Chapter 122 I Can't Stand It

The handsome face of the prince, which was always known for its gentleness and generosity, was now so gloomy that it seemed as if water could drip out of it.

His cold gaze swept across the joyous people in the Shen Mansion like a sharp sword, and finally stopped on Xiao Jingren, who was wearing a bright red wedding dress.

The surrounding noise and drum music seemed to be strangled by an invisible hand and instantly became silent.

Everyone's eyes were focused on these two noble princes, and the air was filled with a tense atmosphere that was about to explode.

"The imperial edict has arrived—!"

The eunuch behind the prince sang loudly at the top of his lungs, and the sharp sound broke the eerie silence.

Crash——

All the guests in the hall, including everyone in the Shen residence, knelt on the ground, silent as a mouse.

"Long live the emperor."

The cheers of "Long live the emperor" were all trembling with an almost imperceptible tremor.

Xiao Jingren straightened his clothes and knelt down slowly in the center of the wedding hall.

He raised his head and met the frosty gaze of Crown Prince Xiao Jingyu, and even an almost invisible curve appeared at the corner of his lips.

There was no awe in those peach blossom eyes, only undisguised provocation.

The prince slowly unfolded the bright yellow scroll in his hand. His voice was cold and every word was clear, like cold beads falling on a jade plate, hitting everyone's heart.

"By the Will of Heaven, the Emperor decrees..."

The content of the imperial edict was nothing more than words of praise, praising the marriage between the third prince and the daughter of the Shen family, calling it a match made in heaven, and rewarding them with countless gold, silver and jewelry to demonstrate the emperor's great grace.

However, every word spoken by the prince sounded like a judgment and warning to Xiao Jingren.

"...I hope you and your wife will exercise self-discipline, uphold the proper etiquette, and observe filial piety. Do not let down the Empress Dowager and I, who have devoted our lives to you. I decree this."

The tone of the last sentence suddenly became heavier, carrying a powerful force that made people breathless.

The whole place was dead silent.

However, Xiao Jingren seemed not to understand the deeper meaning of this. He bent down and kowtowed.

"Son, I accept your order and thank you."

His voice was not loud, but it was loud enough for the people in the front row to hear clearly.

"Thank you, Father, for your grace. Thank you, Prince, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to attend my son's wedding."

The word "Prince Brother" was spoken lightly and slowly, but the smell of gunpowder contained in it almost exploded on the spot.

Xiao Jingyu put away the imperial edict expressionlessly and looked at him coldly.

"No need to be so polite, Third Brother."

"The ceremony is over—!"

The master of ceremonies observed the expressions of the people and shouted at the top of his voice, trying to bring the stagnant atmosphere back to the festive track.

Under the personal "witness" of Crown Prince Xiao Jingyu, this strange wedding was finally completed without any danger.

Chen He stood in the corner of the crowd, watching all this with cold eyes.

Her gaze passed through the crowd and fell on the bride, Shen Jiao.

There, another daughter of the Shen family, Shen Yan, was serving as a bridesmaid, carefully supporting Shen Jiao.

Chen Yan's face was as pale as paper, her lips were bloodless, and her eyes were a dark, indissoluble dark color. She looked like an eggplant hit by frost, so haggard that she almost lost her shape.

In the intervals between dealing with the guests, Shen He moved his feet calmly and walked slowly past Shen Yan.

The moment they passed each other, her eyes, like a cold arrow, shot accurately at Chen Yan, and then she raised her chin slightly in the direction of the back garden.

Shen Yan's body suddenly stiffened.

She quickly glanced around in fear, and seeing that no one was paying attention, she nodded almost imperceptibly, holding Chen Jiao's hand, her fingertips trembling uncontrollably.

The auspicious hour had passed and the bride was taken to the bridal chamber.

As a close-knit sister, Chen Yan naturally followed along.

After settling the impatient Shen Jiao on the marital bed and dealing with her in a gentle tone, Shen Yan finally found an excuse and retreated from the suffocating bridal chamber.

She didn't dare to stop for a moment. Holding up her skirt, she almost ran through the corridor and came to the secluded garden behind the Third Prince's Mansion.

Under the moonlight, a cold figure stood with his back to her in front of a bunch of blooming roses.

It’s Chen He.

"elder sister!"

With just one sound, Shen Yan's tears burst out like beads that had broken off the string.

She rushed over, grabbed Shen He's hand, her whole body trembling, and she cried inconsolably.

"Sister...I can't stand it anymore...I really can't stand it anymore!"

Chen He held her cold hand in his backhand, without saying a word, just listening quietly.

"She's a lunatic! She's a complete lunatic right now!"

Shen Yan's voice contained the fear and despair that had been suppressed for too long.

"His mood swings are unpredictable. One moment he's smiling, and the next he'll pour boiling tea directly on me because the tea I poured was a little too hot!"

She pulled up her sleeves, revealing a horrible red mark on her fair arm.

"She would hit and scold people at the slightest provocation. If the servants in the mansion did not do what she wanted, she would beat them half to death... Sister, I'm really scared..."

Shen Yan tightly grasped Shen He's hand, as if it was her only driftwood.

"How long do I have to endure this?"

"Sister, tell me, when will this day end?!"

Under the moonlight, Shen He's eyes fell on Shen Yan's hand that was holding his.

She did not answer immediately, but gently grasped it with her backhand and pulled Shen Yan's sleeve up again.

At just one glance, Shen He's pupils suddenly shrank.

Where is the intact skin and flesh on that slender arm?

In addition to the fresh burn, it was also covered with crisscrossing old scars.

Blue, purple, deep, light, half-moon shaped blood marks from fingernails, long and thin rafters that had been whipped by something, new wounds stacked on top of old ones, it was a shocking sight.

These wounds, like poisonous thorns, pierced into Chen He's heart.

In her previous life, she was only concerned with her own love and hatred, and never noticed how these sisters who also lived in the Shen Mansion and were also bullied by Shan Zhuyu and her daughter were living a life like hell.

Her heart felt like it was being gripped by an ice-cold hand, causing her to feel intense pain.

But her face still had that cold and calm look.

She raised her eyes and looked directly into Shen Yan's red eyes that were crying. She spoke every word in a low voice, but with unquestionable power.

"Before, our road was dark and we couldn't see the light, so we had to endure it."

"But it's different now."

Shen He stretched out his other hand and gently wiped away the tears on Shen Yan's cheek.

"Every moment of endurance now is for the future, when we can ruthlessly trample upon them, mother and daughter, along with all the pain they have inflicted on us!"

"I will remember every bit of suffering you've endured and every injury you've suffered."

"In the future, we will make them pay us back a thousandfold, a hundredfold!"

Her words, like thunder, exploded in Shen Yan's confused mind.

Chen Yan's crying gradually stopped.

She stared at Chen He blankly, and in her eyes, which were originally filled with despair, something seemed to be ignited, and gradually a cluster of faint but firm sparks lit up.

Yes, there was no hope before.

But now, she has a sister.

However, the spark only lit up for a moment before quickly dimming.

Her lips moved and fear returned to her eyes.

"But...sister..."