Chapter 27: Rumors and Whispers-Seguindo o amor por três anos, a senhora do marqués divorcia o marido diariamente, com cem caixões a abrir caminho.(An Zhiyi)

Seeing Song Yan'er stamping her feet in anxiety, Shen Ningyuan’s heart skipped a beat.

She asked urgently, "Sister-in-law, tell me, what exactly is being said out there?"

"The ignorant masses are claiming that our Shen family has abandoned all morality, acting with such defiance that we even forcibly snatched a married daughter back from her husband’s home!"

"Some are even going so far as to say that Father holds no respect for the Imperial Court, claiming that the Shen Army has long harbored intentions of rebellion. Otherwise, how could we dare to be so arrogant as to surround the Ji residence with troops on a whim?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Ningyuan felt her heart race. It was clear that someone was deliberately manipulating public opinion, pushing the Shen family into a corner!

Song Yan'er grew more agitated as she spoke. "That would be bad enough, but what makes me even angrier is that the people are saying—they are saying..."

At this point, Song Yan'er looked at Shen Ningyuan, unable to bring herself to continue. Seeing this, Shen Ningyuan furrowed her brows slightly. She knew the next part concerned her directly, and she sensed it was nothing pleasant.

Shen Ningyuan spoke softly to soothe her, "Sister-in-law, whatever else they are saying, please just tell me. I will be fine."

Song Yan'er said bitterly, "They are saying that after you married into the Ji family, you were unwilling to live a widow’s life for Ji Yunchuan and have long been having an affair in secret. They are even spinning elaborate tales, claiming that you are already pregnant! They say the Shen family found a pretext to cause a scene at the funeral just to bring you back and hide your pregnancy!"

Song Yan'er took a deep breath, finally gathering the courage to voice the vile rumors. By the end, she was trembling with rage, gritting her teeth as she hissed, "These rumors must have been spread by the Ji family! That damned Ji family, how can they be so vicious? Not content with harming you at the funeral, they are now using such malicious tactics to destroy your reputation! It is truly hateful!"

Watching Song Yan'er seethe with indignation, Shen Ningyuan felt an indescribable emotion. Even now, the first thing her sister-in-law worried about was not the Shen family’s reputation, nor her own, but Shen Ningyuan’s. Her eldest brother truly had found a gem of a wife.

If she were to live this life again, she could not let these things stand; otherwise, her rebirth would have no meaning.

Shen Ningyuan stepped forward and patted Song Yan'er’s hand reassuringly. "Sister-in-law, don't worry. Things will sort themselves out eventually. This matter... it can certainly be handled properly."

Song Yan'er gave a bitter smile. "Yuan'er, I know we can find a way to deal with it, but I am just so angry." She gestured toward Cui Jin. "Actually, the one truly worried about you is Mother. Look at how anxious she has become!"

"I know," Shen Ningyuan replied, turning to Cui Jin. She said gently, "Mother, please calm yourself. Do not be so anxious; you will make yourself ill."

"Yuan'er, how could I not be anxious at a time like this?" Cui Jin said with a mournful expression. "Your second brother has already investigated; it is those cursed people from the Ji family who deliberately hired others to smear your name, hoping to ruin your reputation and force you back to the Ji residence!"

Cui Jin was so incensed she beat her chest in despair. "I always thought that although the Ji family had fallen, they were at least a family of standing. I never imagined they would stoop to such low, despicable methods just to force you back!"

Watching her mother’s distress, the words Ji Yunchuan had spoken the previous night flashed through Shen Ningyuan’s mind. Could this be his scheme? Using public opinion to force her back? Yet, for some reason, she felt it wasn't that simple. If it were just Ji Yunchuan alone, he couldn't have been this efficient. It was impossible to have rumors flying everywhere in just a single night. This was not something an ordinary person could achieve.

Shen Ningyuan frowned deeply. She sensed that someone behind Ji Yunchuan had made a move.

"Yuan'er, what are your plans now?" Cui Jin gripped her hand tightly, pleading, "How about we do as your second brother suggested yesterday? I will find a way to send you out of the capital, to let you live under an assumed name and stay far away from this mess."

This was the best solution a mother could think of for her daughter. Shen Ningyuan bit her lip, remaining silent. Seeing her daughter’s lack of response, Cui Jin’s heart ached even more. She sighed despairingly, "To think the Ji family would push my daughter to this point! If I had known it would turn out like this, I would never have agreed to let you marry into the Ji family!"

Cui Jin burst into tears. "My poor daughter, it is Mother who has failed you!"

Shen Ningyuan, however, remained calm. Watching her mother weep, she gently held her hands and said in a low, steady voice, "Mother, you have not failed me. This was my own choice. It was I who walked into this sea of bitterness; no one is to blame but myself."

Cui Jin stopped crying instantly. She stared at Shen Ningyuan with red, swollen eyes, feeling as though the person before her had become a stranger. "Yuan'er, how have you become so..."

*So sensible?* The words died on her lips. If she could, she would rather Shen Ningyuan not be so sensible.

Shen Ningyuan comforted her softly, "Mother, rest assured. Things will resolve themselves; the situation is not as dire as you think."

Cui Jin paused, at a loss for words. It was Song Yan'er who spoke up, "But Yuan'er, the rumors outside are truly rampant. If we don't handle this well, your reputation will be completely ruined. Do you truly not care at all?"

Shen Ningyuan shook her head, her expression grave. "Sister-in-law, how could I not care? Those rumors don't just affect my reputation; they affect the Shen family’s as well. Even if I didn't care about myself, I would never let the Shen family’s honor be tarnished because of me."

Song Yan'er’s face darkened with worry. "Then, Yuan'er... how do you intend to handle this?"

Shen Ningyuan countered, "Why must we handle it?"

Song Yan'er and Cui Jin were both stunned, looking at her in bewilderment. Cui Jin disagreed, "But Yuan'er, if we do nothing, this will only grow worse. I fear it will spiral out of control, leaving you with no place in this city."

Shen Ningyuan shook her head calmly. "Mother, the Ji family knows we care about this, which is why they created these rumors to force me back. But if I were to return, wouldn't that just prove I am feeling guilty? The moment I show any sign of guilt, it confirms that everything in those rumors is true. At that point, everyone will be convinced that I am carrying an illegitimate child and that the Shen family truly harbors treasonous intent. Even if we jumped into the Yellow River, we would never be able to wash ourselves clean."