Yuan Zhao stepped forward: "What are your orders, Master?"
Her eyelashes trembled, and her gaze slowly hardened: "I will protect Lord Liu in secret."
Some people held torches against the wind, unafraid of burning their hands.
Such light had once illuminated her, and she could not remain indifferent no matter what.
There are countless corrupt officials in the world, but good officials like Liu Yifu are few and far between. It is a pity that one of them dies.
——
Shen Tangning helped her mother back to the courtyard: "Mother hasn't told me yet what's wrong with your health?"
Madam Shen chuckled and said, "But I caught a cold last night and was made dizzy by Fang's crying and fussing. Only Zhu Yue was bold enough to take it upon herself to invite you back!"
Hearing that it was just a cold, Shen Tangning felt relieved: "A cold is not something to be taken lightly. If Zhu Yue hadn't come to inform me, would Mother have wanted to keep it from me?"
Her eyes darkened, and her tone was ambiguous, "Aunt Fang made such a mistake out of foolishness, and the Dali Temple even found out about our household. We can't let this go so easily! Otherwise, won't the people below follow suit?"
Madam Shen paused, then looked up at her: "She's pregnant now, what can we do to her?"
Shen Tangning raised an eyebrow: "That depends on whether Father cares more about an unborn child or his career."
...
"master!"
When Shen Chang returned to the mansion, he was greeted by Aunt Fang's red, tear-filled eyes. She seemed to have a lot of grievances, and she threw herself into his arms, silently shedding tears without making a sound.
Granny Kang wiped her eyes and spoke up for her, saying, "If you had come back any later, who knows what might have happened to your aunt!"
When Shen Chang saw her swollen cheeks, he was startled and asked in surprise, "What happened to your face?"
Despite her inner rage, Granny Kang feigned a submissive demeanor. Only after Shen Chang pressed her repeatedly did she stammer, "Yes... the young lady disciplined me."
"Tang Ning?" Shen Chang had heard the news of her return when he returned to the manor, but he couldn't connect it with Kang Mama's disheveled appearance at all.
After all, the eldest daughter was always dignified and composed, and rarely punished servants.
Seeing Aunt Fang's restrained and aggrieved appearance, he instantly imagined a whole drama unfolding in his mind, and his face grew even uglier: "This wretched girl, she's caused such a commotion in the whole family the moment she returned!"
...
Shen Tangning and Madam Shen were chatting when Shen Chang stormed in, looking like he was about to explode. Neither of them showed any surprise.
Shen Tangning straightened up, her tone cold and distant: "Daughter greets Father."
Shen Chang's face was full of anger: "Do you still respect me as your father?"
Madam Shen slammed the teacup down on the table, the soft sound silencing the entire room. She said sarcastically, "Master, you'd better calm down first, lest a misunderstanding arise and make things awkward for everyone."
Shen Chang stared at her in disbelief, gritting his teeth as he questioned, "You actually defended her? She beat Qinlan's nanny like that, she has absolutely no respect for elders!"
"Master is confused. It's just a servant girl. You can beat her, but how can she be considered an elder?" Madam Shen narrowed her eyes and looked over, her gaze sharp, with a hint of veiled criticism.
Shen Chang was caught off guard and choked, but then she continued calmly, "Besides, if Tang Ning hadn't returned in time today, I'm afraid both Master and I would have been invited to have tea by the Dali Temple."
Shen Chang was taken aback when he met her mocking gaze.
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