In the living room of the Shen residence, a middle-aged man with slightly gray hair on his temples and vertical lines between his eyebrows was sitting next to a desk on the left. He held the armrest of the chair with one hand and placed the other hand on the desk beside him, with a natural expression.
Beside him, there was a burly man in a purple robe, who turned his head and looked around, with the corners of his mouth twitching from time to time, as if he was mocking the crude furnishings around him.
Opposite him, Shen Yuange sat upright with a serious expression, but he couldn't help but glance at the main seat from time to time.
Although he was the head of the Shen family, he did not sit in the main seat because that position had long been occupied by a white-haired old woman in a crimson brocade robe.
As soon as the group of people revealed their identities and entered the hall, the old woman sat down in the main seat by herself. She didn't say a word the whole time, nor did she look directly at Shen Yuange.
The old woman was a little hunched over, leaning on a purple cane of unknown material. Her silver hair was neatly gathered behind her head in a round bun. Her face was full of wrinkles, and she looked like a stern old lady.
But after she sat down, she closed her eyes and rested, as if she had no intention of speaking.
At this time, the second wife personally brought tea and walked into the hall.
Until now, she still didn't know why the Nie family came to Chunhua County. She only thought that they came for a marriage between the two families, so the smile on her face was particularly sincere and enthusiastic.
After he had served tea to everyone and was about to speak, he saw Shen Yuange winking at him. He immediately realized that something was wrong with the atmosphere in the hall and sat back down next to Shen Yuange in a sullen manner.
"Brother Shen, I also know that our request is somewhat against etiquette, but this child marriage was arranged privately between two women after all. My brother and you, as the heads of each family, did not participate in the agreement, so it cannot be considered a real engagement. As long as you are willing to nod and cancel the engagement, our Nie family is willing to pay out a thousand taels of gold as compensation to express our apology." At this time, the middle-aged man with vertical lines between his eyebrows spoke.
Upon hearing this, the second lady's expression changed visibly and she looked at Shen Yuange in surprise.
"I know very well why you are here, but this marriage was arranged by my wife after all, and now the ones who fulfill the contract are my son and Caizhu. I really cannot make the decision for them. Let them decide for themselves." Shen Yuange frowned, without looking at her. After hesitating for a moment, he spoke.
"Since ancient times, marriages have been arranged by parents and matchmakers. How can we let them decide for themselves? Isn't this just an excuse for Mr. Shen?" asked the burly man.
"Our engagement was arranged by our parents. Why should we refuse?" A loud voice suddenly came from outside the hall.
Hearing the sound, everyone looked out the door.
Shen Luo and Nie Caizhu walked over together. They were a handsome man and a beautiful woman, and they walked in unison. They really looked like a perfect couple.
The old woman who had been sitting in the main seat with her eyes closed finally opened her eyes and looked at Shen Luo with a cold look in her eyes.
Shen Luo looked at him fearlessly, and sparks appeared faintly where their eyes met.
"Luo'er, don't be rude. Come here and meet the elders." Shen Yuange stood up and said when he saw this.