After becoming rich overnight, I handed over the system.

Chapter 419 Why Reject?

Spring sunshine peeked through thin clouds and spilled onto the bustling streets of Beijing, filling the air with the sweet fragrance of locust blossoms.

Shen Feifei led Lin Liuyi, walking lightly on the cobblestone street, with her personal maid following behind.

"Sister Liuyi, look how interesting these hairpins are! Would you like me to buy one for you?" Shen Feifei asked, pointing to a hairpin display at a stall.

Lin Liuyi shook her head slightly and smiled faintly, "I came out today to see the sights of the capital, so I don't need these jewelry pieces."

Lin Liuyi was wearing a light purple embroidered butterfly and flower jacket, paired with a moon-white pleated skirt, and a pearl hairpin in her hair. Although not gorgeous, she had a refined and elegant temperament.

Hehe, Lin Liuyi felt that he looked quite decent in ancient costume.

Since Lin Liuyi didn't want it, Shen Feifei naturally wasn't interested either.

As the daughter of the Prime Minister's family, she had a lot of hairpins.

The two turned the corner and arrived at the most famous silk shop in the capital, "Jinxiuxuan".

As soon as Shen Feifei stepped into the shop, the shopkeeper greeted her with a beaming smile: "Miss Shen, your presence is an honor to our humble shop! We've just received a new batch of Suzhou embroidery fabric, perfect for a lady of your refined taste."

Shen Feifei nodded slightly and led Lin Liuyi to the inner room with the shopkeeper.

The silk shop was elegantly furnished, with various silks and satins gleaming softly in the sunlight.

This was the first time Lin Liuyi had ever seen so many ancient silks and satins in person, and he couldn't help but admire the wisdom of the ancients.

Her slender fingers gently stroked a piece of moon-white brocade with dark cloud patterns. Just as she was about to ask about the price, she suddenly heard a commotion outside the door.

"Young Master Cheng has arrived! Please come in!"

Shen Feifei rarely saw Lin Liuyi interested, and was just about to call the shopkeeper to introduce him.

Upon hearing Cheng Er's name, she paused, then pretended to be nonchalant.

She tried to avoid him, but then she saw that the Second Young Master Cheng was already walking into the inner room.

Their eyes met, and there was no way to avoid each other.

Cheng Jing clearly recognized her as well, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes before he quickly regained his composure and bowed respectfully, saying, "So it's Miss Shen. What a coincidence."

Upon hearing this, Lin Liuyi saw a young man in an indigo brocade robe with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, exuding an extraordinary air. She raised her eyebrows slightly.

Oh dear, could it be Shen Feifei's ex-boyfriend?

Shen Feifei clearly understood Lin Liuyi's gaze, but how could she explain that this man was none other than Cheng Jing, the second young master of the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion, who had proposed marriage to the Shen family three months ago but had been politely refused by her father?

Shen Feifei curtsied and lowered her eyes, saying, "Young Master Cheng."

Her voice was calm, yet she deliberately maintained a distance.

The atmosphere inside the store suddenly became subtle.

The innkeeper, observing their expressions, quickly smoothed things over: "Welcome, distinguished guests. Why don't you rest in a private room? I'll have someone serve tea."

“No need,” Cheng Jingyu said calmly, his gaze never leaving Shen Feifei. “Miss Shen, are you here to choose fabrics? I am not very knowledgeable, but I know a little about Suzhou embroidery and might be able to offer some suggestions.”

Shen Jingshu looked up and met his deep eyes, her gaze as firm as if she were about to join the Party.

She recalled her father's words when he rejected the marriage: "Although the Ningyuan Marquis's family is of high social standing, this second young master already has a concubine before marriage, and even a son born of a concubine. His family's discipline is lax; he is not a suitable match."

"Thank you for your kind offer, Mr. Cheng, but Feifei doesn't need it." Her tone was distant, and she didn't want to look at him any longer.

Cheng Jing stepped forward and lowered his voice, saying, "Miss Shen, why be so formal? Although the marriage between our two families hasn't taken place, there's no need to act like strangers, is there?"

He spoke softly, but it was enough for the surrounding guests to hear.

Shen Feifei felt a slight burning sensation in her ears when she saw Lin Liuyi's strange gaze fall upon her.

Oh well, it was Cheng Jing who said it, so it's not her fault.

"Young Master Cheng, you flatter me. Feifei simply doesn't want to take up your time."

Cheng Jing's lips curled into a half-smile: "Delay? Miss Shen, do you know how much time I spent investigating the true reason why your family refused the marriage proposal?"

Shen Feifei was somewhat annoyed. How could this man be so tactless? "What do you mean by that, young master? My father has already explained that it's because our horoscopes are incompatible."

"Incompatible horoscopes?" Cheng Jing chuckled, a sharp glint in his eyes. "Does Miss Shen truly believe this? Or is it that the Shen family disdains me for having a concubine, fearing it would tarnish their reputation?"

Cheng Jing did it on purpose. He considered himself highly talented and from an extraordinary family, and believed he was a good match for the Prime Minister's family.

But when he went to propose marriage, he was rejected.

How could Cheng Jing possibly swallow this insult?

He only has a concubine. So what if she has a son born out of wedlock? Once Shen Feifei marries in, she will be the Lady of the Marquis. He will give her all the honors she deserves. As for the son born out of wedlock, he can just register him under her name.

How could she reject his marriage proposal just because she was jealous?

Cheng Jing was unconvinced; he had simply done what any man in the world would do.

The store was completely silent; everyone held their breath as they listened to this unexpected standoff.

The maid nervously tugged at Shen Feifei's sleeve, but Shen Feifei gently brushed it away.

Shen Feifei took a deep breath and raised her chin: "Since Young Master Cheng has made his point clear, Jing Shu may also speak frankly. My father has indeed investigated the Cheng family and believes that although the young master is talented, he has illegitimate children before marriage, indicating a lack of strict family discipline, and may not be a suitable match. What's wrong with that?"

Her voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear, and whispers were already going on around her.

A cold glint flashed in Cheng Jing's eyes, and he sneered, "What a fine 'lax family discipline'! I only have a concubine; I haven't taken any other concubines. Why does Miss Shen say that?"

Cheng Jing's remarks were accepted by those around him.

Unfortunately, in this era, taking a concubine as a concubine is not considered a moral flaw.

Most people think the same way; it's just a concubine, not a mistress, so why make such a fuss?

"Then how do you explain your illegitimate son?" Shen Feifei asked angrily.

"I can't argue with that, but this is my child, and I can't just abandon him!"

Those around him agreed, thinking it made sense; even a son born out of wedlock still had his own bloodline.

Shen Feifei shook her head and continued, "Young Master Cheng dotes on his illegitimate son, but unfortunately, I, Shen Feifei, do not. The husband I want to marry is not like that. All I want is a lifelong, monogamous relationship, not like you, who have both concubines and mistresses."

That's right. Shen Feifei isn't a garbage collector, yet she has to raise other people's children. Why should she?

So when Cheng Jing was rejected by her own father, she wholeheartedly agreed.

Cheng Jing's face stiffened, and he was about to retort when Lin Liuyi suddenly stepped forward.

She cleared her throat and said loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen, marriage should be based on mutual affection and compatibility. Miss Shen has her own standards for choosing a partner, which is perfectly understandable. If Mr. Cheng truly likes Miss Shen, how could he not understand her feelings?"

Everyone nodded in agreement, agreeing with her point.