However, Ji Yushu’s curiosity was obviously piqued as he kept asking Xie Jingxing, “How did she stab you? With a sword? Third Brother, even you couldn’t dodge it. That means she’s well-trained. What’s more, she can even escape unscathed. Oh my god, Third Brother, are you not her match at all?”
Xie Jingxing finally couldn’t take it anymore. “Shut up!”
“She’s so skilled and good-looking. I suddenly feel that Miss Shaoyao can’t compare to her. Ah, Third Brother Xie, can you help me think of a way to woo her? I think it’s better to marry such a girl home as soon as possible.” Ji Yushu continued to nag.
“If you say another word, I’ll send you back together with Gao Yang,” Xie Jingxing said expressionlessly.
Ji Yushu finally shut up.
Gao Yang waved his folding fan and changed the topic. “But why do I feel that this matter isn’t over yet?”
“How is it not over yet?” Ji Yushu said, “They’re all dead. Speaking of which, I am really puzzled. Why did Miss Shen ask people to spread that kind of rumor for no reason? Isn’t she afraid of implicating the entire Shen family? Instead of proving to others that the Shen family has nothing to do with the massacre, she’s intentionally pulling her family into it.”
“Have you ever seen a person who stops fishing after catching a big fish?” Xie Jingxing glanced at him and smiled with interest. “The moves she makes are connected intricately, and her goal has never been Prince Yu.”
In the Rosy Cloud Garden of the Shen family, Shen Yuan dragged his feet back into the house. When Ren Wanyun saw him, she pounced on him and asked expectantly, “Yuan, how is it?”
Shen Yuan shook his head. “Troublesome.”
“Yuan, you have to save Qing.” Ren Wanyun’s tears immediately flowed down. Over the past few days, she had been washing her face with tears every day, and her eyes were so swollen that they were a little scary. She did not even clean herself, and there was a strange smell on her body. Shen Yuan quietly kept a distance from her. Unexpectedly, Ren Wanyun grabbed his arm and said, “She’s your sister. You have to save her! Qing is very pitiful. She’s innocent. She must be very afraid of being locked up in the prison. We’re not by her side. Only you can save her now!”
As she spoke, her tears and saliva sprayed on Shen Yuan. Shen Yuan was already frustrated, and seeing Ren Wanyun like this, he became even more frustrated. He said, “I understand.” He turned around and was about to return to his room.
Ren Wanyun panicked when she saw this. She grabbed Shen Yuan and said, “Yuan, why are you going back to your room? Shouldn’t you go to the government office to take care of the matter? Or you can go and beg the emperor. You’re so smart and know many people in the imperial court. You can definitely help your sister. Do you need money? I’ll go get it for you.”
“Mother.” Shen Yuan suppressed the frustration in his heart and said, “I can’t do anything at the moment. Don’t push me.”
“I’m pushing you?” Ren Wanyun was stunned for a moment before screaming, “I’m trying to save your sister. There are no good people in this mansion! Your father is heartless. All he cares about is having fun with his concubines and he doesn’t care about us at all. Now, are you going to abandon your sister too? Are you going to be just like your father? I raised you painstakingly, and this is how you repay me! Shen Yuan, your father is heartless, and you’re heartless too!” Ren Wanyun’s voice became louder and louder. These days, she was quite out of her mind and would get worked up easily. There was something in what Shen Yuan said that caused her to go crazy.
Not only did she scold him, but Ren Wanyun even pushed Shen Yuan. She looked nothing like a lady from a noble family but a shrew. Shen Yuan suddenly felt exhausted, and what Shen Miao said flashed across his mind.
After returning to the capital, he was supposed to have a bright and smooth-sailing official career. He would choose a wise prince to assist him and eventually become a famous minister. He would trample everyone under his feet and everyone would look up to him. But things were heading in the opposite direction. His mother had become a shrew, and his father was useless. Even his sister, who could’ve become the prince consort, was locked up in prison.
Although family was important, his future was important too. He had secretly been siding with Fu Xiuyi for many years and had been working diligently outside for the sake of returning to the capital to help him one day. Who knew that so many things would happen in a row? Rumors were rumors and could not be taken seriously. However, if rumors continued for too long and reached the ears of the royal family, no matter how much Fu Xiuyi valued him, he would still be hesitant about using him.
Shen Miao had laid two paths in front of him. One was his family and the other was his future. However, in a sense, he was really cornered.
Shen Yuan looked at Ren Wanyun and said calmly, “Mother, even if you don’t care about me, do you also not care about my little brother’s life?”
