“Let Mother see your face.” Once the room quieted, Shen Zuizhi stepped forward to examine Shang Shiyan’s face.
She was deeply worried. “You said you had a way to deal with Qiu Yue, but you never told me it meant using your own face! If something truly happened to your face, what would you do in the future? Are you trying to drive me to my grave?”
Shang Shiyan knew her mother was frantic with fear, so she quickly reassured her. “Mother, don’t worry. I have an antidote for these rashes.”
She swallowed it in front of Shen Zuizhi, and within moments the rashes on her face began to fade.
Shen Zuizhi held her face, checking carefully from side to side, finally relaxing.
“From now on, you must never risk your own body again!”
Shang Shiyan nodded repeatedly. “Your daughter understands!”
In the rear courtyard.
Shang Yunrou escorted her two brothers, who had been beaten, back to their rooms. As she applied medicine to them, she wept in grievance. “It’s all Rou’er’s fault, all my fault—I dragged my brothers into this…”
Shang Jing wiped away her tears. “Silly sister, what nonsense are you saying? It’s only natural for brothers to protect their sister.”
“Ah Yan’s face was ruined, Mother was furious. If we hadn’t taken the punishment, her anger wouldn’t have been appeased. This way, you’re safe.”
Shang Yunrou cried even harder. “Elder Brother, Third Brother, why is Mother so biased? You are her children too, yet she only favors Sister.”
Shang Jing’s gaze darkened. The older he grew, the clearer it became: in this Marquis’ household, Shen Zuizhi held true power. And her arrogance came from the strength of the Shen family.
But the Crown Prince and the Emperor had long harbored thoughts of eliminating the Shen family. They only needed to endure a little longer. When the Shen family finally fell, this household would no longer be hers to control!
Meanwhile, Qiuyue was dragged back to the woodshed and beaten nearly to death. Half an hour later, a faint, low sobbing sound came from within the woodshed.
Immediately after, silence fell completely.
The next day.
It was the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet. Shang Shiyan was woken early by Hubo and Zhenzhu to begin preparations.
While she was washing up, a maid responsible for sweeping rushed in to report, “Miss, Qiuyue has breathed her last.”
Shang Shiyan lifted her gaze. “How did she die?”
Could it have been from Mother’s beating?
The maid’s face turned pale. “They say her eyes were gouged out, and her ears were torn apart—it looked truly horrifying!”
Such a cruel method!
Shang Shiyan narrowed her eyes. That was definitely Shang Yunrou. Only she would use such vicious means.
Qiuyue had betrayed her—how could Shang Yunrou tolerate it? She must have wished to tear Qiuyue into pieces.
Shang Shiyan did not dwell on it. To her, once disloyal, forever useless. From the moment Qiuyue betrayed her, she should have known her fate.
Hubo and Zhenzhu dressed Shang Shiyan carefully. Once she was ready, they left Yaoguang Courtyard to find Shen Zuizhi.
Just as they reached Shen Zuizhi’s courtyard gate, they saw Shang Yunrou walking in the center of her father and brothers, like the moon surrounded by stars.
Today, Shang Yunrou wore a rose-colored gown embroidered with twin butterflies, golden butterflies dancing across the hem. Her hair ornaments glittered brilliantly, radiating wealth and splendor. She was clearly the treasured pearl of her two brothers and of Shang Changhe.
By contrast, Shang Shiyan wore a simple bean-green gown. Her dark hair was pinned with a plain white jade hairpin, and emerald earrings glowed faintly at her ears. Her entire appearance was refined and understated—but her aura was extraordinary, exuding an indescribable nobility.
In the past, Shang Shiyan had always been flamboyant, adorning herself with jewels and ornaments. So even if Shang Yunrou dressed in lavish finery, she could never outshine Shang Shiyan’s brilliance.
At first glance today, it seemed Shang Yunrou had won. But upon closer inspection, Shang Shiyan radiated the refined aura of one steeped in books and culture, while Shang Yunrou looked more like someone from a small, unworthy household.
Shang Yunzong, watching this scene, suddenly felt a strange emotion. In the past, Shang Shiyan had always been the most flamboyant. Now that she had restrained her brilliance, he felt an unexpected pang—almost a sorrow that she shouldn’t appear so diminished. He clenched his fingers secretly. He must be mad to think this way. How could Shang Shiyan deserve his pity? She had always been arrogant, nose raised as if to the heavens.
“Elder Sister, your face has healed?” Shang Yunrou noticed Shang Shiyan’s deliberately understated attire. She cursed inwardly, certain it was Shen Zuizhi’s idea. Shen Zuizhi was always biased, never considering her, only caring for Shang Shiyan.
“Our lady has a remedy for rashes. With the medicine applied, of course, her face recovered. Some people must be seething with hatred that their schemes failed.” Shen Zuizhi’s chief maid, Haitang, stepped forward, mocking Shang Yunrou with biting sarcasm.
Shang Yunrou’s eyes reddened instantly. “Sister Haitang, I was only concerned for Elder Sister… Besides, her face truly has nothing to do with me…”
“Enough. My lady has seen many people.” The implication was clear—don’t pretend in front of her.
Haitang glanced at Shang Yunrou. This kind of tearful, pitiful act was common in brothels.
“Haitang, you’re just a servant. How dare you lecture your mistress like this?” Shang Jing protested angrily.
Shen Zuizhi came out from inside. “Haitang, say no more. From now on, her matters are none of our concern.”
Without even looking at the Shang men, Shen Zuizhi took Shang Shiyan’s hand, ready to leave.
Shang Changhe’s face darkened. He stepped forward. “Madam, Rou’er is a young lady. How can she follow us men alone? Take her with you into the palace.”
Shen Zuizhi shot him a cold glare without hesitation. “Why should I take her? If she tries to harm Ah Yan again in the carriage, who will bear the responsibility?”
Shang Changhe’s face stiffened. “Madam, you cannot be so biased. By putting Rou’er in such an awkward position, how will outsiders view our household? How will they view you and me? She is, after all, my younger brother’s child. We cannot show such blatant favoritism.”
“Hah! You men neglect my daughter for her, and you expect me to treat her kindly? Shang Changhe, that will never happen! Today, she either goes with you into the palace or stays behind at the estate. But as for my carriage—she will never set foot in it!”
Shen Zuizhi lashed out at Shang Changhe with sharp words, then pulled Shang Shiyan along. “Ah Yan, let’s go.”
Shang Changhe watched her back, his face dark with fury.
In the past, Shen Zuizhi wasn’t like this. At the very least, she would give Shang Yunrou some face in front of outsiders. But now, she was utterly unyielding.
“Father, ever since Mother learned of Rou’er’s mutual affection with the Crown Prince, she has refused to treat Rou’er kindly. We don’t need to beg her—let’s take Rou’er into the palace ourselves!”
“What a woman’s petty mindset!” Shang Changhe ground his teeth, scolding harshly. “For the sake of her daughter’s personal feelings, she disregards the bigger picture.”