Chapter 4 I am not destined to be with him
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
Outside the study of the Shen family mansion.
The sunlight was just right in the courtyard, casting the girl's long shadow on the ground.
Shen You was dressed in a pearl-white dress, her face was elegant and serene, her eyes were gentle, and there was no trace of the distress she had felt just a moment ago because of the heart-wrenching dream.
Just now, Steward Liu said that Shen Yao wanted her to come to the study, but he didn't say why.
But as she stood in front of the study door, listening to the voices inside, she suddenly understood.
Inside the study, Chen Qiurong's gentle voice could be heard intermittently.
"Yesterday, the Fourth Madam went to Wen Gui Courtyard with me, but we didn't get to see the eldest young lady. To this day, we still don't know her attitude towards the second young master of the Li family."
There was a hint of regret in her voice, as if she was genuinely worried about Shen You's marriage.
After a moment of contemplation, Shen Yao said, "I still feel that the Li family's social standing is somewhat lacking."
For a mere Imperial Censor, a sixth-rank official, to marry the eldest daughter of the dignified Marquis of Chengde, Shen You's marriage was clearly a step down.
Chen Qiurong sighed, "This family's social standing is indeed inferior to our Chengde Marquis's family, but my husband also knows that no one in the Censorate dares to look down on their official position."
That makes sense.
Shen Yao frowned slightly, clearly agreeing with what Chen Qiurong said.
“Besides, I’ve met the second young master of the Li family, and he is indeed a gentle and polite man,” she paused, handing the tea she had poured to Shen Yao. “Our eldest daughter of the Chengde Marquis’s mansion will certainly not suffer any grievances if she marries him.”
Shen Yao took a sip of tea and said, "It's one thing if we think it's good, but I promised my mother that Youyou's marriage is her own decision."
Hearing this, Chen Qiurong's eyes showed a hint of self-reproach. "It's all my fault. If I had been more resolute six years ago and hadn't let the bridal sedan chair from our Chengde Marquis's mansion go south, perhaps the eldest young lady wouldn't be in this situation now."
“How can you blame yourself?” Shen Yao held her hand. “Youyou was adamant at the time, and you were just going along with her wishes.”
At this point, Shen Yao paused, seemingly realizing the contradiction in his words.
Shen You's marriage to the south was her own choice, but everyone has seen the final outcome.
If we let her make the decision herself again this time, will things turn out the same as they did four years ago?
"In the end, it's also because I, as an elder, haven't fulfilled my responsibilities," Chen Qiurong said, her eyes slightly red, hiding a hint of grievance. "The eldest daughter isn't close to me, so even with this marriage, I can't say much like I did with Ning'er."
"I've failed as an elder to have to ask my husband to mediate."
The Ning'er that Chen Qiurong mentioned is Chen Xiangning, the second legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Chengde.
She has a son and a daughter. Her daughter, Shen Xiangning, is seventeen years old and of marriageable age. Her son, Shen Linhui, is fifteen years old and studying at the academy.
Chen Qiurong spoke softer and softer as she finished speaking, as if she couldn't help but choke up. Shen Yao pulled her to sit down beside him and comforted her, "I've seen how you've managed this family all these years. You've worked so hard, Madam."
"However, Youyou's marriage still needs her own approval. As her parents, we can only help her make the decision."
Hearing this, Chen Qiurong looked up at Shen Yao's face and echoed, "My husband is right."
“There are plenty of fine young men in Lin’an City. Our eldest daughter of the Chengde Marquis’s mansion doesn’t necessarily have to be the second young master of the Li family. It’s just that…” She paused, then said earnestly, “we also need to think more about our eldest daughter.”
"When the old lady passed away, the eldest daughter observed three years of mourning. Everyone praised her for her unwavering filial piety. But now that the mourning period is over, if the eldest daughter continues as before, it will only harm her reputation."
That was her real purpose in coming to find Shen Yao today.
As for the matter between Shen You and Li Yu, it would be good if it could come to fruition, but if it couldn't, so be it.
However, this matter of sizing up the man could not be stopped there.
We must marry Shen You off as soon as possible.
Shen Yao did not answer immediately, his eyes lowered, seemingly lost in thought.
The study fell silent for a moment.
Shen You stood outside for a while until the sounds from inside the house resumed.
It was Shen Yao's voice.
She heard him say to Chen Qiurong, "What Madam said makes sense; this matter really can't be delayed any longer."
"In that case, my husband will take the trouble to have a good talk with the young lady."
“Yes,” Shen Yao nodded.
Seeing that he agreed, Chen Qiurong's voice became noticeably more cheerful as she held the teapot and poured him tea.
Outside, Green Ivy stood with Shen You in the corridor, clearly having overheard the conversation in the study.
She pursed her lips, then pursed them again, still somewhat indignant.
Chen Qiurong's words implied that she wanted to control Shen You's marriage, and she also made sarcastic remarks that if Shen You did not get married soon, it would tarnish the reputation of the Chengde Marquis's Mansion.
Even a lowly maid like her could understand these words, so how could the master not understand them?
"Girl... um..."
Green Luo was puffed up with anger, but as soon as she made a sound, Shen You covered her mouth.
The young lady raised her eyebrows slightly, lightly touched the maid's brow with her fingertip, and made a shushing gesture. "Don't be angry. Your young lady won't suffer any loss. Don't worry."
Green Ivy had no choice but to shut her mouth and nod.
Shen You let go and said in a low voice, "Go and keep an eye on the gatekeeper's area. If you see the person Zi Teng mentioned yesterday, remember to detain him first."
"Remember, do not alert anyone."
Green Ivy nodded again, then turned and left.
Inside the study, Shen Yao and Chen Qiurong had already started talking about other things.
Shen You took a deep breath, a suitable smile curving his lips, before knocking on the door, "Father."
Shen Yao replied, "Youyou's here? Come in."
On the chair in the outer room of the study, steam rose from the cups, accompanied by a light and delicate aroma of tea.
Shen You bowed respectfully and sat down to the side.
Shen Yao looked at her with a smile, and after exchanging a few words of concern, he finally got to the point.
"Did Youyou see the second young master of the Li family at Bilu Pavilion the day before yesterday?"
Shen You nodded slightly. "I saw him."
"What does Youyou think of him?"
Shen You did not answer, but said, "I have a question for you, Father."
“You say,” Shen Yao said casually, taking a sip of tea.
"Does the agreement that you made the decision about your daughter's marriage still stand?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Yao paused in his action of holding the cup, looked up and glanced over, his gaze falling on his daughter's married hairstyle.
A sudden wave of emotion washed over me.
After Shen You's mother passed away, Shen You was raised by the old lady.
Later, he remarried, and Chen Qiurong gave birth to Chen Xiangning and Shen Linhui.
The eldest daughter seemed to be growing more and more distant from him.
Looking at it now, I realize that the little one who used to huddle around my knees has grown into a young woman.
She has been married and divorced.
After a moment of contemplation, Shen Yao said, "This was a decision made jointly by your father and your grandmother, so of course it stands."
Shen You smiled gently, "Thank you, Father."
Shen Yao continued, "You still haven't told me, what about the second young master of the Li family?"
Shen You looked at him, her voice gentle yet firm, "My daughter has no fate with that second young master of the Li family."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yao raised an eyebrow slightly, but he was not surprised by the answer.
In his heart, he also felt that the Li family's social standing was somewhat low.
Chen Qiurong hadn't spoken since Shen You entered, but now that she heard her direct refusal, Cihe smiled and said, "Since the eldest young lady is not destined to be with the second young master of the Li family, then I will make things clear to the fourth madam."
“Yes,” Shen Yao nodded, “the sooner these things are clarified, the better.”
"To avoid causing unnecessary misunderstandings."
Chen Qiurong agreed, "My husband is right."
Shen Yao looked at Shen You again and tentatively asked, "Even if the Li family is gone, there's still the Qi family and the Lin family..."
"There are plenty of fine young men in Lin'an City. Are you interested, Youyou?"
After going around in circles, the topic eventually came back to this.
Shen You raised his eyes, this time looking at Chen Qiurong, "Since Madam has arranged for me to meet the second young master of the Li family, it shouldn't be a problem to arrange it a few more times?"
Her tone was normal, and even her expression was as gentle as ever, but Chen Qiurong inexplicably felt uncomfortable listening to her words.
But she couldn't bring herself to argue with Shen You, so she just smiled and said, "Of course."
“As long as the young lady nods, then this will be the most important matter in our Chengde Marquis’s mansion,” she said softly, feigning the loving demeanor of an elder. “Of course, meeting is one thing, but whether it will work out in the end is up to the young lady.”
"In that case, thank you in advance, Madam."
After saying this, Shen You gave a slight curtsy.
Chen Qiurong helped the person up, saying, "We're family, no need to be so polite."
Although Shen You never called her "mother"...
For more than a decade since Chen Qiurong married into the Chengde Marquis's household, Shen You has never changed his way of addressing her.
As a child, she was spoiled by her grandmother, and later she got used to calling her "Madam" and "Madam".
Shen Yao had considered asking her to change her mind, but Shen You was very stubborn on this matter, and with the old lady's protection, the matter was eventually dropped.
"That would be best."
Shen Yao smiled and said that Shen You's rejection of Li Yu, but his agreement to continue looking at potential partners, was the most pleasing outcome for him.
That was settled. Shen You did not linger in the study. He bowed and turned to leave.
——
In early summer, the yard is full of lush grass and blooming flowers, teeming with life.
The Chengde Marquis's Mansion features artificial hills, lotus ponds, stone steps, and pavilions, making for a beautiful landscape.
A figure in pearl white walked along the corridor, her skirt swaying gently with each step.
Her slender figure was as captivating as the flowers filling the courtyard.
Shen You's gaze swept lightly across the courtyard, her bright almond-shaped eyes revealing a thoughtful expression.
It's time for her to start making plans for herself.
During her three-year mourning period, she spent almost all her time going back and forth between the ancestral hall and Wen Gui Yuan.
Looking back now, I realize I should take good care of the business my grandmother and mother left me.
Right now, she has no one to help her.
if...
If the man who came to Shen Mansion to find her is the same person she imagined, then it would be a good opportunity given to her by heaven.
Thinking of this, a faint smile appeared on her lips.
She couldn't possibly stay in the Chengde Marquis's mansion forever.
If you want to plan for the future, you must truly understand what belongs to you.
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