Volume One, Chapter 14: Disrespect Your Mother-in-Law, and the Marriage Is Over!

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The courtesan nestled in his arms coquettishly murmured, “General Zhonglang, I’m so cold.” Xie Zhi’an’s posture straightened instantly. Indeed, he was now a General Zhonglang, an official of the third rank. Even if there were shortcomings, it was not Shen Yurou’s place to criticize him. He pulled the beauty closer and said to Shen Yurou, “We’ll discuss it tomorrow morning. I am very busy now.” A massive stone sank into the water without a splash, drifting silently to the bottom. Shen Yurou’s heart shattered piece by piece. He did not even bother to explain himself. Reflecting on every moment shared with Xie Zhi’an, a profound melancholy settled within her. Everything she had cared for and cherished was so easily overturned. She had never expected such conduct from him—just as Xie Zhi’an was oblivious to what truly mattered in her heart. Perhaps, from the very beginning, they were never meant to be a perfect match. Within the imperial palace, Song Jianing set down the food box, feigning delicate reproach, “This was made by Ningning herself. Your Highness, make sure to eat after you finish your duties!” He Liating lifted his head from the folding fan with a warm smile. “Naturally, many thanks to Miss Ning for her effort.” At that moment, Shi An entered silently and stood aside without a word. Song Jianing’s expression darkened, and she rose to take her leave. After the door closed, Shi An confirmed the footsteps had faded before speaking, “General, Madam Shen has arrived safely in Yejing.” He Liating set down the fan and asked, “Was the journey smooth?” Shi An adjusted his sleeve. “With Bi Huan and Bi Yao escorting her, it was certainly smooth.” Bi Huan and Bi Yao were elite shadows cultivated for years, the most outstanding among them. Unexpectedly, upon learning Shen Yurou needed protection, He Liating had decisively assigned these two to her. He Liating nodded and inquired further, “What of her husband? How has he been lately?” “Promoted to General Zhonglang. As you expected, he indulges in lavish pleasures daily and has already taken in seven dancers,” Shi An replied with disdain in his eyes. “Let him enjoy his carefree days; the real show is yet to come.” He Liating’s thin lips curled slightly as he picked up the folding fan again.

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After discussing this, Shi An was about to leave when He Liating suddenly called him back. “Throw away the osmanthus cakes on the table. They’re an eyesore.” Shi An paused. The General was known for despising waste. Seeing his hesitation, He Liating added, “They were sent by Song Jianing. Would you dare eat them?” On his last return to the capital, he had been drugged with Hehuan incense at Consort Li’s residence. Hence, he would not even touch anything from Song Jianing. Shi An carried the food box away, sighing inwardly. Song Jianing was a troublesome figure, always frequenting the General’s residence and brazenly positioning herself as the future crown prince’s consort. Yet the General still had to play along with her, which was truly vexing. Night fell thick and lush. In the master bedroom of the General Zhonglang’s mansion, soft feminine murmurs and laughter drifted through the air. Shen Yurou tried to ignore them, but the voices slithered into her ears like venomous snakes, robbing her of sleep. Her once radiant eyes now wide and dull as copper bells, she sat by the bedside in a daze for a long time. How she longed to flee home and weep in her mother’s embrace, but she could not; her mother would grieve for her. At dawn, Shen Yurou rose. Bi Huan and Bi Yao had awakened as well. The three went together to the newly opened Cloud Cake shop. Shen Yurou twisted her homemade egg beater; the loud clatter grounded her scattered thoughts, bringing some peace to her heart. As the fragrance of cloud cakes filled the room, her restless spirit finally calmed. Indeed, she still had two shops, a loving mother, and a brother. She had only come to see a scoundrel clearly—it was not the end of the world. If need be, she would simply mind her shops and live her own life. Yet soon, worry crept back. The newly opened shop was not doing well; it was losing money daily. Though she had pawned the jade seal for some cash, it was not enough to offset the mounting losses. She had planned to spend some silver on a major promotional event to revive business, but this incident had come at a critical moment. If she bought a new residence, her finances would be stretched to the breaking point. Shen Yurou sipped the bitter tea; the sweetness of the cloud cakes was overwhelmed by the bitterness on her tongue. Before breakfast was finished, Qiuyue arrived, accompanied by an older nanny. Shen Yurou recognized the nanny from the General Zhonglang’s mansion the day before. She was said to have been hired by Madam Xie at great expense to manage the inner household, and her surname appeared to be Chen. Seeing Shen Yurou eating alone at a small table, Nanny Chen’s face turned green with anger. “Madam’s mother-in-law has not yet eaten. How can you eat first? Come back with me at once; the matron is waiting for you to serve breakfast!” Shen Yurou frowned deeply. “Since when is there such a rule about serving breakfast? If I don’t serve, should she starve?” Hearing Shen Yurou’s rebellious words, the nanny said nothing more but stood aside to loudly recite the female admonitions. Shen Yurou felt like Sun Wukong with a tightening headband, her head aching fiercely. Her appetite gone, she stood decisively. “Let’s go! I want to see what mischief my mother-in-law is causing now.” When Shen Yurou arrived at the Xie residence, the family was dining together. Around the round table sat the mother-in-law, Xie Zhi’an, Xie Fangying, and the courtesan newly brought into the household the day before. The scene was harmonious to the point of being grating. Shen Yurou stood quietly in the corridor for a long time, unnoticed. Eventually, the courtesan was the first to spot her. She hurriedly stood, bowed politely, and said, “Little sister greets elder sister.” She was well-mannered, but Shen Yurou was not swayed. She averted her gaze without response. Xie Zhi’an tugged the courtesan closer. “Mianmian, come and eat breakfast quickly; the food is getting cold.” The courtesan named Mianmian did not immediately return but instead bowed respectfully to Shen Yurou before sitting beside Xie Zhi’an. Even the usually oblivious Xie Fangying sensed the tension and forced a laugh to ease the atmosphere. “Sister-in-law, have you eaten? Come join us.” Then she turned to the round-faced maid behind her. “Go, bring another set of bowls and chopsticks.” As the maid took a step, Madam Xie slammed down her chopsticks. “Early in the morning, not knowing where she has been wandering. I think it’s better she doesn’t eat at all!” Shen Yurou’s fury, already bubbling, ignited fully. She retorted sharply, “Where else could I have gone? Mother-in-law knows better than anyone—I went to tend the shops. How is that wandering about?” Madam Xie had only intended to assert her authority publicly but did not expect the formerly obedient Shen Yurou to confront her so boldly. Her face flushed red as she stammered, “Disrespecting your mother-in-law is unacceptable! Unacceptable!”