Chapter 51 The Secret of the Illegitimate Child
Madam Shen was in her fifties and a mother of four, yet her face showed no signs of aging. She wore a brocade cheongsam, and her figure remained graceful and well-proportioned.
But her eyes held an extremely uncomfortable obsession and scrutiny.
Su Niannian felt a chill run down her spine as she was being scrutinized.
She looked around and, seeing that there was no one else around her, realized that the other person was talking to her.
She didn't know anyone named Xie Yuan, and had never even heard of the name.
I don't know why this lady would ask that question.
Under her obsessive gaze, Su Niannian felt as if she were being pricked by needles, and her whole body was extremely uncomfortable.
Suddenly, the tall figure in front of him shifted its feet.
Thin-soled leather shoes made a rustling sound on the marble floor tiles.
Then, Su Niannian's petite figure was steadily protected behind Gu Yuheng.
Su Niannian's tense body suddenly relaxed.
Gu Yuheng's eyes held a distant glint as he said indifferently, "Madam Shen, it's rather impolite of you to stare so intently at my wife."
Madam Shen turned her gaze away from Su Niannian and looked at Gu Yuheng, who had spoken.
She smiled slightly and said, "I just felt that this little girl looked familiar, so I asked her."
Annoyance flashed in Gu Yuheng's eyes, and his voice suddenly turned cold.
"Madam Shen, I don't care what illness you have; it's a matter for your Shen family. Please mind your own business and don't frighten my wife."
Upon hearing this, Su Niannian realized that although Madam Shen appeared dignified and elegant.
But there was something wrong with her eyes.
No wonder I felt uncomfortable under her gaze.
Because of what Gu Yuheng just said.
The villa's living room instantly became quiet.
Even Shen Qingnan, who had been standing casually to the side, straightened up and furtively peeked at Madam Shen.
The servants dared not utter a sound and quietly slipped into the kitchen.
He was afraid that Madam Shen might suddenly fall ill and he would be affected.
The Shen family has a secret that everyone deliberately avoids.
That is, Madam Shen's mental state had been stimulated, causing her to become somewhat abnormal.
The reason for this goes back to seventeen years ago.
After marrying into the Shen family, Madam Shen gave birth to four children for Shen Li. The first three were boys, and Shen Wanxi was the youngest daughter. She was pampered and spoiled from a young age and was deeply loved by Shen Li.
However, her three older brothers were treated differently.
The eldest son, Shen Qingdong, and the third son, Shen Qingnan, have been by Shen Li's side since birth, receiving his careful education and upbringing.
Instead, Shen Qingbei, the second young master, was taken away by the nanny at the moment of his birth and placed in an unused villa. He was cared for by only a nanny and a housekeeper from a young age.
Shen Qingbei could only return to his old house and reunite with his parents during holidays and festivals.
Shen Li's concern for him was negligible.
As a mother, Madam Shen also appeared indifferent.
Therefore, there have been rumors that Shen Qingbei is not Shen Li's biological son, but rather an illegitimate child born to Madam Shen and another man.
If Shen Li were to kill the child in full view of everyone, the restless members of the Shen family would surely seize upon it and he would have no choice but to banish the child to the cold palace.
Out of sight, out of mind.
As time went by, people gradually forgot that the Shen family had a Shen Qingbei.
When he was eleven years old, seventeen years ago, the usually taciturn Shen Qingbei showed unprecedented hostility towards Xie Siyan, and the two got into a fight.
A few days later, Xie's youngest daughter suddenly disappeared, along with Shen Qingbei.
The surveillance footage showed that Shen Qingbei took Yaoyao away from the kindergarten.
Back then, surveillance wasn't widespread, and the last image I saw was of an alleyway entrance, with no further information.
The Xie family used every means at their disposal to thoroughly search the entire capital city and the surrounding cities.
But they couldn't find a trace of her.
This incident also created a rift between the Xie and Shen families, making them almost enemies.
Madam Shen usually ignored her second son, but her personality changed drastically after Shen Qingbei disappeared.
She ran to the Xie family and made a huge scene, hysterically claiming that the Xie family had lost her son. Later, Shen Li locked him up in a sanatorium and controlled him with medication. After many years of recuperation, he has recovered to about 70% of his original state.
But everyone knows she's not really better; she often says strange things.
Girls who are similar in age to Yao Yao often ask her what her relationship is with the Xie family.
In her paranoid and delusional mind, she always believed that the Xie family had lost her son.
"Lin Yin, what are you doing out here?" a cold, deep voice said. "This is none of your business. Go back to your room and rest."
Shen Li, dressed in a suit, sat in a wheelchair and was pushed into the living room by a maid.
His features were quite similar to Shen Qingnan's, but his temperament was different. His facial features always exuded a sternness, which made people intimidated.
Lin Yin wore a sarcastic smile: "Shen Li, your son has been dragged to your door by the collar, can't I even show some concern? Do you think I'm as cold-blooded as you, indifferent to our son?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Li's expression turned extremely ugly, but because there were outsiders present, he did not want to bring up past grievances with Lin Yin.
"Chen Ma, please escort Madam back to her room to rest."
Knowing her husband's temper, Chen Ma walked over without daring to breathe, grabbed Lin Yin's arm, and tried to persuade her.
"Madam, please go back to your room first. Don't embarrass your husband in front of outsiders."
Lin Yin's gaze was icy: "Shen Li is the modern-day Yue Buqun, a complete hypocrite. He likes to put on a gentle and refined act in front of outsiders, always making me back down and save face for him."
Shen Li's face was as black as ink as he said sternly, "Lin Yin, you know what you did back then. If Xie Yuan hadn't disliked you, would you have turned around and married me? But with your personality, the fact that Xie Yuan doesn't like you means he's not blind."
Lin Yin reacted as if her sore spot had been touched: "Shen Li, say it again."
Seeing that his parents were about to start arguing again, Shen Qingnan quickly went to his mother's side and interrupted them with a playful smile.
"Mom, please go upstairs first. I beg you, if you stay here and can't help but mention the Xie family's youngest daughter, it will only anger Gu Yuheng more, and I'll be in even worse shape."
Lin Yin had always doted on her youngest son. Although she felt suppressed and had no way to vent her feelings after Shen Qingnan said that, she still listened to her son.
Lin Yin shook off Chen Ma's hand, gave Su Niannian a meaningful glance, and then turned and went upstairs.
Su Niannian's back stiffened, and a hint of panic flashed in her eyes.
She subconsciously hid behind Gu Yuheng.
Then a warm, large hand grasped her small hand, tightly enveloping her in its warm palm.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
