50: Chapter 50 Persuasion 50: Chapter 50 Persuasion So Mr.
Chen Guizhi were both proud and concerned about their only son, and from then on, they were willing to consult his opinion on many family matters.
Looking at her son’s composed face, Chen Guizhi couldn’t help but feel inexplicably guilty.
Once everyone entered the house and sat down around the table on the heated brick bed, the discussion began.
This house, built at the beginning of last year, was still a single-story structure but more than twice the size of the old one, allowing enough room for each daughter to have her own space when visiting.
Therefore, this living room was quite spacious; the six sisters, their four husbands, and the elderly couple did not feel cramped sitting together.
Although this matter could have been discussed behind closed doors among the closest female relatives, the second sister thought it might be necessary to involve the brothers-in-law.
If the sisters alone failed to persuade, perhaps their husbands could offer a few convincing words from a male perspective.
“Alright, what’s going on?” Shen Yiguang got straight to the point, scanning everyone’s faces before his gaze settled on the second sister, who always had clear opinions.
“Big brother, we’ve inquired about Miss Yang.
Her health isn’t good.
You are the only seedling of our family; how can you marry a wife who isn’t conducive to childbirth?” The second sister tried to make her tone as earnest and heartfelt as possible.
“That’s right, she’s not only frail, but also a pampered lady who hardly lifts a finger.
How can someone like that join our family?
Even Mom and Dad disagree!” Shen Yixiang blurted out in a panic, fearing her brother would proceed against everyone’s will.
“Yiguang, this isn’t just about you.
Think of Mom and Dad.
They were looking forward to having a daughter-in-law to lighten their load, not the other way around with them having to look after her.
That would be putting the cart before the horse, wouldn’t it?
Even outsiders would laugh at us,” said the fourth sister.
Shen Erniu had only recently heard about this situation from his wife, but he trusted his son more.
As a former scout, how could his son be unaware of the girl’s condition?
He didn’t believe his son would be so keen on her after just a few brief encounters unless the girl was truly suitable for him in every way.
He raised his hand, interrupting the daughters’ barrage, and turned to his son, “What do you say about this, Yiguang?”
Shen Yiguang shook his head and laughed lightly, then seriously addressed his parents, “Dad, Mom, Miss Yang is indeed somewhat delicate, but she’s not as weak as they say.
Favored by her parents for her gentle nature, she hasn’t done much housework, but that can be remedied with Mom’s guidance in the future.
As for the rumors, it’s just one error leading to another.
Doesn’t every family have issues that get blown out of proportion?
The more people talk, the more they exaggerate, even claiming she can’t have children.”
“How much harm that must have caused her.
If I hadn’t seen her with my own eyes, I might have believed it too.
We can’t become the executioners of gossip, hastily drawing conclusions without proper understanding.
It’s not fair to her.”
“I find her quite appealing, and I hope you can give her a chance.
Let’s visit her tomorrow, and afterwards, we can discuss this again, okay?”
Shen Chen Guizhi nodded repeatedly, her heart completely siding with her son, “Of course, we should meet her, we should meet her.
Let’s not talk about what was said before…”
Shen Erniu smiled at his other daughters, feigning anger, “Did you hear that?
You’re all grown-ups.
Don’t the older ones understand, just as much as the younger ones don’t?
Jumping to conclusions and almost preventing me from having a daughter-in-law.”
Although Shen Erniu might have been a bit old-fashioned and too deferential in his earlier years, he shared a common virtue with Chen Guizhi—they both loved their children dearly, sons and daughters alike, and enjoyed joking around with them.
The sisters exchanged glances until the third sister came forward, “Yes, we’ve been too quick to believe rumors.
Let’s have the Shen family’s sons-in-law drink a penalty cup for us, shall we?
Shall we start preparing the meal now?”
Shen Erniu happily concurred, “You little rascal!”
Didn’t we already see…” Shen Yixiang was anxious.
Second sister pulled her aside and whispered, “We can’t talk about this yet…”
Shen Yiguang was now intrigued, smiling as he watched Shen Yixiang, “Little sister, what did you see?
They had come this far; whether it was good or bad, seeing the person in question was indeed necessary to truly persuade.
Second sister had already planned in her heart to visit the Yang family with them tomorrow, to see that girl for herself.
Through the years of tumult, she had gained some insight into people’s characters.
She knew what her parents valued most in a daughter-in-law was her physical constitution.
They were obsessed with having a grandson, and other matters were secondary.
If Miss Yang’s health really was an issue, she believed her parents would oppose the marriage, and she wouldn’t have to worry about that.
What she deemed important was the girl’s temperament.
If the girl was cunning, she would do everything to persuade her parents to prevent her brother from marrying her.
As the only son, Shen Yiguang would naturally be responsible for caring for their parents later on.
Being a military man, often away with his troops, it would be his wife who stayed home with the elderly.
Her parents were honest, uncontentious people.
If the sister-in-law had a bad temper, her parents would be the ones to suffer.
Although they, as married daughters, were concerned, they couldn’t always be around to help.
So Shen Yixia thought the temperament of the sister-in-law was extremely important.
That’s why she stopped Shen Yixiang from bringing out that letter, just as Shen Yidong had said – if their brother saw it, he would be even more determined to marry her, and if there was a problem, it would be even harder to handle.
But now, Shen Yiguang seemed to sense something fishy.
She hurriedly said, “What the girl meant was that everyone has seen the Zhao San family’s daughter-in-law’s situation.
Didn’t they marry someone with poor health too?
In these years, she only gave birth to a girl and got so hurt that she couldn’t have any more children.
So Yixiang is just worried too much.”
“Is that so?” Shen Yiguang looked towards Shen Yixia, casually inquired about a few things concerning Zhao San’s household, his demeanor relaxed, completely like he was gossiping with his sisters, “What was Zhao San’s wife like before marriage?
Did she have a pale face or a frail body?
Was her condition obvious, or was it just rumors?
Is difficult childbirth also related to physical strength?”
Zhao San’s wife had been married over for a decade now, but the elder sisters, who were of age back then, had nearly all married off; how could they possibly know the details so clearly?
Even if they had heard stories, they wouldn’t have personally gone to Zhao San’s wife’s maternal home to see what she was like as a young girl.
Thus, by asking such questions, Shen Yiguang dug a trap for the sisters.
If they claimed to have seen everything as Shen Yixia said, it would be impossible – they’d be lying.
If they only heard about it, it would only draw more attention to the rumors about Miss Yang.
And if Shen Yiguang got serious and went to Zhao San’s home to investigate, wouldn’t it be a slap to their faces after what they had just claimed?
Shen Yixia skillfully avoided the subject with a vague chuckle.
Fortunately, Shen Yiguang didn’t press on with more questions.
Instead, he joined everyone in setting the table and preparing for the meal.
Shen Yixia and her sisters all quietly breathed a sigh of relief.