Chapter 1258: Chapter 1257: Taking the Initiative to Call
The news of Shen Rushuang coming to the City Lord Mansion was relayed back to the Li and Wu Families the moment it happened. They had been turned away by Wang Chongxing before, and now knowing that the Shen Family is resorting to such measures to curry favor, they couldn’t help but feel a bit displeased.
"What does the Shen Family mean by this, pushing Shen Rushuang forward? Have they forgotten she is already married? Using a married woman to build a relationship with the City Lord Mansion?" Patriarch Li sneered.
Patriarch Wu snorted and said, "Married? That was just a ploy by Shen Rushuang to fool Wang Junyi. There’s no real relationship between her and that useless man. If the Shen Family actually plans to use her to maintain relations with the Wang Family, our position will be difficult."
"Hmph, isn’t this just Shen Yaowen selling his daughter for glory? Not afraid of being laughed at? That old man is so shameless," said Patriarch Li through gritted teeth.
They had always disregarded the City Lord Mansion, never imagining the situation would develop to this point. They all wished to foster a good relationship with the City Lord Mansion. After all, it is likely to become the territory of the Wang Family in the future. If they have a bad relationship, how could they survive then?
"Sigh," Patriarch Wu shook his head, saying, "What can we do? That girl from the Shen Family is indeed beautiful. Not just our two families, you can’t find someone better looking in all of Tianshui City. But we shouldn’t be so pessimistic. Wang Junyi is no longer the same person, and maybe he won’t look twice at Shen Rushuang. Let’s wait and see; things are uncertain."
Patriarch Li nodded, Wang Junyi indeed has changed. Whether he still likes Shen Rushuang is truly uncertain now.
"Let’s wait and see then."
Meanwhile, outside the City Lord Mansion.
After Wang Junyi came out, a trace of triumph flashed in Shen Rushuang’s eyes. The Li and Wu Families had come in vain before, failing even to enter the City Lord Mansion’s gates. But she appeared, and Wang Junyi came personally, which clearly showed her special place in his heart.
She was right; Wang Junyi did indeed like her.
"Wang Junyi, it’s unexpected that in such a short time, you could achieve so much, not only advancing to the Fourth Rank but also taming the Blood Lion. I really underestimated you before," Shen Rushuang looked at Wang Junyi, her face full of smiles.
If it were in the past, it would be a wonder for Shen Rushuang to spare even one glance at Wang Junyi; there’d be no smiling at him.
"I didn’t expect the ever-proud Shen Family’s eldest daughter, who ignored and looked down on me, would actively come to my City Lord Mansion and even smile at me. I’m truly flattered," Wang Junyi glanced at Shen Rushuang indifferently.
Shen Rushuang frowned, sensing something different about Wang Junyi’s attitude, but she dismissed it as him putting on airs; after all, she had been quite cold towards him for many years.
"What is it, Wang Junyi, aren’t you going to invite me in for tea?" Shen Rushuang said.
"I once couldn’t wait to have you over for tea. How did you reply, though? ’How could the Shen Family’s daughter care for tea from the Wang Family.’ So I’d rather not bother. Let’s skip tea. Why are you here this time?" Wang Junyi said.
Shen Yaowen stood nearby but didn’t intervene. Since Shen Rushuang had come herself, it was not his place to step in. However, he had a vague feeling that Wang Junyi’s current demeanor didn’t seem like someone in love with Shen Rushuang; it felt more like maintaining a distance. This made Shen Yaowen uneasy.
Still, he didn’t stop Shen Rushuang. The City Lord Mansion’s influence was rising, and the three main families would rely on it for survival; they couldn’t risk offending it. Besides, if even a sliver of hope remained, he wanted to try.
"Alright, since that’s the case, I’ll be frank." After organizing her thoughts, Shen Rushuang said, "About Su Changfeng and me, you should know, right? It was all clean and nothing ever happened between us."
"So? What does that have to do with me?" Wang Junyi asked.
"I’ve already expelled him from the Shen Family. So if you want to marry me, I agree. Pick a day, and we can get married," Shen Rushuang unabashedly revealed her intentions. She was clear: she was willing to marry Wang Junyi.
However, upon hearing this, Wang Junyi was immediately filled with anger. What enraged him was not Shen Rushuang’s presumptuous belief that he still wanted to marry her, but the fact that his deeply respected master had been driven out by Shen Rushuang!
Foolish woman, mistaking a pearl for a fish-eye. If the Shen Family had taken good care of Su Changfeng, how could they not flourish? As for Shen Yunlong’s search for a famous teacher, he was right there, the rare chance falling into their lap, yet they failed to cherish it, treating it with disdain. Absolutely laughable.
Wang Junyi wanted to inquire about Su Changfeng’s current whereabouts, but he couldn’t reveal his connection with Su Changfeng. If he asked outright, the Shen Family would surely be suspicious. Thus, he had to suppress his urgency, putting the matter aside for the moment.
"Shen Rushuang, where do you get the confidence that I’d want to marry you?" Wang Junyi said.
"But isn’t it true that you’ve liked me for years? The opportunity is right in front of you. Can you really give it up?" Shen Rushuang said, as a matter of course. She had never doubted, always believing that if she relented, Wang Junyi would accept.
But such blind confidence was truly laughable, especially to the current Wang Junyi. To him now, she was long insignificant.
The Wang Junyi of today, if he desired, could easily gain the attention of Xingluo. So what of a mere Shen Rushuang? Besides, this woman had expelled his master. That he hadn’t reprimanded her was already a show of courtesy.
As for marrying her, that was a fool’s dream!
"Shen Rushuang, you’re too overconfident. I did like you a lot back then, but I’m no longer that foolish kid. The Shen Family’s eldest daughter? Heh, can you match up to me?" Wang Junyi said coldly.
Can you match up to me?
With that one line, Shen Rushuang’s expression changed dramatically. She never expected Wang Junyi to speak to her this way. Her confidence and certainty turned into bubbles in an instant, leaving her face burning. She swayed, nearly falling to the ground.
Struggling to suppress her panic, Shen Rushuang stubbornly asked, "Wang Junyi, are you sure you don’t want to marry me? If you miss this chance, you’ll regret it."
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