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Lu Shiyi lifted his gaze from his bowl, his eyes coldly piercing. "Shen Zhi is not your real uncle."

Indeed, Shen Zhi was not her real uncle.

Rong Shu's teacup almost slipped from her hand in disbelief. "Then who is my real uncle? I've never heard anyone mention this in the Shen family, not even Mother."

"Shen Zhi carried on the main branch of the Shen family's lineage," Lu Shiyi replied indifferently. "Master Shen and Lady Shen were deeply in love and had only your mother as their daughter. After Lady Shen passed away, Master Shen didn't consider remarriage. Instead, when your mother was four years old, he adopted a boy from your maternal grandmother's family. At that time, your uncle was still called Tan Zhi. Master Shen had planned to have Tan Zhi marry into the Shen family once your mother came of age."

"However, when your mother was fourteen, after Tan Zhi returned from the capital, for some reason, he was suddenly included in the Shen family genealogy and his name changed to Shen Zhi, making him your mother's elder brother. Three years later, the current emperor ascended the throne, and your mother's marriage was arranged with the Cheng'an Marquis Estate."

It turned out that the one initially betrothed to Mother was actually Uncle.

When Mother was fourteen, Uncle would have been eighteen. Her maternal grandfather was a wise and reasonable man. If Uncle had no intention of marrying into the Shen family from the beginning, he could have told Grandfather, and Grandfather wouldn't have forced him.

Yet he waited until he was eighteen before telling Grandfather, which meant his intentions must have changed after returning from the capital.

When she told Mother that she liked Gu Changjin, Mother stroked her face and said, "Mother will make sure our Zhaozhao marries the person you truly love."

Back then, Rong Shu always felt that Mother was more persistent than she was about her marrying Gu Changjin.

Is it because Mother couldn't marry the person she truly loved?

Rong Shu gripped the trembling cup in her hand tightly.

On her way back to Shen Yuan, her thoughts were preoccupied with her mother and uncle's past, creating a jumbled mess in her mind. It wasn't until she stepped through the Weeping Flower Door and heard that familiar voice that she fully regained her composure.

"Zhaozhao." Shen Zhi stood with his hands behind his back beside the screen wall, smiling as he gazed at her.

He was an exceptionally refined gentleman, with a voice as gentle as flowing water.

Rong Shu lifted her gaze to meet the man who seemed barely aged at all. She suppressed the myriad of emotions stirring within her, curving her lips into a smile as she called out, "Uncle."

She then lifted her skirt, walking towards Shen Zhi with a smile.

Shen Zhi lowered his eyes to study her for a moment before saying, "Aunt Zhang mentioned that you went straight to Ciying Alley upon your return? Didn't I tell you, those living there come from all walks of life; you shouldn't go there casually."

"Uncle Shi Yi saved Zhaozhao's life; how could I not bring him a couple of jars of fine wine now that I'm back?"

Shen Zhi shook his head, a touch of helplessness in his voice, "Let Manager Jiang deliver them for you next time. You're no longer a young girl but a young lady now."

Shen Zhi led Rong Shu to the Three Reflections Hall and instructed his servants to serve tea, adopting an attitude of intention to engage her in a profound conversation.

He sipped his tea and said, "Your mother mentioned that you've returned to Yangzhou to soothe your heart. Tell Uncle first, why do you wish to dissolve your marriage?"

"Just because I don't like it, doesn't mean I want to be confined to the inner quarters for a lifetime." Rong Shu looked at Shen Zhi, her smile brimming with lightheartedness as she said, "I've heard Uncle Shi Yi tell me that before Mother was married, she often accompanied Uncle and Grandfather on their business ventures outside. Back then, Mother lived such a carefree life, but now she is trapped within the Marquis's Residence, finding not a shred of comfort in her days. Grandmother is always harsh towards Mother, and Father has grown estranged from her. Zhaozhao truly has no desire to follow in Mother's footsteps."

Hearing Rong Shu mention Shen Yizhen, Shen Zhi's hand holding the teacup paused slightly, the clear tea reflecting his inscrutable eyes.

"Your mother married into the Marquis's household to preserve the Shen family. She has always been a person who considers the greater good," Shen Zhi said, lifting his gaze slightly as he addressed Rong Shu. "But you, how could you silently seek divorce without a word? Are you aware of the immense effort your mother expended to have you wed into the Gu household? From now on, do not be so willful."

Rubbing his temples, he continued, "Forget it. Since you've divorced, just spend some quality time with your mother. How long do you plan to stay in Yangzhou?"

Rong Shu pouted, "Why does Uncle seem like he doesn't want Zhaozhao to come to Yangzhou? I thought Uncle would be happy to see me, but instead, he's asking when I'm leaving. If I had known this, I wouldn't have come! Anyway, if I didn't come here, I could have found other places to relax."

Hearing her childlike complaint, Shen Zhi couldn't help but chuckle. "Who said Uncle doesn't want you here? You can stay as long as you like. Uncle won't rush you to leave, okay? Recently, Uncle has some important matters to attend to. If you want to go out, remember to let Manager Jiang send someone to accompany you. Don't wander around aimlessly."

Only then did Rong Shu's brows unfurrow, and she smiled brightly. "I have Sister Luo Yan to keep me company. Why would I need Manager Jiang to send someone? Does Uncle still think of Zhaozhao as a child? You just called me a young lady a moment ago."

Shen Zhi didn't deny it; he had always treated Rong Shu like a child in his heart. He knew that her stubbornness resembled Zhen Niang's. Upon hearing this, he sighed and said, "Fine, you can play within the city, but if you want to leave, you must have someone from the estate with you."

Rong Shu responded with a smile and returned to Yi Lanzhu, where her smile gradually faded from her face.

Her mother had always been one to share good news but not worries. It was unlikely that she would have voluntarily informed her uncle about her situation in the Marquis's residence. Yet, from what her uncle had just said, he seemed to be well aware of how her mother was living.

Knowing yet doing nothing – did that mean he didn't care about her mother's wellbeing in her previous life?

Mother Zhang greeted her from the veranda with a smile, "Has Young Miss been scolded by Eldest Master again?"

Rong Shu instinctively looked at Mother Zhang.

Mother Zhang... was also a member of the Shen family. Back then, when her mother had a difficult childbirth, she fell into a coma for half a month after giving birth to her.

It was then that Mother Zhang came into her life to be her wet nurse.

This thought made Rong Shu pause.

She distrusted her uncle and the Shen family, but how could she not trust Mother Zhang?

Not to mention that Mother Zhang's indenture was in her mother's hands, could she not see the sincerity in the way Mother Zhang treated her?

In her past life, when Chang Ji intended to send her to Sishi Garden without any accompanying attendants, Zhang Mama persistently kowtowed until her forehead was bloodied and bruised, all for the sake of imploring Chang Ji to allow her to go along. And so it remained, with Zhang Mama steadfastly remaining by her side until the very end of her days.

Seeing Rong Shu staring blankly at her, Mother Zhang slowly blinked and said softly, "Has Miss fallen into some sort of trance?"