"Engaged?!" Lin Wanqing was genuinely surprised this time, her voice rising several decibels. "Wei'er! Such a big thing, how... how come you didn't tell me anything before?" Her face was filled with surprise and a hint of disappointment at being kept in the dark.
"Sister, please don't be angry..." Shen Yuewei raised her head, her eyes glistening with tears, looking pitiful.
"I only found out a few days ago... I only found out a few days ago. My mother said that the other party comes from a respectable family and is of good character, but they live far away... and my health is not good... so I thought I would wait... wait until it's settled before saying anything, so as not to... so as not to..." She hesitated, perfectly capturing the girlish thought of "being afraid of making a fool of herself if things don't work out."
Lin Wanqing stared intently at Shen Yuewei. The girl before her, shy yet frail, possessed clear eyes (under disguise), and the natural shyness she displayed when the topic of marriage seemed genuine. Could it be… that she was truly overthinking things?
After His Highness the Crown Prince's visit that day, was Wei'er's fear truly just due to being intimidated by the Crown Prince's imposing presence? As for this sudden engagement... Madam Shen's love for her daughter and her desire to find her a marriage far removed from the troubles of the capital is understandable...
"I see..." The surprise on Lin Wanqing's face slowly faded, replaced by a smile of understanding and blessing. She gently patted Shen Yuewei's hand.
“This is a good thing! The land and water of Jiangnan are good for people, and you have a good marriage by your side. Wei’er, you will definitely get better! It’s just that… marrying so far away to Jiangnan will make it difficult for us sisters to meet again in the future…” Her tone was filled with genuine reluctance.
Shen Yuewei sneered inwardly, but maintained her shy and weak demeanor on the surface, and said in a low voice, "I remember your kindness to me, sister. I will definitely write to you after I've settled down."
The two chatted about trivial matters. Lin Wanqing seemed to have put aside her doubts and became even more affectionate.
"Where's your second brother? He's always been the one who loves to be with you the most. Even your little brother isn't here," Lin Wanqing said with a smile, holding a half-eaten snack in her hand.
Shen Yuewei lowered her eyes, her gaze shifting slightly, and then smiled as she looked up, teasing Lin Wanqing, "Are you my best friend or my brother's friend?"
Lin Wanqing smiled and said, "Then your brother is my brother too."
The two continued their conversation about unrelated topics. During this time, Shen Yuewei got up and left several times. Lin Wanqing watched Shen Yuewei's departing figure, opened her mouth, but said nothing.
However, Shen Yuewei remained on high alert, carefully dealing with the situation and daring not to relax in the slightest.
Only after seeing Lin Wanqing off and watching her carriage disappear at the end of the street outside the mansion did Shen Yuewei feel completely exhausted and lean softly against Chun Tao, her back soaked with cold sweat.
“Miss…” Chun Tao said worriedly as she helped her up.
Shen Yuewei waved her hand, indicating that she was fine. She walked to the window, looking at the peach blossoms in full bloom in the courtyard, her eyes as cold as frost.
Jiangnan... engagement... this smokescreen has already been released. Hopefully, it will temporarily deceive some people and buy her precious time to escape.
Shen Yuewei closed her eyes in agony. Her nails dug deep into her palms, using the sharp pain to remind herself of the cruel reality.
Leave. She must leave as soon as possible. Leave this capital city that could devour her at any moment, leave that aloof, nightmarish Crown Prince, and leave... this entanglement that is destined to be hopeless and will only bring more pain.
Jiangnan was her only way out. For the child in her womb, for this stolen rebirth that she had to live, she had no other choice.
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