It is now deep winter, and the Capital of Great Wei feels especially cold.

The eaves of the Rain Listening Pavilion have all been frozen into ice.

The drip-drip sound of water droplets has completely stopped.

No one speaks, and the entire courtyard is intensely silent.

Su Jinyu picks up a cup of clear tea, sipping it gently.

A hint of worry hangs on her face, her beautiful brows tightly knitted.

The current attitude of the Shen Family really makes her uncomfortable.

Knowing full well she and Shen Ye are mutually fond of each other, and their feelings are known to their families' elders.

But why has the marriage contract not yet been annulled...

Is it truly because she lost to Shen Han at the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering, that the cost of annulling the marriage must be borne by the Su Family?

In her heart, Su Jinyu is actually somewhat displeased.

The Shen Family should step forward and take responsibility for annulling the marriage.

Indeed, Shen Ye's excellence is unmatched in Great Wei, but she, Su Jinyu of the Su Family, has a name as a prodigy too.

In terms of appearance and talent, she is worthy of Shen Ye.

"Qingcao, let's go to the academy to find Brother Ye, and ask him first."

Her maidservant Qingcao, upon hearing this, salutes and immediately goes to prepare.

Adding a floral-embroidered cloak for Su Jinyu, she gently pinches up her black hair into a knot.

After preparing, the two of them head towards the Mountain Sea Academy.

In this world, above all is heaven and earth, knowledge is nothing but mountains and seas.

Mountain Sea Academy is located on the northwest side of the Capital City of Great Wei.

The original scenery of the academy was lush and vibrant, filled with birdsong and floral fragrance.

But in this deep winter, everything is covered with a silver blanket.

Su Jinyu and her maidservant Qingcao, by walking to the Mountain Sea Academy, express their respect for it.

Passing through a corridor, they reach the south yard of the academy, where Shen Ye resides.

If it were not for something urgent, Su Jinyu would not usually seek out Shen Ye on her own.

After all, a lady should maintain a bit of reserve.

But with the wedding in front of them, she wants to hear how Shen Ye feels in his heart.

If there is something unspeakable, then it's alright for the Su Family to bear the cost of the annulment.

Before reaching the courtyard, a scholar quickly runs to them with his head lowered.

"Two fairies, Young Master Ye is in seclusion, focusing.

If there is something to convey, please pass it to me.

In due time, I will relay it to the young master."

The scholar, head lowered, shows an apologetic expression, his attitude sincere.

Su Jinyu lifts her hood and looks at the scholar in front of her: "Not even me?"

"As per Young Master Ye's instructions, during this period, no one is to disturb him.

Fairy, please do not insist."

"Brother Ye, how long will the seclusion last, how many days more?"

Unwilling to give up, Su Jinyu asks once more.

"Before the 20th of the twelfth month, Young Master Ye will definitely not end his seclusion, fairy, please be patient for a few more days."

They leave disappointed.

Even coming in person, they didn't even get past the gate.

To say it doesn't feel bad would be insincere.

On the way back, the maidservant Qingcao gently takes Su Jinyu's hand.

"Miss, should we go find the eldest master...

The eldest master has military merits, dealing with Shen Han, he wouldn't face any penalties.

The wedding date is near, and we can't think of any better ideas..."

Upon hearing her maid's words, Su Jinyu doesn't hesitate much and declines.

"Whether it's because of luck or not, I did lose to him at the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering.

I have no opinion on how others want to deal with him.

It's just, I couldn't bring myself to let my brother go on my behalf..."

After speaking, Su Jinyu can't help but feel a tinge of resentment.

If the Shen Family had been decisive earlier, today's trouble wouldn't exist.

It all comes down to the Shen Family allowing Shen Han to participate in the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering...

Seeing her lady reject her suggestion, Qingcao really can't think of a good idea.

"Then what to do.....could it be that you really have to marry him, miss..."

In truth, to Qingcao, Shen Han is actually slightly more handsome in appearance.

His features are better than Shen Ye's.

But in Great Wei, strength is respected.

Appearance is not something a libertine relies on to survive with women.

"If truly to marry Shen Han, Qingcao thinks, he would surely be obedient to you, miss.

Being able to marry a prodigy wife, he would certainly be thrilled.

Maybe, he'd treat you even better than Young Master Ye would..."

Hearing Qingcao's words, Su Jinyu immediately glances at her reproachfully.

"Don't speak such nonsense, I, Su Jinyu, won't settle.

If Brother Ye is unwilling to marry me, then I shall accompany the sword."

Seeing this, Qingcao can only sigh.

The two walk slowly forward but don't walk far before reaching the Rain Listening Pavilion.

With the wedding date approaching, the Shen Family over there seems powerless.

Even if there's no way with Shen Han, the Patriarch of the Shen Family should return to the Capital City and ask His Holiness to annul the marriage.

Instead of dragging it on like this...

After much contemplation, Su Jinyu picks up the Sound Transmission Magical Artifact at home, this annulment can only be addressed by the Su Family.

...

Eastern military camp.

Patriarch Shen Qingshan has actually pondered for a long time.

Sitting at his desk, his brows are tightly furrowed.

But this furrowed brow makes him appear even more authoritative.

"What does the Yun Family say, they still insist on protecting Shen Han?"

Shen Lingsheng, the one being asked, wears an uncomfortable expression.

"No idea what the Yun Family is thinking, I've written clearly in the correspondence, that if they go against the Shen Family, the Yun Family won't sell a single Pill to us in the future.

Why they still protect him, I don't understand..."

Hearing Shen Lingsheng's words, Shen Qingshan throws a letter in front of him.

"This is the message received last night, take a look.

The Old Master of the Su Family is ready to meet His Holiness to request the Imperial Family to withdraw this bestowed marriage.

If the Su Family acts, then the cost of the annulment is naturally for them to pay.

But after this event, our relationship with the Su Family will never be as close as before.

The Su Family's trust in our Shen Family will not be as it once was.

Shen Qingshan furrows his brow tightly, throwing the problem to Shen Lingsheng.

Currently, there are just two options.

First, stop the Su Family, and have the Shen Family meet His Holiness to request the annulment.

Though the Shen Family would suffer a loss, the trust between us and the Su Family would remain.

Second, the Shen Family stands by, and the cost of the annulment is paid by the Su Family.

The Shen Family retains its military power in this affair, suffering no losses.

However, in this case, the Su Family, who has always been friendly with us, might develop a grudge against the Shen Family...

These two choices both have drawbacks, and to Shen Lingsheng, they're not as good as sacrificing their own family's rebellious son.

The Shen Family has reached a turning point in history, and every step is crucial.

After much thought, Shen Lingsheng gives his response.

"Let the Su Family go for the annulment, our Shen Family cannot afford losses now.

Besides, Su Jinyu's deep affection for Shen Ye, even if the Su Family's high-level members bear a grudge against us, when Su Jinyu marries Shen Ye in the future, our interests with the Su Family will remain aligned."

"I also think this way, let's handle it like this, we owe the Su Family an apology this time."

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