Chapter 35: Mother Has Plenty of Money

Shen Haobai nodded with gratification after hearing Cui Mingzhu’s words.

"Exactly. You must rest well and ensure your injury heals quickly."

Cui Mingzhu’s expression stiffened, and just as she was about to respond, he continued, "Cousin, please don’t do such silly things again. A woman’s hands are like her second face; how unsightly it would be to have a scar!"

Seeing Shen Haobai’s earnest, concerned demeanor, Cui Mingzhu’s expression darkened further. After a moment of stiffness, she secretly gritted her teeth and replied, "I will remember that, cousin. I certainly won’t make such a mistake again."

The Shen family had always been fiercely protective of their own. If Shen Haobai were to find out that it was she who had provoked Shen Ningyuan, leading to her hand being crushed by the door, his attitude would be far from what it was now. Thinking of this, Cui Mingzhu silently kept her mouth shut, not daring to utter another word.

Seeing this, Shen Ningyuan and Song Yan’er exchanged a knowing smile.

After a while, Shen Ningyuan looked at the sky outside and asked with concern, "It’s getting late. Why haven't Father and Second Brother returned yet?"

Cui Jin replied truthfully, "The rumors outside have become too rampant. Since you both went out to shop, your father and brother have been leading men to investigate the source of these malicious whispers. Calculating the time, they should be back soon."

"Is Yuanyuan back?"

Speak of the devil. No sooner had Cui Jin finished speaking than Shen Potian’s deep, resonant voice echoed from outside the front hall. Shortly after, the tall and imposing Shen Potian, accompanied by the slender Shen Haoyue, strode through the courtyard of the front hall.

Their expressions were grim as they entered. Upon seeing them, Shen Potian’s attention was immediately drawn to Cui Mingzhu’s injured hand.

"Mingzhu’s hand... what happened?"

Cui Mingzhu quickly explained, "Back to my uncle, I was careless and got my hand caught in the door."

"Injured so severely?" A flash of surprise crossed Shen Potian’s eyes, but it quickly faded. He reminded her in a deep voice, "Be more careful in the future. For a young woman, a scar on the hand can affect one's future."

Cui Mingzhu’s expression stiffened again. She forced a smile and said stiffly, "Thank you for your concern, Uncle. I will be sure to be more careful."

In contrast, Shen Haoyue had kept his eyes on Shen Ningyuan since entering, walking toward her in a few quick strides. "Yuanyuan, you went out today—you weren't hurt, were you?" Shen Haoyue asked nervously. The rumors outside were so pervasive that every place they passed was filled with people gossiping about the Shen family and Shen Ningyuan. He could not help but worry, fearing that those who believed the rumors might harm her.

Seeing her second brother’s worried look, Shen Ningyuan shook her head. "Second Brother, I’m fine. My sister-in-law and I are both unharmed."

As she spoke, she looked at Song Yan’er, who quickly nodded. "Don't worry, little brother-in-law. Yuanyuan and I are completely fine."

"That is a relief," Shen Haoyue exhaled.

"Second Brother, what did you and Father discover on your trip?" Shen Ningyuan asked.

Shen Haoyue’s face darkened immediately. "Those rumors were all spread by the Ji family!"

Hearing this, Shen Ningyuan was not surprised. Shen Haoyue’s fists were clenched, his fair face flushed with anger. "We shouldn't have let the Ji family off so easily!" he gritted out.

Shen Haobai was also breathing heavily with rage, roaring in a low voice, "What exactly does the Ji family want? To push our sister this far—what benefit could it possibly bring them?"

Shen Ningyuan’s heart sank. Her eldest brother had no idea what the Ji family truly wanted. They were after her life and the entirety of the Shen family’s wealth.

Compared to the two men’s anger, Shen Potian remained much calmer. He turned his gaze toward Shen Ningyuan and asked with concern, "Yuanyuan, I heard from the butler that you gave your mother-in-law and sister-in-law quite a fright at the Feathered Garment Pavilion today?"

Shen Ningyuan paused. Seeing her father’s solemn expression, she thought he was going to reprimand her, but she answered truthfully, "There were indeed some frictions."

The next second, she heard Shen Potian ask anxiously, "You didn't suffer any losses, did you?"

Shen Ningyuan blinked, surprised. She had expected a scolding, not such immediate concern for her well-being. "Don't worry, Father, I didn't suffer any losses." She then looked at Song Yan’er. "Sister-in-law was with me; Madam Chen and Ji Yunhuan didn't dare do anything to me."

Hearing this, Shen Potian cast an approving glance at Song Yan’er. "Your sister-in-law has always been protective. With her there, no outsider can easily harm you."

Then, his expression darkened as he analyzed the situation. "However, things have reached this point, and the Ji family will certainly not let it rest. We must think of a way to resolve this properly."

Cui Jin let out a cold snort. "How they want to cause trouble is their own business. We haven't even settled the score for them poisoning Yuanyuan yet!"

Shen Potian sighed helplessly. "My dear, that’s not how it works. The Ji family appears to be the weaker party; outsiders, ignorant of the truth, will surely side with them. The current situation is not favorable to the Shen family."

"Then what are we to do? Just stand by and watch as Yuanyuan is forced back to the Ji family to be bullied by those black-hearted people?" Cui Jin shook her head firmly. "I won't allow it!"

Cui Jin gripped Shen Ningyuan’s hand, her eyes rimmed with red. "As long as I am here, I will never let Yuanyuan return to the Ji family!"

A year ago, she had opposed Shen Ningyuan’s marriage into the Ji family, but back then, Shen Ningyuan had threatened her life, leaving her no choice but to compromise. Now that it was a matter of life and death, she would never compromise again.

Seeing Cui Jin so agitated, Shen Ningyuan felt a pang in her heart. *Women are soft, but mothers are strong.* Her mother had truly broken her heart for her sake.

Thinking of this, Shen Ningyuan gripped Cui Jin’s hand in return and said seriously, "Mother, I know you worry for me, but the one who tied the knot must be the one to untie it. If I do not return to the Ji family, this matter will never be resolved."

"Yuanyuan, what are you saying?" Cui Jin stared at her, stunned. "You want to return to the Ji family?"

At the same time, everyone’s eyes in the room fell upon Shen Ningyuan. Their reactions varied, but they all shared the same confusion. No one could understand why, at a time like this, Shen Ningyuan would choose to go back.

Cui Mingzhu, too, hadn't expected Shen Ningyuan to propose returning to the Ji family herself. She assumed that Shen Ningyuan must have lost her mind. Did she not realize by now that the Ji family truly wanted her dead? Or was it because of the dowry she had brought with her? She couldn't think of any other reason.

Cui Jin’s thoughts mirrored Cui Mingzhu’s, assuming it was about the dowry. She said, "Yuanyuan, you absolutely do not need to return to that wolf’s den just for the sake of that dowry."

"Mother, it’s not that..." Shen Ningyuan tried to explain.

Cui Jin cut her off. "Wealth is merely an external possession. If you want it, Mother will give it to you—I have plenty of money."