Chapter 4

Madam Jiang’s words made Shen Zhong’an hesitate slightly.

He had long resided on the border and stayed in Shengjing for only a short time, but he had heard some news from the capital.

Jiang Lianzhi was now holding the position of a third-ranking official in the Ministry of Rites, with boundless prospects. If not for his mentor being implicated in a corruption case last year, causing him some slight trouble, his promotion speed would have astonished everyone in the capital.

Shen Zhong’an didn’t care much about holding high ranks, but since he and Jiang Lianzhi served as officials in the same dynasty and had met a few times, he found Jiang Lianzhi to be talented, humble, and courteous. He was indeed a good young man.

Shen Zhong’an thought to himself that it wouldn’t be unfair for Jiang Lianzhi to be matched with his daughter.

Seeing Shen Zhong’an still hesitating, Madam Jiang smiled slightly, with an air of dignity, “As a woman of the household, although I am not born into a noble family, I have similar concerns as any parent. My husband also said that if it’s a boy, he hopes he will be able to bring peace with his knowledge and defend the country with his martial skills, but if it’s a girl, he only hopes for her safety and happiness.”

Shen Zhong’an felt a sense of loss for a moment, as his late wife had said similar words to him before.

The hall fell silent for a while.

Seeing Shen Zhong’an’s expression, Shen Yu knew that he was starting to relent.

As she leaned against the window, she thought that in this life, she absolutely could not follow the old path of her previous life, marrying Jiang Lianzhi only to become a resentful couple and eventually die in the Jiang family. It would be better to live a solitary life.

Without Jiang Lianzhi, her father would definitely find someone else for her. She had more important things to do now and had no interest in marriage. She had to find a way to completely dispel her father’s thoughts.

Seeing that things had already progressed halfway, Madam Jiang felt pleased and prepared to add fuel to the fire.

It wasn’t that she liked Shen Yu very much, but after Mr. Lin was executed and all male and female relatives over the age of six were exiled, including Lin Qingli, who had been included in the list two years ago, Jiang Lianzhi was now over twenty, and he always sternly refused whenever marriage was mentioned.

She was afraid that Jiang Lianzhi’s heart was tied to Lin Qingli. When she was in a panic, Jiang Lianzhi took the initiative to propose to Shen Miss. Although Shen Miss was not her ideal daughter-in-law, it was better than having none at all.

Moreover, General Shen was currently at the peak of his career. It was said that his son, Shen Zhao, was going to marry a princess in the future.

In terms of family background, it was considered evenly matched.

“I think we might as well settle this matter like this?” Madam Jiang suggested.

Shen Zhong’an hesitated, about to speak, when Shen Zhao, who had been silent for a while, spoke up, “Father, I think we should ask Ah Yu’s opinion first.”

Shen Zhong’an felt a headache when he thought of his daughter. If they were to decide without a word from her, their household would probably be thrown into chaos by her antics.

“Marriages should follow the wishes of parents and the words of the matchmaker,” Madam Jiang smiled, looking confident, “But it’s also okay to ask, why not call Miss Shen out, General? I’d like to meet her too.”

In the capital, how many girls dream of marrying Jiang Lianzhi, even Shen Yu wouldn’t refuse.

Shen Zhong’an thought this was feasible and said solemnly, “It’s just that my daughter hasn’t been feeling well these past few days, she had a fever at noon, so…”

“Dad.”

Suddenly, a clear voice came from the door.

Everyone turned in the direction of the voice.

As soon as they saw each other, Mrs. Jiang was momentarily stunned.

The woman at the door was dressed in a long dress of azure blue, with fine cloud patterns embroidered densely on the hem. She wore a simple white jade hairpin, which didn’t look simple at all but rather enhanced her beauty.

Shen Yu had rarely been seen in the capital since childhood. Occasionally when she returned, those delicate noble ladies couldn’t even play with her. Noble ladies in the capital casually remarked that she was unremarkable. Always mingling among the military, she was considered coarse. Yet, her appearance was unexpectedly outstanding. Even in the capital, it would be difficult to find a girl who could surpass her.

No wonder, Mrs. Jiang thought, no wonder Jiang Lianzhi urged me to visit after he went out two days ago.

“Dad, brother,” Shen Yu called out again.

“No more headaches?” Shen Zhong’an laughed and waved at her, then introduced her to Mrs. Jiang, “This is my daughter, Shen Yu.”

Shen Yu stood at the door and bowed slightly to Mrs. Jiang, “Good day, Mrs. Jiang.”

“Good, good.” Mrs. Jiang looked Shen Yu up and down, becoming more and more pleased.

Jiang Lianzhi was already handsome, and with Shen Yu, their future children would be even more beautiful.

“We were just discussing your marriage,” Shen Zhong’an said seriously.

Shen Yu nodded, took a step forward, and just as she was about to enter, Mrs. Jiang’s expression froze. She pointed her trembling finger and said, “Th-this, this, this…”

Shen Yu limped closer, innocently saying, “I was injured on the battlefield and my leg is lame.”

Shen Zhong’an’s beard shook, “Hu—”

Before “a mess” could pop out, Shen Zhao, who had been silent, tugged on his sleeve. With a smile on his face, he shook his head at Shen Zhong’an.

Mrs. Jiang was so shocked she couldn’t speak. She thought it was fortunate that they hadn’t decided earlier. This crippled girl would disgrace their Jiang family in the future.

No wonder Shen Zhong’an didn’t let anyone come out to meet the guests. Turns out it’s because of a cripple.

Shen Yu deliberately limped closer to make it clearer for Mrs. Jiang, “I walk slowly. Just now, I happened to overhear Mrs. and Father talking about my marriage. I can give an answer now.”

Mrs. Jiang quickly said, “N-no rush.”

She pinched her handkerchief, her smile awkward. “Listening to General Shen just now, it seems that he’s reluctant to let you marry so early. I understand.”

“Mrs. Jiang, please don’t listen to my father,” Shen Yu went over and affectionately hooked Mrs. Jiang’s arm, saying, “My father wants to keep me at home, but I’m already seventeen. Mr. Jiang is only three years older than me, and I think it’s just right.”

Mrs. Jiang thought, What’s good about it! This crippled girl is too desperate to get married!

The girls in the capital would blush shyly when marriage was mentioned. Now Shen Yu was like this, it was simply unfeminine, no, unwomanly!

She smiled and tried to pull her hand away, but Shen Yu’s grip was too strong, causing her arm to hurt.

Mrs. Jiang awkwardly looked at Shen Zhong’an, but to her surprise, he, contrary to his usual demeanor, nodded in agreement.

Shen Zhong’an had been in the officialdom for many years. If he couldn’t see through Mrs. Jiang’s thoughts, then he would have lived in vain.

Shen Yu’s actions were meant to test Mrs. Jiang’s attitude, but pretending to be a cripple was too much. If this spread, everyone in the capital would think that his daughter, Shen Yu, was a cripple. Who would dare to propose marriage in the future?

But he didn’t know that Shen Yu’s intention was exactly this.

In her previous life, she had encountered misfortune in marriage. In this life, not marrying would be best.