Shen Mingtang curled her lips and stepped forward, "Why not let the heir identify who exactly tricked him into the women's guest quarters that day?"
At these words, Shen Mingyue's face instantly paled several shades.
That day when she visited the Liu residence, she had deliberately not brought any maidservants, intending to find an opportunity to dismiss Qiuyue from Qin Shi's side later.
When she accidentally bumped into the Yuchang Marquis Heir in her haste, she had no time to bribe the Liu family's maids to assist her and could only brazenly carry out the deception herself.
She truly was the one who personally deceived the Yuchang Marquis Heir.
Outside the door stood Shen Mingzhou and Qiuyue.
Qiuyue, her face streaked with tears, was quietly recounting the events of that day to him.
Shen Mingzhou clenched his fists and strode into the room before she could finish.
"Young Madam, you come to our door making such aggressive accusations against our young lady. May I ask if you have any evidence in hand?" Shen Mingzhou addressed her with a cupped-hand salute. "If not, then this is also slander, and we could likewise report this to the authorities."
The Young Madam of Yuchang Marquis curled her lips and cast a seemingly casual glance toward Shen Mingtang.
Was this young girl's intention hidden here?
"Then let's report it to the authorities," the Young Madam of Yuchang Marquis shook her head. "Since Young Master Shen wishes to seek evidence, let the officials find it."
She looked at Shen Mingyue with a faint, ambiguous smile. "If evidence is found, I, as the heir's wife, will not let off any woman who approaches my husband. I will definitely have her carried into the manor in a sedan chair to serve my husband."
In the capital, the Young Madam of Yuchang Marquis was renowned for being fiercely protective and doting toward her husband.
This was specifically demonstrated by how, whenever the Yuchang Marquis Heir took a liking to someone, the heir's wife would actively help him take them as a concubine. Thus, the Yuchang Marquis Heir now had quite a number of concubines.
Shen Mingyue's face turned ghostly pale in an instant, and she couldn't suppress a sharp scream.
Who would want to become a concubine to the lecherous Yuchang Marquis Heir!
She didn't want to!
"Yiniang, save me," Shen Mingyue cried out, trembling all over. "I don't want to be his concubine."
The Young Madam of Yuchang Marquis looked toward Shen Mingtang, who responded with a smile.
Graceful and dignified, steady and composed, her eyes firm yet carrying a hint of cunning—this was the evaluation the Young Madam of Yuchang Marquis secretly gave her.
She curled her lips. No wonder Prince Rui favored her.
She liked her too.
It was just somewhat regrettable that the Yuchang Marquis Manor followed Prince Hong rather than Prince Rui. Since the young girl was connected to Prince Rui, they were not on the same path.
"Within three days, your Shen family must give the Yuchang Marquis Manor an explanation. Otherwise, I will submit a formal complaint to the Dali Temple," the Young Madam of Yuchang Marquis said, leaning on her maid as she stood up. She then looked at Shen Mingtang. "And as for you, Second Daughter Shen, you stabbed my husband with a dagger. I will settle this score with you too. Just you wait."
Having said this, she departed gracefully.
Shen Mingyue clutched Zhou Yiniang's hand, not daring to make a sound.
Shen Mingzhou clenched his fists tightly, his face alternating between green and pale.
There was no need to involve the authorities; his dear sister's behavior left little room for doubt. It was one thing to be close to Zhou Yiniang, but how could she…
Zhou Yiniang, having calmed down, suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.
She instinctively glanced at Shen Mingtang and saw her staring fixedly back, a seemingly mocking smile playing on her lips.
An inexplicable panic arose within her.
Ever since Shen Mingtang returned from the palace, she had been like a bird freed from its cage, completely beyond Zhou Yiniang's grasp.
Moreover… she couldn't quite pinpoint what was wrong, but many things were no longer unfolding according to her expectations.
"Mingyue!" Shen Mingzhou's voice carried a chilling coldness.
Shen Mingyue knew the matter had already blown open and couldn't be bothered to conceal it further. Already angered, she glared resentfully at Shen Mingzhou, "If Mother hadn't repeatedly pressured me for Shen Mingtang's sake, why would I have resorted to harming her?"
As she spoke these words, Zhou Yiniang failed to stop her in time.
Shen Mingzhou's attention was entirely focused on Shen Mingyue at that moment, so he didn't notice the peculiar look Zhou Yiniang was giving him from the side.
But Shen Mingtang noticed.
Somehow, a sudden thought flashed through Shen Mingtang's mind, sending a chill straight to her heart.
"You…" Shen Mingzhou struggled for words, his eyes reddened with profound disappointment, "How could you do this?"
His trembling finger pointed accusingly at Shen Mingyue's face, "Since childhood, Mother has doted on you so much, you…"
Shen Mingzhou had still held a sliver of hope in his heart—if only she could explain clearly, he wouldn't have believed it.
His eyes burned with unshed tears while his heart turned completely cold.
"No wonder Mother fell ill." Shen Mingzhou stared at her, murmuring to himself, "No wonder, no wonder."
No wonder Mother spoke up for Mingtang, no wonder she broke down so completely whenever her own biological daughter was mentioned.
"Brother." Shen Mingyue still attempted to approach him, pulling at his sleeve to act spoiled, "Actually, all these matters are Shen Mingtang's fault. If she had pleaded for the County Princess title on my behalf, how could I possibly have…"
"Get out!" Shen Mingzhou finally erupted in rage. Pointing toward the door with bloodshot eyes, he shouted, "Get out of here!"
"To this day you still show no remorse. I've truly… I've truly wasted my affection on you!" He forced these words out through clenched teeth.
Shen Mingyue's face darkened as well. She snorted coldly, "Elder Brother really takes himself too seriously. All these years, while you've been fond of me, you've also controlled my every move. Let's consider ourselves even from today onward."
Having said this, she grabbed Zhou Yiniang's arm and stormed out.
With their departure, only Shen Mingtang, Shen Mingzhou, and Qiuyue remained in the room.
Qiuyue glanced worriedly at Shen Mingtang, then gestured toward Shen Mingzhou who had unknowingly sunk to the floor, clutching his head.
She had witnessed this kind of disappointment and pain twice before.
The previous time was with Madam.
Shen Mingtang actually wanted to stay, but anything she said now would appear deliberately calculated.
So she nodded to Qiuyue and turned to leave the room.
Halfway along the path, Hua Sui came forward to meet her.
"Young Lady, Yu Momo has returned."
Shen Mingtang's eyes lit up, and she unconsciously quickened her pace.
Originally, she had been fine, but for some reason, the moment she stepped into the courtyard and saw Yu Momo, her tears burst forth like a broken dam.
Yu Momo was startled and quickly pulled her inside.
"What's happened, Young Lady?"
Shen Mingtang wept on her shoulder for a while before calming down enough to recount everything that had happened over the past few days, including her own schemes.
Yu Momo's eyes continuously shone with admiration.
"Young Lady has handled this extremely well."
Although some methods had their flaws, they were sufficient to deal with those self-righteous fools in the Shen family.
After some thought, Yu Momo reminded her, "Now that Young Lady has successfully turned Madam and the Eldest Young Master against the Eldest Daughter, you must be cautious of her retaliation. This old servant observes that Zhou Shi harbors considerable cunning."
Shen Mingtang acknowledged this.
She too had noticed the look Zhou Yiniang gave Shen Mingzhou earlier that day.
"Has Momo finished handling matters at home?" Shen Mingtang was also concerned about her affairs.
Yu Momo shook her head, "Nothing serious."
Though it was said on the surface that her grandson was ill, in reality, the Empress had summoned her to the palace, somewhat displeased about her coming to Shen Jia.
But Prince Rui went to the palace and managed to get her released.
The Empress was angry, but couldn't overcome Prince Rui's stubbornness.
Not long after, a maid in the courtyard knocked on the door and called from outside, "Miss, the eldest young master says he wishes to come in to see you."
"Then you siblings talk, this old servant will go rest in the room for a while." Yu Momo said with a smile.