Ch 2: Is There Really Such a Good Thing? [QT]

Shen Yunrui put on her “good sister” facade, trying to continue “sacrificing herself,” but Shen Yunxuan cut her off first. “I know you mean well, Yunrui, but you’ve been frail since you were young. How could you endure the hardships of living in a village? Didn’t you fall into the pool yesterday because you felt dizzy and couldn’t stand properly?”

“What? Yunrui was dizzy and lost her balance yesterday? It wasn’t you who tripped her?” Madam Shen asked in surprise.

Shen Yunxuan replied calmly, “I was standing still. How could I have tripped her? You saw she had a fever and immediately started blaming me, refusing to hear my explanation. You can ask Yunrui, or check the surveillance footage if you don’t believe me.”

Though they had wronged Shen Yunxuan, they didn’t seem to care. Instead, they turned their full attention to Shen Yunrui, fussing over her with concern. “Why didn’t you say you were feeling dizzy, child? Are you still feeling unwell anywhere?”

Shen Yunrui hurriedly replied, “No, I’m perfectly fine. Didn’t the doctor say I’m okay? Besides, marrying into the Lin family doesn’t mean I’d have to live in the village…”

“Yunrui!” Shen Yunxuan frowned. “Do you even know the Lin family? Have you met them?”

Meeting her gaze, Shen Yunrui’s heart skipped a beat. “Of course not!”

“Then why are you so insistent?” Shen Yunxuan raised her voice slightly. “You’ve always been the best at making the elders happy and easing their worries. But aren’t you going too far this time? Everyone in the family is against it, so what are you trying to prove? Don’t say that you’d feel guilty if I married into the Lin family. If you ‘sacrificed yourself’ for me, I’d be the one feeling guilty for the rest of my life. Don’t you agree, Grandpa?”

The room fell silent. Old Master Shen instinctively nodded in agreement. “That’s right. Yunrui’s health is too fragile to endure hardships, and Yunxuan is willing to marry into the Lin family. Let’s settle this matter—no more arguing. You’re both good children. No matter who marries whom, the family won’t mistreat you. I won’t let my granddaughter suffer.”

This clearly implied an increased dowry. Shen Yunxuan lowered her eyes and responded, “I trust Grandpa.”

Old Master Shen waved his hand, signaling for everyone to leave. Shen Yunrui, desperate to say more, froze when Old Master Shen closed his eyes, clearly unwilling to listen further. Deep down, he was moved by his younger granddaughter’s thoughtfulness. Precisely because Yunrui was sweet and close to him, he wanted her to marry into the Huo family and enjoy a good life.

In contrast, his eldest granddaughter, Yunxuan, seemed dull and unlikable. Even though her arguments made sense, her words felt sharp and unpleasant. Better to send her to the Lin family, and the extra dowry would be compensation. The Lin family, with their noble character, might even suit her better.

It wasn’t favoritism. As people age, they prefer cheerful and pleasant juniors. One was obedient and sweet, while the other was cold and reserved. Naturally, they held different weights in his heart.

---

When they reached the study on the second floor, Madam Shen’s expression turned stern as soon as the door closed. “Yunxuan, what nonsense were you spouting earlier about ‘one thing to your face and another behind your back’? Do you know how damaging that is to your sister’s reputation? She’s about to become the young madam of the Huo family, the future matriarch. How could such words come from her own sister? Apologize to her immediately!”

Mr. Shen chimed in, “The alliance with the Huo family is critical. The Shen family’s future depends on it. At this crucial juncture, there can’t be any mistakes. Yunrui’s status will be high in the future, and her reputation must remain flawless. Remember, you must never say such things again!”

In the past, these words would have deeply wounded Shen Yunxuan. Now, she only saw two clowns throwing a tantrum. Watching them shout and scold, she calmly thought through a response that fit her reborn self’s persona. Once they were done, she looked at them with disappointment.

“Her status is high? Her reputation must remain spotless? What about me? You say I’m thoughtless, immature, and uncaring toward my elders, unfit to be the Huo family’s young madam. Have you ever considered my reputation? If you want me to apologize, then you owe me an apology first!”

To the two of them, this attitude was outright defiance. Mr. Shen’s face darkened. “Just now, you voluntarily offered to marry into the Lin family. I thought you’d finally become sensible. Look at your attitude now!”

Shen Yunxuan took a step back, putting distance between them, her detachment clear. “After watching a farce, I believe my attitude is already quite restrained. Grandpa uses me to repay a debt. My parents discard me without hesitation. My sister pretends to sacrifice herself to force me to marry into the Lin family. And now, because I spoke the truth, you demand I apologize.

In this household, it’s clear no one cares about me. Even the servants feel free to bully me. You’re worried about damaging reputations? Outsiders only need to see how the Shen family’s servants lack discipline to know what kind of family this is.”

“What did you just say? You—”

“I have nothing more to say to you.” Shen Yunxuan didn’t let them finish, turning and walking out of the study.

The sound of objects being thrown echoed from behind her, but Shen Yunxuan didn’t pause, leaving the servants outside astonished. The eldest daughter dared to defy the master and madam?

Ignoring their stares, Shen Yunxuan decided to step outside for fresh air and a taste of nature. She had no intention of wasting her precious second chance on pointless arguments. She had already said all that needed to be said.

---

Shen Yunrui, growing anxious, suddenly realized the issue. Shen Yunxuan thought she was pretending. Her parents’ resistance to letting Shen Yunrui marry into the Lin family had likely disappointed Shen Yunxuan, prompting her to step forward in frustration.

She had been too hasty, overplaying her hand and ruining the plan. If she had first calmed her grandfather and then persuaded her parents privately, the arrangement would have been secured without involving Shen Yunxuan at all.

Now everything was in a mess. If Shen Yunrui continued insisting on switching the marriage, it would seem far too suspicious. Shen Yunxuan had already stated she wouldn’t shy away from learning how to be a virtuous wife and mother, which completely invalidated the reasons Shen Yunrui had been pushing.

What could she do? She couldn’t marry into the Huo family—the Shen family was already on a downward slope and unreliable. In her past life, the Huo family suffered repeated setbacks, and she hadn’t even had the chance to build connections before being forced out of their circle. She knew little about that world, but she did know that the Lin family rose to prominence. Marrying into the Lin family was her best option.

Shen Yunrui attempted to persuade Madam Shen first, but as soon as she opened her mouth, Madam Shen told her to return to her room and rest. She reassured her not to feel guilty and to focus on preparing for her marriage into the Huo family.

For the first time, Shen Yunrui felt annoyed by the innocent and selfless image she had crafted. If she hadn’t acted so pure and considerate in front of her parents, they wouldn’t have assumed she was genuinely sacrificing herself for her sister’s sake.

As she was practically pushed out of the study, Shen Yunrui regretted her earlier decisions deeply. If she had known it would come to this, she wouldn’t have played along in front of Grandpa and would have directly stated her dislike for the Huo family and preference for the Lin family. With her family’s love for her, they would have certainly granted her wish.

And yet, here was Shen Yunxuan, ruining her plans by conveniently stepping in at the worst possible time.

Shen Yunrui found Shen Yunxuan in the garden. Gone was her usual sweetness in front of the elders; instead, her tone was sharp and biting. “Shen Yunxuan, do you think defying Mom and Dad, volunteering to repay Grandpa’s debt, will make them feel guilty or care about you? It won’t. They’ll just be more annoyed with you, and once you’re married off, they’ll act like you never existed.”

“How is that any different from now?” Shen Yunxuan replied coolly. “You’ve known about this marriage arrangement for a while, haven’t you? That’s why you pushed me into the pool yesterday—afraid I’d smoothly secure the Huo family marriage and you’d be stuck marrying into the Lin family. And today, in front of them, you selflessly offered to marry into the Lin family, moving everyone to praise your thoughtfulness. Shen Yunrui, I never realized you were such a talented actress.”

Shen Yunrui suddenly understood why Shen Yunxuan accused her of pretending. She had been so focused on her rebirth that she had forgotten she was the one who sabotaged Shen Yunxuan’s engagement last night. No wonder offering to marry into the Lin family today seemed insincere—it was a glaring contradiction. She had made a mistake.

Taking a deep breath, Shen Yunrui put on a sincere expression and grabbed Shen Yunxuan’s hand. “Sister, whether you believe me or not, I truly want to marry into the Lin family. Life with the Huo family sounds exhausting. Mom and Dad think they’re doing what’s best for me, but I don’t want it. Last night, when I was sick, I realized I’m not cut out to be a matriarch or take on those responsibilities. The Lin family is simpler, with good people. I’d be much happier there.

Please, trust me. Let’s go to Grandpa together and ask to switch our marriages. What do you say?”

Shen Yunxuan pulled her hand away and shook her head with a small laugh. “You’re getting better at scheming. If I do as you say, won’t that just make you seem considerate and me selfish? Let me guess why you’re doing this. No matter whether Grandpa agrees or not, they’ll pity you and despise me, giving you a large dowry and plenty of other compensation.”

Seeing that her attempt at persuasion had failed, Shen Yunrui’s tone grew colder. “What will it take for you to believe me?”

“Believe you?” Shen Yunxuan cast her a sidelong glance, her expression one of clear disbelief. As if speaking casually, she added, “They’re buying you assets while giving me nothing. The servants smile at you but treat me with disdain. Everyone protects your reputation while tarnishing mine at will. If you can reverse all that, I’ll believe you.

If you want my help in fulfilling your wishes, you’ll have to show me something tangible in return.”

Shen Yunrui stared at her for a moment, then snorted. “Fine, I’ll make you believe me!”

The simplest and safest solution was for both sisters to insist on switching marriages. This approach wouldn’t draw much attention or cause complications. While Shen Yunxuan’s demands were excessive, they were nothing compared to the lifelong comfort Shen Yunrui envisioned with the Lin family. She would agree to Shen Yunxuan’s terms for now.

As Shen Yunrui walked away, Shen Yunxuan chuckled. These tasks weren’t difficult, but they were tedious. If someone else was willing to take care of them, she’d have more time to relax. Perhaps she’d even get to enjoy the sight of her family turning on each other for a bit of extra entertainment.

Rebirth truly was a blessing!

This time around, she would live freely, mend all her regrets, and do everything she had once wanted but couldn’t. The first step was to break free from the Shen family’s quagmire—without losing anything in the process. Now, she’d just wait and see how Shen Yunrui performed. Hopefully, she wouldn’t disappoint.

🌸˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚⋆