Chapter 373 Forcing with One’s Life

Chapter 373 Forcing with One's Life

Seeing her daughter standing at the edge of the cliff with Meng Xuan, clearly distraught and emotionally unstable, Madam Shen was beside herself with worry.

At that moment, Madam Shen didn’t care about the reputation of the prestigious Prime Minister’s residence. She reached out to Shen Rong, her voice filled with worry.

"Rong'er, everything can be discussed. That place is dangerous. Come over here first."

"Mother will stand up for you, ah..." Madam Shen carefully said, taking two steps forward.

"Don't come closer!" Shen Rong shouted, stopping Madam Shen.

At the same time, she stepped back two paces.

This retreat brought her even closer to the cliff.

"No—I won't come any closer. Don't move, Rong'er! Take a few steps back this way. Be careful, ah—" Madam Shen’s anxiety was nearly overwhelming, and tears welled up in her eyes.

What’s happening here?

Father had arranged for her to agree to a marriage where the husband would live in their home, and she had agreed, hadn’t she?

Why was she still entangled with that Meng Xuan at this point? And now, it had come to this!

"Mother, don't worry, I won't be in immediate danger."

"I need to see Father now."

"Please send someone to invite Father here. I need to talk to him," Shen Rong said, gripping Xuanlang's arm tightly, suppressing her fear as she spoke to Madam Shen.

Mister Song was right.

Revealing that she was pregnant at this moment and threatening to take her own life if Father didn’t agree was her last chance.

If Father truly cared for her, he would have no choice but to grant her wish and let her be with Xuanlang.

If Father was truly that heartless, she and Xuanlang would follow Mister Song’s suggestion and pretend to die to escape from the capital.

From then on, they would be free to be together, which would also be a blessing.

"Why do you need to see your Father? Whatever you want, Mother will agree! Rong'er, come here first, and we can discuss everything, alright?" Madam Shen quickly said.

In broad daylight, if her daughter did something so shameful with a man, Father would be furious when he arrived.

If Father lost his temper and pushed her too far, what would happen?

But Shen Rong shook her head.

"No, what I seek can only be granted by Father. Please send someone to invite him. I will only talk to Father."

As she spoke, Shen Rong moved a little closer to the edge of the cliff again.

Madam Shen’s heart was almost jumping out of her chest.

"Alright, Mother will send someone to invite Father right away. Don't go any closer to the edge, Rong'er!" she quickly said.

Shen Rong finally stopped moving.

At this moment, her hands and legs were trembling. She clung tightly to Meng Xuan beside her to prevent herself from accidentally falling off the cliff.

Meng Xuan gave her a reassuring look and silently urged her on.

Madam Shen was torn between worrying about her daughter and feeling furious at Meng Xuan.

With no other choice, she finally ordered someone to bring Minister Shen here.

"Madam—" Song Rui called out to Madam Shen, his face etched with worry.

"At a time like this, do we really need to worry about formalities?!" Madam Shen snapped sharply.

She had once approved of Song Rui, but only because she thought her daughter liked him.

But now, it seemed her daughter had been putting on an act all along.

Her daughter had never truly moved on from Meng Xuan, and now she was using her life to force her mother into submission for him.

In that case, what good was Song Rui to them now?

All the effort her husband had invested in grooming him had been wasted. He couldn't even win her daughter's heart. What a waste!

Yes, at this moment, Madam Shen was growing increasingly annoyed with Song Rui.

Hearing this, Song Rui didn't take it to heart.

He frowned and looked at Shen Rong with a worried expression but did not stop Madam Shen from sending someone to fetch Minister Shen.

After the servant was sent to notify Minister Shen, Madam Shen continued to persuade Shen Rong.

"Mother has already sent someone to inform your father. Sweet Rong'er, come a little closer. Mother promises not to act rashly."

A touch of emotion flashed across Shen Rong's face as she glanced at Meng Xuan beside her.

But Meng Xuan remained expressionless, unmoved.

Thus, Shen Rong, who had been somewhat softened, composed her expression again.

"No need. I'm fine standing here."

"When father comes, if he agrees to my conditions, I will go to him," she then said in a low voice.

Madam Shen felt a sharp pain in her heart and covered her chest with her hand.

Fortunately, she was supported by the nanny beside her, or she might have fallen.

Seeing this, Shen Rong instinctively took a step back.

But Meng Xuan discreetly pulled her back, preventing her from moving forward.

Shen Rong looked at Meng Xuan, seeing the warning in his eyes, and quickly regained her composure, turning her face cold again.

Seeing the change in Shen Rong's expression, the glimmer of hope in Madam Shen's heart instantly shattered.

Realizing she couldn't sway her daughter, Madam Shen shifted her focus to Meng Xuan.

"Master Meng—" she spoke as calmly as she could, suppressing her disgust.

Meng Xuan met her gaze.

Finally, he turned his body sideways, shifting his gaze away from Shen Rong and toward Madam Shen.

"Madam." He quickly cupped his hands and bowed to Madam Shen.

A look of disgust flashed across Madam Shen's face.

Madam? How dare he call me that!

In the past, when the Shen family and the Meng family were equally matched, and this young man had a marriage contract with my daughter, I could tolerate him calling me Madam.

But now, look at the state the Meng family has fallen into.

This ordinary man still dares to address me as "Madam"?

My Rong'er has always been obedient since she was young. When has she ever done something so outrageous as this?

It's all because of this young man's seduction and instigation!

Madam Shen's hatred for Meng Xuan burned intensely within her.

However, seeing her daughter turn to look at her and glance worriedly at Meng Xuan, she forced herself to suppress her disgust and speak to Meng Xuan as calmly as possible.

"Master Meng, Rong'er is still young and inexperienced."

"You are older than her; you should understand the gravity of the situation."

"Whatever requests you have, you can discuss them with Father later. There's no need to put Rong'er in danger."

"First, let Rong'er come over. Everything else can be discussed afterwards." Madam Shen's tone was half command, half coaxing, still holding herself with an air of superiority.

Upon hearing this, Meng Xuan couldn't help but sneer in his heart.

At this point, this old woman still believes she can manipulate him so easily.

Meng Xuan didn't respond to Madam Shen immediately.

Instead, he gazed at Shen Rong with a conflicted look.

In an instant, Shen Rong stepped forward and shielded him behind her.

"Mother, there's no need to put pressure on Master Meng."

"Everything today was my decision."

"I have deep feelings for Master Meng, and in this life, I will only marry Xuanlang as my husband."

"If Father and Mother do not approve, I will take my own life to show my determination today." As she spoke, there was utter determination in Shen Rong's eyes.

Madam Shen staggered back, nearly losing her balance.

If it weren't for the old nurse beside her, she would have fallen again.

Noticing the servants and onlookers whispering among themselves, Madam Shen's face was filled with embarrassment and anger.

While worrying that Shen Rong might really take her own life, her hatred toward Meng Xuan grew even stronger.