Chapter 4, Dragon and Phoenix Bracelets

Shen Yunan knew that You Wu was a soft-hearted person. Upon hearing his own cough, she would surely forget everything and only care about his well-being. However, after waiting for a while, he did not hear You Wu's concerned voice. He couldn't help but glance at her, seeing her sitting there peacefully, her expression slightly dazed. He couldn't help but let out a sigh; how could he bear to let go of such a beauty?

Shen Yunan glanced at You Wu, quickly looking away, and said softly: "You were betrothed to me at the age of ten, how could I let you down? Moreover, that day when you went to the temple to offer incense, it was originally to pray for my well-being, which is why you inadvertently encountered Yan San Shi. To speak of it, it is all my fault for being incapable and unable to protect you"

Youwu finally lifted her head and pushed the box, saying: "Brother Shen, you should take this box back first, so that your Shen family won't come to claim it from time to time, causing my mother distress"

Before You Wu married into the Yang family, she had ostensibly broken off her engagement with the Shen family. In reality, the two families had already made an agreement that once Shen Yu Nan's mourning period was over, they would naturally renegotiate the marriage. Therefore, the dragon and phoenix bracelets that Shen Yu Nan had sent to You Wu as a token were not returned by the You family. Unexpectedly, just two days after You Wen Dao left, the Shen family came to demand the bracelets. While they claimed to be asking for the bracelets, it was actually a way to renege on their previous agreement and no longer recognize the marriage.

Madam Ji saw You Wu in tears and could not help but hurriedly search for a handkerchief to wipe her tears, saying, "Perhaps there is still a chance for redemption?" If the Shen family does not acknowledge this marriage, Shen Yunan will complete his mourning period and remarry. Would it not be a joke if You Wu were to marry into the Yang family first, becoming the second wife of Yang Shangbao?

Shen Yunan sighed and said: "My grandmother and father discussed that once my period of filial duty is over, they would arrange a marriage for me. Naturally, I refused to comply and only argued in front of my grandmother. She became so angry that she fell ill, and yet I am the unfilial one!" After a pause, he continued: "Later, it was my aunt who came out to mediate, apologizing on my behalf in front of my grandmother, and proposed a compromise. My grandmother then relented, but..."

A woman from ancient times was rejected by the one she loved and had to reclaim her token of affection, undoubtedly in great anguish. You Wu feared that Madam Ji would notice something amiss, so she kept her head down. When she thought about how her parents must be heartbroken not knowing where she had gone, she could not help but let her tears flow, each drop rolling down onto her hand, wetting the hem of her skirt

Upon hearing this, You Wu's feelings of resentment and indignation for the original owner suddenly diminished significantly, and she gently said: "How can this be blamed on you? If there is anyone to blame, it can only be that Yan San Shi is too arrogant."

You Wu saw Mrs. Ji complaining, yet she had no means to resolve the issue. Realizing she could not rely on her, she couldn't help but shake her head in silence. For a moment, she stopped her tears and called in Lan Yue, instructing, "Have someone prepare lunch, and let my brothers Yang Siming and Yang Siyi dine together. After the meal, tell them to return to the Yang residence first, and come back to pick me up tomorrow morning."

Shen Yunan waited for a while, but seeing that You Wu did not speak, he took a seat by himself, poured two cups of tea from the teapot, took one cup for himself, yet did not drink it, only letting out a faint sigh

Madam Ji opened the box and took a look, nodding slightly. Seeing that You Wu was hanging her head in silence, she comforted her, saying: "With your talents and beauty, you will naturally..." She originally intended to say that in the future, she would surely find a husband even better than Shen Yunan. However, she suddenly remembered that You Wu had been betrothed to Shen Yunan since she was ten years old, and for all these years, her heart had been solely devoted to him. Therefore, no matter what she said now would only be words that pierced the heart, so she stopped speaking.

Madam Ji felt a deep sorrow in her heart, and her eyes involuntarily turned red. Fearing to upset You Wu, she could only suppress the words that filled her heart. She summoned a trusted maid and instructed, "You should go to the Shen family and say that the item was originally delivered to us by Young Master Shen himself. Now that we wish to reclaim it, he should come and take it himself."

The Shen family is a prominent lineage, having served in official capacities for several generations. At the age of nineteen, Shen Yunan achieved the highest degree in the imperial examination. Although he could not take up his official post due to the recent death of his mother and was required to observe a period of mourning at home, the connections of the Shen family ensured that once his mourning period was over, a bright future awaited him. Such a talented and handsome young man, however, was destined to marry a woman who had previously been the secondary wife of Yang Shangbao as his primary spouse. The members of the Shen family deliberated on this matter and urged Shen Yunan to consider it carefully.

Hmm! Although You Wu could not recall what the other party had said last time, she still responded with a sound and said, "I have long forgotten."

Madam Ji learned that Shen Yunan had arrived, and after a struggle within her mind, she ultimately steeled herself and instructed her trusted maid to lead Shen Yunan to a pavilion in the back garden.

"Wumei, my heart belongs only to you, do not overthink it." Shen Yunan stood up, covering his mouth with his sleeve, coughing painfully twice, and frowned as he said, "I am not in control of my own body, I cannot make decisions for myself, it is truly helpless."

You Wu casually hung up the lantern, sat down opposite Shen Yunan, placed the box on the stone table, pushed it towards Shen Yunan, and said in a husky voice: "Here, it's yours!"

By the light of the lantern, You Wu carefully examined Shen Yunan and noticed that he had a tall and upright figure, with a pair of bright eyes beneath his thick eyebrows. He was indeed an exceptionally handsome young man. She couldn't help but sigh inwardly, no wonder the original owner was so deeply infatuated; it turned out that Shen Yunan looked like this.

This is good. Shen Yunan gazed at You Wu, gently nudged the box, and said: "Sister Wu, this dragon and phoenix bracelet is a relic of my mother, and only you are worthy of it. Please keep it!"

Seeing Youwu with her head down and silent, Shen Yunan thought she was struggling psychologically, and couldn't help but feel secretly pleased. He then spoke gently, "Sister Wu, I will always speak well of you in front of grandmother"

Shen Yunan heard the footsteps and involuntarily stood up, just in time to see You Wu approaching gracefully. The moonlight spilled over her cloud-like hair, and a coral and turquoise flower on her hairpin sparkled, illuminating You Wu's charming face, making her look extraordinarily radiant. For a moment, he clenched his fist, averted his gaze, and spoke in a calm tone: "You have arrived"

Lan Yue responded, noticing that both Madam Ji and You Wu had red eyes, clearly in a state of distress and worry. She turned to Madam Ji, performed a gesture of respect, and inquired: "Madam, the Yang family has sent gifts over; we must reciprocate. Do we have any preparations?"

Shen Yunan lowered his head in shame and said painfully: "Aunt's meaning is that after my mourning period is over, I will bring the Lü family girl into the house first, and then welcome you in. But, but this is too much of a burden for you, how can I agree? If things do not go well, it is possible that in the future I might have to leave home and take you far away. At that time, I will certainly want you to share both joys and hardships with me"

Then return it to him! You Wu immediately entered the room and rummaged through, finding a box. She opened it and saw a pair of exquisitely crafted dragon and phoenix bracelets. She closed the box, took it out, and handed it to Madam Ji, softly asking: "Is this it?"

"What are you talking about, Brother Shen?" You Wu smiled gently, like the first bloom of spring flowers, her beauty captivating.

"Then what about our marriage?" You Wu believed that if the original owner heard such words, she would surely be moved to tears. However, she was not the original owner; the other party's words were merely light and airy, without any real commitment, so she could not be too happy too soon

Shen Yunan did not take the box, but merely lowered his head to drink tea. After taking a few sips, he finally raised his head and said: "I did not know they came to ask for the token!"

Oh, the main event is here! You Wu's heart became alert, but her face remained expressionless as she asked, "What method is it?"

Upon hearing this, You Wu finally understood Shen Yu Nan's meaning and almost burst into laughter. How could this man think that women are fools?

Shen Yunan quietly arrived at the You family during twilight. Nevertheless, regardless of the discussions held in secret between the You and Shen families, it is a fact that You Wu is currently a member of the Yang family. Therefore, Shen Yunan must be discreet when visiting the You family to avoid any rumors.

Although Lan Yue saw that the mother and daughter were sad, they did not forget their manners, which made her feel relieved, and she bowed slightly before withdrawing

You Wu was slightly taken aback, wondering what this person was trying to hint at. However, she said, "Brother Shen, why do you say such a thing?"

You Wu realized that Shen Yu Nan did not answer her question directly, which indicated that there was more to come. Sure enough, after a while, she heard Shen Yu Nan say: "Wu Mei, are you willing to share both joys and hardships with me?"

Oh? You Wu was somewhat surprised. Could it be that Shen Yu Nan was coming to tell her that he was willing to keep his promise

What does "na wumei" mean? Shen Yunan did not believe that You Mu would reject him, feeling slightly surprised.

After the old woman responded and withdrew, Madam Ji finally turned to You Wu and said: "This pair of dragon and phoenix bracelets was originally sent to you by Shen Yunan himself. Now the Shen family wants to take them back, but it is unclear whether Shen Yunan is aware of this. If Shen Yunan comes, you..."

You gently asked, "Brother Shen, where do you plan to go after leaving home? I hope to visit Jiangnan! I have heard that it is a beautiful place with clear mountains and waters, and the climate is like spring all year round."

Shen Yunan let out a sigh and said, "Wumei, last time in my moment of desperation, I spoke too harshly. Please do not take it to heart."

Shen Yunan is a person who naturally embraces the opinions of others, yet he is unwilling to give up on someone as enchanting as You Wu, which has led to this situation. Based on his understanding of You Wu, he believes that as long as she hears these words, she will certainly sacrifice her own feelings for the sake of his future and willingly become a concubine.

Madam Ji feared that the Shen family would not recognize this marriage, and that You Wu would be unable to withstand the blow. Holding onto hope, she wished that after Shen Yu Nan met You Wu, he would be able to dispel any thoughts of rejection and adhere to their previous agreement. After all, with You Wu's beauty, any young man who laid eyes on her would surely be captivated. What Madam Ji did not know was that before her marriage, You Wu had already secretly met with Shen Yu Nan. It was precisely after that meeting that she withered away.

Shen Yunan was taken aback, reaching out to press his hand against the edge of the box, preventing You Wu from pushing it towards him. He sorrowfully said, "Wu Mei, are you truly enamored with wealth and status, unwilling to share both joy and hardship with me?"

You Wu carried a lantern and held a box as she arrived at the pavilion, where the stars were faint and the moon had revealed half of its face

Madam Ji, upon thinking of You Wu's future, was filled with sorrow and said resentfully: "The Shen family wants to go back on their word, yet they did not say so until now, waiting until you are married into the Yang family to speak up. If they had said it earlier, clearly in front of your father, you would not have to marry Master Yang. You could have chosen any young gentleman to marry, which would be better than the current situation."

Madam Ji nodded and said: "It has been prepared in advance, and it will be carried to the Yang residence shortly."