Chapter 153: Rumors Spread, Divorce Letter
Marquis Cheng'en put his hands behind his back, frowned, and paced back and forth in the study.
Although Shen Shaohuai's plan was sinister and despicable, it had to be said that it was very effective in dealing with Shen Qingtan.
Even an unmarried girl from a decent family, no matter how high her social status was, could only be a concubine, which shows how strict the etiquette and legal doctrines were.
What's more, Shen Qingtan is already a married woman. After being splashed with this basin of dirty water, the only way waiting for her is death.
"Are you concerned about the fact that she is the daughter of the Marquis's Mansion and will affect the other sisters in the mansion?"
"Although your sisters' reputations may be damaged and they may suffer some injustice, you must prioritize the overall situation."
"We are still walking on the edge of a knife. If we can't protect our lives and property, what's the point of sisters clinging to their reputations?"
"As long as we regain Prince Yu's trust, once he ascends the throne, you will have the merit of following the emperor. How can those people dare to say anything bad about our family?"
"People are always looking for profit and avoiding harm. They are too busy trying to curry favor with us."
After Shen Shaohuai finished speaking, he clearly noticed that Marquis Cheng'en's brows relaxed, which showed that Marquis Cheng'en was shaken.
No one knows Marquis Cheng'en better than him. He is greedy and selfish, and no one can stop his interests.
Even their own children.
Shen Shaohuai accurately grasped Marquis Cheng'en's thoughts and was not worried about not being able to convince him.
As expected, Marquis Cheng'en sighed deeply, his tone helpless: "Huai'er, you are right. Our lives are the most important thing now. It will be useless to preserve our reputation without losing our lives."
He believed that once the rumor of Shen Qingtan's elopement spread, no matter whether she was innocent or not, she would not be able to stand upright in this world.
With Shen Qingtan's intelligence, how could he not understand the interests involved?
But so what?
She could only bear it.
Or she would return to the capital and be divorced by the Duke of Zhao's family.
Or hide in the dark forever and live a miserable life.
In this way, Prince Yu's biggest worry was solved.
Marquis Cheng'en's eyes were dark and unclear: "Huai'er, I'll leave this matter to you."
Shen Shaohuai smiled: "Father, I will definitely get this done."
——
Duke's Mansion, Lanxue Garden.
Zhao Yi stood by the window, looking into the distance at the blue sky, lost in his own thoughts.
Suddenly, a carrier pigeon flew down to the windowsill and cooed twice.
Zhao Yi pulled himself out of his thoughts and lowered his eyes to look at the carrier pigeon on the windowsill.
He stretched out his slender hand and gently hooked his fingers.
The carrier pigeon pecked his fingers a few times, then flapped its wings and landed in his palm.
Zhao Yi took off a small roll of paper from its feet and saw only a few words written on it.
The message has been delivered.
He looked at these words and the corners of his lips curled up.
It looks like the fish has taken the bait.
With a "squeak", Jiang Mu came in with a bowl of medicine and saw Zhao Yi gently stroking the pigeon's head.
"Second Master, your right hand is 'injured'. Don't move it." Jiang Mu reminded him, "If someone else sees it, won't it be exposed?"
Zhao Yi glanced at his right hand and let the pigeon go.
I just hope this ends soon.
——
Second room Qingyun Garden.
Shen Mingzhu lay on the couch with a pale face. The baby in her belly was gone, but her abdomen was still in severe pain, and the amount of blood was increasing.
After the doctor took the patient's pulse, he prescribed several medicines, but they still didn't work.
At this time, Zhongxia came in from outside with a box.
Shen Mingzhu asked weakly, "What are you holding in your hand?"
Zhongxia looked at the sickly Shen Mingzhu and stammered, "The box contains a piece of jade. Your mother sent it over, saying she wanted to carve a jade pendant for your unborn child."
Shen Mingzhu suddenly sat up and said excitedly: "Throw it out, throw out the things she sent!"
Her expression was distorted and she stared at the wooden box fiercely, as if she had a deep hatred for it.
"Whatever she brings next, throw it all away and don't let her bring it to me."
Shen Mingzhu's hatred for Madam Shen grew rapidly as her body grew weaker.
Everything she was going through now was caused by Madam Shen.
"Yes." Zhongxia's face turned pale. "I'll remember that."
Shen Mingzhu growled, "Get out."
Zhongxia hurried out with the box.
Shen Mingzhu's chest heaved violently, and she had a rage in her heart that she had no place to vent. She picked up the incense burner on the incense table next to her and smashed it to the ground.
There was a "bang" sound, and the person outside the door shrugged his shoulders in surprise.
Mother Cao walked over quickly. When she heard the noise coming from the house, she paused and quickly quickened her pace to go back into the house.
Shen Mingzhu looked towards the door with red eyes.
Mother Cao was frightened by the strong hatred in her eyes. Ever since her child died, her mood has been extremely volatile.
"Third Madam, I have good news for you." Mother Cao approached cautiously, saying something flattering: "Second Madam's good days are coming to an end."
Sure enough, Shen Mingzhu calmed down: "What happened to that bitch?"
"Second Madam and Second Master went to stay in the West Mountain for a few days yesterday. They were assassinated last night. Second Master was injured, and Second Madam is missing. When the news first came out, everyone in the mansion thought Second Madam had fallen off a cliff."
Mother Cao deliberately kept the question a secret: "Guess what the result will be?"
"She's dead?" Shen Mingzhu felt a surge of joy in her heart. "It's good that she died. I've been looking forward to her death for a long time. As long as she dies, my good days will come."
She had lost her child and dared not tell anyone. She was in great pain and wanted Zhao Jue to accompany her to find some comfort.
Zhongxia went to ask him again and again, but Zhao Jue refused every time.
Immediately afterwards, she heard the news that Zhao Yi took Shen Qingtan out for a trip, and she felt extremely upset.
Now I can finally hear some very gratifying news.
"Second Madam isn't dead." Seeing Shen Mingzhu's face darken, Mother Cao quickly said, "She eloped with her lover, and the rumors are all over the place."
Shen Mingzhu frowned. She was not smart, but she knew that the news was unreliable.
"Second Madam and her lover had a secret meeting in the West Hills, but they were caught by Second Master. Second Madam's lover injured Second Master and then eloped with Second Madam." Mother Cao laughed and said, "The rumors were so detailed that even the storytellers in the teahouse were telling it in vivid detail."
Shen Mingzhu said subconsciously: "She won't..."
"Third Grandma, regardless of whether this is true or not, Second Grandma is indeed missing. As long as this is true, she can't clear herself from the blame even if she jumps into the river."
Mother Cao continued, "Just wait. When she comes back, she'll be greeted with a letter of divorce."
Shen Mingzhu's mind turned and she figured out the key, and her mood became more cheerful.
The next moment, she instructed Mother Cao: "That bitch has a good relationship with Fourth Aunt. Go bribe the maidservant next to Fourth Aunt and find out the situation."
Shen Mingzhu was afraid of Shen Qingtan, fearing that it was another trick of hers.
"yes."
Mother Cao took the order and went to the fourth room. On the way, she saw Zhao Yi and the old Duke's entourage walking towards the front yard.
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