Chapter 16: I Thought Auntie Had Some Trouble

Before Shen Wannning could speak, tears streamed down her face, revealing just how wronged she felt.

Only then did Shen Lang learn from her about Shen Yuan falling into the water.

“Second brother, first brother, I really didn’t push Sister Yuan, I truly didn’t…”

“Second brother believes you!”

Shen Lang held her close, aching in his heart as he cursed Shen Yuan a thousand times over.

At Qiushui Garden.

Liuyan carefully put away the precious gifts they had received. Recalling the moment when Eunuch Yu read the imperial edict aloud, she smiled quietly to herself, “Miss, did you see how pale Fourth Miss looked just then?”

Shen Wannning wished all those treasures could be hers to add to her Brocade Garden!

Not even Lady Chen had anticipated that the Empress Dowager would bestow gifts upon Shen Yuan.

In their eyes, what was she even considered?

Shen Yuan knew that Shen Wannning’s ambitions ran deep; today’s incident would surely not be let go easily.

Perhaps by tomorrow, she would be begging Shen Yong and Lady Chen for those gifts—and they would likely comply.

That very night.

When Shen Yong returned home and heard about Shen Yuan and Shen Wannning’s visit to the palace and the Empress Dowager’s favors, he remained silent.

“Master, what’s wrong? Are you worried about today’s events?” Lady Chen asked with concern as she served nearby.

Since the death of the matriarch, the Empress Dowager had ceased to promote the Shen family.

Calling the two daughters to Shoukang Palace for a discussion today—did this mean she intended to pay attention to the Shens again?

Pacing back and forth in his room, Shen Yong felt a foreboding unease.

“The Empress Dowager only granted favors to Shen Yuan, while Wannning received nothing. This clearly signals her current stance. Her heart, like Mother’s, favors Shen Yuan and does not truly regard us.”

Lady Chen asked in confusion, “The Empress Dowager favors Yuan? Could it be you’re mistaken?”

Even considering the matriarch’s past merits, agreeing to safeguard the private estate was already a gift—how could she place any importance on Shen Yuan?

“The day after Shen Yuan was found, Nurse Zhao visited her on behalf of the Empress Dowager. Today, she was summoned to the palace again, receiving an imperial edict and gifts to establish her authority. Wannning was merely dragged along to fill numbers.”

After mulling it over, Shen Yong looked outside the door, ensuring no one was near before quietly asking, “On the day Mother died, are you certain no one noticed anything?”

Lady Chen’s face turned pale. “The matriarch was old and unsteady on her feet—it was common for her to fall. So much time has passed; please don’t bring it up again.”

Shen Yong remained silent.

Suddenly, he recalled how their mother had preferred to entrust tons of private property to the missing Shen Yuan rather than give him a single penny.

A complex tide of emotions surged within him.

“Though I am not her biological son, everyone knows how I treated her all these years. Even at the burial, the Emperor praised my integrity and filial piety. Yet she recklessly handed over the estate to Shen Yuan, openly slapping me in the face!” Shen Yong’s heart was bitter.

Lady Chen patted his shoulder, offering comfort. “Even the matriarch had her moments of confusion.”

“She may have been confused, but I am not! Leaving the estate under Shen Yuan’s name is not a permanent solution. I must fight to reclaim it for Wannning—I can’t let her harbor resentment.”

Shen Yong had long been scheming for the private property.

He had tried subtle hints before the Empress Dowager, but to no avail.

With Shen Yuan soon to be married off, the estate must not go with her to her husband’s family!

Lady Chen remained silent, seemingly agreeing with him.

After all, Yuan was not their true daughter; the property should indeed be relinquished.

Morning light was faint, and a chill autumn wind swept outside the window.

Shen Yuan had spent a restless night, her mind filled with memories of her grandmother’s face and smile.

After so many years, the memories had long faded.

Yet in her dreams, feeling her grandmother’s caress was both intimate and real.

Recalling the Empress Dowager’s words, Shen Yuan already suspected foul play in her grandmother’s death.

Those lavish gifts, while outwardly a show of honor, were actually a subtle reminder—to uncover the truth!

“Miss, Madam sent word that Aunt Jiang has arrived and wishes to see you.”

Aunt Jiang was Lady Chen’s younger sister’s wife, who recently gave birth to a daughter and, counting the days, was likely still in postpartum confinement.

As Liuyan helped Shen Yuan dress, she muttered, “Could Aunt Jiang be here to mooch?”

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t know? Second Uncle’s a notorious gambler. He’s squandered much of the Chen family’s fortune, causing chaos daily. Aunt Jiang, barely out of confinement, rushed here to see Madam—she’s obviously here to ask for money to help cover expenses.”

Shen Yuan’s eldest uncle had died in battle years ago, and the court had granted substantial compensation.

Second Uncle, spoiled since childhood, had become a prodigal, neglecting all responsibilities.

After marrying and having children with the compensation money, he fell into gambling and nearly lost everything.

Shen Yuan had known since childhood that Second Uncle was no good.

Page (3/3)

A man like him managing to marry and have children was truly surprising!

Lady Chen and Aunt Jiang were speaking in the Quiet Garden when Shen Yuan arrived, overhearing them discuss Shen Wannning’s engagement to Pei Ji.

“Wannning is beautiful. Not just Commander Pei—even if I were a man, I’d want to marry her!”

Aunt Jiang’s loud voice grated sharply. Glancing at Shen Wannning blushing nearby, she smiled slyly, trying hard to curry favor.

Hearing this, a flicker of disappointment crossed Shen Wannning’s eyes.

The engagement supposedly set that day was far from finalized, and Pei Ji remained hesitant to propose—who knew what he truly intended?

Sensing her daughter’s mood, Lady Chen gently stroked her hand. “Our Wannning is cultured, polite, gentle, humble, and frugal. Even if she doesn’t marry Commander Pei, she can surely be promised to a better family.”

Her words to Aunt Jiang were meant to comfort Shen Wannning.

Aunt Jiang readily agreed.

When Shen Yuan lifted the curtain and entered, Aunt Jiang raised an eyebrow.

She rose with a broad smile to greet Shen Yuan warmly. “Ah! So this is Yuan? I’ve heard so much about you from Sister all these years. When you went missing, I thought something terrible had happened! I never expected you’d return safe and sound, and grown into such a stunning beauty—truly a rare bloom that outshines all!”

Though uneducated, Aunt Jiang had thrown out every flattering phrase she knew.

Shen Yuan, having never met this second aunt and feeling no affection for her, smiled faintly. “Aunt Jiang, why aren’t you resting at home during your confinement? The autumn wind is biting, and you just gave birth—please be careful not to catch a chill.”

A flicker of embarrassment crossed Aunt Jiang’s face.

She longed to rest comfortably during her confinement, but the household couldn’t even pay the maids their wages anymore!

If she didn’t find a way, the Chen family would soon collapse!

“I don’t have anything important to say. I just heard from Sister that you’ve returned, so I came to visit you,” Aunt Jiang said with a polished tone.

“Is that so? I thought perhaps you had some difficulties you wanted Mother to resolve. If there was anything I could help with, I would gladly try. But it seems I was mistaken.”

Rarely did Shen Yuan speak so amicably in front of Lady Chen.

Unable to hold back, Shen Wannning interjected, “Even if Aunt Jiang has troubles, what can you possibly do to help her?”

Shen Yuan smiled faintly. “Of course—it’s money.”