Having been proven to have pushed Luo Sheng into the water, Sheng Jialan was very afraid, very panicked, very desperate, but she had also prepared herself to bear the consequences.

At worst, she would pay with her life.

But when Luo Sheng spoke the words “You did it for Su Yao,” the string supporting Sheng Jialan’s entire spirit snapped all at once.

In her heart, Su Yao was a sacred existence that could not be profaned. How could he be dragged into this?

“It has nothing to do with Second Young Master Su!” Sheng Jialan shouted hoarsely.

If earlier she had been like a snail hiding in its shell, trembling while pretending the wind and rain battering from outside didn’t exist, now that protective shell had cracked, revealing her fragile and ugly face.

Sheng Jialan collapsed on the ground, explaining in breakdown: “I only became possessed and acted because I hated Luo Sheng pestering Second Young Master Su. Second Young Master Su was completely unaware, much less knew of my feelings…”

Sheng Jiayu stared with wide, delicate eyes as if she had seen a ghost, even beginning to stutter: “Second Sister, you, you actually have feelings for Su Yao—”

Hearing Sheng Jiayu’s words, Sheng Jialan’s collapsed emotions eased slightly as she looked back at Sheng Jiayu and countered: “Can I not have feelings for Second Young Master Su?”

All the young ladies in Jinsha County admired Second Young Master Su—why couldn’t she?

Just because she was a daughter by a concubine, did she have to be ranked behind Elder Sister and even further behind Luo Sheng?

She didn’t dream of joining hands with that gentleman as elegant as orchids and jade trees, but she also couldn’t bear Luo Sheng, someone utterly worthless, crazily pestering the person she held at the tip of her heart.

Eliminating Luo Sheng to restore peace to Second Young Master Su—this was a thought she had harbored for a long time. Until that day when Luo Sheng ran to tell Grandmother she fancied Su Yao, that murderous intent could no longer be suppressed…

Sheng Jiayu was hurt by Sheng Jialan’s lack of remorse, murmuring: “You can, it’s just that I never heard you say so…”

Sheng Jialan laughed coldly: “Why should I say anything? Would saying it mean I could marry Second Young Master Su? I’m not worthy—I still have that much self-awareness.”

Old Madam Sheng looked at her second granddaughter, who had completely lost all dignity, and slowly asked: “Why are you not worthy?”

Sheng Jialan was stunned by the question.

Old Madam Sheng’s face was full of heartache: “You are the Second Young Lady of the Sheng residence, Su Yao is the second young master of the Su family. The Sheng and Su families are on good terms and well-matched. Where exactly are you not worthy? If you had revealed your interest in Su Yao to your mother early on, the Sheng family could have had a matchmaker sound out the Su residence. If it worked out, everyone would be delighted; if not, there would be no regrets. But you, girl, have such deep thoughts, keeping everything in your heart. In the end, you’ve caused a matter of harming someone’s life. Are you being fair to the elders who have always cared for you, or to the brothers and sisters who have shown you affection?”

“I, I—” Sheng Jialan’s gaze swept over Old Madam Sheng, the Great Madam, the Second Madam, and the four Sheng brothers, finally landing on Sheng Jiayu’s tear-stained face. She couldn’t help but begin crying heart-wrenchingly.

Had she been wrong? So there had been even that slightest possibility between her and Second Young Master Su, but she had personally strangled it…

Sheng Jialan lowered her head to stare at her own fair hands. Regret crashed over her like an overturning mountain and toppling sea. Finally unable to bear the enormous emotional impact, she fainted.

Old Madam Sheng’s lips moved, swallowing the instinctive reaction to immediately call for a physician, and looked toward Luo Sheng.

Luo Sheng still stood quietly there, yet Old Madam Sheng felt as though she were meeting this granddaughter from outside for the first time.

Her second granddaughter had gone from breakdown to fainting, all because of a single sentence from Luo Sheng.

You did it for Su Yao.

How did Luo Sheng know that her second granddaughter had feelings for Su Yao? And how did she guess that her second granddaughter did all this because of Su Yao?

Countless doubts arose in Old Madam Sheng’s heart, but she knew this was not the time to interrogate such matters.

The old madam sighed heavily, her face showing shame: “Sheng’er, we have wronged you.”

Her son-in-law had sent his pair of children to the Sheng family, yet such a matter had occurred—it was simply utterly humiliating.

Luo Sheng curtsied slightly toward Old Madam Sheng, saying earnestly: “It has nothing to do with others. It is Sheng Jialan who has wronged me.”

That young lady who was truly wronged by Sheng Jialan was already gone.

Luo Sheng sighed inwardly, saying in her heart: Miss Luo, I have avenged your mortal grievance for you. Go in peace. From now on, I will clean up the troubles you left behind, willingly and without shirking responsibility. And I will borrow this body to see the person I wish to see and do the things I left unfinished.

Luo Sheng’s words made Old Madam Sheng feel even more apologetic. She immediately said: “Sheng’er, rest assured. Your maternal grandmother will not shield Jialan. She committed a wrong and should bear the consequences.”

Luo Sheng nodded slightly: “As for how to punish her, it’s entirely up to Maternal Grandmother to decide.”

Only then did Old Madam Sheng order someone to take Sheng Jialan away.

A light coughing sound rang out.

Old Madam Sheng’s heart clenched again: “Chen’er, how are you?”

Luo Chen moved his hand away and smiled: “Maternal Grandmother needn’t worry. I feel fine, but I’d like to go back and lie down.”

Old Madam Sheng hurriedly nodded: “Have your cousins escort you back to your room.”

“I’ll escort younger brother.” Luo Sheng spoke up.

Luo Chen flatly refused: “That’s not necessary.”

Thinking it over, afraid Luo Sheng would sentimentally assume from this that their sibling bond was deep, the youth said with a stern face: “I merely stated the facts. Don’t overthink it.”

Luo Sheng pressed her lips together, too lazy to argue with the youth whose words didn’t match his heart.

Sheng Dalang took the initiative to walk over: “Cousin, I’ll escort you back.”

“We’ll all escort Cousin together.”

In the blink of an eye, the room had lost half its occupants. Luo Sheng bowed to Old Madam Sheng: “Maternal Grandmother, I’ll also take my leave.”

“Go ahead. Jiayu, you may withdraw as well.”

After Luo Sheng and Sheng Jiayu departed, Old Madam Sheng’s expression suddenly turned stern as she said to the Great Madam: “Once Jialan awakens, send her to the manor in the countryside. From now on, don’t allow her to see outsiders.”

As for weathering the storm and marrying her off—that was impossible. A young lady who could kill out of jealousy—how could they dare marry her off to harm others?

Dying of old age at the countryside manor would be Sheng Jialan’s fate.

The Great Madam sighed, saying carefully: “As for the Master—”

Old Madam Sheng said irritably: “Just inform the eldest when he returns.”

“This daughter-in-law understands.” The Great Madam assented, feeling a wave of fear in her heart.

To think she had treated Sheng Jialan as her daughter’s companion, never knowing she was actually a venomous snake!

Daring to kill out of jealous hatred—who knew whether Jiayu might lose her life if she offended her someday.

Speaking of which, they had much to thank Cousin for this time.

The Great Madam’s impression of Luo Sheng secretly improved a bit.

Old Madam Sheng instructed further: “Regarding today’s matter, apart from the servants in my courtyard who already know, do not let another word leak out.”

Everyone assented in unison, and this commotion finally dispersed.

Leaving Funing Hall, Luo Sheng didn’t return to her room but instead went to Luo Chen’s quarters, encountering at the courtyard gate the four Sheng brothers who had escorted Luo Chen back and were preparing to leave.

“Has Cousin come to see Cousin?” Sheng Dalang took the initiative to greet her.

Beside him, Sheng Erlang’s expression was somewhat awkward, even forgetting to wave his customary gold-painted folding fan.

Luo Sheng bowed slightly to the four: “Thank you, Elder Cousins and Younger Cousins, for escorting my younger brother back.”

Having said this, she didn’t linger but walked straight past the four into the interior.