Chapter 38: What Was the Cause of Grandmother's Death?

The jagged, severed end of the pig’s leg, hacked off by an axe, looked truly grotesque at a cursory glance.

Shen Yi and Shen Wanning had only caught a distant glimpse earlier, not daring to approach closely, so they had only seen the bloody cross-section of the pork leg through the intentionally parted quilt.

Pei Ji’s scheme had succeeded.

Song Lin ordered servants to clean the room, and the soiled bed was soon made spotless. He then recounted everything he had witnessed in the parlor to Pei Ji.

"Young Master Shen is certainly skilled at sophistry."

When the marriage contract was first arranged with the Commander, Shen Yuan had not yet returned, and the choice had clearly been Shen Wanning. Yet, after his glib talk, it had somehow transformed into Shen Yuan?

"Since Shen Yuan is indeed Concubine Jiang, wouldn't this substitution be exactly what you desired, Commander?"

Song Lin even caught a slight upturn at the corners of Pei Ji’s mouth. He was pleased.

"No."

After two seconds of silence, Pei Ji spoke in a low voice. He did not want Shen Yuan to marry into his home as a replacement, nor did he wish to force her to do anything against her will. The "fresh start" he had spoken of earlier meant getting to know each other anew, interacting from the beginning—not through forced possession or aggression. That would be unfair to her.

"Does the Commander have other plans?" Song Lin was confused. Concubine Jiang, who had once broken the Commander’s heart and whom he had finally regained after much difficulty, was standing right there; why would he refuse the substitution? With such a delicate beauty in his arms, was that not a good thing?

"I want to marry her openly and honorably. That is a vow I made many years ago."

Pei Ji curled his lips slightly, his mind involuntarily conjuring the image of Shen Yuan’s stubborn face. She would not be anyone’s substitute, nor would she be hastily married into the Pei family just for the sake of a wedding.

Eight-man palanquins and ten miles of dowry. Drums and gongs resounding, with guests invited from all corners.

At the Shen residence’s Qiushui Garden, Liu Yan had just finished helping Shen Yuan groom herself and was about to snuff the candles when she heard the steward announce from outside that the Master had urgent business and required the Third Miss’s presence.

The night was chilly. A cold wind whistled through the long corridor, sending shivers down one's spine. Shen Yuan wrapped a fox-fur cloak around her shoulders and headed to the study. Upon pushing the door open, she was surprised to find everyone already there.

Shen Wanning, still overcome with grief, was sobbing into the arms of Madam Chen, her tears not yet dry. Shen Yi stood to the side with an indifferent expression. Shen Lang looked somewhat guilty, unable to meet Shen Yuan’s gaze. Sitting to one side, Shen Yu was yawning, clearly dragged out of bed by Shen Yong on short notice.

"Ah Yuan, you're here? Sit."

Unlike the many hostile confrontations of the past, Shen Yong was uncharacteristically polite this time, even signaling a servant to serve a cup of steaming, fresh tea. "This is the new tea bestowed by the Imperial Court this year. Do try it and see how it tastes."

Shen Yuan glanced at it coldly, pushed the teacup away, and said with a detached smile, "I have already tasted this tea in the Shou-kang Palace. Since it is a gift from the Court, Father should treasure it carefully and save it to entertain distinguished guests in the future."

The new tea had been awarded in early spring, and now it was the end of the year. In Shen Yuan’s quarters, such precious items were never seen; yet, the maids serving Shen Wanning all had small bags of it. Shen Yi and Shen Lang were already tired of drinking it. At a time like this, Shen Yong deliberately bringing out these so-called "fine things"—what good intentions could a wolf offering a New Year’s greeting to a chicken possibly have?

Having his face slapped by Shen Yuan, Shen Yong’s expression faltered. Madam Chen gave him a secret look, preventing the situation from turning into a stalemate.

He cleared his throat and looked at Shen Yuan with a troubled expression. "I heard from your mother that you are already aware of the situation with the Pei family? Since that is the case, I won't beat around the bush. Wanning cannot marry the crippled Pei Ji, nor can we initiate a cancellation of the marriage. Your mother, brothers, and I have thought it over, and you are the most suitable to marry into the family in her stead. Ah Yuan, what do you think?"

Shen Wanning’s venomous gaze fell upon her like a blade—unwilling, yet helpless.

Shen Yuan ignored her, lowered her eyes, and replied calmly, "Since Father and Mother have reached the same decision, I have no reason to refuse."

Everyone in the room let out a sigh of relief.

In the next second, they heard her voice rise slightly as she continued, "However, I have one condition that I must ask Father and Mother to fulfill."

Shen Yong and Madam Chen exchanged glances, unsure of what Shen Yuan was planning. But things had reached this point; for the sake of Wanning, they had no reason to refuse.

"Speak your mind. As long as it is within the power of the Shen household, we will grant it." A young woman—what could she possibly want? Nothing more than jewelry or money, or perhaps farms and land? It always came down to wealth!

Shen Yuan looked at Shen Yong, her gentle eyes filled with steady calm, and whispered, "Father, could you tell me the true cause of Grandmother’s death?"

Shen Yong froze in his seat. Madam Chen and Shen Wanning sat up straight, their expressions unnatural. Even Shen Yi and Shen Lang turned their gazes toward Shen Yuan, seemingly shocked that she would bring up their grandmother at such a time.

Young Shen Yu, unaware of the gravity, spoke up truthfully, "Grandmother passed away due to illness!"

Shen Yuan stared unblinkingly at Shen Yong, her tone unintentionally carrying a hint of force: "Is that so, Father?"

"We are discussing your marriage to the Pei family; why bring up your grandmother all of a sudden?" Madam Chen forced a smile and explained, "Yu is right. Your grandmother passed away from illness. The family physician was there, and we were all witnesses. Are you implying something?"

Shen Yuan remained silent for a few seconds, looking coldly at Shen Yong, biting out each word: "If there are shameful secrets you are still hiding, Father, do not blame your daughter for being merciless."

Her voice was soft, yet it caused everyone present to tremble.

Shen Lang, unaware of the truth behind their grandmother’s passing and hearing Shen Yuan threaten their father, could not help but jump in: "How are you speaking to Father? Didn't you hear Yu? Grandmother died of illness!"

Shen Yi also stared at her, shaking his head slightly: "Ah Yuan, don't make Father look so bad."

"That’s right, Sister. Even if you don't want to marry Pei Ji, you shouldn't go against Father." Shen Wanning chimed in, her eyes red. She used to call him "the Commander" constantly, as if she couldn't stop talking about him; now that she couldn't be his wife, she had begun to address him by his name without any courtesy.

"Are you interrogating me or asking me?" Shen Yong had shed his previous gentleness, his tone now severe.

Shen Yuan lifted her gaze: "I am interrogating you, Father."

"Do not call me Father! The Shen family has no daughter like you!"

With a loud crash, Shen Yong stood up abruptly, slamming his palm onto the table and pointing at Shen Yuan, shouting in rage: "Even if there were doubts about your grandmother’s death, is it your place to interrogate me? If it weren't for the benevolence of the Shen family, you would have been cast out long ago to wander the streets! Out of pity for the few years of childhood affection, I allowed you to call me Father—that was already a great mercy! Do you intend to skin me alive because of your grandmother?"