Shen Mingzhu stared fixedly at Li Chengyu. When she saw the fierce and cold look on his face, she was subconsciously a bit surprised. Then she continued to say to him, "What? Could it be that Young Master Li doesn't think so?" Li Chengyu was originally a bit hesitant and dared not speak up. Finally, when he saw the look in Shen Mingzhu's eyes, all his last bit of embarrassment disappeared. He opened his mouth and said, "I won't hide it from Your Highness. I really came for this matter."
"You also know the convention of title inheritance in our dynasty. It is that the son inherits from the father. Even in cases where the title was passed directly to the grandson, bypassing the son, it was only when all the direct - line sons had passed away."
Hearing this, Shen Mingzhu nodded and looked at Li Chengyu, saying, "Then why don't you inherit this position?"
All the disputes in the Li family stemmed from the position of the young master. Whoever sat in this position would be the future head of the Li family and the next marquis.
Who wouldn't be tempted?
Hearing this, Li Chengyu heaved a deep sigh and then continued, "Your Highness knows that if things continue like this between Yunyun and me, I'm afraid..."
Li Chengyu didn't even have the courage to say those words. Just thinking about it made his heart ache again and again, and he felt extremely uncomfortable.
He used to suffer on his own, being manipulated by his mother, and even dragged his wife into the suffering. He was simply extremely useless. If Chen Yun hadn't suddenly woken up, God knows how long this would have continued.
As long as the position of the young master was still on him, his mother would always feel sorry for her younger son and would always ask him to compensate him.
"If this position of the young master remains on me for a day, I will never be able to move out of the ducal mansion, and Yunyun will never be able to come back." Li Chengyu forced a bitter smile and looked at her, saying, "Isn't this the same as having a broken family?"
Shen Mingzhu was speechless. Looking at the genuine pain in Li Chengyu's eyes, she understood that he had really figured things out now and also really wanted to make amends.
Just thinking about what Chen Yun had thought when she talked to her about this matter just now, Shen Mingzhu suddenly didn't know how to continue talking to Li Chengyu.
After all, her friend was Chen Yun. If she was honest with herself, she was naturally more partial to Chen Yun and couldn't really help Li Chengyu regardless of her wishes.
Seeing the hesitation that flashed across Shen Mingzhu's face, Li Chengyu finally opened his mouth and said, "No matter how things end up between Yunyun and me, why should this position of the young master fall into the hands of others?"
Shen Mingzhu looked up at him.
"Your Highness also knows how valuable this position of the young master is." Li Chengyu said, and a faint smile appeared on his face. He continued, "This can also be a guarantee for Yunyun or the child."
After hearing this, Shen Mingzhu suddenly asked, "What if the child is a girl?"
Hearing this, Li Chengyu suddenly burst out laughing. Looking at Shen Mingzhu, he said, "This is exactly what I want to say."
"Your Highness, if the child is a girl, my father and I have discussed it. The title will still be left to her."
Shen Mingzhu raised her eyebrows, with a bit of surprise in her eyes. Her heart suddenly trembled, and she understood Li Chengyu's current ambition and his father's disappointment in his younger son.
There had been female title - holders in this dynasty. Compared with the previous dynasty, this dynasty was quite open. Women could do business and run their own households in the government's records.
There had been a precedent of a woman inheriting a title before, but that was when she was the only one left in the family. The emperor, considering the family's loyalty, specially allowed the woman to inherit the title.
Shen Mingzhu knew that this matter was not simple, but she didn't expect that Li Chengyu would have such an idea.
Really...
For a moment, her mood was complicated. She continued to say to Li Chengyu, "What about you?"
If they directly bypassed Li Chengyu, what would happen to him?
"Your Highness needn't worry. I already have an official position in the court, although it's not as good as the position of the young master. After this matter is settled, I plan to move out of the ducal mansion."
Hearing this, Shen Mingzhu suddenly remembered where she had met Li Chengyu. Then she couldn't help but be surprised and said, "Could it be that you were going to buy the house next to the Chen family today?"
Li Chengyu had been keeping a straight face. Hearing this, he couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. Looking at her, he said, "Yes, I was going to look at the house today. I didn't expect to meet Your Highness by chance, so I came directly."
"I originally planned to talk about it in a few days, but I really miss Yunyun."
Seeing that Shen Mingzhu's gaze towards him was no longer as disgusted as at the beginning, Li Chengyu said bitterly, "Your Highness, may I ask how Yunyun's health has been these days? Is she still as nauseous as at the beginning?"
Hearing this, Shen Mingzhu was silent for a moment. Looking up, she saw Li Chengyu's nervous look and said, "Don't worry. Yunyun has been doing well these days. With a good mood, her health is naturally good."
Hearing this, Li Chengyu let out a sigh of relief. He added to Shen Mingzhu, "Your Highness, even if... even if Yunyun wants to divorce me, this position will still be left for her and the child. I've been cowardly for half my life, but this time I'll be tougher."
"I just hope Your Highness can help me. I won't marry again in the future."
Looking at Li Chengyu, Shen Mingzhu finally understood why Chen Yun had insisted on marrying him.
At first, she thought that Chen Yun had really bad taste. At that time, she even defied her parents' opposition and insisted on marrying Li Chengyu.
Now it seemed that she had chosen the right person. Although Li Chengyu had been rather hard to describe before, his affection for her was hard to find in the world.
Thinking of this, Shen Mingzhu couldn't help but let out a sigh. Subconsciously, she looked at Xie Lang and saw Xie Lang reach out and hold her hand.
[Tsk, why are you looking at me? I'm not like Li Chengyu. Could it be that I would let Shen Mingzhu be bullied by others?]
[Li Chengyu is really sincere, but this matter is so troublesome. It's going to keep Shen Mingzhu busy again. How annoying! I'll think about how to help her.]
Hearing Xie Lang's thoughts, Shen Mingzhu couldn't help but let out a low laugh.
Li Chengyu, sitting opposite them, said, "..."
There was really no need to be so excessive, showing their affection in front of him.
Looking at the two of them exchanging looks, Li Chengyu felt as if his heart had been stabbed hard. He wished he could cover his heart and leave the next second.
Noticing the dejection on his face, Shen Mingzhu felt a bit of pleasure in her heart.
Thinking of the suffering Chen Yun had endured in the Li family before, she thought this was really retribution for Li Chengyu.
"Then... Your Highness, if you need anything, just find me. I'll take my leave first."
Li Chengyu really didn't want to continue being stimulated by the two of them. Hearing this, he got up to bid farewell, and his leaving back carried a bit of a sorry look.
After seeing him leave, Xie Lang pursed his lips and said, "So sly. He knew you would help Chen Yun."
Seeing the look on Xie Lang's face, Shen Mingzhu couldn't help but let out a soft laugh and said, "Coincidentally, I can enter the palace tomorrow on account of this matter."
"True."
Xie Lang looked deeply at Shen Mingzhu and then continued, "Don't overwork yourself. If there's anything I can help with, just speak up."
Shen Mingzhu had been in deep thought. Hearing this, she suddenly looked up and said, "There is actually one thing I need your help with."