Shen Ming'e sat listlessly on the balustrade under the eaves like a wooden statue. Hearing the noise, she looked in the direction of the sound and tears welled up in her eyes.

"Ninth Sister!"

Overwhelmed with emotion, she momentarily forgot all manners and rushed over, grabbing Shen Mingzhuang's sleeve and bursting into tears.

Shen Mingzhuang instructed the female doctor who had come with him from the other courtyard: "Go, do your best to ensure the safety of both mother and child."

The woman, having come from the palace, was somewhat aware of the importance of this Consort Ming. Upon hearing this, she nodded repeatedly and quickly entered the room under the astonished gazes of the First Madam and the others.

Shen Ming'e held Shen Mingzhuang's hand, too grateful to speak. "Don't worry, so many people couldn't come. The female doctor and the midwife are both focused on taking care of Aunt Liu. I'm sure nothing will happen."

Actually, she felt quite sorry for Shen Ming'e. Her only support was Aunt Liu. If Aunt Liu was favored, she would naturally receive more favor as well. But what if Aunt Liu was not favored? Then she would just be an unwanted concubine's daughter.

Shen Shuchun liked Aunt Liu because of her gentleness, kindness, and understanding. As a result, Aunt Liu could say a few words to Shen Shuchun, which would give Shen Ming'e a better chance of getting married. However, if Aunt Liu died, Shen Ming'e's life and death would be completely in Lin Shi's hands.

But unexpectedly, the Lin family dug their own grave this time.

She liked Shen Ming'e quite a bit. She used to think that although Lin Shi was petty, she had never done anything truly heinous. But now Lin Shi had actually committed murder for money. This was truly her own fault!

"Third Madam!" A servant's voice rang out from outside the courtyard. Zhao's attendant, Granny An, immediately went out and saw Lin Shi struggling with the servant at the door. The way they were doing it was simply indecent!

"Third Madam, you've arrived just in time! First Madam has been waiting for you!"

Lin strode in, her imposing manner suggesting she had come to demand an explanation.

Zhao was annoyed by Lin's mercenary manner. If she were the old lady, she would have separated the third branch of the family long ago for the sake of the future of the eldest and second masters. Now, these lowly women have dragged down the family's children as well.

"Third sister-in-law, I must say you've really lost your mind. No matter what, Liu is carrying Third Master's child. You're in such a hurry to take the lives of Liu and her child. Aren't you afraid that Third Master will divorce you for being jealous?"

Zhao was determined not to engage in any more superficial pleasantries with Lin. Since she had decided to sever ties with Lin, she was ready to say the unpleasant things upfront and not worry about anyone's feelings.

"I don't like hearing what you're saying, sister-in-law. What do you mean I'm murdering for money, and that Third Master wants to divorce me because of this?" Lin looked around and was slightly surprised when she saw Shen Mingzhuang. She hadn't expected that Aunt Liu giving birth would attract Shen Mingzhuang.

"Sister-in-law, you should give me an explanation. We are both daughters-in-law of the Shen family. Your family is powerful, and mine isn't bad either. How can you humiliate me like this?"

Upon seeing Lin, Shen Ming'e immediately clenched her fists tightly. "That wicked woman, Lin, why doesn't she just die!"

Shen Mingzhuang knew that she must hate Lin Shi to death right now, but acting recklessly was not a wise move. After all, if you blindly rush in, you might just be playing right into her hands.

"Don't worry, it won't do any good even if you rush over and beat her up."

Shen Ming'e pursed her lips, but her heaving chest betrayed her emotions.

Zhao was shocked that Lin would turn the tables and demand an explanation from her. If her son's marriage fell through, where would she go to seek justice? How dare Lin use the Lin family to pressure her? Did she think that just because the Lin family married a princess, they could enjoy wealth and luxury?

"Stop trying to fool me. Aunt Liu is still struggling to survive inside. If anything happens to her, you won't be able to get away with this. Third Master will be back soon. You'd better go and explain to him!"

Hearing her husband's name, Lin felt a little fear.

Shen Shuchun... Shen Shuchun and she are already husband and wife in name only. If Zhao adds fuel to the fire in front of Shen Shuchun, how can she expect to get away with it?

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she immediately took out her handkerchief and began to wipe away her tears. "Oh, why is my life so miserable? If you have any complaints about me, please just say so, and I will definitely change..."

Zhao felt a pain in her eyes as she looked at it. Before she could say anything, she heard Shen Shuchun's voice coming back from outside.

"What exactly happened?" Shen Shuchun strode in like a shooting star. Looking at the people in the courtyard, he became even more anxious, as if adding fuel to the fire. Lin Shi was trying to gain some sympathy from Zhao Shi, but who knew that Shen Shuchun would return so quickly.

Lin was afraid that Zhao would say something unpleasant, so she clutched her handkerchief and glared at Zhao, pleading in a low voice, "I beg you, sister-in-law, to have pity on me. I have no choice. If this happened in your own home, would you really tolerate it?"

Hearing her pleading words, Zhao's lips curled into a mocking smile.

She thinks Liu is bad? But she doesn't seem to realize that every time Third Master goes out, Liu is always there to take care of him. When Third Master was once sent to Yunjiang, she immediately backed out as soon as she heard that Yunjiang was full of poisonous insects and wild beasts, saying that she couldn't leave the house unattended.

It's as if the family can't function without her. Her high-sounding excuse is just that she doesn't want to suffer in Yunjiang with Third Master. Now she's complaining about Aunt Liu. To be honest, she thinks Aunt Liu has some courage and spirit. Compared to this Lin, she is undoubtedly the better one!

Lin stepped forward and grabbed Zhao's wrist tightly, using all her strength. Zhao frowned as she did so. Zhao ruthlessly brushed Lin's hand away. Lin hurriedly said, "Five thousand taels!"

Zhao's eyes flickered slightly, but thinking that five thousand taels might bring her even greater harm, she finally hardened her heart and pushed her hand away.

Zhao looked at Shen Shuchun and said bluntly, "Uncle, I want to have a good talk with you about what happened today." She didn't even glance at Lin and said in a deep voice, "Today, neither your second sister-in-law nor I were in the mansion. When Liu had her attack, the servants should have gone to find Lin and you. But unexpectedly, Ming'e came to the Shen family to find me and said that Liu was dying and asked me to come back to uphold justice. When I came back, I saw that Biyue Tower had been taken over by someone."

Zhao spoke through gritted teeth, unable to quell her anger: "You know that Mother is unwell and has not been seen for many days. As the eldest sister-in-law, I shouldn't be interfering in my brother-in-law's affairs, but Lin's behavior is truly despicable. Now that the young masters and ladies in the mansion are all getting married, she is making such a fuss, completely disregarding the relationship between our two branches."