Shen Wan had planned it well, but she was a step too late. By the time she reached the second gate, the heir of the Marquis of Yongqing had already left.
Shen Li, upon learning that Shen Yu had nearly been murdered, flew into a rage and beat the heir of the Marquis of Yongqing, forcing him to write a divorce agreement. The Second Master stopped Shen Li, and the heir, fearing for his life, seized the opportunity to escape.
Shen Li didn’t get the divorce agreement, instead, he was summoned to the Shou’an Hall by the Old Madam and reprimanded.
Shen Wan rushed over, and as soon as she reached the screen, she heard the Old Madam berating Shen Li, “You act so recklessly! The matter of the startled horse was just Wan’er’s guess. There was no evidence to prove that the Marquis Yongqing’s family was responsible, yet you beat him and forced him to write a divorce agreement. What if it’s a misunderstanding? How will you handle this later? Do you really want a divorce?”
A misunderstanding?
They already knew about the affair between the heir of the Marquis of Yongqing and her cousin, how could it be a misunderstanding?
Would the Marchioness Yongqing really allow her own niece to become a concubine?
The Duke of Dingguo’s mansion would never allow the Heir of the Marquis of Yongqing to marry a concubine.
Even if the horse accident was an accident, divorce is the only option!
Ultimately, it’s her elder brother who believes her and her elder sister, not the Old Madam. She will always only consider the perspective of her own children and the Duke of Dingguo’s mansion, never the perspective of the eldest branch of the family, let alone her elder sister.
The Second Madam said, “I think the Heir of the Marquis of Yongqing is a good man. Yu’er has been married for two years and still has no children. The Heir of the Marquis of Yongqing only has one maidservant, and Yu’er was the one who initiated the relationship. I think there might be some misunderstanding between the Heir of the Marquis Yongqing and his cousin.”
They practically cornered her in bed, how could it be a misunderstanding?
Wasn’t someone stirring things up behind her elder sister’s fall into the water? Shen Wan walked in. “Second Aunt, are you implying that Eldest Sister lied when she witnessed the Marquis of Yongqing’s son and his cousin’s intimate moment?”
The Second Madam said, “Seeing isn’t always believing. Perhaps she saw wrong in her anger, or misunderstood?”
“But Second Miss, without any evidence, you concluded that the frightened horse was the Marquis Yongqing’s family’s attempt to kill Yu’er, escalating the situation to this point beyond repair. If it’s true, fine, but if it’s false, such baseless accusations will damage your reputation.”
Shen Wan said, “I don’t value my reputation more than Eldest Sister’s life!”
Hit hard, the Second Madam’s face turned pale. “The Duke of Dingguo’s mansion has more than just you as a young lady!”
Shen Wan looked at the Second Madam. “When Third Sister was fabricating lies, didn’t you consider that the Duke of Dingguo’s mansion had other young ladies?”
These words left the Second Madam speechless.
The old madam’s face darkened. “Your second aunt said a few words to you, and you’ve already started talking back. Is this how your mother taught you?”
Madam Yun tried to protect Shen Wan, but Shen Wan shook her head, saying indifferently, “I just feel heartbroken for my elder sister. Today, she learned that the heir of the Marquis of Yongqing had betrayed her, and her horse was startled, nearly causing her to fall off a cliff and be smashed to pieces. Yet, the Duke’s mansion would rather believe that the Marquis of Yongqing’s affair with his cousin was a lie than believe what they said.”
“Even what my elder sister saw with her own eyes could be a misunderstanding. So why does my second aunt think that my claim that my elder sister’s horse startling was murder, without any evidence?”
Shen Wu couldn’t bear to see Shen Wan like this… “Second Sister, are you saying you have evidence?”
Shen Wan glanced at Shen Wu, “Third Sister, why would I have rushed to Jingmiao Nunnery to save Eldest Sister if I didn’t have any evidence?”
Shen Wu was speechless. “Since you have evidence, then show it to me.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll let you see the evidence.”
Shen Wan didn’t want to say more, supporting Madam Yun, “Eldest Sister was badly frightened. Although she took medicine and fell asleep, she didn’t sleep very soundly. Mother, please go and stay with her.”
Thinking of Shen Yu, Madam Yun felt heartache and immediately left with Shen Wan.
Shen Li didn’t stay long either.
Shen Yu hadn’t slept long when she woke up from a nightmare, covered in cold sweat, her face pale. Madam Yun stayed by the bedside, holding her in her arms, her heart aching. “Don’t be afraid, Mother is here.”
Shen Yu sobbed uncontrollably.
Shen Wan stood to the side, her eyes also red.
Yinchuan entered, gently tugging at Shen Wan’s sleeve. Shen Wan wiped her eyes and went out, asking, “What is it?”
Yinchuan whispered, “The news of Eldest Lady desire for a divorce has spread, and the rumors are horrible…”
Shen Wan’s face darkened. “How are they saying it?”
Yinchuan said, “They say Eldest Lady still has feelings for the Heir of the Marquis of Zhaoping. Knowing he would marry a divorced woman, she got her hands on him. Seeing the Heir of the Marquis of Yongqing talking to her cousin, she suspected an affair and is now demanding a divorce so she can marry the Heir of the Marquis of Zhaoping…”
No wonder Yinchuan didn’t dare say this in front of her mother and elder sister, even she was furious.
She was right. It was because this news had spread that the Marquis of Yongqing’s household, fearing her elder sister would divorce and remarry, acted prematurely.
Now they’ve gone even further, turning black into white. Failing to kill her elder sister, they’ve resorted to false accusations, ruining her sister’s reputation and preventing her from marrying the heir of the Marquis of Zhaoping, even after the divorce.
What a vicious scheme!
These rumors couldn’t be kept from Madam Yun, but no one dared let Shen Yu know. She had already suffered so much, she couldn’t endure any more humiliation.
Madam Yun nearly fell ill from anger, and Shen Ji was also furious. If Shen Wan hadn’t stopped him, Shen Li would have stormed the Marquis Yongqing’s residence.
After a moment of anger, Shen Wan calmed down and stopped Shen Li, saying, “Let the rumors spread even further. Once those people realize they were used by the Marquis Yongqing’s Mansion to pressure and harm our elder sister, it will backfire on the Marquis Yongqing’s Mansion.”
Shen Li looked at Shen Wan, “Do you really have evidence?”
Shen Wan nodded, “I do have evidence, but obtaining it is quite difficult.”
“Where is the evidence? I’ll go get it.”
Shen Wan said, “How can you obtain it from a living person, brother?”
“Just wait. The rumors have spread this far, the Marquis Yongqing’s Mansion will definitely come to the Duke’s Mansion tomorrow to offer Father and Mother a way out so they can take our elder sister back.”