Chapter 19 Shen Chuchu is the real culprit
Song Zhixian: "It's been three years, and you're only saying this now? It's utterly ridiculous."
In an instant, all of Shen Shuangyu's strength was drained away.
After learning the truth, she longed to speak out about her grievances.
But she was also intelligent and naturally understood that no one would believe her.
Just as Song Zhixian said, if he knew he had been framed and plotted against, why did he remain silent when the incident occurred?
If we bring it up again now, it will sound like mere sophistry to anyone, because there is no evidence.
But in the end, she couldn't resist and did something futile.
Song Zhixian looked at Shen Shuangyu with displeasure, but gradually became dazed.
Across the table, Shen Shuangyu's frail body trembled slightly. She bit her lower lip, and her originally pink lips lost their color, turning slightly white under the pressure of her teeth, as if she was trying to suppress the surging waves of sorrow in her heart.
Her eyes drooped at the corners, and her eyelashes trembled slightly. Deep lines furrowed between her brows, like an unhealable chasm of sorrow.
Her fingers were slender and long, unconsciously clutching the hem of her clothes, her knuckles turning white from the force.
This appearance is just like flowers and trees being bullied by wind and rain in spring, making people feel infinite pity.
For a moment, Song Zhixian softened, feeling that his tone had been too harsh. Just as he was about to speak up and soften his tone, he heard Shen Shuangyu's hoarse voice.
“I was originally destined for a good marriage and sincerely wanted to get married. Before this, I had never crossed any lines with the Marquis, not even a glance. Why does the Marquis think that I want to climb the social ladder to become the Marquis’s wife?”
Song Zhixian suddenly stood up, his eyes icy cold, but Shen Shuangyu did not back down at all, craning her neck to look up at him.
This height difference reminded Song Zhixian of the first time he looked at Shen Shuangyu properly at her coming-of-age ceremony.
By then, Shen Shuangyu's reputation had already spread; she was gentle, charming, and a perfect wife and mother.
Rumors circulated that among the Shen sisters, only Shen Shuangyu, the legitimate daughter of the second wife, possessed a beauty comparable to Shen Chuchu.
So he became curious and took a closer look.
The young girl waited by the carved window, her skin as white as snow, yet with a warm, lustrous sheen like mutton-fat jade. Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, slender and slightly upturned, like two willow leaves unfurling on her forehead, and her eyes beneath them were clear as water.
Her jet-black hair cascaded over her fragrant shoulders like ink satin, with a few strands swaying erratically in the breeze, creating a charming and delicate allure.
Upon seeing him, they immediately stepped forward to greet him respectfully.
She was wearing a light pink silk dress with delicate plum blossom patterns embroidered on the hem, and a subtle fragrance seemed to waft from her slight movements.
As you get closer, you can see that beneath her slender neck, her collarbone is slightly sunken, as if it could hold a handful of moonlight.
Song Zhixian immediately admitted that the rumors circulating outside were true.
No wonder so many people are asking about her. It's a pity she's already married; otherwise, the young men in the capital would be fighting tooth and nail to get her.
Her fiancé was arranged by her parents and a prominent family in Jiangnan with whom they had a very good relationship.
It is said that the two were childhood sweethearts for a period of time. Even though they were separated by distance, they exchanged many letters. So after she came of age, she waited for him to come and marry her.
Even though they are not yet a real couple, Song Zhixian could not accept Shen Shuangyu saying such a thing.
"What you called a perfect marriage is now your brother-in-law. I think you're getting more and more insane!"
Shen Shuangyu said, "Why does Your Excellency pretend to be confused? Do you really not understand what I'm trying to say?"
He won't understand... he'll just think you're being insincere, playing hard to get.
Shen Shuangyu was taken aback.
Song Zhixian sneered, "Shen Shuangyu, if it weren't for Chu Chu's dying wish that I be lenient with you, I would definitely not forgive you for spouting such nonsense."
"Why?" Shen Shuangyu suddenly murmured.
Song Zhixian frowned. "What do you mean, why?"
Ye Qing understood that Shen Shuangyu was asking her a question, and her heart felt heavy.
I wanted to tell you this at a more opportune time, but this might be quite a shock to you.
Ye Qing didn't want to slowly and painstakingly cut away Shen Shuangyu's life; it was just that Shen Shuangyu's life had been too tragic and bitter.
When the truth was first told to her, she vomited blood. Afterwards, the doctor told her not to be too emotional, which made Ye Qing hesitant to say too much.
Now, when this topic comes up again, we have no choice but to reopen old wounds and rub salt into them once more.
Even as a spectator, she felt suffocated; she couldn't imagine how Shen Shuangyu would react.
"I want to know why?" Shen Shuangyu spoke again, her voice cold and aloof.
Song Zhixian was a little confused. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Are you complaining? Chu Chu didn't blame you in the end, so what right do you have to complain?"
[Okay, Shen Shuangyu, no matter what I say to you later, you must stay calm. Remember, that's all in the past. Your future can be changed. Knowing the truth is for a better future, not to hurt yourself. You must be mentally prepared.]
Shen Shuangyu nodded almost imperceptibly.
The reason Song Zhixian doesn't believe the Shen family framed you and firmly believes you willingly slept with him is because Shen Chuchu told him you liked him!
Shen Shuangyu's eyes widened almost instantly.
[Unbelievable, isn't it? Shen Chuchu didn't misunderstand you, but rather...]
Ye Qing really didn't know how to respond to this comment.
Although we haven't discussed it, you must have thought about it before, right? Just how many people in the Shen family know the truth...?
Shen Shuangyu suddenly began to tremble uncontrollably.
Ye Qing knew what she had thought of.
[You guessed right, Shen Chuchu also knew the truth. After the incident, her parents, afraid of affecting her mood, told her the truth. She didn't realize that her casual remark had harmed you, so she felt quite guilty and even comforted you and Song Zhixian separately.]
At that time, Song Zhixian's evaluation of you was extremely harsh, and he was filled with resentment.
To gain Song Zhixian's understanding and acceptance, she told him that she had long discovered your secret love for him. She explained that you did this only to fight for the person you love, so she asked him to treat you well and not mistreat you.
She believed she meant well; without this display of genuine affection, Song Zhixian would see her as someone who had climbed the social ladder, and she would likely never receive any consideration from her husband. However, she didn't expect it to embolden Song Zhixian to trample on her feelings even more recklessly. It was as if she deserved it because she fell in love first.
[She also instructed the children and servants to approve of you, but the effect was the opposite; they all felt that you, so wicked, didn't deserve Shen Chuchu's kind treatment. Seriously... to hell with kindness!]
Ye Qing genuinely doubted whether all of this was a coincidence or Shen Chuchu's scheme. But the script made it seem as if she was completely innocent, and that everything was just a cruel twist of fate.
But is she really innocent?
Ye Qing stared at Shen Shuangyu on the screen, watching her eyes gradually crumble, and finally she murmured, "Shen Chuchu, so this is what your last 'I'm sorry' meant?"
Shen Shuangyu's eyes gradually turned bloodshot.
She remembered Shen Chuchu holding her hand at the end, gently comforting her like a magnanimous older sister, willing to forgive everything.
She also said that the Marquis was a good person and that if she treated him sincerely, she would surely be rewarded.
Faced with Shen Chuchu's demeanor, Shen Shuangyu felt deeply ashamed. Gradually, she gave up her last bit of resentment and agreed to be a good second wife to Shen Chuchu.
Little did they know that Shen Chuchu was the real culprit.
Shen Chuchu could have told her the truth, but she preferred that her husband and children remain in the dark for the rest of her life.
And what about her? Why should her life be used as nourishment for others' sacrifices?
Did she deserve it?!
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