Chapter 1341 - 20: Knowing One’s Limits
The three siblings started to quarrel regardless of the outsider present; the matchmaker was frightened.
Family scandal should not be spread outside.
Noble families always regard their reputation as life itself. Although she thought Young Master An was not someone who cares about reputation, who knows if he might fear her loose tongue and silences her permanently?
She can’t afford to gamble.
"I don’t know anything; I’m not doing the matchmaking," the matchmaker dropped a sentence and quickly fled.
She loves money, but not money against her conscience.
If she really compelled Miss An to death for securing the match, who would seek her matchmaking services in the Capital in the future?
Wouldn’t this be ruining her livelihood?
The matchmaker fled swiftly.
Second Young Madam An snatched the golden hairpin from Yun Chu’s hand.
Yun Chu cried in her arms.
Second Young Madam An glared at Young Master An, "If not for Yun Chu, we would still be in exile and laboring as we speak. Now, the title of Wenyuan Bo Mansion has been restored, and Yun Chu is still in mourning. Why are you in such a hurry to arrange a marriage for Yun Chu?!"
It’s one thing to arrange a marriage, but to make her a concubine.
Such disrespect toward Yun Chu, he isn’t afraid that Old Master would crawl up from the ground and come after him!
Eldest Young Madam An, now the new Madam Wen Yuan, said, "Aren’t we doing this for Yun Chu’s good?"
For Yun Chu’s good?
Second Young Madam An was too angry to speak.
Having lived under the same roof for so long, she really didn’t know that the elder sister-in-law could lie so blatantly!
Second Young Madam An took several breaths before saying, "Can’t you see that Second Young Master of Jibei Marquis Mansion has feelings for Yun Chu?!"
Eldest Young Madam An snorted, "So what if he has feelings? How can the Second Young Master of Jibei Marquis Mansion defy the marriage decree granted by the Empress Dowager?"
"Yun Chu is the eldest young lady of Wenyuan Bo Mansion; does sister-in-law want her to become a concubine?"
"With Yun Chu’s engagement settled, it saves Second Young Master of Jibei Marquis Mansion from frequent visits to our mansion, preventing rumors from spreading and damaging Yun Chu’s reputation."
"With the betrothal decided, Second Young Master of Jibei Marquis Mansion can give up sooner, preventing deeper involvement and greater pain in the future."
Although Eldest Young Madam An harbored ill intentions, her words were indeed cogent, leaving Second Young Madam An speechless.
Yun Chu becoming a primary wife and concubine is unacceptable, let alone being a concubine.
Eldest Young Madam An felt pity for Yun Chu; with Old Master and Madam gone, there was no one to protect Yun Chu.
Eldest Young Madam An glanced at Mrs. Jiang and Cai Die standing by the side.
Mrs. Jiang was Yun Chu’s wet nurse and loved Yun Chu no less than Uncle and Madam did when they were alive; Cai Die had risked her life for Yun Chu.
Now, with the Young Master bullying Yun Chu like this, why weren’t they stepping out to speak up for Yun Chu?
Mrs. Jiang’s face was cold, and Cai Die’s face was filled with anger.
But neither said a word; Mrs. Jiang still held Cai Die’s hand, gripping it tightly.
Second Young Master An looked at Young Master An, saying, "Big brother, you can’t live without a conscience."
Young Master An was furious, "I have no conscience?!"
"Why don’t you find a good match for Yun Chu then!"
The two brothers started arguing at once.
However, it was clear that Second Young Master An wasn’t a match for Young Master An, who was furious and panting, saying, "Our Wenyuan Bo Mansion is no longer what it used to be."
"I succeeded as a son from a concubine, envied by many, but few esteemed me; finding such a match for Yun Chu was the result of me swallowing my pride and begging!"
Cai Die struggled to break free from her mother’s tight grip.
She couldn’t hold back from rebuking the Young Master anymore.
Why is Young Master An unable to stand his ground in the Capital City, and why do people look down on Wenyuan Bo Mansion?
Isn’t it because everything he did after inheriting the title was shameful!
He’s not worthy to even carry the young lady’s shoes!
Just for the sake of the young lady’s filial piety, countless people would wish to marry the young lady; without him swallowing his pride, the young lady would have married better!
He swallows his pride, and people no longer see the young lady in a favorable light!
The words rolled in her throat again and again, yet she couldn’t say them because Mrs. Jiang wouldn’t let her.
The Young Master is no longer what he used to be; he is now Uncle Wen Yuan.
If it were the past, she could speak a few words to the Young Master, but now it’s truly not possible.
It’s unnecessary to argue with the Young Master out of stubbornness.
Second Young Madam An led Yun Chu away, pulling and supporting her.
Mrs. Jiang and Cai Die left right after.
Eldest Young Madam An called out to them, saying, "Persuade Yun Chu well, don’t act foolishly out of resentment, or she’ll be the one to suffer."
Cai Die gritted her teeth in anger.
Mrs. Jiang looked back without saying anything.
Once outside, Cai Die said, "Mother, why didn’t you let me speak!"
Mrs. Jiang released her grip, saying, "What could I say, when Uncle and Madam are gone, the young lady’s marriage is in the Young Master’s hands, no matter how much you scold, it won’t be of use."
Cai Die felt her nose tingle, "Then will we just let them ruin the young lady’s life?!"
The title of Wenyuan Bo Mansion was restored at the expense of the young lady’s life!
They don’t know gratitude and even want to push the young lady into the fire pit. Aren’t they afraid of divine retribution striking them dead?!
Cai Die was furious, but Mrs. Jiang was even more so.
However, Mrs. Jiang was still older and understood that anger wouldn’t solve the problem.
The Young Master had leverage, and there was nothing they could do against him.
But they couldn’t deal with him; someone else could.
Mrs. Jiang whispered something in Cai Die’s ear, making Cai Die’s eyes light up.
Right!
It’s necessary to find someone tougher to tackle the Young Master!
Cai Die returned indoors, took some Silver Taels, and headed to the streets under the pretext of buying Yun Chu her favorite pastries, then made her way to Jibei Marquis Mansion, informing Shen Junshan about Young Master An planning to marry Yun Chu off as a concubine.
Shen Junshan was instantly furious.
He already had a low opinion of Yun Chu’s elder brother, and now he was daringly creating trouble under the Empress Dowager’s watch?
If some action wasn’t taken against him, he’d utterly overvalue himself.
He was about to storm out of the mansion when Yan Ning stopped him, saying, "Second Brother, Yun Chu is not a weak person; that is still her elder brother."
Deep down, Yun Chu might not have an attachment to her elder brother, but she has ties with Wenyuan Bo Mansion.
Yet right now, Wenyuan Bo Mansion is under her elder brother’s control.
This is a deadlock too.
Shen Junshan furrowed his brow tightly, almost able to kill a fly.
He always acted with freedom, without much concern, yet Yun Chu faced complicated issues.
"I know my limits," Shen Junshan reassured.
Only then did Yan Ning feel at ease.
Hmm.
The next day, the newly succeeded Wen Yuan Bo disturbed a horse on the street, and the news about him breaking his leg spread widely.
Upon learning the news, Yan Ning went to find Shen Junshan, who was instructing the servant to prepare gifts.
Yan Ning looked at him and asked, "Cousin, what are you preparing so many supplements for?"
"Yun Chu’s elder brother fell off a horse; I ought to visit him," Shen Junshan said seriously.
This couldn’t be more appropriate; if he marries Yun Chu, Young Master An would become his brother-in-law.
But—
"Cousin, was Yun Chu’s elder brother falling off the horse something you did?" Yan Ning asked quietly.
"Cousin, wasn’t my measure well taken?" Shen Junshan asked with a smile.
"...."
"To heal muscle and bone takes a hundred days; three months without leaving the house, not needing to play nice with an enemy, Yun Chu won’t be troubled."
Three months is sufficient for him to find a way to make the Empress Dowager withdraw the betrothal.
Shen Junshan was full of confidence.
However, he didn’t anticipate that his and Yun Chu’s marriage was destined to face repeated obstacles.
In Yan Ning’s daze, Shen Junshan, holding his gifts, walked out with a broad smile.