. I will explain the situation to the elders at home."
Her voice became lower and lower, until it was almost as thin as a mosquito. If you listened carefully, you could still hear a hint of hoarseness and difficulty.
If she hadn't been trying hard to hold back, tears would have fallen from Lin Yurou's eyes. She was reluctant to do so, but she also knew that love was the only thing in the world that could not be forced.
She gave Shen Changhe a chance to regret.
Shen Changhe frowned slightly. The girl under the reflection of the glass lamp was dignified and generous, speaking softly, and considering him everywhere.
"But...Is my behavior inappropriate and has made Miss Lin unhappy?"
Lin Yurou was startled, looked up in surprise, and met the man's gaze, "No...no, I just..."
She didn't know how to say it or what to say, and she was worried that if she pointed out the ambiguity between him and Miss Duan Er directly, he would think that she was not magnanimous enough, and was narrow-minded and jealous.
Her face was flushed with anxiety, she bit her red lips tightly and twisted the handkerchief in her hand hard.
Seeing that she was having difficulty speaking, Shen Changhe seemed to have something to hide, so he took the initiative to help her and said, "The elders in the family have already made preparations for the engagement, so there will be no delay. If Miss Lin has any questions..."
"No." Lin Yurou blurted out to explain, "I have no problem, and I'm not unhappy."
As she spoke, she finally realized how anxious she was. Her cheeks turned red as blood, and she regretted not being reserved enough, but her eyes were filled with uncontrollable joy.
Shen Changhe nodded, "It's getting late, and we'll be busy tomorrow, Miss Lin, go back and have some rest."
Lin Yurou nodded, bowed her head shyly, and walked quickly into the mansion with her maid. The moment she walked down the stairs, she looked back and saw Qingzhu Ruyu's figure still standing there motionless, as if watching her leave first.
The haze in her heart was swept away, and Lin Yurou couldn't help but smile. She raised her hand to stroke her beating heart and walked away quickly.
Only when the door of the Lin Mansion was closed again did Shen Changhe turn around and get on his own carriage.
Uncle Zhong whipped his horsewhip and turned back home.
Shen Anan didn't say anything, but her eyes were fixed on Shen Changhe's face, as if she was trying to see through his thoughts.
She was sure that her elder brother had been attracted to Duan Yingying before, but today he was just as caring and gentle to the girl from the Lin family, which made her a little confused about what he was thinking.
Shen Changhe was silent for a while, his face was very cold and he could not see any emotion at all.
"What did Miss Lin say?" Shen Anan suddenly spoke.
Shen Changhe's drooping eyelashes moved, and after a while he whispered, "She said that if the mansion is busy, the date of the engagement can be postponed."
Shen Anan was a little surprised, but suddenly felt that Miss Lin was a smart person, and it was reasonable for her to make such a request.
If the eldest brother is unwilling, this will save face for both families.
She is a lady from a noble family, gentle and graceful, dignified and sensible, but she also has a proud character.
"What did Big Brother say?"
Shen Changhe was silent for a moment, pursed his lips and said, "The engagement remains the same."
…
At this moment, Shen Anan was really stunned. She knew better than anyone that her elder brother was reluctant about this marriage. Besides, he found the one of his dreams today, so she thought he would go along with it and agree immediately.
But Shen Anxin didn't let it go, and asked in a deep voice, "Is it because Miss Lin went through so much trouble and risked her life to save me today?"
"Is that why Big Brother approved this marriage?"
Shen Changhe didn't say anything.
Shen Anan felt a little upset, "Brother, Miss Lin is a very good girl, worthy of a man who treats her sincerely."
If her brother was just soft-hearted for the moment and was still thinking about another woman, she felt that it was unnecessary.
Shen Changhe clenched his five fingers, his face was tense, and his wrists resting on his knees drooped.
"I know."
It was because he knew this that he approved of it and frankly acknowledged the marriage in front of the Fourth Prince and Li Huaiyan.
"What about Duan Yingying?" Shen Anan bluntly tore apart the calmness that Shen Changhe pretended to have on the surface.
"Brother, what are you going to do? On the one hand, you are still thinking about her, and on the other hand, you are going to spend your life with Miss Lin?"
"Brother, I am embarrassed to refuse this favor, but how do I know if Miss Lin is willing to accept it?"
If she was willing to accept it, she would not have offered to postpone it.
Lin Yurou had done her a favor, and that was why she didn't want her brother to repay her in this way. This was not repayment, but revenge. For countless days and nights, no one knew better than her how painful it was to suffer from unrequited love.
Shen Changhe seemed to have been hit on, his face slightly pale, he raised his hand and slapped Shen Anan on the back of the head, frowning, "Is your eldest brother such a fickle and bastard?"
Shen Anan curled his lips. As a son, brother, and eldest brother, he was impeccable, but when it came to love between men and women, who could say for sure?
Shen Changhe's expression was restrained, and his dark eyes looked towards the car window, very calmly, "Since I have admitted it, there will be no change."
He has always believed that what can bind people is not only emotions, but also education and integrity.
Since he has nodded, acknowledged the girl, and agreed to marry her, he will do everything a husband should do, including being loyal and self-disciplined.
A gentleman judges by actions, not by heart! After thousands of days and nights, the heart can slowly become warm. He will definitely not hate such a bright and kind girl. As long as he doesn't hate her, there is room for everything.
Shen Anan stared at Shen Changhe for a long while, and was slightly relieved when she saw that he looked calm and determined, without wavering.
A glance at beauty is indeed beautiful, but compared with being together through thick and thin, it is too ethereal after all. With her and her mother around, they will definitely not let the girl suffer any grievances.
"Master, Miss, we're here." Uncle Zhong reported softly.
As the brother and sister got off the carriage, they saw Madam Shen, who was waiting at the gate of the mansion with red and swollen eyes.
"Mom." Shen Anan rushed over.
Madam Shen quickly pulled her and looked her up and down, her eyes full of tears, and she was still frightened, "It's good that everything is fine, it's good that everything is fine."
If her husband had not repeatedly instructed her, she would have almost rushed to the Second Prince's residence to ask for someone.
The mother and her two children went back to Mrs. Shen's yard and sat for a while. Mrs. Shen asked Shen Anan to go back to the Begonia Garden to rest, and left Shen Changhe behind.
The servants in the room withdrew, leaving only the mother and son. Madam Shen's face darkened completely, "Now everyone knows that your sister was kidnapped by bandits. If it is not handled properly, it will definitely damage An An's reputation."
No matter what, this stain has to be borne. All the Shen family can do is to minimize the impact of public opinion on Shen Anan's reputation.
"The Second Prince is really going too far." Madam Shen slammed her palm heavily on the table.
It is simply a pipe dream for such a despicable and shameless person to expect the support of the Shen family.
Shen Changhe's expression was also very ugly, "I will discuss this matter with my father."
How could they, father and son, allow him to succeed in his endeavours when he dared to kidnap An An and threaten her?
Madam Shen nodded, "It's because our Shen family has been too restrained recently that the people in the royal family think we are all soft persimmons, allowing them to bully us at will."
The atmosphere in the room was chilling and cold.
The personal maid came in to serve tea, and seeing that Madam Shen's face was dark, she was afraid that her master would get sick from anger, so she hurriedly rubbed her back. Madam Shen drank a sip of tea to calm down, and her anger subsided.
She looked up at her son and asked softly, "Did you see Miss Lin today?"
Shen Changhe paused and nodded, "I saw it."
When he mentioned this, the image of the girl waiting for him anxiously at the palace gate with a flushed face emerged in his mind. The moment she saw him, she was extremely happy and excited.
"What do you think?"
Shen Changhe pursed his lips and gave a fair evaluation, "She is a very good girl. Thanks to her, An An was able to turn danger into safety today."
Madam Shen's expression eased a little, with genuine joy in her eyes, "I heard that the girl hid from the secret guards in the Second Prince's mansion to save An An. We owe her a big favor, so you must treat her well."
Shen Changhe lowered his eyes, "Don't worry, mother."
Finally hearing her son's permission, Mrs. Shen's heart was completely relieved, and she nodded with satisfaction, "It is a blessing for our Shen family to marry such a good girl."
Shen Changhe didn't say anything, which was considered as his tacit agreement.
"Well, it's getting late. You should go back quickly so as not to delay the betrothal ceremony tomorrow."
Shen Changhe stood up and bowed, asking, "Is Dad not back yet?"
Mrs. Shen shook her head, "Not yet, you go back first, I'll wait for him."
Shen Changhe nodded and left Mrs. Shen's yard.
Walking on the corridor on the way back, Shen Changhe's thoughts were a little confused.
The candle in his study in the courtyard was lit all night, and the tall figure stood in front of the window frame all night without rest.
He pondered Shen Anan's words, comparing his thoughts on the two girls in his mind.
The girl he pulled out of the water on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival looked weak and pitiful. He was moved and hoped to see her again.
But he never thought of looking for her actively. It was obvious that he could find out her identity as long as he asked the officers and soldiers in charge of that street that night.
When I saw you again this time, I was still excited, but I felt much calmer than the first time.
He remembered that the first thought in his mind at that time was the girl from the Lin family who had announced that she was his fiancée in order to save An An. He tried hard to restrain himself and not think about anything else, telling himself that he should not let down such a good girl.
But even if it was just a moment of trance, he still felt remorseful and guilty in his heart, feeling that he had let Lin Yurou down.
Later... when he left Miss Duan Er behind and sent Miss Lin off, he did not feel any reluctance or reluctance in his heart. What he was thinking about was his responsibilities as a fiancé and the right decision he should make.
An An's interrogation stirred up the slowly dying fire deep in his heart, forcing him to face it.
After a night of thinking, his reason told him that if he had met Miss Duan Er before tonight, he would have broken off the engagement, but something went wrong.
Miss Lin appeared before her.
That little bit of anger was nothing compared to the responsibilities he should fulfill. He did not let down Miss Duan Er and even saved her. But if he broke off the engagement, he would be letting down Miss Lin.
Although it was a responsibility, Shen Changhe did not feel forced.
The day dawned quickly, and it was not only Shen Changhe who didn't get any rest, but also Shen Anan who tossed and turned in bed.
She thought about the marriage between her elder brother and Miss Lin, and finally came to the conclusion that her elder brother was a kind-hearted gentleman. Even if he didn't love Miss Lin, he would not treat her badly.
Miss Lin knows everything very well. She is willing, so why should she worry about it? As long as they can spend their lives together, why should she insist on loving or not loving?
From this incident, my thoughts unconsciously drifted to what happened in the Second Prince’s mansion tonight.
Thinking about Xiao Yuan's abnormal behavior and the scene of him handing over the files without hesitation made her feel particularly uneasy.
She always felt that something was gradually going beyond her expectations and out of her control.
——
When Xiao Yuan returned to the Prince's Mansion, Ling Chenyi was sitting in the study waiting for him.
"The hero is back to save the beauty?" Ling Chenyi said in a calm voice, sipping his tea.
Xiao Yuan glanced at him without saying anything, took off his outer robe and handed it to Qingfeng, then went to the desk and sat down.
Ling Chenyi looked at him, his lips curled up slightly, "I finally got the chance, worked hard for half a month, but in the end, I got nothing."
He leaned forward, staring at Xiao Yuan, his tone carrying a hint of complaint, "You've made such a great sacrifice, why didn't Miss Shen reward you?"
Xiao Yuan's hand holding the teacup paused, his brows furrowed, he raised his eyes slightly and gave Ling Chenyi a sharp look, and Ling Chenyi immediately sat up straight.
There was still a hint of depression on his face.
Originally, after overthrowing the Second Prince, it would have been possible to transfer that person back soon, but now all the plans have gone to waste.
More importantly, looking at Xiao Yuan's behavior, it didn't seem like he was going to make any progress with the girl. The more Ling Chenyi thought about it, the more aggrieved he became, and he stood up and prepared to leave.
"I'm afraid there will be a lot of memorials against you tomorrow, so go to bed early so that you can debate with the scholars tomorrow."
"Wait." Xiao Yuan stopped him, "Don't go to sleep yet. Before dawn, those bandits who cooperated with Xiao Ze must be captured."
... Ling Chenyi frowned, "Hasn't your people already gone?"
"They are not as efficient as you. You have to go there in person to catch the person before dawn."
Ling Chenyi was speechless. "Whether those people are arrested or not has little to do with tomorrow's morning court session. Why do you have to do it before dawn..."
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