Chapter 14: The Scum Husband Finally Appears

Walking on the familiar floors of the Shen family home, Ningyuan Shen felt a chill run down her spine. She suddenly turned her head, locking eyes with Mingzhu Cui, who was trailing at the back. Their gazes met, and Ningyuan caught the ruthless glint in Mingzhu’s eyes.

Mingzhu had not expected Ningyuan to turn around so abruptly. The cruel expression on her face stiffened instantly. When she regained her composure, she hastily reined in her expression and forced a smile.

Ningyuan had no intention of exposing Mingzhu’s true colors at this moment. Yun Chijiang was not present yet; the time was not right. With that thought, she calmly withdrew her gaze and continued forward.

Passing through the courtyard in the front hall, the group led Ningyuan to the yard where she had lived before her marriage. Yan’er Song pushed open the small gate and smiled mysteriously at Ningyuan. That smile struck Ningyuan as peculiar.

But when she stepped into the yard, the scene before her eyes made her immediately understand Yan’er’s smile.

Her yard was still preserved as it had been before she married out. Inside and out, it was spotless and tidy, not a speck of dust in sight. It was clear that after her marriage, someone often came to clean.

Yet, upon closer inspection, there were some changes.

For example, the potted plants in the corner of the yard had grown thicker branches and more luxuriant leaves than a year ago. The koi in the pond were noticeably plumper, and upon sensing her scent, they wobbled their heavy bodies and swam toward the shore.

There was also the loquat tree she had planted before her wedding, now tall and lush, with many small white flowers blooming atop its branches.

Everything seemed to have changed, yet somehow remained the same.

A breeze blew in, carrying the fragrance of loquat blossoms, and Ningyuan suddenly came back to herself. Touching her cheek, she found it wet with tears.

She glanced back at her family members beside her. At that moment, she felt as if her heart had started beating anew.

“Little sister, don’t just cry—come inside quickly!” Yan’er Song pulled Ningyuan further in.

“Sister-in-law has prepared everything for you.”

“If you’re hungry, eat first. Sister-in-law made your favorite: big pork trotters!”

“If you’re tired, soak in the bath and rest. Eat after you wake up.”

Upon entering the room, just as Yan’er said, everything was ready. From the food on the dining table to the steaming bathwater in the inner chamber, and the freshly laid soft quilt—all showed her thoughtful care.

“Thank you… Sister-in-law,” Ningyuan said slowly and sincerely, though her gaze lingered on Yan’er’s belly.

This time, she could see that her little nephew had been born.

Yan’er waved her hand dismissively. “We’re family; no need to be so formal with me!”

Hao Bai Shen stepped forward with a smile, teasing, “Your sister-in-law is very happy that you’re back at the Shen household because now she finally has someone to chat with.”

He then looked gently at Yan’er’s belly and added, “Ever since your sister-in-law got pregnant, her little mouth just never stops—either eating or talking.”

“My military duties keep me busy, and Mother’s business affairs are numerous, so no one was there to keep her company.”

“But now you’re back, and your sister-in-law has someone to keep her company. How could she not be happy!”

Hearing this, Yan’er and Hao Bai exchanged a knowing smile.

But to Mingzhu Cui, this scene was unbearably grating. She clenched her handkerchief tightly, glaring venomously at Hao Bai and Yan’er. She had always known—they never truly considered her family.

Though she lived at the Shen household, Yan’er had never once sought her out for a chat!

It was clear disdain for her—a lonely orphan without parents.

“Alright, after all this fuss, little sister must be tired. Let her have a good rest first,” Haoyue Shen said with concern, looking at Ningyuan. “If there’s anything, we’ll talk after she’s rested.”

“All right,” Jin Cui quickly responded, grasping Ningyuan’s hand. “Yuan’er, just relax and get some sleep. Even if the sky falls, your parents are here to protect you!”

Afterward, the Shen family members left Ningyuan’s yard one by one.

Mingzhu Cui walked last. Just as she was about to close the door, Ningyuan suddenly called out to her.

“Cousin.”

Mingzhu stopped, standing outside the gate and looking back at Ningyuan.

“Cousin, is there something else?” Mingzhu asked.

Ningyuan said nothing but calmly gazed at Mingzhu, her eyes slowly dropping to rest on her belly.

Noticing Ningyuan’s gaze, Mingzhu was startled and instinctively tried to hide her abdomen beneath her loose sleeve.

Seeing her clumsy attempt to conceal, Ningyuan couldn’t help but smile.

Ningyuan’s smile made Mingzhu even more nervous; her hand gripping the doorframe tightened.

“Cousin, why are you staring at my belly like that?” Mingzhu’s voice trembled as she stared intently at Ningyuan, afraid she might do something unexpected.

Ningyuan smoothly shifted her eyes away and feigned casualness: “Nothing really. Just haven’t seen you for a year, and you’ve become noticeably fuller.”

“Looks like you’re being pampered well at the General’s residence.”

As she spoke, Ningyuan nonchalantly glanced again at Mingzhu’s belly and said with a meaningful tone, “That belly… it’s visibly… bigger.”

Hearing this, Mingzhu became even more anxious. She instinctively took a step back, her hand clutching the door hinge tightly.

Her breathing grew rapid and shallow.

After a moment, she steadied her heartbeat and forced a triumphant smile.

Feigning calm, she replied, “Yes, since you married out, Aunt has been doting on me, feeding me until I’ve gained quite a bit of weight!”

After speaking, Mingzhu shot Ningyuan a provocative glance.

Ningyuan raised a brow slightly.

Mingzhu was trying to tell her: during the year she was gone, Mother no longer loved her and had shifted all her affection and energy to Mingzhu?

If this had been before, Ningyuan might have believed it.

But now, not even a bit.

Feigning innocence, Ningyuan smiled and said, “It’s obvious Mother is very attentive to you, feeding you well and treating you like a pregnant woman.”

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think your belly was already three months along!”

Ningyuan deliberately emphasized “three months.”

Sure enough, upon hearing “three months,” Mingzhu’s pupils constricted instantly, and her heartbeat quickened.

She gasped and instinctively covered her mouth with her hand.

Under Ningyuan’s meaningful gaze, Mingzhu panicked and stammered, “Cousin, I have some things to attend to—I must go now!”

Without waiting for a response, she fled as if running for her life.

Watching her hurried retreat, Ningyuan’s eyes grew cold.

Once Mingzhu was out of sight, Ningyuan, despite her weariness from rebirth, secretly followed her.

She trailed her all the way to the rear courtyard of the General’s residence, hiding behind a wall.

From a distance, she saw Mingzhu glance around cautiously to ensure no one was nearby before quietly slipping through the back gate and carefully closing the door.

Ningyuan’s heart sank, having roughly guessed whom Mingzhu intended to meet.

Because she knew: Mingzhu’s belly was not from gaining weight—it was a pregnancy.

By her reckoning, it was about four months along.

And the child was Yun Chijiang’s!