Chen was crying heart-wrenchingly in the house. Shen Zhixiu stood in the yard for a while and then prepared to leave.
I had just taken two steps when I heard footsteps behind me.
"Zhixiu, how did Ying'er die? Why are you here?"
Chen grabbed Shen Zhixiu's arm and questioned him harshly.
Shen Zhixiu signaled the maid beside him to support Chen, then whispered, "Sister-in-law, Ying'er threatened to hang herself, but I didn't agree to her request."
"By the time Wenzhu got the person down, he was already dead."
"I've told everyone that Ying'er cleared her name with her death. It was a final attempt to redeem her reputation, allowing her to rest in peace."
Chen Shi didn't believe a single word Shen Zhixiu said. She had raised her own daughter and knew that Shen Ying was not someone who would hang herself.
Even if Shen Ying really threatened Shen Zhixiu with hanging, why couldn't he just go along with her?
He thought so in his heart and said so out loud, "Zhi Xiu, she is your niece. Even if she has some excessive demands, can't you just give in a little? Why do you have to force her to commit suicide? How can you be an uncle?"
Shen Zhixiu's expression also turned cold. "Sister-in-law, she keeps asking me to deal with my wife. How can I obey her?"
"Do I have to give in to anyone in my family who cries, makes a scene, or even threatens to commit suicide?"
After Shen Zhixiu finished speaking, he flicked his sleeves and left.
The news that Shen Ying had cleared her name with her death quickly spread throughout the Shen family. The guests, knowing that the Shen family was going to deal with these matters, all took their leave.
When Prince Duan learned of this, his face became visibly flustered. He knew this matter had become a big deal. The second daughter of the Shen family had committed suicide, and he was to blame.
Before leaving, Prince Duan went to look for Shen Zhixiu. His implicit meaning was that he was in the wrong and that if the Shen family needed him to do anything in the future, he could ask.
After all, someone was killed, so Prince Duan lowered his stance and hoped that the matter would end here.
Shen Zhixiu didn't say anything, but politely sent Prince Duan away.
Later, he found Shen Zhiheng, who had already learned about his daughter's suicide. He looked relatively calm, but could hardly hide his grief.
Shen Zhixiu conveyed Prince Duan's intentions and whispered, "Brother, please accept my condolences. All matters concerning Shen Zhao's wedding the day after tomorrow cannot be changed. Ying'er's funeral should be kept simple."
Shen Zhiheng nodded and said, "Thank you for taking care of the inner courtyard matters, sister-in-law."
Shen Zhixiu patted his elder brother's shoulder and went to Qingyuanju with a tense face.
On the old lady's side, Su Qingyu received the news and was accompanying her.
When Shen Zhixiu came in, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were wiping their tears. Seeing him coming, Su Qingyu stood up and gave her seat to Shen Zhixiu.
At times like this, it would definitely be better to have her own son accompany her than to have her by her side.
"Third Master, please talk to Mother. I'll go take a look in the kitchen."
Shen Zhixiu gave Su Qingyu a comforting look and motioned her to get busy.
When only the mother and son were left in the room, Shen Zhixiu held the old lady's hand and said, "Mom, some things are destined. Please don't hurt yourself and try to be more open-minded."
The old lady sighed, "These children of the first wife have been in trouble one after another. Your eldest brother is really..."
"Your sister-in-law just came and made a scene, but was dragged away by your eldest brother. I know you're not to blame for this. It's your eldest brother and the others who went a little too far this time. Shen Ying has been spoiled to the point of being unruly, and she even dared to threaten you."
Shen Zhixiu patted the old lady's hand and said, "Mother, the person is gone. Let's not talk about this anymore."
"We must first handle Shen Ying's funeral, and Shen Zhao's wedding cannot be delayed."
The marriage was granted by imperial decree, and the date was calculated by the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Astronomical Observatory; no one dared to change it without authorization. They could only bury Chen Ying quietly and proceed with the wedding.
The old lady thought of the Li family again, "Shouldn't you go to the Shanjun Prince's Mansion? We have to inform the Li family about this matter."
"Otherwise, if there's a funeral at home for no apparent reason, people will think it's bad luck."
Shen Zhixiu nodded and said, "I've already made plans for this. My eldest brother and I will go there in person later."
"I will personally go to Heshan County Prince to explain. If the Li family has any objections, we will have to go to the palace together to see the emperor."
"Prince Duan is also involved in this matter. I don't think the Li family wants to make a big deal out of it. At most, Princess Yongjia will make a few sarcastic remarks, but the marriage will go ahead as usual."
The mother and son talked for a while. Seeing that the old lady was tired, Shen Zhixiu helped her lie down to rest. Then he left Qingyuan Residence and went to the Prince of Shan's Mansion with Shen Zhiheng.
It was already evening when the two brothers returned from Prince Shan's mansion. Just as Shen Zhixiu had expected, Prince Shan said nothing, and Princess Yongjia made a few sarcastic remarks before saying nothing more.
The marriage of Shen Zhao and Li Chaoyun continued, and the family also arranged that Shen Ying's funeral would be held early the next morning.
It was called a funeral, but it was just a coffin being carried out. Naturally, the body could not be buried in the Shen family's ancestral tomb, so another place was found.
After this incident, the Shen family was no longer as cheerful as they had been that morning. The servants walked silently, as if they were afraid to speak.
The servants who had been told to smile didn't know what expression to use, so they all had blank expressions.
Red silk was hung everywhere in the Shen family's house, but the festive atmosphere was gone.
Shen Yue was terrified by Shen Ying's suicide. The young girl, who had never experienced anything, kept asking Su Qingyu if it was her fault. Su Qingyu consoled her for a long time, coaxed her into drinking some soothing soup, and then let her sleep in the west courtyard.
After settling Shen Yue, Su Qingyu returned to the main courtyard. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she heard the sound of a piano coming from the main room.
She paused, recognizing the tune of the Great Compassion Mantra. She assumed Shen Zhixiu was commemorating his niece, but the tune conveyed neither sorrow nor nostalgia. Instead, it seemed to blend the vast compassion of the Great Compassion Mantra into the universe.
Su Qingyu walked in quietly. As soon as she entered, Shen Zhixiu stopped what he was doing.
He turned to look at her, "Are you back? Is Shen Yue okay?"
Su Qingyu walked behind him, leaned over and hugged him from behind, "She's fine, she's already asleep. Third Master... are you okay?"
Shen Zhixiu grabbed her hand and said, "I'm fine. It's just that there have been a lot of things going on in the mansion these past two days. I'm sorry for the hard work."
Su Qingyu shook her head and said nothing. The two of them hugged each other for a long time.
After taking a shower at night, Su Qingyu lay in bed, nestled in his arms. She tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and she knew he wasn't asleep either.
After hesitating for a long time, Su Qingyu finally asked.
"Third Master, Second Miss...why are you so depressed?"
Shen Zhixiu put his arm around Su Qingyu's shoulders and pulled her closer to him, but did not answer her question.
Just when Su Qingyu was about to fall asleep.
Shen Zhixiu said, "Qingqing, you're still not cruel enough."
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