Volume One, Chapter 16: Men Who Gain Power Are Often So Cold and Heartless

Bang—

A loud crash sounded at the shop’s entrance. The siblings snapped out of their emotions and looked over.

The visitors were none other than Madam Xie and Nurse Chen.

Behind them trailed a line of maids and servants, forming an imposing procession.

Madam Xie pointed angrily at the intertwined hands of Shen Yurou and Shen Bingyue, her nose wrinkled in fury.

“What are you two doing? Even if you’re siblings, you must consider appearances!”

Her tone was harsh. Shen Yurou sprang to her feet.

“This is my shop. What are you doing here? Leave!”

Nurse Chen stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said, “We are here to take you home to instruct you in proper etiquette, so you may soon become a qualified wife of a middle-ranking general.”

Qualified? That implied she was unfit now.

Shen Yurou, married to Xie Zhian for over three years, had dutifully served her mother-in-law and contributed to the household without complaint.

Yet now, she was deemed “unqualified”?

She retorted sharply, “Qualification lies in the heart. It’s not something I can achieve through effort alone.”

Madam Xie slammed the table and rose.

“Look at you, so sharp-tongued. Say one thing to you, and you have ten replies ready. Shut down your shop and go back to Nurse Chen to learn some manners! Otherwise, how long do you think you can hold the position of a general’s wife with your merchant background?”

Shen Bingyue bristled at Madam Xie’s insult towards their status and stood up from his seat.

“What’s wrong with being from a merchant family? When Xie Zhian married my sister, it was him who was reaching too high.”

Indeed, the Xie family had fallen on hard times with nothing to offer, and the Shen family had repeatedly pushed back the marriage proposal.

In the end, they had no choice but to send the unloved Shen Yurou.

Still, they could not complain — forging ties with the Shen family offered survival.

Shen Yurou’s dowry consisted of ninety-nine taels of silver.

For the daughter of the wealthiest family, this was pitifully meager.

But to the Xie family, it was a substantial asset to support their household.

Over the years, expenses for the estate and guests were all covered by this dowry.

Realizing she was in the wrong, Madam Xie fell silent and waved her hand to command, “Take the lady home.”

A squad of maids surged forward.

Shen Bingyue blocked his sister’s front, but strong servants pulled him aside.

In an instant, Shen Yurou became a fish on a chopping board, at others’ mercy.

Just as despair settled in, Bi Yao and Bi Huan appeared like angels from above.

Though seemingly delicate, the two young ladies quickly dispatched the crowd and shielded Shen Yurou behind them.

Madam Xie, furious, pointed at them.

“You’ve gone too far. I swear I’ll have you both thrown out and sold to the brothel!”

Bi Yao and Bi Huan remained unmoved, their faces cold.

Qiu Yue anxiously stepped forward beside Shen Yurou, carefully examining her.

“Miss, are you alright? Any injuries?”

Shen Yurou smiled and shook her head softly, whispering, “I’m fine.”

“Forgive me, Miss. It’s my fault for insisting on dragging Bi Yao and Bi Huan out shopping, which put you in danger.”

Shen Yurou patted her shoulder, offering comfort.

“It’s truly nothing — you all came back just in time.”

Qiu Yue wiped her tears, her heart still rattled.

Seeing she couldn’t win by words or force, Madam Xie stormed off, leaving a bitter warning:

“A merchant girl unfit for the stage — just wait for my son to send you a divorce letter.”

After all that had happened, Shen Yurou’s heart no longer fluttered at such words.

But who said divorce letters had to be from man to woman?

If they parted, she would be the one to take the initiative.

Moreover, having given everything to the Xies, she intended to make them return it all.

The Xie family was no longer a home, and rebuilding the estate would take time.

After Madam Xie and her group departed, Shen Bingyue suggested Shen Yurou return to the Shen family home for a while, as a transition.

But Shen Yurou didn’t want to show her humiliation before her mother, so she declined.

“If I go back, Aunt Liu and her daughter will take the chance to cause trouble. I’d rather stay at the shop and tough it out.”

“They?” Shen Bingyue sneered. “They’re busy claiming the child in Shen Yuwan’s belly as theirs. Who has time to bother you?”

Child? Shen Yuwan was pregnant? But she wasn’t even married yet!

Shen Yurou measured her own belly and asked, “You mean this kind of child?”

Shen Bingyue poured himself a cup of tea and prepared to explain at length.

“Exactly. She thought she’d soar like a phoenix, but the old lord prince was just playing with her. Now he’s found a younger, prettier woman and kicked her aside.”

“And the child? Doesn’t he acknowledge it?” Shen Yurou’s heart clenched.

Shen Bingyue waved his hand.

“According to that lord prince, the child in Shen Yuwan’s womb is some bastard of unknown origin. She dreams of becoming a secondary princess — what a joke.”

Shen Yuwan and Shen Yurou had always been at odds.

Such a fate was perhaps deserved due to her greed.

Yet Shen Yurou felt no relief.

Instead, a mournful sympathy welled up inside her.

Men who gain power in this world are often so cold.

When love is rich, it’s sweet as honey; when interest fades, they turn their backs and deny it.

The siblings argued for a long time over where Shen Yurou should stay.

Neither would yield.

Finally, Bi Yao spoke up:

“Miss, the shop was robbed a few nights ago. It’s far too unsafe for you to stay there.”

Hearing “robber,” Shen Yurou immediately recalled the danger she faced in the eastern suburbs.

Her delicate frame trembled; how could she have forgotten?

She ceased insisting on staying at the shop. The siblings compromised.

In the end, Shen Bingyue secured a top-tier suite for her at the Peach Blossom Inn across the street.

Twilight deepened, night enveloping Yejing City.

Shen Yurou sat in the bath barrel. Red petals floated across the water’s surface, concealing her exquisite figure.

The water was warm; steam drifted softly.

Amidst the mist, her delicate jade-like face flushed faintly.

She toyed with the petals, growing drowsy.

Qiu Yue knocked, then pushed open the door.

A chill swept in, sharpening Shen Yurou’s senses.

She turned to the visitor and asked, “Is the bed prepared?”

Qiu Yue said nothing, standing awkwardly and wringing her fingers.

Raising an eyebrow, Shen Yurou asked, “What is it?”

“It’s... it’s the young master. He’s here. Do you wish to see him?”