TRBDM -Chapter 70 Shen Zhizhi Punished to Kneel

“Ah—my teeth!”

Lei Tieyun’s dentures were specially crafted from precious ivory. They were spoils secretly kept by the old General of Weiyuan during his campaign in Northern Dian back in the day.

There was only this one set—once broken, there would never be another.

Nanny Qi quietly took a step back. “Madam Lei, how could you be so careless? You’ve gone and crushed your own dentures.”

“And you—why are you just standing there in a daze? Hurry and help Madam Lei back inside. With teeth missing, it harms one’s appearance. It’s hardly suitable to be out in public.”

The maid Lei Tieyun had brought with her had long been frightened senseless by her old mistress’s madness and didn’t dare move an inch.

Only after hearing Nanny Qi’s voice did she snap back to her senses and rush forward to support Lei Tieyun.

Nanny Qi patted down her clothes, turned, and reentered the residence, instructing the steward along the way to quickly prepare the signboard and hang it on the tall stone lion outside the manor gates.

Wei Zhaorong and Xie Wanrou had not gone far. They stood beneath a corridor not far away, waiting for Nanny Qi.

“Old Madam, Madam Lei carelessly stepped on her own dentures. Her maid has already helped her leave.”

What a fine “carelessly.”

Wei Zhaorong and Xie Wanrou exchanged a knowing smile.

“That’s enough. Let’s head back.”

Xie Wanrou looped her arm through Wei Zhaorong’s, and the two slowly walked back together.

“Mother, Elder Sister.”

Shen Zhizhi came around the corner, as though she had just happened upon them by chance.

“I just heard arguing outside the gates. Did something happen?”

Wei Zhaorong looked at Shen Zhizhi coldly. Lately, the Marquis’ residence had been in utter chaos, yet Shen Zhizhi—normally so smooth and eager to put herself forward—had been unusually quiet.

She had visited Xie Wanrou twice, and each time stayed less than the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn before hurrying away.

As though she had a guilty conscience and dared not face anyone.

After several days, Shen Zhizhi had finally dared to show herself again.

“Madam Shen,” Wei Zhaorong said coolly, “since you’re so curious, why not go outside and see for yourself? From here to the gate is barely a hundred steps. It won’t tire you.”

Hearing this, Shen Zhizhi’s face filled with grievance. “Mother, I had only just walked over here and hadn’t yet gone out to look. That’s why I asked.”

Wei Zhaorong had no patience for further nonsense. She had intended to seek out the Second Branch anyway—since Shen Zhizhi had delivered herself to the door, that saved her the trouble.

“Madam Shen, let me ask you—on Lan’er’s birthday banquet, the Second Master’s servant delivered a message to Rou’er, asking her to meet in the back courtyard. Did you know about this?”

Shen Zhizhi’s expression changed drastically. Though she had rehearsed countless times in her mind, when truly facing Wei Zhaorong, her calves still trembled uncontrollably.

Subconsciously, she glanced at Wei Zhaorong’s hand before lowering her head in fear.

Mother’s slap had been strong enough to knock out Madam Lei’s teeth. If it landed on her face, wouldn’t she be disfigured?

Shen Zhizhi was terrified of Wei Zhaorong’s palm.

“Mother, I didn’t know. I truly didn’t know,” Shen Zhizhi denied, not forgetting to excuse Xie Sheng at the same time. “My husband was deceived by General Lei. He had no idea the General would commit such a vile act.”

“Oh? Do you have proof?”

Shen Zhizhi was confused. “Proof?”

“How do you prove that Xie Sheng didn’t know beforehand? And how do you prove he did not collude with outsiders to harm Rou’er?”

The heavy accusation of conspiring to harm Xie Wanrou came crashing down, and Shen Zhizhi collapsed to the ground in fright.

“Mother, my husband would never do such a thing! Please do not wrongly accuse him!”

With tears streaming down her face, Shen Zhizhi wept pitifully.

In her previous life, Wei Zhaorong had been completely fooled by her false meekness, favoring the Second Branch without limits.

Now, however, Wei Zhaorong had long since honed a pair of piercing eyes.

The little schemes in Shen Zhizhi’s heart were as clear before her as if the cards had been laid face up.

“Stop crying!” Wei Zhaorong snapped coldly.

Shen Zhizhi was so frightened that she hurriedly shut her mouth, two bean-sized tears still clinging to her cheeks.

“Someone, go bring me the page who delivered the message that day. I will question him personally.”

Every deed Xie Sheng had done was etched clearly in Wei Zhaorong’s mind.

These past few days, she had been busy gathering evidence to condemn Lei Lieshan, temporarily setting Xie Sheng aside. Now that she finally had the time, it was time to deal with the second branch of the family.

“Mother…” Shen Zhizhi spoke anxiously.

“Yes?”

“Husband knew the page had made a mistake. That very night he gave him a beating and expelled him from the Marquis Manor.”

Wei Zhaorong’s expression darkened. Xie Sheng’s haste only proved that he had something to hide.

“Where was he sent?”

“This daughter-in-law does not know.”

No matter what Wei Zhaorong asked afterward, Shen Zhizhi feigned ignorance and claimed she knew nothing.

“Fine. Since you know nothing, we will wait until Xie Sheng returns from court and question him then. However, Madam Shen, the second branch has committed such a grave offense— you bear responsibility as well. Go to the ancestral hall and kneel in punishment. Without my permission, you are not to come out.”

“Mother, Mother! The ancestral hall is dark and damp. My constitution is weak—if I kneel there, I’ll surely fall ill. And besides…”

Shen Zhizhi placed a hand over her stomach. “My husband and I are preparing to have a child. What if there is already one in my womb? If I kneel like this, what if it harms the fetus?”

“Then so be it. Whatever happens, happens,” Wei Zhaorong cut her off impatiently. “Nanny Qi, have someone watch her. Her kneeling posture must be proper—her back straight, shoulders even. If she slackens, strike her with the discipline ruler.”

“Yes, Old Madam. Second Madam, this way.”

Nanny Qi seized the limp Shen Zhizhi and ordered two maids to lift her by the arms, dragging her toward the ancestral hall.

“Mother! Mother! Why are you targeting the second branch like this? We have done nothing to wrong you! Mother, why are you so biased?”

Wei Zhaorong did not spare her a second glance. She turned and walked away.

No one understood Shen Zhizhi’s character better than she did.

Inciting Xie Sheng to vie for the marquisate title. Stirring discord between Xie Wanyi and Dou Shuyao. Bullying Xie Lan. Turning a blind eye to Xie Wanrou…

Wherever trouble arose, she was there.

And of course—there were also the manor’s accounts.

To maintain the enormous expenses of the Marquis Manor, the accounts were of utmost importance.

After Xie Sheng forcibly split the household, he had taken the manor’s accountant and most of the account books with him, leaving the finances in utter chaos. Until her dying day in her previous life, Wei Zhaorong had never known how many tricks Xie Sheng had played within those ledgers.

Xie Chuan was no material for managing the household; he only knew how to squander the family fortune. In the end, there wasn’t even enough silver left to hire a physician for Wei Zhaorong.

In her previous life, Wei Zhaorong had handed household authority to Shen Zhizhi—giving her ample opportunity to falsify the accounts.

Wei Zhaorong suspected that when Xie Sheng separated from the family, he had taken most of the Marquis Manor’s wealth with him.

“Mother,” Xie Wanrou called softly to Wei Zhaorong.

“Yes?”

“Zhizhi may not be related to this matter. Perhaps it would be better to wait until Second Brother returns before punishing her?”

Xie Wanrou was kind-hearted and never assumed the worst of others—especially family members she had lived with for years.

It was precisely because of this gentle nature that she had nearly lost her life being bullied by the Lei family.

“Rou’er, in this life, do not scatter your kindness too freely. One may know a person’s face, but not their heart. Tear away the false mask—who can say whether beneath it lies a human or a ghost?”

Xie Wanrou was not foolish. Hearing this, she said no more.

“Mother, you are right.”

The two returned to Anhe Courtyard. Before long, Dou Shuyao arrived.

“Mother, I heard you were looking for the page from that night.”

“Yes, but he was expelled by Xie Sheng.”

“Mother, this daughter-in-law knows his whereabouts.”