Chapter 18: Please Help Cheng Yuan

Aunt Jiang, fearing eavesdroppers, leaned forward and whispered in Shen Yuan’s ear, “The day Old Madam Luo died, I happened to visit the mansion to see my sister. At that time, Old Madam was gravely ill, beyond any cure, yet the doctor claimed her death was caused by a blow to the head, not the illness itself! When someone died in the Shen household, I was terrified and fled back to the Chen family without delay. Later, at Old Madam Luo’s funeral, the coffin, which had seemed secure, suddenly toppled over, and her body fell out. I…”

At this point, Aunt Jiang grew fearful, swallowing hard as she continued, “I saw a large blood hole on her forehead!”

Shen Yuan’s pupils contracted sharply; she stood rooted in place, her fingers trembling slightly beneath her sleeve.

Suppressing her emotions, she controlled herself and asked, “Are you absolutely certain of what you saw, Aunt?”

Aunt Jiang slapped her thigh and swore on three fingers, “If I lie, may Heaven strike me down! Who would dare joke about the dead?”

That meant there was at least an eighty to ninety percent chance it was true.

“This matter must not be known by anyone else,” Shen Yuan said firmly.

“Of course, of course! Your Aunt values her life!”

After a moment’s thought, Shen Yuan added, “Once you return, I will have Liu Yan discreetly send you silver as thanks—consider it payment for your information. If there’s anything else I don’t know, you can tell me and exchange it for money.”

“Really?”

“Not a word of falsehood!”

Aunt Jiang nodded with satisfaction, her eyes gleaming with newfound affection for Shen Yuan.

Though she often came to the Shen mansion to mooch, hoping Sister-in-law Chen would allocate some funds to help her family, she was well aware that Chen considered the Chen family a burden, and the Shen father and sons disliked her as well.

Aunt Jiang had even tried to curry favor in front of Wan Ning to gain some benefits but found that Wan Ning despised her too.

Unexpectedly, Shen Yuan did not disdain her.

“Well, I’ll be off now!” Aunt Jiang waved her hand; her daughter was waiting at home.

“Take care, Aunt.”

Shen Yuan stood quietly, smiling faintly.

Only when she saw the carriage disappear did the smile fade.

She still recalled asking about her grandmother upon returning to the Shen household.

Shen Yong had casually replied, “She’s dead.”

Then erased all traces of her grandmother.

Even when Shen Yuan wanted to find her grandmother’s grave to pay respects, Shen Yong never mentioned it.

Now, in retrospect, just as the Empress Dowager suspected, there was more to the story!

Shen Yuan dared not imagine what the doctor meant by death due to impact.

Was it an accidental fall? Or had someone struck her with a heavy object?

Returning to the Quiet Garden, she heard Shen Yong’s voice inside.

“That sister-in-law of yours came asking for money again? Our Shen family is not her money tree!”

Aunt Jiang had come begging repeatedly, and even Shen Yong was fed up.

If the Chen family were competent, it might be bearable, but the second Chen brother was a gambler, a burden rather than an asset!

Such relatives were truly vexing!

Following that were Chen’s soft sobs mingled with Shen Wan Ning’s comforting words.

A wave of weariness rose in Shen Yuan’s heart as she turned back to Autumn Water Courtyard.

Later, she had Liu Yan prepare twenty taels of silver to secretly deliver to Aunt Jiang.

She intended to rely on Aunt Jiang for more information and treat her well.

On the day of the Beginning of Winter,

Shen Yi invited Pei Ji to the mansion for a small gathering.

Though called a gathering, it was actually Shen Yi, as the elder brother, trying to create an opportunity for Pei Ji and Wan Ning.

After all, the engagement was decided by the elders of the Pei and Shen families, but Pei Ji had not given his consent, so the match was not finalized.

Shen Yi did not expect that after many previous refusals, Pei Ji would accept immediately today.

Coincidentally, Madam Wang also came to visit with a modest gift.

She specifically requested to see Shen Yuan, making her intentions clear.

“Yuan fell into the palace waters but was saved by Cheng Yuan. It seems Heaven intends to bring them together!” Chen smiled, even wanting to arrange the marriage immediately so Shen Yuan could be married off.

Madam Wang smiled faintly and said, “Is that so? Cheng Yuan never told me. I came today to ask Yuan for a favor.”

“What favor?”

Hesitating, her eyes full of worry, she said, “Since that accident, Cheng Yuan has been distracted, preferring to sit in the corridor all night rather than sleep. Since Yuan and Cheng Yuan grew up together like childhood sweethearts, I hope she can help open his heart.”

Chen’s smile faded somewhat.

She instantly understood—because of the palace punishment Cheng Yuan endured, he had never broken through that psychological barrier.

“In that case, I will have Yuan come here to ask. If she is willing, I have no objection.”

Chen sent a maid to fetch Shen Yuan from Autumn Water Courtyard.

Upon seeing Madam Wang, Shen Yuan bowed deeply, her gaze filled with admiration.

To kneel before the palace gates and plead with the emperor, risking one’s life for one’s child, was surely what a devoted mother would do.

“Madam, I understand your wishes, but I am a young lady confined at home, forbidden from meeting men privately. I fear this matter…”

“Do you still stand by what you said before?”

Shen Yuan recalled what was said at her birthday banquet—that marriage matters would be decided by her mother.

In Chen’s heart, marrying Shen Yuan to Lu Chengyuan was already a good match.

Madam Wang’s eyes flickered with hope.

Shen Yuan’s mind involuntarily conjured the lean figure of Lu Chengyuan.

“Yuan, I do not expect you to truly become my daughter-in-law. But if you can help guide him, unlock his heart, and bring back the old Chengyuan, I… would gladly walk through fire and water!”

Fearing Shen Yuan’s regret, Madam Wang promised hastily, hiding her face in tears.

Her husband died young, leaving only this son—who had also suffered so much…

Almost overwhelmed by Madam Wang’s sorrow, Shen Yuan pondered briefly and, as if guided by some force, agreed.

If she could restore Lu Chengyuan to his former self, why withhold this help?

Exiting the main hall, Shen Yuan’s thoughts lingered on Lu Chengyuan’s troubles.

She bumped into Shen Yu running ahead, who looked up, then darkened his face. “The road’s wide—can’t you watch where you’re going?”

Shen Yuan frowned. “You bumped into me first; if you won’t apologize, why insult me?”

“This is my family’s road; I walk as I please. What’s it to you? If you don’t want to stay here, leave sooner!”

The young Shen Yu was full of resentment; his eyes bore genuine hatred.

Shen Yuan knew he disliked her—did not expect it to have turned to such loathing.

She sneered coldly and grabbed his ear, squeezing harder until he grimaced in pain.

“Big brother! Second brother! Help me!”

Shen Yu’s features contorted in pain as he called desperately for rescue behind Shen Yuan.

She instinctively glanced back and saw Shen Yi and Shen Lang approaching, accompanied by a man who did not belong to the Shen household.

Pei Ji.