Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 343 Testing the Waters of Marriage
"Mother~"

Hearing Madam Shen speak like this, Shen Jun's face became even more rosy.

However, being mother and daughter, Shen Jun hesitated for a moment under Madam Shen's earnest gaze, but eventually followed her lead and sat back down in the chair.

"Jun'er, what are you really thinking?"

Seeing her daughter sit down again, Madam Shen immediately understood Shen Jun's meaning and couldn't help but ask from the side, "Jun'er, what are your plans for the future?"

The room suddenly fell silent. Shen Jun blushed but did not answer immediately.

It's unclear how much time passed, but just as Madam Shen was about to ask more questions, Shen Jun hesitated and replied tentatively, "Mother, actually... actually, I didn't think too much about it."

"After all, aren't our daughters supposed to marry according to their parents' wishes and the matchmaker's words?"

Shen Jun blinked her big, bright eyes at her mother, and said hesitantly, "Mother, could I possibly have any other choice?"

"Can I find my own Mr. Right?"

Shen Jun used a feigned retreat to advance, quietly expressing her expectations.

Unfortunately, Lady Shen had already been given prior notice by Lord Shen in this regard.

Although the two elderly people also love their daughter dearly, they cannot let her, a young girl, make decisions on this matter on her own.

Lord Shen had repeatedly emphasized to Madam Shen that Shen Jun's marriage must be personally overseen and approved by the elderly couple. At most, they would consult Shen Jun's opinion at the very beginning, so that they could search for suitable candidates within this requirement. Although there would be some choices, the final decision would ultimately rest with Madam Shen and her husband.

Of course, this also means that Lord Shen will make the decision regarding Shen Jun's marriage.

After all, Madam Shen was easily swayed and had no way to deal with Lord Shen's "eloquence".

Therefore, after Shen Jun tried to ask this question, Madam Shen firmly shook her head, directly extinguishing her hope: "Jun'er, this is impossible!"

Madam Shen was unusually resolute. Looking at her daughter, she said firmly, "Your father has told me this many times before!"

"He said that other things are fine, but your marriage with Li'er must be personally approved by him!"

"Don't overthink it!"

Shen Jun felt a little disappointed after hearing what Madam Shen said.

However, to be honest, although Shen Jun felt a little disappointed, she wasn't too disappointed, because she had already anticipated this matter.

"mother!"

Shen Jun looked at Madam Shen with a wronged expression, her voice becoming very low: "Since that's the case, what else do you want to ask your daughter?"

Shen Jun said, half complaining and half feeling sorry for herself, "Anyway, in the end, won't it still be up to you two to decide our daughter's marriage?"

"If you can't let your daughter decide for herself, why bother asking her?"

Shen Jun's voice grew softer and softer until it was almost inaudible.

"Ah~"

Upon seeing this, Madam Shen couldn't help but sigh slightly.

However, although Madam Shen felt sorry for her daughter, she remained resolute on the surface and never thought that she could make Shen Jun's wish come true.

After all, as members of a traditional aristocratic family, neither Madam Shen nor Lord Shen would allow Shen Jun to act so "recklessly"!

That's right!

For a family like the Shen family, if their daughter were to secretly exchange partners and pledge her life to someone else, it would mean that their family would lose all face and dignity!
The most important things for a family are rules and reputation!
These two aspects complement each other and form an inseparable and indestructible whole, which is reflected in the words and deeds of each generation of clansmen.

Not to mention the children of the current patriarch of the Shen family. Shen Jun has no right to be willful in this regard. Otherwise, if there were any bad rumors, it wouldn't just be her, but the entire Shen family, from top to bottom, hundreds or thousands of young women would be affected, which would then hinder their marriage prospects.

Therefore, Shen Jun's request was something that the entire Shen family, from top to bottom, could never agree to!
"Jun'er, don't make things difficult for your mother!"

"Even if your father came, he would never be able to handle this!"

Madam Shen didn't say everything, but her meaning was very clear: Shen Jun's idea was absolutely impossible.

Shen Jun could only smile helplessly at this.

After a long pause, she finally spoke and asked, "Then... Mother, have you and Father already chosen someone?"

Shen Jun gave a self-deprecating smile, but never revealed her request.

As for her future husband, Shen Jun had also thought about it. She felt that, based on the current situation, her future husband should be a scion of a distinguished family with considerable ability, or at the very least, a family background that was a good match for the Shen family.

In this way, we can be of help to the Shen family and Shen Li in special circumstances in the future.

After all, what Lord Shen and his wife cared about most was still Shen Li.

Shen Jun saw this clearly, but she had no objection, because having been educated in Confucianism since childhood, she was exactly the kind of girl who would be a "virtuous wife, loving mother, and good older sister".

Of course, after getting married, Shen Jun's first consideration naturally became her husband's family, which is just her personality.

"Cough cough!"

Upon hearing Shen Jun's question, Madam Shen immediately felt a little uncomfortable. She secretly glanced at Shen Jun, and a strange expression immediately appeared on her face.

In fact, sometimes, Madam Shen always felt that among the four people in her family, only her son followed her, while her daughter Shen Jun followed Shen Shouzheng.

After all, Shen Li and she were both honest and simple-minded, unlike the father and daughter, who were practically reincarnations of fox spirits. With just a glance, they could immediately guess most of what people were thinking.

That's exactly the situation right now.

On the other hand, Shen Jun immediately guessed what had happened when she saw her own mother in this state.

It turns out that what she said casually was actually true; Madam Shen and the others had indeed chosen someone for her!
"Mother~"

Shen Jun's heart tightened, wondering what her future husband would be like. She quickly asked, somewhat anxiously, "Mother, who have you chosen?"

"Cough cough!"

"Jun'er, what are you saying?"

Madam Shen was choked and coughed repeatedly, but she did not want to be defeated immediately, so she quickly struggled to break free.

With a stern face and a serious expression, she said in a low voice, "Jun'er, you're a young lady, don't say such embarrassing things!"

"What do you mean we've taken a fancy to someone? We haven't looked at anyone!"

Enraged, Madam Shen turned around and scolded Shen Jun instead.

"Mother, please don't lie to me!"

"Please tell me quickly! Which company is it?"

At this moment, Shen Jun didn't want to waste any more words. She grabbed Madam Shen's sleeve and retorted, "Mother, didn't you just say that we're family and don't need to worry about these things?"

"How come you've changed your tune so quickly and are talking about these things now?"

Shen Jun brought up what Madam Shen had said earlier, blocking her way, and said, "Mother, tell me quickly!"

"Ah...this..." After hearing these words, Madam Shen felt even more embarrassed. After thinking about it, especially after comparing the fighting strength of the two sides, she finally decided to give in.

"This... how do you explain this?"

Madam Shen had a headache: "Jun'er!"

"Actually, it's nothing..."

"it's nothing!"

Madam Shen was somewhat flustered, unsure whether she should reveal the person they had their eye on at this moment.

However, when she saw the unease in Shen Jun's eyes beneath her feigned composure, Madam Shen couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.

"Sigh, never mind!"

After thinking about it, she decided to just tell the truth.

"Alright! Alright!"

Madam Shen grabbed Shen Jun's small hand and said softly, "Jun'er, let me tell you about this!"

At this moment, the other servants in the room had already wisely withdrawn, and some, as obedient as Xiao Qi, even closed the door behind them.

Therefore, at this moment, only Madam Shen and her daughter Shen Jun remained in the entire house.

"Mother, just tell me, who is it that you two have chosen?"

Shen Jun clenched her small fists secretly, feeling nervous.

At this moment, she was unaware that the "culprit" behind today's events was actually her younger brother. She managed to maintain a calm demeanor, but her voice was slightly trembling as she asked, "You, you should just tell me!"

"Well... this..."

"……this……"

Madam Shen was not good at lying to her own daughter, so after hesitating a few times, she finally told the whole story in one go.

"Actually, this...this is how it is!"

"..."

……

Madam Shen then proceeded to explain Shen Li's role in the entire affair from beginning to end.

However, her words made Shen Jun both ashamed and angry!
"Shen~Li~"

"You bastard, Shen Li!"

Shen Jun gritted her teeth, displaying a violent demeanor completely unlike anything she had ever shown before!

You should know that Shen Jun has always been a well-bred young lady since she was a child. She has never been so "violent" before!

Her demeanor was so intimidating that even Madam Shen was somewhat "afraid"!
“Jun… Jun’er…”

"...Actually...actually..."

"...Li'er...this...this is for your own good!"

Seeing Shen Jun's "Super Saiyan" appearance, Madam Shen was also a little worried about her son, so she couldn't help but speak up and defend him.

"Jun'er, if Li'er weren't his sister, why would he worry about you?"

After thinking for a moment, Madam Shen used this universally applicable answer to dissuade him.

"So, Jun'er, you shouldn't be angry because of him anymore!"

At this moment, Madam Shen felt that what she said made more and more sense. However, since Shen Jun was in a fit of anger, she didn't say much. So she stretched out her hand, beckoned to Shen Jun, and said, "Come here, Jun'er!"

"Tell your mother, what are you really thinking?"

"What do you think of... Li'er's idea?"

Before Shen Jun could reply, Madam Shen said, as if talking to herself, "Actually, if that boy can pass your father's test, that would be quite good; he could be considered a promising young man!"

"Although it's due to age..."

"mother!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Jun was immediately overcome with embarrassment. She quickly interrupted Madam Shen's mutterings, her face turning even redder with anger!
"That brother of mine, how dare he... how dare he act so recklessly!"

"You...you're not helping me, how...how come you're even agreeing with him!"

"Mother, you really are... really..."

For a moment, Shen Jun was so angry that she couldn't speak.

"what?"

"Haha, this...this..."

Only then did Madam Shen realize, "Isn't it because I'm anxious about your marriage?"

She gave Shen Jun a fawning smile, seemingly a little embarrassed.

"However, Jun'er, I think Li'er's idea is quite good!"

"If that kid really passes the test, then he would truly be a good match for you!"

Madam Shen glanced at Shen Jun's expression and whispered tentatively, "Besides, if you and that boy really get together, then your brother and he will be related by marriage!"

"According to Li'er, this lad is quite capable, especially in the imperial examinations. If our two families can really form a marriage alliance in the future, it will be convenient for your brother to associate with him!"

"In the future, if either of the two families encounters trouble, they will be able to lend a helping hand to each other!"

After Madam Shen said this, others might not know, but she herself was convinced.

"If that's really the case, then that would be excellent..."

"mother!"

At this moment, Shen Jun was about to explode with anger!

She suddenly stood up, clearly unwilling to stay by Madam Shen's side any longer.

She stormed out of the house in a huff, without even glancing at her own mother beside her!
It seems that Shen Jun has also been defeated by her own mother!

……

Actually, what Madam Shen told Shen Jun was quite simple: Shen Li had a sudden idea to make Sheng Changquan his brother-in-law.

In other words, Shen Li was actually going to introduce his sister to his best friend, preparing to "double the family ties"!
However, he did not alarm anyone else about this matter. In fact, the two parties involved were completely unaware of it. Even Shen Jun had only just heard about it from her own mother!
When Shen Li had this idea yesterday, he secretly spoke with his mother, asking her to talk to Lord Shen and see what kind of attitude his father had.

If that's not the case, do you really think Shen Shouzheng stayed in the mansion to wait for Sheng Changquan because he valued his talent?
Many thanks to the generous donors Yao Zhi Ye Shang and reader 20170421151837735 for their donations! (I worked too late tonight, so the update was completed in the early hours of the morning!)
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(End of this chapter)