High-class maid

Chapter 292 Marriage

"Mother, what do you think of this marriage? If you agree, our two families will be even closer! It's only because Shan Tao is my sister that I would be willing to propose such a good marriage to her."

Shan Tao's sister-in-law, supporting her large pregnant belly, addressed Chen Shan's mother with a rare gentle tone.

Shan Tao scoffed coldly. She didn't believe that such a good thing would happen to her. It must be a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken, with ill intentions!

Chen Shan's wife glanced at Shan Tao's face. Seeing her daughter's displeasure, she knew her daughter was unhappy. But on one side was her daughter, and on the other was her daughter-in-law. She didn't want to offend either of them!

“Your sister said a few days ago that she didn’t want to get married so soon. I know you’re being kind. Let me have a good talk with your father about your sister, okay?” Chen Shan’s wife said.

Pingniang (Shantao's sister-in-law) was peeling oranges on the table, glancing sideways at Shantao, and then, thinking she was being kind, offered some advice.

"Sister, it's not that I'm criticizing you, but it's better for a woman to get married early. Otherwise, she'll become an old maid after she's past her prime, and then it won't be us choosing others anymore, it will be others choosing us!"

Shan Tao really wanted to retort, "Isn't it just that you're afraid I'll spend your parents' money? Isn't it just that you want to be the head of the Chen family?" But Shan Tao looked at her swollen belly and swallowed her words.

"Fine, fine, let her say what she wants. I won't listen to her." Shan Tao knew she had a sharp tongue, and if she angered her to the point of premature labor, even if she was right, she would be wrong.

"I'll go out and cook."

Yamamoto took a few deep breaths and tried to speak calmly.

“Mother, look at my little sister’s temper. We need to find a family we know well to marry into. Otherwise, if word gets out that our Chen family doesn’t know how to raise a daughter!”

Pingniang's voice came from inside the house. Shantao shook her head irritably and went to the kitchen, suppressing her anger.

She longed to see Xing'er, but every time she went, she would talk about her family's troubles. Would Xing'er be annoyed by her and she was too embarrassed to talk about it? She was even too embarrassed to go to Xing'er herself!

After an unknown amount of time, Pingniang came out of the house, supporting her pregnant belly. Chen Shan's wife was beside her, supporting her arm, looking like a young mistress of a wealthy family.

"Even the young mistress doesn't act like this," Yamamoto thought to herself.

Pingniang glanced at Shantao again, then turned to Chen Shan's wife with a smile and said...

"Mother, your daughter-in-law has gone back first. Shan Gen was supposed to come today, but something came up at the shop and he couldn't leave. He asked me to give you his regards."

"As long as you two are doing well, that's all that matters. Shan Gen sometimes doesn't know how to speak properly, so please don't take it to heart, Ping Niang. I don't have time to take care of you anyway. Take this money and buy some good food."

Chen Shan's wife took out a purse and handed it to Pingniang.

"You're smart enough to know what's good for you." Pingniang sneered inwardly, but her smile became even more genuine on the surface.

"Then I thank you very much, Mother. You should do your job well, and in a few months you will be able to hold your precious grandson."

The doctor took her pulse, and it's highly likely she's having a boy! He'll be the Chen family's eldest grandson!

She was determined to marry Shan Tao off before she gave birth, so that her sister-in-law, Shan Tao, would have to give money when the baby was bathed on the third day! She had heard that her sister-in-law had a lot of money and was also good friends with Shen Xing'er.

Now that the Shen family is at its peak, I, as their sister-in-law, can benefit from it to some extent, right?

"Alright, alright, Shantao, help your sister-in-law onto the carriage!" Chen Shan's wife said.

Shan Tao rolled her eyes inwardly. It was just what she hated most. Reluctantly, she got up and expressionlessly helped Ping Niang into the carriage.

"Little sister, I'm leaving now! Think carefully about what your sister-in-law said. Your brother and I only wish you well!" Pingning patted Shantao's hand, pretending to be earnest and earnest in her advice.

Shan Tao pulled her hand away and said, "Sister-in-law, you should go back quickly!"

After saying that, he turned around and went home, closing the door behind him.

Normally, she still considers her parents and maintains a respectful relationship with Pingniang, but now she dares to scheme against her own marriage! How could Shantao possibly give her a kind look?

Pingniang smiled indifferently. As long as her parents agreed to the marriage, she couldn't escape it!

"Shantao, your parents have seen the discord between you and your sister-in-law. But even if she is malicious, she probably wouldn't dare to harm you in your marriage. Why don't you reconsider?"

Chen Shan asked cautiously.

Shan Tao finally couldn't hold back anymore, her eyes reddening as she asked...

"Even you despise me now, don't you? Is it because I didn't give you the monthly allowance? Am I superfluous in this family?!"

Chen Shan's wife was so frightened that she waved her hands repeatedly. She had talked to Shan Tao about marriage before, but her reaction was never this strong!

"That's not what I meant. Your sister-in-law is right. You are in the prime of your life, and it's only right to get engaged right away. How can a young woman not get married?"

Shan Tao didn't speak. Although her mother's words made sense, she still didn't believe that Ping Niang would be so kind.

Seeing that she remained silent, Chen Shan's wife continued to coax her in a low voice.

"Don't worry, your mother won't marry you off so easily. I'll talk to your father about it when he gets back. If he agrees, we can secretly inquire about it further, okay?"

The image of Wu Xunzhi flashed through Shan Tao's mind, and tears welled up in her eyes uncontrollably. If she nodded in agreement, the two of them would truly become strangers.

She nodded silently. Fine, she'd listen to her parents then.

Chen Shan's family breathed a sigh of relief; it was good that they agreed.

When Chen Shan returned home that evening, his family told him about what had happened during the day.

Thanks to the old lady's kindness, Chen Shan returned from the estate outside the city after the New Year and is now the manager of the first lady's shop in the city.

"Since Shantao has agreed, I will go and inquire tomorrow to find out which family they are from and where they live. How would Pingniang know?"

“He’s Ping Niang’s nephew. Isn’t this a double blessing? I heard that the child is still a student. If he gets an official position in the future, our Shan Tao will be an official’s wife,” Chen Shan’s wife said.

"Is there really such a good thing? Their family looks down on us for being slaves, wouldn't they look down on Shan Tao too?" Chen Shan asked, frowning.

"Probably not." Chen Shan's family hadn't considered this possibility.

"Whether it succeeds or not, I'll inquire about it tomorrow," Chen Shan said.

The group went to sleep with their own thoughts on them. The next day, Chen Shan and his wife went out early in the morning, leaving Shan Tao alone at home. She wanted to go find Xing'er, but she didn't want her family's messy affairs to bother her ears.

Just as Shan Tao was struggling with her dilemma, there was a knock on her door.

"Shantao, is Shantao home?"

"Xing'er! Coming, coming!" Shan Tao excitedly went to open the door.

"It really is you! How did you know I was home?" Shan Tao welcomed Shen Xing'er into the house.