“Even if Mother doesn’t care about me, do you disregard your brother’s life as well?”

At these calm words, Ren Wanyun’s scolding abruptly ceased. She stared blankly at Shen Yuan: “What did you say?”

“The entire Shen Manor has been implicated now, with our second branch at the forefront. Sister’s situation has far-reaching consequences. If Father and I lose our official positions, Mother might not care, but if it affects Brother’s life, doesn’t that concern Mother?” Shen Yuan said.

Ren Wanyun looked at him, her expression suddenly flustered: “What does this have to do with Bai’er? He’s still so young—how could he be connected to these matters? No one is more innocent than Bai’er.”

“Mother, everyone in this affair is innocent,” Shen Yuan let out a cold laugh. “Am I not innocent too?” After restraining himself, he continued: “Mother, as rumors grow fiercer, if the Shen family provokes more trouble now, I fear the entire household will suffer.” He looked at Ren Wanyun, his tone heavy: “Even if Mother harbors thoughts of mutual destruction, would you sacrifice Brother for nothing?”

Ren Wanyun’s body trembled, shaking uncontrollably. Indeed, she had harbored such thoughts. While she harbored extraordinary hatred for Shen Miao, the coldness of the entire Shen Manor, Shen Gui’s heartlessness, Old Madam Shen’s opportunism, and the third branch’s indifferent observation had already filled Ren Wanyun with immense resentment toward the Shen Manor. She even thought that if the entire Shen Manor was implicated because of Shen Qing, it wouldn’t matter. If she could drag down the first branch to die with them, it would be a form of revenge.

But Shen Yuan had pointed out one crucial thing: if the Shen Manor truly suffered, even Shen Yuanbai could not escape. Emperors traditionally favor their eldest sons, while commoners cherish their youngest children. Shen Yuan had been clever since childhood, so Ren Wanyun hadn’t worried much about him. But Shen Yuanbai, being young and mischievous, was cherished deeply by Ren Wanyun. If Shen Yuanbai were to lose his life along with the others, that would be something she could never bear to see.

“Then… Yuan’er, what should we do?” Ren Wanyun looked at Shen Yuan. Her previous frenzy had completely vanished, as if Shen Yuan was her lifeline, her pillar of support.

“Mother, one cannot be greedy,” Shen Yuan looked at her, his gaze filled with cruel determination. “Between Sister and Brother, you can only save one.”

…

At the prison adjacent to the government office in the capital, guards stood watch outside.

In the massacre at the Hereditary Prince’s Manor, Shen Qing found herself in a truly awkward position. On the surface, she seemed pitiful—newly married into the Prince’s Manor only to encounter a massacre, fortunate enough to keep her life. But looking deeper, the case had many suspicious points, possibly involving Shen Qing. Even if she wasn’t involved, various romantic speculations or rumors about her being unlucky in marriage had spread, making her name a topic of discussion throughout the city. From this perspective, it might have been cleaner if she had died in the massacre.

Emperor Wen Hui’s attitude toward the Hereditary Prince’s Manor case was also intriguing. Though he ordered an immediate thorough investigation, he had handed the matter directly to the Metropolitan Magistrate and the government office without even questioning once. Given Emperor Wen Hui’s brotherly affection for the Hereditary Prince, he couldn’t dismiss it so lightly. The thoughts of an emperor are always difficult to fathom, and since officials couldn’t discern Emperor Wen Hui’s intentions, they could only first detain Shen Qing in prison pending investigation.

There was something absurd about this—the only survivor of a massacre, a woman without weapons, was treated as the prime culprit. Sometimes, the ways of the world are just that strange.

When Shen Miao arrived at the prison gate, the head jailer was surprised to see her and stepped forward: “Who goes there?”

“My young lady is the fifth miss of the General’s Manor, the Shen family.” Jingzhe stepped forward, slipping a sachet filled with silver into the head jailer’s hand. “She has come specifically to see the eldest miss.”

Shen Miao produced a token from her sleeve and waved it before the head jailer. Upon seeing it, he immediately bowed respectfully: “So it’s Fifth Miss Shen.” Shen Xin’s reputation was widespread in the capital; not just a mere jailer, even officials would show him some respect.

“I wish to see my elder sister. Please lead the way, sir,” Shen Miao said.

The head jailer smiled: “Normally, visits aren’t allowed these days, but since Fifth Miss Shen has spoken, please follow me.” He then gave some instructions to the guards outside. Jingzhe and Guyu remained outside while he led Shen Miao inside.

Currently, Shen Qing’s status was extremely awkward. No one could predict whether she would have a chance to be exonerated in the future. However, even if she were cleared of charges, bearing such a reputation would make Shen Qing’s life extremely difficult.

“Fifth Miss needn’t worry too much,” the head jailer smiled. “Although the eldest Miss Shen is currently in prison, once the truth comes to light, she won’t be implicated further.” He thought that since Shen Miao had come to visit Shen Qing, the two sisters must be very close. Regardless, pleasing Shen Miao would earn him favor with Shen Xin.

Shen Miao nodded: “Thank you for your guidance, sir.”

When they reached a stone staircase, the head jailer stopped and said: “The eldest Miss Shen is detained downstairs. Fifth Miss can go down and talk to her. My subordinates and I will wait outside. Just don’t talk for too long.”

Shen Miao thanked him again, and after the head jailer and the prison guards deliberately moved away, she leisurely walked down the stairs.

Descending the long staircase, at the very end was a prison cell surrounded by iron bars. Outside, there was only a window the size of a fist—this was where major criminals were held. Torches were lit along the stone walls, but they flickered eerily in the gloomy prison, casting strange shadows.

The cell was covered with straw, on which lay a dirty cotton blanket. The blanket seemed infested with lice, with tiny black specks visible. Huddled under the blanket was a person sitting on the straw, head buried in her knees, perhaps asleep.

Shen Miao watched silently for a while before approaching and lightly tapping on the iron bars.

The person who had buried her head in her knees suddenly looked up, revealing a face filled with terror. Upon recognizing Shen Miao, the terrified expression transformed into anger, and through gritted teeth, she shouted: “Shen Miao!”

“It’s me,” Shen Miao stepped back slightly to avoid Shen Qing lunging forward and scratching at her. Her guess was correct—in the next moment, Shen Qing lunged forward, her hands reaching through the iron bars trying to grab Shen Miao, but the bars prevented her, leaving her to futilely wave her arms.

“It seems you still haven’t learned to be clever,” Shen Miao laughed lightly, looking at her composedly. “Don’t waste your energy. It’s useless.”

Shen Qing put down her hands resentfully, suddenly bursting into loud laughter: “Shen Miao, have you come to gloat? Are you here to see how miserable I am? Let me tell you, one day, you’ll be a hundred times more wretched than me!”

“What a pity,” Shen Miao looked at her with compassion. “Even if that day comes, you won’t be around to see it.”

Shen Qing was stunned, a flash of fear suddenly rising in her eyes. She had been imprisoned for several days, not even clear about what was happening. Always pampered, she had thought that night with the Hereditary Prince at Dragon Repose Temple was the most painful moment of her life. She never imagined that the successive calamities would be even more terrifying—the pregnancy, the welcome banquet, the marriage, and the bloody massacre on her wedding night, and now imprisonment. Suppressing her anxiety, she said defiantly: “Don’t try to deceive me. This matter has nothing to do with me. How could it possibly implicate me?”

“Why don’t you understand?” Shen Miao crouched down, meeting Shen Qing’s gaze. She shook her head slightly, like an adult looking at a child who didn’t understand: “The entire Hereditary Prince’s Manor was massacred, yet you alone survived. Whether it’s a conspiracy or not, whether you have any connection to the killer or not, as long as you’re alive, you become a terrible sin.”

“What connection could I have with the killer?” Shen Qing retorted. “Why would I want to massacre the Hereditary Prince’s Manor? I had no grudge against him. If anyone did, it would be you…” Her words suddenly halted mid-sentence as she looked at Shen Miao in disbelief: “Did you do it?”

Shen Miao’s lips curved slightly.

“Did you do it?” Shen Qing grabbed the iron bars, staring at Shen Miao. “It was you! You had a deep hatred for the Hereditary Prince. You had someone massacre his entire household, deliberately sparing my life just to make me your scapegoat. Shen Miao, you’ve calculated well!”  She looked at Shen Miao, both shocked and furious—shocked that Shen Miao could be so venomous, and furious that her current predicament was all thanks to Shen Miao!

“Elder Sister, everything requires evidence,” Shen Miao smiled. “But from your words just now, it seems that after two days in prison, you’ve become somewhat smarter.” Though she denied Shen Qing’s accusation, in Shen Qing’s eyes, Shen Miao had already admitted to her crime.

Shen Qing grew furious: “What are you trying to do? Shen Miao, you won’t succeed! My father and brother will rescue me. They’ll find evidence, and in the end, it will be you sitting in this prison, not me! When that time comes, I’ll make sure you’re sliced into a thousand pieces!”

“You’re still counting on Second Uncle and Shen Yuan?” Shen Miao mocked. “Second Uncle is now afraid of being implicated; he hasn’t even come to see you. As for Shen Yuan…” Shen Miao smiled, “He could have had a promising career, unlimited prospects, but because of your constant troubles, do you really think he would want to rescue you?”

Shen Qing glared at Shen Miao, knowing in her heart that Shen Miao was right. She knew all too well what kind of person Shen Gui was. When Shen Gui married her to the Hereditary Prince, Shen Qing had seen clearly that Shen Gui, like Old Madam Shen, would only pursue advantage and avoid harm. As for her somewhat unfathomable second brother, although he had helped her solve many problems in the past, this time, with his career at stake, would Shen Yuan still help her?

“Shen Miao, stop your nonsense!” Despite her inner uncertainty, Shen Qing still insisted firmly: “My mother won’t stand idly by! She will find a way to rescue me. As long as my mother speaks up, with my brother’s abilities, finding the truth won’t be difficult. When that time comes, it will be you who suffers!”

“Second Aunt?” Shen Miao sighed. “I know Second Aunt cares deeply for you. You are the apple of her eye. If anything happened to you, Second Aunt would certainly fight to protect you with her life, just as she did for me back then…”

Shen Qing’s uneasy feelings eased somewhat, and she felt a bit smug. Ren Wanyun had always been indulgent towards her. Among the three legitimate daughters of the Shen Manor, Chen Ruoqiu was slightly strict with Shen Yue, and Luo Xueyan rarely spent time with Shen Miao, but Ren Wanyun was excessively indulgent with Shen Qing. This was because Ren Wanyun had a difficult labor when giving birth to Shen Qing, and after both mother and daughter narrowly survived, Ren Wanyun became especially attentive to her daughter. Even when Shen Qing wanted to pursue Prince Ding Fu Xiuyi, Ren Wanyun didn’t utter a single word of disapproval.

Now, even if others were coldly indifferent to her, as long as Ren Wanyun was there, she wouldn’t allow her to be wrongfully accused. Shen Qing’s smug smile had not yet fully formed when she heard Shen Miao’s smiling voice: “But Elder Sister, guess who ranks higher in Second Aunt’s heart—you or Seventh Brother?”

Shen Qing froze, staring at Shen Miao without speaking.

Shen Miao looked at her tenderly: “How much Second Aunt dotes on Seventh Brother is known to everyone in our manor. If saving you means risking Seventh Brother, do you think Second Aunt would take that risk? I’m quite eager to know the answer to this question. I wonder if Elder Sister can enlighten me?”

Shen Qing’s body began to tremble violently. She knew better than anyone Shen Yuanbai’s position in Ren Wanyun’s heart. At Ren Wanyun’s current age, having Shen Yuanbai was naturally precious. Furthermore, though mischievous, Shen Yuanbai was very likable. Most importantly, Shen Yuanbai was a son.

In this era, life was especially difficult for women. In Ren Wanyun’s heart, she always favored her young son. If she truly had to sacrifice Shen Yuanbai for her, Shen Qing knew the answer all too well—she would be the one abandoned. But no matter how terrified she felt inside, facing Shen Miao, Shen Qing always refused to show any weakness. She looked at Shen Miao and sneered: “What are you trying to say? Are you suggesting that no matter what, I’m doomed? Shen Miao, don’t forget, I’m carrying the royal bloodline in my womb! The child in my belly has royal blood. For his sake alone, I absolutely won’t come to any harm!” After saying this, Shen Qing stroked her belly, displaying a loving smile. This was truly astonishing, considering that just a few days ago, she had been pounding her belly, wishing this ‘bastard’ didn’t exist.

“Elder Sister, do you truly believe he’s your lifeline?” Shen Miao’s gaze fell lightly on Shen Qing’s slightly bulging abdomen, and she said softly: “Before, with His Majesty’s regard for the Hereditary Prince, this child would naturally have been protected. But now… I fear it will become your death warrant.”

“What do you mean?” Shen Qing didn’t understand what Shen Miao was saying, but from Shen Miao’s confident gaze, she suddenly felt afraid. She instinctively sensed that Shen Miao wasn’t deceiving her, but why would the child in her belly become her death warrant?

Shen Qing naturally didn’t know that certain rumors had circulated in the palace, reaching the emperor’s ears, and thus, some things had quietly changed. In the past, to preserve the Hereditary Prince’s bloodline, Emperor Wen Hui certainly wouldn’t have let Shen Qing die so early. But now, once seeds of doubt had been planted, an emperor’s cruelty knows no bounds. He would likely want to eliminate the root of the problem, sending Shen Qing and the “child of evil” in her belly to hell sooner rather than later.

Seeing Shen Miao smile without speaking, Shen Qing grew more anxious and shouted: “Shen Miao, I have no grudge against you! Why are you harming me like this?”

“No grudge?” Shen Miao seemed to have heard something amusing. She looked at Shen Qing: “Did you and your mother consider having no grudge when you plotted against me?”

“You…” Shen Qing felt deep resentment, looking at Shen Miao as if she were some terrifying person. She said: “You’ve harmed me. You will surely die a terrible death! Fortune’s wheel turns; someday, your first branch will also become homeless dogs, trampled by others. None of you will die well!” By the end, her voice had become shrill, as if this was the only way to hide her fear.

Amidst her curses, Shen Miao’s expression remained unchanged. She said softly: “The saying that fortune’s wheel turns is true, but waiting for heaven to turn it might be too difficult. In this world, success ultimately depends on human effort. Fortunately, nothing has been in vain.”

The “terrible death” Shen Qing spoke of, Shen Miao had already tasted in her previous life. By then, Luo Xueyan was already dead, Shen Qiu had drowned, and in the first branch of the Shen family, Shen Xin and all the servants were imprisoned. According to rumors from the eunuchs in the Cold Palace, Shen Xin was kept in the most horrifying prison, with iron chains piercing his shoulder blades to prevent escape, and a “prisoner” character branded on his cheek. For a general decision in battle, this was undoubtedly the most unacceptable. If physical torture could be endured, mental humiliation was what truly caused Shen Xin to suffer. And at that time, she was confined in the Cold Palace, watching Fu Ming fall from the position of Crown Prince, watching Madam Mei’s triumphant satisfaction.

Shen Qing had begun to lose her composure. She was young after all, having experienced little in life, and had always been spoiled by Ren Wanyun. Once a crisis occurred, her ability to cope was very low. She screamed: “Shen Miao, you’re not human! You will die terribly!”

Shen Miao looked at her quietly: “Shen Qing, how does it feel to watch your hopes be shattered one by one?”

Shen Qing stared at Shen Miao with hatred.

“When I was at the end of my rope, you pushed me further, so this time, I’ve come to give you a final push,” she smiled, yet there was not a hint of joy in her gaze. Her clear eyes rippled with tiny waves, like black clouds, heavily shrouding the other person.

Before her death in her previous life, what she saw was Shen Qing and Shen Yue standing behind Madam Mei, their faces beautiful and smiling. The first branch of the Shen family met a tragic end, with the second and third branches playing no small part. She had walked this arduous life again, intending to pull out the fangs of these yet-to-mature venomous snakes one by one, and then, torture them slowly.

Shen Qing didn’t understand her words, only gritting her teeth hatefully: “Shen Miao, you will die a terrible death…”

Shen Miao stood up, looking down at Shen Qing from above. That slightly youthful face, in the gloomy prison, displayed an unapproachable majesty and elegance. Within that majesty, there was also a hint of a dark storm, ultimately transforming into a cold smile at the corner of her lips.

The purple hem of her dress seemed to float before the prison cell, and as that figure gradually disappeared, the last words Shen Qing heard were…

Shen Miao said: “Shen Qing, you are the first.”

…

In the eastern courtyard of the Shen Manor, this day was exceptionally silent.

Shen Gui sat in his room, his face showing deep gloom. Today, he had indirectly learned from a palace eunuch that Shen Qing’s situation was truly difficult to resolve.

There seemed to be some issue between Emperor Wen Hui and the Hereditary Prince, and this problem was far more serious than court officials suspected. Now he was caught in a dilemma: if he intervened in Shen Qing’s matter, it might displease Emperor Wen Hui; if he didn’t, as rumors intensified, trouble would eventually find him first.

As he sighed repeatedly, Concubine Wan walked to his side, gently massaging his shoulders.

Shen Gui was lustful, with many concubines in his household. However, Ren Wanyun kept strict control, so these concubines ultimately failed to bear him any children. Even if some miraculously did, they quickly perished. This Concubine Wan, however, had managed to give birth to a daughter, Shen Dongling, right under Ren Wanyun’s nose, and had raised her well to this age, demonstrating her capability. Initially, household servants gossiped that if Concubine Wan had given birth to a son instead of a daughter, her status might have rivaled Ren Wanyun’s.

Both Concubine Wan and Old Madam Shen had been singing girls. Ren Wanyun looked down on her, and Old Madam Shen also found this background irritating. However, Concubine Wan had indeed been a famous performer, once a pillar of the opera troupe, charming and passionate. When she played the female lead, she was extraordinarily beautiful.

After giving birth to Shen Dongling, Concubine Wan had remained quietly in her small courtyard, seemingly vanishing from everyone’s sight. Similarly, the frail Shen Dongling rarely left the courtyard, appearing only during major festivals, normally almost forgotten. Now with Shen Qing in trouble, Old Madam Shen displeased, and Ren Wanyun and Shen Gui quarreling whenever they met, Concubine Wan had made a comeback. These days, she had been serving Shen Gui comfortably, making him increasingly disgusted with Ren Wanyun and her daughter.

“The master is still worried about the eldest miss’s affairs,” Concubine Wan massaged Shen Gui’s shoulders while advising: “Master, don’t worry too much. Since the eldest miss didn’t commit that deed, the truth will eventually come to light.”

“Ah,” Shen Gui sighed. “Whether she did it or not, this matter isn’t so simple. This time, Qing’er might implicate everyone.”

Hearing this, Concubine Wan said worriedly: “Although that’s the case, there’s still right and wrong in this world.” She said: “I and the third miss don’t matter much. As long as we follow the master, life or death doesn’t concern us. But the second young master’s career is just beginning, and there’s also the seventh young master, still so young. What if they’re implicated?”

Shen Gui’s expression shifted, feeling somewhat irritated. Though inherently selfish, greedy, and lustful, he had placed great hopes on his two sons. For some reason, in this generation of the Shen family, offspring were not abundant. Having two sons in his branch was a matter of extreme pride for Shen Gui. To him, daughters were merely items for exchanging benefits, but sons were treasures who would continue the family line.

Now, sacrificing his two sons for one daughter, Shen Qing, made Shen Gui feel stifled just thinking about it.

“I heard the lady is now running around for the eldest miss. Such is the love of parents. If only I weren’t so powerless, I would truly like to help somehow,” Concubine Wan continued.

“What help could you provide?” Upon hearing Concubine Wan mention Ren Wanyun, Shen Gui felt even more irritated. He said: “It was that mad woman who raised such a shameless good daughter, and now everyone is implicated. Nonsense!”

Concubine Wan seemed frightened, suddenly shrinking back, pausing the hands massaging his shoulders. After a moment, she softly said: “Master, please don’t blame the lady. With such a major incident, the lady is also suffering. If the eldest miss in prison were to become careless and do something irrational, how heartbroken would the lady be?”

Shen Gui impatiently said: “What could she do…” His voice suddenly halted as he slowly pondered: “Something irrational?”

Concubine Wan’s eyes flashed, but her voice remained concerned: “A young lady, newly married, only to encounter such an event, now imprisoned. The eldest miss has always been pampered. If she can’t bear it, it’s entirely possible. Someone should go and advise her not to do anything foolish.”

Shen Gui suddenly stood up, looking outside. The sun was about to set; winter days darkened particularly early. He said: “I’m going out for a while.”

“So late, where is the master going?” Concubine Wan asked.

“I have something to attend to. You eat dinner by yourself,” Shen Gui strode out.

After Shen Gui’s figure was no longer visible, Concubine Wan closed the door and sat down at the table. The dinner laid out was exquisite and varied. At a time when gloom pervaded the eastern courtyard, her food was exceptionally fine. But who knew what she had thought when, years ago, she ate moldy steamed buns and spoiled porridge, when Ren Wanyun had harmed her to the point that she couldn’t even gather enough silver for Shen Dongling’s medical treatment?

Fortune’s wheel turns; before it was her misfortune, now it was Ren Wanyun and her daughter’s turn to suffer. Ren Wanyun had caused her daughter to live cautiously as a concubine’s daughter for so many years, barely having the chance to leave the courtyard. Now Shen Qing was in prison, and her future would likely be even more miserable than Shen Dongling’s past.

“Go, call the third miss to dinner,” she instructed a maidservant, who acknowledged and left.

“Madam, will the master take action against the eldest miss?” another maidservant cautiously asked.

“Of course,” Concubine Wan smiled alluringly. “He certainly will.” Having been with Shen Gui for so many years, she understood his thoughts better than anyone. Her earlier reminder was deliberately meant to prompt Shen Gui. If Ren Wanyun were to learn that her daughter was ultimately dealt with by her husband, how satisfying that would be.

She ladled a spoonful of soup and slowly savored it.

At the same time, in Caiyun Courtyard, Shen Yuan donned a cloak and left the Shen Manor’s gate without informing anyone.