Madam Shen Xue returned to Ningyun Courtyard and smashed a lot of porcelain, but her anger still had not subsided.
"In the end, he's not my biological son. So what if I raise him under my name? His heart is still tied to his biological mother. Shen Hua was so crafty. Look, did he even spare me any face?"
After all, without her approval, Shen Qu would not have his current glory.
He had probably forgotten about that.
Mrs. Wang hurriedly comforted her. "Madam, you're overthinking. Young Master is your support. His biological mother is just a lowly concubine. How can she be compared to you? If he's really filial to that concubine, why would he come to our First Branch?
"Moreover, if Young Master doesn't care about his biological mother all of a sudden, Madam should be worried about his coldness. That would be a huge problem too."
These words were true.
If Shen Qu wanted to remain rich and keep his reputation, he could only be on her side.
Madam Shen Xue closed her sharp eyes.
Seeing that her attitude had softened a lot, Mrs. Wang quickly reported the news of Shen Hua leaving the residence.
"She even brought along that blockhead, Concubine Liu. Her father has only passed away for a few days, but she's already gone out to have fun." The corners of Madam Shen Xue's mouth curled into a mocking smile, and she felt at ease with Shen Wei's pitiful state.
"I'm afraid that the young mistress will cause trouble again. Young Master is not in the residence now. Do you want to send the news over?"
Madam Shen Xue waved her hand. "What rumors? The more trouble she causes, the more inappropriate it is. Her father is gone, and her marriage is broken off. Now, everyone is scolding me and Young Master for not being nice to her and taking everything away from her. Let the people of Fengzhou see with their own eyes what kind of person she is."
Mrs. Wang retreated respectfully. Just as she closed the door softly and took a few steps out, she bumped into Chao Lu, who had a panicked look on her face.
The smile on her face immediately faded. She was no longer as amiable as before, but Chao Lu did not notice and only saw Mrs. Wang as her last ray of hope.
"Mrs. Wang, I don't want to pour the chamber pot. You have to help me."
"Shut up. How can you reject Madam's orders?"
Mrs. Wang pulled her hand away and covered her mouth and nose in disdain. "Alright, I thought that you were a capable person. With my guidance, you will be able to get a good job with Madam in the future. I didn't expect you to be so disappointing. I think we should forget about your marriage with my son for the time being. I don't want to have a daughter-in-law who smells like a waste bucket all day."
Chao Lu's face suddenly turned pale.
…
The carriage drove at a steady pace. The coachman's movements were familiar, and there were no bumps along the way.
The coachman was a servant in Shen Hua's courtyard. He had worked in a vehicle shop for a few years.
The heavy curtains blocked the cold wind outside the carriage. As soon as Shen Hua got into the carriage, she leaned against Yi Cui's shoulder and took a nap. Her breathing was shallow.
Opposite her, Aunt Liu could not sit still.
She carefully glanced at Shen Hua's sleeping face.
She was quiet and not rude at all.
"Aunt is staring at me like I'm a flower." Caught off guard, Shen Hua's pale lips moved.
She did not know when she woke up, but she did not open her eyes. Instead, she adjusted herself into a comfortable posture.
Aunt Liu's heart skipped a beat. She stammered, unable to say a word.
"The residence is filled with bad people. Even the air is dirty. My stepmother is a fool, but she thinks she's better than others. Her methods are stupid and clumsy.
"Shen Qu is short-sighted. Although he's in the limelight, he's blinded by benefits and he's greedy. He can't wait to scheme against everyone.
"As for you, Aunt…"
She opened her eyes and saw that Aunt Liu did not even dare to breathe loudly.
"Why are you so nervous? Do you think I'll sell you away?"
Aunt Liu had a daughter, Shen Zhui. She was five years younger than She Hua.
Shen Hua was used to being domineering since she was young and looked down on this stepsister of hers.
She was originally the youngest in the residence, but after Shen Zhui was born, she no longer held that title. How could she be happy about that?
However, Shen Zhui followed behind her happily and regularly called out to her sister.
"Why are you so annoying? Don't follow me. I don't like you!"
"Ah." Shen Zhui blinked blankly.
"Then I'll change. Sis, did you not buy me cream cakes when you went out this time?"
The nine-year-old Shen Hua's eyes widened. She raised her head, and the hair knot on her head swayed. She said pointedly, "I'm a noble. Naturally, I can't go through all those roads to buy it for you."
Shen Zhui lowered her head in disappointment, but there was a bag of snacks in front of her.
Shen Hua said disdainfully, "I asked the servants to buy these. You're so annoying. All you know is to eat."
Later on, her mother and brother, Shen Chun and Shen Zhi, passed away and she fell seriously ill. It was Shen Zhui who accompanied her every day, quietly joining her to eat and watching her drink medicine.
Shen Hua woke up crying for her mother. Shen Zhui carefully crawled onto Shen Hua's bed and hugged her with her short hands. She rubbed against her body and patted her back in a childish voice.
"Sis, don't be afraid. Zhui is always here."
Always?
However, not long after, in the snowy winter, Shen Zhui fell into the water and died.
Shen Hua, who had received the news, was drinking her medicine at the time. With a crisp sound, the medicine bowl fell from her hand and hit the ground heavily. The dark brown medicinal liquid splattered everywhere, and the medicine bowl shattered into several pieces.
Shen Hua sighed softly.
Shen Wei did not treat Aunt Liu warmly, but Aunt Liu was obedient and devoted to Shen Zhui.
Back then, she had lost her beloved daughter and lost all hope. However, she still lived on like a walking corpse. Shen Hua really did not think that Aunt Liu would die just for Shen Wei.
"Aunt, did you encounter any difficulties?"
Aunt Liu's eyes darkened, and then large tears rolled down her face. She covered her mouth tightly to prevent her tears from spilling out.
Seeing this, Shen Hua's fingers could not help but pause. She opened her mouth but did not inquire further.
After some time, the crying gradually subsided, and the carriage stopped in front of the Shen family's embroidery workshop.
Shen Hua had just gotten off the carriage when she heard Aunt Liu's hoarse plea.
"Mistress, it will be Ah Zhui's death anniversary in a few days. Can I buy some commemorative items?"
Shen Zhui's status was low, and the anniversary of her death was at this critical time. Aunt Liu's courtyard was filled with Madam Shen Xue's spies. She could not leave the residence freely, nor could she burn paper in the courtyard.
Shen Hua asked the coachman to send her off. Just as Aunt Liu started to thank her, she asked softly.
"Aunt Liu, do you hate me? If I had treated her better, she might not have died."
When she was young, Shen Hua was very stubborn and fierce. However, she had never framed Shen Zhui.
"The weather is so cold. What kind of lousy thing are you wearing? Even a part of your arm is exposed. Those clothes look like they're from a century ago. Take this. I don't want it, so it's yours."
Clearly, she had secretly gotten someone to make that dress in Shen Zhui's size.
...
"Hey, I heard that your paper kite broke off. It's a cheap product, after all. Look at my paper kite. It's pretty enough, isn't it? I'll give it to you as a gift. Take it and learn new things."
However, that kite was clearly a gift from her brother, Shen Zhi. She treasured it very much.
Yangyang had never lowered her head to anyone. She was arrogant and awkward, but who knew that she was actually the most soft-hearted?