Rebirth of a Concubine's Daughter

Mrs. Lu dragged her tired body back to the yard. She didn't say a word along the way. She kept thinking about what to do. The Lu family was only willing to pay half, and Shen Zongyuan could only pay 200,000 taels at most. Where should she get the remaining 200,000 taels?

After entering the house, Mrs. Lu began to rummage through the boxes and drawers, taking out all her gold and silver jewelry, house deeds, land deeds, banknotes, and even loose silver. All together, it was less than 50,000 taels, far from 200,000 taels. So she thought to herself that she had to go to the Su family. No matter whether it was by threat or force, she had to get the money, otherwise her son would be gone.

"Madam Zhao, go find out which street the Su family lives on."

"Mom, are you still planning to go to the Su family?"

"If the Su family didn't have Shen Nanyan, how could they have the prosperity and wealth they have today? Shen Nanyan is still a girl who hasn't even reached the age of marriage. What belongs to her belongs to the Shen family. I just went to get back the money that originally belonged to the Shen family."

"But the Su family may not give it to me. My daughter thinks Shen Yunzhi is not someone you can easily mess with."

"There's no other way now. We have to provoke him, whether it's good or bad. Otherwise, your brother will die. Who can we mother and I rely on in the future? Oh, right, the Third Prince might be able to help. Two hundred thousand taels is nothing to him, right? Why don't you give it a try?"

"Mother, I was originally planning to... I went to see the Third Prince today and wanted to ask him to help my brother. As long as he protects my brother, my father will have to let him out no matter how reluctant he is, but..."

"But what?"

"If you ask someone to do something for you, you should at least give them some benefits, right?"

"Well, that's good. Is that a success?"

Mrs. Lu completely ignored what Shen Lingxi said was the benefit. Perhaps in her heart, her daughter's innocence was not that important.

"What happened? Shen Rongying saw us. My daughter wants to die."

"This little bitch actually ruined our good thing. No, didn't she say anything after she saw us?"

"Of course she didn't tell me. She said she wanted a house, twenty servants, a wet nurse, a midwife, and money. She also threatened me that if I didn't agree, she would tell the story of me and the Third Prince to the storyteller under the bridge. Mother, what should I do? If anyone knew, how would I live?"

"She's just as despicable as her mother. Does the Third Prince know about this?"

"How could I not know? I saw it in person. Although the Third Prince didn't say anything, he must have been angry."

"Tomorrow you go see the Third Prince and tell him... just say Shen Rongying wants 100,000 taels of silver, or else he'll expose the matter. He's a prince, and even for his own reputation, he'll have to give up the 100,000 taels. Remember, cry more. When a woman cries, a man will do whatever you say. Listen to your mother, and it will definitely work."

"Then why is it 100,000 taels? Aren't we short of 200,000 taels?"

"You're stupid! If there are more, the Third Prince will kill people to silence them, and then we won't get a single penny."

"Mother is really smart. What should we do about the remaining 100,000 taels?"

"Then let's start with Shen Rongying. Tomorrow, after meeting the Third Prince, go meet Yue Hanzhou and ask her to marry Shen Rongying immediately. Besides the most basic betrothal gifts, the rest will be given to you in silver notes. You have to ask for at least 100,000 taels. You should know how to deal with this. Yue Hanzhou listens to you the most. If you show weakness, he might even give you his life."

"You're asking my daughter to do this again. I owe Yue Hanzhou. How can I hold my head up in front of him in the future?"

Mrs. Lu pulled Shen Lingxi into her arms and stroked her hair gently. At this moment, she seemed to be the most gentle mother in the world.

"Your brother will definitely remember your kindness, and he will be your support in the future. You know, with your mother's family, you can be confident no matter what happens. But now your brother is in trouble, and if we don't help him, it will be like cutting off our own support. Who can we rely on in the future?"

After being brainwashed by Lu, Shen Lingxi naturally agreed.

A good night's sleep.

Early the next morning, Shen Lingxi had two letters delivered. Before noon, she was dressed in fancy clothes and hurried out of the house with her maid.

Shen Nanyan also went out early in the morning. Today she was going to find Su Xinrong's whereabouts with Su Xinyuan and Cao Luqiao. After the three of them met up, they had just taken a few steps when they were stopped by a man. Shen Nanyan didn't know this man, but Su Xinyuan and Cao Luqiao should have known him, and Cao Luqiao's ears turned red when she saw the man.

"Master Zhou."

Su Xinyuan walked up to talk to him, and Shen Nanyan and Cao Luqiao stood behind him.

"Master Su, where are you going?"

"Um... go out for a walk."

"Walking out so early in the morning? But what happened? We've known each other for a long time, so if there's anything, just tell me."

When that person spoke, his eyes kept drifting towards Cao Luqiao. Su Xinyuan was not blind. He had also heard his aunt Su Yinghe mention the matter between Cao Luqiao and this Mr. Zhou. Looking at the appearance of the two, it seemed that the Su family was about to have a happy event.

"To be honest, my brother ran away from home, and we were just about to go and get some information."

"Second Master Su, does that have a direction? Where does he like to go on weekdays?"

"Gambling house."

"This place is hard to find. I've never been to a gambling house, but I know someone who has. Why don't I go look for it too? If I find any information, how about sending it to Baiweizhai?"

"Then I'll trouble you, Master Zhou."

"Mr. Su, you are too polite."

At this time, Mr. Zhou's eyes were still looking at Cao Luqiao, and Cao Luqiao's face was almost red.

"Lu Qiao, should we split up and look for it?"

"Ah? I...I can do anything."

"Yan'er is still young. How about letting her follow me and you follow Master Zhou?"

Looking at her cousin's shy look, Shen Nanyan couldn't help laughing.

"Don't ask me, big brother. I will definitely follow you. I don't know Mr. Zhou. Let's go quickly. Mr. Zhou, my cousin is in your care. Remember to send her home early."

Cao Luqiao almost tore her sleeves, stiffening her neck and not daring to look up. Master Zhou also had a smile on his face with his eyes curved.

"Don't worry, Miss. I will definitely live up to your trust."

After the two of them walked away, Shen Nanyan asked about Su Xinyuan, Mr. Zhou.

It turned out that this Mr. Zhou was named Zhou Qi, and he was the son of the owner of a small inn next to Baiweizhai. Because Cao Luqiao helped the two of them get acquainted at Baiweizhai during that period, Su Yinghe felt that Zhou Qi was a good person, and her daughter was of marriageable age, so she did not stop the two of them from interacting. However, after all, they had not yet made an engagement, and the two of them did not get together too openly.

Just looking at how affectionate they are with each other, the marriage should be mentioned by next year at the latest.

"So, we should start preparing gifts for our cousin."

"You are just a child, so you don't need to prepare anything. Your aunt will prepare it naturally."

Su Xinyuan tugged at Shen Nanyue's cloak, then took her hand and warmed it in his palm. His slightly dimmed eyes were full of love for his sister.

But they didn't notice that a man was standing in front of a window not far away. His eyes were fixed on Shen Nanyan's little hand, and his face was ashen.