Chapter 87

Luo Mansion.

Luo Ming told his wife about his conversation with his father, saying he planned to bring Luo Xin and Tao Sheng back.

Madam Luo, also known as Princess Wen’an, was appointed by the Emperor himself. She had grown up in the palace and later married into the Luo family, so she understood the importance of family power.

Tao Sheng had deep connections with both the Emperor and the King of Chu, and her potential was limitless. After Luo Xin recognized Tao Sheng, her household registration was updated, giving Luo Xin the status of Tao Sheng’s biological mother. Ji Yanming, Tao Sheng’s cousin, was also recognized. This meant the Luo family gained ties with both Ji Yanming and Tao Sheng, which was a beneficial situation for them.

Although adding another family member would increase household expenses, the Luo family had ample wealth. They had accumulated enough over generations, so money was not a concern. In fact, they hoped the old man would give Tao Sheng more benefits to speed up her return.

Luo Ming was not very familiar with Tao Sheng, having only met her a few times during family visits. His wife, Princess Wen’an, knew Tao Sheng better.

Luo Ming’s plan was to persuade his sister Luo Xin while leaving it to his wife to convince Tao Sheng.

The negotiation between Luo Ming and Luo Xin went smoothly, and Luo Xin agreed to the divorce after just a brief conversation.

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Luo Xin and Shen Yu had feelings for each other at the start of their marriage, but after many years and many difficulties, those feelings had faded. Now, only their child and their responsibilities remained.

Over the years, Luo Xin received a lot of help from her mother’s family, but she never contributed much to the Luo family. Her family continued to assist her in everything. This time, when her father and brother asked for her help, it was the first thing they had requested from her for the family’s sake in all these years.

Luo Xin, naturally, didn’t refuse.

She also knew that Tao Sheng would never agree to return to the Shen family. Only after she divorced would she have a chance to reconnect with Tao Sheng.

Although she gave birth to Tao Sheng, she never raised her or fulfilled her responsibilities as a mother. Luo Xin felt she owed Tao Sheng a lot and always wanted to make up for it.

This was indeed a good opportunity.

Luo Xin told her brother, “I can go through with the divorce, but you still need to coordinate with Shen Yu. As for recognizing Tao Sheng, although I want to, I can’t force her. In the end, it depends on her own wishes.”

It was up to her daughter to decide.

After persuading Luo Xin, her brother Luo Ming wasted no time in going to Shen Yu’s home to negotiate.

The relationship between Shen Yu and Luo Xin had already broken down. While Shen Yu blamed his wife, he also resented Luo Xin’s family for being so ruthless.

The divorce terms proposed by Luo Xin’s family were tempting. After thinking for two days, Shen Yu finally agreed.

Once this was settled, it was time for the Luo family to take action.

That morning, Tao Sheng had just finished breakfast when Qing Xing came to inform her that Princess Wen’an had arrived to see her.

Unlike other women who could attend social gatherings daily, Tao Sheng had to work at the government office most of the time, only taking occasional days off.

Princess Wen’an’s timing was perfect, as she knew Tao Sheng was off that day. She must have asked her husband, Luo Ming, about Tao Sheng’s schedule before coming over.

Princess Wen’an first chatted with Tao Sheng about the current happenings in the capital, and then she brought up the Luo family’s plan for Luo Xin and Shen Yu to divorce.

Tao Sheng wasn’t surprised. She had heard from one of Luo Xin’s maids that Grand Master Luo had considered the idea before, but Luo Xin hesitated because of her children and her husband’s family’s reputation.

But things had changed. If Luo Xin didn’t divorce, the Luo family might be affected. Grand Master Luo, unlike Duke Ling, who was more closely bound to his children, could only let Luo Xin leave Shen Yu.

Tao Sheng asked, “Did Marquis Wenyuan and the Shen family agree to this?”

Princess Wen’an replied, “My father agreed to help the Shen family pay the rest of the money owed to the Ministry of Revenue. The condition is not only the divorce but also that if you recognize the Luo family, the Shen family must issue a letter of commitment. With this, you will no longer have any connection with the Shen family.”

This written agreement would officially separate her from the Shen family, ensuring that even if something happened to them later, Tao Sheng wouldn’t be involved. It provided double protection—both legally and through her household registration.

This arrangement also secured Tao Sheng’s future in her career.

Tao Sheng understood that this wasn’t just about Luo Xin’s divorce. It was also closely related to her own situation.

In Great Zhou, female households often needed an heir, either through marriage or adopting a child from a relative’s family. Tao Sheng thought Luo Xin might take one of her sons, Shen Yue or Shen Ci, but the Luo family had gone to great lengths to involve her.

“But Luo Xin has two children,” Tao Sheng pointed out.

“Yes,” sighed Princess Wen’an. “But the old lady and Marquis Wenyuan wouldn’t allow it. Out of filial piety, Shen Yue and Shen Ci cannot change their surname or leave the Shen family.”

Grand Master Luo believed that the boys had been too influenced by Shen Yu and Old Madam Shen, and thus refused to accept them. Old Madam Shen, on her deathbed, made her grandsons swear to stay with their father and remain loyal to the Shen family.

They swore out of affection for the grandmother who raised them.

Princess Wen’an was shocked. If they had chosen to be with their mother, not only could they escape Shen Yu’s negative influence, but their future would be brighter. Luo Xin, after all, had a substantial dowry.

Shen Yue, as the eldest son of a marquis, had a difficult position, but Shen Ci could have returned with Luo Xin. However, Madam Shen cared more about herself than the children’s future.

Old Madam Shen had always been selfish, with narrow-mindedness. It was shocking she continued to hurt others, even near death.

Although Tao Sheng didn’t interact much with the men of the Shen family, she could tell Shen Yue and his brother were heavily influenced by Shen Yu’s mindset. It explained why they so blindly supported Shen Ruojin and drove away Tao Sheng in the past.

Princess Wen’an then changed the topic. “I’ve heard your adoptive parents were very open-minded, unlike the more conservative families in the capital. When we learned they passed away, my uncle and I were deeply saddened. But now that their family has returned and has two children, at least there’s some closure.”

Tao Sheng knew Princess Wen’an was praising her family, but she was also pointing out that times had changed. In the past, Tao Sheng claimed her adoptive parents had no other children, meaning she had to stay. But now, that reasoning no longer applied.