Chapter 4: Do You Dare?

An Shaoyu, being pampered since childhood, had limited authority within the family as the youngest son. However, he was tasked with managing the family business. When a business deal of the Anding Hou encountered issues, An Shaoyu went to handle it, expecting to return in a few months but ended up being away for several months.

Shu Yuwan, collecting her thoughts, responded, “The Master, Madam, and your grandmother don’t want you to divorce, so they won’t agree. If you want a divorce, you have to handle it yourself.”

“Tell the Master that you’ve had a change of heart, don’t want to divorce me, and ask him to release you.”

“Then write the reasons for the divorce, seal it with your private seal, make several copies, and post them in various places in the capital. Write the divorce letter, stating the reasons for divorce, and hand it to me after signing. I will have my parents and relatives come to demand the divorce, everything will naturally fall into place.”

“I just don’t know if you dare to do it?”

An Shaoyu was indeed flustered. “His mother and grandmother would be furious, also the Master would  face severe criticism.”

“In fact, these two conditions seem very harsh, but in fact, they are not much different from what you are doing now. Isn’t divorce what you are asking for while kneeling here, all for your true love? It’s just that by making the reasons public, you also apologize to me. It won’t be easy for a woman after a divorce. This way, it can be considered some compensation for me.”

“As for letting the child in my belly stay with me, firstly, after the divorce, it may be difficult for me to remarry. Having a child by my side won’t make me feel lonely. Secondly, after the divorce, you can remarry your true love and will likely have more children with Zhao Qing Qing. Since Zhao Qing Qing expects a lifetime of togetherness, keeping this child by my side will serve as a reminder that you once had a wife, making Zhao Qing Qing uncomfortable, right?”

An Shaoyu found her reasoning very logical, each word striking a chord with him. If he didn’t act decisively, it would be challenging to marry Qing Qing. As for the rumors in the capital, they would gradually fade away with time.

“Alright, I’ll do it. This way, it won’t be too unfair to you, and I can marry Qing Qing, a rare compromise.”

Listening to this, Shu Yuwan couldn’t help but feel amused.

“Then let’s wait for your news.”

“But why do I feel like you also want a divorce very much?” An Shaoyu’s eyes showed curiosity.

Shu Yuwan calmly replied, “Didn’t you say at Fushou Hall that no matter what, you must give everything that Zhao Qing Qing deserves? Now, you’d rather fast than be with me. Since that’s the case, how can I not fulfill your wish?”

After leaving the ancestral hall, Shu Yuwan took Qing He back to the Begonia Courtyard to rest and focus on her pregnancy.

Mother Zhao welcomed her and asked, “Madam, what would you like for dinner?”

“Just arrange it as you see fit.”

Feeling tired after the journey to the ancestral hall, Shu Yuwan leaned on the Guifei couch to rest for a while.

Qing He, in her green attire, helped her lie down and then stayed in the outer room, taking out needles and threads to make clothes for the unborn child. The two of them soon began whispering to each other.

Receiving two boxes of pastries, Qing He pretended to be happy, trying to cheer up her mistress, though she was still quite upset inside. “Our mistress has been treated like a princess since childhood. The Master, Madam, and the two young masters all dote on her. But since coming to the Anding Hou Mansion, she has suffered such grievances.”

Qing Dai advised, “You know this is the Anding Hou Mansion, so be careful with your words and don’t cause trouble for the mistress.” After advising herself, Qing Dai added, “But what the Third Young Master did is really infuriating. If the An Shaoyud Madam find out, they “Madam didn’t say much, but she looked quite happy when she came out.”

Mother Zhao listened and felt pleased, saying, “That’s good. Hopefully, the Third Young Master will come to his senses soon.”

As it was time to send dinner, Mother Zhao was preparing to do so.

Qing Dai came in and said, “Madam, the old lady invites you to dine at Fushou Hall.”

Shu Yuwan sighed, “Understood.”

In her heart, Qing He cursed, “The Old Lady really doesn’t know how to empathize with people,” then went to help Shu Yuwan change clothes.

At Fushou Hall, the Old Lady was delighted to see Yuwan and said, “Yuwan, that rascal Shaoyu has come to his senses. After being disciplined by his father for a few days, he now knows right from wrong.” The Old Lady happily invited Yuwan to sit down.

Yuwan, with an incredulous look of joy, asked, “Really? Old Lady, does my husband not want to divorce me anymore?”

“Yes, just now, a message came from the Master’s side. The Master personally went to ask Shaoyu, who said he knelt in front of the ancestors in the ancestral hall for two days and has indeed figured things out.”

“At this moment, he is with your mother.”

“Yuwan, now that Shaoyu has realized his mistake, young men are bound to have moments of confusion. Don’t take it to heart. You two will live harmoniously in the future, understand?”

Yuwan nodded gently, “Old Lady, as long as my husband changes his mind, I won’t be angry with him.”

“I heard that today, you went to deliver pastries to Shaoyu. I’m sure Shaoyu also appreciates your kindness,” the Old Lady said with a smile.

Yuwan sighed, “I heard that my husband hasn’t eaten anything for two days. I’m really worried that he might harm his health, so I sent some pastries, hoping he takes care of himself. I truly hope he can change his mind. If he really doesn’t want to, I’m willing to divorce, just don’t trouble himself.”

The Old Lady nodded, thinking that Shaoyu had come to his senses.

After a while, An Shaoyu also entered.

“Grandmother.”

“Shaoyu, come, dine with Grandmother and Yuwan.”

“Yes, Grandmother.”

An Shaoyu and Shu Yuwan sat on either side of the Old Lady. She held their hands together and advised, “The past is in the past. Don’t dwell on it. Live well from now on.”

Looking at An Shaoyu, Yuwan smiled gently at him.

An Shaoyu felt a stir in his heart, sensing that Yuwan seemed different now.

After dinner, the Old Lady instructed An Shaoyu and Shu Yuwan to return to the Begonia Courtyard together.

After they left, the Old Lady asked Mother Zhao beside her, “Do you think Shaoyu has realized his mistake?”

Mother Zhao comforted, “The Third Young Master seems to have come to his senses. The Third Young Madam is the legitimate daughter of the Shu family, exceptionally beautiful. She’s also carrying the Third Young Master’s child. The Third Young Master is young and easily deceived. After kneeling in the ancestral hall for two days and not seeing anyone outside, and seeing the Third Young Madam so gentle and considerate, he won’t insist on a divorce.”

The Old Lady nodded, “Yuwan’s behavior this time indeed surprised me. I thought she would make a scene, but she remained calm and even knew to be considerate of Shaoyu at this time. She truly lives up to being the legitimate daughter of a prestigious family.”