Shen Jinshu's smile was forced. She knew Shen Yanxi well enough to see through his concealment and perfunctory attitude.
“Master Jikong is not at Mingyin Temple. My mother and I donated some money for incense and came back. I just mentioned it to Fourth Brother and you forgot. What are you thinking?” Shen Jinshu’s joking tone carried a hint of probing, giving Shen Yanxi a chance to tell the truth.
Shen Jinshu didn't want Shen Yanxi to hide anything from her, as that would make her feel like she had lost control of him.
She absolutely would not allow such a thing to happen.
“We suspect that Song Zhiyu is involved in the beating of our fourth brother. No one else would dare to do such a thing except her.” Shen Mingyi said he was suspicious, but in his heart he had already condemned Song Zhiyu.
Shen Jinshu exclaimed in surprise, her eyes widening slightly, "Second sister? How could this be?"
Shen Mingyi sneered, thinking that Shu'er was far too naive. Based on his understanding of Song Zhiyu, beating someone with a sack was definitely something she would do.
"You know her personality; she's vindictive. Fourth Brother has provoked her several times and been beaten up a few times, so one more time won't make a difference. And my hands—if it weren't for Liang Yue, they would probably be ruined long ago."
After saying that, Shen Mingyi raised his right hand, revealing an ugly scar on the back of his broad hand, a mark given to him by Song Zhiyu.
He made no mention of why Song Zhiyu crippled his hand; he only remembered that her stabbed his precious right hand, leaving a bloody hole.
Although his hand cannot be restored to its previous state for the time being, he is not too worried because Liangyue is there.
Shen Jinshu bit her lower lip in distress and turned her gaze to Shen Yuzhou beside her, "Does eldest brother also think that second sister did this?"
"You should all stay away from her from now on." Shen Yuzhou didn't give a direct answer, but simply said this.
Upon hearing this, Shen Jinshu's lips curled up slightly, and the heavy weight in her heart slowly lifted. It seemed that even her eldest brother thought that Song Zhiyu was responsible for her fourth brother being beaten.
In that case, let her be guilty of this crime.
"Miss Liangyue, please take good care of my fourth brother during this time."
Seeing that Shen Yanxi's injuries had been treated and were no longer life-threatening, Shen Yuzhou was relieved. After giving a few more instructions, he returned to his own courtyard.
*
Qin Xu had just returned home when he heard that Shen Yanxi had been beaten up with a sack over his head. For some reason, he felt a chill run down his spine and his steps became unsteady.
He had a feeling that the incident of Shen Yanxi being beaten was not simple, and he was worried that he might be the next victim.
He had only gone halfway when a maid from Old Madam Shen's courtyard caught up with him, saying respectfully, "Young Master Qin, the Old Madam requests your presence."
"Okay, I'll be right there." Qin Xu knew perfectly well that the reason Madam Shen wanted to see him was simply to find out about his relationship with Song Zhiyu.
Qin Xu was also helpless. He didn't expect Song Zhiyu to be so stubborn. He tried everything he could, but it was no use.
There's no turning back now that the arrow has been released; Qin Xu has no choice but to find another way.
A moment later, Qin Xu stepped into Madam Shen's courtyard and immediately saw Ye Rou sitting to the left of the old lady. The two were chatting happily.
Meanwhile, Madam Shen sat quietly on the other side of Old Madam Shen, occasionally chiming in with a few words, creating a harmonious scene.
Qin Xu frowned. How could Ye Rou, an outsider, be in the old lady's courtyard and be so intimate with her? It made Chen's mother, standing to the side, seem like an incongruous outsider.
I heard that this Lady Ye's husband has never appeared, and her family is not prominent. It's all thanks to her good son that she has the chance to step into the Marquis's mansion.
Qin Xu has always looked down on people of lower status than him, but he never showed it on his face.
Although Shen Rushan has been demoted, his abilities are still there, and he might be reinstated one day. He can't afford to offend him.
While making Old Madam Shen very happy, Ye Rou kept an eye on Madam Shen's expression. Seeing that her face was even paler than before, the smile on her lips deepened.
"Qin Xu greets the old lady." Qin Xu withdrew his gaze and bowed to the old lady Shen in the main seat.
Madam Shen had clearly forgotten that not long ago Song Zhiyu had thrown people into her yard and made a mess of the place.
"How have things been going between you and Zhiyu these past few days?" Old Madam Shen's kind and gentle demeanor fooled many people.
Qin Xu lowered his head dejectedly, his forced smile revealing a hint of helplessness. "Madam, it seems the Second Miss dislikes me quite a bit."
"Feelings are cultivated. Just because she dislikes you now doesn't mean she'll dislike you in the future. You should just bear with it for now," Old Madam Shen sighed, speaking with an air of seriousness.
Madam Shen already had a plan: "The West Street Night Market in the capital will open in a few days. I will find a way to let the two of you go out for a stroll together. You must seize the opportunity."
"Thank you, Madam. Qin Xu understands." Qin Xu was overjoyed, knowing that the old lady wanted to find an opportunity to let outsiders see the two of them alone together, so as to take the opportunity to spread the false news that the two families were about to get married.
When the time is right, they only need to give it a little push, and the fake will become real.
"It's good that you understand. Please don't disappoint me." Madam Shen nodded in satisfaction. It's so convenient to talk to smart people; they understand immediately.
Mother Shen sat upright to the side, unable to understand the cryptic language in their conversation, but she was still very satisfied with Qin Xu, the son-in-law she had personally chosen.
Although she felt that Madam Shen's actions were inappropriate, her original intention was good, so she did not speak up to stop her.
*
Songxiyuan.
"Miss, it seems there's been a problem at the hot spring resort." Lu Bai handed the letter to Song Zhiyu and sighed deeply.
The craftsmen responsible for building the hot spring resort have suffered burns in multiple places and are now organizing other craftsmen to cause trouble.
This hot spring resort is already being eyed even before it's been built; who knows how many more troubles will arise once it's finished?
After reading the letter, Song Zhiyu's expression turned somewhat solemn. To prevent the construction of the hot spring resort, Prince Li's methods were truly endless.
"I'll go there myself. If anything happens, write to me immediately." Song Zhiyu stood up. She couldn't rest easy unless she dealt with the matter personally.
Li Wang's real purpose was to prevent her hot spring resort from being built, so as to hide the existence of the ore and use it for his own purposes.
But now the land deed for Mount Li is in her hands, and the King cannot obtain it, so he can only come up with this underhanded trick to deal with her and force her to hand over the land deed.
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