Chapter 456: Chapter 453: You Don’t Know How Serious This Is

Yu Tingwan finally understood.

The joy of the banquet belonged to others, while the sorrow belonged to her, Mr. Shen, and those greedy Shen family relatives.

She thought she had a brief connection with those who were forcing a smile.

Outside, she had to save face for Wei Zhao.

As his virtuous wife, Yu Tingwan didn’t hit him.

She squinted, lowered her head to stare at Wei Zhao for a moment, and lightly placed her pale hand on his shoulder, doing nothing else.

The man’s body tensed.

Yu Tingwan gently asked, "What’s wrong?"

Wei Zhao replied with a sigh, "Got frightened."

"Who frightened you?"

"Xiao Huaian’s voice was too loud."

Shen Zhiyi took a deep breath.

She turned her head and whispered to Xiao Huaian, "You’re dead, you know?"

Xiao Huaian knew all too well.

Wei Zhao was done for!

Wei Zhao would definitely deal with him.

But he liked to drag Wei Zhao down with him.

Worth it!

Yu Tingwan didn’t look at the expressions of the few people, just chuckled lightly.

"Mr. Shen."

Mr. Shen, who was suddenly called out, jolted in surprise.

He hurriedly saluted Yu Tingwan, "What can I do for you, Madam?"

"It’s not an order."

Yu Tingwan smiled, "I’m just congratulating you."

"Fortunately, the Sixth Son of Chu you temporarily chose for your beloved daughter was not decent, otherwise, where would this good match come from?"

The ’temporary choice of words’ left the guests with nothing to say, but they all understood.

Who didn’t know what kind of person Mr. Shen was!

Yu Tingwan spoke at an unhurried pace.

"Heir Xiao is Duke Zhongyong Mansion’s legitimate son. Although Duke Zhongyong is annoyed at his lack of ambition, he still cherishes him."

"Logically, today’s event should have a respected elder from the Xiao family accompanying him."

But Duke Zhongyong was a self-made man, who took this position through strength and the earlier support of Wei Fengyuan.

The Xiao family wasn’t an aristocratic family and lacked deep roots.

They had some uncles and elders, but in grand occasions, they feared being embarrassed and blamed for any mistakes.

But Yu Tingwan didn’t mention these.

She spoke gently, "Duke Zhongyong valued your family’s girl and wanted to give her enough face to make today’s engagement even more splendid, so he invited my husband for this trip."

The guests felt bitter.

Who in an ordinary family could invite Wei Zhao!

Even if they could invite him, he wouldn’t come.

Didn’t everyone know Duke Zhongyong valued Wei Zhao, talking about him all the time, almost wanting to steal him as a son?

While Wei Zhao was at the border, he often watched over Duke Shun Mansion. Thus, Wei Zhao owed this favor, dragging his ill body for this trip.

The guests just had this thought when the General’s wife spoke gently.

"Though my husband is unwell, he also wants to catch some of the joy."

Everyone: ?

The look in their eyes towards Yu Tingwan changed. The young madam of Duke Shun Mansion really knew how to speak.

"Therefore..."

Yu Tingwan paused.

"With such a good in-law, Mr. Shen, your ancestral grave must be emitting smoke."

Everyone: ?????

It seemed... not very good at speaking either.

No, she was praising one while pulling down another.

Yu Tingwan glanced over at the Shen family relatives, unsurprised that some averted their gaze, some were angry, and others were embarrassed.

"Miss Shen exposed the ugly faces of Shen family relatives but didn’t call them out on the spot, giving them a way out. In the future, aside from some favors, genuine relationships can continue."

Everyone nodded understandingly with her reasoning.

Although it wasn’t quite by the rules.

Yu Tingwan’s words were sincere: "She’s filial, afraid that when people come to Mr. Shen, you’ll be too kind-hearted to refuse, so she brought it up at this critical moment, not fearing people would laugh at her for not knowing the occasion, showing her thoughtful intentions."

Everyone: ... Ah.

So... that’s how it is?

A considerate daughter?

Yu Tingwan: "Having this daughter, you truly have the fortune of eight lifetimes."

"By the way, Heir Xiao cares for Miss Shen this much; I think he will be as filial to you in the future."

She hinted, "Your good days... are yet to come?"

Mr. Shen: ...

Are they all torturing him together?

He wasn’t moved at all, and nearly fainted. He feared his good days were over.

Yu Tingwan felt much better.

Indeed, people’s happiness builds on others’ pain.

As Xiao Huaian pushed Wei Zhao to the main courtyard in high spirits, Wei Zhao looked at him with a complicated expression.

"You’re finished."

Xiao Huaian: "What, are you going to deal with me?"

Xiao Huaian was confident: "Sister-in-law has always been kind to me; she’ll only vent her anger on you."

Heh.

If Yu Tingwan didn’t remember County Magistrate Xiao’s help from her past life, how could she have always treated Xiao Huaian differently! 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

So much so that she was generous when Xiao Huaian borrowed money; she even worried about whether he had enough money.

Once Xiao Huaian was financially secure, he reciprocated many times, giving Yu Tingwan plenty of good treasures.

He thought he had a deep friendship with Yu Tingwan.

Xiao Huaian: "Sorry, brother."

He even mocked, "And you, how dare you smile?"

Wei Zhao played with a ring on his finger: "I smiled because I couldn’t hold it in, deserving discipline."

"But you don’t know the severity of it."

Xiao Huaian sensed an implication, "Why? Is Sister-in-law really planning to deal with me?"

"She wouldn’t."

Xiao Huaian was about to breathe a sigh of relief.

See, he knew it!

Wei Zhao slowly added, "Personally."

"If you don’t believe it, you can go back now."

Xiao Huaian was suspicious, but seeing Wei Zhao’s gleeful look, he felt a chill for no reason.

————

Yu Tingwan didn’t go to the main courtyard with them; she casually found a place to sit.

A maid from the Shen Mansion brought food, starting with fruits and snacks, followed by delicacies.

"Sister-in-law."

Ning Yunling sidled up to her.

"Aren’t you angry? Why didn’t you lose your temper just now? Instead, you saved the situation by helping to reprimand Mr. Shen?"

"I saw Xiao Huaian was very upset, always frustrated for lack of opportunity. On the way here, he even mocked me for being a loner."

Yu Tingwan’s face showed no trace of anger and she wondered, "But aren’t you?"

That’s not wrong.

Ning Yunling: ?

"Sister-in-law!"

"You’re my dear sister-in-law!"

"Even though I act out, I’ve always respected you!"

Yu Tingwan recognized this.

An elder sister-in-law is like a mother, and she generously praised Ning Yunling, "You’re very obedient."

"Even if you cause trouble, you haven’t done many things right, yet you’re still considerate towards me."

Exactly!

Ning Yunling nodded.

Yu Tingwan: "Much better than your brother."

Ning Yunling hesitated, "That’s... not true."

Yu Tingwan wouldn’t let him feel inferior, "You’re pure."

Ning Yunling nodded.

Yu Tingwan: "Your brother is often insidious."

If anyone else said this, Ning Yunling would have thrown a punch.

But since Yu Tingwan said it, Ning Yunling... shamefully agreed!

Yu Tingwan: "You’re unpolished, harmless."

Ning Yunling nodded emphatically.

Yu Tingwan: "Your brother... let’s not even mention."

Ning Yunling: !!

Truly, no one has ever praised him for being better than Wei Zhao!

Only Sister-in-law!!!

He was deeply moved.

Waiting for Yu Tingwan to continue praising him.

But... Yu Tingwan racked her brain and couldn’t think of more praises.

She paused for a long time and, under Ning Yunling’s expectant gaze, told him.

"You’re younger than him."