TSWRLM -Chapter 106 Reaping What You Sow

Madam Mo was so furious she fainted on the spot.

Although the Mo family left, Mo Yunwan stayed behind.

Nanny Jia sent for a doctor. After some acupuncture and medicine, Madam Mo finally slowly regained consciousness during the night.

Shen Qingyu had been waiting in the main hall. When the doctor said that Madam Mo’s fainting was only due to a sudden surge of anger and that she was otherwise fine, he immediately knelt by her bedside. “Mother, I will never marry anyone but Wan’er in this lifetime. Please, grant me this!”

The night was fully dark, the room brightly lit. Madam Mo massaged her temples, still doubting whether everything that happened before she fainted was a nightmare. Shen Qingyu’s words dragged her back to reality.

Her chest heaved violently, making the attending maidservants step back, and she finally spoke heavily: “Do you think I arranged for her to be with your eldest brother because she’s harmless? She is far from simple. You cannot marry her.”

“But on the way back, son could not control himself and has already taken her virginity. If I do not take responsibility, wouldn’t that be forcing her to die?”

Shen Qingyu frowned, thinking of that night’s entanglement, and of how Mo Yunwan sometimes leaned softly and timidly against him. His blood boiled uncontrollably.

Although marrying his former eldest sister-in-law would not be well received, she had never been with Big Brother. To be able to be with Wan’er long-term, even if it brought some scandal, was acceptable.

Shen Qingyu looked completely content, but Madam Mo’s anger surged again.

That wretch had seduced Yu’er on the road, which explained why Chun Xi dared to act so boldly without fear of retaliation.

Madam Mo regretted everything. Losing all composure, she blurted out the full truth: “Foolish son, she is no longer innocent. She didn’t fall off the cliff by accident trying to reach your eldest brother—she was already pregnant and ran away with that actor. She was deceiving you!”

As she spoke, tears glimmered in her eyes.

She had secretly felt pleasure when planning to let Mo Yunwan return to fight Chun Xi—but now it was her Yu’er’s turn, and it felt like a dull knife cutting flesh. It was unbearable.

Her Yu’er may not be exceptionally talented, but he was still a proper young master of the Marquis residence. Even if he couldn’t marry a high-born lady, he could at least choose a well-educated, gentle, and graceful Miss Qingbai. But if he married Mo Yunwan… her whole life would be ruined.

Madam Mo looked at Shen Qingyu with hope, fully expecting him to hate Mo Yunwan after learning the truth. Instead, the next moment she heard him say: “Wan’er was right—mother will use the cruelest words to attack her if we are not together.”

“…”

Madam Mo felt a bitter taste in her throat, almost vomiting blood.

How did she give birth to such a stupid and lustful child?

“I am your mother. Have I ever not thought of your well-being? How long have you known that wretch that you believe her provocations?”

Madam Mo was angry and heartbroken, but Shen Qingyu corrected her: “Wan’er is not a wretch. She is innocent. In Xuzhou, I investigated everything that happened to her and accompanied her to thank that famous doctor. That night, Wan’er was so tender and shy—I even have her original handkerchief. I trust the evidence, not just her words!”

“What evidence? She was practically showing a bump when she left back then. How could she still be untouched?”

Madam Mo, now completely losing face, only got a retort from Shen Qingyu: “Mother, do you have evidence for that?”

“…”

Madam Mo was speechless.

When Mo Yunwan ran away, Madam Ning sent everyone who knew the truth out of Hanjing. The maidservants and housekeepers with Mo Yunwan were all sold off. To keep Shen Qingyuan unaware, Madam Mo had even helped handle a few Marquis household members. Now, only she, Shen Qingyu’s older brother’s wife, and Mo Yunwan knew the truth. There was no third witness.

Where could she get evidence?

Madam Mo’s lips trembled. She couldn’t speak. Shen Qingyu showed an expression of “just as expected” and said firmly: “Anyway, I am going to marry Wan’er. If you do not agree even for one day, I will fast for one day!”

After speaking, Shen Qingyu strode out. Madam Mo could no longer hold back and spat a mouthful of blood onto the bedside. At that moment, Shen Qingyue entered the room. “Mother, are you all right?”

Seeing her second son, Madam Mo felt as if she had found a savior. She quickly wiped the blood from her lips and grabbed Shen Qingyue. “Yue’er, quickly persuade your brother! He’s under that wretch’s spell. You absolutely cannot let him marry her!”

Shen Qingyue was still preoccupied with Shen Qingyu. Lowering his voice, he asked Madam Mo, “Big Brother encountered many assassination attempts on the way back. Does this have anything to do with you?”

Madam Mo, still furious, was momentarily stunned. Then, as if her meridians had been opened, she muttered almost crazily: “It must be him! That man is vindictive. Before, I only had someone egg him in public, and he sent people to kick you into the latrine. This time, he must have deliberately harmed my third son. I shouldn’t have let him live until now!”

Her tear-red eyes burned with hatred. Shen Qingyue quickly covered her mouth: “Mother, since this matter has nothing to do with you, never speak like that again. You are the mistress of the Marquis residence. If you were to harm a stepson, we would be remembered for life as the disgrace of the household.”

Moreover, Shen Qingyuan still had the Xiao family backing him.

Madam Mo blinked, tears streaming down her face. Shen Qingyue said, “I will try to persuade Third Brother. Don’t worry too much.”

Exiting the main hall, Shen Qingyue did not return to his own quarters but waited at the front gate.

Late at night, Shen Qingyuan finally returned from the palace.

Stepping through the pitch-black night, his aura was cold, and he looked much sharper than during the day.

From afar, Shen Qingyue stepped forward. “Big Brother, you’re back.”

“Mm.”

Shen Qingyuan nodded, continuing without slowing his pace. Shen Qingyue continued: “Congratulations, Big Brother, on solving the case. Today, Her Majesty the Empress has issued an edict to arrange a proper wedding for you and Sister-in-law. I believe His Majesty will also promote you for this.”

Shen Qingyuan did not respond, unwilling to reveal what he discussed in the palace.

He was extremely cold.

Shen Qingyue did not feel awkward, continuing on his own: “I’ve already asked Mother. She knew nothing about the assassination attempts on the road. Could Big Brother show mercy and spare Third Brother?”

Like Madam Mo, Shen Qingyue thought that Shen Qingyu’s wish to marry Mo Yunwan had been orchestrated by Shen Qingyuan.

Hearing this, Shen Qingyuan finally stopped.

He tilted his head slightly, eyes coldly staring at Shen Qingyue, his gaze piercing as if it could see through the flesh itself.

Shen Qingyue stiffened. After a long silence, he finally heard Shen Qingyuan say: “I know she doesn’t have the courage to kill me.”

“Then why did Big Brother make Sister-in-law say all that in front of me?”

Shen Qingyue blurted out.

Shen Qingyuan’s right eyebrow twitched slightly. Calmly, he said: “Because I wanted to remind you not to take the wrong path.”

Shen Qingyue’s body went rigid, every hair standing on end.

All these years, he had never really clashed with Shen Qingyuan, often playing the peacemaker. He thought he had been gentle and conciliatory enough, hoping to earn a bit of brotherly trust. He never imagined that Shen Qingyuan had always known his ambitions!

How deep is this Big Brother’s scheming?