Shen Zhiyi was about to storm out when her sister-in-law from the Shen family held her back.

She shook her head.

It’s the day of the engagement; causing a scene would be inappropriate.

Don’t create trouble.

If you’re going to get angry, wait until the engagement is set and the guests have left.

But Shen Zhiyi couldn’t hold back and was about to erupt when she heard a gentle female voice from outside.

"With so many people here, have I come at a bad time?"

Shen Zhiyi’s eyes lit up suddenly.

No, you’ve come at just the right time!

There were many people inside, so Yu Tingwan wasn’t in a hurry to enter; she leaned against the doorway.

The young lady had a fair complexion with a tear mole at the corner of her eye, exuding both charm and grace. She held a gift wrapped in red paper, which looked weighty.

Old Mrs. Ge didn’t recognize her.

Yu Tingwan was dressed in fine silk, looking particularly noble. But weren’t all the guests today quite distinguished?

They were all eager to get on good terms with Yi!

Old Mrs. Ge didn’t pay much attention, turning to Mrs. Shen beside Yu Tingwan and calling her by name.

"Chao Ru, you should manage your daughter-in-law. Otherwise, one day she might climb over your head."

Mrs. Shen: "My daughter-in-law is my choice, excellent in every way, and needs no advice from outsiders." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Old Mrs. Ge was displeased with that retort; how could she be happy?

"When an elder teaches, you should accept the lesson!"

Her face darkened, and Mrs. Shen felt a bit intimidated.

Yu Tingwan spoke with a faint smile: "Shen Zhiyi, who is this old thing?"

Shen Zhiyi: ...

Still the same you.

She smiled sweetly: "My grandfather’s sister."

Yu Tingwan understood, having heard Shen Zhiyi’s complaints multiple times.

"Got it."

"The one who rushed over to say you couldn’t even keep a man and that you’re not destined for a good life after learning about your broken engagement with Chu Liulang?"

"That’s her."

Old Mrs. Ge’s smile froze.

And she regretted it.

How could she have known that Shen Zhiyi would have this fortune?

Shen Zhiyi: "Years ago, she set up rules for her daughter-in-law, eventually causing a tragic death."

Yu Tingwan glanced sideways.

"Being a wicked mother-in-law herself, she wishes everyone else to be as malicious as she is. Look at her demeanor and tone; I almost thought she was your biological grandmother if not for her coming here to show off."

Shen Zhiyi replied nonchalantly: "My grandmother is dead."

Yu Tingwan: "Oh."

Shen Zhiyi: "My grandfather is also dead."

Yu Tingwan: "Oh."

Yu Tingwan was curious: "Then why isn’t she dead?"

Yu Tingwan looked at Old Mrs. Ge: "You’ve got quite a life ahead of you, huh."

Old Mrs. Ge was furious: ??!

"You!"

Mrs. Shen: "Aunt, this is the General’s wife."

Old Mrs. Ge immediately quieted down.

"Gen... General’s wife."

Yu Tingwan asked again: "What’s she doing here?"

Shen Zhiyi assisted with an answer: "Dragged a group of people here to make me find a way out."

Yu Tingwan spoke softly: "You’re just engaged, and she’s making you beg your future husband’s family? More leeching than leeches in the fields. How could you, a younger generation, be so insensitive?"

Yu Tingwan: "The old lady, too, is only swallowing her pride to ask you because you’re marrying well."

These words made Old Mrs. Ge’s face look a bit better. She adjusted her clothes, lifted her sharp face, and nodded: "Indeed! The lady speaks sensibly."

Yu Tingwan: "A few official positions, aren’t they? Shen family’s several distant relatives have already spoken. If Xiao Huaian really cares about you, he should think of a way."

"Even if they want to be Duke Zhongyong, should your father-in-law give up his position for these nobodies to climb over him?"

Your sarcasm is unmatched.

Everyone’s faces changed.

"The lady shouldn’t say that? We didn’t mean it like that."

Yu Tingwan pretended not to hear.

"Since you’re asking for a favor, show some sincerity."

"What... what?"

The young woman spoke kindly: "Even beggars on the streets kneel and kowtow when asking for help; no one else asks so rudely like you?"

"Are you not leaving? Waiting for me to kick you out?"

Shen Zhiyi laughed.

She was utterly delighted.

After those eyesores left in humiliation, she walked over, holding a fan.

"What are you holding in your hand?"

Yu Tingwan casually tossed the item to her.

Shen Zhiyi, unprepared, nearly dropped the heavy object.

Yu Tingwan: "I’m simple and unembellished, don’t know much about jewelry. But I couldn’t come empty-handed, so I made you a gold bar."

Shen Zhiyi: ...

Thicker than her neck... calling that simple?

————

Meanwhile, the people from Marquis Zhongyong Mansion were readying to depart.

Xiao Huaian mounted his horse at the front, exuding confidence, followed by a long, seemingly endless procession of betrothal gifts.

But he was very nervous, frequently talking to Ning Yunling beside him.

"Is my outfit okay today?"

Xiao Huaian: "Do I look handsome?"

Are you crazy?

Ning Yunling frowned tightly.

"Let me ask you one thing."

Ning Yunling: "I’ve been hiding at home for a few days, how did you end up with that shrew Shen Zhiyi?"

Xiao Huaian: ?

"You’re talking about my woman in front of me, is this a death wish?"

As if Ning Yunling would be afraid of him.

"My cousin is right behind; if you dare, try messing with me!"

Ning Yunling genuinely couldn’t understand.

"Did Shen Zhiyi force you? Doesn’t make sense; she shouldn’t even be interested in you."

Xiao Huaian: ???

"You can get lost."

"Why so hot-headed?"

Ning Yunling felt he was quite right.

"I don’t get along with you much. But three years ago when I was drinking with Shen Zhiyi, you came over to check on me and sent us all back one by one..."

Xiao Huaian glanced at him: "You were just a tag-along."

Ning Yunling: ?

He could hardly believe it.

"There was a time I got into an argument with her, and she wanted to hit me. Didn’t you come to mediate because you were afraid she’d hurt me?"

Xiao Huaian looked at him absurdly.

"If she hits you, I’d be worried about her hand hurting."

Damn you.

Ning Yunling was almost amused by his anger.

"And before when she came to my house for a potential marriage, you came too, wasn’t that out of concern for my marriage?"

Xiao Huaian was indifferent: "Your mother liked her. If you two married, then what involvement would I have?"

Who is more unscrupulous than you!

The journey took nearly an hour.

When they finally arrived, many people were already waiting at the Shen family’s gate.

Among them were a man and a tiger.

Yu Tingwan, seeing a prominent family’s betrothal procession for the first time, squeezed into the crowd, intrigued.

She saw Xiao Huaian on a tall horse, dressed brightly, exuding cheer.

Beside him, the indignant Ning Yunling was ignored by Yu Tingwan.

Her gaze shifted further back.

And further back.

There was a sedan chair.

Beside the sedan stood Rong Di.

The celebrant held an item, approached, and bowed to the people at the gate, loudly announcing.

"The Xiao Family from Marquis Zhongyong Mansion has come to offer the betrothal."

Yu Tingwan stared intently.

Jiasan approached, observing Yu Tingwan’s expression, feeling a sense of injustice for her.

Yaoyao’s engagement and wedding had not been celebrated with such grandeur.

Then, Yu Tingwan turned to her, rare to initiate a conversation.

"Don’t you think it looks like..."

"Like what?"

Yu Tingwan pointed at Xiao Huaian: "The groom."

Jiasan: "He is, today at least."

Yu Tingwan then pointed at the sedan behind Xiao Huaian.

Slowly.

"The bride."