I was pampered like a treasure after being married off to the young marshal, but my father and broth

The three girls, dressed in colorful cheongsams and coats, were dressed up beautifully, like three delicate flowers blooming in the snow.

Shang Sheyu tidied her hair, lifted the blanket, and got up.

"Third Young Mistress, you're sunbathing here."

Before Granny Yan even got close, her laughter reached over.

Shang Sheyu stepped forward and gave a slight curtsy: "It's a rare sunny day, so I came out to soak up some sun. Granny, who are these people...?"

Granny Yan turned to the side and pointed to the young ladies, saying, "These are all daughters of prominent families in our Northern Territory. They often visit our Quan family. They all came on your wedding day, but there were too many people around, so we didn't have a chance to talk. Today the weather is nice, so they came to visit you and hope to get to know you."

As she spoke, she pointed to the tall woman on the far left, who was wearing a royal blue velvet cheongsam with a white fox fur vest over it.

"This is Miss Jiang Yueyan, the eldest daughter of the Jiang family. The Jiang family is the largest fabric merchant in our northern border region. Half of the silk shops in the city belong to them."

Jiang Yueyan stepped forward, gave a generous bow, and said with a hearty smile, "Hello, Third Sister-in-law. I've wanted to visit you for a long time, but I was afraid of being presumptuous, so I've finally mustered the courage to come and ask for a cup of tea today."

Shang Sheyu returned the greeting.

"This is Miss Li Baozhu from the Li family."

Granny Yan then pointed to the girl in the middle with a round face, big eyes, and wearing a pink dress: "The Li family is in the cosmetics business, and Tianxianglou is their property."

Li Baozhu has two deep dimples on her cheeks when she smiles, making her look extremely cute.

She gave a slightly shy curtsy, her voice soft and sweet: "Hello, Third Sister-in-law, you are so beautiful, even more beautiful than I saw from afar at the wedding the other day."

The remaining one was also a young lady from a prominent family; her family was in the tea business, and her name was Zhao Wan.

Shang Sheyu greeted them all, saying, "Sisters, please don't stand on ceremony. It's cold outside. Please come inside and sit down."

Seeing that the person had arrived, Granny Yan did not linger: "Then this old servant will not disturb the Third Young Mistress and the young ladies any longer. I have other matters to attend to, so this old servant will take my leave now."

After seeing Granny Yan off, Shang Sheyu invited the group to sit down on the round stools next to the stone table.

The stone benches were already covered with thick brocade cushions, so they weren't cold.

"Xi'er, go and get a fresh pot of tea, and add some dried fruit."

Shang Sheyu gave the instructions.

After everyone sat down, the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

Three pairs of eyes simultaneously fell on Shang Sheyu, filled with curiosity and inquiry.

After all, this was the woman who dared to marry the ruthless "King of the North," Third Master Quan.

Adding to the previous controversy surrounding the arranged marriage, Shang Sheyu was seen as a mysterious figure by these young ladies from prominent families.

Shang Sheyu felt a little uncomfortable being stared at by them.

In her previous life, she was an unloved and invisible person in the merchant family. After marrying into the Chi family, she was busy making a living every day. She had never attended a tea party for rich young ladies.

She picked up her teacup, took a sip, concealing the awkwardness in her eyes, and pondered what to start a conversation with.

Jiang Yueyan was a shrewd person and immediately noticed Shang Sheyu's restraint.

She broke the silence with a smile: "Third sister-in-law, there's no need to be nervous. Our families have a long-standing relationship with the Quan family. My father often says that Third Master Quan is the pillar of our northern border, a great hero. Now that you've married a hero, you're a hero's wife. We're the ones who should be reserved."

Li Baozhu nodded in agreement, stuffing a piece of osmanthus cake into her mouth, her cheeks puffed out: "Exactly!"

"Third Sister-in-law, at the wedding that day you wore that white veil, we were all guessing what the bride looked like. Now that we see her, Third Sister-in-law is indeed a great beauty. No wonder she is worthy of Third Master."

Shang Sheyu was amused by her childish words: "You flatter me, my sisters. You are the true ladies of noble families."

"Oh dear, Third Sister-in-law, don't be so modest."

Jiang Yueyan interrupted her, tossing the sunflower seed shells in her hand into a small dish, leaning forward and lowering her voice, "Third Sister-in-law, have you received the invitation from the merchant?"

Shang Sheyu's fingers, which were holding the teacup, paused slightly.

She raised her eyelids, feigning ignorance: "Invitation? What invitation?"

The group exchanged glances, their eyes filled with a strange look.

Jiang Yueyan coughed and said, "The news has spread throughout the city. The fourth young lady of the Shang family, your fourth sister Shang Pengyue, is getting married to the eldest young master of the Chi family in five days. The invitations started being sent out last night, and all of our families have received them."

Zhao Wan, standing next to her, shrugged, looking completely bewildered.

"I'm so confused. Didn't Shang Pengyue already get married before? Why are they getting married again? Are the Chi and Shang families treating marriage like a game?"

All eyes were once again focused on Shang Sheyu's face.

After all, this matter involves her younger sister and her family, so discussing it in front of her is somewhat awkward.

Shang Sheyu put down his teacup, his face showing no anger, but rather a faint smile.

"It's alright, my sisters, please say whatever you want to say. I haven't been back to my parents' home for several days, and I'm not as well-informed about the outside world as you are."

Seeing her so magnanimous, Jiang Yueyan breathed a sigh of relief.

She had already heard about the internal discord within the business.

Shang Pengyue's domineering nature was well-known in the Medical Academy, and she had bullied this third sister quite a bit.

Now it seems the rumors were true.

Since Shang Sheyu didn't care, Jiang Yueyan became bolder.

"Third Sister-in-law, you have no idea, this is the biggest joke in our Northern Territory right now."

Jiang Yueyan's eyes sparkled: "Rumors are circulating that on the day Shang Pengyue got married, she didn't even enter the bridal chamber before the Chi family threw her out, along with her bedding."

"what?"

Li Baozhu was so surprised that she almost dropped the pastry in her mouth: "Throw it out? Why?"

Jiang Yueyan pouted: "What else could it be? Because it's dirty."

She glanced at Shang Sheyu, who was still calmly drinking his tea, and continued, "Yesterday, my father's driver went to a tavern and happened to run into some servants from the Chi family bragging. From what they said, Shang Pengyue went to the Chi family yesterday with double the dowry to beg for a wedding, but the old lady of the Chi family accepted the dowry but did not agree to hold the wedding."

"Double the dowry?" Zhao Wan exclaimed in surprise, "My God, isn't this like paying extra?"

Li Baozhu also widened her eyes and looked at Shang Sheyu.

"Third sister-in-law, is this true? You'd even pay me to marry him?"

Shang Sheyu put down his teacup, wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips: "I don't know if she's offering herself up, but my fourth sister is indeed deeply in love with Young Master Chi. In order to enter the Chi family, she would be willing to risk her life, let alone double her dowry."

Everyone looked on incredulously when they heard this.

In this era, a woman's reputation was of paramount importance.

Being kicked out of the groom's house on the wedding day is already a great disgrace, but to have to beg for a double dowry to marry her?

Is Shang Pengyue out of his mind?

"The Chi family is utterly shameless!"

Zhao Wan said indignantly, "They accepted double the dowry, and they're still not willing to hold a wedding?"

Jiang Yueyan sneered: "The Chi family wants both money and face. You don't know why the Chi family wanted to kick Shang Pengyue out."