Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 178 Thoughts
After saying this, Qiu Niang left the hall.

Shen Qingzhou stood in the room, with only the crackling sound of the charcoal fire in the incense burner in the corner of the room.

After a long while, he sat down, casually picked up the cup in front of him, and only when he took a sip did he realize that it was ice-cold.

One hand took the cup and handed him another cup of hot tea.

Shen Qingzhou looked up and saw Lu Jia looking at her.

After a while, the embarrassment on her face had completely faded, and she became as open and honest as before.

Shen Qingzhou couldn't pretend that what had just happened hadn't occurred. He opened his mouth to speak, but Lu Jia, who had already sat down, spoke first. "What did Mother say to you just now?"

Shen Qingzhou remained silent.

Lu Jia said, "Don't worry about it. She was just concerned about me and said a few extra words. I'm angry, but honestly, I'm already very lucky to have met you and to have received so much help from you. If it weren't for your help, I probably would have had to stay hidden until Lu Ying got married before coming back."

"You know that our marriage contract was just a way to appease the Lu family. I've said it before, if you go back on your word, I won't object."

"Of course—I do think you're not bad, but that's under the assumption that you're really just a wealthy young master who's been living away from home. I think it would be nice to be an ordinary couple with you."

"All I want in this life is a peaceful and carefree life. You are the eldest son of Grand Commandant Shen, always in the spotlight. I'm afraid you can't give me a stable life. Let's just take this matter less seriously."

Lu Jia spoke these words with ease and fluency, yet she still felt a pang of sadness in her heart.

Because she didn't care whether he was the son of a wealthy merchant, a powerful figure, or the son of the Shen family.

It's true that in her past life, she was terribly bullied by that scoundrel Yan Qu in the Yan family, but that had nothing to do with Yan Qu's status; it was because he was a thoroughly wicked person. It was also because the Yan family's morals had deteriorated so drastically. Lu Jia didn't lose faith in life because of the hardships she endured in her past life; she believed she still deserved a good life.

Shen Qingzhou is a good person. Even if he fell into that pile of mud, he would still be a good person.

Why couldn't she be attracted to someone like him?
But now she knows that he had his reasons.

Shen Bo never got involved in any conflicts or disputes. Whether the court officials were loyal or treacherous, it seemed to have nothing to do with him.

This is completely different from Lu Jie's proactive approach to the Yan family.

Shen Qingzhou's trip to Tanzhou is clearly aimed at the Yan family, and it seems that the relationship between the father and son is not good. Shen Bo probably doesn't know about this.

Therefore, demanding that Shen Qingzhou fulfill his marriage contract with that document would undoubtedly be putting him in a difficult position.

Why bother?
It's not easy for everyone.

Lu Jia has a Jiang family member to deal with, while Shen Qingzhou also has a half-brother who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, or perhaps others.

It's tough for him too.

When Shen Qingzhou heard her say "I think you're not bad," she glanced at her, and her face flushed again.

Although he was aware of her feelings for him, this was the first time he had heard such words. Thus, no matter how much inner turmoil he felt, it could no longer disturb his mind.

He hummed in agreement: "Whatever you say."

It's impossible for him to take it lightly, but Qiu Niang had already given him a warning, so for now he could only follow her advice.

Lu Jia paused for a moment, then said, "But you can't regret it yet, because I still have a use for it!" Lu Ying wasn't married yet, so she couldn't relax.

Let's just take on the title of Mr. Shen's fiancée for now!

This is the ethereal and otherworldly Young Master Shen, whom everyone in the capital sees as unapproachable. And she managed to get him!
This is something that can't be told out loud. If it could be told, wouldn't we brag about it for three to five months?

Look at all those high-class ladies in the capital who couldn't win over this unattainable beauty, and in the end, she, a country bumpkin, got the prize. She has to brag about it! Otherwise, she'd be doing herself a disservice.

Thinking of this, she added, "I know your concerns. Don't worry, I won't expose you. We can continue as before, as if we don't know each other."

"This is good for me too. If the Jiang family finds out that I'm in contact with you, they might come up with some new tricks. That would make it impossible for me to guard against them."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingzhou nodded and said, "Whatever you say."

How could he possibly go back on his word?

If he were going to back out, he wouldn't have signed that document in the first place.

After she unexpectedly proposed marriage to him that day, he fled back to his mansion in a panic.

During the days and nights he couldn't see her, he was completely captivated by her proposal.

Getting married and having children is not something to look forward to.

But when it's with her, everything becomes interesting.

At that time, he thought that if he didn't agree to her request, someone else would.

Since she found me first, the worst outcome is that we won't be able to get married in the end. As long as I can help her overcome the difficulties, it's worth it.

It was just a stopgap measure; who could have imagined that something like this would happen tonight?
Lu Jie is also quite powerful. If he wants to fulfill the marriage contract, he absolutely cannot avoid Lu Jie.

What pained Shen Qingzhou initially was that he thought his feelings would never be known to Lu Jia, and that it would be a one-sided love. But now she knew, and what was even more remarkable was that she also had feelings for him. However, the situation had become more serious.

If he didn't marry her, he would be letting her down. He would also be letting himself down.

If they get married, the Shen family and the Yan family will indirectly become related by marriage.

Faced with her formidable father, how can he both get married and avoid implicating her when he attacks the Yan Party in the future?
"By the way," Lu Jia said as Shen Qingzhou's thoughts wandered, "I never knew you were also secretly investigating the Yan family. How come you're taking a different path from your father? Doesn't Grand Commandant Shen never get involved in these things?"

Shen Qingzhou paused for a moment, then said, "Investigating the Yan family in secret was my own decision. It has nothing to do with the Shen family. Although my father wasn't a good father in my eyes, he protected the country and was worthy of the court and our ancestors. He had no idea what I was doing."

"Actually, I understand his desire not to get involved in factional strife."

"Because of one careless move, the Shen family will be completely wiped out. The achievements that Father led so many soldiers to fight for may also be lost."

"There are far too many examples like this. Sacrificing one Shen family member may not seem like much, but if something happens to the Shen family, it will definitely implicate many soldiers, which is unfair to them."

"I don't want to implicate these people because of my ambitions. But being in my position, I do have many things I can use to eliminate treacherous officials."

"So I can only try my best to hide myself and avoid being exposed."

"The reason I kept it from you is because of this; it's not that I don't trust you, but that I simply can't afford to lose."