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Shen Zhang shi listened to Shen Zhu’s words, frowning deeply. She was unwilling to believe that her most prideful son could actually fall in love with his own sister-in-law. If this were ever discovered, even the slightest whisper could deal a significant blow to Shen Ziju’s future prospects. Over the years, their family had meticulously maintained their reputation, all for the sake of Shen Ziju’s future. As simple farmers without a strong family background or financial support, their only reliance was on genuine talent, moral integrity, and a spotless reputation. If that reputation were tarnished, it would greatly impact his future.
Seeing Shen Zhang shi deep in thought with a furrowed brow, Shen Zhu knew she was starting to persuade her mother.
“Mother, we must act sooner rather than later. Fifth Brother is on the verge of taking the imperial exam. If he passes, it will be even more difficult to handle. Do you think the Xia family would willingly let go of such a good match for their daughter? They would fight tooth and nail. Moreover, others might say that Fifth Brother only rejected the village girl after passing the exam. If we act now, there will be fewer rumors.”
Shen Zhang shi listened to Shen Zhu’s reasoned argument and replied, “But if we mishandle this, our family’s reputation could be ruined. Are you sure they won’t expose this?”
Shen Zhu snorted, saying, “They wouldn’t dare. A bunch of country bumpkins, where would they find the courage? If they cause a scene, they’ll end up humiliating themselves.”
“You, girl, stop calling them bumpkins all the time.”
Shen Zhang shi lightly tapped Shen Zhu’s forehead. Although she shared Shen Zhu’s opinion about them being bumpkins, they were all living together in the same village and couldn’t escape that label. It made her feel uneasy, as if she were a pearl dropped into the mud. She hated this life and yearned to escape it, with Shen Ziju passing the imperial exam and becoming an official being their greatest hope.
“Mother, once fifth brother becomes an official after passing the exam, we’ll be ladies and madams of the official’s household. Then fifth brother can marry a daughter from a wealthy family, and we can move to the city. No one will remember we ever lived in a place like this. But if fifth brother marries Xiao Ping’er, and I marry Song Dashan, won’t we end up with a bunch of bumpkin relatives again? Even if we live in a grand mansion and have servants, the moment those bumpkin relatives visit, even the servants will laugh at us. Mother, do you want that?”
Shen Zhu’s blow was indeed heavy. Shen Zhang shi’s expression immediately changed. Finally, she made up her mind.
“Alright, let’s proceed with the method you suggested,” Shen Zhang shi said. She believed that if Shen Zhu’s plan was executed well, everything could be seamless. Then, this marriage could naturally be called off, and no one would blame their family!
However, they didn’t dare to decide privately. They sought out Shen Youfu. Although they had discussed this matter with him before, he had been hesitant. Now, with their determination to secure a good match for Shen Ziju, they needed to put in more effort. They discussed Shen Ziju’s unusual behavior with Shen Youfu, hoping to increase his dissatisfaction with the Fourth Household.
Sure enough, when Shen Youfu heard his wife and daughter’s words, he was almost ready to confront his fourth daughter-in-law. His first thought wasn’t that Shen Ziju’s interest in the fourth daughter-in-law was inappropriate, but rather that it must be this fourth daughter-in-law’s fault. He believed she must have seduced his precious son with her daily extravagant attire.
“Such a shameless woman! She’s already married but still shamelessly hovers around her younger brother-in-law. She must have the audacity fed to her by wolves! Doesn’t she fear being drowned in a pig cage?”
“Old man, please sit down! Lower your voice, don’t let anyone overhear!”
Shen Zhang shi and Shen Zhu intercepted Shen Youfu, urgently urging him to speak quietly. They explained the current situation to him, advising him not to make a scene and to nip Shen Ziju’s thoughts in the bud. Then they shared their thoughts with him.
Shen Youfu had been hesitant about breaking off the engagements of his two children. Those engagements had been arranged out of gratitude, and now he worried that breaking them off might incur heavenly retribution and possibly harm his children. Most importantly, he feared that if both engagements were broken off, gossip in the village would tarnish their reputation.
Currently, Shen Ziju is in this situation, and Shen Zhu claims her method, as long as well executed, will certainly prevent anyone from blaming them. By then, they will have broken off the engagement, and both the Song and Xiao families will owe them an apology. Although their family’s reputation might suffer a bit, it won’t matter much and won’t affect Shen Ziju’s future. Once Shen Ziju passes the exam and becomes an official, no one will mention this matter again.
Shen Youfu agreed upon hearing this.
At that moment, there was a sound below the window, followed by a groan and someone calling out, “Third Brother.” The faces of the three in the room darkened; they suspected someone was eavesdropping at the window.
“Third and Fourth, come in! If you don’t come in, I’ll break your legs!”
Shen Youfu roared loudly. The voice just now was clearly the voice of Sanlang, and the call of “Third Brother” must have been Silang. He thought to himself, only the Third Branch of the family would dare eavesdrop on the elders like this. They were truly reckless to listen in on such an important matter.
At this moment, Shen Zhang Shi’s usually gentle face darkened. She thought the Third Branch really lacked discipline. She had thought they only resorted to such tactics against others and would never dare do such a thing to their own parents. She had clearly overestimated them. How could they not dare? They dared too much! There was nothing obstructing the main room’s windows; anyone passing by could see them eavesdropping. Did they really think others wouldn’t report them?! Or that they wouldn’t face consequences?!
Shen Zhu had already rushed outside, not even taking her usual delicate steps.
“You two, come in!”
As soon as Shen Zhu went out, she saw Sanlang and Silang standing in the courtyard, clearly startled by Shen Youfu’s shout and too scared to run back into the house.
“Dad! Mom! Grandpa’s really mad! He’s going to kill me! Dad, come out quick! Mom, come out quick!”
Silang wasn’t very brave. Grandpa’s shout just now scared him half to death. Now that his Aunt Shen Zhu came out with a stern face, he didn’t want to go in and get scolded by Shen Youfu. Lacking courage, he started calling for his parents.
Third Brother was older and understood that whatever Grandpa and Grandma were discussing inside just now was very important. This was something for Mom and Dad to handle, so he started calling out too.
Shen Ziping and Sun Shi were standing inside the house, originally not wanting to come out. They had both heard Shen Youfu’s loud shout just now. Shen Zhu had just gone over and lifted the curtain, calling them out. With no other choice, they had to come out, both wearing bitter faces as they glared at their two sons. It was truly useless. Just when everyone from the main household was finally away, they had let Chunhua guard the main gate. As soon as someone came, she would pass on the information. They had let the people in the house find out by themselves!
“Oh, Zhu’er, this child just doesn’t understand. They saw Grandpa come back with a finely woven box earlier, and they were curious about what was inside. That’s why they sneaked a peek. Kids are naive. Don’t be angry. Help me say a few good words for them. Thank you for this, Sister-in-law. You know best how you’ve always treated me. … Don’t worry. As long as you help me, when it comes to yours and Song Dashan’s marriage, I’ll make sure to help you mix things up and blow it away.”
With the last sentence, Sun Shi whispered beside Shen Zhu, knowing well that Shen Zhu didn’t like Song Dashan.
Shen Zhu glanced at her and walked straight into the house. She thought, although Third Brother and his wife liked to take advantage, they were also useful. Her plan was good, but it required cooperation. People with good insight wouldn’t work. So among the household, only the Third Branch was suitable.
Once inside, Shen Zhu whispered a few words in Shen Zhang Shi’s ear, conveying her intentions.
Shen Zhang Shi nodded slightly, and Shen Youfu, standing nearby, also overheard. He thought to himself that he didn’t want to get involved in this matter personally. When the time came, he would let his third son and daughter-in-law handle this troublesome affair.
As soon as the Third Branch entered, Shen Youfu gave them a harsh scolding, making them all hang their heads low. Then he asked the two brothers what they had heard.
Sanlang, seeing Shen Youfu prompting him to speak, recounted what he had heard. Shen Youfu and the elders had spoken in low voices, as it wasn’t something good. So Sanlang only caught bits and pieces, but he understood it clearly. Grandpa and Grandma were planning to find a way to break off both Aunt Shen Zhu’s and Fifth Uncle’s marriage at once.
Shen Youfu stood there smoking, thinking that now that the grandchildren had heard this, it was set. It was fate, and there was no turning back now.
“Zhu’er, you talk to them,” Shen Zhu first warned them, explaining the consequences if this matter leaked out, and outlined the benefits for the Shen family if it succeeded. She emphasized that they needed their help, promising that if successful, they would be heroes of the family, remembered by her and her younger brother for their contributions, ensuring they would live well in the future.
Upon hearing this, everyone from the Third Branch immediately pledged their loyalty. With this matter, they were bound together, and in the future, the Third Branch would be more respected than the main branch because they shared a common secret.
Shen Zhu laid out her plan and glanced at the Third Branch, asking, “So, what do you think? Can we make this happen?”
Shen Ziping exclaimed, “Yes, yes! How could we not! Zhu’er is brilliant, with her mind, that Song Dashan isn’t worthy at all. His family doesn’t even have a phoenix tree, they can’t support someone like you! Let’s do it this way.”
Sun Shi quickly nodded in agreement.
Sanlang’s eyes gleamed with excitement on the side, thinking this would be fun. Silang, however, remained somewhat confused, not quite understanding what was about to unfold.
With the family all in agreement, they set their plot in motion, casting the wide net of conspiracy toward the Song family and the Xiao family.