Chapter 17 I Really Want to Protect the Shen Family

"Dad, Ah Heng hates him very much now and doesn't want to see him for a moment." Shen Junheng curled his lips.

"If you don't want to see him, Dad will find a reason to let him return to the barracks." Shen Xiu said thoughtfully.

"But he bullied you?" Shen Junheng's stepmother Meng Zhaoniang asked with concern.

Shen Junheng smiled brightly: "Don't worry, mother. With the guards that father gave me, he can't bully Ah Heng."

"Ah Heng, if you are wronged, don't bear it yourself. Just let Xiaodie deliver the letter. The Shen family will always be your solid backing." Shen Congting said seriously.

"This matter was caused by me, so it is most appropriate for me to end it. Brother, don't worry, I will never show off my strength in the future." Shen Junheng said with a smile.

After all, it was no secret that the person Xiao Lingyu wanted to marry was her, so this was the most reasonable way to handle it.

She just wanted people to think that Xiao Lingyu would marry Shen Bizhu only because of emotional entanglement, and not to win over the Shen family.

In order to preserve her father's image as a loyal minister, she proposed to stage this farce with Shen Bizhu, so that her father could take advantage of the situation to cut off her marriage. Her father was in a high position and had many disciples. It was impossible for the emperor to have no suspicion of him. Therefore, no matter how many flaws this farce had, the important thing was to let everyone see her father's firm stance.

But in this way, Shen Bizhu will never be able to return to the Shen family in the future. Thinking of Shen Bizhu, everyone felt sad and a little guilty.

But then again, this was Shen Bizhu's own choice.

If His Majesty becomes wary of the Shen family's relationship with the Crown Prince, it will be very disadvantageous to both the Crown Prince and the Shen family.

No matter if something happens to the Shen family or the prince, she will inevitably be implicated. She cares about the prince and is willing to do anything to help him.

Shen Biju was not confused, so when Shen Junheng proposed to her the matter of breaking off the engagement some time ago, she quickly figured out the pros and cons and agreed to play along with him.

"Isn't it a bit too deliberate to break off the engagement just outside the mansion?" Chen Congting said.

"The purpose is to show people our Shen family's determination to sever ties with the Crown Prince. So what if it's a little deliberate?" Shen Junheng said with a smile, "If this kind of thing is done too perfectly, it will only arouse suspicion."

Chen Congting pondered for a moment, and his eyes lit up. He exclaimed in admiration: "I didn't expect Ah Heng to have such a delicate mind. I feel inferior to him."

Chen Xiu couldn't help but nod approvingly, feeling relieved and said, "Ah Heng has been very active since he was a child, and now he has become much more clear-headed and insightful."

"Ah, I would rather she remained as carefree as before. She has become so insightful, she must have suffered a lot of grievances and injuries." Unlike the approval of her father and son, Meng Zhaoniang's eyes were full of heartache.

Hearing this, Shen Junheng was deeply touched, and his eyes suddenly felt a little sore.

In her past life, she had endured so much cold stares, deception, and hurt that she couldn't even remember it herself. She only knew that she had long since cultivated a strong heart, and no matter how dire the situation, she would not shed a single tear.

She didn't understand why such a strong person like her would want to cry because of Meng Zhaoniang's words?

As soon as she came in, the Shen family's eyes fell on her. Seeing the scars on her face, they were extremely concerned. Meng Zhaoniang couldn't help but tear up.

Shen Junheng knew from the original owner's memories that the Shen family doted on her, but now that she experienced it firsthand, her heart still warmed. In her previous life, she grew up in an orphanage and had experienced many human emotions since childhood, but she had never felt the love of her family.

She always told herself that her destiny was in her own hands and she had to rely on herself for everything, but when she heard the Shen family tell her not to carry it all on her own and that the Shen family was her backing, a hard part of her heart seemed to be wrapped in a warm and thick layer of soft armor.

"It's just..." Chen Xiu hesitated to speak, and when he saw that the dishes were all served, he said, "Let's eat first."

Shen Junheng saw more than twenty dishes on the table, more than half of which were the original owner's favorites, and his heart was even more touched.

As soon as Shen Junheng picked up the chopsticks, they rushed to pick up food for her, and in the blink of an eye her bowl was filled with her favorite dishes.

"Aheng, what are you in a daze about? Are these dishes not to your taste? Ask the kitchen to make whatever you want to eat." Old Lady Shen asked kindly.

"These are all my favorite foods." Shen Junheng chuckled, "Today is a practice for brother, so I should prepare more of his favorite foods."

"He can always eat these dishes, but it's not easy for you to come back." Meng Zhaoniang said this with sadness, her eyes red again. Seeing this, Chen Xiu quickly put his hand on her shoulder and patted her gently.

Although the He and Shen residences were both in the capital, not far from each other, married women in the Tang Dynasty prioritized their husband's family and could not frequently return to their parents' home. When the original owner was alive, she was afraid of displeasing He Pingzhi, and she would not return to the Shen residence unless absolutely necessary. No wonder Meng Zhaoniang couldn't help but feel sad.

Shen Junheng said softly, "Mother, I will come back often in the future."

Shen Junheng sincerely wants to come back often and she really likes the Shen family.

As the saying goes, no egg can remain intact when the nest is overturned. Originally, Shen Junheng wanted to save the Shen family just to maintain her status as the legitimate daughter of the Minister of the Central Secretariat and have a chance to get away with it, but now she sincerely wants to protect the Shen family.

"Really? My dear granddaughter, don't lie to us!" Old Lady Shen smiled happily and held her hand tightly.

The family is happy and warm.

Only Chen Yaochai was forcing a smile, but she seemed to be worried.

Shen Xiu and Meng Zhaoniang were deeply in love and had never taken a concubine. Meng Zhaoniang only gave birth to Shen Congting and the original owner. Shen Bizhu and Shen Yaochai were both adopted daughters. When Shen Yaochai learned that the Shen family had severed ties with Shen Bizhu, she naturally felt sad and uneasy, and barely ate a bite of the food on the table.

Shen Junheng knew that she was uneasy, and in order to comfort her, after dinner, she asked Liu Xiaodie to bring up the gifts she had prepared for everyone, and everyone happily accepted them.

"Yao Chai, this is for you." Shen Junheng walked up to Shen Yao Chai, gently held her hand, and gently put a transparent jade bracelet on her wrist.

"Second sister..." Chen Yaochai immediately stood up and looked at Shen Junheng in surprise, seeming a little at a loss.

Seeing her uneasiness, Meng Zhaoniang said softly, "Your second sister gave it to you, just accept it."

"Thank you, Second Sister!" Chen Yaochai smiled knowingly and examined the bracelet carefully. The bracelet was a translucent emerald green, making her look even whiter and more elegant. In the Tang Dynasty, jadeite hadn't yet become mainstream jade. Chen Yaochai didn't think it was very valuable, but she thought it was very beautiful. After all, Second Sister had put it on her personally, so naturally she loved it.

"The bracelet in your hand and the one in mine are carved from the same piece of raw stone. Do you like it?" Shen Junheng raised his wrist and showed her the similar jade bracelet on her wrist.