The cousin is beautiful but ruthless.

Such beauty is something even the Marquis of Anping's household might not be able to control.

Liang Ruoyan believed that her appearance was no less than that of other noble ladies, but when she stood next to Shen Hanyu just now, she still felt that she was much inferior.

"Mother is right. If she has that beauty, Shen Hanyu will be able to climb the social ladder in the future. That would be terrible!"

Xu Ying told the maid to leave and then lay down on the recliner.

"If we let those poor relatives who come to the Marquis of Anping's mansion to freeload climb up the social ladder by stepping on us, who knows how many people in Chang'an will laugh at us. No, we have to think of a way."

Liang Ruoyan rolled her eyes and said gently, "My cousin is eighteen now. In a while, my mother will find her a good family to marry into. They are living in our house now, so we can decide what they do."

Xu Ying also thought of this. Shen Hanyu was not to be kept alive, so she was sent away as soon as possible. As for Liang Fangrong, who cared about her life or death? Just treat her as a servant raised by the Marquis of Anping. As long as she doesn't starve, that's fine. Anyway, she's a girl who's already married off.

As for the old lady, she'll handle that herself.

"This matter cannot be rushed, otherwise outsiders will see through my intentions, which will damage the reputation of the Marquis's mansion. Let her stay in the mansion for a year or two, and then I will find her a suitable family."

Liang Ruoyan said "okay," then reminded her again, "Mother, I'm eighteen too."

She blushed slightly, and seemed a little embarrassed as she spoke.

Xu Ying took her hand and smiled gently, "There are many banquets in the spring. You can go around there and pick one with a good family background. Your mother will speak to you on your behalf."

Liang Ruoyan blushed and lowered her head, saying, "It's all up to Father and Mother to decide."

On her first night back, Shen Hanyu sat by the window, her face propped up by one hand. There were no lights in the room, and Chun Tao, who was keeping watch, was outside.

Moonlight streamed in, the night was chilly, and Shen Hanyu was only wearing a thin shirt.

She looked at her perfectly intact hands and gently stroked them.

They must have just arrived today, and that family is already thinking about how to find her a 'good' family to marry into, after all, she's reached a certain age.

She spent a year in the Marquis of Anping's mansion and four years after marrying into the Earl of Guangning's mansion.

Liang Ruoyan, who had a different face in front of others and behind their backs in the Marquis of Anping's mansion, once genuinely believed that her cousin cared for her, as did the taciturn Liang Ruochu.

At that time, she saw that Liang Ruochu was walking on thin ice in the Marquis's mansion, just like her, and she had some thoughts of sticking together for warmth. However, she never expected that Liang Ruochu would betray her like this.

As the past flashed by, Shen Hanyu closed her eyes, suppressed the anger in her heart, closed the window, and seized the time to rest.

She needs to carefully plan and then carve out a path for herself.

The night passed quickly. Shen Hanyu thought she wouldn't sleep well, but when she got up, she didn't feel any discomfort.

She received a message early in the morning saying that the old lady had been too tired last night and hadn't been able to get up. The family doctor came to check on her as soon as it was light. It wasn't anything serious; she was just too tired and would be fine after a few days of rest.

Last night was about their matter. When Liang Fangrong found out, she hurriedly took Shen Hanyu over.

Upon entering the courtyard where the old lady lived, Shen Hanyu hunched her shoulders and lowered her head, where she encountered Liang Siyu, whom she had not seen the day before.

Liang Siyu is Liang Chengxuan's son and the future heir to the Anping Marquis's mansion.

Shen Hanyu felt she couldn't understand this person because she felt Liang Siyu was even more detached than her second uncle; he would never let other people's affairs disrupt his plans.

In Shen Hanyu's memory, Liang Siyu always acted in a methodical manner.

Liang Siyu came with Liang Ruoyan. When Liang Ruoyan saw Shen Hanyu, she asked in a warm tone, "Cousin, have you eaten yet?"

Shen Hanyu gently shook her head: "I want to check on my grandmother first; I'm really worried about her."

The two walked in arm in arm, like sisters born of the same mother, but in reality, each harbored their own ulterior motives.

Liang Siyu followed behind the two, and when they went in, the old lady had already gotten up.

When the old lady saw the younger generation coming over, and Liang Fangrong looked like she was about to cry again, she waved her hand and said, "I'm fine, I'm just tired. I'll be fine after some rest. There's no need for you to come and see me. Let the children go eat first."

Liang Fangrong rubbed the corner of her eye and said softly, "Okay."

Xu Ying put down the medicine bowl and looked at Shen Hanyu: "Yan'er and the others haven't eaten yet, let's go with them."

There was really nothing going on here, and Xu Ying had taken care of feeding the medicine. Liang Fangrong awkwardly got up, wanting to leave with Shen Hanyu, feeling like a superfluous person.

Seeing this, Xu Ying asked Liang Fangrong to stay behind: "Sister, why don't you stay here and talk to Mother? It's been so many years since we last met, it'll be good for you to get closer."

Liang Fangrong nodded and sat down next to Xu Ying.

Shen Hanyu took in Liang Fangrong's expression and gently curled the corners of her mouth.

It's unknown what became of Liang Fangrong after her death, but it probably wasn't much better.

Shen Hanyu was holding a silk handkerchief when she suddenly noticed a gaze on her. She looked up and met Liang Siyu's eyes, which were as cold as an ancient well. She couldn't help but shiver, but still managed a faint smile.

Liang Siyu withdrew his gaze. If he had seen correctly, his new cousin had smiled. But what was so funny about what had happened here?

The group went out for a meal together. Liang Siyu was walking behind Liang Ruoyan and Shen Hanyu when a figure suddenly appeared beside them.

"How did you sleep last night, cousin?"

Liang Sihan's voice came from behind. He was wearing a bright green round-necked robe today and came closer to Shen Hanyu.

Shen Hanyu took a step back to create some distance, speaking politely but distantly: "Thank you for your concern, Second Cousin, but I slept very well."

Liang Sihan took an object out of her sleeve and approached again.

“Look, cousin, you must be having trouble adjusting since you’re new here. No need to coax me, here’s a sachet for you to sleep.”

As she received the sachet, Shen Hanyu pursed her lips, recalling Liang Sihan's despicable methods from her previous life.

Liang Ruoyan chuckled softly, as if she had thought of something: "Cousin, please accept it. Your brother meant well."

Shen Hanyu concealed the dark light in her eyes. The sachet in Liang Sihan's hand was not well embroidered, with rough stitches and a floral scent. It was not calming, but rather made people feel dizzy. It was not a good thing at all.

"I already took quite a lot of things yesterday, so it's not appropriate to ask my second cousin for more."

Shen Hanyu politely declined, but Liang Sihan persisted in her refusal.

"Good sister, please accept it."

He licked his lips, his eyes filled with urgency.

Shen Hanyu looked troubled, and a hand reached out and took the sachet from the side.

Liang Sihan turned her head and saw that it was Liang Siyu.

Liang Siyu held the sachet and handed it to the servant behind her.

"Dispose of it."

The servant took the sachet and left.

When Liang Sihan saw that it was Liang Siyu, she immediately lost some of her confidence.

"What are you doing, brother? Can't I even show some concern for my own cousin?"

Liang Siyu said calmly, "Don't use the things you smuggled from the brothel to harm people. If I find out you go to those brothels again, I will definitely tell Father and let him deal with you."

After saying that, Liang Siyu left.

Shen Hanyu glanced at Liang Siyu's back. Liang Siyu was upright and honest, and had helped her this time.