The Shen mansion was now in complete uproar.

Perhaps Shen Wan’s statement about letting Shen Yue marry into the Wang family as a secondary wife had finally frightened her. Unable to find another solution, Shen Yue made a bold move—she fled from the Shen mansion. Before leaving, she emptied her room of all valuable jewelry and fine silks, creating a tremendous headache for Chen Ruoqiu.

Shen Wan was naturally furious, shouting at Chen Ruoqiu: “I told you to watch her carefully! How did she escape?”

Chen Ruoqiu was also frightened inwardly. She had pitied her daughter and had not completely confined Shen Yue as Shen Wan had instructed. Little did she expect that her daughter would take advantage of her compassion. Now that Shen Yue had fled, she didn’t know what to do and said to Shen Wan: “We’ve already sent people to search for her. My lord, Yue’er certainly didn’t do this intentionally—she was just afraid.”

Even at this point, she still didn’t acknowledge her mistake and continued making excuses for Shen Yue. Shen Wan gave a cold laugh, “She was afraid? If she were afraid, would she have agreed to exchange places as a bride? If she were afraid, would she have run away from home? ‘Betrothed women become wives, but those who elope become concubines’—I, Shen Wan, do not have such a shameless daughter!”

“How can you speak of her this way?” Chen Ruoqiu widened her eyes. “She is your daughter!”

Shen Wan had always considered himself a scholarly official and rarely spoke such harsh words, especially about his daughter. Chen Ruoqiu couldn’t believe her eyes. After saying these words, Shen Wan looked at Chen Ruoqiu with irritation and disgust in his eyes, then turned and strode out of the room.

Chen Ruoqiu sensitively detected Shen Wan’s change in attitude and nearly collapsed to the ground. She grabbed the arm of her maid Shiping beside her, her nails digging deeply into the flesh, causing Shiping’s face to turn pale with pain, but the maid dared not move.

The commotion at Qiushui Courtyard quickly spread to Rongjing Hall. The Old Madam was calmly sipping her tea, and upon hearing the news, she merely smiled dismissively, saying: “Let her make a scene. Let Chen Ruoqiu carry on. She still thinks she’s a newly married bride.” After a pause, she added: “Like mother, like daughter—none of them give me any peace.”

Zhang mama carefully massaged her shoulders and asked: “I wonder if they’ve found the Third Miss yet?”

“Why should we care?” The Old Madam grew angry. “I know her capabilities—she’ll crawl back soon enough with her tail between her legs. She’s merely disgraced the Shen family’s reputation. Let the Third Lord handle it; I don’t want to bother with such trivial matters.” Suddenly remembering something, she frowned and asked: “Is the Third Lord still frequenting the West Courtyard?”

Zhang mama nodded: “These days, the Third Madam and Third Lord often quarrel, and the Third Lord visits the West Courtyard even more frequently, sometimes staying for half a day.”

The Old Madam nodded, a gleam flashing in her eyes. “If that’s the case, it’s time to make things official. It’s time for the Third Lord to have a son—I want to hold a grandson in my arms.” She laughed coldly. “That fool Chen Ruoqiu should see clearly where she stands. Zhang mama, go and take care of something for me. The Shen mansion has had nothing but bad luck lately—we should hold a joyous event to dispel this ill fortune.”

Zhang mama acknowledged the instruction.

That night, Shen Wan had not returned to their chambers, making Chen Ruoqiu uneasy. In the past, even when Shen Wan had outside engagements, he would always send a servant with a message. Today, she had no idea where he had gone. Considering they had just quarreled earlier in the day, she couldn’t help but worry. Women of her age inevitably showed signs of fading beauty, no longer as fresh as younger women, while men of Shen Wan’s age were in their prime. Now that there was friction between them, if someone secretly introduced a new woman to him, it would be disastrous. Chen Ruoqiu was different from Ren Wanyun. Whatever feelings Ren Wanyun had for Shen Gui had been ground away by the stream of women Shen Gui had brought into his household. As long as she maintained her position as the principal wife, Ren Wanyun cared about little else. But Chen Ruoqiu had monopolized Shen Wan’s affection for so many years. The Old Madam was right—Chen Ruoqiu was extremely jealous and couldn’t tolerate Shen Wan having other women.

With these thoughts, Chen Ruoqiu grew restless.

Huayi entered from outside, saying: “Madam, the Old Madam has received some fabric and says you should take a piece to Miss Chang.”

The Old Madam had always disregarded Chang Zaiging, usually pretending she didn’t exist in the mansion. Why would she suddenly remember Chang Zaiging today? Chen Ruoqiu frowned. “The Old Madam could have just sent someone directly. Why ask me to go?”

Huayi also didn’t understand and said: “Perhaps because she thinks you and Miss Chang are close friends.”

Chen Ruoqiu was already distracted, and the Old Madam’s errand might help take her mind off her troubles. She didn’t say anything more, simply putting on an outer garment and taking Shiping and Huayi with her to the West Courtyard.

By now it was dark, though not yet time for bed. Chen Ruoqiu assumed Chang Zaiging was still awake and didn’t send anyone ahead to announce her arrival.

When she reached the West Courtyard, unexpectedly, it seemed the lamps had been extinguished early. Chen Ruoqiu found this strange, but then saw Zhao mama, who appeared startled and somewhat flustered at the sight of her. “Why has the Third Madam come?” Zhao mama asked.

“The Old Madam asked me to bring some fabric for Sister Zaiging,” Chen Ruoqiu said, peering toward the inner chamber. “Has Sister Zaiging already retired for the night?”

“Yes, yes,” Zhao mama replied. “The young miss has been feeling a bit lethargic these past few days, so she’s gone to bed early.”

Chen Ruoqiu found it odd—Zhao mama’s manner seemed very unnatural. Looking around at the other maids, they all kept their heads lowered, as if afraid to reveal something. Just then, faint sounds came from inside the room. They were indistinct, but when the sounds emerged, Zhao mama’s expression grew even more tense.

Though curious, Chen Ruoqiu didn’t want to create conflict with Chang Zaiging at the moment. In her view, Chang Zaiging could be an excellent weapon against the First Branch of the Shen family. Especially today, after multiple setbacks, she had anger that needed an outlet, and she increasingly wanted to see the First Branch’s downfall.

Chen Ruoqiu instructed her maid to put down the fabric and was about to leave when she suddenly stopped in her tracks.

Following Chen Ruoqiu’s gaze, Zhao mama saw a small sachet in the window of Chang Zaiging’s chamber that faced the courtyard. The sachet was deep red with white egrets embroidered on it—quite exquisite. Chen Ruoqiu walked over and took it in her hand. By the time Zhao mama tried to stop her, it was too late.

When Shiping and Huayi saw the sachet, they couldn’t help but gape in astonishment, speechless with shock.

On the day of Shen Yue’s wedding, Chen Ruoqiu had seen Chang Zaiging wearing a beautiful sachet. The sachet was exquisitely crafted, and Chen Ruoqiu had been quite taken with it. Chang Zaiging had been generous and given it to Chen Ruoqiu. Later, to please Shen Wan during the troubles with Shen Yue, Chen Ruoqiu had given the beautifully crafted sachet to him. The embroidered white egrets didn’t make it look feminine, and its fragrance wasn’t that of cosmetics. Chen Ruoqiu remembered that the sachet contained tea leaves, giving off a fresh tea scent, but Chen Ruoqiu had thought the tea fragrance too cold and had added some dried osmanthus flowers that she had saved from autumn.

No two leaves in the world are identical, and even if Chang Zaiging was clever with her hands and made an identical sachet, not every sachet would have Chen Ruoqiu’s added osmanthus flowers.

Chen Ruoqiu picked up the sachet with a trembling hand and, finally summoning her resolve, brought it to her nose and inhaled.

The sweet scent of osmanthus mixed with tea slowly entered her nostrils. Chen Ruoqiu closed her eyes abruptly.

When she opened them again, her gaze frightened both Shiping and Huayi.

She suddenly turned to Zhao mama, whose increasingly panicked expression was fully visible to Chen Ruoqiu. Chen Ruoqiu gave a cold laugh and said: “Do you all take me for a fool?” With that, she strode quickly toward Chang Zaiging’s chamber, intent on breaking in.

“Madam, you can’t!” Zhao mama hurriedly tried to block her, panic-stricken.

Chen Ruoqiu demanded: “Why not?”

Zhao mama couldn’t speak.

Chen Ruoqiu’s heart sank deeper and deeper. She felt as if it were being torn apart, but the more pain and anguish she felt, the more coldness spread across her face. She ordered Shiping and Huayi: “Break it down! Break it down hard! I want to see which pair of adulterers is committing such shameless acts in my Shen mansion! Break it!”

Having received their orders, Shiping and Huayi dared not disobey. They immediately stepped forward and broke down the door. Chen Ruoqiu grabbed a lamp from nearby and, not waiting for Zhao mama to stop her, strode in.

The brazier in the room burned brightly. Clothes and shoes were scattered on the floor, with jewelry strewn about. On the bed, two intertwined figures presented a scene of intimate passion.

The woman, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and mortification; the man, unhurriedly pulling clothes to cover their bodies, turned to look—it was Shen Wan.

The room was also filled with the lingering scent of wine. They had been drinking and then slept together, but this couldn’t be described as a mistake. One was willing, and the other desired—Chen Ruoqiu and Shen Wan had been married for so many years; if Shen Wan didn’t like Chang Zaiging, how could she have ended up in his bed? Moreover, this was Chang Zaiging’s courtyard; Shen Wan had come here of his own accord.

Chen Ruoqiu closed her eyes, forcing back the tears that threatened to spill, and screamed: “Adulterers!”

The wind rose at night. Several hundred li away from the capital, at an inn, a young man in purple robes sat at a central table, reading a letter. After a moment, he raised his hand and tossed the letter into a nearby fire basin, where it instantly turned to ashes.

“Master, a letter has arrived from Great Liang,” the guard South Flag said beside him. “His Majesty urges you to return quickly.”

“Ignore him,” Xie Jingxing said dismissively. “Once my business is finished, I’ll naturally return.”

“His Majesty fears you’ll delay matters,” South Flag explained. “People there are also watching Ming Qi’s movements. Previously, His Majesty mentioned selecting consorts for you. That time is approaching, and if Master doesn’t return, things might go awry.”

Xie Jingxing glanced at South Flag, who immediately fell silent, though inwardly he was suffering. The Yongle Emperor had an uncompromising nature, while his master was lawless. The servants caught in the middle had the most difficult position. Moreover, regarding the matter of selecting consorts, though others might not understand, the guards who followed Xie Jingxing could see clearly that he had a special interest in the Shen family’s young miss. Regardless of how the Yongle Emperor viewed this matter, the guards generally felt it was extremely unreliable. Shen Miao was a Ming Qi citizen—how could the Shen family agree to their daughter becoming involved with someone from Great Liang?

But these words could never be spoken in front of their master. If the master became displeased and deployed them to guard the tower prison, that would be a loss not worth suffering.

“My royal brother has too much idle time,” Xie Jingxing said. “If he’s truly that bored, tell him about Qin Kingdom’s intentions when you return, instead of worrying about matters that shouldn’t concern him.”

South Flag wiped the sweat from his brow. Unable to offend either party, he felt truly embarrassed.

Just then, Iron Garment entered from outside, carrying a box, its contents unknown. Upon entering the room, he placed the box on the table and said: “Young Master, the jewelry you ordered has been crafted, and the silver notes have been delivered.”

South Flag, behind him, nearly choked on his saliva. What had Iron Garment just said? Crafted jewelry? South Flag secretly glanced at the table and indeed saw that the box was exquisitely made. Small as it was, it was intricately carved with delicate patterns—looking closely, was that a tiger’s head?

What was this?

Xie Jingxing opened the box and looked inside. It was filled with various types of jewelry. Cat’s eye stones, jade double rings, pearl headdresses, and jade hairpins—all of the finest quality. Just this small box could be worth thousands of gold pieces. South Flag wondered, could these be gifts for the Shen family’s young lady? But the Shen young lady didn’t seem like someone who coveted jewelry and jade. Was the master certain this gift would be appropriate?

Nevertheless, it was certainly generous.

Xie Jingxing closed the box and said: “Good.” Suddenly remembering something, he asked: “What has Fu Xiuyi been doing lately?”

Iron Garment thought for a moment and replied: “Nothing unusual, except he’s grown somewhat closer to the Crown Prince.”

“The Crown Prince?” Xie Jingxing raised an eyebrow. “Keep a close eye on him. Fu Xiuyi is no simple character.”

Iron Garment acknowledged and was about to withdraw.

“Wait,” Xie Jingxing called him back. “Also keep an eye on Shen Yue.”

The Shen family didn’t know what kind of fortune they had encountered these past few days, with constant chaos erupting daily. First, there was the bride exchange between Shen Dongling and Shen Yue, then the Wang family’s rejection of Shen Yue, followed by Shen Yue packing her bags and running away from home. Now, even better, Chen Ruoqiu had caught Chang Zaiging and Shen Wan in bed together.

As a guest of the Shen mansion and the daughter of Old General Shen’s friend, Chang Zaiging’s relationship with the Shen family should have been one of mutual courtesy. Apart from the Old Madam, everyone else would politely engage with Chang Zaiging when they saw her, as the current mistress, Chen Ruoqiu, seemed to like her greatly. Who would have thought that Chang Zaiging’s courtesy would eventually lead her to Shen Wan’s bed? And Chen Ruoqiu had been stabbed in the back not by someone else, but by this “sister” she had so carefully nurtured.

Chen Ruoqiu immediately caused a scene, carrying the commotion to Rongjing Hall.

In Rongjing Hall, the Old Madam sat in the central position. Chang Zaiging and Shen Wan stood to one side. Shen Wan’s expression was impassive, while Shen Gui looked as if he was enjoying the spectacle. Chang Zaiging lowered her eyes in silence, appearing greatly ashamed. Chen Ruoqiu, however, forced herself to hold back her tears, presenting an unyielding demeanor.

“Enough with the crying and wailing—what kind of appearance is that?” The Old Madam, apparently finally annoyed by Chen Ruoqiu’s behavior, said impatiently: “Your husband takes in a girl—what’s the big deal? Is it worth such a dramatic scene?”

“Mother,” Chen Ruoqiu called out, “if my husband had properly taken in a concubine according to custom, I naturally wouldn’t have objected and might even have made preparations for him. But these two secretly carried on right here in this courtyard, making a fool of me in front of everyone. The entire household kept me in the dark, intending to humiliate me. Mother, I am also your daughter-in-law, and you are a woman too. If my husband wanted to take a concubine, could I have stopped him? Why use such degrading methods?”

“Third Madam,” Chang Zaiging couldn’t help but speak up, “today’s events were completely a misunderstanding. I drank too much, and the Third Lord had nothing to do with it. I do not wish to be anyone’s concubine. Let’s consider this incident as if it never happened. Tomorrow I’ll pack my belongings and leave the Shen mansion. I hope sister won’t blame the Third Lord for this.”

Compared to Chen Ruoqiu’s aggressiveness, Chang Zaiging neither denied her involvement with Shen Wan nor shifted blame. Instead, she shouldered all the fault herself, appearing even more reasonable. Shen Wan’s expression changed slightly, and he said: “What do you mean by leaving? I am responsible for my actions and should give you a proper explanation.”

Chen Ruoqiu had already found Chang Zaiging’s words grating, but hearing Shen Wan still trying to keep Chang Zaiging made matters worse, like pouring oil on fire. She immediately said: “Explanation? What kind of explanation? Are you planning to drive me away and give her my position as principal wife?” Then she turned to Chang Zaiging, pointing at her nose and cursing: “You ungrateful wretch! You came to the Shen mansion, and I fed and clothed you, only for you to harbor such evil intentions, even climbing into my husband’s bed. How shameless! Unable to seduce Shen Xin, you turn to seducing another’s husband. No wonder you remain unmarried at your age—what respectable family would want such an immoral harlot?”

Her words not only left Shen Wan speechless but also stunned the Old Madam. Chen Ruoqiu, who prided herself on coming from a scholarly family, was cursing like a common market shrew—the scene was truly unsightly.

Shen Wan was too angry to speak, while Chang Zaiging bit her lip, her expression one of extreme forbearance. Shen Gui, who had been watching the show, couldn’t help but interject: “Sister-in-law, you’re in the wrong here. If a husband wants to take a concubine, it’s natural for his wife to help with the arrangements. The Third Branch’s household has lacked other women, which is rather unusual. Now that there’s finally a sister who can share your burdens, why are you opposing it?” Shen Gui had always appreciated beautiful women, and naturally admired a beauty like Chang Zaiging, though he wouldn’t touch his brother’s woman. However, Chen Ruoqiu’s shrewish behavior deeply displeased Shen Gui—when Ren Wanyun was around, she hadn’t stopped him from taking concubines.

But Chen Ruoqiu was already extremely sensitive, and Shen Gui’s words, far from calming her, seemed to touch a raw nerve. She immediately began indiscriminately cursing Shen Gui as well: “Second Brother still has the leisure to concern himself with the Third Branch’s affairs? Perhaps Second Brother hasn’t managed his affairs well. You’re already without descendants—what use is taking ten or eight concubines? You still won’t have anyone to continue your lineage!”

The inability to have more children was Shen Gui’s deepest pain, yet Chen Ruoqiu had struck precisely at his vulnerable spot. Shen Gui’s face immediately turned ashen with anger, and the Old Madam’s expression also darkened.

“Chen,” the Old Madam said angrily, “what exactly do you want?”

“I’ve been married into the Shen family for so many years and am not an unreasonable person. Send Chang Zaiging away, and I can pretend none of this ever happened,” Chen Ruoqiu stated.

“Impossible,” Shen Wan said angrily. “Since I’ve been with her, I must take responsibility for her.”

“Anyone but her!” Chen Ruoqiu shouted, pointing at Chang Zaiging. She couldn’t tolerate that Chang Zaiging had betrayed her and ended up in Shen Wan’s bed, giving her a sense of extreme humiliation. More importantly, Chen Ruoqiu knew Chang Zaiging too well—Chang Zaiging’s talents and appearance exceeded her own, and even Chen Ruoqiu found it difficult to harbor ill feelings toward her. Especially now, with Shen Wan’s words subtly defending Chang Zaiging, Chen Ruoqiu felt increasingly threatened. As a woman, she understood Shen Wan’s thoughts better than anyone. If Chang Zaiging entered the household, she would not only share his affection but might even monopolize it. She couldn’t allow herself to create such a formidable rival!

“Why not her?” The speaker was none other than Shen Wan. He was now furious, perhaps because for so many years, Chen Ruoqiu had presented herself as gentle and graceful before him, yet today she behaved like a common shrew, making her appear even more intolerable in his eyes.

Chen Ruoqiu angrily retorted: “Then divorce me! If you want to take her in, first separate from me!”

This thoroughly enraged Shen Wan. Yet Chen Ruoqiu seemed to have suddenly found her courage and became even more aggressive, saying: “Give me a divorce letter, and I’ll leave without another word. You can take whoever you want, even make her your principal wife. We’ll go our separate ways, each finding our happiness!” As she finished, two streams of tears flowed down her cheeks, finally giving her a somewhat pitiful appearance.

Chen Ruoqiu’s words were spoken in anger. She and Shen Wan had been married since their youth, and though they’d had many conflicts recently, they had lived harmoniously for many years before that. Chen Ruoqiu understood Shen Wan—he still had some affection for her. Now he was merely temporarily infatuated with Chang Zaiging. The idea that he would divorce her for Chang Zaiging seemed impossible to Chen Ruoqiu.

Unfortunately, for all her calculations, Chen Ruoqiu had correctly estimated that Shen Wan still had feelings for her, but she had not anticipated the Old Madam’s attitude.

The Old Madam gave a cold laugh, looking at Chen Ruoqiu as if watching a clown, and said: “Divorce? How convenient for you. But I’m afraid you’ve miscalculated. The Third Lord won’t give you a divorce letter—at most, he’ll give you a letter of repudiation!”

Chang Zaiging, who had been about to speak, swallowed her words upon hearing this.

Chen Ruoqiu, unwilling to back down, asked: “On what grounds would I be repudiated?”

“On what grounds?” The Old Madam looked at her. “Since the Third Lord married you, he has taken no other women into his household—not even a concubine or a serving girl. As the mistress, you didn’t think to make arrangements for your husband—that’s jealousy and lack of virtue! The Third Lord is kind-hearted, and I didn’t want to interfere in the Third Branch’s affairs. But think about it, Chen Ruoqiu—you’ve been in the Shen family for nearly twenty years without giving birth to a single child for the Third Branch. Tell me, is there any other woman in the capital who marries into a family, bears no sons, yet prevents her husband from having children with others? Do you want the Shen family line to end?”

“Your jealousy and childlessness—just these two of the seven grounds for divorce are enough to grant you a letter of repudiation!”

If one were to say the Old Madam came from humble origins and lacked knowledge, in arguments, she certainly didn’t lose in verbal sparring. Especially since she had long harbored resentment toward Chen Ruoqiu, now that she had caught Chen Ruoqiu in the wrong, her intensity kept escalating, leaving Chen Ruoqiu speechless.

Indeed, based on childlessness alone, the Shen family could push all blame onto Chen Ruoqiu. Even in public, Chen Ruoqiu would be the one criticized. Chen Ruoqiu suddenly felt a wave of helplessness. She had always believed she firmly held Shen Wan’s heart and thought they could love each other for a lifetime. But now, Shen Wan’s protective attitude toward Chang Zaiging felt like a harsh slap, shattering all of Chen Ruoqiu’s presumptions!

Shen Wan was no different from other men—still craving fresh, young beauty. She was no different from other women—once youth faded and beauty declined, she had to make way for younger girls. But those who aged and lost their looks still had sons to secure their positions as principal wives. She didn’t even have a son, making her position extremely precarious.

The Old Madam looked at Chang Zaiging and slowly said: “Third Son, since you’ve been with her, the Shen family is not unreasonable—we must take responsibility. Miss Chang has no family left, and if she agrees, we should make things official. Make her a Noble Consort. The mansion has had much ill fortune lately; we should have something joyous to counter it.”

Making her a Noble Consort—the Old Madam was deliberately opposing Chen Ruoqiu, publicly humiliating her.

Chen Ruoqiu looked at the Old Madam, whose wrinkled face seemed to flash a brief smile. That smile suddenly made everything clear to Chen Ruoqiu.

How had she discovered Shen Wan and Chang Zaiging’s affair? It was when the Old Madam had sent her to the West Courtyard with fabric. Why not earlier or later, but precisely at that moment? Had the Old Madam planned this deliberately? These days, Chen Ruoqiu had been preoccupied with Shen Yue and hadn’t noticed the developing relationship between Chang Zaiging and Shen Wan, but the Old Madam must have noticed. The Old Madam had been eager to find Shen Wan a concubine, and discovering Chang Zaiging and Shen Wan’s involvement likely pleased her greatly. She might even have encouraged it, all leading to today’s situation.

Bringing Chang Zaiging into the household, forcing her into this predicament.

Chen Ruoqiu suddenly felt an infinite hatred for the Old Madam. She gritted her teeth and said: “Such humiliation is unconscionable!”