Chapter 70

Chapter 70

Shen Qinglan's appearance was undoubtedly exceptionally striking.

Otherwise, when he was at a low point at that time after his engagement was called off and first entertained the idea of entering the palace, Madam Shen would not have stopped him at all and would actually have been so confident.

And back when Han Zhang was selecting a husband, there was clearly another young man from a better family, with a gentler disposition and easier to control. Why did he ultimately choose Shen Qinglan, who had a fiery temper and required more effort to coax?

At the root of it, wasn't it because Shen Qinglan was better looking?

Moreover, after their marriage, Shen Qinglan was nourished by Han Zhang's Power. Compared to before, the difference was like a raw image versus a heavily edited one—his beauty now outshone even its former glory...

Even someone as hard-hearted as Han Zhang had softened toward his young husband. How could Fan Zixu and Zhao Hongji, who were purely obsessed with good looks, possibly resist?

Not to mention that Shen Qinglan also came with a generous dowry—marrying him meant gaining both wealth and beauty.

So now, the two of them were really regretting it.

But regret was useless. The engagements had already been called off, and each had since married. They lacked the power to snatch someone else's husband, so they could only fume silently and glare helplessly.

In short, because of Shen Qinglan—Zhao Hongji, Fan Zixu, and Chai Wenxuan stared at Han Zhang with envy, jealousy, and hatred burning in their eyes!

And Shen Qingbai, Shen Qingshuang, Shen Qingquan... their husbands were also captivated by Shen Qinglan's beauty, so they glared at Shen Qinglan with burning jealousy!

Forced to be a handsome man who spells trouble and attracts everyone—Shen Qinglan: "..."

What could he do about it?

He was just good-looking; it wasn't his fault that others liked or envied him!

Anyway, whether out of affection or jealousy, these three couples all took a dim view of Han Zhang and his husband.

Shen Qinglan was the apple of Madam Shen's eye, so they dared not provoke him. Thus, all their resentment and dissatisfaction could only be directed at Han Zhang, who seemed like a pushover.

And so, at the midday meal in the Shen residence.

Everyone gathered around a table.

The three couples, led by Chai Wenxuan, unanimously began to find fault and pick on Han Zhang.

Zhao Hongji, who came from the imperial clan, was the first to feign politeness with a cupped-hand salute, speaking:

"So this is Second Brother-in-law? I am Zhao Hongji, heir of the State-Assisting General's manor from the imperial clan. I see that Second Brother-in-law carries himself with remarkable bearing. So which famous family are you from?"

His smile was genial, and his words were polished, but clearly there was a needle hidden in the cotton.

After all, though these three brothers-in-law had never met before, they all knew each other’s family backgrounds perfectly well. Asking such a question knowingly was obviously meant to mock.

As soon as these words were spoken, the table went instantly silent and tense.

Shen Father, though more eager to curry favor with his three high-status sons-in-law, could not stand by idly while they targeted Han Zhang, his son-in-law by his son. That would be way too tacky.

Shen Father still cared about his pride. Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, he quickly chuckled and tried to smooth things over:

"Look at me, so happy today that I forgot to introduce everyone properly. Hongji, my worthy son-in-law, this is Lan Geer's husband, Master Han Qinzhang... And this is Shuang Jieer's husband, Fan Zixu, Master Fan..."

Shen Father deliberately omitted any mention of family background, implying that everyone should give him, the father-in-law, some face and not let the brothers-in-law become embarrassed.

Shen Huairen and Shen Huaizhi, despite their usual discord, had to help out at this moment—otherwise, if a quarrel broke out, it wouldn't just shame Han Zhang but the entire Shen family as well.

The two also forced smiles and raised their cups to smooth things over: "Come, come, drink up! Today's wine is the 'Brother Red' buried when Lan Geer was born. It's been aged a year longer than the 'Daughter Red' buried for Shuang Jieer and the others."

"Brother Zhao, Brother Fan, Brother Chai, Brother Han... all of you are esteemed guests of our Shen family. Today we must drink until we're thoroughly drunk and enjoy ourselves to the fullest!"

The Shen family didn't want to lose face and hoped to gloss over the matter by invoking their status as the in-laws' family.

But how could Chai Wenxuan and the others let it go?

Given their status and inherent pride, they had little regard for Shen Father as a father-in-law.

And Shen Qingshuang and Shen Qingbai, confident in their high-status marriages, harbored resentment toward their incompetent father, Shen Father, because they had been treated less favorably than Shen Qinglan when they were still at home. They couldn't care less about the Shen family's honor.

Seeing Shen Father trying to mediate,

Shen Qingbai immediately chimed in, following up on her husband's words, and sneered: "First Brother, Second Brother, there's no rush to drink. My husband and Second Brother-in-law and Third Sister's husband rarely meet. If we don't have a good conversation today, wouldn't it be a waste of this wonderful occasion?"

"Husband, you may not know, but our Second Brother has always held lofty ideals—he cares not for gold or silver, nor for wealth and rank, but only for scholarly talent. Therefore, Second Brother-in-law does not come from a distinguished family but is a scholar of humble origins with exceptional talent... I heard that Second Brother-in-law has already passed the Xiucai examination."

Zhao Hongji let out a light scoff: "A Xiucai from a humble background? How rare. This is the first time I, as the heir, have seen a noble scholar from a humble family. No wonder Second Brother-in-law carries himself so impressively."

"But as the saying goes, 'Poor Xiucai, rich Juren.' The young ladies and lads of the Shen family have been raised in luxury and cannot endure hardships. Second Brother-in-law must study harder and pass the imperial examinations as soon as possible."

"Rest assured, Second Brother-in-law, when the time comes, out of consideration for our brotherly bond with Bai Geer, I, your younger brother-in-law, will certainly help you pull some strings to secure the most suitable humble ninth-rank official post, so you can display the talent and learning of this noble scholar from a humble background!"

As he finished, laughter echoed from their side.

Fan Zixu chimed in with mockery: "How generous of Fourth Brother-in-law! But when it comes to official appointments, Second Brother-in-law should come to me. My father serves as a third-rank minister in the Ministry of Personnel, specifically in charge of appointments and transfers."

Shen Qingshuang also covered her mouth and laughed: "Husband, you two are speaking a bit too soon. Passing the imperial examinations and receiving an official post—that requires a Jinshi degree. As of now, Second Brother-in-law is only a Xiucai. Who knows if he can even pass the provincial examination next year? You two are getting excited for nothing..."

Chai Wenxuan remained silent for the moment, watching the show with an air of detachment.

As the heir of a powerful Earl's manor, his status was higher than that of his two brothers-in-law, so he naturally wanted to wait until the initial probing was over before stepping in to dominate the scene.

"..." Shen Qingquan also kept quiet.

For one thing, his position was awkward—he couldn't openly mock his own full-blooded brother. For another, Madam Shen, his biological mother, had spared no resources in cultivating him in the past, so he was still more perceptive than the other two.

His half-siblings thought that marrying into a high-status family gave them leverage to strut around their natal home and finally hold their heads high.

But they forgot that in this world, the natal family was the true foundation.

This was also why, despite his jealousy and dissatisfaction with his elder brother, he had almost never openly mocked him; instead, he had always apologized and shown weakness.

Even if he couldn't gain his mother's and brother's forgiveness and help, he couldn't let his mother truly resent and abandon him.

He just liked Chai Wenxuan and the power of the Earl's manor—he didn't want to offend his natal family.

But Shen Qingshuang and Shen Qingbai, in their petty triumph, had clearly let their heads swell...

Anyway, at this moment, Shen Father's gaze toward them was already quite hostile.

Shen Father's face darkened. Suppressing his anger, he scolded in a low voice: "Shuang Jieer, Bai Geer!"

He had never realized before that this son and daughter, who used to be so devoted, harbored such deep resentment toward him. Now that they had gained power, their wings had hardened, and they were stabbing their own family in the back!

"F-Father..."

Shen Father still had some authority in the household.

Shen Qingshuang and Shen Qingbai, though filled with discontent after being shouted at like that, could only sulkily shut their mouths, expressing their mockery only through disdainful and arrogant glances.

But they were afraid of their father, Shen.

Zhao Hongji and Fan Zixu, however, the two sons-in-law who considered their families prominent, had no such fear.

The two completely disregarded Father Shen’s dignity, only caring about their own pleasure.

Fan Zixu continued his sarcastic mockery: "Ah! My wife is right. Second brother-in-law’s dream of passing the imperial exams won't happen any time soon; his most pressing task now should be supporting the family."

"I heard that most of today’s return visit gifts were supplemented by Shen Qinglan’s dowry, while your family only brought some homemade pastries!"

"Hey, Second brother-in-law, this is really embarrassing... No matter how straitened your circumstances, can't you even afford a box of pastries?"

"To rely on your husband’s dowry even for return visit gifts—what difference is there between you and a live-in son-in-law?"

This last remark not only mocked Han Zhang.

It also made Father Shen feel personally targeted!

Father Shen’s face flushed crimson with shame, as if his old face had been thoroughly disgraced.

Shen Qinglan’s eyes even reddened, both distressed and angry. He immediately stepped forward to defend his husband, retorting:

"Our affairs between husband and husband are none of Third Brother-in-law’s or Fourth Brother-in-law’s business—so keep your nosy opinions to yourselves!"

"My husband is indeed not as noble as you two, but we were married by our parents’ command and a matchmaker’s word—open and aboveboard. Unlike some people who lack decorum—betrothed yet still making moves on their in-laws' younger siblings!"

What are these wretches, daring to mock his Brother Han?

His Brother Han was ten times the man these two dogs are!

Though he himself was not entirely blameless, Shen Qinglan stood his ground confidently because he and his Brother Han had true love, unlike these shameless creatures who seduced their fiancé’s siblings.

"What did you say—!"

Zhao Hongji and Fan Zixu, stung into a rage, let out a thunderous shout.

The goodwill and regret they had felt earlier over Shen Qinglan’s beauty vanished completely, for though they coveted beauty, their own dignity and pride mattered far more.

Seeing the two about to lash out at Shen Qinglan.

Han Zhang naturally could no longer sit idly.

He had refrained from speaking earlier because Father Shen had interjected, offering a chance to save face for the in-laws. But clearly, Father Shen’s authority carried little weight.

Since Father Shen couldn’t command respect, he, as a son-in-law, certainly could not bow before his brothers-in-law.

Otherwise, how could Qinglan hold his head up among his siblings in the future?

Han Zhang rose with a sweep of his sleeves. His expression remained gentle and polite, but his tone and posture were intimidating. He also sneered in retort.

"Third Brother-in-law and Fourth Brother-in-law are right. I, Han, come from a humble family with no steady income, so I must study hard to pass the exams early and not let my husband suffer."

"But may I ask, what achievements have you made in your studies? And where is your career? When the family is divided in the future, as a commoner without rank, can you become head of your own household?"

"Fourth Brother-in-law is born into the imperial clan, noble and revered—truly admirable. But as Fourth Brother-in-law said, a man should be the backbone of his family. You too must work hard."

"After all, imperial titles don't last forever. If Fourth Brother-in-law fails to win the emperor’s favor and your descendants become commoners, won’t they blame you, their ancestor?"

He came from a humble background, but his future held infinite possibilities.

And these two?

One was a useless second legitimate son who can't do a thing—once the family divided, he would be a commoner, worse off than a mere scholar like me.

The other held a hereditary title, but his household was eating next year's grain, with little imperial favor, merely putting on airs with an empty title. Did they really think themselves important?

If they had the guts, they could come at me directly. Let's see who comes out on top!