Shen Xinyan emphasized the words “royal family” and “Empress Dowager” with great force, seizing upon Madam Yao Li’s slip of the tongue with every syllable.
Yao Changcheng angrily flicked his sleeve: “A disgrace to the family…”
Then he quickly left the main hall.
Seeing Yao Changcheng driven away in anger, Madam Yao Li slammed the table furiously: “Someone, beat her, beat this sharp-tongued madwoman to death.”
Several fierce-looking matrons immediately rushed over. Just as they were about to pin Shen Xinyan down, she took a step back: “Think carefully. Today, I have done nothing wrong. My mother-in-law cannot truly have me killed.
But your maishenqi are all in my possession. I am also your legally registered master in the government records. According to the law, if you kill me, your entire families will not escape the fate of lingchi.
If you fail to kill me, and I settle accounts later, you will still not escape being sold off.”
They ate her food and drank her provisions, yet dared to lay hands on her—where did these people get the nerve?
Upon hearing Shen Xinyan’s words, the previously fierce-looking matrons all showed expressions of panic.
For the past two years, they had been following the old madam, forgetting that Er Furen was the one who truly held power over their life and death.
Seeing the matrons standing motionless, Madam Yao Li slapped the table: “Rebel… Madam Shen, how dare you humiliate your own mother-in-law like this? Aren’t you afraid of being struck by lightning?”
She too remembered: the general’s mansion had fallen into decline early on. Not long after the old general returned home to retire in honor, he passed away. The second son had only military achievements on the frontier but gained no substantial benefits.
Before Shen Xinyan arrived, their general’s mansion merely appeared respectable on the surface. In reality, each household had only one or two servants, who were also responsible for the mansion’s miscellaneous tasks.
All these servants were purchased only after Shen Xinyan entered the mansion. Who would have thought this woman was so cunning, registering all the maishenqi under her own name?
Shen Xinyan glanced at a matron beside her, who immediately cowered and brought over a stool: “Er Furen, please sit.”
If she performed well now, perhaps she could earn some favor in Er Furen’s eyes.
Ignoring the embarrassed and downcast matron, Shen Xinyan was helped to sit by Yingtao. Her tone carried a feigned fear: “Mother-in-law, what are you saying? How would I dare defy you?
As for being struck by lightning, there is no need to worry. I simply won’t go out on rainy days. However, I am terribly frightened today and temporarily cannot manage the accounts. The account books and monthly allowances for this month will have to trouble Mother-in-law to handle.”
Since they had torn off all pretense, there was no need to spend her money anymore.
Upon hearing “monthly allowances,” Madam Yao Li’s voice filled with anger: “You truly are my good daughter-in-law.”
The mansion’s monthly expenses amounted to at least three thousand taels. How could Madam Shen have the nerve to make such a request? The servants were all purchased by Madam Shen—why should she ask for money?
Shen Xinyan nodded with a smile: “It is all thanks to Mother-in-law’s guidance.”
Madam Yao Li clutched her chest, groaning in anger: “A disgrace to the family, a disgrace to the family. Jinfeng, why did you leave so soon, leaving this wicked woman to humiliate your mother?”
Madam Yao Li came from a humble background. Usually, she was fine if left unprovoked, but once angered, she would spew endless complaints, which were truly unbearable to hear.
Shen Xinyan also sighed: “Mother is right. If Second Master were still here, he would surely value his reputation and not use his wife’s dowry. It was only today that I realized this truth. From now on, I will never again tarnish Second Master’s honor with money.”
They wanted to humiliate her and still expected her to provide silver—that play would no longer be performed.
Yao Jinning’s eyes darted around as she prepared to speak again, but Concubine Liu subtly covered her mouth. Now was not the time to say anything, lest she draw fire upon herself.
For a moment, the room fell into a stalemate.
Just as everyone was staring at Shen Xinyan, pondering how to subdue her, a sharp reprimand suddenly echoed from outside: “Are they trying to take my life now that I’m old? This old woman will see today who dares lay a hand on my granddaughter-in-law.”
Upon hearing this, Shen Xinyan quickly rose to her feet, her heart warmed.
From the voice alone, she knew it was the widow of Zhenyuan Jiangjun, Tai Furen Yao Qian of the household.
Since she had been widowed, Tai Furen had always protected her in every way, standing up for her in all matters.
Today, she must have heard that her mother-in-law intended to make things difficult for her and had come specifically to lend her support.
Seeing Shen Xinyan’s moved expression, A-Man suddenly burst into uncontrollable laughter: “You really are the epitome of foolishness. Can’t you see she’s here to help her own daughter-in-law?
In all the years you’ve been married into this household, how many times has she sweet-talked you, only for you to bear the costs while they play good cop and bad cop? And you actually fell for it, completely losing your bearings.”
A-Man’s laughter gradually subsided, replaced by gritted teeth: “A family of venomous scorpions and bloodsuckers, all hoping to live off others without lifting a finger, eager to drain every last drop, preying on the foolish…”
The last sentence seemed to refer to Shen Xinyan, yet also to herself.
Shen Xinyan fell silent, staring blankly as Tai Furen, supported by her maidservant, approached Yao Li-shi.
Reflecting on past events, it seemed that every time she had wanted to resist, it was Yao Qian who had stepped in to uphold justice for her.
Though it appeared she was helping, in the end, Shen Xinyan was always the one who paid more.
Shen Xinyan’s face grew increasingly pale, and she stumbled, nearly falling to the ground, but Yingtao quickly steadied her.
Yao Qian looked at Shen Xinyan with concern: “What’s wrong with you, child?”
Shen Xinyan avoided Yao Qian’s gaze: “Grandmother, your granddaughter-in-law is exhausted today. May I return to rest and pay my respects to you tomorrow?”
Yao Qian gazed at Shen Xinyan with affection: “Poor child, go and rest. Your mother-in-law has grown increasingly muddled. Starting tomorrow, she will accompany me to the prayer hall to chant sutras and clear her mind. The household management will still be entrusted to you—only then can I rest assured.”
Shen Xinyan’s fingertips trembled. She had never realized before how skilled Tai Furen was with words.
This was not about granting her authority over the household; it was about making her continue to provide the monthly allowances.
A-Man sneered: “They trust you—aren’t you moved? Who knows what fortune you cultivated in past lives to have an entire family dedicated to deceiving you.
The news certainly travels fast. Why do you think your beloved grandmother knew what had just happened? Look at how composed she is—guess where she was hiding just now!”
Shen Xinyan, her heart heavy with resentment, had no desire to say more. After exchanging a few words with Yao Qian, she bowed and took her leave.
With the protagonist gone, Yao Qian coldly scanned the concubines present: “Each and every one of you is nothing but trouble.”
Then she turned to Yao Li-shi: “Come with me.”
Her gaze fell on Yao Jinning: “And you.”
In youth, one must teach the daughter-in-law; who would have thought that even in old age, teaching is still necessary. It’s all because I didn’t properly investigate Madam Yao Li’s background back then, causing my son to suffer so many years of grievance.
After returning to her room and freshening up, Shen Xinyan dismissed Yingtao.
Watching Yingtao lead several maids bustling out of the room, A-Man suddenly spoke: “Today’s matter has passed safely. I recall you have two shops in the western part of the city. Go inspect them tomorrow, and I will find an opportunity for you.”
But Shen Xinyan’s attention wasn’t on the opportunity. She cautiously asked: “You said you entered that private… that kind of place. What happened afterward? Are you… still alive?”
A-Man, unusually without sarcasm, let out a long sigh: “The more others wish for my misfortune, the more I must shine brightly for them to see, climbing to heights they can never reach, trampling them all beneath my feet.”
From A-Man’s tone, it was clear she was doing well now. Shen Xinyan breathed a sigh of relief, then grew despondent: “I can’t understand. Since they dislike me so much, why not find a way to let me die of illness instead of orchestrating this filthy affair?”
A-Man snorted coldly: “Because they fear investigation more than you do. They had to devise a method that would make people uncomfortable just by mentioning you, ensuring the matter passes without scrutiny.”
Shen Xinyan gritted her teeth in anger: “Where have I wronged them, to be treated this way?”
A-Man’s voice turned icy in an instant: “You haven’t wronged them. It’s just that they can’t withstand investigation, because your dead husband is actually only pretending to be dead and is currently out there living it up!”