Within The Sound of Swallows - Chapter 1.1

The Girl Who Blocks the Marriage (1)

“I refuse!”

In the hall of the Shen family residence, Shen Guiya stamped her foot, pointed at the woman next to her, and shouted, “She is just a concubine’s daughter! Why should she marry better than my sister Guirong? In terms of legitimacy, I am the most esteemed young lady in this household. Why should such a good marriage from the Prime Minister’s residence be given to her? I refuse!”

Sitting in the hall were the head of the Shen family and his wife, along with several concubines and unmarried sisters, as well as a young gentleman, standing next to them. The person who was pointed at by Shen Guiya only remained silent, with her head lowered.

Today was the day the Prime Minister’s residence came to inquire about a marriage proposal, and the one to be married was the third young lady of the Shen family, Shen Guiyan, the one Shen Guiya was pointing at.

Although the Shen family was a noble family, Lord Shen was only a fourth-rank deputy official. To be able to form a connection with the Prime Minister’s family through marriage could be considered a high aspiration. Therefore, this marriage proposal had made Shen Guiya burst out with envy.

“What good does your refusal do?” Lord Shen angrily scolded, “Making a fuss without any propriety, do you think anyone can just walk into the Prime Minister’s residence? Yan‘er¹ earned this marriage on her own; it wasn’t like anyone else had earned it for her.”

In a fit of rage, Shen Guiya exclaimed, “If it weren’t for father’s favoritism back then, only bringing Guiyan to visit the Prime Minister’s residence, could such a good fortune have fallen upon her? If that wasn’t called earning the position for her, what is it then?

“Insolence!” Lord Shen slammed his hand on the armrest and roared in fury, “Since when do I need your meddling in the family affairs?”

Madam Shen, who was next to him, was startled and quickly pacified, “Ya’er, don’t make a fuss anymore. Guiyan’s marriage has long been decided, and today is just a matter of a formal betrothal visit, as we have previously agreed upon. Why are you throwing a tantrum?”

The marriage between Shen Guiyan and the Prime Minister’s son, Gu Chaodong, had been arranged since they were eight years old, and Shen Guiya was also aware of this. However, she had never met Gu Chaodong before! Who knew that, upon seeing him just a few days ago, he was truly a charming and handsome man? Why should such a good man be given to Shen Guiyan?

She hated Shen Guiyan the most. Although they all shared the same father, Shen Guiyan was more beautiful than all of their sisters. Not only was she pretty, but it seemed like she was also favored by the gods. At the tender age of five, Shen Guiyan could recite the Thousand Character Classic from memory; at the age of six, she could already play guqin and even composed her own melodies; at the age of seven, she could write a full poem and finish it in the brief time it took for the incense stick to burn; and by the time she turned eight, she even caught the eye of Prime Minister Gu, who later arranged for her to be his daughter-in-law.

With such a stroke of good luck, how could it not be irritating?

“I still won’t agree!” Remembering Gu Chaodong’s greatness, Shen Guiya’s face twisted ever so slightly, “Marrying a lowly concubine’s child into the Prime Minister’s residence, is Father not afraid of offending the Prime Minister?”

“Pah!” Lord Shen finally stood up and slapped her across the face.

Shen Guiya quieted down and looked at the person in front of her in disbelief, “Father…”

“I never would have thought that I, Shen Shiqing, who has lived a life of integrity, would raise such a beast like you.” Lord Shen trembled in anger. “Guiyan is your sister, and while you bullied on a daily basis, I, as your father, chose to turn a blind eye. And now that she’s finally found a good match, you want to stand in her way?”

Tears quickly welled up in Shen Guiya’s eyes. She covered her face and said, “I also like Young Master Gu, Father! Haven’t you and Mother always doted on me the most? Why can’t it be this time? At worst, I can just let her marry him, but I want to go with her. I’m also going to marry as his second wife…”

Madam Shen’s expression changed. She got up and immediately pulled Shen Guiya to her side. “Are you crazy?”

It was already bad enough that the eldest daughter married worse than a concubine-born daughter, but now, the younger daughter was actually willing to lower herself and become a concubine to that same concubine-born daughter? Madam Shen was furious, but Shen Guiya had been spoiled since childhood— she had to get whatever she wanted, and no one could go against her.

The concubine-born daughter, who was standing in the corner, finally raised her head. With her fine eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, and red and plump lips, it was truly a beautiful face. However, when she spoke, her voice was cold, “Fifth Sister may not be aware.”

Shen Guiya turned to her and glared at her with resentment.

“But the Gu family has strict rules. They can only take one wife at a time, and there is no precedent for marrying two women at the same time,” Shen Guiyan said calmly. “Younger Sister, if you truly wish to marry in, you can wait for two years after my marriage. By then, you will be of suitable age. My husband and I will then say a few good words to his family, so they might consider welcoming you into the household as well.

“You!” Shen Guiya was furious. The always tolerant and low-profile Shen Guiyan had actually dared to mock her. It seemed that she was no longer afraid now that she was about to marry into the Prime Minister’s family.