Dark clouds loomed over the city on the horizon, and thunder rumbled in the winter air—a truly strange phenomenon.
As soon as Shang Shaoyan returned to the manor, a heavy sleet began to fall. She hurried back to her study, where the underfloor heating was on, and the warm air made her feel alive again.
"At present, the Southern Chen and Northern Zhou dynasties are divided by the Yangtze River. They appear to be on equal footing, but in reality, the north is stronger than the south. The Northern Zhou is rich in minerals and has a large labor force, while the Southern Chen is agriculturally developed and has a prosperous life. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages."
Looking at the unusual weather, she sighed to Shang Yunlan, "In the eyes of Northern Zhou, Southern Chen is just a fat sheep waiting to be slaughtered."
Shang Yunlan was writing and didn't even look up when she heard this: "Why are you saying all this?"
Shang Shaoyan sighed, "I want to be the younger sister of the founding emperor."
Shang Yunlan: "...Stop dreaming."
Shang Shaoyan rolled his eyes: "Someone from the Duke of Cheng'en's mansion is coming later. Get ready, they'll most likely be here to return the betrothal gifts."
The heir of the Duke of Chengen is Shang Shaoyan's fiancé; they only recently exchanged betrothal gifts. The Duke's family is backed by the Empress, being the maternal family of the Empress of Southern Chen. If the Duke of Zhenguo were still alive, this marriage would definitely continue.
But as Shang Shaoyan and Yan Xuening said, nowadays, anyone can step on the Duke's mansion, so it would be strange if the Chengen Duke's mansion didn't come to break off the engagement.
Shang Yunlan nodded: "Fortunately, we only exchanged birth certificates, otherwise it would have been much more troublesome."
As the two were talking, a maid from the front hall came to report that the wife of the Duke of Cheng'en had arrived.
Shang Shaoyan gave a cold laugh: "You really can't wait."
The two exchanged a glance, and then Shang Shaoyan gave Shang Yunlan some instructions before heading to the front hall.
...
Lady Chen, the wife of the Duke of Cheng'en, sat in the front hall, subtly observing the white silk hanging throughout the Duke's mansion, feeling a pang of regret.
If it weren't for the deaths of the Duke of Zhenguo and his wife, Lady Shang Shaoyan of Heyang County would indeed have been a satisfactory choice for her daughter-in-law.
However, thinking of the Empress's hint a few days ago that she might marry the Third Princess to the Crown Prince, she felt much more at ease—this was a princess of noble birth, how could a county princess compare?
Thinking this way, Madam Chen felt that the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was nothing special, and even her gaze towards the servants became somewhat critical.
When Shang Shaoyan arrived, he saw the look in Chen's eyes and couldn't help but laugh.
"Madam, the county princess has arrived," a maidservant reminded Madam Chen.
Madam Chen raised her eyes and looked at Shang Shaoyan. She saw that the latter had a bright face and his white mourning clothes could not suppress his aura. She was displeased and her words were not pleasant: "I haven't seen you for a few days. The county princess has become more and more imposing. I have been waiting for you for a long time."
Shang Shao bowed and then sighed, "It was not my wish to keep you waiting, Madam. I just cried at noon, and I couldn't let you see me looking disheveled. So I quickly tidied myself up and came out."
Chen was speechless. By the time she came to her senses, Shang Shaoyan was already sitting in the main seat, quietly watching her.
Chen felt a sudden pressure, but was also embarrassed and annoyed that she had been intimidated by a junior. She couldn't help but put on the airs of an elder: "Why isn't the young master here? There are some things that your brother needs to decide."
Shang Shaoyan smiled neither humbly nor arrogantly: "Madam, have you forgotten that my elder brother is unwell and is currently lying down? I wonder what brings you here today that I cannot make a decision for?"
Ms. Chen was at a loss for words.
The matter of returning the betrothal letter was neither a big deal nor a small one, but it was not something that could be discussed openly. Therefore, when she handed over the visiting card, she only said that it was a casual chat.
Anyone with a brain knows why she came here. Is Shang Shaoyan pretending to be stupid? Does she not want to annul the engagement?
The more Chen thought about it, the more she felt that Shang Shaoyan didn't want to back down, otherwise why would he be the only one to come out and pretend not to know anything?
Shang Shaoyan could naturally guess what Madam Chen was thinking, but she didn't show it on her face. She just frowned and asked in confusion, "Madam's attitude makes me a little uneasy."
Chen came to her senses, somewhat annoyed that Shang Shaoyan was asking a question she already knew the answer to, but she still forced a smile and said, "It's nothing serious, it's just that the other day when I went to Yunjian Temple to pray for you and A-Ye, the abbot saw your birth dates and said that your birth dates were incompatible..."
Shang Shaoyan almost laughed at the clumsy lie, but managed to hold back and pretended to be flustered: "What should we do?"
Seeing this, Chen's brows relaxed, and she said, "Solutions can be found by people, but it won't be quick..."
"I understand!" Shang Shaoyan interrupted Chen Shi, his eyes shining, and he muttered to himself, "I'll go and bribe the abbot of Yunjian Temple right now, and have him say that my horoscope and A Ye's are compatible, and that we are destined to grow old together!"
Chen: "???"
She looked at Shang Shaoyan in shock. Why had she never seen her so shameless before?
Shang Shaoyan seemed oblivious to Madam Chen's shocked gaze. She murmured smugly, "I'm so clever. Don't worry, Madam. If all else fails, I'll find someone to get rid of that abbot. That way, no one will know that A-Ye and I are incompatible."
She paused, then looked at Madam Chen gratefully: "Thank you, Madam, for informing Heyang of this matter. Thank you!"
Chen: "..."
Don't thank me, I'm begging you.
Chen took a deep breath, barely managing not to faint on the spot. She looked at Shang Shaoyan with a forced smile, raising her voice in anger: "Don't think so much. I'm here to return the betrothal gifts. My Li family can't afford to have you, with your cursed fate."
Chen had spoken without thinking. When she came to her senses, she wanted to make amends, but she couldn't bring herself to say anything, so she could only stare at Shang Shaoyan with a stern face.
Shang Shaoyan's smile froze. She looked at Chen Shi, seemingly unable to believe it.
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