Chapter 32

Tao Sheng’s guess was correct. Soon after they got in the carriage, it started to rain.

Tao Sheng sat inside, listening to the raindrops on the roof. The noise outside faded away, creating a comforting space within the carriage, separate from the outside world.

As the raindrops fell, she began to relax.

Ji Yanming sighed in relief when he noticed Tao Sheng’s lower lip turning red and her eyes regaining their brightness.

Being suddenly taken home by relatives would usually be a good thing for a girl who had lost her parents. But this family had such poor character that they never considered her feelings. Everything they did was for their own benefit, which became a burden for Tao Sheng.

She was usually confident and calm, but now he saw her in such an embarrassed state.

The Shen family was just a third-rate family in the capital, yet they thought they were important.

Now, the crown prince was unhappy with the current situation and wanted more leverage quickly. Some court ministers believed the fight for the throne would conclude with the crown prince entering the East Palace. However, they ignored the man sitting on the dragon throne, who had absolute power.

In this chaotic political environment, people like Shen Yu didn’t even need to act. A slight misstep at a critical moment could lead to their downfall.

Tao Sheng noticed that after Ji Yanming asked her two simple questions, his expression darkened, likely reflecting his thoughts about the Shen family.

Anyone targeted by the main villain wouldn’t have a good outcome. Tao Sheng felt a rush of excitement thinking about how Ji Yanming dealt with his political enemies after he was promoted.

The rain continued to pour as they returned to Tongguang Lane, showing no signs of letting up.

But there was only one umbrella in the carriage.

Since Ji Yanming had gone all the way to the Marquis’ Mansion to pick her up, she didn’t want him to get wet in the rain. It was only fair that she should give him the umbrella.

Tao Sheng glanced outside; while the rain was steady, it wasn’t heavy. He could manage to get back if he pushed through.

“Wait a moment,” Ji Yanming said. He took the umbrella, got out of the carriage, opened it, and held it out for her.

With the umbrella shielding her, she got out of the carriage without getting soaked.

These were actions usually done by maids, but he did them effortlessly.

Once she stepped out, Ji Yanming held the umbrella over her, covering most of her. A few wet strands of hair clung to his cheeks, and his bright eyes sparkled. When Tao Sheng looked up at him, she felt that everything around them suddenly lost its beauty in the rain.

The entourage in straw raincoats and hats also got out of the carriage. They looked at the two under the umbrella, finding the scene particularly pleasing.

Tao Sheng wanted to suggest that Ji Yanming wait in the car while she fetched him another umbrella so he wouldn’t get soaked, but she held back.

A cousin holding an umbrella for another cousin showed care and affection. In the misty rain, what did it matter to her coachman?

Luo Xin learned the next day about Shen Yu and others pressuring Tao Sheng in De Shou Hall.

Luo Xin quickly returned to the Marquis’ Mansion and confronted Shen Yu: “What terrible thing did Tao Sheng do that you had to force her like this?”

Shen Yu replied confidently, “I’m doing this for her own good; you wouldn’t understand.”

“Do you really think I’m that naive? Something major happened at home, and no one reported it to me, the mistress of the house?” Luo Xin raised her voice.

Tao Sheng had always been well-behaved and tried to avoid family conflicts. For her to say such things in De Shou Hall showed how much pressure she was under.

“Since you know about it, I won’t hide it anymore. Not only did she refuse a good marriage to the Marquis of Changxing, but she also caused chaos in De Shou Hall, making her mother sick with anger. How can a child behave like this?” At this point, Shen Yu looked reproachfully at Luo Xin, saying, “Madam, you shouldn’t spoil her like this.”

Shen Yu suspected that Luo Xin’s support for Tao Sheng made her bold.

However, since Tao Sheng rejected the marriage, and there were no suitable candidates in her family, she wouldn’t agree to the proposal from the Lingguo Duke’s Mansion until the Changxing marriage was resolved.

“But Madam, you came at the right time today,” Shen Yu said seriously, “I have something I want to ask you.”

Luo Xin already guessed Shen Yu’s intention: “If you want me to convince Tao Sheng to accept the Wu family’s marriage proposal on behalf of Ruo Jin, don’t mention it again. Tao Sheng shouldn’t accept it, and I shouldn’t either.”

It was clear that Ruojin didn’t want this marriage, but they were forcing it on Tao Sheng as if it were a blessing. Her daughter, who was proud and strong-willed, couldn’t accept this.

After that incident, Shen Yu was afraid to pressure Tao Sheng into marrying into the Wu family. Instead, he thought of another solution: “I want to ask my eldest brother-in-law to speak to the Wu family about this.”

“My brother went to Fujian at the beginning of the month on an assignment from the emperor. You’ll have to wait until next year to see him.”

“This is truly unfortunate,” Shen Yu said. “What if we ask our father-in-law for help?”

Luo Xin replied sarcastically, “My father is old and not as healthy as before. He might work hard for his own children, but why would he want to involve himself in Ruojin’s matters?”

Her father had always been unhappy that the Marquis’ Mansion didn’t acknowledge Tao Sheng. His own flesh and blood was outside, while other girls were raised for success. Naturally, he wouldn’t want to help with Ruojin’s issues.

Thinking about how they coerced her daughter into accepting a marriage she disliked while she was away, she felt deeply disappointed with the entire mansion.

As long as Ruojin’s marriage wasn’t settled, they would focus on this matter and ignore everything else.

Luo Xin thought it might be better to let Shen Yu and others keep busy, preventing them from bullying Tao Sheng. So, she refused Shen Yu’s unreasonable requests.

At this point, Shen Yu suddenly became angry: “Your father always cares about his own students. When Censor Xu and Minister Tang talk about your father, they praise him. Why can’t he help our family?”