Shen Youying softened her tone and sighed, “With Father’s accident, the future of the Shen family is uncertain. I’m about to get married, so the Shen family won’t affect me in the future. But you, Second Brother, and Mother are tied to the Shen family, like branches of the same tree.”
Her gaze was heavy as she stared intently at Chen Muyu and asked, "Do you understand what I mean by these words, elder sister?"
Shen Muyu stared blankly at her, not understanding how she had changed her attitude so suddenly, as if she wanted to confide in her.
Although she and Shen Youying were only a year apart, they had never gotten along since childhood and never spoke to each other. As they grew older, she became increasingly sarcastic and cunning, while Shen Youying, though seemingly quiet, was not one to back down easily. Her younger sister appeared gentle and weak, but in reality, she harbored countless mischievous schemes.
The airs of noble ladies are all an act.
"What do I need to understand?" Shen Muyu raised her chin: "Mother said that the Emperor has granted you this marriage, which is most likely because Father's case isn't that serious. He was wronged, don't try to scare me!"
Although she knew Shen Muyu was a good-for-nothing, Shen Youying still fell silent when she saw the truth about him.
She took a deep breath and patiently analyzed the pros and cons for her: "Even if Father escaped by sheer luck, the Shen family will most likely never regain its former glory." She looked at her naive older sister, who was still dreaming, with almost pity and said softly, "We are sisters, blood is thicker than water. We can let our little squabbles go in the past, but now that something has happened to the family, we sisters and brothers should work together to overcome the difficulties. There is really no need for you to argue with me anymore."
"Father's old illness has relapsed in prison, and his health is not as good as before. Since I married into the Prince of Qin's mansion, there have been many inconveniences and I have been unable to take care of him. I still need you and Mother to take good care of Father." She dared not hope that the Prince of Qin would allow her to go home often to take care of her father, and could only place her hopes on Fang and her two children.
"Don't talk like you're the only one who's filial to your father." Shen Muyu pouted and said, "My mother and I will naturally take good care of our father."
“I believe what you say, elder sister. I’m just worried about the family, that’s why I’m nagging. Now, elder brother is missing, and second brother is playful and unreliable. Father is the only pillar left in the family.” Shen Youying’s expression fell: “If we don’t get along and cause trouble, how can Father rest and recover? If Father’s health collapses, the Shen family will truly be ruined.”
Shen Muyu wanted to argue, but why did Shen Youying say that her second brother was unreliable?!
With the eldest brother gone, the second brother is going to inherit the Duke's mansion.
But when he thought of how Shen Huaizhou had gambled with those young masters from noble families a few days ago in an attempt to gather information, only to find out nothing and almost lose his underwear, and how his mother had to send someone to redeem him, he couldn't say anything more.
She snorted, still somewhat unconvinced, thinking that her mother had said her second brother was a late bloomer and might become more mature once he took charge of the household.
Shen Youying wasn't sure if Shen Muyu understood, so she told her all her plans at once, thinking that even if Shen Muyu didn't understand, she could tell Fang Shi when she got back, and Fang Shi would understand the pros and cons.
"After I marry into the Prince of Qin's mansion, if my situation is still acceptable, I will try my best to help my father and take care of the family. In the future, my father and the family will depend on you."
Shen Muyu had never heard her speak softly before. Seeing that her tone was somewhat sincere, she reluctantly agreed, "I know, I know, stop nagging."
Unwilling to listen to Shen Youying's nagging any longer, she turned and left with her maid.
After everyone left, Danzhu said, "Why bother having such a heart-to-heart talk with the eldest young lady? She might not even listen."
Shen Youying was well aware of this, but she was worried about her future and whether she would be able to fulfill her filial duties to her father in the future. She only hoped that Shen Muyu would listen to her and restrain his temper so that he could fulfill his filial duties to her father in her place.
Even if something were to happen to her in the future, her father would still have someone by his side.
*
Shen Muyu came with great fanfare, but left with a head full of troubles.
When he returned to his own Wutong Courtyard, he was still muttering to his maid, Shaoyao, "What's wrong with that girl in Qingwu Courtyard today? Why is she acting like she's entrusting her son to someone else?"
Peony said, "The King of Qin has a fearsome reputation, so the Second Miss is probably afraid too."
Shen Muyu frowned: "She is, after all, the legitimate daughter of the Duke's mansion. Does the Prince of Qin really dare to treat her like those little trinkets?"
"I've heard that the King of Qin is unpredictable, and every month a corpse is carried out of the side gate of his palace. He enjoys the Emperor's favor, and now that the Duke has fallen on hard times, who knows what will happen?" Peony said softly.
Shen Muyu thought about those rumors and got goosebumps all over her body.
Just then, the maid who had been sent out to keep watch returned. She quickly turned her attention to the situation and asked curiously, "Did you find anything? What did Bai Luo do?"
The maidservant presented two boxes and recounted what had happened.
"So they went to the Lu family to return the token?" Shen Muyu opened the box and rummaged through it. After seeing the heartfelt letter inside, she curled her lip: "The letter was full of sweet words, but in the end, the engagement was called off. Now they've even thrown out the token from back then."
She clicked her tongue twice, recalling the terrifying rumors about the King of Qin and Shen Youying's heartfelt conversation, and surprisingly felt a pang of pity.
Her initial intention to use these letters to ridicule the other party faded, and she tossed the box back to the maid, casually saying, "Keep it for now."
*
Two days later, on March 11th, a very auspicious day.
The King of Qin came to propose marriage as promised.
He did not go in person, but sent Wang Deshun, the chief secretary of the Prince's Palace, to represent him. Behind Wang Deshun followed 120 sets of betrothal gifts, accompanied by a ceremonial band playing music, making a very grand spectacle.
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