12dz Chapter 153 The Shen Family's Misfortune
Chapter 153 The Shen Family's Misfortune
"If you want to use the Guo family to deal with Chi Yunjing, then that insignificant, idle official position won't do. I remember when you arrested Chi Yunjing, you also arrested a Shen surnamed Shen, a junior official in the Ministry of Transportation. He was promoted from the seventh rank to the sixth rank, which isn't excessive."
With just a word, Shen Miaoling's father, Shen Dongfeng, was dismissed from his post. Since they were all just a bunch of rabble, the Crown Prince and others didn't care much, so the transfer order was quickly sent to the Shen family.
Everyone, from top to bottom, looked completely bewildered.
"Going to Qingzhou? Why were you transferred to Qingzhou?"
This is really bad news!
He originally thought that he was out of jail unharmed, which meant that he was out of trouble. He even secretly mocked the news that Vice Minister Chi's entire family was about to be wiped out. Now it seems that his transfer order is not much better.
Being sent to a remote area as a government official is a nightmare!
He didn't have many connections in the capital, and if he went there, he probably wouldn't be able to come back. Besides, Qingzhou wasn't a wealthy place, and even if he went, he might not be able to make any money. Of course, he wasn't willing to go.
After much deliberation, he finally vented his anger on his daughter, Shen Miaoling.
"Cry, cry, all you do is cry! If you hadn't been so stupid as to make an enemy of that eldest daughter of the Chi family, you could still be pleading with the Qiao family! Now, you're not even fit to carry their shoes!"
Shen Miaoling had no idea that things would change so quickly. Their gang had been "bullying" Chi Guiwan for more than a year or two, and they had never made a mistake before. Now, however, they had cut off their own escape route, and she regretted her actions.
"Daughter...daughter did this because of Chi Guiying's instigation..."
Seeing her daughter crying so sadly, Madam Shen felt a little reluctant. But right now, she had something else to worry about: her daughter's marriage. They had finally chosen a husband's family, and if she left, wouldn't it all fall through?
So she began by pleading with her husband.
"Master, it's all my fault, Miaoling listened to the nonsense of Miss Chi Er, but her marriage can't be delayed because we're going to Qingzhou. If she can marry there, our family will still have connections in the capital, and we'll be better informed in the future. So this marriage can't fall through!"
Her words made sense, and Shen Dongfeng suppressed his anger and then snorted coldly.
"If it weren't for your mother pleading for you, I wouldn't care whether you live or die, you useless thing!"
Although he spoke harshly, he still planned to personally visit the family to finalize the marriage. However, before he even reached the outer courtyard, he saw the Sui family members who had previously discussed the marriage arrive.
Oh no, judging from their expression, something bad is about to happen.
As expected, the second wife of the Sui family stepped forward and said with a wronged expression.
"Ah, knowing that the Shen family is being transferred out, the master specifically sent me to pay a visit, to ask if there's anything I can do to help?"
"Second Madam, you're too kind. We're all family, no need for formalities. And the two children..."
Before Shen Dongfeng could even speak, the second wife of the Sui family began to look aggrieved.
"I've come to your door today because of the children. Our two families had already agreed that we would become one family after the wedding ceremony. But who knew that my father-in-law and mother-in-law would bring a young lady from their hometown with them. She said she was betrothed to my Shao'er since childhood, but now that her family is gone, she has come to seek refuge with us. We prefer Miaoling, but... but we can't go against our elders. Now she's living in our house. If we don't agree, it might cost someone their life. So... alas, I'm too ashamed to see you, so I've shamelessly come to your door."
As she spoke, she pretended to cry twice.
"We hope that Lord Shen can understand our difficulties and let's just let the matter of the two children go."
Shen Dongfeng's face turned red with anger, and he then said a few sarcastic remarks.
"This old lady's arrival is truly timely. If I hadn't been transferred, I'm afraid this marriage wouldn't have happened!"
"What are you saying, Lord Shen? Does our Sui family belong to such a family? If you don't believe me, have Madam Shen come with me to the manor and see if the young lady is at home?"
"Since we've already come to this point, what more can we say? You can't expect my daughter to become your concubine! Humph, butler, show them out!"
Madam Sui knew that her family was in the wrong, so when she heard the Shen family chasing away their guests, she didn't say much. She could only sigh and leave the Shen family.
Shen Dongfeng was left standing alone in the courtyard, which looked rather desolate.
When he chose this marriage, it wasn't considered a particularly high-status match. The two families had a close relationship, and he thought they would share hardships together. However, they ended up parting ways, which made him feel that his business in the capital over the years was a joke.
Then, thinking back to those days of fear and trepidation in the East Palace dungeon, all her "arrogance" vanished. Perhaps leaving the capital and going to Qingzhou would ensure the safety of her whole family.
So, he went out in a rage and returned feeling utterly lost.
Upon seeing him, the Shen mother and daughter, who were still weeping in each other's arms, suddenly felt a surge of hope, only to hear him speak the next moment.
“The Sui family has sent someone to say that their son is already engaged to a girl from their hometown, so the verbal engagement with Miaoling is no longer valid.”
"What? How could the Sui family do this!"
Hearing his wife's words, Shen Dongfeng smiled sarcastically, "Don't talk about others. If you were in her shoes, and the Sui family was suddenly transferred out, would you still be willing to marry Miaoling off to them?"
Madam Shen suddenly had no room to retort, because she knew she wouldn't!
"Pack your things quickly, don't delay any longer. Leaving as soon as possible might be our family's only chance to save our lives!"
"Master...Master..."
Madam Shen's calls went unanswered by Shen Dongfeng. Watching her father leave, Shen Miaoling was at a loss for what to do.
"Mother, what should we do?"
Shen Miaoling cried so hard that her eyes were red and swollen. She was born with the appearance of a delicate white flower, so in this state she looked even more charming and touching.
Having raised her daughter for so long, Madam Shen couldn't bear to leave her in the capital to be hunted by wolves and tigers, so she simply resigned herself to her fate and said...
"There's no other way now. Once we get to Qingzhou, we'll immediately arrange a marriage for you. Marrying someone close by has its advantages; at least I can take care of you. However, I'm afraid your future husband's family won't be very powerful or wealthy."
Several of Shen Miaoling's close friends had married in the capital, leaving her alone to go to Qingzhou to find a husband. It was a significant step down in terms of social standing, but her mother's words made sense. In the end, she could only remain silent and accept the injustice of fate.