TRBDM -Chapter 110 Shen Tianci Returns

“Rou’er, did you hear that?”

Even Wei Zhaorong couldn’t contain her excitement and immediately turned to look at Xie Wanrou.

Xie Wanrou was visibly stunned.

When a tremendous joy hits, a person can only feel dazed.

The nightmare that had tormented her for years was finally about to vanish completely.

Her limbs went numb, her ears rang, dizziness set in, and she lost control of her body.

Wei Zhaorong understood Xie Wanrou’s feelings and came over, embracing her tightly: “Lei Lieshan has been demoted to a commoner and sent to the frontier. The man who tormented you has finally met the retribution he deserves. Rou’er, do you hear me?”

Xie Wanrou’s breathing was a little rapid, but her mother’s embrace helped restore the scattered calm in her mind.

With outsiders present, she didn’t want to lose control and show herself too openly.

Xie Wanrou adjusted her breathing, suppressed the surging emotions, and patted Wei Zhaorong on the back with the back of her hand: “Mother, I heard it.”

Wei Zhaorong lowered her head and, seeing that Xie Wanrou’s expression was steady, released her and returned to her seat.

Jiang Yuelin had handled countless cases and seen all kinds of people. He could usually maintain composure, observing others’ crying, laughing, and quarrels with the detachment of an onlooker.

This time, however, he felt something crossing a line.

He didn’t feel the usual satisfaction of having resolved a case. Instead, there was a faint sense of pity.

Xie Wanrou, such a dignified and virtuous woman, shouldn’t have needed to be protected by her husband. Yet she had ended up with someone like Lei Lieshan—a complete monster.

Jiang Yuelin clearly realized he was overstepping mentally, but he couldn’t help it.

Perhaps it was the purplish bruises on her fair neck, looking so delicate and pitiful.

Perhaps it was the honey-filled pastries and iced sweets she had made with her own hands that suited his taste perfectly.

Perhaps it was the fragrant tea she brewed.

In any case, Jiang Yuelin knew that Xie Wanrou was different from others.

Exactly how she was different, he couldn’t put into words.

“Please forgive me, Lord Jiang. My daughter and I were simply too excited upon hearing this good news.”

Wei Zhaorong’s words brought Jiang Yuelin back to his senses: “You are too kind, Madam Hou.”

After the mother and daughter regained their composure, Wei Zhaorong said, “Lord Jiang, if you have no other matters today, why not stay for lunch at the Marquis Mansion?”

She had originally intended to host the Minister of Justice and Jiang Yuelin. Since he came to personally deliver such good news, the Marquis Mansion naturally wanted to extend a warm reception.

“I have urgent matters to attend to and will be leaving the city shortly, so it’s inconvenient to stay for lunch.”

Wei Zhaorong expressed her regret: “Since Lord Jiang has official duties, I won’t trouble you. After the Flower Festival, the Marquis Mansion will send invitations to Lord Feng Jun and you. Please do honor us with your presence then.”

Jiang Yuelin nodded: “Very well, it’s a promise.”

Wei Zhaorong and Xie Wanrou escorted Jiang Yuelin out.

The scene felt somewhat familiar. Jiang Yuelin mounted his horse swiftly. Just as the hooves clattered, he glanced back at Xie Wanrou.

The early summer wind lifted his robes. He smiled lightly, tightened the reins, and rode off.

For some reason, Xie Wanrou felt her ears flush slightly.

She hurriedly averted her gaze and lowered her head.

“Lord Jiang is just a civil official, yet he rides so skillfully. I heard he hasn’t married yet. Matchmakers have practically worn out the Jiang residence’s doorstep, but he hasn’t given so much as a hint. I wonder which girl will catch his eye in the future.”

Wei Zhaorong rarely indulged in gossip, but Jiang Yuelin’s exceptional appearance, noble character, and future as Minister of Justice made him someone of high potential.

Xie Wanrou didn’t respond.

As a woman who had divorced, she shouldn’t discuss others’ marriages.

“Let’s go, Rou’er, back to the mansion.”

“Mm.”

Just as Wei Zhaorong took a step forward, a figure suddenly flashed nearby and slipped into the alley.

Nanny Qi had already noticed the person and said, “Madam, it’s the second madam’s younger brother, Master Shen of the Shen family.”

“Here to ask Shen Zhizhi for money again?”

“Of course. When has Young Master Shen ever come for anything other than money?”

Hmph. Last time, the Marquis Mansion had thrown the Shen family’s servant—beaten half to death—out at their gate. That had been a polite enough warning for the Shens: don’t try any sneaky schemes.

They had thought the Shen family would understand the severity of the matter and keep their son in check.

Yet Shen Tianci couldn’t hold back even for a few days.

No matter. The second branch had already split off, and this little worm, Shen Tianci, could never eat away even an inch of the Marquis Mansion’s wealth.

If Xie Sheng were smarter, he would learn from this lesson and sever ties with the Shens sooner rather than later. Otherwise, whether the second branch could even secure their own assets was uncertain.

In Quyang Courtyard, Shen Zhizhi was embroidering a baby undergarment.

It was for the baby she was carrying.

Though her embroidery could not match Xie Wanrou’s, it was still decent enough.

To keep her mind at peace, she had prepared the baby’s items well in advance.

She didn’t want to see anyone else from the Marquis Mansion and had stayed inside the courtyard for the past few days.

Anyway, once the Flower Festival ended, the second branch would move out.

“Ah—”

Her fingertip stung, and a few bright red drops of blood appeared.

“Second Madam, you’ve pricked your hand!”

Her maid hurriedly wrapped her hand with a cloth.

For some reason, Shen Zhizhi felt a sense of foreboding.

A pierced finger felt like a bad omen.

Once the bleeding stopped, Shen Zhizhi lost all interest in embroidery.

She sat there listlessly, letting her thoughts wander aimlessly without any direction.

“Madam, Young Master Shen is here.”

“What? How is he here again?”

Just a few days ago, she had given him a hairpin—and lost again?

Even knowing her brother’s true character, Shen Zhizhi still went to see him.

Since childhood, the Shen family had spoiled Shen Tianci like a precious gem. Their parents had repeatedly instilled in her the importance of prioritizing her brother. Over time, Shen Tianci would always come first in her heart.

She had never refused any of his requests.

Even though she knew Xie Sheng despised everyone in the Shen family, he was her brother—she couldn’t turn a blind eye.

Shen Zhizhi stepped out of the Marquis Mansion and spotted Shen Tianci skulking nearby.

She went to the alley and, fearing that someone from the Marquis Mansion might see them, guided him further inside.

“Tianci, why are you here again?”

“Sis, I’ve been craving the Forgetting Spring Drunkenness at Wangxian Pavilion. Last time I saw brother-in-law drink it, I couldn’t get it out of my mind. Today, I had to have some.”

“Father has stored plenty of wine in the cellar. If you’re craving it, go home and drink as much as you want.”

“What’s so special about the wine at home? If I want to drink, I want the Forgetting Spring Drunkenness. Sis, I was wrong to come to you for money before, but this time, I’m really just here to drink. Give it to me.”

Shen Tianci’s lies were easy to see through, yet every time, Shen Zhizhi chose to believe him.

“Tianci, sister’s short on cash lately. I have no silver.”

“Who are you trying to fool? The second branch just split off and got a huge inheritance. How could you not even have money for wine?”

Shen Tianci didn’t believe her.

“Tianci, I’m not lying. The inheritance money is under my husband’s custody—I can’t access it.”

“Hmph, lying again. Ever since you married brother-in-law, you’ve been in charge of the second branch. You even have the keys to the treasury. Sis, if you don’t want to give it, just say so—no need to spin these lies to trick me.” Shen Tianci was furious.

“I’m telling the truth…”

“Enough. I don’t want to hear it,” he interrupted. “Give me fifty taels. Give it, and I’ll leave.”

“Tianci, I really don’t have it.” Shen Zhizhi couldn’t even produce a hairpin this time.

The two of them stood there in a tense stalemate until Shen Tianci’s anger flared. “Fine! Sis, you’ve changed. You no longer care about the Shen family, not even your own brother! If that’s the case, we might as well sever ties—so you won’t have to look at me anymore.”

Saying this, Shen Tianci swung his sleeve and tried to walk off. Shen Zhizhi attempted to explain and grabbed him.

But Shen Tianci shoved her forcefully, and she fell to the ground.