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

The greenhouse in the Quan Mansion is filled with all sorts of exotic flowers and plants, which bloom in a riotous display even in the dead of winter in the North.

Si Nan, dressed in a brocade cheongsam with a vest over it, was carefully trimming the withered leaves of a clivia plant with scissors.

Shang Sheyu stood to the side, holding a spray bottle filled with water, and handed it over at the right moment.

"Sheyu, look at this clivia."

The old lady stopped what she was doing, pointed to the potted plant, and said earnestly, "This flower may not be as opulent as a peony, nor as delicate and beautiful as a rose, but its leaves are upright and its flowers are elegant; it has the most backbone."

She turned her head and looked at her gentle and quiet daughter-in-law beside her through her glasses, her eyes filled with affection.

"The same principle applies to women. Although we are born into wealth, we must be like the clivia, rising from the mud unsullied. We must be decisive and resilient in the face of adversity. In this chaotic world, it is not easy for men to work hard outside. We women must stay at home and remain steadfast and true to ourselves."

Shang Sheyu lowered her head slightly, her expression respectful, a faint smile on her lips, and replied softly, "Sheyu has learned a lot. Although these flowers and plants are inanimate objects, they contain profound principles of life. Mother-in-law's words today have benefited me greatly."

Si Nan nodded.

Ever since Shang Sheyu entered the house, she has found him more and more pleasing to the eye.

Although she comes from a merchant family, this child doesn't have Shang Mingguo's sharp tongue; instead, she exudes the composure and poise of a well-bred young lady.

"It's good that you understand."

Si Nan sighed, put down the scissors, and took the hot towel that Shang Sheyu handed her to wipe her hands.

"Third brother is a cold and taciturn boy. You two will have to be more tolerant of him in the future. As long as you two are doing well, I won't have to worry about anything."

Shang Sheyu's eyelashes trembled slightly as the image of that man's cold face and the lingering coolness of the ointment on his fingertips flashed through her mind, causing a slight stirring in her heart.

"Yes, daughter-in-law understands."

As they were talking, the glass door of the greenhouse was pushed open.

Granny Yan walked in hurriedly, followed by a young man in a sharp suit with a briefcase in his hand.

"old lady."

Granny Yan approached and respectfully reported, "Young Master Wang Gui's assistant, Zhou, has arrived."

Upon hearing this, Si Nan's smile faded, and her gaze fell on the young man.

Zhou Lin quickly stepped forward, bowed slightly, his attitude respectful yet capable.

"Greetings, ma'am."

"Zhou Lin," Si Nan took off her glasses and rubbed her temples, "Why are you here today? Where's Wang Gui? You haven't been home for over a month. Is business at the Chamber of Commerce that busy? So busy that you don't even have time to come back and see your old wife?"

Zhou Lin smiled and explained, "Grandma, please don't be angry. Mr. Quan has indeed been extremely busy lately. It's the end of the year, and he has to take stock of all the accounts in the Chamber of Commerce and keep an eye on several big deals. He's just too busy to handle everything. That's why he's been thinking about you and specifically asked me to come and check on your health."

"Hmph, don't try to coax me with those sweet words." Although Si Nan's face was stern, her tone had clearly softened.

"This child has been a workaholic since he was little. Now that he's grown up, he's become less attached to home and treats the Chamber of Commerce as his home."

Shang Sheyu stood aside, listening quietly without interrupting.

Quan Wanggui, the eldest grandson of the Quan family's eldest branch.

She had naturally heard of that name before.

The Quan family wields immense power in the Northern Territory. Third Master Quan holds military power and commands a large army, making him the pillar of stability in the Northern Territory.

Quan Wanggui, the eldest grandson of the Quan family, is only twenty years old, but he has already taken over the Quan family's vast business empire and is in charge of the Quan Family Chamber of Commerce.

Rumor has it that this uncle and nephew, one a scholar and the other a warrior, one a military man and the other a businessman, work together seamlessly.

Most of the money Quan Wanggui earned flowed into the military region, becoming guns, ammunition, and food supplies for Quan Tuo's subordinates.

However, this eldest nephew has never shown his face since she married into the family.

As Shang Sheyu was thinking, he suddenly felt a gaze fall on him.

She slightly raised her eyes and met Zhou Lin's probing gaze.

When Zhou Lin entered the room, he was immediately drawn to the young woman standing next to the old lady.

She wore a simple, moon-white cheongsam with a light blue knitted cardigan over it, and her hair was casually tied into a bun with a jade hairpin in the center.

Although she wore no makeup, her face was exquisitely beautiful and her temperament was as elegant as an orchid.

Standing among this cluster of precious flowers and plants, she was even more beautiful than the flowers themselves.

Is this the legendary third young mistress who married into the family through a marriage arrangement?

She's definitely a beauty in the making.

Seeing Shang Sheyu looking over, Zhou Lin remained calm, quickly averting his gaze. He nodded slightly to Shang Sheyu and politely greeted her, "This must be the Third Young Mistress. Zhou Lin greets the Third Young Mistress."

Shang Sheyu gave a slight curtsy in return, saying, "Mr. Zhou, you're too kind."

Seeing this, Si Nan also came to her senses and asked, "Besides relaying that brat's message, what else did you come here for today?"

Zhou Lin straightened up, his expression becoming somewhat solemn.

"Madam, actually, I came here today on Mr. Quan's orders to invite the Third Young Mistress to the Chamber of Commerce."

Si Nan was stunned, her face full of surprise: "Please ask She Yu to go to the Chamber of Commerce? To what purpose?"

Shang Sheyu was also taken aback, his brows furrowing slightly.

She had never been to the Quan family's business association, nor had she ever met Quan Wanggui, and she had never even revealed anything about her business dealings.

What's her nephew up to by suddenly sending someone to invite her?

"this..."

Zhou Lin looked embarrassed, pursed his lips, and seemed to find it difficult to speak.

"Madam, Third Young Mistress, Mr. Quan didn't go into details about what it was about. He only said that there was an important matter that required the Third Young Mistress's personal visit to get it done. From what I heard, it seemed to be related to a business deal."

Business?

Si Nan was even more confused.

"What business would a sheltered woman like me know? Is it not ridiculous to expect me to return?"

Shang Sheyu lowered his eyes, quickly calculating in his mind.

Quan Wanggui is in charge of the Quan family's finances, so his conduct must be extremely prudent; he would never joke about such a thing without a reason.

Since they specifically requested her to go, there must be a reason why they absolutely need her.

But what exactly happened?

"Madam," Zhou Lin quickly explained when he saw that Si Nan was somewhat displeased, "You know how Mr. Quan acts. He would never disturb the inner quarters unless absolutely necessary. This matter is indeed quite urgent. The car is already waiting outside. Please come in, Third Young Madam."

Si Nan pondered for a moment, then turned to look at Shang Sheyu.

"Since Wanggui wants you to go, then go ahead." Si Nan patted the back of her hand to comfort her. "He probably just wants to talk to you, his aunt, or there are some things that are inconvenient to handle in the inner quarters. Don't be afraid, just listen when you get there. If that brat dares to make you suffer, come back and tell me, and I won't let him off the hook."

Shang Sheyu nodded calmly, "Yes, Mother-in-law, don't worry, then your daughter-in-law will go and take a look."

"Go ahead, and come back soon."