allonlinenovel Chapter 153 Four Rumors, Letter of Divorce
Chapter 153 Four Rumors, Letter of Divorce
Marquis Chengen paced back and forth in his study with his hands behind his back and his brows furrowed.
Although Shen Shaohuai's plan was insidious and despicable, it must be said that it was very effective in dealing with Shen Qingtan.
Even unmarried women from respectable families, regardless of their social status, could only become concubines, demonstrating the strictness of the established social norms and rules.
Moreover, Shen Qingtan is already a married woman; having been smeared with such accusations, she is doomed to die.
"Are you worried that she is the daughter of a marquis and might affect the other sisters in the household?"
"Although the sisters will suffer some grievances and damage their reputation as a result, you must put the bigger picture first."
“We are still walking on the edge of a knife. What’s the point of us sisters guarding our reputation if we can’t protect our lives and families?”
"As long as we regain Prince Yu's trust, and he ascends the throne, you will have rendered meritorious service in supporting the emperor. How could those people dare to say anything bad about our family?"
"People are naturally inclined to seek advantage and avoid harm; they're too busy trying to curry favor with us."
After Shen Shaohuai finished speaking, he clearly noticed that the Marquis of Chengen's brow relaxed, which showed that the Marquis of Chengen's heart was wavering.
No one knew the Marquis of Chengen better than him; he was greedy, selfish, and no one could stop him from pursuing his interests.
Even if they are one's own children.
Shen Shaohuai accurately grasped the thoughts of the Marquis of Chengen and was not worried about not being able to persuade him.
As expected, Marquis Chengen sighed deeply, his tone one of helplessness: "Huai'er, you're right. Our priority now is to save our lives. Preserving our reputation is useless if we lose our lives."
He believed that once the rumors of Shen Qingtan's elopement spread, regardless of her innocence, she would no longer be able to stand upright in this world.
With Shen Qingtan's intelligence, how could she not understand the pros and cons involved?
But so what?
She could only endure it.
He could either return to the capital and be divorced by the Duke of Zhao's mansion.
Either hide in the shadows forever and eke out a living.
In this way, the biggest threat to Prince Yu was also eliminated.
Marquis Chengen's eyes were dark and unfathomable: "Huai'er, I'll leave this matter to you."
Shen Shaohuai smiled: "Father, your son will definitely handle this matter properly."
-
The Duke's Mansion, Lanxue Garden.
Zhao Yi stood by the window, gazing at the azure sky, lost in his own thoughts.
Suddenly, a carrier pigeon landed on the windowsill and cooed twice.
Zhao Yi pulled himself out of his thoughts and looked down at the carrier pigeons on the windowsill.
He stretched out his long, slender hand and gently hooked his fingers.
The carrier pigeon pecked at his fingers a few times before fluttering its wings and landing in his palm.
Zhao Yi took a small roll of paper from its foot and saw that a few words were written on it.
The message has been delivered.
He looked at those words and a smile crept onto his lips.
It seems the fish have taken the bait.
With a creak, Jiang Mu came in carrying a bowl of medicine and saw Zhao Yi gently stroking the head of the carrier pigeon.
"Second Master, your right hand is 'injured,' you can't move it around," Jiang Mu reminded him. "If outsiders see it, won't we be exposed?"
Zhao Yi glanced at his right hand and released the carrier pigeon.
I just hope this matter will end soon.
-
Second Room Qingyun Garden.
Shen Mingzhu lay pale on the soft couch. The baby in her womb was gone, but her abdomen was still in excruciating pain, and the bleeding was increasing.
After the doctor examined my pulse, he prescribed several doses of medicine, but it still didn't work.
At that moment, Zhongxia walked in from outside carrying a box.
Shen Mingzhu asked weakly, "What are you holding in your hand?"
Looking at the sickly Shen Mingzhu, Zhongxia stammered, "The box contains a piece of jade. Your mother sent it to you, saying she wanted to carve a jade pendant for the child in your womb."
Shen Mingzhu suddenly sat up and said emotionally, "Throw it out! Throw out everything she sent!"
Her expression was contorted, and she stared fiercely at the wooden box, as if it were a place of deep hatred.
"No matter what she brings, throw it all away and don't bring it in front of me."
Shen Mingzhu's hatred for Madam Shen increased rapidly as her health deteriorated.
Everything she is going through now is caused by Madam Shen.
"Yes." Zhongxia's face turned pale. "This servant has remembered."
Shen Mingzhu growled, "Get out."
Zhongxia hurriedly took the box and went out.
Shen Mingzhu's chest heaved rapidly, and with nowhere to vent the anger she had been holding in, she grabbed the incense burner from the incense table next to her and smashed it on the ground.
With a "snap," the person outside the door shrugged in surprise.
Cao's mother walked in briskly, but when she heard the noise coming from inside the house, she paused for a moment, then quickly hurried into the house.
Shen Mingzhu looked towards the door with red eyes.
Cao's mother was startled by the intense hatred in her eyes. Ever since the child was lost, her emotions had been extremely volatile.
"Third Madam, this old servant has good news to tell you." Cao Mama approached cautiously, saying ingratiatingly, "Second Madam's good days are coming to an end."
Sure enough, Shen Mingzhu calmed down and asked, "What happened to that bitch?"
"Second Madam and Second Master went to West Mountain for a few days yesterday. Last night, they were assassinated. Second Master was injured, and Second Madam is missing. When the news first came out, everyone in the mansion thought that Second Madam had fallen off a cliff."
Cao's mother deliberately kept everyone in suspense: "Guess what happened?"
"She's dead?" Shen Mingzhu felt a surge of pleasure. "Good riddance! I've been hoping for her to die. Now that she's dead, my good days are about to begin."
She was heartbroken at losing her child and dared not tell anyone. She was in great pain and wanted Zhao Jue to keep her company so that she could find some comfort.
Zhongxia went to urge him three or four times, but Zhao Jue declined each time.
Immediately afterwards, she heard the news that Zhao Yi had taken Shen Qingtan on a trip, and she felt extremely uncomfortable.
Now we've finally heard some very welcome news.
“Second Madam is not dead.” Seeing Shen Mingzhu’s face suddenly darken, Cao Mama quickly said, “She eloped with her lover, and the rumors are spreading like wildfire.”
Shen Mingzhu frowned. She wasn't very smart, but she knew that this news was unreliable.
"Second Madam and her lover arranged to meet secretly in the Western Hills, but Second Master caught them. Second Madam's lover injured Second Master and eloped with Second Madam." Cao Mama laughed, "The rumors outside are quite detailed, and even the storyteller in the teahouse is telling this story vividly."
Shen Mingzhu said instinctively, "She wouldn't..."
"Third Grandmother, regardless of whether this is true or not, Second Grandmother has indeed disappeared. If this is true, she can't clear her name even if she jumps into the river."
Mrs. Cao continued, "Just wait and see. When she comes back, she'll be greeted with a letter of divorce."
Shen Mingzhu's mind raced, and she figured out the key to it, feeling increasingly cheerful.
The next moment, she instructed Cao Mama: "That slut has a good relationship with Fourth Aunt. Go and bribe the maidservant next to Fourth Aunt to find out what's going on."
Shen Mingzhu was afraid of Shen Qingtan, fearing that it was another scheme by her.
"Yes."
Madam Cao accepted the order and went to the fourth house. On the way, she saw Zhao Yi and the old Duke's attendants walking towards the front yard.