RWNEFE -Chapter 557 Shen Yuantang Sacrifices Family for Justice

“Mother, you gave the household authority to Huang Yu. You arranged rooms for her in our residence, yet I, your own daughter, wasn’t even allowed to live inside. I still live in the old, dilapidated mansion, with no one to care for me, eating plain food. Do you even realize this?” Shen Yuantang wept as she accused her mother.

The two senior maids had already subdued four other maids, twisting their arms and tossing them into the courtyard.

Shen Yuantang looked at the imposing maids and gave a bitter laugh. “Come on. Do you also want to throw me out?”

The maids didn’t even glance at her, their eyes lowered, waiting only for their mistress’s command.

“Enough. You may leave!” Zhou Xinrou sighed, wearied by the ordeal.

Shen Yuantang slowly collapsed onto the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Mother, daughter feels so miserable! Why does no one care for me, mother…”

Zhou Xinrou turned her back, slowly closing her eyes.

“If you want to move in, there is one way.”

Shen Yuantang froze, immediately crawling forward on her knees.

“Mother, what way?”

A soft, quiet voice spoke.

“You are still the Princess of Zhennan. Lanxi has not yet stripped Zhou Ruyuan of his title. As long as you remain the ‘guilty consort,’ you could implicate your entire household. Do you understand?”

Shen Yuantang’s eyes flickered. She murmured, “No wonder, when I asked grandmother and father several times to let me move back in, they refused.”

She hadn’t expected it was for this reason. They were truly selfish, cold, and heartless.

“They have their difficulties too. The lives of an entire family rest on the Emperor’s whim. Don’t blame them!”

Nice words, but how could she not blame them?

“Thank you, mother, for telling me. I understand!”

The next day, Shen Yuantang led a group through the streets, beating gongs and drums, publicly accusing Zhou Ruyuan of his crimes.

“Zhou Ruyuan’s acts on his wedding night were reckless and foolish.”

“He favored his concubine and destroyed his wife, showing cruelty.”

“He killed a prince to gain status and enraged the Emperor—unfilial and unjust.”

“He colluded with foreign tribes, plotting rebellion—disloyal!”

“His mother, Consort Shu, participated in the death of the former Crown Prince.”

“He colluded with Princess Zhou Qiwou to seize the Jinmen Navy, marrying Zhou Qiwou’s ruthless second daughter—unprincipled in every way.”

“His title as ‘God of War’ is empty. He has no real military skill. When the Northwest was pacified, foreign forces exploited his mistakes, burning supplies and causing losses of thirty-five taels of silver.”

“In the Northwest, his poor judgment caused the deaths of 16,389 soldiers and left 5,613 disabled.”

“He embezzled rations and funds meant for soldiers’ families. In Dongchuan, many soldiers didn’t die in battle—they froze or starved to death!”

“Zhou Ruyuan’s crimes are too numerous to list. Today, I, as his wife, will perform da yi mie qin—sacrificing personal ties for justice—and let the world know of his atrocities.”

“Expose his true nature so all may see: the ‘God of War’ title was not won through bravery, but built on countless soldiers’ corpses.”

The continuous clang clang clang of gongs rang from the Shen family mansion to the city gates, from East City to West City, North City to South City. The copper gongs echoed throughout the capital, all day long.

The gongs were beaten during the day; the decree officially dissolving Shen Yuantang’s marriage with Zhou Ruyuan was issued that night.

The next morning at court, Shen Lanxi issued imperial edicts stripping Zhou Ruyuan of his princely title and the ‘God of War’ honor, and revoking Princess Zhou Qiwou’s title as well.

“Ensure this is printed in the news dispatches so that all of Great Zhou, across the nation, knows the truth.”

“All will obey, Your Majesty!”

The divorce edict was issued at night. The following morning, Shen Yuantang formally moved into the Shen residence.

Zhou Xinrou now managed the household, overseeing everything.

“You will continue living in your courtyard. Remember—this time I’ve granted your wish. Next time, do not act recklessly!”

Shen Yuantang kowtowed. “Thank you, mother, for your guidance. With you managing the Shen family, no one will dare bully me again.”

Zhou Xinrou’s face remained stern. “Go tidy up your rooms.”

“Daughter takes her leave!”

Upon hearing the news, Shen Yuanxin immediately summoned her two daughters to lecture them.

“From now on, only play within the courtyard. Do not run outside. If you anger others and get punished, your mother cannot save you.”

Her eyes brimmed with worry.

~

Huang Yu was assigned to the Jingwei Mansion. Due to the consecutive imperial edicts, she did not engage in any socializing after assuming her post, returning immediately to the Shen household.

“Princess, both edicts have been issued. They say nothing about me. Could it be that they have noticed something?”

Zhou Xinrou replied, “Impossible.” Thinking of Shen Yuantang’s reaction, she did not worry.

“Perhaps she is jealous. Yesterday, Shen Yuantang also questioned me. Likely she may feel suspicious toward you as well.”

Huang Yu lowered her eyes in thought. “I will not visit you for the next few days—the Jingwei Mansion keeps me busy.”

Zhou Xinrou had already anticipated this; it was the best arrangement.

“Good.”

Huang Yu did not linger. After standing to pay her respects, she left.

Even so, Shen Yuantang, standing guard since early morning, blocked the doorway.

“Don’t think flattering my mother will allow you to compete with us. We are her children.”

A flash of mockery crossed Huang Yu’s eyes, but she quickly bowed her head, adopting a humble demeanor.

“Miss Yuantang, I mean no such thing. Saving the princess before was not for her status. Had it been someone else, I would have acted the same.”

Shen Yuantang snorted coldly. “No matter your intentions, if I see you scheming to get close to my mother again, don’t blame me for being harsh!”

Huang Yu said, “I dare not. If Miss Yuantang does not wish me to stay at the Shen residence, I will move immediately.”

Shen Yuantang, recalling her mother’s intentions, scowled. “No need. This is my mother’s wish. If you leave, she will feel bad.”

“Remember this: you saved my mother. My elder sister already thanked you and arranged for you to join the Jingwei Mansion, and let you live at the Shen household. This is a great favor. If you dare have any improper thoughts again, don’t blame us for being unkind!”

Huang Yu touched the scar on her face. “I dare not. You are the princess’s blood relatives. I am a stranger. The princess only showed me pity because of my scar.”

Shen Yuantang’s eyes traced the scar across half of Huang Yu’s face. The scar was long and deep. A normal girl would have been heartbroken and despaired.

She realized her mother’s leniency toward Huang Yu was precisely because of this scar.

“Good. From now on, aside from paying respects to my mother, do not disturb her.”

“Yes!”

Huang Yu lowered her head and withdrew. Shen Yuantang entered the main residence with a proud air.

Within two days, the Shen family sent a letter to Shen Lanxi confirming Huang Yu as a goddaughter.

She picked up her brush and wrote two characters in reply: Agreed!

Soon after, she received the details for the formal goddaughter ceremony—scheduled three days later.