The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 813 - 174: Don’t Be a Shen Anymore

Chapter 813: Chapter 174: Don’t Be a Shen Anymore

Shen Rou could absolutely not tolerate it, she had no way out! When she had followed him here, there was no way out—success was the only option, failure was not allowed!

Looking at Fang Liuming’s irritating joy, she felt as if her heart was being torn apart. Biting her lip, she clenched her handkerchief tightly and looked towards the curious onlookers passing by.

"What’s everyone doing here so early in the morning?" A languid voice rang out.

Shen Rou had yet to recognize it, but Fang Liuming had, and he looked up in disbelief at the person who was holding his arm as if he had not quite woken up, exclaiming with joy, "Brother Songming!?"

Pei Qian was also delighted, "Brother Songming! You actually came back!? What about Wendong?"

Shen Rou’s eyes widened as she looked at the somewhat unfamiliar man.

Shen Songming glanced at his arm in a sling, "I injured my arm, so I rushed back ahead of time! I just didn’t expect that this year, it’d be quite the lively one! Shen Rou, are you here to meet me, your brother?"

Seeing his face full of a handsome smile, but the look in his eyes cold, Shen Rou shuddered, "Brother Songming... I..."

Shen Songming looked at her for a while, "There are only a few days left until the New Year. I’ll be making a trip back then. You might as well come back with me!"

Shen Rou saw his unwavering smile, then at Fang Liuming and Pei Qian, with hate and anger difficult to bear in her heart, "Brother Songming is not on my side."

Shen Songming put away his smile, "If you don’t want to go back with me, that’s fine too. I can have Lu Hao and the others escort you back first. You’ve been out for quite some time, and the family must be worrying about you."

"I’m not going back now!" Shen Rou’s eyes widened, bearing tears, portraying the image of someone who had suffered great grievances.

"It’s also fine not to go back," said Shen Songming indifferently yet firmly, looking deeply into her eyes, "The grandchild of Shen Chong fell critically ill and suddenly died right before the New Year. From now on, you may choose not to carry the Shen surname anymore."

Shen Rou stared at him in horror, her face turning deathly pale, "What right do you have to control me? What right do you have to decide my life!?"

"I am merely upholding the honor of the Shen family. As a child of the Shen family, since you disregard our family’s reputation, you need not bear the name Shen anymore," Shen Songming said coldly and with contempt. If it had been someone else or if Fang Liuming had shown her genuine affection and had not been pursuing a love rival’s path, he would not have minded, and if she had sought his help, he would have been willing to assist her.

Pei Qian looked at Shen Rou with scorn, "Has Fang Liuming ever expressed that he liked you? Has he ever rejected you? To follow him here and cause a scene at my door, is it not because you rely on your status as the daughter of the Shen family, a daughter of a prominent official’s family?"

"You all..." Shen Rou’s face was deathly pale, and she looked like she was about to collapse, "I traveled a thousand miles to come here, and this is how you treat me!?"

Fang Liuming gave a formal bow, "Ms. Shen’s unrequited love is honored, but I am unworthy of it. Since Young Master Shen is here, I shall leave Ms. Shen in your care, elder brother!"

"No! No!" Shen Rou shook her head, heartbroken and crying like rain.

Shen Songming frowned, "Lu Hao! Arrange for Shen Rou to be accommodated!" He had originally planned to stay and recuperate at Pei Qin’s place, but that plan was now ruined.

Lu Hao responded promptly and quickly rented a courtyard house.

"If you do not wish to end up disgraced and dead, stay put here until the New Year, and I will send you back," Shen Songming instructed coldly, "Get your lady on the carriage and bring it here!"

Shen Rou stubbornly refused to get on the carriage.

Shen Songming gave her a piercing look, "You can choose to go to the Fang family to steal your love, or you can choose to go back to the Shen family and continue being the daughter of the Shen family!"

"I did not!" Shen Rou cried out in protest.

"Clearly laying siege, yet pretending to be a pitiful and bullied figure. Truly worthy of a daughter of the Official’s family!" Pei Qian sneered coldly and walked away.

Fang Liuming had initially felt somewhat reluctant, after all, Old Mr. Shen had spared no effort in his education. But after hearing Pei Qian’s words, he was stunned for a moment. Lowering his head in contemplation, he gave a bow to Shen Songming, "Brother Songming! I leave Ms. Shen in your care; sorry for the trouble!"

Shen Songming merely nodded appreciatively to him, glanced at Shen Rou, then turned away, leaving only two guards to watch over her.

Seeing that everyone had left, Fang Liuming no longer felt sorry for her, his eyes filled only with that sharp-tongued Pei Qian. Shen Songming had threatened her, and he no longer cared about her. Shen Rou, acting wilfully, got onto the carriage, "To the capital! Let’s return to the capital!"

The coachman and the maids did not dare heed her angry words. It was the New Year, and even on the main roads, there wouldn’t be much traffic, right? If anything went wrong, they wouldn’t have enough lives to pay for it! The two exchanged glances and, making a decision on their own, drove the carriage to follow Shen Songming.