The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 819 - 175: You Can Also Be His Concubine Mother_3

Chapter 819: Chapter 175: You Can Also Be His Concubine Mother_3

Many people in the village knew that he was dissatisfied with his eldest son’s betrothed, and when they heard him say so again, they laughed and said, "That’s because your son Dalang is passionate and faithful. Pei Qian is now the daughter of the Official’s family, and just as capable as her elder sister. Marrying her is sure to be a good deal!" The sweet potato starch workshop was taught by Pei Qin, and Fang Li wanted his son to climb the social ladder, so they couldn’t encourage him otherwise.

Fang Li hummed and staggered home while drinking, muttering, "They won’t let me manage things, but if they did, I’d definitely find a high-class lady for Dalang! The harsh and mean Pei Qian, let whoever wants her marry her! She doesn’t even respect me or see me as worthy."

The cart protector heard this clearly and relayed it back to Shen Rou immediately.

Shen Rou then knew that someone like Pei Qian would definitely not be accepted by the Fang family elders, but she hadn’t expected it to be Fang Liuming’s father. If he found out she was following them, knew about her, would that be her last hope?

However, Shen Songming returned and told her to pack up, "We are hitting the road early tomorrow."

Shen Rou turned pale — was her last hope about to be shattered?

Ji Bingchu saw her desperate, painful expression and said with pity, "Ms. Shen! Why pine for a single plant when there are grasses everywhere? Fang Liuming isn’t that great, either. Look at this young master, am I not many times better than him? Besides, he doesn’t even have you in his heart, so why degrade yourself, right?"

With tearful eyes, Shen Rou glanced at him and then turned to go back inside. She might not have known him personally, but she had heard of him, the favored son of the Ji family, licentious and dissolute, often found in the company of flowers and under the willows; proposals to several families had been rejected. Even if his family background and appearance were better than Brother Liuming’s, where could he compare in character and temperament?

Ji Bingchu flicked his bangs with his fan and clicked his tongue.

With him there, Shen Songming couldn’t talk in detail with Pei Qin, so he packed up and they set off early the next day.

Shen Rou, however, had disappeared.

At that moment, at the road heading to Fang Family Village, Feng Wei was waiting with a horse cart, "Ms. Shen! Get on the cart! Fang Family Village is this way, I’ll take you there!"

Shen Rou looked at him warily, "You are Pei Qin’s man! Are you taking me to the Fang family?"

Feng Wei raised an eyebrow, "Doesn’t Ms. Shen know that Old Master Fang had a very low opinion of the third young lady, and wanted to try one last gamble? So I’m kindly waiting here, planning to take Ms. Shen over."

"You...," Shen Rou gasped in shock, "You’ve been spying on me?"

Feng Wei did not deny it, "I’m taking Ms. Shen to the Fang family to see how a non-head of household like Old Master Fang could help you turn the situation around, make Fang Liuming marry you, and call off his engagement with the third young lady!"

Shen Rou stared at him intently, not trusting him at all, yet her heart couldn’t help but want to give it a try. If they found out about her, would the Fang family really turn her away?

It seemed as if Feng Wei knew what she was thinking, "The Fang family won’t turn you away, but Fang Liuming certainly won’t marry you. However, although you can’t be his wife, you can still become a part of his family because Old Master Fang will like you very much. You can become Fang Liuming’s concubine!"

These words were too harsh. Shen Rou’s vision darkened and she trembled in anger.

"Ms. Shen! Get in the cart and let’s go," Feng Wei urged coldly.

Shen Rou, feeling helpless and trembling with shame and anger, clenched her fists tightly, "You... you...." Overwhelmed with resentment, she dared not go.

Seeing her turn back, Feng Wei slowly followed with the horse cart.

Shen Songming’s dispatched men quickly found her and brought Shen Rou back.

Frowning and looking at her gravely, Shen Songming simply commanded, "Get in the cart, we’re moving on."

Pei Qin felt that the girl was foolish. If she liked him, Fang Liuming had been in Capital Jingcheng for quite some time — various overtures and determined courtships should have won him over by now. Did she really need to show up at his doorstep?

Shen Rou had tried that, but since he had become an official, except for the annual festivals during which he would perform rituals for his grandfather along with others, she could just query about his well-being if she detained him. Going to their place made it even harder to see him.

Just leaving like that, Shen Rou was far too dissatisfied. She had already run out there and failed. Now, to watch him marry another woman, and to marry someone as nasty and fierce as Pei Qian, made Shen Rou’s teeth nearly shatter. And after returning, having achieved nothing, how could she face anyone?

Shen Songming waved goodbye to Pei Qin and others who came to see them off, "Have the goods ready in advance!"

"Understood," Pei Qin responded.