Chapter 80: Deservedly

Chapter 80: Deservedly

Jiang Yun covered her ears with her hands and screamed madly.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Father and Jiang Mother were stunned, not understanding how this matter involved Jiang Shu again.

Jiang Ning immediately stood in front of Jiang Shu, rebuking, "Don't talk nonsense, why would my sister want to harm you?"

"Yes, you and Shu'er are cousins. Why would she harm you for no reason?" Jiang Mother also spoke up in defense.

Jiang Father's face darkened as he said, "Explain yourself clearly. If you falsely accuse my Shu'er, I will not let you off."

Jiang Shaohé and Jiang Lishi looked anxious, fearing that Jiang Yun might blurt out the truth.

"Yun'er, don't talk nonsense," Jiang Lishi quickly stopped Jiang Yun from speaking.

The entire Jiang family relied on Jiang Shu's family for support. If Jiang Father found out the truth, he would no longer help them.

Jiang Yun glared at Jiang Shu hatefully, filled with resentment and unwillingness.

Anyone with eyes could see that something was amiss, but no one dared to speak rashly when it involved Jiang Shu.

No one wanted to anger the benefactor and bring trouble upon themselves.

Jiang Father looked at Jiang Yun and said, "If you don't explain yourself, then apologize to my Shu'er."

His daughter was not someone who could be falsely accused with impunity.

Jiang Yun, filled with resentment, bit her lip and remained silent.

Seeing Jiang Mother about to lose her temper, Jiang Lishi hurriedly said, "Yes, yes, Yun'er was in the wrong. She misspoke in her haste. I apologize to Shu'er on her behalf."

"Shu'er, I'm sorry, please don't hold it against Yun'er."

Jiang Shu, who had remained silent until now, looked at Jiang Yun and spoke calmly and coldly, "If apologizing on behalf of someone else can absolve them of their wrongdoing, can Yun'er also find someone to marry on her behalf? So that the private meeting never happened?"

What nonsense, how could someone marrying on behalf of another erase the fact of the private meeting?

The crowd was slightly stunned, then realized Jiang Shu's meaning.

She was indirectly telling Jiang Lishi that her apology was useless.

For Jiang Shu to forgive, Jiang Yun would have to apologize personally.

As sisters, if Jiang Yun apologized personally and admitted her wrongdoing, Jiang Shu would not pursue further consequences.

Jiang Yun, gritting her teeth in hatred, knew that revealing the truth now would be pointless and would only make her seem deserving of her misfortune, bringing disaster to the family.

Jiang Shu and Lin Rui had certainly counted on this, daring to scheme against her.

Jiang Shu was truly vicious!

"Yun'er, quickly apologize to Shu'er," Jiang Shaohé urged sternly.

Jiang Yun, pinching her palm, forced down her hatred and spoke with difficulty, "Shu'er, I'm sorry. I spoke hastily and nonsense. Please don't hold it against me."

Jiang Yun felt her face burning with humiliation, her heart churning with oil. She had never been so embarrassed and humiliated in her life.

"Yun'er, be more cautious with your words in the future. If it were someone else, they wouldn't be as forgiving as me," Jiang Shu advised magnanimously.

"What Shu'er says is true, Yun'er will remember," Jiang Lishi helped Jiang Yun find a way out.

Jiang Shu didn't want to pursue the matter further and accepted the apology.

"Since the misunderstanding is cleared up, let's talk about the marriage. It's convenient since both families are here," Lin Mother timely interjected.

After the chaos today, it was best to finalize Lin Rui and Jiang Yun's marriage while everyone was present, not letting the embarrassment go to waste.

Jiang Shaohé and Jiang Lishi exchanged a glance, feeling a sense of compromise.

In matters like this, regardless of who was right or wrong, the woman would always be the one to suffer. Jiang Yun, having no other choice now, had to marry Lin Rui.

"Mother, I won't marry," Jiang Yun, realizing their intentions, protested urgently.

Jiang Shaohé scolded harshly, "You disgrace to the family, if you don't marry, what do you plan to do? Become a nun in a temple?!"

Jiang Yun was startled into silence, tears streaming down silently.

Seeing this, Jiang Lishi patiently advised, "Yun'er, accept your fate. Marrying your cousin is better than becoming a nun in a temple."

Jiang Yun, feeling utterly hopeless, buried her face in Jiang Lishi's embrace and cried uncontrollably.

Jiang Father's elder brother's wife kindly persuaded, "Lin Gongzi is, after all, a scholar. Marrying him as a proper wife wouldn't disgrace you."

A merchant family, though having some wealth, was of low status and couldn't be considered by high-ranking families.

Jiang Yun had high aspirations but a fate as thin as paper.

"Good Yun'er, I've always liked and cherished you. If you marry into our family, I will treat you as my own daughter and ensure you won't suffer any grievances," Lin Mother publicly declared.

Lin Rui also raised his hand and said, "Cousin, I swear I will treat you well and never betray you."

"Enough, it's settled. After the new year, pick an auspicious day for the matchmakers to visit," Jiang Shaohé decided.

Hearing this, Lin Rui, Lin Father, and Lin Mother simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief.

Losing face was worth it as long as they gained a daughter-in-law.

Jiang Yun, feeling utterly disheartened, couldn't even cry anymore, only glaring hatefully at Jiang Shu.

Jiang Shu's apricot eyes flickered with sharpness as she stared back at Jiang Yun, silently warning her with her gaze that if there was a next time, it wouldn't be so simple.

The birthday banquet had turned into such a mess that Jiang Shaohé and Jiang Lishi lost the mood to entertain, and the guests had no desire to stay for dinner. After a few perfunctory exchanges, everyone went their separate ways.

"Shu'er, what exactly happened today?" As soon as they returned to the Jiang residence, Jiang's father asked impatiently.

Jiang Shu pursed her lips and recounted in detail how Jiang Yun had instigated Lin Rui to scheme and trap her.

"They have such audacity!" Jiang's father slammed the table in anger.

Jiang's mother also reddened her eyes in fury, gritting her teeth as she said, "Jiang Yun, a young lady, has such vicious intentions. It's detestable!"

"How dare they harm my elder sister! I won't let them off!" Jiang Ning stood up and rushed towards the door.

"Ah Ning! Stop!" Jiang Shu called out sharply, stopping him.

Jiang Ning halted at the door, reluctant and frustrated. "Older sister, don't stop me. I'm going to settle this."

Jiang Shu grabbed Jiang Ning's hand and led him back into the room.

"Jiang Yun reaping the consequences of her own actions is the best punishment."

Jiang's mother also added, "What your sister said is right. If you go and make a scene now, it won't help and will only damage your sister's reputation."

If the truth were to be known, the fact that Jiang Shu and Lin Rui were alone in the garden for so long could lead to all kinds of rumors.

Rumors can kill.

"Are we just going to let this go? I can't swallow this anger!" Jiang Ning clenched his fists, his handsome face flushed.

Jiang Shu poked Jiang Ning's angry face, comforting him, "The days are long. What's the hurry?"

"Don't worry, I won't let your sister suffer in vain," Jiang's father said, already having a plan in mind.

Hearing this, Jiang Ning finally calmed down.

As night fell, at the Jing Wang Mansion.

Yu Zheng was handling documents in the study when a black-clad shadow suddenly appeared in the room, kneeling to report.

Hearing the shadow's words, the document in Yu Zheng's hand was crushed out of shape.

"Next time something like this happens, intervene early and don't leave her in danger."

"If it happens again like today, you don't need to come back to see me."

"Yes." The shadow bowed his head in response, sweat seeping out on his back.

Yu Zheng put down the deformed document in his hand and furrowed his brows as he asked, "Did you really hear her say she can't conceive?"

The shadow nodded. "Although I was a bit far away, the garden was quiet and empty, so I heard it very clearly."

As a martial artist, the shadow's hearing was exceptionally keen, and having undergone special training, his hearing and sight were far superior to ordinary people. He should not have misheard.

"You may leave." Yu Zheng dismissed the shadow and remained silent, his brows furrowed for a long time.