After the Abuse Novel Female Lead Heard Her Stepmother's Inner Voice - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

At dinner, Yan Jinfu brought up the matter of choosing a husband for me right there at the table.

Father flew into a rage on the spot. “The country is still in mourning. What husband are we choosing for Ning’er? Besides, once the mourning period is over, the new emperor will begin selecting women for the palace.”

Suppressing her anger, Yan Jinfu said, “Marriages are forbidden only during the first month of national mourning. That month has already passed. As long as Wanning’s wedding isn’t held with great fanfare, it’ll be fine.”

Father slammed his chopsticks onto the table. “Preposterous!”

Yan Jinfu had no intention of indulging his temper. She slapped the table hard and stood up. “So what I say doesn’t matter anymore, is that it? Wanning is of age. What is so preposterous about her marrying? Besides, Wanning is the legitimate daughter of the General’s Mansion. How is marrying a promising young man with no flock of women around him as his principal wife worse than entering the palace? Even if she becomes a noble consort someday after entering the palace, she’ll still be a concubine. You have only this one daughter. Are you truly willing to let her become someone’s concubine?”

Father pointed at her with his index finger, so furious that even his fingertip trembled. “Women really do have long hair and short insight. How could I ever harm Ning’er? I can’t be bothered to argue with you!”

Yan Jinfu rolled her eyes. “Fine, then don’t. And tonight, don’t even think about sleeping in the study. Go sleep in the stables hugging that Ferghana horse of yours.”

“You, you, you…” My father was so angry he could not get a single smooth sentence out. “Are you trying to anger me to death?”

Yan Jinfu gave a cold snort and said nothing.

A moment later, I heard her inner thoughts.

“Hurry up and die, then. I’m waiting to eat at the funeral banquet and become a widow.”

I froze for a second. After savoring it for a moment, I actually found it somewhat amusing. Then I couldn’t hold back and laughed out loud.

When the two of them heard me laugh, they both turned to look at me.

“Ning’er, what are you laughing at?” My father looked at me in confusion.

Yan Jinfu said, “Wanning, say it out loud so we can laugh together.”

I paused, then said, “Father, your daughter thinks Mother is right. I don’t want to enter the palace. I want to choose a husband I like.”

Father flicked his sleeves. “How are even you…”

Yan Jinfu’s expression changed instantly. She picked up her chopsticks, placed a piece of braised pork in Father’s bowl, and said, “Old Shen, what did I tell you before? We have to respect the child’s wishes.”

Father picked up the braised pork and put it in his mouth, his words still tinged with anger. “Do whatever you want. I won’t interfere anymore. One of these days, you’ll all be the death of me.”

Then Yan Jinfu’s calculating inner voice drifted into my ears again:

“The General’s Mansion isn’t exactly wealthy on paper. If Old Shen gets angered to death, will the imperial court issue a pension?”

Then she picked up the wine pot and filled the cup in front of Father.

“What are you saying? You are the Grand General. How could you be angered to death in the inner residence? If you must die, it should be on the battlefield, sacrificing yourself for the country.”

And in her heart, she continued, “If he dies on the battlefield, there will definitely be a pension.”

Father thought she had softened, so he happily picked up the wine cup in front of him and drank.

If he could hear Yan Jinfu’s thoughts too, he would probably have already been angered to death by now.