DDR – Chapter 68

Chapter 68: Dissolution of Marriage

All credit to original author: 独步云霄

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At first, Master Hui looked surprised to see Shen Jingshu and Yang Huilan but she quickly seemed to figure out their purpose. “Jingshu, Huilan, please come in and sit down.”

“Thank you, Master!” The two looked at each other and then at Master Hui’s solemn expression, their hearts filled with doubt.

“There are some snacks on the table, if you like to eat them, you are welcome to take some!” Master Hui waved a hand.

The girls thanked her. Unsure how to start talking, they quietly took some of the snacks to eat. Before they could come up with a solution, Master Hui put down the cup in her hands and sighed. “You two did not come here only to visit me, correct? There are other things on your mind?”

In fact, she had a good guess as to what the children wanted to ask her but this was a sensitive topic. She wasn’t sure if it was appropriate for her to involve the two little girls. Though their family backgrounds were not small, this was not a matter that they could just intervene in.

“Master, we want to ask about Xinhe. I heard that she is ill, did Madam Kong ask you for her leave of absence?” Seeing that Master Hui had broached the subject herself, Shen Jingshu just asked directly. After a moment, Master Hui nodded.

“Yes, she did take time off, stating that it there were some issues with her heart.”

“Then… did Madam Kong say anything else?” Jingshu persisted, “Master, Huilan and I went to see Xinhe many times these last few days and Madame Kong did not let us see her. Is Xinhe very sick? Master, do you know something?” The two of them might not know anything, but Shen Jingshu believed it was unlikely that Master Hui did not have more information. Madam Kong must have spoken at least a little bit!

“Ah, yes, I do know more… It’s just that, whether she is ill or not, Xinhe’s matters are not something you can interfere in, Jingshu. Although you are friends, this is a personal matter of the Kong family. You must let this matter drop, do you understand?” Although Master Hui regarded Kong Xinhe well, as she was such a careful and intelligent child, there was nothing she could do about this. She was an outsiders, after all, how could she step in?

“Master, what do you know about this matter?” Looking at Master Hui’s complicated expression, Shen Jingshu knew that Master Hui knew what was happening, otherwise she would not speak like this.

“Jingshu, what does it matter if you know? Can you change anything?” Let alone not being part of the Kong family, she was only a little girl. What could she do to change the Kong family’s decisions?

“I hope that Master will tell us what she knows. We are Xinhe’s friends, so naturally we have to do our best to help her!” Shen Jingshu’s expression was firm and serious. Originally, Master Hui had wanted to avoid needlessly worrying the two girls, but seeing Shen Jingshu’s face, she changed her mind. She debated for a moment and then sighed.

“Madam Kong not only come to ask for leave, she came to say that the Kong family does not intend to let Xinhe continue studying at the academy. To be clear, whatever plans the Kong family has, they will probably be finished in the next few days.”

The two girls looked very solemn. “What are their plans?” Shen Jingshu asked.

“I don’t know about this,” Master Hui shook her head, “but if Xinhe will not continue to study at the academy, it is likely that there is some important arrangement being made in the family. Perhaps Xinhe will not be in the Kong family in the future.” These were just Master Hui’s guesses; she honestly didn’t know.

Master Hui watched Shen Jingshu think about her words. Though she was only a child, somehow Master Hui believed in her a little bit.

Could this little girl really do it?

“Master’s meaning…” If Kong Xinhe really left home, there was only one way. It was just that she was still so young, was it really possible this was the case?

Master Hui shook her head: “This is just my guess. If you want to know more, you will have to go and inquire about it.”

“Thank you, Master!” The girls called.

“Don’t thank me,” Master Hui said, “there is only so much I can do now. It is good if you can help her! Xinhe is a smart, good child. If she leaves like this, it will be a great loss for the academy!” Kong Xinhe had a lot of talent for learning medicine and Master Hui had high expectations for her. She was also humble and diligent, a very good seedling for learning a delicate craft like medicine. If she had a student like Xinhe, Master Hui would not worry about having no one to inherit her mantle.

“Master, rest assured, we will help her!” No matter what, they would not leave their friend to be miserable!”

“Then go! If you need my help, just ask!”

The girls thanked her again and left.

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…

Outside Master Hui’s house, both girls felt very heavy. Thinking about what Master Hui had revealed, Yang Huilan was very worried. “Jingshu, Master’s meaning…”

“Huilan, it seems that Xinhe is really in trouble! We need to split up first and find out more news from the Zhang family to see if there is anything we can use.”

“You mean there is some actions from the Zhang family? But it’s too early for Xinhe, is this really possible?”

Jingshu sighed: “We can’t see Xinhe, so we can’t know for sure what is going on but since Master has said so, there must definitely be a reason! Let’s check it out and see if this is truly the case. We need to take the opportunity to act!”

The two girls looked determined. Yang Huilan nodded: “Alright, I will go back and send someone out to inquire.”

“It must be quick,” Shen Jingshu reminded her, “if this is truly the case, I’m afraid it may be too late if we wait!”

“I can do it!” Yang Huilan promised. There was nothing else to say, the two girls split up quickly, each going to work on their own. Fortunately, they had finally found the right direction and Shen Jingshu soon got news.

“Miss, the Zhang family said that Young Master Zhang is seriously ill and want Miss Kong to marry over and bring good luck!”

Shen Jingshu frowned: “Is this true?”

“Naturally,” the servant said, “but the Zhang family has covered this matter tightly and the two families are secretly discussing the matter between them. Not even the servants and slaves know much about it.”

“Alright, I understand. You think of a way to confirm if the Zhang family’s son is really sick.” Shen Jingshu ordered them.

When the servant left, Shen Jingshu immediately went to tell Yang Huilan. When the other girl learned about this, she nearly died of anger.

“That family is really too much!” She shouted: “If he really was so sick and Xinhe was happy about it, that would be one thing, but if things go badly, won’t this ruin Xinhe’s life?! How can this be good!”

Yang Huilan had already long considered Zhang Haoran to be a promiscuous and unreliable person, not at all good quality for a marriage, but since the families had already determined the matter, there was nothing she could say. There was no other options. But now that things were like this, Kong Xinhe would really be wronged if she married him. How could Yang Huilan be willing to let this happen?

“Their family really is too much,” Shen Jingshu agreed. “I’m afraid she must be unwilling in her heart and that is why she has been imprisoned. We must carefully investigate the movements of the Zhang and Kong families to see what conclusion they reach. Then we can take the opportunity to act!” Master Kong’s type, Shen Jingshu had long seen before: only interested in profit! Since it was so early, normally Master Kong would not agree so easily for Kong Xinhe to enter their door. Since he has agreed, there must be some sort of arrangement between the two parties. If she knew the contents of the agreement, it would be easier for her to hinder their movements and possibly even stop the marriage entirely.

A woman’s life was not easy. It took luck just to find a good man, let alone a beloved. Shen Jingshu didn’t want her friend to be ruined in this life!

“But, Jingshu, although we are willing to help, this is the private matters of the Kong family. Can we really change it?” Although Yang Huilan’s heart was furious, this was a marriage event. The parents and matchmaker had agreed, were was there room for them, outsiders and children, to have a say? Would they really be so lucky?

She Jingshu shook her head: “If we don’t try, how will we know? Xinhe is our good friend, we have to work hard for her! Is it possible to watch her jump into a fire pit?” At this moment, Shen Jingshu’s heart ached with sympathy for Kong Xinhe. Why did she have to be born with such a father, who’s only interest was in profit? Who considered his daughter as nothing more than a tool without the slightest bit of love?

“Yes, yes!” Yang Huilan cheered: “I will definitely do my best! If you need me to do anything, just say it!”

“What we need to know now is exactly the condition of Young Master Zhang and the full agreement between the Zhang and Kong families. I can’t do this alone, I will need your help!” At the end of the day, there were actually many things that Shen Jingshu really couldn’t do and she needed to rely on Yang Huilan.

“Don’t worry, I know what to do!” Yang Huilan assured her. The two discussed their plan for a bit and when each of them had a task, Yang Huilan left directly.

When Shen Jingshu returned home, she saw her mother teasing Shen Zihan while the nurse watched from the side with a kind smile on her face. Seeing such a scene, Shen Jingshu’s heart didn’t know how to handle it. Suddenly she cried out: “Mother!”

Her mother looked up and smiled: “Shu’er is back! Did you have fun today?”

Shen Jingshu nodded: “Yes, very fun! Mother, is my brother well behaved today?”

“Very good!” Her mother gushed, “He just woke up. Come here, little brother Han, sister is here! Smile!” Who knew if Shen Zihan really understood but he immediately smiled. Shen Jingshu saw this and felt her heart swell with happiness.

“Hehe, Brother Han smiled, Brother Han smiled, Mother!”

“Yes, your brother knows that his sister is back so he is very happy, isn’t that right, little brother Han?” Although her brother did not know how to speak yet, this kind of interaction made everyone’s hearts feel light. Shen Jingshu looked at Shen Zihan’s smile and Dan Yuerong’s loving expression and felt the warmth in her heart burst out.

She really was happy. Her parents loved her, there was no need for her to worry about an unhappy marriage in her future. Compared with Xinhe, she was much luckier. That was why she could not let Xinhe have a miserable marriage like her previous life. Such an unbearable husband, he had really caused her downfall!

…

In the next few days, Sheng Jingshu went out from time to time, always running to the pharmacy. She wanted to know which doctor the Zhang family had invited so she could find out more about the condition of Young Master Zhang.

But who would have guessed that Shen Jingshu would hit a block. No matter how much she inquired, it was impossible to find out more. She only heard that the young master had been out walking when he had been struck to the side, any further inquiries were useless. The longer the search went on, the more anxious Shen Jingshu became.

Though she had gone to every famous clinic in the city but none of them seemed to have been invited by the Zhang family. This matter made Shen Jingshu very puzzled but she didn’t know what might be wrong. Eventually, she met up with Yang Huilan again and the two went to see Kong Xinhe again.

This time, not only were they not able to see her again, the Kong family also seemed to be very busy. There was no celebration yet but Shen Jingshu knew that this ‘good thing’ was coming near.

“Jingshu, what can we do?” Yang Huilan asked sadly, “The Kong and Zhang families are holding this matter tightly, I really can’t find anything. What more can I do?” Neither of them had made any progress for several days and it was already getting worse. She was so anxious!

“Don’t worry,” Shen Jingshu told her, “since they are busy preparing, it’s likely that they will let something slip. We will find out more and if its really not possible, we can hire someone to find out!”

“Jingshu, is this really okay?” This was not a light suggestion.

“We can only try it like this.” Shen Jingshu really hated how incompetent she felt in this moment. Waving goodbye to Yang Huilan, she slowly walked down the street and thought hard about Kong Xinhe’s predicament. The more she thought, the more she couldn’t help but compare it with her previous life. If the marriage between Kong Xinhe and the son of the Zhang family was worse this time, wouldn’t Xinhe be even more miserable than she had been last time?

What should she do?

As she walked, lost in thought, Shen Jingshu stopped paying attention to her surroundings. She never noticed that a carriage was speeding towards her in the distance, appearing to be out of control. Behind her, a woman saw this tragedy about to happen and cried out: “Miss, ah—!”

Shen Jingshu did not have time to evade but just as she was about to be hit, she felt an extra force around her waist and she was pulled out of the way.

“Thank— thank you!” She stuttered, shocked. She turned and looked up, surprised to see a familiar face. Before she could speak again, the other party reproached her, snapping: “Why are you so careless! Do you not look at the road when you walk!?” Though his voice sounded as cold as usual, under the surface, there was a large change in emotion. Right now, he was actually very anxious.

“I have let Duan Wang Shizi worry!” She said automatically.

The two of them stared at each other in surprise. Shen Jingshu didn’t know if it was her imagination, but she thought she could see a trace of panic in Duan Wang Shizi’s eyes. Flustered by Duan Wang Shizi seeing her in such a state, Shen Jingshu realized she had been too abrupt and hurriedly withdrew her hand. However, in the bottom of her heart she was a little reluctant.

She didn’t understand why her heart should hurt for such a simple matter, it felt almost the same as when she had lost her mother and father. For what reason should her heart feel so nervous and painful?

“Hm.” Duan Wang Shizi nodded, thinking that Shen Jingshu was still frightened from the scene just now.

Both of them turned their thoughts to the carriage. Why had it suddenly lost control? It seemed unlikely.

“Just know, what were you thinking? Why didn’t you avoid it when you saw the carriage?” Duan Wang Shizi asked coldly.

Shen Jingshu blushed. “I was thinking about some matters and wasn’t paying attention.” She admitted.

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“You!” Duan Wang Shizi’s expression looked a little helpless. He was about to say more when he saw that Shen Jingshu’s mood was not good. Worried, he asked: “What’s wrong? Were you frightened? Why don’t I think that your expression looks good?”

Shen Jingshu shook her head: “It’s okay, I’m probably still a little anxious, I just need to rest.”

“It’s better for me to send you back when you are like this, so I will not be worried.” Duan Wang Shizi said, starting to lead her away.

At first, Shen Jingshu resisted. “No need, thank you!” She said quickly but then she remembered that the other party had just saved her life and it wasn’t good to reject him right now. Sighing, she let him pull her along.

“Thank you very much for just now,” Shen Jingshu said, “if it wasn’t for Duan Wang Shizi, I’m afraid I would not still be here. It’s my fault for not paying attention.” She really had been too careless!

“If you are fine, go back! I will send you home!” Duan Wang Shizi said again. “In any case, there was something I wanted to discuss with Lord Shen, so it is on the way.”

“Then I will trouble Duan Wang Shizi!”

There was no way to continue to refuse so she followed Duan Wang Shizi into his carriage. There was not much to say, so the trip back to the Shen Manor was very quiet. Duan Wang Shizi knew that Shen Jingshu still had something weighing on her mind but he also knew that she would not say anything if he asked. The relationship between them was not so familiar yet.

After a while, the carriage stopped and a voice called out: “Master, we have arrived!”

Before Duan Wang Shizi could move to help her, Shen Jingshu jumped directly out of the carriage, taking him by surprise.

Turning to look at him, she said: “I will remember Duan Wang Shizi’s kindness today, this official’s daughter will take her leave!” Then she hurried off.

Watching her back, Duan Wang Shizi frowned before he recalled the strange accident that had almost cost Shen Jingshu her life. “Shuang, go and see what Young Lady Shen has been worrying about recently.”

“Master, is this appropriate?” Shuang was naturally a little worried to see Duan Wang Shizi so concerned about Shen Jingshu’s matters.

Duan Wang Shizi looked at him. “I will give you an hour to report to me.”

“Yes, Master!” Shuang cried helplessly before rushing off to complete what Duan Wang Shizi had asked of him. It did not take him long and by the time Duan Wang Shizi left the Shen Manor, Shuang was ready to report.

“Master, Young Lady Shen seems to be concerned about one of her friends.”

“Continue.”

Shuang outlined the matter simply: “Young Lady Shen is friends with Miss Kong, who attends the academy with her. However, Miss Kong has not returned to the academy for some days and though Young Lady Shen and her friends had tried to visit, they have been unable to see Miss Kong. It seems that Young Lady Shen is concerned that something is wrong.”

Duan Wang Shizi thought about this. Finally, he asked: “Miss Kong… of the wealthy Kong merchant family?” He had some impression of the big family that resided south of the Yangtze River.

“Yes, Master!”

“Go and find out more,” Duan Wang Shizi ordered him, “I want to know what is going on with the Kong family.”

However, Shuang was already ready to report this. “This subordinate also discovered that the young lady of the Kong family has a marriage contract with the son of the Zhang family, who has recently fallen ill. The Zhang family wants to bring good luck into the manor and has asked to marry Miss Kong into the family in advanced.”

Shuang’s efficiency was very high, he had found out so much information in just an hour!

“Anything else?” Seeing Shuang’s proud look, Duan Wang Shizi knew that he was not finished reporting.

“Although this is the case, it just happens that when my subordinates were out collecting information over the last few days, they saw the Zhang family’s son many times and he is fine. He even appeared in Yihongyuan today.” Duan Wang Shizi had lived in Jiangnan for over a year now, so naturally he had many servants deployed to gather information, it was not difficult to check such a small thing.

“This means that his body’s health is good?”

Shuang nodded: “This is so! Not only is it good, it’s very good! He even called a few people to serve him!”

Duan Wang Shizi frowned: “Then what the hell is going on?”

“Master, this subordinate was not able to investigate!” Shuang confessed. The time given to him by Duan Wang Shizi was too limited and Shuang had wanted to return as quickly as possible to resume his duties, so of course there was somethings that he did not check. However, he believed that with just the small amount of information he had gathered, Duan Wang Shizi would have a good idea of what was going on.

“Continue investigating,” Duan Wang Shizi ordered, “I want to see just what the hell the Zhang family is trying to do!”

Shuang agreed obediently. Although he felt that this investigate was overkill, Shuang didn’t dare to refuse, so he had no choice but to go.

…

That night, Shen Jingshu slept restlessly. In her dreams, she was framed over and over again, losing her innocence and falling into the despair of the cold lake, just like her previous life. When she woke up the next day, she was sweating all over.

“Miss! Did you have a nightmare?” Chunmei asked, seeing Shen Jingshu’s complexion.

Shen Jingshu shook her head. “I’m fine.” She said. Since she had slept badly, her body ached and her mood was terrible. When she finished getting dressed, she went for a walk.

Reaching the courtyard, Shen Jingshu started to sit down when she noticed a familiar figure. Seeing that it was Duan Wang Shizi, Shen Jingshu immediately saluted him, surprised.

“Is Young Lady Shen unwell?” He asked solemnly, “It’s windy outside, its better to rest inside.” He had noticed that her complexion was bad and felt a little distressed. He had come deliberately, originally wanted to offer her his help, but seeing her expression, Duan Wang Shizi was determined to help her.

Shen Jingshu smiled politely: “Thank you for you concern but I can bear it.”

“Take care of yourself!” He instructed firmly. He wanted to stay but there were too many people and it was not good to speak in front of them. Finally, he turned and went to find Shen Wenhua, stating that he had come to play chess. However, since he had just come to play only yesterday, Shen Wenhua was naturally very surprised.

However, he still smiled and said: “It’s good that Duan Wang Shizi has come, I was worried I would have no one to play chess with!”

Duan Wang Shizi nodded, “It is good I stopped by.”

After a few tense rounds, Shen Wenhua and Duan Wang Shizi finally came to a tie. This was a rare thing and Shen Wenhua was delighted.

“Hehe,” he laughed, “it seems that my recent chess skills have improved. With a little progress, I can now be tied with Duan Wang Shizi!” Although Duan Wang Shizi was younger, Shen Wenhua was slightly inferior when it came to chess.

“Master Shen is a master,” Duan Wang Shizi deferred, “it was just my luck before.”

“Duan Wang Shizi is joking!” Shen Wenhua laughed.

Duan Wang Shizi smiled. Casually, he said: “It seems that I am not suitable for chess today. Master Shen, we will continue to fight another day.” He had originally come out of concern for Shen Jingshu and had expected it would take several twists and turns before he would be able to see her. He had not expected that he was have the luck to encounter her almost immediately.

Shen Wenhua invited him to stay but Duan Wang Shizi insisted so eventually, he said: “Alright, let’s continue another day!” and saw him out personally.

Standing outside the Shen Manor, Duan Wang Shizi thought about Shen Jingshu’s expression and came to decision. “Shuang, for that one matter, go and take care of it!”

“Yes, Master!” Shuang called before cautiously adding: “Master, we better take care when dealing with this. Your wing’s are not full, its not good if you provoke them!”

Duan Wang Shizi waved a hand, “It’s fine, just do what you are told!” His attitude was very firm and Shuang knew that he could not change his mind, so he had to go.

Before he left, Duan Wang Shizi instructed him carefully: “Do it secretly, don’t let people discover it, and you must fully break the marriage between the Kong and Zhang family.” He didn’t want to see Shen Jingshu looking so worried.

“Yes, Master!” Shuang said again, feeling even more dissatisfied with Shen Jingshu.

In the past, his master was cold-hearted and didn’t care about anything. Duan Wang Shizi had worked hard over the years to build up his own power, bit by bit, and he needed to cautious. Now that he was moving his hand like this, if anyone discovered it, how could it still be hidden? Would his master’s caution for so many years be in vain?

Although he was reluctant in his heart, Shuang still did his best. The next day, there wasn’t one person who didn’t know that Young Master Zhang had suddenly fallen ill and was taken to the Yihong hospital. It was said that when he was taken there, he was brought with a sobbing young woman with a big belly. Quickly, the news spread that Young Master Zhang had a secret affair with the maid of an important family. Now that the maid had a big belly, Young Master Zhang had still wanted to continue the relationship while also marrying Miss Kong to be a ready-made mother for his mistress’s child.

The news that the Zhang family had lied in order to marry Kong Xinhe spread rapidly and everyone scolded Young Master Zhang for being shameless while also sympathizing with Kong Xinhe. At this time, it was also revealed that Kong Xinhe was a student of Huixin Academy but she had taken a long leave of absence. Everyone speculated whether this was related to the matter of her marriage to Young Master Zhang, causing the Zhang family to suffer even more criticism. Young Master Zhang didn’t even dare to leave his house.

However, while everyone scolded Young Master Zhang for his unruly behavior and he was convinced publicly of the crime of robbing people’s daughters, Master Kong was already regarded as a betrayer for glory! He was too embarrassed to meet people with his face.

When Madam Kong heard about this, she was heartbroken. “Master, Xinhe is our own daughter. If the Zhang family dares to treat our daughter like this, can we bear it? Can you still stand to marry them?”

“This marriage was finalized a long time ago, how can I just break it like this? You shameless woman, do you want to ruin us?”

Worried that the Kong family would break the marriage off, the Zhang family had increased their bargaining chips, offering Master Kong a lot of profit. Master Kong was very pleased with the results.

His wife sobbed: “Master, how can you be so cruel? Xinhe is your biological daughter!”

“Even if she’s a biological daughter,” Master Kong scoffed, “marriage is decided by the parents. A merchant’s word is his promise, how can it be broken? What’s more, the Zhang family has already promised to deal with the maid and will not allow him to continue seeing her. If he really dares to continue, I’ll be his aunt!” After all, if his daughter entered the door when there was already a concubine, it was also beating his own face so of course he would not agree.

He was relying on this marriage to strength the cooperation between the two families and share in a piece of the Zhang family’s pie!

“But the Zhang family deceived us so much and I heard that the baby in the maid’s stomach is almost full grown, how could they be willing? This kid is their only seedling, will they really cut it off?” Zhang Haoran was the only son of the Zhang family. Although the maid was nothing good, the Zhang family valued children. It was likely that they would just push this undercover again, or else they wouldn’t have agreed so quickly! Madam Kong didn’t believe a word of it!

“Enough! I have my own opinion on this matter, you don’t need to be so pessimistic!” Master Kong would never let go of such a good opportunity to increase the Zhang family’s profits so naturally he refused to listen to his wife. Seeing that he insisted on seeing the marriage happen, Madam Kong cried so much she couldn’t eat.

“Daughter, Mother is useless! I’m so sorry!” She sobbed. Looking at her daughter’s delicate age and her husband’s cruelty, Madam Kong really didn’t know what to do.

“Mother, don’t worry. Maybe this is just the fate of your daughter! If we can’t fight, maybe this is just my ending. Don’t be sad, don’t fight with Father, it’s not good for you!” There were a lot of women in the Kong family’s inner courtyard and Master Kong was ruthless. Kong Xinhe was really worried that her mother would be wronged for her sake.

“Useless, I’m so useless.” Madam Kong whimpered. She was a coward and though she loved her daughter, she didn’t have the ability or courage to help her.

“It’s okay, Mother!” Kong Xinhe had been in a bad mood the last few days and had wanted to ask her friends for help but thinking about it, Shen Jingshu and Yang Huilan were still children, how could they help her? She didn’t want her friends to worry so she could only stay home obediently and watch the situation develop around her.

Now that it had all been revealed, she had thought maybe she had found some good luck but she hadn’t expected her biological father to be so cruel!

Did the heavens intend to kill her?

Kong Xinhe couldn’t help but feel desolate in her heart.

“Oh, my daughter’s life is so bitter!” Madam Kong could not persuade Master Kong, she could only cry with her daughter. Kong Xinhe was furious but she had to comfort her mother. She was depressed, but there was nothing she could do.

However, in the back of her mind, she wondered. It was impossible to say that the Zhang family had not keep a very tight grip on this matter, how had it suddenly come to light? Who was helping her from behind? Was it really possible to reverse the situation?

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…

Just when Kong Xinhe was feeling the most desperate, news came out that Master Kong was selling his daughter for profit. Master Kong had made a bad business decision and even lost several large deals, forcing him to turn to the his daughter’s marriage with the Zhang family. After this came out, the Zhang family finally broke the marriage contract. They had been unwilling but they had been deeply affected to their root by the incident. In just a few days, their reputation had taken major damage. Under the pressure of public opinion, they could only agree to dissolve the marriage with the Kong family and even the maid’s baby was lost due to Young Master Zhang’s rage.

So that matter ended just like this. Everything came fast and ended fast, with both the Zhang family and the Kong family losing a lot of their reputation. However, after this, things were peaceful for a while. Seeing how everything was solved, Shen Jingshu found in incredible.

Yang Huilan was thrilled: “Hehe, Jingshu, it’s true that everything was fixed! Now that the Zhang family has broken their marriage contract with Xinhe, she’ll never have to face that scumbag again!” She and Shen Jingshu had been secretly contributing to the flames and fanning the gossip. Otherwise, how would it have happened so quickly?

“Yes, Xinhe doesn’t have to worry anymore.” Shen Jingshu agreed.

“I really can’t believe it,” Yang Huilan mused. “Who would have guessed it was so deep in the Zhang family? We wouldn’t have known anything if someone hadn’t leaked it! I always thought it was sad that Xinhe would have to go to Chongxi but if she had married well, it would be okay! But like that, if that maid had given birth, how awful would that have been? If it was a girl, maybe it would have been okay but if it was a son? Wouldn’t Xinhe have been very miserable in the future? The concubine has the eldest son before she’s even married, it’s unbelievable!”

As expected of a businessman, only caring about profits! An officials’ family would never consent to having their eldest son be born from a concubine!

Shen Jingshu nodded absently: “Hmm!” She was thinking about who could have helped them. Before, she didn’t have a clue at all and didn’t know where to start but just as soon as she started to have some clarity, everything was resolved in one fell swoop…

Thinking about to the day before the news came out, she scanned her thoughts until suddenly the worried expression of Duan Wang Shizi flashed in her mind. Thinking about it carefully, wasn’t it just when she had run into that person when everything started to go smoothly?

But… was it really him?

Why would he help her?

---

TN: Kind of wish SJS had managed to solve the issue with YHL but its cute that DWSZ wants to help her. Also, I’m loving the friendship between these three girls! So rare to see multiple female characters get along with the MC.

If you see any typos, please let me know!

Chapter 67

Chapter 69