Shen Mingtang said coldly, "Prince Rui spent ten years as a hostage in the Southern Jin Kingdom. Since his return, has the Emperor summoned him even once? The Emperor hasn't set foot in Fengyi Palace for a full year—is Father unaware of this? If I truly secured an official position for Father, do you think the Emperor would still value you?"
These words struck Shen Yuanshan like a blow to the head.
A cold sweat broke out on his back.
Although he hadn't been promoted in Xingbu for a long time, he was still known to the Emperor and had received his praise, indicating that the Emperor still employed him.
Now, with the strained relationship between the Emperor and the Empress, and Prince Rui—though the legitimate heir—being a symbol of the Emperor's past defeat by the Southern Jin Kingdom, it was a mark of shame.
As his daughter said, if he really obtained a position through such means, his official career would be over…
"Father." Shen Mingyue, seeing him swayed by Shen Mingtang's words in just a few sentences, hurriedly called out.
"Silence!" Shen Yuanshan immediately rebuked her with a cold expression.
He had nearly been led astray by this daughter's provocation, wrongly blaming Ming Tang for her intentions.
Shen Yuanshan looked at Shen Mingtang and saw her resolute gaze and calm smile. Recalling how she had been framed earlier yet didn't react with her usual timidity and cowardice, he couldn't help but nod inwardly.
If only Ming Tang were a son, how wonderful that would be.
Still, he took comfort in having a diligent legitimate son studying at the Imperial Academy, who was highly praised—this was some solace Qin Shi could offer him.
"You're a young lady, and a concubine-born daughter at that. It's best not to meddle in court affairs." Shen Yuanshan's anger dissipated instantly, and his tone softened considerably. "Although you saved Prince Rui's life, since the Emperor dislikes him, you should avoid any association with him."
Shen Mingtang smiled without responding.
Qin Shi breathed a sigh of relief and stepped forward. "Husband, early this morning, Yu Momo came to me and said a bundle was found in Ming Tang's room. It must have been a setup. Ming Tang suggested we play along, and sure enough, the matter erupted just now."
"In that case, handle it as you see fit." Shen Yuanshan frowned. "Mingyue has been spoiled rotten by you. Discipline her properly. I won't interfere in household matters."
With that, he glanced disdainfully at Cui'er kneeling on the ground. "Punish or execute as necessary, or sell her off. Anyone daring to falsely accuse their master is nothing but trouble if kept in the residence."
He then waved his hand, dismissing everyone.
Qin Shi turned and led the others out. After a few steps, she glanced back and noticed Shen Mingyue standing motionless.
"Take Da Guniang away," Qin Shi ordered coldly.
A maid stepped forward and dragged away the pale-faced Shen Mingyue and Cui'er.
Qin Shi hurried to the rear courtyard but suddenly stopped. She turned and slapped Shen Mingyue beside her.
Slap!
Her move was so swift that even Shen Mingtang was caught off guard.
"Yesterday, when Ming Tang presented these things to me, I couldn't believe that someone as young as you could be so vicious as to frame your own sister."
Today's incident had both witnesses and material evidence—all complete.
She actually dared to plot against her own sister!
Shen Mingyue covered her face and looked up, staring blankly at Qin Shi before slowly curling her lips into a mocking smile.
Tears and hatred filled her eyes. "Just because she secured an Imperial Order for you, you protect her at every turn. For Shen Mingtang's sake, you've struck me twice now."
To be precise, she had already been slapped three times in the past few days.
Apart from the two slaps from Qin Shi, there was also the slap given by Yu Momo when she first returned home.
Since childhood, when had she ever suffered such humiliation? Who had ever laid a finger on her!
“Shen Mingtang is just a concubine-born daughter. Even Zhou Yiniang doesn’t like her, yet you treat her like a treasure everywhere. Isn’t it just because she took a knife for Prince Rui?” Shen Mingyue shouted with reddened eyes, her voice tearing. “Even if you now hold an Imperial Order, it can’t change the fact that you come from a merchant family. Your background is lowly, even worse than Zhou Yiniang’s. My father will never like a mercha…”
Before Shen Mingyue could finish her words, Shen Mingtang stepped forward, grabbed her hair, and yanked her to a halt.
Shen Mingtang’s gaze was cold and sharp. “Shen Mingyue, if you like Zhou Yiniang so much, then get out and go to her side. But if you insist on stabbing Mother’s heart, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”
Everyone in the mansion knew the reason Shen Yuanshan disliked Qin Shi was her lowly background.
Yet back then, Shen Laofuren was merely a sixth-rank official in the court. Relying on a meager salary, over a dozen family members were crammed into a narrow alley, unable to even afford charcoal in the winter.
If not for the Qin Family’s active support and their daughter bringing a large dowry to marry into the Shen family, how could the Shen family have reached its present state?
Eighty percent of Shen Yuanshan’s path in the court was paved with Qin Shi’s silver. Yet Shen Yuanshan pretended to be lofty, looking down on Qin Shi for her merchant background. As soon as Shen Laofuren passed away, Shen Yuanshan eagerly took Zhou Shi, the niece who had come to seek refuge with Shen Laofuren, as his concubine and completely neglected Qin Shi.
The people in the mansion had likely forgotten that this very residence of the Shen family was part of Qin Shi’s dowry.
At this moment, Qin Shi’s face was pale, her body swaying unsteadily, and a bitter taste spread at the corner of her mouth. Indeed, a daughter knew best how to carve out a piece of her heart to hurt her.
Shen Mingyue struggled until Shen Mingtang released her grip.
She shot a hateful glance at everyone, then turned and ran toward Zhou Yiniang’s courtyard.
Shen Mingtang stepped forward and embraced Qin Shi. Qin Shi clutched her arm tightly, smiling bitterly. “Mingtang, did I truly do wrong?”
“No,” Shen Mingtang said softly.
When she felt dampness on her shoulder, she sighed inwardly. In her heart, she hoped Qin Shi would be utterly disappointed in Shen Mingyue. Sooner or later, this step had to be taken.
Otherwise, if Qin Shi ever learned the truth, she might soften toward Shen Mingyue again.
All these years, Shen Mingyue had been the true daughter in Qin Shi’s heart—a bond of flesh and blood that could not be severed.
But in her previous life, when Qin Shi died, only Shen Mingyue was by her side. Shen Mingtang had to make preparations in advance.
Suddenly, Qin Shi stood up and looked at Shen Mingtang. “If I wanted to register you under my name, would you be willing?”
At these words, Shen Mingtang looked at Qin Shi in surprise.
She had also thought of this idea and wondered how to make it happen. She never expected Qin Shi to bring it up herself.
Naturally, she was willing.
But she also knew that Zhou Yiniang would not agree, and Shen Yuanshan likely would not either.
She did not know whether Shen Yuanshan had been aware of the child-swapping incident back then.
“I am willing,” Shen Mingtang said, smiling at Qin Shi. “But Father and Yiniang will not agree.”
Qin Shi frowned.
She also knew that Zhou Yiniang would not easily give up Mingtang, and Shen Yuanshan would not agree either.
This matter was not urgent; it could be taken slowly.
But she felt Mingtang had been wronged and wanted to make some compensation.
"Is there anything you want?" Qin Shi asked.
Shen Mingtang said softly, "I wish to live closer to you."
Qin Shi understood.
Last time Mingtang had requested to live in Jinxiu Courtyard, she had hesitated due to Mingyue's tantrums and considered refusing. Now that Mingyue had harbored ill intentions and schemed against Mingtang again, she owed Mingtang a proper resolution.
Qin Shi instructed her maid, "Move Da Guniang's belongings to Xiaoxiang House. Jinxiu Courtyard shall be given to Mingtang."
Shen Mingtang curtsied to her and said with a smile, "Thank you, Mother."
Hearing her address her as mother, Qin Shi didn't refuse.
Qin Shi wiped her tears, glanced back at Cuier, and ordered coldly, "Take her deed of sale and have her expelled from the estate."