Chapter 146

Chapter 146: Looking Down Even More

Of course—of course it would be this way!

Madam Liu’s vision went dark, and she wished she could slap Shang Hang Yu right then and there.

[That worthless rake—how dare he?]

Liu Yan’s tears flowed instantly. From the day she was born, she had been pampered and praised. Her mother and father always said she’d enter the palace as a favored noblewoman someday…

She dreamed of being above others—how could she possibly marry someone like Shang Hang Yu?

[What does he think he is?]

Then, remembering her mother’s earlier hint, Liu Yan clenched her teeth, staggered, and rushed toward the pillar outside the Flower Hall.

Madam Liu and Shang Xiu Yuan immediately understood her intent.

“Quick, stop her!” Madam Liu cried to the servants nearby.

Shang Xiu Yuan hurried forward too.

Yet Shang Hang Yu—the very cause of all this—remained still, not even bothering to glance in Liu Yan’s direction. He lightly tossed out his next words: “Of course, I look down even more on Eldest Young Lady Liu.”

Liu Yan stumbled, nearly tripping, and wondered if she’d misheard.

Shang Xiu Yuan’s steps slowed abruptly as well.

[What did he just say?]

Madam Liu stared in disbelief.

Liu Yan’s attempt at drama had been nothing more than an act, so she allowed the servants to catch her without struggle. Still pale-faced, she looked toward Shang Hang Yu, wanting desperately to know if she’d heard correctly.

[What does he mean, looking down on me even more?]

She was the legitimate daughter of the Liu family! Where did he get the confidence to scorn her?

Shang Hang Yu still didn’t bother to meet her gaze, only continuing lightly, “Princess might not be aware, but before Eldest Young Lady Liu fell into the water, I happened to witness an entertaining scene between her and another young lady.”

Liu Yan’s beautiful, tearful eyes widened. “You’re lying! What scene? I simply slipped!”

Shang Hang Yu finally glanced at her, but the disdain in his gaze was clear to everyone present.

Liu Yan trembled, humiliated and furious.

Her graceful, alluring figure shivered slightly; lovely eyes were filled with tears, cheeks pale as snow—a beauty so delicate and pitiful that even Shang Xiu Yuan, who rarely took notice of beauty, was momentarily stunned.

Yet Shang Hang Yu, known widely for his love of beautiful women, didn’t show the slightest compassion. He bluntly revealed, “I clearly saw Eldest Young Lady Liu attempting to push another girl into the water. When the other girl dodged, Eldest Young Lady Liu herself lost balance due to the crowd behind her, falling into the water instead.”

Liu Yan’s mind went blank.

She had thought Liu Xu pushed her.

[No—this can’t be!]

“You’re lying!” she screamed bitterly at Shang Hang Yu. “I did nothing like that! I simply fell in by accident!”

“Yes, yes, yes…” Shang Hang Yu curled his lip. “You didn’t harm anyone. You didn’t push anyone. You simply had poor balance and poor eyesight, insisting on stumbling forward and falling. Does that suit you better?”

“You—you…!” Liu Yan, unable to endure any longer, covered her face and ran out sobbing.

Madam Liu yearned to comfort her daughter, but she was forced to remain behind, mindful of the other guests.

Watching Shang Hang Yu, Sheng Zhi Wan almost burst into laughter.

[So, this is how he’s always been outside?]

His sharp tongue spared no one’s dignity, completely disregarding the honor of a young miss. No wonder people called him a scoundrel.

He certainly knew how to make others despise him.

Today, Eldest Young Lady Liu would surely hate him forever.

Yet he wasn’t finished. Shang Hang Yu dramatically bowed toward Sheng Zhi Wan, feigning grievance. “Princess, please uphold justice for me! I merely acted kindly to save someone, but now I’m being unjustly harassed by shameless people who insist I marry their daughter.”

Madam Liu’s face turned pale as death itself. [Shameless? Is he talking about me?]

She was so furious she almost fainted.

“Xing Yu, watch your words!” Shang Xiu Yuan scolded angrily.

“How am I wrong?” Shang Hang Yu defended seriously. “Though I’m a scoundrel, I’m still a scoundrel with principles. Yet my kindness is repaid by being forced into marriage with someone vicious-hearted. I politely declined at first, but then Liu Residence had their illegitimate daughter threaten suicide…”

“If I don’t yield to their demands and marry the girl they arranged for me, they start creating a scandal to pressure me.” Shang Hang Yu placed a hand theatrically on his chest. “I’m very fragile and deeply hurt by all this. Without thirty thousand silver ingots, I’m afraid I can’t recover.”

Everyone present stared in astonishment. Madam Liu trembled with rage.

Never had she encountered a young master as shameless as this one!

[Fragile? Deeply hurt? Thirty thousand silver ingots?]

Holding back her laughter, Sheng Zhi Wan hid her expression behind a sip of tea.

When she lowered her cup, she again wore the serious face of a dignified princess.

“Madam Liu, how do you respond?”

“I…I don’t have thirty thousand ingots!” Madam Liu clutched her chest in distress.

Shang Hang Yu nodded generously. “That’s fine. I won’t force you, Madam Liu, as you’re still an elder of mine. I’ll simply explain the truth publicly to clear my name.”

“No—you mustn’t!” Madam Liu nearly choked on her breath.

It was common for noble families to handle these matters quietly. But openly discussing it would completely disgrace her, and Liu Yan’s reputation would be utterly ruined.

“This is unacceptable—that’s unacceptable. Madam Liu surely isn’t so thick-skinned as to expect me to bear the scandal alone?” Shang Hang Yu asked incredulously.

Madam Liu stayed silent, clearly implying exactly that.

“Xing Yu, you’re a man, and your reputation is already poor,” Shang Xiu Yuan urged impatiently. “You can bear some shame. If you insist on speaking out, Eldest Young Lady Liu may be driven to death.”

Shang Hang Yu stared at him in shock. “Elder Brother, are you truly my blood brother? Just because I’m a man, must I yield everywhere? If I refuse, someone must die? Then tomorrow, perhaps I’ll find a brothel woman to throw herself at you. If you won’t marry her, she’ll threaten suicide. With your tender heart, surely you’ll marry her, right?”

His gaze burned, fully prepared to execute his threat immediately if Shang Xiu Yuan agreed.

“Absurd!” Shang Xiu Yuan fell silent.

Shang Hang Yu turned back to Madam Liu. “So, Madam Liu, what will it be? Thirty thousand silver ingots or shall I speak the truth?”

“Princess…” Madam Liu turned pleadingly to Sheng Zhi Wan, hoping she would mediate.

Sheng Zhi Wan stood gracefully, her voice solemn and resolute. “Second Young Master Shang is right. If saving someone means being wrongfully accused and forced into marriage, who will dare lend a helping hand again?”

“If all the people of Sheng Kingdom behave this way, what justice and morality could remain?”

In just a few words, she had elevated the Liu family’s private scandal into a matter of national concern.

Madam Liu’s lips trembled helplessly. She looked desperately toward Shang Hang Yu once more.