Lu Jin was in no better shape; his fingers, which were sewing sachets, were already covered in wounds from the needles, and blood was seeping out.

He looked up at the outside of the courtyard and could vaguely see the direction of the manor's main residence.

The air was filled with the aroma of food, the delicious flavors of a banquet at the Shen family's house.

It was a smell he now found even luxurious. "Stop shouting, it's no use."

His voice was hoarse, filled with deep despair, "Shen Qingtang now is not someone we can afford to mess with."

But before he could finish speaking, a spirit servant glanced at him coldly and slammed the ruler on the table with a "thud": "Enough nonsense! If you don't finish these chores before dark, don't even think about eating tonight!"

The two were so frightened that they immediately shut their mouths, and could only bury their heads and mechanically repeat the work under the watchful eye of the spirit servant. Their eyes were full of resentment and bitterness, but they did not even have the courage to resist.

Meanwhile, the festive atmosphere in the Shen family remained undiminished. After Shen Mingzhao and Su Lingwei got married, Shen Qingtang specially set aside a separate courtyard on the east side of the manor.

The courtyard features pavilions and towers, as well as a private kitchenette and garden, resembling an exquisite little villa.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the main house, this place is quiet and private, making it perfect for newlyweds.

Shen's parents would visit the two of them every day.

Seeing her second son and daughter-in-law playing music in harmony, the smile on her face never faded.

"Now that our second son is married, we can finally relax." Mother Shen held Su Lingwei's hand, beaming from ear to ear. "Lingwei, from now on, treat this place as your own home. If you need anything, just let us know."

Su Lingwei nodded obediently, "Thank you, Mom and Dad, I understand."

Shen Mingzhao, standing to the side, smiled and echoed, "Don't worry, Mom and Dad, I will take good care of Lingwei." The family was filled with joy, and even the air was filled with happiness.

Meanwhile, the Su family members, who were turned away, were secretly plotting something sinister.

Su Lingyu looked at Shen Mingzhao and Su Lingwei's courtyard with jealousy in her eyes.

She was unwilling to accept that Su Lingwei could marry so well, and even more unwilling to watch others enjoy their success.

After much thought, she began to emulate Pei Yurou and start plotting how to seduce Shen Mingzhao.

"Why should Su Lingwei be able to marry Shen Mingzhao? In terms of looks, I'm no less attractive than her. In terms of status, I'm also a young lady of the Su family!"

Hiding in her room, Su Lingyu scrutinized herself in the mirror, a glint of malice flashing in her eyes. "Pei Yurou failed, but that doesn't mean I will. As long as I can seduce Shen Mingzhao, I can replace Su Lingwei and become the second young mistress of the Shen family! Then, let's see who dares to look down on me!"

She began to secretly inquire about Shen Mingzhao's whereabouts, and dressed up in a flamboyant manner, just like Pei Yurou, hoping to "bump into" Shen Mingzhao on the road he passed by.

What she didn't know was that Shen Qingtang had already anticipated the Su family's restlessness and had arranged for people to keep an eye on their movements. These were her little schemes.

The spirit servants had already reported everything to Shen Qingtang.

They were just waiting for her to walk right into their trap and suffer the same fate as Pei Yurou.

Shen Mingzhao and Su Lingwei were living a blissful married life, with Shen Mingzhao taking great care of Su Lingwei.

Every morning, he would personally go to the kitchen to cook lotus seed soup, which Su Lingwei loved.

Before going out to manage the business, he would always carefully remind her to take a rest.

I returned in the evening.

Bring a fresh flower or her favorite snack.

Even when Shen's parents saw this, they couldn't help but tease their second son, saying, "He's forgotten his mother now that he's married."

But his eyes were full of satisfaction.

Shen Mingzhao respected Su Lingwei's ideas and never let her do anything that would make her feel wronged.

They would discuss all matters, big and small, with her. This respect and affection was a warmth that Su Lingwei had never received in the Su family.

All of this was witnessed by Su Lingyu, who was hiding in the shadows. Jealousy clung to her heart like a poisonous vine, almost driving her mad.

She recalled her days in the Su family.

Despite being the legitimate daughter, Su Lingwei lived like a servant, and her grandfather never gave her a kind look.

Her cousins ​​ostracized her at every turn. She didn't even have a decent set of clothes and could only wear faded old clothes. She buried herself in the ledgers all day, managing the Su family's business, but she didn't get any credit. All the benefits were taken by her cousins ​​and herself.

But what about now? Su Lingwei married Shen Mingzhao and moved into a beautiful little courtyard.

She became the rightful second young mistress of the Shen family.

Shen's parents doted on her like their own daughter, and Shen Mingzhao listened to her every word.

Even those who used to look down on her now treat her with utmost respect.

Why? Why is Su Lingwei able to climb out of the mud and live such a good life, while I can only watch and don't even have the right to approach the Shen family's gate!

Su Lingyu clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms, her eyes churning with intense malice and resentment.

She watched Shen Mingzhao and Su Lingwei standing side by side in the courtyard, talking.

Seeing the happy smile on Su Lingwei's face, he was so jealous that he trembled all over and his teeth were grinding together.

"Su Lingwei, you don't deserve me!" she screamed in her heart. "Those good days should have been mine! A good man like Shen Mingzhao should have been mine too! I will drag you down from your cloud nine and make you go back to the way you were before, when everyone bullied you!"

Jealousy completely clouded her judgment, and she could no longer resist, so she began to carry out her plan.