After Rebirth, I Chose a New Family That Treated Me Like a Treasure - Chapter 2:

Chapter 2: Persuasion

“Father, Mother, I will marry no one but Miss Litang in this life!”
“Though Miss Litang is the courtesan of Spring Orchid Courtyard, she is pure and untouched. So many noble sons in the capital have spent fortunes on her, yet she has given her word to only me.”
“I beg you both to fulfill our wish!”
“If you refuse, then I won’t take part in next year’s imperial examination!”

Su Shuyao had just stepped through the door when she heard such outrageous declarations.

Her eldest brother was still just as foolish—actually using the imperial exam to threaten their parents, all for a courtesan.

The main hall was in chaos. The Marquis of Weiyuan sat with a stiff expression, his brows tightly furrowed as if they could crush a mosquito. Madam Wan twisted her handkerchief, silently weeping.

When Madam Wan saw Su Shuyao, she acted as if she had seen her savior and pulled her over. “My child, go talk some sense into your brother! He’s lost his mind!”

She had completely forgotten how, just two hours earlier, she had thrown Su Shuyao into the woodshed, forced her to apologize to Su Mingzhu, and even threatened her with the family rod.

Whenever they needed her, she was Madam Wan’s daughter. But once they didn’t, she was tossed aside like trash.

Su Shuyao lowered her eyes and pulled her hand away from Madam Wan.

Marriage was supposed to follow the arrangement of parents and the word of a matchmaker. As long as Madam Wan firmly objected, could her brother really elope with a courtesan?

Madam Wan was still as selfish as ever, always pushing her forward to play the villain.

Suddenly, Su Mingpei charged toward her, raising his hand for a slap.

Su Shuyao turned her head to dodge, but his palm still grazed her chin. Her skin was fair and delicate, and a red mark appeared instantly—burning with pain.

Su Shuyao frowned. “Su Mingpei, what are you doing?”

“Su Shuyao, drop the act! I know you’re the one sabotaging me, stopping me from marrying Litang!”

Su Mingpei roared with a vengeful glare, as if he wanted to devour her.

“…Sure, if you say so.”

She was already used to being blamed for everything.

The men of the Marquis of Weiyuan’s family were all like this—selfish and unreasonable.

“Stop pretending to be innocent!” Su Mingpei’s tone carried undisguised disgust. “Su Shuyao, the marquis residence raised you, and you not only lack gratitude but also harbor malicious intentions!”
“I’ll beat you just like this!” Su Mingpei roared and kicked at her.

This time, Su Shuyao was prepared. She stepped aside, and his foot slammed into a stool.

“Su Shuyao, how vicious you are!” Su Mingpei howled in pain, his face twisted, gasping several times.

See? Even when he missed and hurt himself, he blamed her.

He clearly kicked the edge of the table himself.

Madam Wan and the Marquis of Weiyuan stood watching coldly as Su Mingpei scolded her. Neither of them defended her, nor did they stop him from striking her.

It didn’t matter—she had long stopped caring.

Su Mingpei, like a mad dog, tried to charge at her again.

This time, Su Shuyao stepped back—directly behind Su Mingzhu.

Seeing the slap about to land on Su Mingzhu’s face, the Marquis finally shouted, “Su Mingpei, have you lost your mind?!”

Su Mingpei finally stopped, barely avoiding hitting his most beloved little sister.

The entire hall fell silent for a moment.

Su Shuyao felt a bit puzzled. She hadn’t even said anything yet about opposing his marriage to a courtesan. Why was he so sure it was her who interfered?

In her past life, when her brother insisted on marrying a courtesan, the whole family strongly opposed it. Madam Wan pushed her out to take the blame, making it appear that the marriage fell through because of her.

But in this life, she had done nothing yet.

Could it be… her brother was also reborn?

Madam Wan turned and grabbed Su Shuyao’s hand again. “Shuyao, talk to your brother. How can the heir of the marquis residence marry a courtesan?”

Su Shuyao pulled her hand away and replied coldly, “Madam, the heir flares up whenever he sees me. I can’t persuade him.” She stepped back and calmly watched the family drama unfold.

In the previous life, Su Mingzhu had only been found and brought back two years later.

But in this life, Su Mingzhu had returned to the marquis residence two years earlier—and had even come back on her own.

When Su Mingzhu showed up, Madam Wan had been full of disbelief, but Su Mingpei was completely convinced that she was his biological sister.

That was when Su Shuyao realized—Su Mingzhu had also been reborn.

A small marquis residence, and yet three people had been reborn. Now this was going to be interesting.

Madam Wan hesitated, then turned to grab Su Mingzhu’s hand. “Mingzhu, you try and talk to your brother.”

Su Mingzhu held Madam Wan’s hand in return, trying her best to stay calm, but her forehead was already covered in a sheen of cold sweat.

Madam Wan thought to herself, My real daughter really isn’t as composed as the adopted one. It’s fine, I can teach her slowly.

Su Mingzhu patted Madam Wan’s hand. “Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll definitely talk to Brother.”

In the past life, when Su Mingzhu returned to the marquis residence, their brother had already married the daughter of Censor Tang.

Su Mingzhu had only heard a few rumors about Miss Litang from the servants.

It was said that their brother had been obsessed with her, wanting to call off his engagement to Miss Tang. Madam Wan had been so furious she cried in secret.

Su Shuyao had been the one to put a stop to it. She had gone to Spring Orchid Courtyard herself, paid a heavy sum, bought Miss Litang, and sold her off to a faraway place.

Unable to find her, Su Mingpei finally gave up.

He’d been depressed for a while afterward.

Later, he married Censor Tang’s daughter, was mentored by a renowned teacher, passed the imperial exam, and rose steadily in rank. But he never got over Miss Litang. His marriage was unhappy.

When he found out that it was Su Shuyao who sold Litang, he held a lifelong grudge against her.

She wasn’t going to be that villain again.

In the future, the entire Marquis of Weiyuan’s household would be under her brother’s control.

In the previous life, her brother had a smooth political path. After ranking high in the imperial exams, he rose all the way to Minister of Rites and had boundless prospects.

It was said that during his exams, he hadn’t performed his best because of Miss Litang. That became a weakness exploited by his political enemies later.

But her brother had always been outstanding. If he had married Miss Litang, he wouldn’t have been heartbroken. His results would’ve been better, and his career smoother.

Gold would shine anywhere. She didn’t believe a single marriage could ruin his path.

Besides, she had been reborn and understood the shifts in court politics. She could offer him guidance. With her support, he could surely go even further.

Thinking this, Su Mingzhu felt more confident and walked forward.

She spoke gently, “Brother, get up. If there’s something you want to say, let’s talk properly.”

Su Mingpei looked up. “Mingzhu, you’re here to persuade me too?”

Su Mingzhu shook her head slightly, then said firmly, “Brother, if you want to marry her, then marry her. But you must promise—after marrying Miss Litang, you must rank in the top three of the first class in the imperial exam.”

Su Mingpei’s eyes lit up. “I promise! If you let me marry Miss Litang, I guarantee I’ll place in the top three of the first class!”

In his past life, he had still passed the exam as a fellow despite being heartbroken.

This time, if he could marry Litang, reaching the top three would be no problem!

Madam Wan’s eyes widened in shock, nearly grinding her teeth to dust. What was Su Mingzhu doing?!

She told her to persuade Mingpei—and this was her idea of persuasion?!