Not far from the Begonia Garden, there is a small pond, reflecting the bright moonlight and shimmering with light.
There is a pavilion built on an artificial hill by the pond, which is the only scenic spot in the entire Shen family, apart from the old lady's courtyard.
Holding a lantern in one hand and lifting her skirt with the other, Shen Qiyin climbed the steps.
Standing in the pavilion, one can have a complete view of all the courtyards within the mansion.
All was quiet and dark, except for two large red lanterns lit at the entrance to Aunt Zhou's courtyard.
Having confirmed her suspicions, Shen Qiyin returned to her courtyard and room to rest, and slept soundly without any dreams.
The next morning, she got up and saw that Ren Dong was already practicing her skills in the courtyard.
After having breakfast, she and Rendong were preparing to go out, but before they even left the Begonia Courtyard, they heard that something was going on at Zhuijintang.
The incident began when Madam Shen asked Old Madam Shen for money, asking for fifty taels of silver. When Old Madam Shen refused, Madam Shen brought up Shen Cang, claiming it was his idea.
In the past, if it were the case, even if she didn't understand, Old Madam Shen would have agreed to it if she found out it was her eldest son's idea.
However, their relationship has been strained lately. Yesterday, Shen Cang complained that she was making trouble for no reason, and she was still angry. Today, Madam Shen used Shen Cang to pressure her, which was like adding fuel to the fire.
Therefore, Madam Shen refused to give any money no matter what.
Madam Shen has now "grown up" and understands that "those who have nothing to lose are not afraid of those who have something to lose." She immediately started to make a scene and threatened to kill herself, shouting things like, "I'm caught between them, mother and son, so I might as well just kill myself." She turned around and ran out of the mansion, intending to splatter blood at the gate.
How could Old Madam Shen possibly give in like that!
Quickly call someone to stop her.
In fact, Madam Shen did not believe that Madam Shen would really dare to commit suicide, but she could not let her make such a fuss, otherwise she would lose all face.
So, in order to appease Madam Shen, she had no choice but to accept the money, whether she wanted to or not.
Madam Shen took the silver and left happily.
In the blink of an eye, the money was in Shen Qiyin's hands.
A hefty fifty taels!
Miss Shen held it in her hand, her heart filled with joy.
Madam Shen was still immersed in the joy of "victory," completely unaware that she had been used as a pawn by Shen Qiyin. She was still happily reviewing the situation with her: "I've been married into the Shen family for so many years, and this is the first time I've ever felt so proud!"
"Yin'er, you didn't see how helpless the old lady looked just now, haha... I feel so relieved just thinking about it."
"She's finally gotten what she deserved!"
Shen Qiyin looked calmly at Madam Shen's excited face and said softly, "Then Mother should strike while the iron is hot and quickly get the storeroom key."
"Yes, I'll talk to him when your father comes back from his shift today."
Actually, she had wanted to say it yesterday, but he stayed in that little slut Zhou's room last night and went to the palace early this morning to do his duty, so she didn't find an opportunity.
Just then, a young maidservant stumbled in: "Madam! Something terrible has happened!"
"What's wrong?"
"Aunt Zheng is dead!" The maid was sweating profusely with anxiety. "The constables from the Jingzhao Prefecture said that Aunt Zheng committed suicide in prison out of fear of punishment, and they told us to send someone to collect her body."
"Dead?!" Madam Shen stood up abruptly.
"Yes, it's said he died from hitting his head against a wall. Butler Li is waiting outside the courtyard, ready to receive your orders."
"...Let's go, let's go take a look."
Madam Shen hurriedly walked out, her face still showing shock.
Chen Xiyin's marriage was not surprising.
Shen Cang was rebuffed by her yesterday, but he won't give up. Instead, he will set his sights on the next person.
And that person was Shen Mengyin!
A father who drove his daughter to her death, and a daughter who obeyed her father and drove her mother to her death—this family…as expected, no one of them would disappoint her.
Shen Qiyin received the news while sitting at home, so you can imagine how it's been spread outside.
Inside the Eagle Perching Pavilion.
Xiao Yan was kept in the palace by His Majesty yesterday and played chess all night. Only after leaving the palace today did he hear from Feng Liu about what happened to the Shen family yesterday.
Upon hearing that Daoist Jingming was holding Shen Qiyin hostage with a dagger, his eyes suddenly darkened, and he coldly interrupted Feng Liu, asking, "Where is Lu Shan?"
Feng Liu blinked: "...At the Shen family's house."
Their spies planted in various mansions rarely come to the cabinet; they stay in their mansions all day long.
Seeing Xiao Yan's brows furrowing deeper and deeper, Feng Liu finally understood what he meant and quickly explained, "Lu Shan wasn't in the house at the time, so he couldn't save Miss Shen in time."
"However, Miss Shen is intelligent and wise, and she was prepared in advance. Even without our help, she can turn danger into safety on her own."
Xiao Yan pursed his thin lips and said in a cool voice, "I don't think you're short of money. Why don't you just skip your salary this month?"
"ah?!"
Feng Liu felt like the sky had fallen!
But then he thought about it again and felt something was wrong. His family had never been stingy with money, and they had never fined him.
Feng Liu was such a clever person; his eyes lit up with an idea, and he immediately understood that his master's words had a hidden meaning.
He doesn't lack money, but the adults can't refuse to give it to him.
Similarly, we can conclude that Miss Shen is capable of protecting herself, but the adults cannot be left unprotected!
Upon realizing this, Feng Liu gasped and immediately said, "I will go and send a message to Lu Shan, telling him to make sure to protect Miss Shen."
Xiao Yan then withdrew his chilling gaze: "Double Lu Shan's salary, deduct it from my monthly salary."
Feng Liu: "Yes!"
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