Chapter 455: Chapter 452: I Don’t Want It—Cheap Things Aren’t Good

Silent until now, Shen Zhiyi finally spoke up.

Mr. Shen had a bad premonition and signaled Shen Zhiyi with his eyes.

"You are about to be married; it’s not proper to show yourself too much. Now that the matter is settled, let your father handle the follow-up. Go back to your room."

"What’s the rush?"

Shen Zhiyi smiled slightly.

"While the crowd is here, some things need to be clarified."

The face of Shen Family’s sister-in-law changed slightly, and she was about to pull her away, fearing she’d disturb her own good days.

Shen Zhiyi shook her head gently at her.

"This is originally a family disgrace that should not be discussed, but there’s nothing wrong if one conducts oneself with integrity."

These words left the guests in astonishment.

"Yi, don’t make a scene!"

Mr. Shen’s face darkened, and he was about to have the steward take her away.

But Xiao Huaian walked up to Shen Zhiyi, unfazed by the potential uproar, looking at her with a smile, finally having a chance to speak with her.

"How is Shen Zhiyi’s status in the family so low that you’re not allowed to finish speaking? Once you’re married into the Xiao Family, let’s see who dares to control you."

He was quite handsome, and his smile was somewhat dazzling.

Shen Zhiyi suppressed a peculiar feeling.

She chose not to erupt in her boudoir, indeed intending to settle accounts later.

But now she changed her mind; she wanted to bring things to light.

"Father maybe doesn’t know, but this morning when I was getting ready, several Shen Family relatives were pretentious, using their elder status to ask for official positions and benefits."

Shen Zhiyi: "Don’t worry, Father, I did not agree to any of it."

She smiled once more.

"Promotions and transfers are based on qualifications and evaluations, decided by the Ministry of Personnel, Ministry of War, Imperial Censorate, Central Secretariat, and Examination Department. They are not handled by the Marquis Zhongyong Mansion."

"Over the years, the Xiao Family has never overstepped, and Duke Zhongyong follows proper procedures. How could they intervene?"

With that remark, Xiao Huaian understood.

He remained indifferent and relaxed.

"What’s going on?"

He kept his frivolous demeanor.

"Who among you shamelessly brought this up? Step forward for the Princely Heir to see?"

"My own father never brazenly asked for an official position for me all these years, so how is it the turn of outsiders?"

Mr. Shen had indeed heard some rumors, but he didn’t take them seriously.

What are the Ministry of War, Ministry of Personnel, and Imperial Censorate? Those are for people without connections or backing. As long as there’s power, what’s the issue? It’s merely a matter of a word from Duke Zhongyong.

Moreover, Xiao Huaian isn’t in office... it’s because he lacks capability, idling all day. If he wished, why wouldn’t Duke Zhongyong plan for his own son?

Helping relatives in some way is no big deal, is it?

After all, if one has ability, only then will relatives come to seek help, right?

Moreover, he actually wants to...

"This..."

He had just said one word when interrupted.

Shen Zhiyi: "Princely Heir, rest assured, I will never burden the Marquis Zhongyong Mansion."

Shen Zhiyi turned her gaze towards the Shen family relatives.

There were many, many people.

Whether they had seen her this morning or not.

"My father is proud and would not tolerate such practices. But he values family ties greatly and might not have the face to say such things. Hence..."

"I ask all of you not to make things difficult for us. True gold will always shine. Your sons, husbands, nephews... If they truly have capability, they can make their own way up. Why resort to shortcuts?"

"Not just about you, even when it comes to my brother and father. Duke Zhongyong wouldn’t make exceptions to help just because of an in-law relationship. Even if they were willing, my brother and father wouldn’t agree."

Shen Family Brother: ?

He was willing!

He was about to speak but was firmly held back by Mrs. Shen and the Shen Family sister-in-law.

The Shen Family brother understood.

He couldn’t hold back his sister.

Mr. Shen felt like he couldn’t breathe.

If... he couldn’t gain any benefits, what purpose did marrying Shen Zhiyi to Xiao Huaian serve?

Just to spite him?

"Father."

Shen Zhiyi: "Do you agree?"

Shen Zhiyi: "You’ve always been proud and disdainful of these underhanded ways."

This was to completely cut off his retreat.

Clearly, she was publicly declaring that he could no longer bleed her dry in the future.

Indeed, she’s the good daughter he raised!

Mr. Shen nearly choked on his breath.

But he cared about face, and Shen Zhiyi was lifting him high.

"Yes."

No one knew how difficult it was for him to say that.

He forced a smile: "As your father, I am marrying off my daughter, not selling her. I only hope for a good life for you and your husband."

Shen Zhiyi was satisfied.

Seeing this, those present nodded in agreement, praising the Shen family’s virtuous conduct.

Mr. Shen felt a slight comfort as he listened.

Shen Zhiyi: "A few days ago, an aunt from the mansion came to me, speaking sweetly and saying that, as we are sisters from the same family, I should leave a way out for my half-sisters. She implied that after marrying into the Xiao Family, I would need trusted people by my side to assist me, and suggested I choose a sister to become a concubine for Heir Xiao, who would serve both me and him in the future."

The crowd was in an uproar.

Although...

It is common for a legitimate daughter to marry while a half-sister accompanies her as part of the dowry.

But to say it outright is indeed unpleasant.

Mr. Shen maintained his last shred of poise: "Your aunt only meant well for you. She didn’t bring it up again after you refused, did she?"

"Don’t act foolishly and make a joke of yourself. Do you realize what kind of occasion this is?"

"Go down."

At this point, he furrowed his brow.

The matter in the garden...

Shen Zhiyi had mentioned earlier that on the day of the betrothal, she didn’t want any illegitimate sons or daughters causing trouble under her nose.

He thought the legitimate daughter was being overbearing, but he ultimately had to appease her, so he gave the orders.

But who would have thought those two daughters would still sneak out...

Leading to the commotion that followed.

Shen Zhiyi: "Yet she played tricks again. She had two half-sisters specially dressed today, deliberately posing in the garden..."

"Father, please remind Aunt not to be overly clever. Today’s guests are all prominent figures; how could they not see through her tricks? They merely refrained from mentioning it out of respect for me."

"But the Shen Family is not a brothel, and they are not women of the night. It’s better to avoid making it a laughingstock."

These words were indeed heavy.

But they were not wrong.

Some dare act, and Shen Zhiyi dares speak.

"Oh!"

Ning Yunling, who had been frustrated from not finding an opportunity to speak, suddenly became excited.

He loved such chances to fan the flames.

Ning Yunling didn’t care how unpleasant Mr. Shen’s expression became.

"Xiao Huaian, your good fortune is vast indeed."

He spoke sincerely: "I’ve seen Shen Zhiyi’s two sisters, gentle and soft-spoken, they seem very nice."

He had never been able to discern the scent of white lotus.

"And they’re offered for free; if I were you, I wouldn’t choose, but take them all."

As he spoke, he patted Xiao Huaian on the shoulder.

"You don’t seem too successful, about the same as my level. How did you get such good fortune?"

"Impressive!"

"My brother doesn’t have your abilities."

Shen Zhiyi: ...

Xiao Huaian: ???

If not for the possibility of drawing blood, he would have acted already.

Shen Zhiyi looked at Xiao Huaian: "What do you think?"

Xiao Huaian hurriedly said: "I don’t want them. Cheap things aren’t good."

"They may be gentle and speak softly, but I cannot do that."

Xiao Huaian paused for a moment.

"I think Ning Yunling has no taste and is wrong."

Yes, the correct answer.

Never admit other women are good.

Then.

He raised his hand and pointed at Yu Tingwan.

"Do you think sister-in-law is gentle?"

Shen Zhiyi hesitated for a moment, then chose to nod.

"Does she speak softly?"

Shen Zhiyi nodded emphatically.

Tingwan, suddenly brought into the scene as everyone watched: !!!

This was obviously unquestionable.

Yu Tingwan lifted her lips: "I’m a bit embarrassed."

Wei Zhao: ...

Yu Tingwan: "So many people watching."

Wei Zhao: ...

Yu Tingwan: "But some things can’t be hidden."

She sighed: "I’m in quite a predicament too."

Xiao Huaian thought of Wei Zhao being pummeled, and then thought of Fu Meng, who wreaked havoc until he was tamed by Yu Tingwan to be utterly compliant, and he felt!

Evil is eventually punished by greater evil.

This was karma!!!

Even though none of them were good people.

He asked Shen Zhiyi: "Do you think that’s a good thing?"

Yu Tingwan: ???

She was incredulous.

As if struck by a bolt out of the blue.

Her once curved lips gradually flattened.

Then, even worse, the person in the wheelchair let out a short laugh.