The Husband I Snatched Is Not Right!

Chapter 356 - 353: Can’t You Just Swallow Your Pride?

Jinluo Pavilion is one of the top jewelry shops in Shangjing.

Yu Tingwan was visiting for the second time, and as soon as she got off the carriage, Manager Liu, who had received the news, hurriedly emerged from the storeroom to personally greet her.

She smiled and invited Yu Tingwan inside.

"I didn’t know you were coming today, madam. Please come in. The shop has been busy these past few days, and the profits are quite good. Would you like to see the account books?"

This was her family’s business.

There were many female customers coming and going, and the business was thriving.

"You go ahead with your work. Don’t mind me. I came today because I have an appointment with the Ministry of the Imperial Household’s lady."

With that, Manager Liu remembered.

"Miss Shen has been here for a while, probably on the second floor now. Let me escort you there."

As she walked, she said, "A shipment just arrived from Jiangnan yesterday. I was planning to pick out the best pieces to send to your mansion, but then you showed up."

"There’s a pair of ice-seed gold-thread and green bangles; they’re of excellent quality and would look beautiful on your fair wrists."

Then, a maid came over and whispered a few words in her ear.

Manager Liu’s smile froze.

Yu Tingwan noticed something was off: "What’s the matter?"

Manager Liu didn’t dare hide it but was also afraid of upsetting her, so she softly said,

"The one from the Grand Tutor Mansion is also here."

Gu Wu?

Yu Tingwan paused for a moment, then quickly continued walking.

Shen Zhiyi had indeed arrived.

Her right cheek bore a conspicuous slap mark as she leaned lazily against the second floor’s counter, holding a Gong Fan in her hand, its bamboo strands crystal clear and thin as a cicada’s wing.

When going out, Shen Zhiyi was usually meticulous about her appearance, but today, afraid that powder would cover the slap mark, she lightly applied lipstick.

She looked particularly haggard and embarrassed.

Noticing the glances of several female customers sweeping over her, Shen Zhiyi felt not the slightest shame.

She was just a bit annoyed, glancing several times at Gu Wu, who was carefully selecting jewelry in the distance, and finally, in frustration, grabbed someone from the crowd.

"What are you looking at! Who are you? Do you want to be taught a lesson?"

The girl in a plain white long dress turned pale with fright.

"I..."

She timidly said, "I’m from the Lu Family?"

Upon hearing it was the Lu Family, Shen Zhiyi’s gaze flickered, and her movements were no longer as crude.

But her tone still wasn’t good.

"I’m familiar with the Lu Family’s daughters, and they’ve all married far away. I haven’t seen you before. Are you trying to deceive me?"

"I... I’ve been unwell since childhood and have been recuperating in my hometown Tongcheng, just... just returned to Shangjing."

It seemed there was something like that.

Gu Wu didn’t want to linger outside for long, having chosen some jewelry and was preparing to pay and leave. But when she looked up, she unexpectedly saw Yu Tingwan.

Her eyes brightened, and she instinctively moved forward. But after recalling something, she abruptly halted. Clutching the jewelry tightly, she looked longingly at the radiant woman not far away.

There are many dilemmas in this world.

Gu Fuju of Jiasan thought about Yu Tingwan every day, but after her long-awaited return, there was a palpable barrier—the death of Yu Tingwan’s parents.

Yu Tingwan was caught in the middle, considering herself inauspicious, unable to move past this obstacle.

Gu Fuju and Jiasan feared her resistance, not daring to approach, unwilling to make things hard for her, choosing to silently guard her.

And what of Gu Wu?

Gu Wu pursed her lips.

The Gu Family had raised her for many years, and her parents did not treat her any less because of her sister’s return. They did not send her away. She was grateful but also feared her presence would cause tension for Yu Tingwan, hence she didn’t return home.

If Yu Tingwan did not welcome her, what should she do?

As she hesitated, Yu Tingwan seemed to notice her gaze and looked over, her eyes as clear and transparent as autumn water.

At the moment their eyes met, Gu Wu instinctively held her breath.

She smiled faintly at Yu Tingwan.

Yu Tingwan was momentarily stunned and calmly nodded slightly in response.

Her attention was quickly drawn elsewhere.

"What do you think? Does the slap mark on my face look good?"

Shen Zhiyi asked the Lu Family’s plump-cheeked daughter.

The Lu Family’s daughter was afraid of offending anyone.

Since her return to Shangjing, her family had repeatedly instructed her not to offend anyone while out.

Already timid, she clutched a handkerchief, stumbling over her words.

"Miss... Miss Shen, who... who hit you so hard?"

Shen Zhiyi replied loudly, "Who else could it be? Of course, it was my father."

As if afraid someone wouldn’t hear.

She didn’t wait for anyone to ask, twirling the fan in her hand as she explained everything clearly.

"A concubine in my household is crafty. Last night, she claimed to bring me ginseng tea but purposely spilled it all over me."

"I reprimanded her, and she dared to talk back. Well, the little wench used to bow and scrape before me. Now she’s found a good marriage, and she’s acting all high and mighty."

"Of course, it led to a quarrel."

"I’m not as sweet-tongued, not as good at currying favor. Even my mother doesn’t have her concubine’s way with whispers. As a result, my father gave me a slap without understanding the situation."

The Lu Family’s daughter was stunned.

This was too much information to share with a stranger.

Everyone else was dumbfounded.

Family affairs shouldn’t be disclosed, yet Shen Zhiyi didn’t seem to mind sharing at all. If it were them, they wouldn’t dare go out until the mark faded.

Someone spoke up to ask.

"It doesn’t make sense, Miss Shen. You aren’t engaged yet, so how could your younger sister be betrothed?"

Shen Zhiyi was troubled: "That’s not convenient to say."

Everyone exchanged glances; there must be something fishy!

A female voice came from behind: "With such delicate skin, Mr. Shen certainly didn’t hold back."

Yu Tingwan approached, her gaze momentarily landing on the cautious Lu Family’s daughter beside Shen Zhiyi.

The Lu Family’s daughter wore little jewelry, and her clothing, though clean and tidy, appeared modest compared to the richly dressed other female guests.

She knew.

This was the youngest daughter of the Lu Family. Old Master Lu had been flogged to death by Emperor Ying for matters related to King Yan.

The Lu Family followed Old Master Lu’s last wish to send his body back to his hometown Tongcheng, for a final resting place. The Lu Family fell into decline, mourning for three years.

This youngest Lu Family daughter was born to Mrs. Lu during her journey to Tongcheng.

Yu Tingwan suppressed her emotions, speaking gently and softly: "She may just be a concubine’s daughter, experiencing a rare moment of triumph; can’t you be more patient?"

"So what if you got splashed? You’re still perfectly fine; can’t you swallow this indignity?"

With a sarcastic tone, Shen Zhiyi laughed.

"The General’s wife is right."

"Otherwise, that concubine’s dissatisfaction might cause them to secretly hinder me."

"I’m not afraid and don’t take this mother and daughter seriously. But I can’t match their cunning. My mother is from a reputable family, cultured and reasonable, so she’s at a disadvantage."

Yu Tingwan saw the fan in her hand was appealing, about to take it for a closer look, but Shen Zhiyi swiftly grasped her wrist.

"Where did you get that bracelet? It’s really nice. My aunt, the Imperial Concubine, had one like it, but I smashed it. She didn’t speak to me for half a year because of it."

Having just been enthusiastically adorned with a jade bracelet by Manager Liu downstairs, Yu Tingwan mumbled, "Holding a grudge for so long?"

Shen Zhiyi held up a finger: "Number like this."

Yu Tingwan saw the price and changed her tone: "For her not to disown you, she really showed restraint."