Chapter 4: Breaking Off the Engagement

```html

The woman wore mourning clothes, with no jewelry in her hair, only a single plain white silk flower. She was extremely frail, her speech tinged with gasps.

Yet with just a few words, she pushed Mrs. He into the spotlight of criticism.

Isn't she just a social climber!

There's nothing wrong with saying so.

Before the He Family produced a scholar, they were just ordinary folk. No matter how unruly Shen Hua was, she was still the daughter of the largest embroidery workshop in Fengzhou. How could he be worthy?

He Chu had gone to great lengths to win Shen Hua's favor, putting much effort into this engagement.

Now he turns his back and denies the relationship. It's truly not the action of a gentleman.

Clan Elder Shen wore a displeased look. Under the gaze of all, he had no choice but to stand up for Shen Hua. After much consideration, he rebuked in his capacity as an elder.

"Your He Family is simply too outrageous!"

He originally intended to say a few light words, considering that Shen He Wen had a point; Shen Hua's appearance would surely be of use in the future.

She couldn't be delayed by a mere scholar.

But just then, Shen Hua ran up to him as if seeking shelter.

With a deep voice, she complained.

"Clan Elder, although Daddy is no longer here, with you present, the He Family treats the Shen Family as if there's no one left."

She raised her chin: "Breaking off the engagement today is just as humiliating as on any other day, as if they want me to join Daddy and Stepmother in death."

Shen Xue-shi, suddenly mentioned, caught her breath: ...Why did you drag me into this! Little wretch!

"What nonsense are you talking about, child?"

Shen Hua wiped the tears from her eyes, pointedly: "Stepmother, as you said, most people in this house share the surname Shen. The clan elder is here, Second Uncle is here, the entire family is here, yet they can't protect me?"

At these words, a stir arose around them.

After all, if Shen Hua were truly desperate today and everyone ignored her, none could escape blame. It would be disgraceful both inside and out.

Soon enough, someone stepped forward to support her.

"My Yangyang is beautiful and kind, what's wrong with that, for you to slander her so?"

"Now you claim Yangyang is in poor health, why wasn't this mentioned when proposing?"

"Bah, relying on the power of others, does a mere scholar truly think he's somebody? Walk down Shengjing Street, there's no shortage of esteemed officials."

Shen He Wen assisted the clan elder to the front without showing emotion. Even if unwilling, he showed his stance.

"This marriage was something your He Family begged for with great persistence, and now you're in such a hurry to dismiss it. Are you implying that joining your He Family is above our Shen Family?"

Shen Hua didn't want to cause any more trouble.

The He Family mother and son might be disgusting, but they couldn't compare to these treacherous, despicable people in front of her, hoping to seize Daddy's life's work.

She glanced at Yicui, who understood, and swiftly returned the mediocre jade piece unceremoniously to Mrs. He.

"Among the mistress's jewelry, this jade pendant is the least prominent, but nonetheless, it was something left for the future bride when the He Family engaged, so it was left to gather dust in the corner."

"Today, if the He Family hadn't come to break the engagement, the mistress would've returned it anyway another day."

She was serving by Shen Hua's side, naturally conveying Shen Hua's intent.

Mrs. He's face turned somber.

Shen Hua smiled faintly at this.

"Since this is not a good match, I can't possibly join a den of wolves like the He Family, can I? Mrs. He should keep the token, and henceforth, the two families will have nothing more to do with each other."

He Chu's heart sank. If Shen Hua didn't agree, that would be one thing, but Shen Hua was eager to sever ties, leaving his heart feeling empty. He looked deeply at Shen Hua and stepped forward to bow.

"I am truly ashamed, I hope Miss Shen finds a better match."

Tsk.

What a pretense of a gentleman.

He Chu was the same in the past life. He spoke so nicely during the break-up.

But when no one was around, he blocked her path.

—Yangyang, it's my mother's order, as a son, I must obey, but only you are in my heart, give me some time.

Later, he quickly got engaged to another girl. When he was most prosperous, he came to her again.

—Yangyang, it wasn't my intention, I have no affection for that Lady Zhou, I begged Mama and she's agreed to let you enter the He Family, though as a concubine, but in my heart, you are the one I want to marry.

Shen Hua only felt disgust.

The same as before, the same now.

As for a good match, how long her frail body could live was uncertain.

Shen Hua didn't want to marry. She didn't want to trouble others, only hoping to devote her energy to the Shen Family.

She glanced at He Chu lightly.

"No need to speak of my future for now. Young Master He might consider, if today's events spread, which family in Fengzhou City would dare entrust their daughter to the He Family."

Oh, she was bad herself, and couldn't stand others being good.

He Chu's eyes turned red, as if he were the innocent one discarded.

Mrs. He couldn't bear the embarrassment, having achieved her goal, was unwilling to stay longer.

"Why waste words with her, Chu, let's go."

She pulled He Chu as if shaking off filth, and they walked as if fleeing in panic.

Her lips moved, each word followed by another leaping out.

"You are a scholar, and when you pass the next rural examination, you'll be a Master Scholar. If you work hard, and go to the capital for the imperial examination, achieving good results, some families blind to our worth will surely flock to flatter us!"

Why should her son worry about finding a good family?

The Zhou Family had produced officials in the past, while now fallen, that Lady Zhou outshone Shen Hua with a mere finger, known for being well-read and sensible. The Zhou Family had long sent people to inquire.

Shen Hua scoffed at hearing this.

Does she really think Master Scholars flood the streets?

After the He Family's mother and son left, the tension in the air didn't lessen at all. People's gaze darted back and forth over the prickly Shen Hua.

Yet Shen Hua knelt before the coffin, silently burning paper money.

She was uncharacteristically quiet, no longer causing a scene.

The situation she could no longer stir up.

She couldn't stop Shen Qu from performing the mourning rites.

In our dynasty, it's a strict family rule that only when the deceased's son shatters the pot, can they be buried in the ancestral tomb. If there are no sons, it is by adoption by the family or a cousin doing so.

This world is harsh on women. A daughter could only watch from afar.

If Shen Hua had a husband, she'd need to fight for it.

But now…

Even without Shen Qu, Shen Changhe had five sons under him. In the Shen Family, aside from Shen Wei, all were prosperous in offspring.

Shen Hua, weak and unsupported, just wanted to see Shen Wei off properly for the last time.

The flames consumed, turning the gold ingots to ash, adding a tinge of color to her pale face.

As for other matters, as long as she had breath, she would slowly settle them.

Finally.

Shen Qu raised his left hand high and smashed the clay pot onto the ground.

With a loud crash, fragments scattered everywhere.

The surrounding sobs rose steadily. Even if not a single cry was genuine. But Shen Hua's heart trembled, her crystalline tears fell unbearably hot.

The Si Li called out in a solemn voice.

"Raise the coffin!"

```