Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 177 Jiajia, I know your heart

Lu Jia is much shorter than Shen Zhui, so even if she picked up a brick that fit perfectly, how could she possibly hurt Shen Zhui?

Besides, he has thick skin and flesh, so even if it lands on him, it won't matter!

However, this blow caused very little damage, but the insult was immense!
He clearly meant well by coming to tell her the truth!

This is too much!
He kicked the brick away as it flew, then pointed at Lu Jia and said, "You, you've taken my kindness for granted!"

"Young Master Shen is quite the smooth talker!" Lu Jia said. "Do you think I don't know what you're up to? You came to me just to try and get me to join you in dealing with him!"
"What kind of conflict can't be resolved behind closed doors between brothers? You actually came to me, an outsider, for such a small matter, which shows you don't know what's good for you!"

"It's fortunate that I didn't fall for your tricks today. If I had listened to you, would your Shen family still have any face? Wouldn't outsiders criticize your father for failing to raise his son properly?"

Shen Zhui was speechless after being rebuked.

After saying that, Lu Jia added, "Aren't you leaving yet?"

Shen Zhui glanced at him, then at Shen Qingzhou, and then quickly ran away.

Lu Jia stood there, watching his retreating figure.

Shen Qingzhou waved his hand behind him, and the shadow guards in the shadows immediately followed and chased after Shen Zhui.

He walked up to Lu Jia, opened his mouth as if to speak, but no words came out.

Lu Jia crossed her arms: "Young master, why aren't you leaving?"

Shen Qingzhou took a deep breath: "Jiajia..."

Lu Jia looked up and said, "May I ask your name, sir? We are strangers, so it is impolite of you to address me like that."

Shen Qingzhou took a deep breath and said slowly, "My surname is Shen, and my given name is Shen Yu. Miss Lu, we are engaged."

"Nonsense!" Lu Jia said, "The person I'm engaged to is named Qin Zhou, and I don't know anyone with the surname Shen."

Shen Qingzhou softened her voice: "Qin Zhou is me, and Qingzhou is also my name."

Lu Jia paused for a moment: "So what? It still doesn't count. I only recognize the name on the marriage contract."

Shen Qingzhou thought for a moment, then cupped his hands in a salute: "My mother's surname is Qin. She once said that the Qin family has no male grandsons. It is acceptable for me to take Qin Zhou's name and become a descendant of the Qin family."

"Therefore, it also counts."

Lu Jia was stunned for a moment, then shook him off and went inside: "You're lying to me again. Who cares about you? Get out of here. I never want to see you again!"

Shen Qingzhou stepped forward to block her path. As he did so, he braced his outstretched arms against the door frame, and with an unknown amount of force, several clumps of plaster fell from the wall.

Lu Jia couldn't stop in time, and her nose touched his body, smelling his scent. How boring.

What is this for?
Why did you stop her now? Why didn't you do this earlier?
She turned her face away with a stern expression.

I'd like to talk to you.

"No doubt about it!"

Lu Jia turned her face to the other side again.

unacceptable.

She never thought of him as a bad person. Before Yin Liu found out Shen Zhui's identity, she still thought it was no big deal, after all, she had already guessed that he must come from a good family.

Even if he were just another member of the Six Ministries, Lu Jia wouldn't care. But when he learned that he was actually the eldest son of the Shen family—he clearly knew who he was, so why did he still hide his identity?

Wouldn't that be considered deliberate concealment?
"Do you think I'm not good enough for you?" Thinking of this, she raised her eyebrows and looked at him hatefully: "I know that your Shen family are great heroes, with numerous military achievements, and are blessed by the emperor. You are extremely noble and don't need to associate with anyone at all."

"Do you think my father is a treacherous minister, and that our Lu family isn't even worthy to carry your shoes? Do you look down on me?" Shen Qingzhou looked down at her, her hands, which had been supporting her on the door frame, slowly lowered. "What you're saying hurts me more than if you killed me."

"If you're going to use such words to hurt me and wound my heart, why did you stand up for me earlier? Why did you show any pity for me?"

Lu Jia shouted, "Stop trying to make yourself look good! Who's going to stand up for you? Who cares about you? I just can't stand that kid trying to use me—"

Before she could finish speaking, he grabbed her right hand and pulled her in front of him without saying a word.

The impact wasn't severe, but it was enough to make her mind go blank.

She looked up and saw his eyes, deep and unfathomable—what had she been about to say? How could she have forgotten everything?
But they all turned into flames, burning her eyes red.

She tried to shake his hand off, but he gripped it even tighter.

"I already know your heart."

His words echoed in her ears, and tears welled up in Lu Jia's eyes instantly.

he knows?
He said he knew!
That damned bastard!
Seeing all this from under the porch, Qiu Niang sighed and coughed softly.

Upon hearing the sound, the two people standing together immediately let go and jumped away.

"It's cold outside, come in and talk," Qiu Niang called softly.

There haven't even been any formal betrothal ceremonies yet, and even his own father doesn't know about it. How can they be so reluctant to part?

The two looked at each other's bright red faces, and then simultaneously took a half step back.

Lu Jia stammered, pointing to the courtyard: "I'll go in first!"

After saying that, he lightly stepped across the threshold and then rushed into the house.

Shen Qingzhou watched her figure with lingering affection, then clenched his fists and went inside as well.

The lights in the hall were already lit, and Qiu Niangye had tea and snacks prepared, but Lu Jia was nowhere to be seen.

“It’s cold at night, so I told her to go inside and put on a coat. Please have a seat, Young Master Shen,” Qiu Niang said with a smile.

My daughter is shy, how could she not tell?
At this point, we should give her a way out and let her compose herself before coming out again.

Shen Qingzhou was filled with complex emotions that were hard to express. He had deceived Lu Jia, and in a way, he had also deceived Qiu Niang, who had treated him kindly and gently.

Not knowing what to say, he stepped back to the door and bowed deeply.

Qiu Niang helped him up and said, "I dare not accept such a grand gesture from Young Master Shen. Looking back on everything, we were blind to your talent and have probably slighted you. Please forgive us, Young Master Shen."

Shen Qingzhou said, "Madam's words really make me uneasy."

Qiu Niang added, "I never imagined that Jia'er and you would have such a connection."

"Before Jia'er comes out, I'd like to ask you a question first. Now that you've come tonight, how will you treat that marriage contract in the future?"

Shen Qingzhou pondered for a moment: "To be honest, Madam, because tonight's events came so suddenly, I have no clue what to do yet."

Qiu Niang nodded: "I have known you for some time now, and I know that you are a prudent person. I also know that you have your own difficulties given the different positions of the Shen and Lu families."

"With Jia'er's biological father around, I can't participate in her marriage. I only ask that you, sir, agree that no matter what happens in the end, you should not tarnish Jia'er's reputation."

"If this marriage arrangement really cannot be fulfilled, then let no one know."

"She is already having a very difficult time in the Lu family."