Inside the dimly lit dungeon.
Shen Xiwei and Aunt Fang huddled together across the railing. She held Aunt Fang's hand, her expression one of despair and numbness, her voice terribly hoarse.
"Mother, am I about to die?"
Chi Jingyu had specifically instructed that she had been tortured and was covered in injuries, so even the slightest movement was extremely painful.
Aunt Fang's eyes were red and swollen. She swallowed back her tears and gritted her teeth, saying each word slowly and deliberately, "Don't say such discouraging things. We haven't reached the end of our rope yet!"
She struggled to her feet and pounded on the cell door, shouting, "Sir, is anyone there?!"
Shen Xiwei's eyes focused, and he looked at her actions with puzzlement.
Hearing the commotion, the jailer rushed over aggressively, his brow furrowed and his face full of impatience: "What are you shouting about?"
Aunt Fang pursed her lips, her expression obsequious: "Sir, I wish to see Shen Chang. Could you please pass on a message that I have something important to say to him?"
"Lord Shen is busy with official duties, how can you see him whenever you want?" The jailer scoffed disdainfully, but then she secretly took out a bracelet from her sleeve and slipped it to her.
Aunt Fang forced a smile, her eyes pleading, "Please do me this favor."
When she came in, all her valuables had been taken from her, except for this bracelet, which she had secretly hidden away.
The jailer weighed the bracelet in his hand for a moment, then casually tucked it into his pocket: "Then I'll pass on a message for you, but let me make this clear beforehand, I can't guarantee that Lord Shen will come!"
Aunt Fang was naturally grateful and thanked her repeatedly.
The jailer turned and walked away, and Shen Xiwei finally spoke, "Mother, why did you call Father here? He's a master at weighing pros and cons; he won't help me..."
Her voice was bitter, and a hint of mockery flashed in her eyes.
She's been locked up for so long, and Shen Chang hasn't come to see her even once. What father in the world could be so heartless?
She used to be secretly proud of herself in front of Shen Tangning. Even though the other party was the legitimate daughter, her father loved her the most. But now, he could abandon her without hesitation. The weight of his love for her was unimaginable!
Aunt Fang's lips curled into a cold smile, a resolute ruthlessness flashing in her eyes: "If he really turns his back on us, we'll just fight to the death!"
...
"Please be careful on the steps."
There was a commotion outside the cell. Aunt Fang perked up and even tidied her messy hair, but she hadn't washed or groomed herself since she was locked up. Now that she was in this state, no amount of effort would be worthwhile.
Realizing this, Aunt Fang paused in her act of tying her hair up and stiffly withdrew it.
Suddenly, a bright skirt caught my eye, like shimmering spring water, gracefully entering the gray, lifeless room, instantly filling the dark room with fragrance.
Next came Shen Tangning's bright and beautiful face. She had a flower decoration on her forehead, and her carefully drawn eyebrows and eyes were even more breathtaking. Her clear and bright eyes looked over, gentle and affectionate, yet calm and undisturbed.
Aunt Fang couldn't hide the shock and disbelief on her face: "How could it be you?!"
With her red lips slightly upturned, Shen Tangning smiled and asked, "Does Aunt not want to see me?"
The hateful look in the mother and daughter's eyes gave her the answer.
Instead of getting angry, she smiled and explained gently, "But Father doesn't want to see Aunt, and I can't bear to disappoint her, so I have to make this trip myself."
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