Fang replied, “The man said his surname is Shao. He used to be a farmer and sometimes did small business. After a poor harvest, he had to sell his only daughter. That daughter worked hard after being sold into a government official’s household, starting as a maid and later becoming a concubine for Mr. Pang of the Censorate.”

With so much happening today, Duke Ling became impatient and said, “Just tell me the important parts.”

Fang nodded, “The couple later moved to the capital with their youngest son. They tried to do business, but failed. Luckily, the man had some skills in farming and growing flowers. Their daughter, with the help of the Xue family, found work for them taking care of plants. After hearing Miss Xue’s story today, the man recalled he once sold a daughter who matched his sister’s age and background. He didn’t know it was such a big deal back then and sold her for a very low price.”

Fang hesitated and continued, “The couple is certain that the daughter they sold is my sister-in-law, and they claim to be her biological parents.”

Guan Muyun felt confused, not understanding how things had changed so much after returning from Shanglin Garden with the emperor. Now Shen Ruojin, who already had an adoptive father, suddenly had a biological father and in-laws. He already had trouble dealing with Shen Yu, and now there was another family member to worry about.

Mrs. Guan’s face darkened as she asked, “You didn’t agree to anything, did you?”

Fang quickly responded, “Of course not. I came here right away to ask you and father what to do.”

Duke Ling asked, “Did they ask for anything when they came to see Shen?”

Fang replied, “They want money. They said their family has struggled since losing a laborer. They’ve enjoyed a wealthy life but haven’t helped their original family. Now they want compensation and recognition as family members of our household and the prince.”

Duke Ling sighed, “Handle the situation for now. We’ll discuss it later.”

Fang was secretly pleased. The situation had become such a mess that Duke Ling and his wife would have to deal with Shen Ruojin. It seemed things were heading in her favor.

After Fang left, Duke Ling sighed again, “The Shen family didn’t tell us about this sooner. Now it’s too late to hide it. They’ve deceived us. We agreed to marry the daughter of Wenyuan Marquis, but we ended up with someone else. We have every right to annul the marriage.”

For Guan Muyun, these words were painful. He immediately knelt and said, “Father, Jin’er is still my wife. If we reject her because of this, the capital will gossip. Jin’er is a good person with her reasons. Wenyuan Marquis isn’t even her biological father. If we cast her aside now, we’d be abandoning her.”

Duke Ling, disappointed, responded, “Are you still insisting on this? Do you want to recognize that country couple who sold their daughter as your in-laws? Our family is noble, and we can’t be associated with people like that.”

Shen Ruojin entered just in time to hear this, nearly fainting. She walked over and knelt beside Guan Muyun, saying, “My lord, please don’t make things difficult for your parents because of me. As their daughter-in-law, I must bear the blame if you do.”

Guan Muyun was initially hesitant, but when he saw Shen Ruojin trembling, he held her tightly. All he could think about were the good things she had done for him.

It was because of this that Guan Muyun grew more upset with his aggressive parents.

“Do you really have to push me like this?” Guan Muyun held Shen Ruojin and shouted loudly. “Fine, if that’s the case, I’d rather give up the throne. Since my mother disapproves of my wife, why don’t we split up and let Ruojin and I be a pair of star-crossed lovers? It’s better than being an eyesore in front of you every day!”

The position of Crown Prince was awarded by the Ministry of Rites after the Duke Ling’s Mansion submitted a petition to the emperor, which was personally approved. If Duke Ling’s Mansion backs out now and tries to replace the Crown Prince without reason, not only will they face blame, but Guan Muyun’s future would be destroyed.

Madam Guan thought carefully. If Guan Muyun gave up the title and separated from the family, Duke Ling would be extremely disappointed and not give him any of the family property. The title of Crown Prince would then go to the eldest son of the concubine, benefiting others. Wouldn’t Fang get everything she wanted?

“How am I forcing you to your death?” Madam Guan asked anxiously, “You’re the one trying to force your father and me to death!”

The situation was at a standstill for a long time.

Duke Ling looked at his son and then at his daughter-in-law, who was sobbing and on the verge of fainting. He had another idea: “If you really like Shen, you can keep her at home. But no matter what, her current status is not suitable for social events, and she cannot be your legal wife.”

Shen Ruojin looked at the old Duke in disbelief: “Father, what do you mean?”

Did he want to demote her from wife to concubine?

“Jin’er has always been strong-willed. You can’t treat her like this. How will she live if you do?” Guan Muyun was unwilling to compromise with his parents.

“You two kept this secret from us. Why didn’t you think about how we would feel if the truth came out?” Madam Guan said coldly. “Even if we agreed to make her your legal wife, ask her if she’d have the face to show herself in the capital afterward?”

“We are not an opportunistic family. Even if the lady doesn’t come from a prestigious family, as long as her background is clean and her character decent, it’s not impossible,” Duke Ling said. “But since Xu Xiang’s assassination is linked to the rebellious King Liang, I can’t let her hold the position of lady in our family. If something happens later, the entire Guan family will be dragged into trouble.”

If a concubine committed a crime, she would be responsible only for poor household management. However, if the lady of the family did, the consequences would be much worse.

Guan Muyun understood that his father was right, but he couldn’t accept it: “As long as I live, I will never agree to make Jin’er my concubine. I can’t let her suffer like that! If father insists, I’ll marry a co-wife.”

“What nonsense!” Madam Guan cursed. “Those unrefined merchants take concubines outside to handle external affairs. Who are we? If we do the same, everyone in the capital will laugh at us!”

Guan Muyun clenched his teeth and said, “Then I’ll give up the Crown Prince title.”

This was a threat to both his future and the family’s future. Madam Guan was about to start scolding him when Duke Ling interrupted, “Do you think you can quit being Crown Prince just like that? His Majesty would be furious. Besides, do you think Shen’s family would break off their engagement with the Changxing Marquisate to marry you if you weren’t the Crown Prince?”

From the short exchange between Guan Muyun and his parents, Shen Ruojin quickly made her decision.

Being the prince’s concubine or legal wife was much better than leaving the family and having no protection. The former offered her more security.