RWNEFE -Chapter 395 Shen Congwen Exposed for Supporting a Mistress and Her Children

Even if the Shen family got into trouble later, it would no longer concern him.

Perhaps, in the end, the Shen family might even turn to him for help.

Chunxue brought several brocade boxes with servants.

Shen Lanxi said, “Previously, when Yuanjing and Yuanxu were about to marry, I sent gifts; I certainly can’t leave out your share.”

“Once you’re married, the couple should be harmonious. Make sure to carry on the Shen family lineage as soon as possible!”

Zhou Yunrui’s smile stiffened. She hadn’t expected to hear such words from a peer rather than from her stepmother.

If not for their father’s instructions, she wouldn’t have tolerated Shen Lanxi acting like an elder here.

“Elder Sister, then we will graciously accept,” Zhou Yunrui said.

Shen Lanxi nodded.

“Elder Sister, the day after tomorrow, I want to host a family banquet at home. Please honor us with your presence to celebrate our wedding.” Naturally, this would dispel any rumors of Shen Lanxi’s estrangement from the Shen family.

Shen Lanxi replied, “No need. Going to the Shen residence would only upset Father. If the banquet ended on a sour note, my unlucky reputation as a divorced woman would be fully confirmed.”

Zhou Yunrui’s eyes moved subtly. She continued, “Even if you have differences with Father, it doesn’t affect us. You can’t distance yourself from us just because of him!”

Shen Lanxi: “I won’t. If you ever need anything, you can still come to the public residence to see me.”

Zhou Yunrui smiled: “I’ve always heard tales about the grandeur of the Grand Ding Gong Mansion and how you, Elder Sister, are a remarkable woman who rivals men. I admire you so. Can we come visit more often?”

Shen Lanxi smiled: “I’m afraid not. I have official duties and must report daily at the Jingwei Department. If you need me, you can come there.”

Zhou Yunrui tested a few times but concluded that Shen Lanxi wasn’t so unapproachable. In just a few sentences, she had put Shen Lanxi at ease. Judging by her tone, she seemed willing to allow their visits.

Today’s objective was achieved. No need to rush; once they got familiar, the Grand Ding Gong Mansion would still be a place she could only enter when permitted.

“Since you won’t come to the banquet, Elder Sister, I’ll prepare an extra table and send it to you. You won’t refuse, will you?” Zhou Yunxi said expectantly.

“Fine. I doubt Father would speak harshly to you,” Shen Lanxi replied.

Zhou Yunrui’s mission accomplished, she left with light steps.

…

“Madam, I don’t think the Tenth Princess is truly well-intentioned.” After all, she had set up Wei Dongzhu back at the old matriarch’s birthday banquet.

Shen Lanxi sneered: “Once she counted herself into the Shen family, it’s no longer her choice.”

Che Mingyuan pondered for a moment, beginning to understand why Shen Lanxi had clashed with Shen Congwen at the princess’s wedding.

All in all, Shen Congwen, as a father, had inadvertently handed a windfall to a daughter he disliked.

~

Recently, the Shen family had a rough time.

First, Shen Congwen was repeatedly impeached in the main hall. Then creditors arrived one after another demanding repayment. Shen Congwen, already overwhelmed, faced yet another major issue.

Even the court officials knew and lodged a complaint against Shen Congwen during the morning court session.

The Renxiao Emperor was furious and ordered Shen Congwen to be thrown out of the palace immediately.

Shen Congwen’s face lost all dignity. At the palace gates, he coughed up blood, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted.

When he woke again, he had been thrown to the Shen residence gates by the Imperial Guard.

“You scoundrel! You secretly support a mistress and bore her illegitimate children. How dare you betray the Princess and the Shen family ancestors? I’ll beat you to death…”

The old matriarch, Old Madam Shen, was so agitated that she nearly fainted on the spot.

“Grandmother…”

“Mother…”

The Shen household erupted in chaos: doctors were summoned, ginseng slices fetched, people tried to calm the situation, and others scolded and blamed—utter pandemonium.

…

“Madam, the three siblings are still kneeling at the Shen residence gates. Inside, the Shen family is in total disarray. It seems they’ve forgotten about them entirely.” The messenger reported, exhausted on behalf of the Shen family.

The saying goes, “Family scandals shouldn’t be publicized,” but the Shen household was so noisy that the commotion could likely be heard even at the city gates.

Shen Lanxi chuckled softly.

“Let them make a fuss. The capital has been far too quiet; people won’t be able to handle it otherwise.”

Something new always had to surface to cover old news.

“Madam, General Wei Dongzhu is here.”

Wei Dongzhu strode in.

“Lanxi, I’ve heard about the Shen family situation.”

Shen Lanxi: “It’s only been a short while—how did you already know?”

Seeing that her composure wasn’t affected, Wei Dongzhu smiled. His smile didn’t seem forced.

“Lanxi, aren’t you worried about your mother?”

Shen Lanxi nodded solemnly: “I should indeed check on her.”

After seeing the huge mess she had caused for her mother, how would she react?

Wei Dongzhu also brought news from the Northwest this time.

Shen Lanxi read through it and let him stay for a meal.

Just as they sat, several younger Shen family members hurried in.

“Elder Sister, there’s trouble at the residence,” Shen Yuangjun said, sweating from rushing.

Shen Lanxi: “What kind of trouble has you all so anxious?”

Shen Yuangjun and Shen Yuanqing were embarrassed to speak directly, but Shen Yuankun and others were present.

“There are three young people kneeling at our gates, claiming to be the children of our eldest uncle. Elder Sister, because of this, our uncle has been impeached and was even carried home by the Imperial Guard.”

Shen Lanxi raised an eyebrow: “Father admitted it?”

Shen Yuankun: “When Grandmother hit our uncle, he didn’t resist.”

Shen Lanxi looked at Yuangjun and Yuanqing: “What about Mother’s side?”

Shen Yuangjun: “Yuantang is persuading her.”

“Seems it’s true.” Shen Lanxi ate calmly, even serving a few dishes to Wei Dongzhu.

Wei Dongzhu wondered: with such a huge incident, perhaps only Shen Lanxi could remain so composed.

“The household probably won’t be able to eat quietly. Eat some here first!” she instructed a maid.

“Elder Sister, why aren’t you worried at all?” Shen Yuanqing asked, red-faced with anxiety.

The three at the gate were two boys and a girl. The eldest was about her age, the youngest about his.

Shen Lanxi ate methodically: “The ones who should worry are not you, but Father.”

Her words were true. When they left, Father was still being scolded and blamed by Grandmother and the three uncles.

“Elder Sister, the three are two boys and one girl. The eldest seems about your age; the youngest, mine,” Shen Yuanqing muttered gloomily.

With the meal laid out, Shen Lanxi had fulfilled her duties as the eldest sister. They could eat or not, as they pleased.

“Elder Sister, Father’s actions are unfair to Mother,” Shen Yuanqing said, her face flushed.

Shen Lanxi: “When the Shen family was exiled, the mistress and her children were not implicated. As long as Father dares to acknowledge them, anyone who denies it is defying the Emperor!”