Chapter 4

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

The woman was dressed in mourning clothes. There were no pearls in her hair, only a pure white silk flower. She looked extremely weak, and even her words were breathless.

However, with just a few words, she pushed Madam He into the crossfire.

She was just a snob!

There was nothing false in what she said.

Before the He family produced a scholar, they were just an ordinary family. No matter how unruly Shen Hua was, she was at least the daughter of the largest embroidery workshop in Fengzhou. How could He Chu be worthy of her?

In order to gain Shen Hua’s favor, He Chu put in a lot of effort and attentiveness to make the marriage happen.

Turning his back on her now was not an action befitting a man.

Elder Shen looked displeased. Under everyone’s watchful eyes, he had no choice but to stand up for Shen Hua. After some consideration, he gave words of reproval as an elder.

“Your He family has gone too far!”

Originally, he just wanted to say a few casual words. After all, Shen Hewen was right. Shen Hua’s looks could be an asset in the future.

He could not let a mere scholar hold them back.

At this moment, Shen Hua ran up to him as if she was asking for protection.

She complained in a muffled voice, “Elder, although Father is no longer around, with you here, the He family is treating the Shen family as if they’re nothing.”

As she spoke, she raised her chin. “Annuling the engagement is one thing, but you chose to humiliate me specifically today because you want me to go the same way as my father and stepmother.”

Madam Shen Xue’s breath caught in her throat. Why did you drag me along?! Little brat!

“Child, what are you talking about?”

Shen Hua wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and said meaningfully, “Stepmother is right. Most of the people in this residence have the surname Shen. The elder is here, Second Uncle is here, and all the relatives of the family are here. How can they not protect me?”

As soon as she finished speaking, there was a commotion around them.

After all, if Shen Hua actually tried to commit suicide on this day, and if everyone here ignored her, it would be difficult for them to escape the blame. The situation would be ugly both inside and out.

Soon, someone finally stepped in to help.

“What’s wrong with Yangyang being beautiful and kind? Why are you slandering her like this?”

“You’re even calling out Yangyang’s health is poor. Why didn’t you mention it when you proposed?”

“Pfft, you’re a dog relying on your power. Do you really think you’re a big shot just because you’re a mere scholar? Go take a walk on Shengjing Street. There’s no lack of high-ranking officials there.”

Shen Hewen silently helped the elder forward. Even if he was grudging, he still made his stand clear.

“The He family was the one who shamelessly begged for this marriage. Now, you’re trying to avoid it. Why? Is it because our Shen family is not in your league?”

Shen Hua had had enough of this.

No matter how disgusting the He family’s mother and son were, they could not compare to these sinister and cunning people in front of them who were trying to take her father’s work for themselves.

She turned her head to look at Yi Cui. Yi Cui understood and hurriedly returned the ordinary-looking jade slit ring to Madam He.

“Among my mistress’s jewelry, this jade slit ring is the most inconspicuous. However, it’s something the He family left for their future bride when the engagement was announced. We could only throw it in the corner to accumulate dust.”

“If the He family doesn’t break off the engagement today, I’ll return it to you another day.”

She was serving Shen Hua, so her words naturally conveyed Shen Hua’s intentions.

Madam He’s face darkened.

Shen Hua smiled.

“It’s not a good marriage for me. I can’t enter a tiger’s den like the He family, right? Madam He, keep the token well. From now on, our two families will have nothing to do with each other.”

He Chu’s heart tightened. It would be fine if Shen Hua did not agree to the marriage, but Shen Hua even claimed she wanted to immediately cut ties with him, causing his heart to feel hollow. He took a deep look at Shen Hua and went forward to bow.

“I am ashamed. I only pray that Madam Shen can find a good husband.”

Tsk.

Why was he pretending to be a gentleman?

In his previous timeline, He Chu was the same. He made it sound so nice when he broke off the engagement.

Nevertheless, there was no one was to block her path.

“Yangyang, it was my mother’s order. I have to obey her as a son, but you’re the only one in my heart. Please give me a few more days.”

Later on, in the previous timeline, he quickly got engaged to another woman. When he was in the limelight, he came to look for her again.

“Yangyang, I didn’t mean to. I have not given myself entirely to the Zhou family’s daughter. I begged my mother and she gave you permission to enter the He family. Although you’ll be a concubine, in my heart, you’re the one I want to marry.”

Shen Hua felt disgusted.

He was the same in the past as he was now.

As for getting herself a good husband, she did not even know how many years she could live with this disappointing body.

Shen Hua did not want to get married. She did not want to affect other people’s lives; she only wanted to spend all her energy on the Shen family.

She glanced at He Chu indifferently.

“Let’s not talk about my future plans. Young Master He, why don’t you think about this? Once today’s matter spreads, who in Fengzhou City would be willing to entrust their daughter to the He family?”

She was not in a good spot herself, and she could not bear to see others doing well.

He Chu’s eyes turned red as if he was the one getting abandoned.

Madam He could not hide it on her face. Since she had achieved her goal, she was unwilling to stay any longer.

“Don’t waste your breath on her. Chu, let’s go.”

She pulled He Chu along as though she was trying to distance herself from filth. As she left, she looked like she was fleeing.

Her lips opened and closed, and words jumped out word by word.

“You’re an Elementary Scholar. You’ll be a High Scholar when you succeed in the next examination. If you continue to work hard and enter the capital to take the examination, you’ll get a good ranking in the Spring Quarter Examinations. Certain blind people will regret their actions and rush to win your favor!”

Her son had no need to worry about not being able to find a good family.

The Zhou family’s ancestors had once been government officials. Although they were desolate now, the Zhou family’s mistress could take on Shen Hua with a single finger. She was famous for being knowledgeable and reasonable. The Zhou family had long sent people over to ask about things.

Shen Hua scoffed when she heard that.

Did she really think that the streets were filled with High Scholars?

After the He mother and son duo left, the smell of smoke in the air did not fade at all. Everyone’s gazes darted back and forth between Shen Hua, who seemed to be covered in thorns.

Meanwhile, Shen Hua knelt in front of the coffin and silently burned the paper money.

She was so well-behaved that she stopped making a fuss.

She could not afford to make a scene with the current situation.

She could not stop Shen Qu from taking charge of the funeral procedure.

“Our dynasty has an iron law. The deceased can only enter the ancestral grave if their son dropped the funeral pot. If they don’t have any descendants, a son will be adopted by the family or replaced by their nephews.”

In this world, women were treated harshly. His own daughter could only watch from afar.

If Shen Hua had a son-in-law for the family, she would fight for him.

Now, however…

Even without Shen Qu, Shen Changhe had five sons. In the Shen family, apart from Shen Wei, everyone was prosperous.

Shen Hua was alone and could not do anything. She just wanted to send Shen Wei off for the last time.

The flames devoured the gold ingot and burned it to ashes. At the same time, they shone over the woman, adding a hint of color to her pale face.

As long as she was still breathing, she could slowly calculate these other matters.

Finally…

Shen Qu raised the pot in his left hand high and slammed it to the ground.

With a loud bang, fragments were scattered everywhere.

Shen Hua’s heart trembled as she heard the cries around her. Even though no one was sincere, she still could not hold back her tears.

The Minister of Rites shouted.

“Raise the coffin!”