Chapter 196: Chapter 196 Threat

“Have this child?” Shi Shi looked disdainfully at Zhong Mengxuan, “Who do you think you are? With your status, what right do you have to give birth to our Lu Family’s child? While I can still speak to you calmly like this, you’d better be smart and recognize your situation, or you’ll regret it later.”

Instantly, the color drained from Zhong Mengxuan’s face. “Eldest Mrs. Lu, are you insisting that I must abort this child?”

“That’s right,” Shi Shi said without mercy. “Chenran is about to get married, and any and all unstable factors must be eradicated.”

“Zhong Mengxuan, if you’re smart, you should know that it’s absolutely impossible between you and Chenran. Our Lu Family will only acknowledge Long Jiarui as a daughter-in-law.”

“Moreover, don’t bother talking to me about true love. If Chenran wasn’t the eldest heir of the Lu Family, would you have fallen for him? Are all your encounters with him really just coincidences and not the result of your carefully designed schemes?”

Zhong Mengxuan’s complexion grew uglier as each of Shi Shi’s words struck her heart like needles.

She was born into a wealthy family and had always prided herself as being superior. But today, she realized that in the eyes of those in power, she had never existed. The way they looked at her was the same as how she looked down on ordinary people.

Now, she was powerless and could only sit there, subject to Madam Lu’s humiliation.

No, she was not willing to accept this. Why couldn’t she marry Lu Chenran? Even if she couldn’t marry Lu Chenran, she would not simply give up on him. Only by staying by his side did she have a chance.

Seeing Zhong Mengxuan’s continued silence, Shi Shi’s tone softened a bit, “Zhong Mengxuan, the reason I’m doing this today is for Chenran’s sake, but it’s also for your own good. If you abort this child, no one will ever have to know what happened, and you’ll still be able to marry someone of equal status. You can still be a pampered young mistress.”

“But think about it, if you really have this child, what about the future? Unwed and pregnant–no respectable family will ever want such a daughter-in-law. And after the child is born, growing up without a father, do you think his mental and physical health will be sound?”

Her words were logical and seemed to consider the other party’s position, making them persuasive.

Even Zhong Niangyao, who was in the next room, couldn’t help but applaud upon hearing Shi Shi’s words. They first applied pressure directly on Zhong Mengxuan, then used persuasion. It was easy for most people to be swayed.

It was just a pity that she was dealing with Zhong Mengxuan.

In another private room–

After listening to Shi Shi’s words, Zhong Mengxuan suddenly stood up and knelt down, “Eldest Mrs. Lu, please, spare me and my child! I truly ask for nothing else but to stay by Chenran’s side. Even if I have no official status for my entire life, I don’t mind.”

Shi Shi’s face turned livid, her eyes fierce, “Are you insisting on defying me?”

“Eldest Mrs. Lu, I know your Lu Family is the number one family in the Imperial Capital with immense power,” Zhong Mengxuan lifted her head, and while she still looked fearful when she glanced at Shi Shi, her expression was also filled with a touch of determination and resolution, “But right now, the marriage alliance between the Lu Family and the Long Family is imminent. If any scandal breaks out and disrupts the marriage, that wouldn’t be good, would it?”

“Of course, I also know you have ways to keep me from speaking out. But unless you truly kill me, this matter will eventually come to light.”

“If this situation escalates, it won’t be good for anyone, right? Of course, if you wish to dispose of me quietly, I believe you have the means to do so.”

“However, if something happens to me, I assure you, everyone in the Imperial Capital, no, the entire Huaxia Country will know about my situation. It would be unfortunate if that brought trouble for you.”

She spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly, so calmly that it seemed like idle chit-chat.

Shi Shi could no longer simply describe her expression as gloomy at this point; she was enraged yet chuckled, “Very well, Zhong Mengxuan, you’re quite capable. Did you know? The last person who threatened me has grass taller than you growing over their grave.”

“Eldest Mrs. Lu, the barefoot are not afraid of those with shoes,” Zhong Mengxuan still knelt on the floor, “You are jade, I am a tile. If we really clash, it would be unfortunate if you got hurt.”

“Even though our Zhong Family cannot compare to the Lu Family’s high status, we are not a nameless clan. If I, a daughter of the Zhong Family, were to disappear without reason, people would seek me out.”

Shi Shi had never been so infuriated, “Zhong Mengxuan, you truly seem to have a death wish.”

She had never been threatened like this in her life, yet now, she faced such a threat from a girl not even fully grown, and she honestly wanted to kill her there and then.

“Eldest Mrs. Lu, my request is not excessive, I just hope to stay by Chenran’s side. I don’t want a title,” Zhong Mengxuan spoke calmly, yet her words were resolute, “Even if Chenran marries Long Jiarui now, can he truly be faithful to her forever and never seek other women? My appearance is just earlier than expected; it has no real impact on his future.”

“A mistress who can’t be seen in daylight?” Shi Shi retorted mockingly, “Zhong Mengxuan, can someone like you really accept such a fate? Even you don’t believe those words!”

“Eldest Mrs. Lu, rest assured,” Zhong Mengxuan continued, “Even if my ambitions were greater, I would need the power to back them up, wouldn’t I? I cannot compete with the Lu Family or Long Family, so I am well aware of my place right now. All I seek is the position of a mistress, and I assure you, I will absolutely not disrupt the union between the Lu and Long families.”

As Shi Shi looked at Zhong Mengxuan’s earnest demeanor, a hint of doubt crept into her eyes. She didn’t believe Zhong Mengxuan’s words, but she couldn’t dismiss them entirely.

Although she had just said so, she still didn’t have the nerve to kill Zhong Mengxuan. Even as the leading family of the Imperial Capital, it was precisely for that reason that they had to act all the more cautiously.

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