Shen Congyun reorganizes the Shen family
Shen Congyun ignored her and helped Old Madam Shen to sit down. He stood tall and said, "If Mother thinks that the Crown Prince's visit today is to show goodwill, then you are very wrong. Your son, my second brother, and my third sister have never done anything wrong. All of today's events are the result of the Crown Prince's conspiracy."
"What did you say?"
Madam Shen suddenly jumped up, only to be pushed down by Shen Congyun.
She shook her head, shook her head fiercely. She had seen with her own eyes His Highness the Crown Prince take care of Shen Lanyan, and she didn't believe a single word Shen Congyun said.
Seeing her hesitation, Shen Congyun said solemnly, "I do not wish to bring matters of the court home, but please remember carefully, Mother, that I am the Emperor's disciple and a subject of His Majesty."
The Emperor is seriously ill, and the Crown Prince is in charge of the country. On the surface, the Imperial Palace and the Crown Prince's Palace are like father and son, loving and filial, but in reality, they are at odds.
My second brother's official position was promoted by the Emperor. Outsiders thought that the Emperor valued us brothers, but in reality, our Shen family rose from humble beginnings and had no foundation. The Emperor intended to support our Shen family as isolated officials to undermine the Crown Prince.
The mother thought, if the Crown Prince sensed the Emperor's intentions, how could he not take action against his son?
"My son comes from a humble background. Now that he has been chosen by the Emperor, there is no turning back. His only options are to remain loyal to the Emperor, pray to Heaven to grant the Consort a prince, or face execution on the day of his coronation."
Shen Congyun spoke with righteous indignation, every word and sentence revealing that he was forced into this situation by circumstances and was persecuted by His Highness the Crown Prince.
Lin Huaiyin found it utterly ridiculous.
She couldn't help but applaud Shen Congyun, who was clearly a wolf in sheep's clothing, plotting to bring disaster to the country and usurp the throne. He even went so far as to use his silver tongue to fabricate this story and feign grievance. She praised him for distorting the truth and for his silver tongue.
When Madam Shen heard about the court intrigue for the first time, she froze on the spot, her back covered in cold sweat.
She didn't quite understand what she was hearing, but for no reason she felt scared.
Aren't His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince father and son? His Highness is an only son, and after so many years of overseeing the country, it's only a matter of time before he ascends the throne. Why make such a fuss? And why involve her precious son?
Chen Zaiyuan knelt to one side.
He was hit by a teacup and got a bump on his forehead. Although he felt that Shen Congyun's words made some sense, he had just witnessed His Highness the Crown Prince disciplining Shen Lanyan.
Seeing is believing, and he felt that His Highness the Crown Prince was sincere towards Shen Lanyan, and secretly hoped that His Highness the Crown Prince would forgive him because of this.
Clinging to a sliver of hope, Chen Zaiyuan interjected sullenly, “Brother, why are you so pessimistic? His Highness the Crown Prince is a benevolent ruler, and we still have the favor of Princess Pingyang. His Highness dotes on the princess, so he would never go so far as to kill us all. Besides, in the main hall today, His Highness treated Third Sister very well. In my opinion, a happy event is imminent.”
Upon hearing this, Shen Congyun gave a cold laugh and said, "Happy news? Third Sister is recognizing someone as her father, what are you happy about? Are you happy that you have fifty more fathers now?"
Shen Zaiyuan was taken aback upon hearing this, and immediately retorted, "It's just a casual remark. Once Third Sister enters the Eastern Palace and becomes the Crown Princess, who would dare—"
"shut up!"
Shen Congyun slapped him on the back for his wild idea. Looking around the ancestral hall, he felt that the Shen family mansion had changed so much that he almost didn't recognize it anymore.
Even Shen Zaiyuan was coveting the position of Crown Princess. Shen Congyun was shocked and surprised. He glanced at Lin Huaiyin and his thoughts raced.
He originally thought that his mother and Lan Yan's sudden interest in the Crown Prince was due to Lin Huaiyin's instigation. However, Lin Huaiyin and Shen Zaiyuan had no connection whatsoever, and Lin Huaiyin could not possibly know that Shen Zaiyuan was embezzling disaster relief funds.
The more I think about what happened today, the less I realize that Lin Huaiyin is to blame.
It was her mother and siblings who had improper thoughts. The fact that the shameless Lin Huaiyin was forgotten by her mother in the main hall is enough to prove that her mother did not value her very much and would never listen to her instigation.
Shen Congyun withdrew his gaze and looked at the memorial tablets on the offering table.
My mother's idea of bringing glory to the family was not wrong.
But the future of the Shen family is not here. When he and Pingyang achieve their goals, the Shen family will become a royal family on par with the Xiao family. Lan Yan's future status will be comparable to that of a princess in Pingyang. He had thought all this through long ago, which is why he personally arranged to cancel the marriage with the Liu family and let Lan Yan torment Lin Huaiyin in a fit of pique.
With the Buddha's Birthday approaching, we just need to be patient for a while, and everything will soon be completed. We must not allow any trouble to occur at this time.
We must completely sever their hopes.
Shen Congyun raised his chin, his tone leaving no room for argument, and said, "Mother, now that I'm in this game, there's no turning back. Our Shen family and the Crown Prince are irreconcilable enemies. Please don't cause trouble and disrupt my plans with His Majesty. All of today's troubles are due to the Crown Prince's machinations. I will handle them myself. Mother, guard the inner quarters and keep a close eye on my younger sister. Leave everything else to me."
After saying that, Shen Congyun turned and left.
Old Madam Shen was taken aback by these alarmist words. She lost face, became flustered, and panicked.
Is there really no way out?
She wanted to ask Shen Zaiyuan again, but Shen Congyun called from outside—"Second brother, come out here!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Zaiyuan chuckled awkwardly, bowed to the old lady, and quickly retreated.
Lin Huaiyin watched them walk away, and couldn't help but admire Shen Congyun's shrewdness.
For Princess Pingyang, he risked his entire family and made a desperate gamble. Was it a deep love or a chillingly foolish act?
In any case, Shen Congyun has not made any move against her.
Lin Huaiyin was unsure whether today's matter should be dropped.
Chu Jiu was poisoned by the Five Poisons Powder and bullied Chen Lanyan; his fate is probably self-evident.
She woke up in Madam Shen's arms, and Su Jinggui was not framed. This meant that the Su family father and son were saved today, and the revenge for Mianfeng and Yuli Xie'ao was also successfully achieved.
A resounding victory.
Lin Huaiyin was secretly delighted, but as her thoughts raced, she noticed that Old Madam Shen looked dejected and unhappy, and she knew something was wrong.
This won't do! You old hag, you need to pull yourself together and keep pushing for the Crown Prince!
Lin Huaiyin immediately spoke up to comfort Madam Shen: "Mother-in-law, your daughter-in-law doesn't understand court affairs, but I privately feel that as long as His Highness the Crown Prince truly loves Lan Yan, he will have to consider Lan Yan's feelings. My husband can be the Emperor's subject, so why can't he be His Highness's subject? Once Lan Yan becomes the Crown Princess, what can't be resolved between blood relatives and in-laws?"
At this moment, Madam Shen was filled with worry, concerned that her son was trapped in a quagmire and even more worried about the destruction of her family. As an old woman living in a secluded mansion, she was powerless to help him.
After listening to Lin Huaiyin's words, she thought about it and it seemed to make some sense. She immediately felt invigorated and her eyes lit up.
"Daughter-in-law, you're right!"
Madam Shen helped Lin Huaiyin up, praising her intelligence: "Cong Yunxin is honest and straightforward. In fact, sometimes men are more capable of fighting outside than a woman can be charming in bed."
"If I truly become family with His Highness the Crown Prince, Cong Yun will naturally switch allegiance and side with him. His Majesty has been ill for so many years; how can he possibly contend with the young and vigorous Crown Prince? Lan'er can easily whisper in his ear, and since families don't hold grudges overnight, the matter will be over."
"Mother-in-law is indeed very thoughtful." Seeing that she understood, Lin Huaiyin quickly flattered her, "In this way, our Shen family is saved, and my daughter-in-law and husband will rely entirely on your protection!"
"We're all one family, and harmony brings prosperity." Looking at the ancestral tablets, Old Madam Shen finally felt a little more at ease.
She patted Lin Huaiyin's back, growing more and more fond of this obedient young wife. Remembering that the imperial physician was with Shen Lanyan, she also wanted to take Lin Huaiyin to see the golden grandson in her belly.
She was worried because he had just fainted; she wouldn't feel at ease if she didn't check on him.
However, on second thought, His Highness the Crown Prince cares about Lan'er and will inevitably inquire with the imperial physician afterward. If the news of his daughter-in-law being drugged reaches His Highness's ears, wouldn't it make him know that the Shen family is not at peace?
No, no, no.
Family scandals should not be aired in public.
The daughter-in-law looks quite energetic; the grandson is very lucky and should be alright.
As for Cong Yun's claim that His Highness the Crown Prince was plotting to harm people, Old Madam Shen thought it was utter nonsense.
She was absolutely certain that His Highness the Crown Prince loved Lan'er and would never harm the Shen family.
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law steadied themselves and helped each other to their feet. Suddenly, an old maidservant came to report, "Something terrible has happened! Madam, please come quickly! The Third Miss has killed someone!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Huaiyin secretly realized she was in trouble.
The effects of the medicine had not yet worn off, leaving her weak, but a bad premonition made her temples throb, and she forced herself to help Old Madam Shen along.
The old servant woman reported as she walked—
As soon as the imperial physician left, Shen Lanyan arrested all the servants who had served in the main hall—women, maids, servants, guards, even the woman who had been beaten to the point of vomiting blood by Chu Jiu for protecting him—more than twenty people in total, locked them all in a small room, and subjected them to torture by burning charcoal.
Upon hearing this, Lin Huaiyin felt a chill run down her spine and broke out in a cold sweat. When she and Madam Shen arrived, the small house was quiet with its doors and windows tightly closed, and there was no sound of banging on the door or coughing as she had imagined.
The old maid whispered to Lin Huaiyin, "Madam, Aunt Huang and Miss Xie'ao, who were in charge of the family banquet, are considered the main culprits and are also among them."
"You mean crab claws?" Lin Huaiyin was shocked and tried to run away, but was held firmly by Old Madam Shen.
"For Lan'er's future, this is unavoidable." Old Madam Shen patted the back of her hand, signaling her not to make a fuss.
Lin Huaiyin stared in disbelief, speechless—more than twenty lives lost, out of necessity?
Madam Shen's eyes were clouded with displeasure; she had never liked Aunt Huang going to Qingyin Pavilion all the time.
The Lin family has the prestige and dignity of a high-ranking family, and even the Emperor himself has come to attend their banquet. But this is the Shen family. What airs are they putting on? What is there to brag about?
It's really unnecessary for the daughter-in-law to be so protective of the girl from the Lin family after marrying into the Shen family.
Crabs and the like, once they're gone, they're gone.
Just pick two good ones for her.
She held Lin Huaiyin tightly, preventing her from leaving, and instructed the servants: "Go and report to the Jingzhao Prefecture later, saying that a servant in the manor committed a crime and then took his own life, and ask them to come and deal with him."
Madam Shen remained calm. Although killing a slave without cause would be a crime, these servants had witnessed Lan'er being humiliated and deserved to die. She was sure that His Highness the Crown Prince would not spare their lives, and even if things escalated, His Highness would protect them.
In front of the hut, a maid was burning charcoal. Five braziers contained a mixture of charcoal embers and dry and wet firewood, and thick smoke was blown into the hut.
Shen Lanyan sat comfortably in the chair, her arms resting on the armrests.
She is the Crown Prince's beloved Crown Princess. These useless people are powerless to protect her and have brought shame upon her in front of outsiders. They deserve to be torn to pieces and die without regret.
Seeing thick smoke seeping out from the gaps, she coldly ordered, "Use wet strips of cloth to seal it all up."
Seeing this, Lin Huaiyin could no longer hold back and grabbed Madam Shen's hand, pleading, "Mother-in-law, please do good deeds for me and Congyun's son!"
Upon hearing this, Madam Shen thought of her precious grandson and felt a chill in her heart, cursing inwardly for bringing bad luck!
Lin Huaiyin shoved her aside and rushed to open the door.
There is a lock on the door.
She smashed it desperately—"Thump thump thump!"
She kicked it hard—"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Shen Lanyan thought Lin Huaiyin had gone mad, and the maids couldn't hold her back, repeatedly calling out, "Madam, please stop! Be careful!"
Madam Shen was in a dilemma: should she erase Lan'er's scandal or protect her grandson's good fortune? She couldn't bear to give up either of them.
Lin Huaiyin slammed her fists and legs, but ignored it and went to ram the door. Old Madam Shen was terrified and immediately shouted to stop her—"Quickly! Open the door! What are you all standing there for! Stop Madam and open the door!"
When she gave the order, the maids on the scene immediately complied.
Insert the key, turn the lock, and the small wooden door creaks open, releasing thick smoke rapidly.
"Cough cough cough!"
Everyone covered their noses and coughed.
After a while, the smoke and dust gradually dissipated, and inside the house, one could vaguely see people lying haphazardly in various places.
Lin Huaiyin was panting heavily when she saw the crab claw. She lost her balance and staggered towards it.
Old Madam Shen came to pull him away personally, her brows furrowed with anger as she scolded, "Have you made enough of a scene? Don't you care about your health?"
"Hmm." Lin Huaiyin gritted her teeth and lowered her head: "Daughter-in-law knows she was wrong."
"If you admit your mistake, go back to your room and rest."
Madam Shen winked at the old servant woman.
The old servant woman immediately helped Lin Huaiyin turn around.
However, at this moment, some of the people lying in the hut gradually woke up. However, those who woke up were all insane, talking incoherently. When they stood up, their eyes were crooked and their mouths were drooling. Their hands were also scratching wildly and uncontrollably, making themselves bloody and mangled.
They've gone mad, they've all gone mad.
The maids panicked and retreated in a few quick steps.
"Madam, Third Miss, what... what exactly is going on?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Huaiyin turned around and precisely located the crab claw. The two, master and servant, exchanged a glance across the distance and then tacitly avoided each other's eyes.
Taking a deep breath, Lin Huaiyin feigned shock and followed the old servant woman slowly toward Qingyin Pavilion.
It seems that the pre-arranged plan has fallen through, and Crab Ao will have to leave Shen Mansion in this way.
Lin Huaiyin is no longer worried about the crab claws.
Now that Chu Jiu is dead, there shouldn't be anyone in the Shen family who can defeat Xie Ao. They could even force their way out. Moreover, in such a short time, Xie Ao not only used itching medicine but also got more than twenty people to listen to her and pretend to be crazy to deceive everyone. There's really no need for Lin Huaiyin to worry about her.
Back at Qingyin Pavilion, Yu Li had just finished her chores and was released. The two hadn't seen each other for most of the day and were worried sick about each other. Their four hands were clasped together, and their hearts, which had been hanging high, finally slowly returned to their chests.
With Yu Li around, there was no need for the old servant woman. Lin Huaiyin politely asked her to inquire about the crab claws, and then returned to her room with Yu Li.
The two entered the room, and Lin Huaiyin crawled under the bed and found that the box containing the bow and arrows had been moved. She knew that Shen Congyun had already sent people to search Qingyin Pavilion.
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