The cousin is beautiful but ruthless.

Chapter 178 The Knot in Her Heart

Liang Ruoyan glanced at Qi Jiaying, then grabbed Xu Ying's hand: "But those people come from humble backgrounds and hold low-ranking official positions. They have no one to look after them in the officialdom. With their abilities, it will be extremely difficult for them to climb up. How can I marry into such a family? I'll be even worse off than Shen Hanyu."

Qi Jiaying's delicate eyebrows furrowed. Liang Ruoyan was still comparing herself to Shen Hanyu in her heart.

However, times have changed, and the two of them have long since fallen far apart, as can be seen from the girls' school.

Even if Qi Jiaying didn't know Shen Hanyu and Liang Ruoyan's past, she could still tell.

Every time Xu Ying tried to persuade her, Liang Ruoyan would say the same thing.

Why bother comparing yourself to that person?

Xu Ying didn't want to mention Shen Hanyu; Shen Hanyu was indeed annoying.

Qi Jiaying sat down and said slowly, "I heard my father mention that the Emperor has appointed Young Master Pei as General Dingguo. Now that he has an official position, it's not bad."

Liang Ruoyan naturally knew about this, so she was unwilling to accept that Pei Du had left the Duke's mansion, but still managed to obtain an official position through his own abilities.

As for the people Liang Chengxuan found, they were even less comparable.

Let's wait and see.

Xu Ying was also tired and didn't want to argue about the marriage. She decided to wait until Liang Ruoyan had figured it out.

Qi Jiaying was also unwilling to pay attention to Liang Ruoyan's affairs, as she really didn't like her husband's younger sister.

Liang Ruoyan remained silent for a moment, a hint of struggle flashing in her eyes. She knew perfectly well that Xu Ying was right, but she couldn't shake the feeling of comparing herself to Shen Hanyu.

Shen Hanyu is now thriving in the girls' school, and even the teachers look at her differently. Moreover, she ranks among the top three in the children's examination, which makes Liang Ruoyan extremely resentful.

Seeing that Liang Ruoyan was still hesitant, Qi Jiaying couldn't help but sigh. She said softly, "Ruoyan, if you keep clinging to those illusory noble families, you may miss out on a good match. You may not believe what others say, but your brother would never harm you."

Hearing Qi Jiaying's words, Liang Ruoyan felt even more agitated. She knew Qi Jiaying had a point, but she simply couldn't accept that she was marrying someone less fortunate than Shen Hanyu.

She bit her lip and said softly, "Let's think about this later. I... I need time to think about it."

Seeing that Liang Ruoyan had finally relented, Xu Ying breathed a sigh of relief. She gently patted the back of Liang Ruoyan's hand and said in a gentle tone, "Ruoyan, think it over carefully. Marriage is a serious matter and should not be decided hastily, but you must remember that no matter what choice you make, your mother will help you."

Liang Ruoyan nodded, a hint of gratitude flashing in her eyes: "I will think about it carefully."

Seeing that Liang Ruoyan had finally stopped pestering her, Qi Jiaying breathed a sigh of relief. She stood up and said, "Since that's the case, I'll head back now. Ruoyan, think it over carefully, so you don't regret it later."

Liang Ruoyan nodded and watched Qi Jiaying leave.

Xu Ying also stood up, "That's naturally good if you can figure it out yourself."

Liang Ruoyan forced a smile.

Xu Ying nodded, turned around, and went back first.

As night fell, Liang Ruoyan sat alone in her room, her mind swirling with thoughts. She knew she couldn't dwell on comparing herself to Shen Hanyu anymore, but she simply couldn't accept marrying someone less fortunate than Shen Hanyu. She bit her lip, a resolute glint in her eyes: "No matter what, I absolutely cannot lose to Shen Hanyu!"

She stood up, walked to the window, looked at the night outside, and secretly made up her mind.

No matter the cost, she was determined to marry someone better than Shen Hanyu, and she absolutely could not let her see her make a fool of herself.

As night deepened, Liang Ruoyan's figure flickered in the candlelight.

The next day, a banquet was held at General Weiyuan's mansion. Wei Ming had passed the preliminary examination and would be taking the provincial examination a year later.

Shen Hanyu was invited and was the first to arrive, bringing a gift for Wei Ming.

"Why did you come so early?"

Wei Ming changed into a new dress, which was just made at a tailor shop and was the most fashionable style in Chang'an at the moment.

"There are fewer people here right now, so I can sit down and rest for a bit."

Even Shen Hanyu, who had lived two lives, was somewhat excited about such a result on her first scientific expedition, so she got up a little earlier.

Wei Ming opened the gift and found it was an exquisite jade hairpin. The jade was warm and smooth, and the carving was delicate. It was obviously carefully selected. A look of amazement flashed in her eyes, and she quickly said, "This jade hairpin is so beautiful. Han Yu, you are so thoughtful."

Shen Hanyu waved her hand and smiled, "I'm glad you like it. Today is your special day, so of course you should dress up nicely."

Wei Ming nodded, gently inserting the jade hairpin into her hair, making her even more radiant. She held Shen Hanyu's hand, her voice filled with gratitude: "Hanyu, if it weren't for your help, I probably wouldn't have achieved what I have today."

Shen Hanyu gently patted the back of her hand, her tone gentle: "This is your own hard work, and you also helped me."

Wei Ming smiled and said, "I need to work harder next year. I want to improve my ranking in the provincial examination a year from now."

As the two were talking, a commotion arose outside. It turned out that the other invited guests had arrived one after another.

Wei Ming quickly stood up and said to Shen Hanyu, "Hanyu, you sit down and rest for a while. I'll go and greet the guests with Mother."

Shen Hanyu nodded and watched Wei Ming leave. She sat to the side, quietly observing the banquet arrangements. The banquets at General Weiyuan's mansion were always elaborate, and today they were especially brightly decorated and lively.

Just as she was deep in thought, she suddenly heard a whisper from beside her.

"I heard Liang Ruoyan is here today too. I wonder if she will run into Shen Hanyu."

“Liang Ruoyan has lost face now. She is the only one who is not on the list. Shen Hanyu left the Marquis’s mansion and made it into the top three. She is quite capable.”

"Liang Ruoyan has always been arrogant, so why did she put aside her pride and come over today?"

The group of people were all making sarcastic remarks about Liang Ruoyan.

Shen Hanyu listened to their conversation through the screen, her eyes half-closed.

I thought Liang Ruoyan wouldn't come. What does she want to do today?

Shen Hanyu recalled the list of invitees today. Apart from those with power and influence, there was also Princess Yongning, who had started a girls' school.

The fact that Liang Ruoyan could set aside her pride to attend this banquet suggests that she likely had her own motives.

Shen Hanyu sat up and drank some tea to clear her head.

She went outside, and Jin Chui went out for a walk and came back. "In just a short while, quite a few people have arrived, except for Princess Yongning."

"Stay put and don't wander off."

Shen Hanyu went to find Wei Ming, with Miao Cui and Jin Chui following behind.

Wei Ming stood next to Yang Yueying, while Wei Zhengting spoke with his colleagues in the officialdom.

Liang Chengxuan did not appear; Xu Ying brought Liang Ruoyan to the banquet. No one from the second branch of the family came, except for Liang Ruochu.