The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 406: Satisfying Revenge (2)_1

Chapter 406: Chapter 406: Satisfying Revenge (2)_1

"What do you want, then? Stop beating around the bush with me!" Shen Songming glared at the man who seemed so full of himself despite his ordinary looks, wanting to smash his face in. With his damn ugly mug, he dared to covet Pei Qin!?

"Since Young Master Shen is so straightforward, I’ll cut to the chase!" Zhao Junchao also sat down, poured Shen Songming a cup of tea, and began, "I’ve met Pei Qin many times and the depth of my affection for her..."

Shen Songming gave a cold laugh, "Continue."

"But I also know that love can’t be forced. My deep affection is sure to lose to Young Master Shen. With you around, she would never agree to marry me! This marriage arrangement was made by the Old Pei’s House, so she probably resents it deep down, whether I am sincere or not, no matter how much I’ve sacrificed for her." Zhao Junchao said with a sigh.

Shen Songming forced a smile, holding back his anger, "You should have professed your feelings to Pei Qin with that speech!" His own confession had earned him a beating.

Zhao Junchao looked at him and sighed, "I had hoped to secure the engagement first and then, after I passed my examinations with flying colors, I would marry her in grand style. But now, my uncle has been suspended from his position without cause, and my own prospects have suffered as a result. My hopes for official recognition are dashed."

"So?" Shen Songming asked with a sneer.

"I know my place; I’m not in Young Master Shen’s league. It’s wise of her to choose you. But when we first got engaged, not only did my family provide a sizable dowry, I also contributed a lot of resources to the Pei family. Pei Wenli succeeded, but I failed the examinations! As a clever man, let’s not mince words, Young Master Shen. The Pei family declared to the public that I was engaged to the legal wife of Old Pei’s House’s daughter. I’m willing to cede the marriage contract to you, as if the engagement had never happened, preserving Pei Qin’s reputation! How about it?" Zhao Junchao asked earnestly.

Shen Songming scoffed disdainfully, "Indeed, you were engaged to the legal wife of Old Pei’s House’s daughter, something that I suspect everyone knows by now. Now you come to me claiming that your fiancée was Pei Qin. Why should I believe a word you say is true?"

Zhao Junchao glanced at the four guards behind him and sneered, "Young Master Shen, you really underestimate me! The second branch of the Pei family only recently gained some wealth, and Pei Wenli’s scholarship is limited. Moreover, with you, Young Master Shen, standing in his way, his chances of climbing higher are virtually nonexistent. Besides, the legal wife of Old Pei’s House’s daughter is temperamental and ugly. If it were not for Pei Qin, why on earth would I agree to this engagement?" His contempt for Old Pei’s House was evident from the start; his sights had been set on Pei Qin all along.

"Fine! I believe you," Shen Songming stood up, his hands pressing against the table as he leaned toward Zhao Junchao, finding him to be extremely ugly and repulsive. He backed away slightly, sneering, "Actually, I too am hoping that Pei Qin will marry off soon! Only once she’s married can the younger siblings get wed, right?"

Zhao Junchao was stunned for a moment, "Aren’t you in love with Pei Qin?"

Shen Songming looked at him with scornful laughter, suppressing the urge to beat him to a pulp, and abruptly left with his men.

"Young Master Shen!?" Zhao Junchao chased after him, watching as he climbed into his carriage and drove off. He stomped his foot in anger and furiously threw his fan on the ground. What the hell was Shen Songming’s intention? If Pei Qin got married, then the younger sisters and brothers could marry off—could it be that he was not infatuated with Pei Qin but with her younger sister!?

Zhao Junchao had only met Pei Qian, who was indeed well-proportioned but reportedly was a vicious character and barely ten years old! Was the middle sister, the one about the same age as Pei Wenlee, the object of his affection? Could it be that she was even prettier than Pei Qin, hence Shen Songming’s interest!?

He couldn’t believe it. Shen Songming had clearly always had eyes for Pei Qin, or could everyone have gotten it wrong? Yet, he couldn’t stop thinking that beyond Pei Qin’s striking beauty and ability to earn money, her rough and fierce disposition, foul mouth, and public demeanor were hardly the traits men would genuinely fall in love with or want in a wife, right!?