Chapter 136: If You’re So Capable, Why Don’t You Ascend to Heaven?

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But it was hardly convenient—or appropriate—for so many people to discuss matters there. Lu Beiqin suggested, “Let’s go to the restaurant across the street.”

Shen Chutang nodded and booked a private room. As a matter of course, Old Madam Shen took the seat of honor, with Shen Xuejun and Shen Xueshi seated on either side of her.

Shen Chutang and Lu Beiqin sat opposite them. Every member of the family regarded them with open hostility.

Old Madam Shen got straight to the point. “You allowed an outsider to beat your father into this state, yet you still have the nerve not to apologize. Shen Chutang, you’ve grown bold!”

Shen Chutang immediately stood up and poured tea. Everyone assumed she was apologizing because of the old madam’s reprimand. Instead, after pouring a cup for Lu Beiqin, she poured one for herself, sat down, and took a drink.

She took a leisurely sip. “If I hadn’t grown bold, this family of bloodsuckers would have taken me for a fool.”

With a loud slap, Old Madam Shen struck the table. “How dare you! Is that any way to speak to your elders? You didn’t even pour tea for the elders first. What an ill-bred disgrace!”

Shen Chutang curled her red lips into a faint smile. “If you want tea, pour it yourself. Everyone should handle their own affairs. Even a three-year-old understands that. Do you really need me to teach you? And don’t start lecturing me about morality. Didn’t Shen Xuejun tell you how he managed to break his own arm yesterday?”

“You!”

The old madam’s eyes widened with fury, and Shen Xuejun’s expression instantly darkened.

Liu Shuhua hurriedly said, “Shen Chutang, we only came to see you today. Why must you speak with such barbs?”

She cast Old Madam Shen a meaningful glance before continuing, “I know you’ve grown used to living on your own all these years and dislike being restrained by us. But you’re married now, after all. We only want to show you a little more concern.”

Old Madam Shen gave a light cough. Remembering why she had come, she forced down her anger and turned to the man beside Shen Chutang.

“You’re Lu Beiqin, aren’t you?”

Lu Beiqin nodded. “Yes.”

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Shen Chutang frowned. What scheme were these people plotting now?

Old Madam Shen sat upright and spoke coldly. “Shen Chutang is a member of the Shen family, after all. By marrying you, she is marrying beneath her station, but the proper formalities must still be observed. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Yes.”

Old Madam Shen smiled. He was indeed an easy man to deal with.

“Very well. Let’s speak frankly about the bride price. Anyone who wishes to marry into the Shen family must offer at least a seven-figure sum. We’ll take it as an auspicious token—eight million eight hundred eighty-eight thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight.”

Shen Chutang finally understood. These people had come specifically to make things difficult for Lu Beiqin.

She was about to speak when Lu Beiqin said, “All right.”

Shen Chutang tugged at his sleeve, but he continued, “I’ll prepare the money for Tangtang when the time comes. You may rest assured.”

Old Madam Shen snorted. “That sounds nice, but I’ve looked into you. A taxi driver like you works yourself to the bone for barely ten thousand a month. Can you really afford it?

“And besides, what right does Shen Chutang have to receive the bride price? As the most senior elder of the Shen family, I will naturally keep the money myself.

“I’ll give you three days. If you can’t produce the bride price, you two will divorce. I will never approve of this marriage!”

Shen Chutang grabbed Lu Beiqin’s hand and headed for the door. “We’re leaving!”

Old Madam Shen shouted furiously after her, “How shameless can you be? This man isn’t even willing to pay your bride price, and you still married him? I’m telling you, not a chance!”

Shen Chutang glanced back at her. “Whom I marry is my own business. And don’t assume that being old gives you the right to do whatever you please. If you’re so capable, why don’t you ascend to heaven?”

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“If you insist on a bride price, fine. The Shen family has no shortage of assets. I remember Shen Tingting spends hundreds of thousands on a single outfit. As her elder sister, if you’re demanding such an exorbitant bride price from me, how much of a dowry are you prepared to give me?

“Anything less than ten or twenty million would be hard to justify, wouldn’t it? Once you’ve prepared my dowry, come back and discuss the bride price with me.”

With that, before any of them could react, Shen Chutang had already pulled the man out of the room.

Old Madam Shen’s face grew grim. “That woman doesn’t regard us as family at all. She’s completely turned against her own kin!”

Liu Shuhua hurriedly said, “Mother, we didn’t come here for the bride price in the first place. When the time comes, our entire family can declare the marriage invalid. With the Crown Prince’s influence on our side, are we really afraid we won’t succeed?”

Deng Meiru nodded along. “Exactly. If that girl can become the Crown Prince’s woman, then our Shen family will truly become part of the nobility.”

After leaving the private room, Shen Chutang released Lu Beiqin’s hand and could not help saying, “Don’t take anything they said to heart. They’re simply desperate for money. Besides, we’re only married for three months, so talking about a bride price is completely absurd.”

Lu Beiqin looked at her and slowly nodded. “Yes.”

Perhaps it was only her imagination, but when they had demanded the bride price, Lu Beiqin had seemed unconcerned.

Why, then, did he seem unhappy after she had explained everything?