Chapter 17 The eldest son cut off his finger

On the way back to the Duke's mansion, Lin Shutang leaned against the car window and closed his eyes, pretending to doze off to avoid Shen Zhixi's possible nagging.

Shen Zhixi is always very talkative, especially since she just had a long sleep and is now full of energy.

Seeing Lin Shutang's somewhat tired appearance, he considerately refrained from saying anything more.

After all, she had fallen asleep in front of Lin Shutang while eating, which was quite embarrassing.

The carriage suddenly became unusually quiet.

This gave Lin Shutang enough time to sort out his chaotic and uneasy thoughts.

Song Ying told her that he had already figured out a way to send her away from Yujing, or rather, to send Shen Yun away...

Lin Shutang didn't quite understand the second half of his sentence. What did he mean by sending Shen Yun away?

Where should we send Shen Yun?

Even if he is sent to a distant place, as his wife, she would naturally have to leave with Shen Yun, right?

But Song Ying said no more.

He only told Lin Shutang that with that white jade seal, she could go to any silk shop in Yujing City to find him.

Those all belong to the Third Prince.

He will arrange everything.

Leaving Shenyun, leaving Yujing...

The wish she almost dared not think about again was presented to her by fate once again with a slim chance.

Lin Shutang admitted that she was somewhat tempted.

Why would she give up an easy opportunity to leave?

Why does she have to be the one to compromise between her and Shen Jun?

-

Inside the duty room at the Imperial Training Ground.

Shen Yun lowered her eyes and stared at the black and white notes on the table, all of which were about everything that happened today when Lin Shutang left the mansion.

He reported every detail of who he met, what he said, and what he did.

The lady's horse was startled by the Sixth Prince, but it was stabilized by their men. Later, it was escorted to the Silver Jade Pavilion by Song Ying.

Shen Yun's gaze swept across the letter inch by inch, and Lin Shutang's image leaped off the page, as if she could already hear her resentful voice in her ears.

"Since the princess liked Shen Yun, why didn't she try to win him over back then?"

"Since you are a princess, why not just ask the emperor for permission to marry you to Shen Yun?"

"Great! I couldn't be happier."

—“…”

Shen Yun gripped the edge of the letter tightly with her fingertips, her face ashen and her emotions unreadable.

Yet, a chilling aura emanated from him, silently spreading throughout the duty room.

Yingxiao shivered, not daring to speak again, and could only hold her breath and stand quietly to the side.

After a long while, Shen Yun folded the letter and threw it into the brazier. The flames suddenly rose, and the letter was completely consumed by the flames amidst crackling sounds.

His face was unreadable, with only half of it hidden behind the flickering firelight, giving him a somewhat eerie appearance.

"Did you get the answer?" Shen Yun asked, bringing up something else.

He picked up a handkerchief to wipe the ink stains from the side of his hand, his eyelids drooping as he suppressed the irritation that flashed in his eyes.

Yingxiao shook his head. "This person is very stubborn; there's no way to pry him open."

"Then there's no need to worry about it anymore. Gag him and cut off his fingers."

Shen Yun slowly ran her handkerchief along her long, slender fingers, her voice cold and distant, "Ten fingers aren't enough, there are toes too. I have time to slowly wear him down over the next twenty days."

"yes."

-

Even after returning to Jingyuan Residence, Lin Shutang was still somewhat disoriented.

From accepting to stay by Shen Jun's side to wavering and wanting to leave him, it only took one short night.

Over the past few years, she had actually planned to escape quite a few times, but without exception, she was always caught and brought back by Shen Jun.

Now that she had finally convinced herself to accept it, Senior Brother Song Ying had returned and wanted to take her away.

Lin Shutang didn't know if fate was playing tricks on her.

Just when she thought she had reached a dead end, she was given new hope.

But after all these years of struggle, Lin Shutang no longer has the courage and belief he once had to fight for even the slightest possibility.

She knew Shen Yun too well, and she was also terrified of him.

She fears that if the outcome is still the same, she might not have the strength to pick up the pieces and rebuild herself.

Isn't the peaceful life we ​​have now quite good?

Lin Shutang sat by the stained-glass window, her hands resting on the windowsill, her chin on the back of her hands, tilting her head to look at the grove of crabapple trees in full bloom in the courtyard.

In early spring, the temperature is still a bit low, and it's not the season when crabapple blossoms are in full bloom.

But no one knows where Shen Yun found the rare variety, and he also sent the best gardeners in the palace to take care of it. Various varieties of crabapple trees in Jingyuan Residence stretched out in a continuous expanse, blooming from January to July.

At this moment, the courtyard is filled with fallen crimson petals, a blend of pink and green. The servants' clothes flutter in the breeze, and the bright warm sun shines down, while a gentle breeze blows, scattering dappled gold dust.

Lin Shutang stared blankly at the crabapple trees, her vision gradually blurring into pink, gold, and green, blending into a phantom.

In the distance, another apricot-shaped figure came into view, flashing past the latticed window.

Lin Shutang didn't pay much attention; her vision was still blurry, and she hadn't come to her senses.

Then a female voice rang in her ears, "Madam, the old lady requests your presence at Crane Garden."

Lin Shutang turned her head. The maid in front of her was a little unfamiliar. She had just been promoted to a second-class maid in Jingyuan Residence today, and her name was Lüwu.

Perhaps it was because of the drug from yesterday, but Qingdai felt unwell after returning. This morning she switched shifts with someone else and is resting in the servants' room.

Therefore, the person in front of me temporarily took over Qingdai's duty.

"Is Qingdai feeling any better?" Lin Shutang stood up. "If she's still not feeling well, then call the physician from the manor."

Lin Shutang felt a little guilty.

Green Willow lowered her head and stepped forward to smooth the disheveled shawl on Lin Shutang's arm. Upon hearing this, she seemed to pause for a moment before whispering, "Sister Qingdai... is feeling a bit better than yesterday. I'll go and check on her again later."

"Okay." Lin Shutang rolled up his sleeves. "Let's go."

Inside the Crane Garden.

Lin Shutang thought that the old lady had only summoned him, and guessed that she was asking about the household accounts.

Unexpectedly, upon entering Heyuan Garden, they saw that almost all the members of the three branches of the Duke's mansion had arrived.

This is not the time for morning and evening greetings; such a scene must mean something important has happened.

As expected, when the old lady saw her arrive, she smiled and invited her in, saying, "Changqing just sent a letter saying that Yan'er is coming back."

"Shutang probably hasn't met Yan'er yet. He only came back from Jizhou once, on the day you and Yun'er got married, and then returned to Jizhou the next day."

Yan'er?

...Shen Xiuyan?

"The eldest son has been guarding the border for the past few years, which has been very hard on him. Fortunately, His Majesty has taken pity on him and has now granted him permission to return to the capital and promoted him. This is truly a good thing, and Mother can finally rest assured."

Third Madam Chen spoke first, offering her congratulations with a smile.

The old lady, unusually, smiled and nodded, her cloudy eyes fixed on the gate outside the courtyard, her expectation unspoken.

As expected, it was the eldest son, Shen Xiuyan.

Lin Shutang had heard some rumors about this person.

He was the eldest son of the Duke, and his birth mother was a laundry maid in the mansion.

It is said that the Duke was drunk one year, and this maid climbed into his bed, which is how Shen Xiuyan was born.

Therefore, although he held the title of the eldest son, Shen Xiuyan's position in the Duke's mansion was extremely awkward.

Even at the beginning, the old lady did not like this eldest grandson.

Perhaps it is because the old lady is getting old now that she has begun to hope that her children and grandchildren can be around her, so she can put on a kind and benevolent appearance.

Not to mention, this Shen Xiuyan is also a capable person who has made some achievements in Jizhou.

Now that the Emperor has personally ordered him to return to the capital, wouldn't that be a moment of triumph and a source of great pride for his family?

The atmosphere inside was harmonious and pleasant, with people chatting in their rooms, marveling at how quickly time flies.

Back then, the eldest son said he was going to the border to gain experience. I thought he wouldn't be able to endure the hardship, but I never expected that he would stay in that harsh and cold place for so many years.

The more the old lady listened, the more uncomfortable she felt. A wave of bitterness rose from her chest, and her eyes reddened slightly.

We really mistreated this child back then.

While they were chatting, the voices of servants came from outside the courtyard, announcing that the eldest young master had returned.

Lin Shutang helped the old lady to her feet and looked over there. The man, dressed in a sharp, dark blue outfit, wore a silver crown and had a deep, resolute expression. His eyes did indeed bear a resemblance to the Duke of Dingguo.

However, the man's lips softened, which dispelled the stiffness, and the smile that appeared at that moment made him seem even more approachable.

Shen Xiuyan entered the main hall, greeted the old lady and each of the households in turn, and was very courteous. His voice was clear and melodious, and he spoke fluently, without being tainted by the debauchery of those soldiers from the border.

This made the women, who were initially a bit reserved, relax.

When he met Lin Shutang's eyes, the smile in Shen Xiuyan's eyes seemed to spread even wider.

"Greetings, Lady Heir."

He clasped his hands together and bowed deeply to Lin Shutang.

Shen Xiuyan and Shen Yun did not have a good relationship. Moreover, Shen Yun was still a prince. Shen Xiuyan was tactful and would not be so ignorant as to call her "brother and sister-in-law" directly.

Lin Shutang was somewhat at a loss for words due to such a solemn bow.

She knew that Shen Xiuyan was doing it on purpose.

Lin Shutang didn't miss the mockery in his eyes just now.

Contrary to what the old lady said, Lin Shutang had actually met Shen Xiuyan.

But unexpectedly, he turned out to be Shen Xiuyan!

Back when Lin Shutang was in the villa, a fire suddenly broke out in the north of Yujing City one day. It seemed that the people of Xiyue were colluding with them from the inside and outside, opening the city gates and rushing to the palace tower.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Lin Shutang escaped, but halfway there, in his panic, he hid in Shen Xiuyan's carriage.

At the time, Lin Shutang thought he was a good person and believed him when he said he would send her out of the city.

The carriage sped along, and Lin Shutang's heart pounded.

She thought she had escaped and that once the carriage stopped, she would see beautiful mountains and clear waters, and wide roads leading out of the capital city.

But to her surprise, when she lifted the carriage curtain, she saw Shen Yun's gloomy face.

The silver sword in his hand was still dripping with bright red blood.

—He delivered himself to Shen Yun.

"Young Master." Lin Shutang snapped out of her thoughts and nodded slightly to him.

A note from the author:

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Finally, we get to see Prince Shen! [cat emoji] Every time he appears, it's either about cracking down on prostitution or wreaking havoc. [glasses emoji]