Shen Xia could have dodged the blow, but this time, she did not.
The slap landed hard across her face. Instantly, her fair cheek swelled red, and blood appeared at the corner of her mouth.
She let out a slow breath and wiped away the blood, concealing the coldness in her eyes.
She would remember this slap for now.
“Have you calmed down?” she asked indifferently.
“What kind of attitude is that?” Shen Duancheng’s anger flared again.
He raised his hand as if to strike her once more, but this time Shen Xia met his gaze directly.
“Even if you beat me to death right now, it won’t change anything. After all, the person I offended this time wasn’t just the Tang Family. I openly treated Li Xiao well. What do you think Prefect Murong will think? Won’t he suspect the Shen Family and your loyalty?”
“You unfilial wretch, you’re trying to get me killed!” Shen Duancheng gritted out through clenched teeth.
Wiping the blood from her lips, Shen Xia continued, “Haven’t you always wanted to deal with the Tang Family? I’m helping you, so why are you angry instead?”
“Helping me? You’re trying to ruin me.” Shen Duancheng laughed in exasperation.
It was true that he wanted to deal with the Tang Family. Murong Ke had openly supported the Tang Family to suppress the Shen Family, and over the years, he had suffered no shortage of humiliation because of them.
Back when he had still been the Island Lord, making the entire Tang Family pay a price would have been effortless.
But things are different now. Above him stood Murong Ke.
“That old fox from the Tang Family will definitely use this incident to threaten me. You fool, the entire Shen Family is going to suffer because of you.”
Shen Xia glanced at him and said quietly, “Are you sure the Tang Family can actually threaten you over this?”
“The Tang Family is nothing more than a merchant household. In terms of official rank, they’re inferior to you. How exactly can they threaten you? As for wealth and businesses, our two families are evenly matched. And reputation? Since when has the Shen Family ever cared about that? As long as you refuse to back down, not only can the Tang Family do nothing to you, they’ll have no choice but to swallow this humiliation.”
“That sounds nice enough, but Murong Ke will definitely support them.” Shen Duancheng frowned so deeply it seemed he could crush a fly.
“How could Prefect Murong possibly help the Tang Family? He’d rather watch all these great families tear each other apart.”
Shen Xia tapped the table lightly as she reminded him.
The moment those words left her mouth, Shen Duancheng fell silent.
She was right.
Murong Ke might not help the Tang Family at all.
It was true that he had elevated several families to suppress the Shen Family, but after years of growth, those families had become increasingly powerful and difficult to control.
“Officials understand the art of balance better than anyone,” Shen Xia said meaningfully.
At last, Shen Duancheng’s thoughts began to clear.
“That’s right, you’re right! If the Shen Family disappeared, Murong Ke might not be pleased at all.”
“That old Tang fox has become far too arrogant lately. He’s even been trying to secure an official position for his son. Murong Ke would never allow that. No wonder several business deals from the capital recently bypassed the Tang Family entirely.”
“By that logic, you injuring Tang Wen actually helped bring honor to the Shen Family?”
Stroking his beard, Shen Duancheng’s expression eased considerably.
The person Old Master Tang treasured most was Tang Wen. Yet Tang Wen had been publicly humiliated by a young woman. The Tang Family had lost all face.
Thinking about it, much of the frustration weighing on his chest suddenly vanished.
“Wait! Even so, you’ve been far too good to Li Xiao. Murong Ke won’t let that slide. If he blames the Shen Family because of this, being a descendant of the Yuan Family won’t save you.”
Shen Duancheng’s expression darkened again.
This was the true problem.
“If Prefect Murong wants to hold someone accountable, just hand me over. I’ll deal with it myself.”
“Besides, everyone on Nanli Island knows that certain businesses only make money when the Shen Family runs them. If the Shen Family disappears, how much less gold would end up flowing into Murong Manor every year? The Shen Family isn’t going anywhere.”
“Before that, though, let me ask you something. Do you really want to spend the rest of your life watching Murong Ke’s face and taking orders from him?”
Shen Xia’s final question instantly changed Shen Duancheng’s expression.
His jaw tightened with resentment.
Of course he didn’t want that.
Precisely because Murong Ke was the Prefect, seventy percent of the Shen Family’s earnings had to be handed over to him every year.
Over the years, Murong Manor had grown unimaginably wealthy, while the Shen Family could do nothing but swallow their anger.
“To the Murong Family, the Shen Family is simply a hen that lays golden eggs. Do you really think they’ll ever let you leave? When the time comes, Father, your journey to the capital may not be nearly as smooth as you imagine.”
Hearing this, Shen Duancheng finally grew uneasy.
His tone became urgent.
“Then tell me, what should I do?”
“Very simple.”
Shen Xia’s eyes darkened.
“Murong Ke must die. I have a plan. The question is, Father, are you willing to take the gamble?”
“My Lord, people from Murong Manor have arrived,” a servant reported from outside the study. “They demand that we hand over the Seventh Miss. Prefect Murong wishes to interrogate her personally.”
“I understand.”
Despite his reply, Shen Duancheng still sounded furious.
Moments later, the study door opened and Shen Xia walked out.
Her hair was disheveled, one side of her face swollen red, and bloody scratches marked the back of her hand.
Everyone who saw her was startled.
Has Seventh Miss been subjected to family punishment?
Then again, considering what she had done, perhaps she deserved it.
Where had she gotten the courage to protect Li Xiao? He was a criminal.
And she had even offended the Tang Family. Wasn’t that courting death?
“Throw her out. She made this mess herself, and she can bear the consequences herself. Even if Prefect Murong kills her, it has nothing to do with my Shen Family.”
Shen Duancheng’s disgusted voice echoed from inside the study.
The people sent by Murong Manor silently noted those words before binding Shen Xia and escorting her away.
As she was being led out of the Shen Residence, she encountered Shen Ying and several other daughters born of concubines.
Covering her mouth with a handkerchief, Shen Ying sneered.
“Well, if it isn’t Seventh Sister. Weren’t you so arrogant and impressive before? Why do you look so pathetic now?”
“People should learn their place. Ants should behave like ants instead of dreaming about turning their lives around.”
“Did all of you hear that? Don’t follow in her footsteps.”
The other girls immediately echoed her words.
“Third Sister is absolutely right.”
“We’re nothing like that little bitch.”
Shen Xia ignored them completely.
Her gaze passed over the group and landed on Li Xiao, who stood quietly in a corner.
He had already been brought back.
Bruises and cuts marked his face, and it was obvious he had suffered quite a bit.
Sensing her gaze, he turned his head away as though he hated her to the core.
Left with no choice, Shen Xia withdrew her gaze and followed Murong Manor’s servants into the carriage.
What she failed to notice was that after she left, Li Xiao turned back to look at her.
His eyes followed the direction in which she had disappeared, filled with irritation and conflict.
Clutched tightly in his palm was a small object.
It was something his grandfather had left him.
His final safeguard.
Unless there was absolutely no other choice, it could never be used.
Forget it, let her die.
She had only come to harm him. If she died, she deserved it.
But why…
Why did it make him feel so miserable?