Chapter 8 Unexpected Changes

Shu Yuwan had been waiting for news these past few days.

Her parents had always cherished her, but the matter of divorce involved the entire Shu family. She didn’t know her father’s stance. She had considered informing her parents about her past life, but the concept of rebirth was too shocking. If it hadn’t happened to her, she wouldn’t have believed such a thing could exist in the world.

Considering her mother’s hesitation, Shu Yuwan decided to add an extra layer of protection.

“Qing Dai, come here.”

“What’s the matter, Madam?” Qing Dai walked over.

Shu Yuwan leaned in close to Qing Dai and whispered, “Go outside and find some chicken blood or other animal blood for me. Have someone handle it, it shouldn’t coagulate. Also, buy some ice. Quickly! But remember to do it discreetly, don’t let anyone notice.”

“Madam, what do you need this for?”

“Don’t ask too many questions, just go.”

“Yes.” Although Qing Dai had doubts, she was loyal and followed the Madam’s request, doing things she didn’t understand as per the Madam’s instructions.

An Shaoyu had been patiently waiting for the Shu family to arrive since he was locked up.

After waiting for two days without the Shu family’s arrival, he received a message from his servant: “Third Young Master, Chang Ming has been arrested by the Master. It’s said that Chang Ming stole your private seal and gave it to Miss Zhao, allowing her to write the notices and post them all over the capital. It’s now widely known.”

“What?” An Shaoyu was shocked. How could this happen!

Soon, Shu Yuwan also received this news. She snorted lightly, finding the Anding Marquis Mansion as shameless as ever.

In her previous life, when the Shu family fell, and An Shaoyu returned with meritorious service, the Anding Marquis Mansion treated her and Shaoyu the same way. Before the divorce, they wanted her to move out of the Begonia Courtyard and give it to Zhao Qing Qing, whom they had previously looked down upon. She and Shaoyu then moved to a secluded small courtyard in the southwest corner of the Anding Mansion.

Apart from the second sister-in-law, Liu, An Shaoyu, and Zhao Qing Qing, they hadn’t interacted much with the rest of the Anding Mansion.

Now, with Zhao Qing Qing losing favor, the Anding Marquis Mansion continued to mistreat them. They were tarnishing the reputation of an unmarried woman, which was truly despicable.

At the Shu Mansion.

“Master, in my opinion, let Yuwan divorce An Shaoyu! Yuwan is my beloved daughter. How can I bear to see her suffer in the Anding Marquis Mansion?”

“It’s all my fault. I was mistaken, thinking that Shaoyu was a good person. Now, he has ruined my daughter’s life.”

       **** ( Note: Wanwan is also Yuwan ‘s name.)*****

The Mr. Shu sighed, “It’s not your fault, Madam. Although Shaoyu is the youngest son, he seemed stable and had good character and appearance. I thought he was a good match for Yuwan.”

“However, the divorce isn’t just our family’s matter. Yuwan’s divorce will surely affect all the unmarried girls in the Shu family. While you and I naturally feel sorry for her, can her two sisters-in-law do the same? Can the other families with unmarried girls in the Shu family not have complaints? Even if Yuwan returns, she may not have a peaceful life.”

Madam Shu understood this reasoning, which is why she had been hesitating, wanting to see the Anding Marquis Mansion’s stance.

Now, with the Anding Marquis Mansion shifting the blame for the notices to the merchant’s daughter, she found their behavior lacking in responsibility and looked down on their approach.

“But we can’t remain silent, can we?” Madam Shu said irritably.

“Of course, let’s rest tomorrow and take Yuwang and Yucheng to the Anding Marquis Mansion.”

“To let Yuwan divorce?” Madam Shu asked.

“Given the situation, Shaoyu has already given the divorce letter to Yuwan. It’s only right for us to proceed with the divorce. If the Anding Marquis Mansion refuses, we should provide Yuwan with some compensation.”

Madam Shu’s eyes lit up upon hearing this and praised her husband’s thoughtfulness before sending their two sons.

“Mother, since Shaoyu is so eager to marry that merchant’s daughter, why not just let sister Yuwan return from the divorce? Our family can afford to support her, and I will also take good care of her in the future,” Shu Yucheng proposed after hearing Madam Shu’s words.

Madam Shu was pleased with her son’s thoughts but replied, “Yucheng, I’m glad you think this way, but this is your father’s decision. If the Anding Marquis Mansion agrees, it’s best not to proceed with the divorce.”

“You’re right, Mother. But if it comes to that, Yuwan returning from the divorce is not a big deal. The Shu Mansion will always be Yuwan’s home!” Shu Yuwan added.

Both sons were willing to accept Yuwan’s return from the divorce, which comforted Madam Shu. She said, “You two are her brothers. Shaoyu is unreliable, and Yuwan will need your support in the future.”

“Mother, rest assured, we will always protect Yuwan.”

Shu Yuwan finally received her mother’s reply, understanding her parents’ arrangements.

Holding the letter, Shu Yuwan sighed. All the assurances from the Anding Marquis Mansion were based on the Shu family’s continued influence in the court, being close to the Crown Prince with a bright future.

If, as in her previous life, the Crown Prince died suddenly, the Second Prince was accused of plotting against the Crown Prince, and the Fifth Prince ascended the throne, leading to the Shu family’s exile, what use would these assurances serve?

Shu Yuwan returned to the ancestral hall.

“You said that as long as I wrote the divorce letter, posted the notices, the Shu family would come to request the divorce. Why haven’t they come yet? Instead, they’ve shifted the blame for posting the notices onto  Qing Qing!”

“Are you intentionally trying to harm  Qing Qing, to make Father and Mother blame her, and never accept her?” An Shaoyu burst out angrily as soon as he saw Shu Yuwan.

Shu Yuwan chuckled, “Husband, it wasn’t me who shifted the blame to Miss Zhao. It was the Anding Marquis Mansion’s reluctance to have a merchant as a relative. They pushed the blame onto Miss Zhao to show the Shu family that you’re not so determined to divorce. It was all Miss Zhao’s instigation.”

An Shaoyu was taken aback, realizing that Shu Yuwan’s words were likely true.

“Husband, rest assured, tomorrow, our Shu family will come to request the divorce. But to prevent the Anding Mansion from taking further action, I need your cooperation tomorrow.”

“Cooperate with what?”

“Just admit that you shifted the blame onto me.”

“What do you mean?” An Shaoyu’s mind raced, “You don’t want this child? But you’re so far along in your pregnancy?”

Shu Yuwan furrowed her brow, “I don’t want you, that’s true. But how could I not want the child in my belly?”

Suddenly, something dawned on her, and a cold glint appeared in her eyes, “You just need to admit it, no need to take action. If you really act, it might not end well for you!”

Understanding Shu Yuwan’s intention, An Shaoyu frowned, “I’m not that despicable. Besides, the child in your belly is also mine.”

Shu Yuwan shrugged, “It’s good that you think that way. I came today mainly because you’ve been locked up here for two days”

I feel really sorry for him. I came to see him. Now that he is well, I will go back first.”

An Shaoyu understood what she meant and nodded.