Wei Changgeng handed over the items, thinking that losing the opportunity to become the Imperial Censor was his greatest calamity, but little did he know that he had more than one enemy.

How could his competitors let go of this opportunity to kick him while he was down?

Another censor submitted a memorial that brought the matter to the emperor's attention.

The accusations against Wei Changgeng included his lax family management, embezzlement of his daughter-in-law's dowry, and improper family conduct, deeming him unfit to serve as an imperial censor.

After reading the memorial and understanding what had happened, the emperor was furious and ordered Wei Changgeng to be flogged twenty times, dismissed from office, and stripped of all his power, becoming a commoner.

Even if Shen Ning doesn't need to keep a close watch on things, someone will still tell her about the Wei family.

If he were to receive twenty strokes of the cane, Wei Changgeng would likely be crippled and dismissed from his post, meaning the Wei family would be unable to recover for some time.

Shen Ning was satisfied with this result. Wei Changgeng was not a good person to begin with; he was full of scheming and greed. Shen Ning would not keep him around to support Wei Congwen.

Without a father who was a third-rank censor, and without a childhood sweetheart who was willing to sacrifice herself for his future, she wanted to see how far Wei Congwen could go this time.

"Miss, Miss, good news, great news!"

Yu Zhu excitedly ran in, prompting Shen Ning to quickly get up and hold her down.

"You're the one who should stop jumping. Doesn't your head hurt?"

Yu Zhu was extremely excited, feeling no pain at all, her eyes filled with schadenfreude: "Miss, I heard that Wei Congwen was hit by a wine pot and fell into the river last night, and he became mentally impaired after being rescued."

Shen Ning: "Huh?"

"Really?"

Yu Zhu nodded vigorously: "It's true, absolutely true. Several doctors have examined him. He's awake, but he doesn't speak, move, eat, or drink. He just keeps his eyes open, like a zombie. They say he's been possessed by a water ghost."

Shen Ning raised an eyebrow. This was indeed somewhat unexpected, but whether he was stunned by the beating or simply couldn't accept the blow was debatable.

The Wei family is temporarily ruined, and Shen Shu is also moving things today; she's moving from the Liang family's residence to the estate.

Shen Ning didn't know why Shen Shu decided to stay at the manor, but she could feel that the trajectory of fate had begun to move again.

In her previous life, Shen Shu was taken back by Shen Ning after a miscarriage and sent to the manor to recuperate. There, she rekindled her relationship with Han Yin. Later, under the guise of true love, she entered the Han family without any official status.

This life started off in disarray because of Shen Ning's interference, but now it seems to be back on track. What does this mean?

Is destiny unchangeable?

ridiculous!

Lady Wei was busy taking care of her husband who had been beaten with a cane, and she also had to go around praying to gods and Buddhas to exorcise evil spirits for her son.

Shen Shu was busy flirting with Han Yin, and the two were inseparable.

Shen Ning didn't want to know the details of their affair, but unfortunately, the estate was full of her people.

Men might be more polite to the delicate and beautiful Shen Shu, but few women could stand her behavior.

It's utterly shameful to have an affair with someone on your own estate right after a divorce.

While delivering things to Shen Ning, messages also arrived one after another, and the content of these messages was quite explosive.

It is said that the two enjoyed playing all sorts of games, having fun in attics, tea rooms, kitchens, pavilions, and all kinds of places. Although it was a manor where tenant farmers gathered, they treated it as if it were a deserted place.

Several times I saw Shen Shu appear at the edge of the railing with her clothes disheveled, her face full of seductive charm, she was even more wanton than the girls in the brothels.

Shen Ning: "......"

In her past life, she was forced to listen to the love entanglements between Shen Shu and three men, and to witness firsthand the deep affection between Shen Shu and Han Yin.

She thought she could escape this life, but it turned out to be a sublimation; this time, she even knew the posture.

She didn't want to know, but these people's desire to talk was just too strong.

Why would she, a virgin who is still unmarried, listen to this?

Shen Ning could only refuse all the visitors who came to see her from the manor. Out of sight, out of mind; if she listened any longer, her ears would get dirty.

-----

There were many banquets before the New Year, and Shen Ning also received many invitations.

The invitation from the Prime Minister's residence was sent to her by Princess Chang Le. Her original words were: "If you want to take this opportunity to get to know those noble ladies, then come. If you don't want to, then don't come."

She wanted to help Shen Ning by providing a ladder, but she didn't want to force Shen Ning to suffer.

The main reason is that she is not like the Prince Qi's mansion in the Luo family. If she were the princess of the Prince Qi's mansion, she would naturally be able to protect Shen Ning. But now she is the young mistress of the Luo family, and she cannot act as she used to.

Shen Ning thanked him, and then did not leave.

The Shen family's business is doing well now, and the period around the Lunar New Year is the peak season. Even those expensive jewelry pieces, as long as they are beautiful and novel, will find plenty of buyers.

For the time being, there's no need for her, the big boss, to go out and attract customers.

Of course, the most important thing is that she is very afraid of the cold now, and with snow just around the corner, she doesn't want to move at all.

However, when an invitation adorned with gold foil and phoenix feathers was delivered to Shen Ning, it still startled her so much that she almost jumped up.

"A letter from the Empress?"

The Empress sent a letter inviting her to the palace.

Shen Ning did not believe that her status was sufficient to warrant the Empress sending her an invitation, so the reason lay with Qin Zhuo.

She accepted it and immediately had it delivered to Qin Zhuo.

Since it all started because of him, we should listen to his opinion on this matter; otherwise, she wouldn't know what to say when she went to the Empress.

She doesn't do things she's not sure about.

Soon, Qin Zhuo sent someone over, and it was the familiar Green Plum: "Young Master has taken the invitation. He will help you refuse. From now on, all the Empress's invitations will be sent to the Qin residence. You don't need to worry about them, Miss."

Shen Ning: "......"

We should ignore the Empress? Are you sure?

Seeing Shen Ning's unease, Green Plum smiled and said, "Don't worry, Miss. The Empress Dowager loves the young master the most. Once the young master speaks up, the Empress Dowager probably won't bother you again. Rest assured."

Shen Ning was finally relieved, knowing that Qin Zhuo would still do what he promised.

After finishing their business, Green Plum inquired about Shen Ning's health: "How is Miss's health being taken care of?"

Shen Ning: "I'm much better now. I'm just a little weak in qi and blood, but it's nothing serious."

The shoulder wound was so deep that the bone was visible, and it should have left some aftereffects after healing. However, Shen Ning did not experience any major discomfort. When Doctor Chen examined Shen Ning, he asserted that she must have used an excellent life-saving medicine, otherwise she could not have recovered to this state so quickly.

So it's still because of Qin Zhuo.

Green Plum also hoped that Shen Ning was well, and seeing that she was indeed alright, she was relieved.

"Ziyan wanted to come too, but I snatched her away. She asked me to convey her gratitude for the gift."

After Shen Ning returned and finished dealing with the matter, she had someone send the two carefully selected gifts. They weren't very expensive, but rather beaded jewelry that girls would like, as well as some good quality fabrics.

It's not expensive, but it's just right to give to the two maids.

Shen Ning looked at the pearl hairpin that Lü Mei was wearing, and smiled gently, "I'm glad you like it."