Chapter 375: Chapter 374: You’ve Finally Let Go and Learned to Bow Your Head
Hearing this, Ji Ge involuntarily shuddered.
If it were Li San...
What, after Li San and Wei Zhuzhu become husband and wife, during their leisure time could they still go on a spring outing with Wei Xiheng and Ji Shimin as a couple?
Then the damned bustle of Shengjing would never cease.
Although it’s malicious, I’m... quite looking forward to it.
With just one sentence, Shen Hua silenced everyone.
Ji Huo thought he needed to save someone. But it was very difficult.
So much so that the conversations below became even clearer.
"Sister, I know you are jealous of me. I won’t hide it from you, I went to the Zhao Family yesterday, and Lady Zhao gave me a meeting gift, her words and demeanor clearly showed her satisfaction with me."
Wei Zhuzhu draped her cloak over her shoulders, blooming like a white lotus: "Father said that as the legitimate second daughter of the Wei Family, I represent the family’s facade outside. This time he has given me one hundred taels again, he really cherishes me. By the way, sister, do you have it?"
Wei Yingying held back from slapping her; she had nothing!
She recited in her mind the words Shen Hua had taught her before coming.
"It’s true jealousy."
"I cannot compare with you, nor do I dare to."
"I’ve also heard about the dowry this time; you have more than I do, my Mama has to add to yours, and father and grandmother have to give you even more on top of that."
These few sentences undoubtedly left Wei Zhuzhu feeling smug; she had been waiting for Wei Yingying to submit to her for a long time!
Finally!
The taste of this was truly delightful.
However, Wei Yingying’s sudden visit to say these words was indeed somewhat strange. Without giving her time to ponder deeply, Wei Yingying poured a cup of tea and personally brought it to her.
"I was wrong about what happened in the past, so let’s assume the big person doesn’t sweat the small stuff. Can we not fuss over it anymore? My Mama has also been concerned about your affairs, and now I’ve seen the error of my ways; I dare not oppose you anymore. In the future, you’ll be the prestigious wife in the Zhao Family, but as for me... forget it, better left unsaid."
Wei Zhuzhu cast a sidelong glance at her, arrogantly curled her lip, and didn’t reach out to take the cup, leaving Wei Yingying awkwardly holding it out.
She had already washed off her makeup, and without the adornment of rouge, her looks seemed even more ordinary. But her airs were still fully displayed: "It seems you have come to your senses this time, and you’ve even learned to bow your head."
"You should have done so earlier."
She feigned indifference with a tone of false loftiness: "Wealth is but an external possession, I do not care about dowries or such matters."
"Sister, you should show me some respect in the future. If I marry well, and Mr. Zhao rises in rank, he may, for my sake, even help the Third Prince, giving you a hand. So that you don’t live a life worse than that of ordinary citizens."
Zhao Wu on the roof had been silently listening, and by now, he had realized something was not right.
His expression was very ugly.
This Wei Zhuzhu was nothing like the gentle person she pretended to be in front of the Zhao family.
Wei Yingying feigned a look of dejection: "After I enter the household, the Third Prince Mansion is under my authority, but with tricky servants and a cold gate, no silver in hand, no family estate, and the far-flung village and shop grandma gave me barely make any money in a year. How can I manage the household? Not like you."
Wei Zhuzhu admired the newly applied vermillion by the candlelight.
"It’s indeed so."
"Lady Zhao also mentioned yesterday that she doesn’t have many days to live, and when I get married over there, she will hand over the keys to the household to me."
"Then you should be filial to your mother-in-law, who knows with this joy, perhaps she will get better. I will have to rely on you in the future."
Wei Zhuzhu’s face darkened.
"What does that have to do with you?"
"Before her illness, Lady Zhao was a formidable character, stern and solemn. If she gets better, not to mention losing the control of the household, what will I do if it affects me?"
Wei Yingying quickly flattered: "That’s right, it’s better if she remains ill."
Zhao Wu’s gaze was heavy.
Such a venomous woman!
Wei Yingying had been paying attention to the movements above all along. She went through a pretense of courtesies with Wei Zhuzhu, until she was certain that everyone had left.
"What are you dazed for, the tea has gone cold and you’re not going to refill it?"
"Drink what? Does a wench like you even deserve it?"
Wei Yingying changed her tone and, without saying a word, splashed the tea onto Wei Zhuzhu’s face.
————
The sky was black as ink, and it was rare to encounter anyone on the road.
Having just returned to the Marquis Yangling Mansion.
Shen Hua walked slowly along the narrow corridor, followed by Yingwu, who was holding a lantern.
Yingwu’s face showed no expression as usual, but her steps were lighter than usual, clearly indicating her good mood.
The reason was simple—Xiaoqi had left!
After the incident with the Zou Family, there had been no return.
In this matter, Ji Teng, as if fearful of touching upon Cui Yun’s sore spot, reined in his actions after gaining an advantage, daring not to push too hard.
"In the official circles, Mr. Zhao’s word is law; the marriage he has set, I’m afraid even Mr. Zhao himself would find it difficult to back out."
Yingwu finally spoke up, "Madam may not know, but his lordship has had clashes with Mr. Zhao. That man is deep-thinking, and while not particularly devious, he is nonetheless someone who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals."
He must have made some secret deal with the Minister of the Ministry of Industry.
Shen Hua did not take her words to heart.
Every ten steps along the small corridor, there was a red lantern, dimly lit and gracefully adorned.
The girl’s features were delicate; she merely turned her head and smiled indifferently.
"You’ve forgotten the maternal family of Lady Zhao."
"Zhao Wu, being filial, certainly would not dare disturb her with this matter, but he can always pay a visit to his maternal grandparents’ house. As long as his maternal family is willing to intervene, what can Mr. Zhao do?"
"If it weren’t for Lady Zhao’s serious illness, Mr. Zhao likely wouldn’t have been able to meddle in Zhao Wu’s marriage."
"Either way, this marriage is completely off."
The prospective marriage alliance between the Zhao and Wei Families, though not openly discussed, became a matter of speculation among the clever guests when the Minister of Ministry of Industry was seen sitting with Mr. Zhao at the banquet hosted by the Zou Family.
"Zhao Wu is considered a decent young man in Shengjing, always avoiding conflicts with others, with a good temperament too, and the Zhao Family is eager to celebrate a wedding. Now that the engagement is suddenly called off, it is likely that the aristocratic ladies will speculate about Wei Zhuzhu’s character. If she is to consider marriage again in the future, she will probably have to set her sights lower."
Shen Hua pitied her: "Poor girl, meeting anyone but us would have been better."
As she spoke, she stepped over the threshold into the East Courtyard.
Upon entering the courtyard, she immediately sensed something was amiss.
Yicui and Ningzhu were all respectfully waiting outside the house. Upon seeing her, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
Inside, the house was brightly lit.
Shen Hua’s eyes curved. She quickly stepped inside.
"When did you get here?"
Inside, Cui Yun put down his teacup, his expression indifferent, "You deigned to return?"
He lifted his eyes slightly: "I almost thought that Miss Shen had found joy in distant places and forgotten the way home. That’s why you returned to the mansion at this hour."
Shen Hua felt he was being sarcastic.
Yet, the girl was quite pleased to see him.
She thought for a moment: "Yicui."
"Prepare the water."
After giving her instructions, Shen Hua walked over.
Her slender white hand hooked Cui Yun’s thumb; her eyes were clear and earnest, seriously like a cat she said, "Can we talk after I have bathed?"
Cui Yun narrowed his eyes.
Shen Hua was about to head to the washroom when she stopped halfway.
The girl paused in her step.
She turned her head, boldly looking straight at him.
She wanted to ask him.
Had Cui Yun taken a bath yet?
But before she could speak.
Cui Yun’s eyes darkened: "What, you want to help?"
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