When Shen Miao heard this, her heart skipped a beat. She looked at Old Madam Shen and said, “Grandmother, what are you talking about? Father is also a member of the Shen family. The Shen family and Father are connected. How can you say this about Father at this time? In the past, when Father was rewarded and praised by His Majesty, didn’t Grandmother say that it was the Shen family’s blessing to have such a general? Have you forgotten what you said?”
When the onlookers outside heard this, they looked at Old Madam Shen in unison.
When the mighty general was rewarded by the emperor, Old Madam Shen wasn’t so mean. They were a family, and they were supposed to be together for good or ill. Why did Old Madam Shen look like she was in a hurry to dissociate herself when Shen Xin was in trouble?
Old Madam Shen also realized that everyone was looking at her with unfriendly gazes. For a moment, she flew into a rage out of humiliation, but she did not know how to respond. She could only look at Chen Ruoqiu for help.
Since Shen Gui and Shen Wan had both gone to court, the only person who could take charge here was Chen Ruoqiu. Chen Ruoqiu smiled and said, “Fifth Miss, Old Madam didn’t mean that. Old Madam is just angry. As you know, our Shen family has always been an upright family. If the old general finds out, he will also blame your father. If the impeachment against your father is proven valid, how can our family continue to go on with our lives in the capital?”
Seeing that Chen Ruoqiu was speaking up for her, Old Madam Shen found Chen Ruoqiu more pleasing to the eye. She nodded and said, “That’s right. Your father made a mistake. Are we not allowed to criticize him?”
Shen Dongling and Concubine Wan stood at the side. They had never had the right to speak, so they just watched quietly.
Shen Miao said, “In that case, Grandmother, are you going to cut ties with my father and expel him from the Shen family?”
As soon as she said that, Chen Ruoqiu thought to herself, Oh no. Before she could stop her, Old Madam Shen’s eyes lit up and she said indignantly, “Such a disloyal person naturally has to be expelled from the Shen family!”
“Grandmother, are you really going to be that heartless? My father is still in prison. Not only do you not think of a way to help him out, but you also…” Shen Miao lowered her eyes.
Seeing Shen Miao lower her head dejectedly, Old Madam Shen immediately felt overjoyed. These days, she had repeatedly failed to scheme against the first branch and was very annoyed. Now, her bad mood was all swept away. The more happy she was, the more righteous her tone became. “The Shen family has been loyal for generations. I have to be heartless to make this decision for the old general. Such a disloyal person can’t be allowed to enter my Shen family’s ancestral hall. From today onwards, Shen Xin and his family will be expelled from the Shen family!”
Old Madam Shen spoke happily, but she did not see Chen Ruoqiu’s expression change drastically. Although it was right to draw a clear line between them and the first branch, Old Madam Shen was really too stupid to do it in such a straightforward manner. The onlookers were not fools. At this moment, they would only show sympathy for the mighty general.
At the thought of this, Chen Ruoqiu smiled and said to Shen Miao, “Fifth Miss, Old Madam doesn’t mean that either. She’s just angry with your father. Fifth Miss, when Old Madam’s anger subsides in a few days, she won’t be like this anymore.”
Shen Yue did not understand why her mother would say that. Couldn’t she just get Old Madam Shen to chase Shen Miao out? Now that Shen Xin and the others were all accused of deceiving the emperor, even if they could escape death with their contributions over the years, their life would be miserable. If the first branch was chased out, they might not even have a place to stay. Just thinking about it made her happy.
“Third Aunt, there’s no need to say anything else.” Shen Miao said loudly, “Since Old Madam values the Shen family so much and doesn’t even care about my father, why don’t we just part ways and not have anything to do with each other?” She said sarcastically, “It’s just a little difficult to move out in a short time. When the soldiers are done searching, I’ll pack my things and move out as soon as Father and Mother come back. We won’t taint the Shen family’s reputation anymore!”
