Good Ending: She Swears She Will Not Let Him Die!

If Du Yunluo knew that Shi Lian’er thought like this, she would definitely laugh until she rolled over.

How can this be considered arrogant?

Even if she wanted to shamelessly deal with Shi Lian’er, Mrs. Zhen would be there to stop her.

There are plenty of ways to deal with Shi Lian’er; Mrs. Zhen wouldn’t let her lose her own reputation while defeating the enemy.

Shi Lian’er stood in place, her feet not moving an inch.

Si Shui felt a wave of irritation; how could there be such a brazen person among the girls in the world? His own young lady had already sent her off, yet Shi Lian’er was still standing here, not leaving. He was just a servant; could he really drag Shi Lian’er out?

Si Shui steeled himself and said, "Miss Shi, our madam and lady have come to see our lord, please..."

Shi Lian’er finally moved, but instead of heading outside, she slightly sidestepped Si Shui and walked two steps deeper into the house: "So Mrs. Du and Miss Du have come, I didn’t know you were here; if I’d known earlier, I would’ve come to pay respects. These dates are fresh, please try them, madam."

After she spoke, Shi Lian’er took a handful of dates from the basket and handed them to Mrs. Zhen.

Mrs. Zhen’s brow twitched; this kind of self-centered person truly opened her eyes.

One does not strike a smiling face; even if disliked, when someone offers dates, there is no reason to reject them.

Mrs. Zhen said lightly, "I’ve been sitting in the carriage for days, and I can’t eat now. Si Shui has already taken a couple of handfuls, that’s enough. Miss, continue with your business."

Having encountered a soft nail, Shi Lian’er had no choice but to look at Du Yunluo.

Du Yunluo pretended not to see.

Du Yundi took a couple of steps back and whispered a few words to Chang An, who nodded vigorously and ran out quickly.

Shi Lian’er was left standing there, her smile becoming hard to maintain. She turned to look at Du Yundi, hoping he would help her out, but instead, Du Yundi was listening to Si Shui, without a glance at her.

"Lian’er," came Shi Shiren’s voice from outside the window as he walked quickly past, entered from the door, and bowed, "Mrs. Du, Miss Du, I am Shi Shiren, Yun Di’s classmate. My sister is not well-mannered, sorry to make you laugh."

Mrs. Zhen was not fond of Shi Lian’er, thus had little goodwill for Shi Shiren, and upon hearing his words, just commented civilly and watched Shi Shiren take Shi Lian’er out.

Si Shui hurriedly followed them out, closed the door, and together with Chang An, guarded outside.

Chang An touched his chest and whispered, "Thank goodness the lord asked me to find Mr. Shi."

Si Shui pursed his lips: "What else could we’ve done? Our lord couldn’t just carry Miss Shi out."

Shi Lian’er was taken back by Shi Shiren, and after the door was closed, she cried out with her eyes red: "What do you mean I lack manners? What do you mean I made them laugh? Brother, you didn’t hear how harshly Miss Du spoke!"

"So what?" Shi Shiren pressed Shi Lian’er into a seat, "She’s legitimately an official’s daughter, the Heir’s wife of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion. What status do we have? Never mind being harsh, even if she beats you, what could you do?"

"Isn’t there any law in this world?" Shi Lian’er threw herself onto the table, sobbing.

Shi Shiren pulled a chair beside her and sat down, advising kindly: "I’ve told you before, Yun Di’s temper may be good, but the Du Family is not someone we can climb freely. Yet you insist on..."

"Won’t you pursue an official career in the future?" Shi Lian’er raised her tearful eyes, "Once we’re both officials, aren’t I then an official’s daughter too? How is that climbing too high?"

Shi Shiren was pained by her crying, but continued patiently, "It’s not that simple to pursue an official career. Father tried countless times and failed. Even if I succeed, my foundation is weak; how could we stand equal with the Du Family? Even if that day comes, are you not afraid of being an old maid waiting? Would the Du Family refrain from marrying Yun Di?"

"If I can’t be the wife, I can be a concubine!" Shi Lian’er said stubbornly, "Why can she be so exalted, with a temper that makes it seem I owe her silver? She’s a daughter of a fifth-rank official and could marry into the Marquis Mansion as the legitimate wife. My father is a scholar, you’ll pursue an official path later, why can’t I enter the Du Family as a concubine?"

Shi Shiren shook his head and sighed.

Du Yunluo’s father is indeed a fifth-rank official, but her grandfather was a former Crown Prince’s Tutor, and still has dealings in the Eastern Palace. Heard during mid-autumn, the Crown Prince even gifted wine to Du Mansion. Such prestige, how many families in the Capital can claim that?

These official circles reasons are not something Shi Shiren could explain to Shi Lian’er.

Shi Lian’er muttered on: "I know the Du Family is formidable, but because they’re formidable, I must hold on tight. Brother and Father always say I don’t understand things, don’t understand the deep waters of officialdom, say brother has no foundation, even if he gets a degree, it’s hard to rise effortlessly. Hence, they need me more. Brother, think, if I could enter Du Mansion, wouldn’t they support you? Once we become relatives with Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, wouldn’t the path ahead be wider?"

Shi Shiren was silent.

He knew Shi Lian’er’s words were correct.

The Shi Family is not well-off; every year he grits his teeth to produce some gift silver for the Lishan Academy, not only for study but also to build connections.

He has ambition, treats classmates kindly, hence has good relationships today; despite his ordinary background, can walk closely with many officials’ children in the academy, which is indeed painstakingly achieved.

These people could later pull him forward in official paths or act as guides when he enters the Capital’s elite circle, making all his current efforts worthwhile.

Du Yundi is straightforward, doesn’t have a spoiled temper like other officials’ children. In the past two years, he was unassuming, but in the recent half-year, the Du Family is clearly rising steadily, Shi Shiren hopes to strengthen ties with Du Yundi. Thus previously, he turned a blind eye to Shi Lian’er’s feelings, but today...

"If that’s truly what you think, when Mrs. Du and Miss Du came, you should’ve stepped aside!" Shi Shiren admonished. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Shi Lian’er pouted and wiped her tears, "I just wanted Mrs. Du to have some impression of me."

Shi Shiren sighed: It is indeed memorable.

"Set those thoughts aside for now!" Shi Shiren quickly stopped Shi Lian’er as she tried to argue, "You think it’s as easy as becoming a concubine? The Du Family’s gates aren’t something you can enter at will. It’s not just Yun Di not sparing you a glance, even if he does, there’s still Mrs. Du above."

Shi Lian’er bit her lip fiercely, glancing to the east.

Growing up in the marketplace, she’d seen or heard many women’s ways of dealing with men.

As long as she could win over Du Yundi, would the Du Family disregard her reputation?

Even if Du Yundi didn’t spare her a glance, she still had ways.

On the other side, once Si Shui and Chang An secured the door, Du Yundi stepped forward to Mrs. Zhen, ready to kneel, only to be stopped by Mrs. Zhen.

"You’re not at home, why bother with this?" Mrs. Zhen waved repeatedly.

Du Yundi couldn’t argue with Mrs. Zhen and sat down beside her.

Mrs. Zhen examined her son’s brow, glanced at the table’s dates, and asked, "Does that young lady always come to your room to deliver things?"