"It is not a whore's, like you, turn to butt in."
Chang Zai Qing was slightly startled. She had long known that Shen Yue was not as gentle as she looked on the surface but did not expect Shen Yue's mouth to be this powerful. Unconsciously, she looked over towards Shen Wan and what surprised her the most was that not only did Shen Wan not look at her, it was as if he had turned a deaf ear to Shen Yue's words.
When Shen Yue saw Chang Zai Qing's appearance, she quipped, "Why? Are you hoping my Fùqīn will speak out for you? Now, the entire capital knew that you, Chang Zai Qing, is a used shoe from Liu Province who has no emotions and integrity. Your self-proclaimed manners and literary knowledge are just like the number one prostitute in a brothel."
"What? What nonsense are you talking about?" Chang Zai Qing's heart jumped and replied unconsciously. She was locked in the prison all the time and was unaware of what was going on outside, thus, she did not know that her matters in Liu Province had already spread and everyone in Ding Capital City treated her as a joke.
"You do not know?" Shen Yue had anger in her heart and used words to agitate her, "Your Zhàngfū and Érzi in Liu Province missed you so much and specially came down to Ding Capital City to look for you." Shen Yue looked at Shen Wan with ill intentions as she was quite resentful of Shen Wan and thus continued, unhurriedly, "That Tian Li knelt in front of the government offices early and beat the drum and cried injustice, saying that the Shen Residence snatched married woman."
(HidAnas: 丈夫 Zhàngfū - Husband, 正妻 Zhèngqī - Wife, 儿子 Érzi - Son)
Chang Zai Qing trembled and she knew that this could no longer be hidden but when she looked at Shen Wan, she saw that Shen Wan did not have a surprised reaction before she asked while trembling, "You... You have long known?"
"What?" The one speaking was Old Shen Fūrén who was staring wide-eyed at the other side. She had thought that Shen Yue and Chang Zai Qing were not close, thus, they said those humiliating things but now she finally caught on and screamed, "You are married to another? You also have a son?"
Chang Zai Qing did not answer but Chen Rou Qiu who was looking on coldly from the side laughed, "Pópó is still not aware. The Zhèngqī that you so carefully selected for your Érzi is currently another person's family. The Shen family had raised another family's Zhèngqī and this Chang Zai Qing's Érzi is after all not with the surname Shen. Those words outside that were saying about the Shen family are indeed exciting. Pópó should also listen to it."
Shen Gui was also shocked by this sudden news. Chang Zai Qing finally recovered to her senses and glanced at Chen Rou Qiu before laughing coldly. She no longer hid her put up her docile appearance and smashed her image, "So what if I am married to another? So what if I gave birth to another son? The Shen family is not as clean as you said. It is after all the one who retreated fifty steps laughing at the one who retreated a hundred steps (aka pot calling the kettle black). Moreover, I only married for a few days and did not enjoy many days of fortune so it is not clear who is the one in the pits."
When Old Shen Fūrén heard it, anger raised from her heart. Without any rhyme or reason, she was thrown into prison and was half fearful and half irritated with a stomach full of anger without any way to let out. Chang Zai Qing's words were the trigger and without a second word, she rushed over and pounced onto Chang Zai Qing and scolded as she pulled Chang Zai Qing's hair, "You slut! Defrauding the Shen family! Shameless!"
How could Chang Zai Qing be one who accepts all of that? If one were to say that she was willing to be lowly and insignificant, it was due to the overall plotting in the Shen Residence but now all appearances were shattered, thus, there were no more concerns left. Immediately, she and Old Shen Fūrén came to blows.
Even though Old Shen Fūrén was old, during the fight, her energy level was of that when she was young. She, after all, grew up in the marketplace while Chang Zai Qing's fists were weaker as literate people would not use their hands, thus, she did not do as well. Both of them fought and scolded one another, making it even more chaotic. Shen Gui wanted to pull them apart when he saw it but male and females were locked in separate cells, thus, his heart was willing but he did not have the ability to do it. Chen Rou Qiu looked on coldly while Shen Yue laughed. Everything stopped abruptly when Chang Zai Qing cried out in pain.
Old Shen Fūrén pushed Chang Zai Qing away and her face was filled with nail scratches and her hair and clothes were all messed up but she still looked satisfied at the person on the ground. Chang Zai Qing was curled up on the ground, hugging her stomach and painfully twisting her face as she cried out. Under her body, a pool of blood formed.
It was a miscarriage in the prison.
One did not know where Old Shen Fūrén hit Chang Zai Qing at but these days the food in prison was not to one taste thus Chang Zai Qing's body was weak and in addition to the tussle with Old Shen Fūrén, her abdomen was injured.
Shen Gui looked at Shen Wan at a loss but saw that Shen Wan's gaze was not affected one bit. Watching Chang Zai Qing rolling about in pain on the floor, it was as if he was looking at a stranger.
As for Old Shen Fūrén, she looked somewhat insanely at Chang Zai Qing as she scolded, "Slut! Slut that deserves to die!"
Shen Yue was somewhat afraid of blood and upon seeing the pool of blood that was under Chang Zai Qing's body was growing and staining a large part of the ground, she started to be a little scared and started to squeeze towards Chen Rou Qiu. Chen Rou Qiu embraced Shen Yue firmly and as she looked at Chang Zai Qing, her lips slowly rose up.
Chang Zai Qing's consciousness was somewhat hazy due to the pain. She tried to call for the warden and hope that someone would discover something was wrong with her body and find a physician for her. However, those wardens came and went and the looks that they gave were filled with disdain and ridicule. There was no intention to help her at all.
One did not know how long it had been but Chang Zai Qing could not even make a sound anymore. Most probably there was only air going in and none coming out as if each breath would lead to her leaving.
No one spoke in the cell and it was scarily quiet. Everyone in the Shen family who was looking at Chang Zai Qing had disgust, ridicule, dread and disdain in their gaze but no sympathy.
Catastrophes would warp a person's character and not that their position was against each other, no sympathy was given at all. From Shen Yue's and Chen Rou Qiu's perspective, Chang Zai Qing was suffering from her own actions and from Shen Wan's perspective, it was not enough for Chang Zai Qing to die after deceiving him. Shen Gui was not a good person and Old Shen Fūrén could not wait to tear Chang Zai Qing piece by piece.
In Chang Zai Qing's entire life, the first half was very smooth going but even though the latter half was not as smooth sailing, she had thought that with her smarts, she could still fly out from the branches and be a phoenix and it was still possible to be wealthy and noble. Because of that, she could still fight and snatch and not care about conscience or reputation but who knew that once she entered the wealthy and noble, it was a grave and the people around were even scarier than wolves.
At this moment, Chang Zai Qing suddenly missed the alcohol loving husband and quiet son who chopped firewood and fed chickens in Liu province.
She mumbled dazedly, "Huai Sheng."
Shen Yue frowned, "What is she mumbling?"
Chen Rou Qiu shook her head.
"Mǔqīn, why are you looking so dispirited?" Shen Yue tightened her hands, "Is this matter very serious? When can we get out?"
"It is nothing. This is just a small matter. Once Bìxià has investigated clearly, we will be released. Do not worry. Go and rest else you will have no strength later." Chen Rou Qiu answered with a smile.
After Shen Yue had gotten Chen Rou Qiu's assurance, her heart settled down and she felt a little tired, thus she leaned against Chen Rou Qiu and fell asleep.
When Old Shen Fūrén heard Chen Rou Qiu's words, she also gradually calmed down. Even though she was not satisfied with Chen Rou Qiu, one would know who was better when there was a comparison. With Chang Zai Qing as an example, Old Shen Fūrén felt that Chen Rou Qiu was not bad. She then also closed her eyes to regain energy.
No one was concerned about Chang Zai Qing's life or death as she lay on the floor.
Chen Rou Qiu took a look at Chang Zai Qing and sneered. Immediately afterwards, she thought of something and her eyes fell into despair.
This time there would not be any way out. She had lied to Shen Yue. One feared that they would not be able to walk out of here alive.
No one understood Shen Wan's expression better than Chen Rou Qiu. If there was even a glimmer of hope, Shen Wan would not have had this kind of response. He just sat there indifferently and was somewhat wooden, as if everything did not matter at all. No matter if the Shen family had become a laughing material, the scuffle between Old Shen Fūrén and Chang Zai Qing or even Chang Zai Qing's miscarriage, Shen Wan was expressionless. Shen Wan had given up all hope.
Even Shen Wan had lost all hope so Chen Rou Qiu had no other opportunity to live.
When one knew of this ending, Chen Rou Qiu did not expect that it was as unacceptable as she thought. Perhaps, previously, when the Chen and Shen families were fighting in court, Chen Rou Qiu had seen the little value of relationship or it could also be that the matter of Shen Wan divorcing her had hurt Chen Rou Qiu greatly. Currently, Chen Rou Qiu was exhausted physically and mentally and now that Chang Zai Qing had ended up as such, she had nothing to care about.
Anyways, if one were to die, everyone would die together and go to the netherworld together as a family. That was what Chen Rou Qiu thought.
"Sāndì." In the silence, someone broke the quietness and it was Shen Gui. He asked, "Do you not feel that our Shen family has met with some bad luck for these years? When Fùqīn was still alive, there were not so many of such matters."
After Shen Gui discovered that the root of the descendant was injured, he had muddled life along without any aims and was rarely awake. No matter if it was real or not, he finally asked about a serious matter.
Shen Wan looked at him and one was unable to distinguish whether it was happiness or anger in his tone, "Is it when Fùqīn was around or is it when Shen Xin is around?"
Shen Gui was at a loss for words. Indeed so. It was not exact if one were to say that Old Shen General was alive as accurately speaking when the Shen Residence went downhill, it was when the Eldest Household separated from the family. In fact, when Shen Xin returned back to the capital two years ago, their career was somewhat not smooth. It was just that at that time, the Shen family was not separated and the official colleagues still flattered them on Shen Xin's account. Afterwards, when Shen Xin left the capital, these people did not have any scruples and the Shen family started declining. Even though one did not want to admit it, it was indeed a fact that a Shen family without Shen Xin, was like any ordinary official family, there was nothing special about them.
But the meaning of Shen Wan's words was not the meaning on the surface.
Shen Gui asked hesitantly, "Are you saying that someone is scheming our Shen family? This time the Shen family is also being schemed against?"
Shen Wan smiled strangely but did not know what he was smiling for.
"Could it be that Shen Xin was making a mess of things at the back?" Shen Gui was suddenly enlightened.
Chen Rou Qiu who was sitting at the side quietly spoke at this time, "That little slut that Luo Xue Yan gave birth is very abnormal. Did you not discover that as long as Shen Miao was slightly implicated, in the end, everything will inexplicably be messed up?"
Shen Wan and Shen Gui looked towards Chen Rou Qiu at the same time. It seemed that Chen Rou Qiu did not see their gaze as she continued, "First, it was the Second Household's Shen Qing and Shen Yuan, then it was the Third Household's turn. In the beginning, Èr bǎisǎo's method was also not carried out well. Thinking about it carefully, if one were to say when all the incidents of the Shen Residence started from, it was better to say that it started from when her temperament changed."
Humans were strange as their minds were constantly changing. Previously, in Shen Wan's and Shen Gui's eyes, Shen Miao was only a little smart at most but who knew that she had such great abilities. But now, they had fallen into such a state and hearing Chen Rou Qiu's martyrdom, it seemed true. Just take, for example, Princess Ming An who was recently here. She also hated and desired revenge on Shen Miao when she inexplicably died and till now, nothing concrete came out from the investigation.
Shen Wan said heavily, "Just her alone, one's action would not be able to be at such a level. Unless one had an able person guiding behind the scenes or one had found a strong backing."
"One feared that it was not Shen Miao who found a backing." Shen Gui said with great thought, "It is the Shen family had found a strong backing." He thought about something and smacked his knees, "In the beginning, why did Shen Xin not fall to his death on the battlefield? I was saying why in these years, everything was not smooth. So it was Shen Xin who had done something behind one's back." He said so righteously but did not mention that the Shen family had given so much hindering matters to Shen Xin.
"No matter what, things are more or less related to Shen Xin." Chen Rou Qiu calmed down at this time and every word she said was more certain than before, "Else, it cannot be that everyone in the Shen Residence is implicated but only their First Household is safe and sound."
Everyone was silent.
After half a moment, Shen Gui gritted his teeth, "Since it is the case, then, one has to be dragged down together. Even though this is not good for us, the Eldest Household should not have a good life." He looked towards Shen Wan, "Sāndì, let's think of ways to involve Shen Xin in."
"Not possible." Shen Wan said calmly, "This matter has already reached the stage of sentencing, so, if one were to implicate Shen Xin, others would view it as framing. The more this is done, Huángshàng would feel that the Eldest Household is not on the same route as us and we are treacherous while the Eldest Household is loyal. This would instead be advantageous for the Eldest Household."
Shen Gui said angrily, "But one cannot let him off that easily."
Shen Wan coldly laughed, "After swallowing such a big disadvantage, moreover, since the beginning, Fùqīn favoured Shen Xin. I don't believe we would still lose after fighting for so many years. Even if one cannot drag Shen Xin down, one must peel a layer of skin from Shen Xin."
"Sāndì means?" Shen Gui was somewhat puzzled.
Shen Wan suppressed his voice, "Since it is stuck at Huángshàng's side then there is another person to go. You guess, now that such a thing has happened, even though we are suffering, who will be more annoyed than we are?"
Chen Rou Qiu frowned, "Ding Wáng."
"Correct." Shen Wan looked calmly at Chen Rou Qiu. At this time, it was no longer any use to blame Chen Rou Qiu for doing all these in a fit of anger. What's more, it was because of Chang Zai Qing that Shen Wan divorced Chen Rou Qiu and if one were to look in the longer period of time, one was unable to say if someone set a trap for all of them to fall in. There was no meaning to blame anyone at this point since they were all disheartened and exhausted.
But even before a poisonous snake dies, it would always remember to bite others and the Shen family was this kind of poisonous snake.
Shen Wan said coldly, "Our every single move is being watched by others. Among them, there would be Ding Wáng's people so by talking about the Shen family's Eldest Household, it will make Ding Wáng become suspicious."
Thinking that Prince Ding previously wanted him to play the matchmaker between Shen Miao and Prince Zhou, it meant that he was already somewhat suspicious of Shen Miao. If they were to mention the Shen family's Eldest Household now, Prince Ding would think that it was the Eldest Household of the Shen family who trapped him and made Emperor Wen Hui suspicious of him. One feared that he would want to immediately destroy the Eldest Household of the Shen family.
What kind of person Prince Ding was? He was the one who hid the deepest among the nine Princes and compared to Prince Xuan, he was even more of a smiling tiger. Shen Wan believed that once Prince Ding had fixed his eye onto it, the Eldest Household of the Shen family would not be able to live well.
Even though this would not change their ending, one must bury a malignant tumour for the Eldest Household. There would be a day in the future that it would sprout.
He mumbled softly in a voice that he was only able to hear, "Dàgē, I will wait for you on the road to the underworld."
The Ding Capital City's case concerning Shen Wan was closed especially fast. When the commoners knew about it, they all were unable to make heads or tails of it.
The former Great General's residence was searched and possession confiscated. The servants were exiled while the masters were executed.
There had not been such a big case in Ming Qi for a long time and this case did not seem to look that serious. The officials were very secretive about it that till now, the crime committed was still 'poor performance that led to a catastrophe'.
It's just that no one knows what the "catastrophe" is.
This was always the case for officials. When the monarch wanted the official to die, the official had no choice but to die. When Emperor Wen Hui wanted to kill any official of the court, sometimes, there was no need to think of any reasons at all. Even if it was the Shen family, the people who were officials were only Shen Wan and Shen Gui and both of their careers were fading that no one was even willing to speak for them. Of course, there was also an invisible hand that was moving things forwards that made one feel surprised by the turn of events.
On the day of execution, Shen Miao wanted to go and watch.
Lou Tan looked astonishingly at Shen Miao and asked, "Why is Xiǎo biǎomèi going there to watch? That is a bloody scene where the head will roll down and one will have nightmares at night. It is better not to go."
Shen Xing and Luo Xue Yan would not go as they still had military matters to take care of but even if they did not, they would not go to watch. Luo Xue Yan did not have any feelings with the Shen family and even though Shen Xin had, those complicated feelings were all wiped clean by all the doings of the Shen family these years. It was better not to see one another and one would not need to search for unhappiness for oneself.
Shen Miao said, "I want to watch. I have not seen an execution before."
Luo Tan, "…" She was flustered and exasperated, "What good is there to watch an execution?" But she was secretly anxious for Shen Miao. A female's heart would be tender and even though there was not a good person in the Shen family, Shen Miao had gotten along with them for so long so there would inevitably be some mournful feelings. Wasn't this finding unhappiness for herself if she were to go?
"I will accompany Mèimèi." Shen Qiu said. Shen Qiu knew of Shen Miao's stubborn temper and if one did not let her go, one feared that Shen Miao would also secretly sneak out and create more problems. He was not afraid to watch and with more guards by their side, Shen Miao could be protected.
"I will also go along." Luo Ling smiled and spoke, "I too have not seen an execution."
"Dàgē, what nonsense are you talking about?" Luo Tan glanced at Luo Ling, "Previously, at the Northwestern region, you have seen people executed by military orders. You are so used to seeing beheading so what first time you are talking about?"
He did not expect that he would be undermined by his own Younger Tang Sister that Luo Ling's gentle smile was a bit stiff. When Shen Qiu heard it, he took a meaningful look at Luo Ling that made Luo Ling feel uneasy before speaking, "Then let's go together."
When Luo Tan saw that everyone was going, she gritted her teeth and stomped her feet before saying, "Then I also want to go along. I don't want to be the only one that was left behind. Later, you must tell me to cover my eyes well."
When the entourage reached the execution ground, the commoners that were surrounding the execution ground three times that nothing could get through. Because Shen Qiu and entourage were accompanied by guards, those commoners took the initiative to clear the path. Someone surrounding recognised Shen Qiu and whispered softly as they pointed to the siblings, Shen Qiu and Shen Miao.
One had earlier known that the Eldest Household of the Shen family was not harmonious with the Second and Third Household but one did not expect when the Second and Third Household were being executed, the siblings of the Eldest Household would come to watch the sentence being carried out. There were people who said that there was some good out of a misfortune as those years back they were forced to be removed from the records but were able to escape from this calamity. There were also others who said that the siblings were too coldblooded as they could watch their family being executed without any emotions.
On top of the stage, Shen Wan and entourage were brought up with shackles and wearing dirty prison uniforms with unkempt looks that there were no traces of the previous wealthy and noble appearance. Shen Yue's and Old Shen Fūrén mouth was also stuffed with rags and one could still see Shen Yue desperately shaking her head and panicking. Shen Yue and Old Shen Fūrén were extremely afraid upon facing death. Most likely they were unable to accept the fact even at this moment and stilled hope that there was room to revert to their original state.
Shen Miao's lips slightly raised.
Her gazed swept across each and every one of the people on stage.
Shen Wan. Chen Rou Qiu. Shen Gui. Shen Yue. Old Shen Fūrén. One heard that Chang Zai Qing had a miscarriage in the prison and when she was discovered and brought out the next day, her entire body had hardened. She had died due to bleeding. It was indeed fortunate for her as she would not be executed in front of everyone and left with a whole-body intact. However, what use would there be? A life was lost and the entire Ding Capital City knew that she had abandoned her husband and child.
"Xiǎo biǎomèi, what are you thinking about?" Luo Tan asked quietly.
"Thinking about matters of the past." Shen Miao said lightly.
She thought about the fight with Mei Fūrén in the Inner Palace, it was the people on the stage that stabbed the Eldest Household without a thought at all. They caused Shen Qiu's death, killed Luo Xue Yan, caused Shen Xin to be wan and sallow and made Wan Yu and Fu Ming did not have strong maternal family support and at the end be sacrificed for the golden throne. It was obvious that one had the legitimate bloodline but was living worse than a Shu-children. All of this was given by those people in front.
Shen Yue said, "Wǔ mèimèi, we are not a family."
Not a family but enemies. At least from now, after these people died, she and the wolves and tigers of the Shen family really had no more relations.
Shen Yue looked around the stage in a panic and suddenly looked towards Shen Miao's direction. When she saw Shen Miao, a strong hatred appeared in her gaze. It was as if all her hate was suppressed and violently directed out. If there were no locks on her body, one feared that Shen Yue would have jumped into the crowd and scratched Shen Miao's face.
Shen Miao was among the crowd when she smiled at her. She did not care if Shen Yue was able to see clearly when she lifted her chin slightly and looked down on her as if she was looking at a dog.
Shen Yue was infuriated with Shen Miao's look and started shouting and struggling. The official that was in charge of her gave her a kick. Shen Yue was temporarily quiet as she seemed to be hurt but she looked in another direction, seemingly looking extremely angry.
When Shen Miao followed her gaze, she saw that not far from here there was a familiar figure. That was a young female that was dressed wealthy and nobly. Her brows were slightly slanted, with a pointed chin and big round eyes. Who else could it be but Shen Dong Ling?
Shen Dong Ling also saw Shen Miao and she smiled gently before walking over to Shen Miao. Once she was nearer, she bowed towards Shen Miao and said softly, "Wǔ mèimèi." She then looked towards Shen Qiu and said, "Dàgē."
Shen Qiu nodded his head blandly but Shen Miao carefully sized Shen Dong Ling up.
Shen Dong Ling originally looked good as she had followed Wan Yīniáng's appearance, three-tenths delicateness and some sense of seductiveness. It was unusual for people with such an appearance to become the official wife. Most of them would be concubines, thus, they had such a look. When one marries a wife, one would marry one who was virtuous but when bringing in a concubine, one would bring in one who was very seductive. Previously, Shen Dong Ling would always look down and be obedient to everyone, thus, her good looks were also put down by the gloomy and oversized clothes. Now it seemed that she was living well as her face became tender and the glow was also moving that when she wore such refreshing and bright clothes, it showed off her slim body which made her a seductive beauty.
Looking at the entourage following her, it seemed that Wang Bi was treating her well. Otherwise, one would not let a married female to casually show her face outside.
Because Shen Dong Ling rarely came out of the courtyard in the Shen Residence, much less coming out, the surrounding commoners did not recognize her. Luo Tan looked curiously as she sized up Shen Dong Ling. Shen Dong Liang looked at Shen Miao and said with a smile, "One did not expect to encounter Wǔ mèimèi here. It is really fate."
Shen Miao gently smiled.
Shen Dong Ling's attitude was very natural and there was no sense of mourning at all. One heard that Wan Yīniáng was being brought over and the Wang family even got her life contract. However, Shen Gui who was currently on the stage was Shen Dong Ling's father yet there were no traces of emotion on Shen Dong Ling's face. When chatting with Shen Miao, it was as if one was attending a flower appreciation banquet as there seemed to be a bit of joy if one looked deeper.
"I am here to look for enjoyment." Shen Miao looked at Shen Dong Ling, "What is Sān Jiějiě here for?"
Shen Dong Ling heard it but not only she covered her smiling lips slowly, but each move and action was also very seductive, just like Wan Yīniáng when she was younger. There was no timidness in her at all.
She said, "Wǔ mèimèi is here to look for enjoyment but I do not dare." Shen Dong Ling looked up at the stage, "One only heard about this interesting matter in Ding Capital City and came to see it for entertainment."
Just as she finished, the supervisor on the stage threw the nameplate down and said, "The time has arrived. Carry out the execution."
A few bloody colours gushed out.
Shen Dong Ling used the handkerchief to cover her mouth as her eyes widened as if it was pitying. She said softly, "What a pity."
"Yes." Shen Miao said calmly, "What a pity."