Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 174

Zhang Xiuyue stepped into the private room and instructed her two maids to guard the door, shutting out the prying eyes and ears from downstairs.

She had always maintained a graceful and dignified image in public, bearing the manners of a well-bred lady. Especially in front of Shen Yu, whom she admired, she was always composed and demure, never had she lost control the way she did today.

Pouring herself a cup of tea, Zhang Xiuyue took two sips, forcing herself to calm down.

Her tear-streaked eyes fixed firmly on Shen Yu as she asked in a slightly nasal voice full of grievance, “I want to ask you, was it because she told you I was impure? Did you believe her slander and break off our engagement because of it?”

Shen Yu glanced at Yu Jiao, who remained expressionless and cold. He withdrew his gaze and replied to Zhang Xiuyue, “It had nothing to do with her. The fact that you’re ill didn’t come from her. I had someone look into it myself.”

Zhang Xiuyue’s eyes immediately reddened, her pupils clouded with tears. She widened her eyes, trying to find even a flicker of emotion in Shen Yu’s calm, star-like eyes but found nothing. Biting her lip, Zhang Xiuyue forced back her tears and, in a moment of desperation, said, “Then do you know that my body isn’t…”

“I know,” Shen Yu said bluntly, cutting her off.

The indifference in his tone was too much to bear. Tears streamed down Zhang Xiuyue’s face as she stood up and raised her voice. “If you knew, then why… why did you still use that as an excuse to call off the engagement?”

By now, she no longer cared who else was in the room. Dignity was the last thing on her mind.

Choking with sobs, Zhang Xiuyue continued, “Shen Yu, did you never want to marry me in the first place? Is that why you made up such a ridiculous excuse to break things off? I liked you so much, how could you humiliate me like this?”

Shen Yu stayed silent, letting her vent her anger and pain.

But his silence only fueled Zhang Xiuyue’s despair. Her emotions completely collapsed. She walked up to Shen Yu, sobbing and begging, “Say something! Why won’t you say anything? Shen Yu, you bastard! Even if I hadn’t been sick, weren’t you already planning to break the engagement? You never intended to marry me, did you? How could you go so far defaming my purity and ruining my name? I’m a woman…”

She cried so hard she nearly fainted, her voice full of heartbreak. “Did you ever think about what would happen to me after this? My name’s been ruined, how am I supposed to marry now? What future do I have?”

Shen Yu stood unmoving as she wept and hurled her accusations. As a businessman’s son, he had always prioritized his own interests. He knew that if the Shen family’s reasons for breaking off the engagement spread, Zhang Xiuyue’s reputation would be destroyed. But he had never given it much thought.

“I’m sorry,” Shen Yu said softly. Perhaps sons of merchants were born cold and unfeeling. He looked quietly at the tear-stained Zhang Xiuyue, whose sorrow was heartbreaking, but he felt little empathy.

Zhang Xiuyue finally lost control. All her reason abandoned her as she grabbed Shen Yu’s collar, sobbing and striking him weakly. “Shen Yu, you bastard! Did you know I almost hung myself with a white silk scarf just to prove my innocence? How could you treat me like this? I’ve loved you for so many years…”

Shen Yu still didn’t move, not until she had exhausted herself, sobbing so hard she couldn’t catch her breath and her legs gave out beneath her. Only then did he reach out to support her.

“You’re right. I am a bastard and a heartless man. You never should’ve fallen for me,” Shen Yu said quietly, his tone flat and emotionless.

Zhang Xiuyue had no strength left. Her swollen, red eyes were full of despair.

Shen Yu called in her maids, who had been listening outside the entire time, too frightened to say anything. They quickly stepped forward and supported Zhang Xiuyue as they helped her out of the room.

Yu Jiao, who had remained silent since entering the room, finally spoke.

“Miss Zhang, now that you know the truth, stop making baseless accusations. It’s best not to repay kindness with suspicion. Such things are better avoided,” she said calmly.

Yu Jiao wasn’t without sympathy for Zhang Xiuyue’s ordeal. But fairness was fairness.

Zhang Xiuyue, emotionally drained, turned to look at Yu Jiao. She didn’t respond, only closed her eyes. She knew all her disgrace had been witnessed by this woman. Saying nothing, she let the maids help her downstairs.

After she left, the private room fell into a heavy silence.

Yu Jiao stood up to leave.

Seeing this, Shen Yu straightened his clothes, which had been pulled out of place during Zhang Xiuyue’s outburst. He let out a self-deprecating laugh. “After watching such a dramatic performance, are you feeling satisfied?”

“It had nothing to do with me,” Yu Jiao replied coolly. “I feel nothing.”

Shen Yu sneered. Watching her walk away, he suddenly felt she might be even more cold-hearted than he was.

“You got to vent some of the humiliation the Zhang family caused you. How can you say it has nothing to do with you?” His voice held a flicker of irritation, perhaps from knowing she had seen his most embarrassing moment.

Yu Jiao stopped and looked at him with her almond-shaped eyes. “Young Master Shen, perhaps in your entire life, you’ll never meet another woman who loves you as deeply as Miss Zhang. You’re the one who should regret it.”

Without waiting to see Shen Yu’s reaction, she turned and left the room with Yu Fuling.

Shen Yu stood there, stunned. He scoffed at her words, clearly unimpressed. As he straightened his clothes again, he caught Dayong, who was shrinking in the corner, stealing a glance at him.

“What are you looking at? Back to the manor!” He snapped in irritation.

Meanwhile, Yu Jiao and Yu Fuling left Zuiyun Pavilion. Once they were far enough away, Yu Fuling sighed, “That Miss Zhang really does love Young Master Shen, poor girl.”

“In this world, no one can’t live without someone,” Yu Jiao replied, using the moment to gently warn her. “Men like Shen Yu are scoundrels. After you marry, if your husband doesn’t treat you well, don’t just endure it and make yourself small. The kind of life you want isn’t something a man can give you.”

“Why are you saying this to me out of nowhere?” Yu Fuling’s cheeks flushed pink.

Yu Jiao smiled. “Because I hope you and your husband will have a good, peaceful life together.”

Yu Fuling blushed even more, feeling embarrassed. “You’re too young to be saying things like that.”

The gloomy mood from Zhang Xiuyue’s scene was swept away as the two girls laughed and chatted all the way back to rejoin Yu Qiaoshan and the others.

Seeing that they had sold all their umbrellas, Yu Qiaoshan and Yu Mengshan were overjoyed. They bought some food from town and all headed home together.

Madam Zhao had been anxiously waiting. When she saw Yu Jiao return, she rushed up to ask about the recommendation letters. Yu Jiao took out the three letters Headmaster Lin had written earlier from her sleeve. Beaming with joy, Madam Zhao immediately went to show them to Yu Jinshu and Yu Jinyan.

Later that evening, Mu Nianjiu arrived at the Yu home and stepping down from the carriage was none other than the long-unseen Second Young Master of the Mu family.