Chapter 397: Chapter 406: I Endure Again and Again, But Why Must I Still Endure?
On the way back to the Shen Residence, Shen Qu’s thin lips were tightly sealed, not uttering a word.
Shen Xue-shi also adjusted her emotions, gradually shifting her initial uneasiness to anger towards Shen Hua.
She clenched the handkerchief fiercely.
"That little wench, how dare she be so presumptuous!"
"I said she would cause trouble, you just wouldn’t believe it, and now you even invited her over! We’ve lost all face!"
"She’s been trouble since she was young. When I first married your Daddy, she would always pick on me, putting sand in my rice, placing needles on my chair! A girl without manners like her, I’ve tolerated over and over, but why should I bear with it any longer?"
Seeing Shen Qu remain silent, maintaining his initial posture, her tone also calmed slightly.
Over time, she had come to understand Shen Qu’s unpredictable temper.
Shen Qu was certainly not a kind-hearted person. After this incident, he would no longer think of bringing that person back.
"Now you’ve also recognized her true colors. If she doesn’t wish to return, then let her have her way; after all, we’ve done what we should."
"And what about you? Even a biological brother wouldn’t be as concerned as you. Yet she insists on going her own way, opposing us."
Shen Qu let her complain, but the unexpected emotions in his eyes deepened.
He originally thought that as long as he kept his head low, and Shen Hua was pleased, maybe for the sake of Shen Wei, she would send those embroidery ladies back.
He had even spent the whole night prior coming up with excuses.
But clearly the girl didn’t care about the bigger picture! She even seemed to want the embroidery workshop to end in ruin!
How unfilial! How could she be a daughter of the Shen Family?
He couldn’t be blamed then for resorting to underhanded tactics behind the scenes.
Only when the girl had fallen harder, her body bloodied and mangled, with everyone stepping on her, if he offered her a hand, she would surely become obedient.
Soon, he had an idea in mind.
As usual, upon returning to the Shen Residence, he escorted Shen Xue-shi back to her courtyard.
"That’s enough, you may go attend to your matters. Mama is also tired and will rest."
Shen Xue-shi said.
But Shen Qu didn’t move.
He gave a cold glance at those serving inside.
"All of you, leave!"
The old women and maids looked at each other, yet none dared to offend Shen Qu and quietly withdrew.
Watching the room’s door close, Shen Xue-shi frowned: "What authority are you trying to assert in my room?"
"How long has it been?"
Shen Qu locked eyes with Shen Xue-shi.
Shen Xue-shi hesitated.
Shen Qu asked word by word: "How long have you and Second Uncle been conducting your incestuous affair behind closed doors?"
"You believe her random babbling? Shen Qu, is this how you speak to me?"
Shen Qu said, "Shen Hua is tricky, but she would never fabricate such a lie."
"Do you understand the consequences if this matter spreads outside? Even if it’s false, those gossips will make it seem true."
"No wonder you were the one who suggested letting the people from the second house move back in, but I had no idea this was your true intention."
Shen Qu never had deep father-son affection for his biological father Shen He Wen.
What he cared about was solely his birth mother.
It was already hard for his birth mother to make a living under Shen Zhushi’s control, but after he became the legitimate heir of the main house, according to rules, his birth mother was just a concubine of the second house. Bringing only his birth mother back for filial care would be wrong on all counts.
Therefore, when Shen Xue-shi mentioned it, he agreed without hesitation.
But he did not expect...
Thinking of Shen He Wen felt like a fishbone stuck in Shen Qu’s throat.
When he was merely a bastard, did Shen He Wen ever spare him a glance? Now that he had made a name for himself, his father wanted to share in the spoils? There was no such good deal.
He, Shen Qu, surely can’t be controlled and manipulated by Shen He Wen for the rest of his life.
Shen Xue-shi slammed the table hard.
"You—"
"Mama, Shen Hua just doesn’t have proof in hand, otherwise with her temper, she would have gone to court long ago. Adultery is a grave sin!"
"She doesn’t have it now, but what about in the future?"
"Mama should know that the embroidery workshop is mine, not Second Uncle’s! You only rely on me, and I am the only one to provide for your old age and funeral."
He approached and began pouring tea.
"In this matter, I’ve already instructed those at my side to deal with it, making sure it doesn’t get spread by outsiders."
It’s nothing more than spending some money to silence them.
"Mama need not worry. Think about it—if this matter reaches Second Aunt’s ears, what would she do?"
"And her father, the Lord State Judge, what would he do then?"
"As for your Second Uncle, would he be able to protect you?"
Shen Xue-shi faltered, wanting to retort but found herself unable to utter those words.
The men of the Shen Family are all heartless and fickle.
Once the scandal breaks, she would be the only criminal.
Even though she held leverage over Shen He Wen, she dared not use it as a threat.
Seeing Shen Qu quiet down, her complexion pale, he finally allowed himself a trace of a smile, seemingly pleased with Shen Xue-shi’s awareness of the situation.
"I may need something from the Lord State Judge, but let’s not forget that he is equally keen on the dividends from the embroidery workshop. If our interests were to clash..."
With Zhu Zheng’s help, Shen Qu had come to know quite a few minor officials.
He said coldly, "I could get rid of him anytime."
"Therefore, I forbid you to have any more contact with Second Uncle."
He presented the tea.
"Mama, you really should be smarter."
————
People from Shen Qu really did go to silence them.
But Shen Hua was quicker in her actions.
"Missus, you clearly have evidence, why not—"
Shen Hua indifferently fiddled with the gold ingot in her hand.
"Just slowly play them along."
In her past life, she was tortured by these people to the point of being neither human nor ghost.
She would make sure they got a taste of that same treatment.
"People are so cheap. Scare them badly, then loosen the rope tied around their necks to let them breathe, tighten, then loosen, again and again. Only when the final blow comes and their whole lair is upended is it truly interesting."
Moreover, the issue of illicit relations, if pursued, constitutes a major crime; if not pursued, Shen Xue-shi probably wouldn’t face any trouble.
Her gaze dropped: "Take it all and use it."
"Yes."
Yicui distributed the gold ingot piece by piece.
Li San, holding the gold, pledged his loyalty: "Miss Shen, rest assured, we will certainly not cover up or show mercy to those dogs on what happened today."
As he said this, he looked towards the auntie, who was shocked and feared the gold might disappear at any moment.
Auntie: !!!
She straightened up.
"Exactly!"
"We’re not swayed by the silver, we’re standing up for you, Miss Shen!"
She shouted: "Everyone, am I right or not?"
"Absolutely!"
"For such petty deeds, they deserve to be condemned by everyone!"
"Such shameless people, we must let everyone see their true faces."
This piece of gold was full weight.
In Da Qi, one tael of gold can be exchanged for ten taels of silver, ten taels of silver can be exchanged for ten coins, and ten coins can be exchanged for ten thousand cents.
It’s still unknown how many taels this gold is!
In their whole lives, they have never seen so much money.
The group walked with a swagger, full of pride.
They happened to encounter the people sent by Shen Qu.
The person grinned apologetically: "Although today’s incident involved Miss Shen framing her legitimate mother, causing a family scandal, the public’s words are to be feared. Please, let’s not have any careless talk outside. It may tarnish the Shen Family’s reputation."
"The gentleman has prepared one silver ingot for each of you, by way of thanks."
He thought these common folk would be grateful and accept it.
But unexpectedly, no reminder from Li San was needed this time. The auntie put her hands on her hips.
"Who wants your crappy money!"
"Are you trying to fob off a beggar?"
"Get lost, get lost, get lost!"
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