Chapter 11: Withdrawal

Shen Tang had just lifted herself off the seat when she heard the news, and she promptly sat back down.

Even though she was eager to go to the Jiang family, she couldn’t miss out on this excitement.

The Old Madam’s expression darkened, while Second Madam, who had just settled into her seat, shot up in alarm, reprimanding, “Who is spreading such rumors?! How dare you bring this nonsense to the Old Madam’s ears!”

Who would dare spread such significant news? Didn’t Second Madam have any idea?

The maid shook her head, speaking softly, “It’s not a rumor. As soon as the Marquis returned, he instructed Steward Li to count the betrothal gifts from Prince Jingyang’s Manor and to prepare to send them back.”

If they were counting the betrothal gifts, it meant the engagement was officially being called off.

Second Madam panicked. “Does the Marquis agree to Prince Jingyang’s Manor withdrawal of the engagement?”

The Old Madam rapidly manipulated the prayer beads in her hands. “Go and summon the Marquis.”

Understanding the urgency, the maid hurried off to find Shen Sui.

Shen Sui arrived quickly, as he was already on his way to Pine Crane Hall. Upon entering, the Old Madam trembled as she asked, “Is it true that Prince Jingyang’s Manor wants to withdraw the engagement?”

Shen Sui did not speak; his expression conveyed everything.

His face was not pleasant.

As a father, how could he be happy knowing his daughter was being rejected?

The Old Madam’s fingers tightened around the prayer beads until they turned white. “If Prince Jingyang’s Manor wants to withdraw the engagement, why didn’t you discuss it with me first?”

Could Shen Sui stop Prince Jingyang’s Manor from withdrawing the engagement?

If he had allowed Shen Tang to send the palanquin back empty, the Old Madam should have anticipated this outcome.

Shen Tang was mentally prepared for this and even hoped for it, but hearing the news now left her feeling a bit empty inside.

With the engagement off, she and Xie Guimo would truly have no further connection.

As the Old Madam blamed Shen Sui for agreeing to the withdrawal, Shen Sui smiled bitterly. “There is no wall that does not let the wind through. If Prince Jingyang’s Manor wants to withdraw the engagement, should I hold off on agreeing? Do you want me to confront them?”

Given the schemes that Shen Juan had deployed to avoid the auspicious ceremony, how could he possibly feel justified in opposing the withdrawal of the engagement? He felt ashamed for not bringing it up sooner.

Shen Sui’s words left the Old Madam speechless.

When the Prince himself came to propose a marriage for his son, and the Pingyuan Marquis Manor agreed, only to have so many complications arise, if the grand wedding banquet went ahead and the palanquin returned without the intended bride, Prince Jingyang’s Manor would become the laughingstock.

Fortunately, Prince Jingyang’s son had woken up without needing the auspicious ceremony; otherwise, the consequences would have been far worse.

While the Prince’s son needed this marriage, the Pingyuan Marquis Manor’s daughters were unwilling to marry. Now that it was no longer necessary, how could they not withdraw?

With so many noble young women in the capital, many of whom were more accomplished than Shen Juan, would Prince Jingyang really cling to one tree?

Given his status, it would be easy for him to marry someone of Shen Juan’s caliber, while Shen Juan would find it nearly impossible to marry someone of Xie Guimo’s standing.

Otherwise, the Old Madam wouldn’t have reacted so strongly.

In her previous life, Shen Juan ultimately married the Second Prince and became the Empress. Back then, Shen Juan had been drugged, and it was only through coercion that she ended up with the Second Prince. Shen Juan had claimed that Xie Guimo had pushed her into the Second Prince’s arms, and in this life, such a thing should not happen again.

Shen Sui had come to see the Old Madam to retrieve something. “The jade pendant from the engagement with Prince Jingyang’s son was kept by Mother, right?”

He was here to take the engagement token.

The betrothal gifts were being returned, so the engagement token naturally had to be returned as well.

“It’s in Shen Juan’s possession.”

The Old Madam looked at Mother Wang, exhausted, and said, “Go and fetch it.”

With Shen Sui having already agreed to the withdrawal, the Old Madam had no power to oppose it. As Shen Sui said, it was best to withdraw the engagement cleanly to save face; tearing things apart would only lead to embarrassment.

What Prince Jingyang wanted to accomplish was something even the Emperor might not stop, let alone the Pingyuan Marquis Manor.

It was a pity about this good marriage…

If only…

The Old Madam glanced at Shen Tang, her eyes filled with regret.

Shen Tang placed great importance on sisterly bonds, but if she had been somewhat selfish, she would have found herself in Prince Jingyang’s palanquin.

Although the Old Madam favored Shen Juan more, Shen Juan would never outweigh the Pingyuan Marquis Manor in her heart.

The Old Madam looked at Shen Tang, and Second Madam could see the Old Madam’s thoughts. She was filled with pent-up frustration. Because Shen Sui was present, she dared not voice her anger. If it weren’t for Shen Tang’s cup of tea, Prince Jingyang’s Manor wouldn’t have learned that Shen Juan was unwilling to participate in the auspicious ceremony, and they wouldn’t have withdrawn the engagement!

This girl was truly a source of trouble.

Fortunately, Shen Tang had not entered the palanquin; Second Madam would rather withdraw the engagement than allow Shen Tang to get married.

But with the withdrawal, would Shen Juan still be able to marry into a good family? The more she thought about it, the more she grew to dislike Shen Tang, her teeth nearly grinding to dust.

After a moment, the maid who had gone to fetch the engagement token returned, looking hesitant.

The Old Madam’s patience was waning, and she asked, “Where is the pendant?”

The maid spoke softly, “The pendant is broken… it shattered…”

She opened her palm.

An exquisite sheep-fat jade pendant lay in two jagged pieces.

The Old Madam’s already dark expression turned even darker.

She knew Shen Juan did not want to withdraw the engagement, but she herself did not want to participate in the auspicious ceremony either.

How shameful to handle things so poorly that even the withdrawal of the engagement was done in such an undignified manner. Was there any semblance of a noble lady left?!

The Old Madam was thoroughly disappointed in Shen Juan.

As for Shen Tang, the Old Madam felt only regret and did not blame her for what she had done. One, because Shen Tang had acted under the guise of her mother’s dream, and two, because the Old Madam understood Shen Juan’s character. If Shen Tang was forced to marry for the auspicious ceremony and Prince Jingyang’s son truly woke up, Shen Juan would surely harbor resentment toward Shen Tang, leading to irrevocable rifts between the sisters.

Even though the engagement pendant was broken, it still needed to be returned. Prince Jingyang wouldn’t care if the pendant was broken; it was just that raising a daughter like this was truly embarrassing for Shen Sui.

After Shen Sui left, Shen Tang followed suit.

She went to the front courtyard to have Steward Li arrange a carriage. He found it strange that the physician had said Shen Tang needed to rest, yet she was so adamant about leaving the manor today.

However, Steward Li didn’t ask further; he was busy. With so many betrothal gifts from Prince Jingyang’s Manor mixed in with the dowry prepared by the Pingyuan Marquis Manor, it was challenging to sort through everything. Assuming Shen Tang was permitted to leave by her father and the Old Madam, he proceeded with the arrangements.

Once in the carriage, Shen Tang headed straight for the Jiang family.