Chapter 37: The Abandoned One

A hint of reproach had begun to seep into her tone.

Shen Yuan curled the corners of her lips, her voice icy. "Then I would like to ask you, Mother: it has been over a month since I returned to the Shen manor. In that time, have you ever asked what hardships I endured? What kind of life I lived? Whether I was fed or kept warm? Whether I slept on the streets or was beaten by mobs?"

"I..."

"You believe I am not the daughter of the Shen family, and that even if I returned, I am nothing but a hot potato, bringing shame upon you and the Shen manor. Therefore, rather than offering me warmth and concern, you find me redundant. Is that it?"

"How could I think such a thing..." Madame Chen started, then stopped, unable to finish.

"Mother, there is no need to put on a show before me. It is all for the sake of Wan’ning’s marriage to the Pei family, isn't it? Why not just say so?"

Seeing that Shen Yuan had laid bare her true purpose, Madame Chen dropped the pretense. She gestured for the servants to clear the old items off the table and composed her expression. "I called you to the Jing Garden specifically for Wan’ning’s sake. With Pei Ji’s recent accident, his legs are crippled. It is absolutely impossible for Wan’ning to marry him, yet she cannot openly break the engagement either, as it would cause irreparable damage to her reputation."

She lifted her chin slightly, a trace of arrogance in her brow. "After much thought, you are the only one who can come forward to calm this storm. Marrying into the Pei family to bring luck to Pei Ji not only protects Wan’ning’s reputation but also secures your own future. Why not do it? Ayuan, you must know in your heart that the Shen family raised you for eight years; we owe you nothing. Now, it is time for you to repay us."

Those who consider themselves righteous always speak in high-sounding terms, casting difficult problems onto others before smiling as they watch them make the decision.

A pang of sorrow pierced Shen Yuan’s heart, but the complex, mournful emotion vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

In the current Shen family, there was no one left worth her sorrow.

"For the sake of reputation, Mother wanted to marry me off to Brother Lu. And for that same reputation, you now want me to enter the Pei manor to bring luck to the groom."

She gave a soft, mocking laugh. "The Shen manor raised me for eight years, so I must gamble away my entire life to repay it. I have no complaints, only a sense of how strange human affection is: when there is a blood connection, one is willing to offer mountains of gold; when there is no blood connection, even a moment’s presence is an eyesore."

A flicker of imperceptible dimness crossed Shen Yuan’s eyes; the silence that followed her words was heavy with a quiet, boundless desolation.

Between marrying Lu Chengyuan and marrying Pei Ji, was either truly a better choice?

Madame Chen frowned, seemingly struggling with her own conscience. "Wan’ning suffered much in her youth, and I cannot bear to see her suffer for the rest of her life. Ayuan, it has to be you."

Only she could be the one cast aside.

Shen Yuan nodded distractedly, a lingering bitterness and unwillingness rising in her heart. With reddened eyes, she asked, "Then, Mother, in all those years past, did you ever seriously look for me? Did you ever... question Wan’ning’s identity?"

"She is the child whose blood we verified before the entire clan; how could there be a mistake? I know you are unwilling, but between the two of you, I have no choice but to choose her... Ayuan, do not blame me for being heartless."

***

Recalling the genuine happiness of her childhood, Madame Chen’s face showed pain, but she knew she had to abandon one.

And Ayuan was the one to be sacrificed.

***

Pei Manor.

In the ornately carved hall, Madame Pei glanced coolly at Shen Yi and Shen Wan’ning standing to the side. She set her teacup down with a sharp click. "You have just seen A-Ji? Did you say anything to him?"

Shen Wan’ning bowed her head, remaining silent.

To put it another way, she did not know what to say.

She had begged and pleaded for the chance to have Shen Yi bring her to the Pei manor, but upon seeing the bloody, mangled state of Pei Ji’s wounds, she was too terrified to approach.

Though it was only a brief glance, Shen Wan’ning had seen the exposed, unbandaged flesh beneath the lifted curtains.

The sight of the amputation was so gruesome it made her scalp crawl; she had nearly screamed aloud!

Fearing she would have nightmares, Shen Yi had made up an excuse to hurry her out. Now, facing Madame Pei’s inquiry, the memory of that scene made her feel nauseated.

This reaction incensed Madame Pei, who immediately furrowed her brows in rebuke. "By tradition, Pei Ji is to be your husband. Now that he is injured, it is one thing not to care for him, but to show such an expression of disgust? Is it true, as the world says, that you despise A-Ji?"

"No, Madame Pei! I only..." Shen Wan’ning pushed the image of the severed legs from her mind and rushed to explain. "I do not despise the Commander; I simply need time to prepare myself mentally."

"Is that so? Then you agree to marry A-Ji? In that case, let us set the date immediately." Madame Pei gave Shen Wan’ning no room to breathe; she was eager to hold the wedding the very next moment!

Shen Wan’ning looked at Shen Yi with a pale, distressed face, seeking help.

Shen Yi exhaled and smiled, playing the mediator. "Since this is a joyous occasion, both families must prepare properly. If we act too hastily and overlook any customs or proprieties, would we not become a laughingstock? Don't you agree, Madame?"

"Naturally." Madame Pei straightened her clothes, acknowledging his point.

She then heard him say, "My third sister has spent years wandering abroad; having suffered some grievances, she is perhaps unfamiliar with the rules. When she marries into the Pei family later, I humbly ask for your tolerance and request that you do not be overly harsh."

"It is inevitable for a new bride to make mistakes, as long as she is sincere in her reform... Wait, what? Third sister? You mean there is someone else to be married?"

***

The belatedly realizing Madame Pei understood in an instant. The title Shen Wan’ning had changed to recently was 'Fourth Miss,' and the 'third sister' Shen Yi kept mentioning was not her?

The Shen family intended to swap the bride?

Her face darkened, and she asked with a cold sneer, "Replacing the true daughter with a fake one? You intend to have her marry in another's stead? The Shen family truly has a cunning plan!"

Facing the accusation, Shen Yi remained unflinching. Instead, he looked at her with calm composure and patiently explained, "When the Pei and Shen families formed this alliance, no specific person was named. Ayuan is also a daughter of the Shen family; there is no reason she cannot marry into the Pei house. Surely you wouldn't want the Commander to marry just anyone, would you?"

At the very least, Ayuan bore the Shen family name.

If it were any other noble lady, who would be willing to marry a cripple?

Madame Pei was clearly furious and remained silent for a long time.

She looked coldly at the downcast Shen Wan’ning, then recalled the notorious reputation of the Third Miss, Shen Yuan. Deciding to steady herself and control the situation, she said, "As a mother, my word is not final; I must wait for A-Ji to make the decision."

Shen Yi smiled faintly. "Naturally, the Commander shall decide."

***

In the Qingfeng Pavilion.

The room was filled with the drifting mist of sandalwood incense, used to mask the scent of blood lingering in the air.

Song Lin stepped in from the front courtyard, covering his nose as he entered. "Commander, they have already left."

Shen Yi and Shen Wan’ning had left in a great hurry, their footsteps rapid, as if they feared Madame Pei might detain them.

"Clean up this filth."

Pei Ji sat up slowly from the bed and lifted the silk quilt, revealing a pair of severed, blood-dried pig legs that had been used to simulate his own.