Such unfair words coming from her own brother—though Shang Shiyan no longer cared as much, her heart still felt a sharp sting, like a fine needle pricking. She let out a cold laugh. Truly, what a “good” brother.
Now, Shang Yunrou had already stolen part of her fortune. Her brothers and father all sided with her.
Her third brother, Shang Yunzong, was known for his sharp tongue. In the past, when he doted on and protected Shang Shiyan, anyone who dared bully her would be scolded mercilessly, his words cutting straight to the bone.
Just as Shang Shiyan was about to speak, a figure suddenly rushed out from behind. A crisp, resounding slap echoed.
“Who taught you to be so blind to right and wrong, speaking such words to your own sister?!”
Shen Zuizhi was furious. The gentle woman’s eyes now burned with fire.
“Ah Yan is your blood sister! You should protect and cherish her, not side with outsiders to humiliate her.”
Shang Yunzong was stunned by the slap. When he recovered, his eyes held a trace of resentment. “Was I wrong? If Ah Yan hadn’t insisted on going to Aunt’s house, Yunrou and the Crown Prince wouldn’t have fallen off the cliff…”
Besides, Yunrou was also a sister. How could Mother call her an outsider in front of her?
“If you insist on arguing, then let me tell you—Ah Yan planned to go alone. It was Shang Yunrou who insisted on following! Do you understand what ‘insisted’ means? It means Ah Yan never forced her, never begged her to come along!”
Shen Zuizhi had never been so angry. She pointed at Shang Yunzong’s head. “As Ah Yan’s brother, if you cannot be fair, then shut your mouth. If you dare harm your sister again, I will treat you as no son of mine!”
Shang Yunzong had never been beaten or scolded by his mother like this. His heart filled with resentment, but before he could speak, Shang Yunrou stepped protectively in front of him. “Mother, it’s all my fault. I was the one who insisted on going with Sister. Don’t blame Third Brother—he was only worried about me.”
The more Shang Yunrou spoke like this, the more Shang Yunzong’s heart ached for her.
Shen Shian, watching from the side, grew colder. He stepped forward to face Shang Shiyan. “Shang Shiyan, you saved me. Do you mean to use this to threaten me? Aside from the marriage, I can grant you anything. But stop hurting Yunrou—she has already suffered enough since childhood.”
Shang Shiyan’s eyes were heavy and cold.
“Yunrou has suffered enough since childhood.”
She had heard that line countless times. Even her brothers said: “Yunrou endured so much hardship growing up, while you were pampered like a star among stars. You never suffered. Why can’t you be more generous to her?”
But was Shang Yunrou’s suffering caused by her? No!
Just because she was cherished since birth, she was expected to yield in everything to Shang Yunrou?
Even if Shang Yunrou wanted to steal everything from her, she was supposed to be magnanimous, tolerant, and accommodating?
Shang Yunrou’s very existence was proof of her father’s betrayal—a living reminder of his disloyalty to her mother. Why should she yield?
“Your Highness, there is no need to say such things again. I have already accepted the truth of the cliff incident. I will enter the palace and ask the Empress to annul our engagement. From now on, you and I will have nothing to do with each other.”
Her tone was so resolute that even Shen Shian was momentarily stunned.
From childhood, Shang Shiyan had followed behind him, calling him “Crown Prince Brother” every day, declaring she would marry no one but him. And now she wanted to cancel their engagement?
Although Shen Shian secretly welcomed the idea, he didn’t believe Shang Shiyan truly meant it.
“What new trick are you playing?” Shen Shian’s gaze sharpened. “If you go before Mother to request the annulment, she’ll only think you’ve been wronged. You want to use this to make her punish Yunrou, to sever my ties with her completely, don’t you?”
Shang Shiyan: “…”
“Your Highness, there is a lake in the Marquis’ rear courtyard.”
Her words left Shen Shian baffled. “What do you mean by that?”
“Your Highness’s looks are not so extraordinary that I must marry you and no other.”
Shen Shian: “?”
Was she mocking him for being ugly?!
“Elder Sister, how can you say that about the Crown Prince…”
“Silence.” Shang Yunrou tried once again to defend the Crown Prince, hoping to win his sympathy, but Shang Shiyan cut her off without giving her the chance. “You and your Crown Prince Brother are well matched—a perfect pair. I will let you have him. Stop putting on these ridiculous acts.”
Shang Yunrou’s expression froze. Shang Shiyan gave her not the slightest face.
“Mother, the day after tomorrow is my coming-of-age ceremony. I am still injured and wish to return to rest.”
Seeing her daughter’s weary face, Shen Zuizhi’s heart nearly broke. Her child had returned home battered and bruised, only to be hurt again by her own brothers. Her daughter could endure it, but as a mother, she could not.
“Ah Yan, go back to your courtyard and rest.”
After sending Shang Shiyan away, Shen Zuizhi returned to find Shen Shian still present. She bowed slightly. “Your Highness, I must attend to family matters. Please excuse yourself.”
It was a direct dismissal.
Because Shen Zuizhi was close to the Empress, her words carried weight. Even the Crown Prince dared not offend her too much.
In the past, even when he disliked Shang Shiyan, he never spoke harshly in front of Shen Zuizhi. Today was the first time—and he was coldly expelled from the estate.
After Shen Shian left, Shen Zuizhi returned to the courtyard. “Shang Jing, Shang Yunzong—kneel.”
The two brothers dared not defy their mother’s command, though they did so reluctantly.
“Mother, I don’t know what mistake I’ve made.” The eldest, Shang Jing, put on a steady facade, lifting his eyes sternly to meet Shen Zuizhi’s gaze.
“You don’t know? Then I’ll make sure you do.” Shen Zuizhi snatched the board from a maid’s hands and struck Shang Jing and Shang Yunzong hard.
“Your sister went missing, and you showed no concern—too busy enjoying yourselves with a foster daughter!”
“Your sister returned covered in wounds, and instead of worrying about her injuries, you scolded her for the sake of that foster daughter, breaking her heart!”
“The foster daughter steals your sister’s fiancé, and instead of standing firmly behind her, you think it’s only natural that she should give way!”
“I raised you to adulthood, only to see you grow into such heartless men. It is my failure as a mother!”
The board fell heavily again and again, leaving Shang Jing and Shang Yunzong clutching their heads, crying out in pain.
Shang Yunrou wanted to rush forward to shield them, but feared the board might strike her instead. She could only kneel to the side, weeping miserably. “Mother! It’s all Yunrou’s fault, blame me! My brothers only wanted to protect me from being wronged. Please don’t beat them anymore!”
“Shut your mouth! All you do is cry and pretend to be pitiful. What else can you do? I tolerated you before because you are Fifth Brother’s only bloodline. But I never imagined your heart would be so vicious, nearly causing my Ah Yan to die at the bottom of that cliff! A woman so cruel and ruthless—I, Shen Zuizhi, cannot accept. From now on, do not call me Mother again!”