Some people will never realize their mistakes, like Shen Chang, who couldn't see his own bias towards the Fang family mother and daughter, and his exploitation and scheming against his legal wife.

It wasn't until the formerly virtuous and magnanimous Madam Shen could no longer tolerate it that he surprisingly rebuked her:

How did she change? She's made it through so many years, how come she can't make it now?

He even considered the possibility that Madam Shen had changed her mind, but he never considered that it was his own problem, because in his view those things were insignificant.

Shen Ci frowned, her tone disapproving: "Mother, how can you speak to Father like that? Over the years, Father has never mistreated you! How could it come to this point where both sides suffer?"

Shen Chang glanced at him with some surprise, but felt a little relieved.

He originally thought Shen Ci would side with the Xie family, but he didn't expect him to speak up for him. It seems that raising this son was worthwhile!

Madam Shen seemed incredulous and looked at Shen Ci with considerable disappointment: "Fine, so you're the real family and I'm just an outsider. In that case, what's the point of me staying?"

She abruptly turned and left, her figure quickly disappearing through the doorway.

Shen Tangning frowned and gave Shen Ci a look: "I'll go and persuade Mother."

After she left, Shen Chang's eyes flickered slightly, and he probed in a nonchalant tone: "Aci, you saw it too. It was your mother who insisted on the divorce. She was so heartless, and she didn't care about you and your sister at all. Your father couldn't do anything about it!"

He had always been strict with Shen Ci; when had he ever spoken to her in such a gentle tone?

With a forced smile, Shen Ci said coldly, as if he were angry, "Since Mother is so heartless, there's no need for us to beg her to stay. Father can just sign the divorce papers. She'll have her reasons for regretting it later!"

Shen Chang hesitated slightly, then sighed helplessly: "But she is still your mother after all. She has worked hard for the Shen family for so many years. Even if she has not made any great contributions, she has certainly put in a lot of effort. How can you expect me to be heartless?"

“She used to patiently teach and take care of me, she was my mother! But she even threatened my father with harsh words in order to get a divorce, how could she treat us like family?” Shen Ci pursed his lips, his expression suppressing his anger. “My mother never considered us, so why should my father consider her?”

Shen Chang studied his expression, his eyes thoughtful, and patted him on the shoulder with a smile: "You're right, I'll think about it some more."

...

"Aci said those things to appease Father, Mother didn't take it to heart, right?"

Back in her room, Shen Tangning sat down next to Madam Shen.

“He did it for me, why should I argue with him?” The latter frowned, his expression somewhat grave. “It’s just that your father has always been shrewd and calculating, taking things one step at a time, and I’m afraid he won’t give in easily.”

“He had no choice but to give in.” Shen Tangning said calmly, with a hint of sarcasm in her tone. “Divorce wouldn’t do Father any harm, as long as it doesn’t damage his reputation. Why wouldn’t he be happy to do it?”

She paused, then continued, "Besides, isn't there the Empress? Although my aunt has relinquished power, His Majesty won't refuse her on such a trivial matter."

Madam Shen's expression calmed down slightly. She took her hand and looked wistfully at her: "Mother, you're so old, yet you still acted willfully once. Will you and Aci resent me?"

Parents divorcing is never a good thing for their children's reputation, especially since Aci is not yet married, which she is always worried about.

“No matter what age, everyone has the right to live for themselves.” Shen Tangning raised her eyelashes and stared directly into her eyes. “If my mother were to be depressed and trapped in this exquisite cage for the rest of her life because of us, then I would blame myself.”

Wasn't it different in my past life?

Aci passed away unexpectedly, and her remains were never found. Her mother was devastated and fell seriously ill. In her final moments, her eyes held regret, pain, and resentment...