After all, she still bore the title of Descendant of the Loyal and Brave.
“Mother! You’re hurting me!” Shen Qingxi shook off her hand in pain, pouting discontentedly, still unconcerned. “What’s there to fear? Snakes, insects, rats, and ants are naturally abundant in summer. It’s just her bad luck—her fate is too harsh. She brought death upon her parents and elder brother, and now she’s brought it upon herself!”
Seeing her mother’s expression remain grim, she rolled her eyes, leaned in, and lowered her voice: “If it really comes to it… we can make Xia Zao the scapegoat.”
She pulled Shen Wushi down to sit, shaking her arm coquettishly: “Oh, Mother, it’s her appearance that disrupted our harmonious and happy life. By getting rid of her, I’m helping you and Father eliminate a serious threat.”
“You… you are utterly audacious!” Shen Wushi gritted her teeth, her fingertips trembling. “Usually, beating or killing servants is no big deal, but she is your uncle’s daughter, the only remaining bloodline of the revered great general! How could a scapegoat possibly cover this up?”
“She just returned home and was rejected, and now she’s dead. If this spreads, it will surely alarm the Emperor, and he will order a thorough investigation! You… you are dragging our family into an abyss of eternal ruin!”
The smugness and color drained instantly from Shen Qingxi’s face as she finally realized the severity of the disaster. Her legs weakened, and she staggered, collapsing into a chair:
“Mother… then… then I… am I finished?”
Shen Wushi forced herself to calm down: “We must notify your father immediately to devise a countermeasure.”
Meanwhile, in the Jinluan Hall, Shen Wencong was enduring another kind of torment.
The Emperor’s gaze swept lightly over him as he spoke with measured tone: “The Grand Princess has told me what happened yesterday at the Yongyi Marquis Manor.”
These seemingly casual words struck Shen Wencong like a thunderbolt, instantly drenching him in cold sweat. If the Emperor investigated thoroughly, his plot to kill Shen Qingwu would surely be exposed.
He hurriedly stepped forward, knelt, and kowtowed: “It is entirely my fault. I was inconsiderate and too dim-sighted to recognize my own niece. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!”
Silence fell over the court. Shen Wencong dared not lift his head, his heart pounding like a drum as he awaited judgment.
After a long while, a voice came from above.
“Since Shen Qingwu is unwilling, her marriage arrangement with the Fourth Prince is hereby annulled.”
Hearing this, Shen Wencong began to relax slightly…
But then the Emperor’s tone shifted: “I have also heard that Shen Qingwu was injured by assassins on her journey.”
Shen Wencong, who had just raised his head a little, kowtowed heavily again, his heart leaping into his throat.
“After the court session, I will send an Imperial Physician with you to reexamine her. Her health seems poor as well, so have her recuperate. The Yongyi Hou’s family has been entirely loyal and brave, leaving only this last trace of bloodline. Minister Shen,” the Emperor’s voice betrayed no emotion, yet each word carried immense weight, “you must take good care of her for me.”
Shen Wencong nearly collapsed as he expressed gratitude, feeling as though he had narrowly escaped death twice: “I… I thank Your Majesty’s grace on behalf of my niece!”
Even after leaving the court, his heart continued to tremble.
Not daring to delay, Shen Wencong immediately led the Imperial Physician back to the manor. To others, the physician’s personal examination was an honor, but since the honor was bestowed upon Shen Qingwu, he felt deeply aggrieved.
Upon entering the Marquis Estate, Shen Wencong immediately led the Imperial Physician toward Shi Fang Courtyard: “This way, Physician. Since my niece returned yesterday, I promptly had my daughter move out of Shi Fang Courtyard to restore it to its rightful owner. All maids and servants have been assigned as well, ensuring her comfort.”
The Imperial Physician nodded. “You are most considerate, Lord Shen. Rumors from the streets are indeed unreliable. Even a vicious tiger wouldn’t harm its own cub—you are still bound by blood.”
“Exactly! Physician, please…” Shen Wencong’s words trailed off as he caught sight of his daughter, who was supposed to be confined, running toward him.
His face darkened instantly, but before he could scold her, Shen Qingxi had already grabbed his arm, her voice trembling with tears. “Father! Something terrible has happened!”
Fearing that news of Shen Qingwu’s death might spread, she and her mother had kept it quiet, only instructing the servants to inform them as soon as the master returned.
So the moment she learned of her father’s return, Shen Qingxi rushed over.
“What is this unseemly panic!” Shen Wencong shook her off and stepped aside.
Only then did Shen Qingxi notice the Imperial Physician. Her face turned deathly pale, and she hurriedly bowed. “Greetings, Physician.”
But her panic only intensified! Her hands clenched tightly inside her sleeves, nails digging into her palms.
What terrible timing!
Sensing his daughter’s agitation, Shen Wencong turned back with a forced smile. “My daughter has some matters to discuss with me.”
The Imperial Physician cupped his hands. “Please attend to your affairs, Lord Shen.”
Shen Wencong pulled Shen Qingxi aside and asked in a low voice, “What happened?”
Shen Qingxi’s teeth chattered, not daring to look her father in the eye. “I… I poisoned Shen… Shen Qingwu to death.”
“What?!” Shen Wencong exclaimed, then suddenly remembered the physician and glanced back with a strained laugh before dragging Shen Qingxi further away.
Veins bulged on his forehead as he struggled to control his voice. “What exactly happened?!”
Shen Qingxi stammered through the entire story. By the time she finished, her father nearly collapsed, and she quickly supported him. Her voice choked with sobs, “What should we do, Father? The Imperial Physician is already here!”
“You wretched creature! You’ll be the death of our family!”
Terrified, Shen Qingxi burst into tears.
Noticing their prolonged conversation, the Imperial Physician called out, “Lord Shen, are you finished?”
Hearing this, Shen Wencong’s heart sank, his hair standing on end. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to turn back. “Almost done.”
“Has the body been disposed of?” Shen Wencong whispered urgently.
Shen Qingxi shook her head between sobs. “Mother said… we’d handle it tonight… afraid someone might… see.”
“Fools!” Shen Wencong felt an urge to strangle his daughter. “Do it now! Immediately! Get rid of the body without leaving any traces! But remember—preserve the corpse. I still have use for it. I’ll stall the physician!”
He took several deep breaths, suppressing the terror threatening to burst from his chest, straightened his robes, and turned around.
Only to find the Imperial Physician walking toward them. He hurriedly waved his daughter away behind his back.
Noticing the physician’s approach, Shen Qingxi hastily wiped her tears.
As the physician drew nearer, he observed the strained expressions on both their faces and asked kindly, “Lord Shen, has something happened in your household? If there is any need, this humble official may be of assistance.”
“No need!” Shen Qingxi blurted out, her voice shrill. Realizing her outburst, she forced a stiff smile and awkwardly amended, “This is an internal family matter. We dare not trouble the Physician.”
Her beautiful eyes darted rapidly before she suddenly went limp and feigned weakness.
Shen Wencong swiftly reached out to steady her, and she took the opportunity to furrow her brows and press a hand to her forehead, her voice feigning weakness: “After being slapped by Eldest Sister yesterday, my head still feels terribly dizzy.”
Recalling her father’s words earlier, Shen Qingxi spoke in a delicate, frail tone: “Might I trouble the Imperial Physician to come and examine me?”
Upon hearing this, the Imperial Physician showed a troubled expression and tactfully declined: “Second Miss Shen’s injury would be more appropriately treated by the household physician.”
Intent on luring him away, Shen Qingxi insisted: “The household physician’s skills are crude, how could they compare to yours? Please, come with me quickly.”
With no other choice, the Imperial Physician had to speak plainly: “Second Miss Shen, the Imperial Hospital only treats the imperial family and those specially permitted by His Majesty. This humble official’s visit is by His Majesty’s decree, specifically to check Eldest Miss Shen’s pulse.”
These words made Shen Qingxi’s cheeks burn with shame and humiliation.
She wasn’t qualified? Just last month during the spring hunt, she had taken first place among the young ladies and received personal praise from the Emperor. Such an honor was rare in the entire capital.
Yet she was inferior to a sickly woman who brought misfortune to her entire family?
That Shen Qingwu was merely relying on the merits of the dead! As soon as she returned to the capital, she latched onto the Grand Princess, and now even the Emperor viewed her differently!
But it didn’t matter. Shen Qingwu was dead! She was dead!
As long as this matter was covered up, she would still be that glorious eldest young lady.
The Imperial Physician no longer looked at her and turned to Shen Wencong, urging: “Lord Shen, shall we proceed? This humble official must quickly finish checking Eldest Miss Shen’s pulse and return to report.”