Chapter 143

Chapter 143: A Personal Visit

Meanwhile, Shang Xiu Yuan had just left the General’s estate in a carriage loaded with apologies when Sheng Zhi Wan heard the gossip from her ever-informed maid, Ting Lan.

“Princess, why would Second Young Master Shang refuse the Liu family’s Second Young Lady?” Ting Lan asked curiously. “Not to mention that he saved her life. Even though her status is a bit lower, surely she’s still more than enough for him.”

Ting Lan wasn’t alone in thinking this. Everyone in the capital was probably wondering the same thing. Liu Xu might be a concubine’s daughter, but she was still from Minister Liu’s household. Marrying her to someone like Shang Hang Yu, notorious as he was, could already be considered a compromise. Besides, rumors said Liu Xu was quite beautiful. Everyone knew Shang Hang Yu loved beautiful women, so why would he refuse?

Not only did he refuse, he drove the poor girl to attempt suicide.

“That’s not right!” Liu Shang interrupted bluntly. “Second Young Lady Liu? Yesterday, when I went to check, it was clearly Eldest Young Lady Liu who fell into the water. Second Young Master Shang rescued Eldest Young Lady Liu, not Second Young Lady Liu.”

“And besides,” Liu Shang continued earnestly, “he didn’t even touch her. He pulled her out with a whip. Even if his reputation is bad, does that mean he has to accept any woman who wants to marry him, even if he doesn’t like her?”

Ting Lan paused, speechless, but Sheng Zhi Wan’s expression had already turned cold.

“Liu Shang, go and see if there’s anything happening at the Liu Residence and the General’s estate.”

For a story to shift this quickly overnight, Sheng Zhi Wan didn’t believe for a moment that someone wasn’t manipulating it from behind. As to who was pushing this narrative, it was clearly the Liu family. Otherwise, why would all the blame be aimed squarely at Shang Hang Yu?

Any other noble family would have fiercely defended their son if treated this unfairly, but the General’s estate…

Shang Tian Hao even snatched away assignments his grandmother arranged for Shang Hang Yu, giving them to Shang Xiu Yuan instead. He wouldn’t care about Shang Hang Yu’s feelings. If anything, he’d gladly trade Shang Hang Yu to gain favor with the Liu family.

Just then, Liu Shang returned swiftly, landing lightly in the courtyard.

“Princess, a carriage from the General’s estate has already gone to the Liu Residence. I checked—it was Eldest Young Master Shang, Shang Xiu Yuan, inside.”

As expected!

The Shang family was indeed planning to finalize this marriage behind Shang Hang Yu’s back.

“Ting Lan, inform Zhang Da to prepare my carriage. Liu Shang, I need you to do something else…”

When Sheng Zhi Wan’s carriage arrived at Liu Residence, Madam Liu was just discussing the date for the formal marriage proposal with Shang Xiu Yuan.

Upon hearing that Princess Ning had arrived, Madam Liu paused. Their household had never had any dealings with Princess Ning before, so why had she come at this exact moment?

Madam Liu felt a twitch of anxiety in her eyelid, sensing trouble.

Shang Xiu Yuan noticed her unease. The servant had whispered softly earlier, so he hadn’t heard clearly.

“Is something wrong, Madam?”

Madam Liu hesitated, then remembered that Shang Hang Yu had recently saved Princess Ning’s life.

Could she be here because of that?

But wasn’t this meddling too much?

Frowning slightly, Madam Liu replied, “Princess Ning has arrived.”

Either way, she couldn’t bear this trouble alone.

Shang Xiu Yuan froze. Memories of his two embarrassing encounters with Sheng Zhi Wan filled him with unease. Clearly, he and Madam Liu shared the same suspicion: Sheng Zhi Wan had come because of Shang Hang Yu. But why would she, an outsider, get involved in Shang Hang Yu’s marriage? Didn’t she care about rumors?

Despite their misgivings, they couldn’t deny her entry. Madam Liu personally went out to welcome Sheng Zhi Wan. Shang Xiu Yuan, trapped by circumstance, could only follow along.

Yet, surprisingly, Sheng Zhi Wan stepped down from the carriage with a warm smile. Behind her were two maids, one of them carrying an obviously precious box.

Madam Liu finally relaxed a bit and quickly invited her in.

As they walked toward the main hall, Sheng Zhi Wan casually asked, “I heard Eldest Young Master Shang came here regarding Second Young Master Shang and Second Young Lady Liu’s marriage. Has everything been settled?”

Madam Liu smiled cautiously. “Princess guessed correctly. It is indeed about our Second Miss and Second Young Master Shang.”

“Oh?” Sheng Zhi Wan nodded calmly. “Then I must be late.”

Madam Liu looked confused. “What does Princess mean?”

“Well, Second Young Master Shang is my lifesaver, and now he’s rescued Second Young Lady Liu. I think it’s fate. I wanted to be their witness at the wedding and even brought a gift for the occasion.”

By the time Sheng Zhi Wan finished speaking, they had entered the Flower Hall.

Madam Liu seated Sheng Zhi Wan at the main spot before settling herself. Shang Xiu Yuan quietly took a lower seat.

An Zhi stepped forward and opened the box. Madam Liu glanced briefly but immediately found herself unable to look away.

“These are…” she whispered, captivated.

“These are the Purple Cloud Jade Bracelets given to me by my grandmother on my wedding day,” Sheng Zhi Wan explained, as An Zhi gently closed the lid.

Even then, Madam Liu’s eyes lingered hungrily. Sheng Zhi Wan knew Madam Liu’s weakness for jade. She had chosen the bracelets deliberately, knowing that Madam Liu would accept any request just to have them.

Even if Sheng Zhi Wan said the bracelets were meant for Liu Xu, surely Madam Liu wouldn’t obsessively monitor her stepdaughter’s wrist.

Moreover, having a princess as the marriage witness would benefit both families immensely.

Madam Liu clearly understood this. After hesitating, her gaze finally left the box, albeit reluctantly.

“Princess jests. It’s an honor we can only wish for you to witness our daughter’s marriage.”

Shang Xiu Yuan desperately wanted to interrupt but found no opportunity.

Calmly sipping tea poured by a maid, Sheng Zhi Wan smiled gently. “Then let me visit Second Young Lady Liu personally and deliver these bracelets.”

Madam Liu hesitated briefly. “Princess, honestly, our daughter caught a chill from yesterday’s accident and had another minor mishap afterward. She’s bedridden right now. Perhaps it’d be better to wait until she recovers?”

“No matter,” Sheng Zhi Wan said easily. “Seeing me might put her mind at ease.”

Madam Liu chuckled awkwardly but quickly accepted. Even if the bracelets were personally handed over to that useless concubine-born daughter, she’d easily take them back later. An illegitimate daughter wouldn’t dare resist.

As Madam Liu led Sheng Zhi Wan toward the back courtyard, Shang Xiu Yuan stayed back, unsure whether to follow.

Sheng Zhi Wan glanced back calmly. “Since Eldest Young Master Shang is here on behalf of Second Young Master Shang, you should come along.”

Shang Xiu Yuan inhaled slowly and obediently followed.