A Spring Banquet at the Marquis’s Estate

She waited for him for three years.

For three years, Shen Zhaoning sewed her wedding dress with her own hands, managed everything for him, protected his reputation, and shielded him from gossip. All she wanted was for his period of mourning to end, and for him to say he would marry her.

But in the end, all she got was his offhand remark:

"You can be my concubine."

Only then did Shen Zhaoning understand that her sincere devotion and everything she had done for him over those three years were nothing but stepping stones for him to trample her beneath his feet.

She had let her heart soften and made excuses for him, but when she had finally given way as much as she could, she discovered the truth: he had never wanted merely to force her into becoming his concubine.

He wanted to strip her of her rightful status, seize her marquisate, and leave her groveling for scraps even in her own home.

If that was what he wanted, then she would wait no longer.

She broke off their engagement in front of everyone and personally threw him out.

He thought she was just throwing a tantrum. He thought she would come back eventually.

But only after Shen Zhaoning truly gave him up did Fang Chengyan completely lose control.

He knelt and begged her, refusing to let go like a madman. Even after he ground his pride and dignity into the dirt, he still couldn't win back the slightest trace of compassion from her.

She only lowered her eyes and said coolly:

"Lord Fang, you're making a scene."