Chapter 145

Chapter 145: I Refused

Liu Yan’s face went bloodless. “I… I… I didn’t know…”

Sheng Zhi Wan asked again, “The one who saved First Miss Liu yesterday was Young Master Shang Er. Is Second Miss Liu willing to marry him?”

Liu Yan looked helplessly toward First Madam Liu. First Madam Liu could not say a word.

Shang Xiu Yuan’s mind was a mess. Shang Xing Yu had saved Liu Yan, but did that mean Liu Yan had to marry him?

Shang Xiu Yuan’s chest tightened. Shang Xing Yu was a famous wastrel, how could he ever be worthy of the Liu Family’s well-known legitimate daughter? If Shang Xing Yu married a Liu Family legitimate daughter and gained the Liu Family’s support, Shang Xing Yu would surely fight Shang Xiu Yuan for the position of head of the General Residence.

[No, I absolutely can’t let him marry Liu Yan.]

Shang Xiu Yuan stepped forward and clasped his hands. “Princess, there’s no need to push things this far. This is understandable. Shang Xing Yu’s reputation as a wastrel is well known, so the Liu Manor hesitated. Letting Second Miss Liu marry him is enough to repay the favor.”

Shang Xiu Yuan continued, “Before this, even daughters from small households were unwilling to marry Shang Xing Yu. Mother has worried about his marriage for a long time.”

Sheng Zhi Wan’s eyes turned icy. “So you mean Young Master Shang Er is not worthy of First Miss Liu?”

Shang Xiu Yuan did not say it outright, but his sigh carried the meaning clearly.

Shang Xiu Yuan said, “We spoiled Shang Xing Yu too much. It’s our fault.”

Sheng Zhi Wan let out a low laugh, her gaze full of open mockery. “Young Master Shang, you truly ‘protect’ Young Master Shang Er. First you let your friends discuss and insult him at will, then you stole the position that should have been his. Now Young Master Shang Er saved someone, yet you say he can’t even marry a concubine-born daughter of the Liu Manor?”

Shang Xiu Yuan’s face flushed red.

Shang Xiu Yuan argued, “Princess, why must you misunderstand me? Every word I said was true.”

Sheng Zhi Wan looked straight at him. “And just because it’s true, that makes it right?”

Then Sheng Zhi Wan turned to First Madam Liu and Liu Yan.

Sheng Zhi Wan asked, “First Miss Liu, without Young Master Shang Er saving you yesterday, you would have drowned, wouldn’t you?”

Liu Yan bit her lip hard. She would rather Shang Xing Yu had never saved her at all.

Sheng Zhi Wan spoke as if she was chatting about the weather. “If you didn’t want Young Master Shang Er to save you, you can jump back into the river and die to prove your resolve.”

Liu Yan faltered, “I…”

Since Liu Yan had already been pulled out alive, how could she truly want to die? If she had wanted death, she would not have struggled so desperately yesterday.

Sheng Zhi Wan cut her off. “Since you don’t want to die and you don’t want your reputation damaged, then let me ask you this. Young Master Shang Er never forced you to marry him, did he?”

Sheng Zhi Wan’s tone stayed calm, but each word landed like a stone.

Sheng Zhi Wan added, “Even yesterday, when First Madam Liu went to the General Residence, she was turned away.”

Sheng Zhi Wan continued, “Rejection was rejection, yet First Madam Liu still produced a concubine-born daughter who ‘jumped into a well’ and fell gravely ill. Since Second Miss Liu never fell into the water and naturally wouldn’t jump into a well over a rejected marriage, how did she become sick?”

First Madam Liu’s face shifted between green and white.

After a long moment, First Madam Liu forced out, “Princess… this is a private matter between the Liu Manor and the General Residence. You should not interfere!”

Sheng Zhi Wan’s expression stayed cold. “I shouldn’t, but Young Master Shang Er is my lifesaving benefactor. Besides, I only came to watch the fun and serve as a witness for the wedding. Who could have guessed I’d see such an absurd farce?”

First Madam Liu brightened and quickly said, “Princess, you can pretend you never saw anything. The Liu Manor will remember your generosity and kindness.”

First Madam Liu did not know why Shang Xiu Yuan kept speaking for the Liu Manor, but if the General Residence did not pursue the matter and she could just silence Sheng Zhi Wan, everything might still be saved.

Sheng Zhi Wan lowered her lashes. “Fine. This has nothing to do with me.”

Joy flashed across First Madam Liu’s eyes.

Sheng Zhi Wan added lightly, “As long as Young Master Shang Er himself doesn’t mind and agrees to marry Second Miss Liu.”

First Madam Liu’s face darkened again. Shang Xing Yu had rejected the idea yesterday, which meant he still wanted Yan’er.

After all, if a man could choose a legitimate daughter, only a fool would pick a concubine-born daughter.

Liu Yan lowered her head, her nails digging into her palm. No matter what, Liu Yan refused to marry a wastrel.

If Shang Xing Yu chose Liu Yan, then Liu Yan would… Liu Yan glanced at the pillar nearby. [Then I will smash myself into it.]

Shang Xiu Yuan said, “Shang Xing Yu probably went off to make trouble somewhere again today. When he comes back, I can ask him what he thinks.”

No matter what, Shang Xiu Yuan wanted to drag things out first. If some new twist happened later, Sheng Zhi Wan would not be able to decide anything.

First Madam Liu agreed quickly. “Yes… yes.”

Sheng Zhi Wan lowered her eyes. The Liu Manor and the General Residence really worked together so smoothly that, to anyone who didn’t know better, it would seem Shang Xiu Yuan belonged to the Liu Manor as well.

Just then, the steward hurried in from outside. He saluted Sheng Zhi Wan, then leaned close to First Madam Liu and whispered something.

First Madam Liu’s face went even paler the moment she heard it.

Sheng Zhi Wan raised her brows. “What is it, First Madam Liu?”

First Madam Liu forced a stiff smile. “N-nothing.”

Sheng Zhi Wan nodded. It seemed Shang Xing Yu had already arrived.

Sheng Zhi Wan said, “In that case, I won’t stay. As for witnessing the wedding, we can talk about it after Young Master Shang Er agrees.”

Sheng Zhi Wan turned and walked out.

First Madam Liu hurried after her. “Wait!”

Sheng Zhi Wan turned her head. “Does First Madam Liu need something else?”

First Madam Liu tried to block the way with a strained smile. “Princess rarely visits our manor. Why not stay and drink some tea?”

First Madam Liu only wanted Sheng Zhi Wan to not go out right now.

Sheng Zhi Wan answered, “No need.”

First Madam Liu could not stop her. She could only keep pleading as Sheng Zhi Wan walked all the way to the manor gates.

Before they even reached the gate, a familiar voice rang out.

The gatekeeper said urgently, “Young Master Shang Er, please wait… Madam will come out soon. Ah, Madam, Madam is here!”

When the gatekeeper spotted First Madam Liu, he looked like he had just found a lifesaver.

First Madam Liu saw Shang Xing Yu and her vision went dark. [Of all times, why did this wastrel have to show up now?]

Shang Xing Yu saw Sheng Zhi Wan, and his eyes lit up. He stepped forward and saluted with perfect manners.

Shang Xing Yu said, “Princess!”

That proper, polite look made Liu Yan, who was hiding behind First Madam Liu, remember how he had abandoned her yesterday without saying a word. Liu Yan bit her lip.

Sheng Zhi Wan answered with a faint nod. “It really is a coincidence.”

When Sheng Zhi Wan remembered what Shang Xing Yu had said yesterday, her ears grew hot. She did not dare meet his eyes, so she looked back instead.

Sheng Zhi Wan asked, “First Madam Liu, are you planning to talk about it here?”

First Madam Liu drew a deep breath and forced out a smile. “Since Young Master Shang Er is here, a guest is a guest. Let’s go to the flower hall.”

Soon, everyone reached the flower hall again. Since Shang Xing Yu had arrived, Sheng Zhi Wan did not insist on leaving and followed them back inside.

First Madam Liu’s face was dark. While no one was paying attention, she shot Liu Yan a look toward the wall.

Liu Yan understood at once, but she still hesitated.

After everyone sat down, Sheng Zhi Wan explained everything that had happened today. Shang Xing Yu listened closely, his eyes never leaving her.

That gaze made Sheng Zhi Wan’s thoughts scatter. She simply looked away and finished her account, then finally turned to him.

Sheng Zhi Wan said, “I went to see her. Second Miss Liu wasn’t as pretty as First Miss Liu, but she was still beautiful. Since she never begged me from start to finish, I assume she agreed as well. What do you think, Young Master Shang Er?”

Sheng Zhi Wan finished speaking.

Shang Xing Yu did not hesitate for even a breath. He looked straight into Sheng Zhi Wan’s eyes and said, “I did not want Second Miss Liu!”