A-Man’s voice came again: “You’re the only one who knows what’s proper and considers the bigger picture. You clearly had a way to make her suffer the consequences of her own actions, yet you were too kind-hearted and actually let go of someone who wanted to harm you.”
Shen Xinyan lowered her eyes: “I could have taken revenge in other ways, but I can’t casually ruin someone’s reputation. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. Besides, it was Chang Gongzhu’s banquet. If Yao Jinning caused a scandal, I wouldn’t come out unscathed either.”
As a woman, life was already difficult enough. How could she use such filthy methods to destroy others? It was a matter of principle.
Moreover, Chang Gongzhu was not someone with an easy temper.
A-Man snorted coldly again: “You’re just too kind-hearted.”
Yao Jinning had originally thought Lady Guo would show some concern for her, but to her surprise, Lady Guo didn’t spare her another glance until the banquet ended.
On the carriage ride back, Yao Jinning remained quiet the whole time, but the occasional sharp glances she shot at Shen Xinyan revealed the anger in her heart.
As soon as the carriage entered the Yao Fu, Yao Jinning felt she had support. She immediately whispered a few words to her personal maid, Xiao Zhi. Xiao Zhi’s eyes darted around, and she was the first to jump off the carriage, running toward the main courtyard.
Yao Jinning then looked at Shen Xinyan triumphantly, as if she had already seen the scene of Shen Xinyan being punished.
Shen Xinyan couldn’t be bothered to pay attention to Yao Jinning. She only instructed Yingtao not to support her and walked slowly toward the main courtyard.
As if sensing that Shen Xinyan had something to ask, A-Man spoke first: “There isn’t a single decent person in this Yao Fu. That Yao Jinning is just a manipulated clown, jumping around for some imaginary benefits. She’ll be the first to die in the end.”
In the Yao Fu, everyone was only concerned with their own interests, with no sincerity whatsoever. Even the legitimate daughter wasn’t valued, let alone a concubine’s daughter.
At this point, A-Man changed the subject: “Have you thought about how you’ll face that family later?”
Shen Xinyan flexed her cold fingers: “How did you face it before?”
If she remembered correctly, A-Man had said she truly drank that cup of wine.
A-Man fell silent. Just as Shen Xinyan thought A-Man had disappeared, A-Man suddenly spoke: “My reputation was ruined, and everyone turned against me. Although the Empress Dowager protected my life, all my dowry was confiscated and handed over to my husband’s family for disposal.”
The law stipulated that if a widow committed adultery and the truth was verified, she would be punished with a hundred lashes. If she survived, she would be handed over to her husband’s family for disposal, whether to be driven away or sold off entirely at their discretion.
If it had been done in private, it might not have invoked the law, but it happened at Chang Gongzhu Fu, witnessed by many noblewomen. If she hadn’t been punished, the memorials from the Yushitai would likely have piled up like a mountain.
Shen Xinyan gasped involuntarily: “You were driven away.”
A-Man sneered coldly: “It seems you still don’t understand how vicious this family is, thinking so highly of them. I was sold off by them.”
Shen Xinyan took a sharp breath, only to hear A-Man speak again: “Sold to a Sichangliaozi.”
Shen Xinyan felt the world spin around her. How could this happen? If they truly disliked her, they could have found a way to let her die of illness. Why degrade someone like this?
Fortunately, Yingtao had been paying attention to Shen Xinyan. Seeing her unsteady, she immediately stepped forward to support her: “Madam, are you tired? After paying respects to the old madam, you should rest early.”
Madam seemed a bit unusual today, which truly worried her.
Seeing Shen Xinyan on the verge of fainting, A-Man’s voice softened somewhat: “Alright, save your strength for later. I told you I’m living better than anyone now.”
Shen Xinyan wanted to ask more, but then saw Ning Yu, the aunt from the old madam’s side, walking toward her with a cold expression: “Er Furen has returned. Go quickly to the old madam’s courtyard to speak.”
Without waiting for Shen Xinyan’s response, she turned and led the way toward the main courtyard.
Seeing Ning Yu’s murderous demeanor, Yingtao whispered in Shen Xinyan’s ear: “Madam, today’s matter may be difficult to explain.”
After all, the madam had truly struck the Fourth Young Miss.
Shen Xinyan watched Ning Yu’s retreating back: “If it’s difficult to resolve, then let it remain unresolved!”
The words “Sichangliaozi” had shattered all her nerves, stirring a nameless fury about to erupt.
Yingtao stared blankly at Shen Xinyan. Wasn’t it said that enduring a hundred times turns to gold? Yet the madam seemed different somehow.
Everyone was gathered in the room today. Besides Yao Changcheng and his principal wife Madam Yao Li seated in the main positions, Master Yao’s several concubines were also seated, glaring angrily at Shen Xinyan, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a triple tribunal.
Yao Jinning was currently nestled in Concubine Liu’s arms. Seeing Shen Xinyan enter, she buried her head deeper and began weeping softly, as if she had suffered immense injustice.
A-Man’s voice suddenly rang out: “Kneel.”
Shen Xinyan didn’t understand A-Man’s meaning, but then Madam Yao Li’s voice reached her ears: “Kneel.”
So A-Man had just spoken the words Madam Yao Li was about to utter.
A-Man sneered: “That old hag, strong on the outside but weak within, only knows how to feign authority by raising her voice. Don’t blame me for not warning you—the Yao family has already conceived murderous intent. If you don’t resist now, heh…”
That single “heh” concealed too much meaning, yet it also stirred Shen Xinyan’s nerves.
Instead of obediently kneeling as she had in the past, Shen Xinyan stood her ground, looking at Madam Yao Li with neither humility nor arrogance: “I do not know what wrong I have committed to provoke Mother-in-law’s anger so.”
Seeing Shen Xinyan standing calmly and questioning her, Madam Yao Li pointed at Shen Xinyan’s nose: “As the second sister-in-law, you dared to strike your younger half-sister at Gongzhufu. Do you admit your fault?”
A-Man fanned the flames in Shen Xinyan’s ear: “That aphrodisiac was something Madam Yao Li hinted to the old maidservants below to remind Yao Jinning to obtain. Otherwise, how would a young girl like her know of such filthy things?
Endure it, keep enduring. Endure enough, and that Sichangliaozi will surely have a place reserved for you.”
A-Man’s voice carried infinite coldness, with unmistakable bone-deep hatred.
Shen Xinyan’s fists clenched quietly, but she restrained her inner anger to defend herself: “Yao Jinning sewed my dress to the table leg at Gongzhufu, trying to make me lose face. If a young lady like this is married off, wouldn’t it only create enemies? I beg Mother-in-law to investigate clearly.”
She had never known her mother-in-law harbored such malicious intentions. These methods were truly despicable—she would rather be given a direct stab for a quicker end.
Madam Yao Li, being so openly defied in front of all the concubines, momentarily found herself in an awkward position. She pointed at Shen Xinyan’s nose: “This is rebellion! Guards, bring the family discipline! I will personally teach this disrespectful shrew a lesson.”
Shen Xinyan slightly furrowed her brow: “Mother-in-law must not speak carelessly. Whom have I rebelled against today? Could it be that Mother-in-law considers herself comparable to the imperial family, and that I am rebelling against you?”
As soon as these words were spoken, Yao Changcheng, who had remained silent by the side, instantly changed his expression. “How dare you, Madam Shen! How dare you speak such nonsense!”
Yao Changcheng’s eyes widened as if he wanted to devour someone, for he could not understand why the usually mild-tempered person had suddenly become so sharp-tongued today.
Shen Xinyan performed a respectful bow to Yao Changcheng. “Father, please consider carefully. If Mother’s words today were to spread, outsiders who understand would think it is the daughter-in-law who lacks propriety.
Those who do not understand might believe that Mother is comparing herself to the royal family, expecting the daughter-in-law to serve her as one would serve the Empress Dowager. If the daughter-in-law were to fall short in any way, it would be seen as harboring rebellious intentions.
It might even implicate Father’s reputation.”