Chapter 39: Who Isn't a Husband to Marry?

"So, there truly is a hidden truth behind Grandmother's death."

Facing Shen Yong’s deep, furious interrogation, Shen Yuan felt only more certain of her suspicions. Only those with a guilty conscience would lash out recklessly, disregarding right and wrong. The more one feigned an air of authority, the more it betrayed a heart full of panic and fear of exposure.

"The 'great kindness' you speak of, Father, is quite the heavy hat to place upon my head! But who truly knows who held the true kindness for this family? It was Grandmother! She had no blood relation to the Shen family, yet she not only raised you, Father, through all the hardships of your adoption, but she also exhausted her own wealth to pave your path to an official career. She scoured the capital to arrange your marriage to Mother, watching as you achieved a happy family and a successful career! Yet, when the time came, the Shen household could no longer find room for her!"

Her resonant, forceful words echoed throughout the study. Shen Yuan’s gaze turned sharp, a flush of anger appearing on her face. Shen Yong’s pupils contracted sharply, his neck turning crimson, and for a moment, he was rendered speechless.

Standing at the very edge of the room, Shen Lang could not fully grasp the implications of her words, but he sensed that something was deeply amiss. Was Grandmother’s death... truly suspicious?

"A-Yuan, hold your tongue!" Madam Chen stood up to confront her, brows furrowed in sharp reproach.

The atmosphere in the study grew tense. Shen Yuan, however, was never one to fear trouble, her spirit as indomitable as it had been in her youth. Madam Chen felt as though the eight years she had spent raising her had been in vain.

"Even if you refuse to speak, Father, I will find the truth. As for the outcome..." She lowered her gaze, unpinned a jade bead from her hair, and placed it on the table. It was clear, pristine, and unmistakably noble. Her lips parted slightly as she added, "I will simply have to leave it to the Empress Dowager to decide."

Shen Yong’s expression shifted. That jade bead was a treasure bestowed by the palace. He suddenly understood why the Empress Dowager had showered Shen Yuan with such rewards.

"What is the meaning of this? You would turn against me for the sake of a dead woman?" Shen Yong was trembling with rage.

Hearing his words, a sharp pain pierced Shen Yuan’s heart. Grandmother had given her all for the Shen family, and in the end, was she reduced to nothing more than a "dead woman"? A look of sorrow flickered across her face as she gazed at those present with disappointment. "Father, have you never considered how you would have reached your current position without Grandmother? If you force my hand, I will accept the substitute marriage without complaint. But if you refuse to address the truth, I will beg the Empress Dowager to preside over this case myself. Even if I must walk through fire and water, I will not back down!"

"You!" Shen Yong was left speechless. The torrent of curses on the tip of his tongue was swallowed back, stifled by the mention of the Empress Dowager.

"I suggest you think this over carefully, Father."

Shen Yuan had no intention of staying to endure the family’s cold glares. She bowed stiffly, turned, and walked out, closing the door behind her. Madam Chen, who had been suppressing her anger, shook her head in disappointment as she watched her leave. "When did A-Yuan become like this?"

"Had I known she was such an ungrateful wretch, I should have cast her out long ago!" Shen Yong roared.

Only Shen Lang stepped forward hesitantly. "Father, Mother, even if A-Yuan is being unreasonable, she would never treat Grandmother’s passing as a mere game. I am curious—did Grandmother really die of illness?"

Madam Chen snapped, "Don't let A-Yuan lead you astray. She isn't even a true member of the Shen family; why would you believe such nonsense?"

Beneath the eaves of the corridor, the voices from the study drifted out. Shen Yuan stood on the stone steps, listening to every word. She looked up at the sky, suddenly feeling a profound sense of sorrow—both for her grandmother and for herself.

The following morning, Shen Lang arrived early at the entrance of Qiushui Pavilion. Just as he was about to step inside, he recalled the harsh words he had exchanged with Shen Yuan. Prideful as he was, he could not bring himself to cross the threshold.

Liuyan entered the room and whispered, "The Second Young Master has been lingering outside. It seems he has something he wishes to say."

Shen Yuan put on her outer garment and glanced at the figure outside the courtyard. Her eyes flickered, a plan beginning to stir.

As the carriage wheels turned slowly, Shen Lang pulled back the curtain, looking outside with a sense of unease. This was a private garden in the suburbs, secluded and known to few. Shen Yuan stepped down from the carriage first, and after a moment of hesitation, Shen Lang followed.

"Why have you brought me here? Whose garden is this?" He did not believe Shen Yuan had the means to purchase such a place.

"I am bringing you to meet a familiar face. You will understand soon enough," Shen Yuan said calmly.

Shen Lang searched his memory for any familiar face, but found no clues. Though confused, he followed her obediently.

Until he saw Nanny Su, who had once served in the Jingxin Courtyard. Her frame was stooped, suggesting long-term malnutrition, and she had only recently begun to recover.

Shen Lang was shocked. "Someone accused Nanny Su of theft during Grandmother’s funeral; Father not only cast her out of the manor but broke her leg! Where did you find her?"

"I suppose I was lucky to stumble upon her," Shen Yuan said, smiling at Nanny Su. The old woman’s condition had stabilized, and seeing Shen Lang, she recognized him, though she still seemed fearful.

Shen Lang looked troubled. "But how could you..."

"Second Brother, I need your help."

This was the first time Shen Yuan had asked him for anything. There was no desperate pleading, yet it made Shen Lang instantly understand, and he found himself willing to try.

He fell silent for a few seconds, as if struggling internally. Then, turning his face away, he muttered irritably, "Three days from now is Grandmother’s death anniversary. Father will hold the usual memorial rites in the ancestral hall, invite Taoist priests to chant for her soul, and distribute coins to the beggars in the capital."

"I think... that may be an opportunity."

Even Shen Lang did not realize that he had intuited Shen Yuan’s intent without needing it explained. If there was indeed a hidden truth behind Grandmother’s death, he would not regret doing this.

"Thank you, Second Brother," Shen Yuan said sincerely.

Shen Lang’s expression remained awkward. He looked at Nanny Su one last time before turning away, his demeanor dimmed. "The marriage to Pei Ji... will you regret it?"

Not long ago, he had warned her not to harbor any illusions about Pei Ji. Yet, in such a short time, the situation had shifted so that she had to marry into the Pei household in place of Wannin. Shen Lang’s heart felt heavy. Although he had not spoken a word throughout the ordeal, his silence had felt like pouring oil on the fire for Shen Yuan.

Shen Yuan curled her lips into a self-deprecating smile. "Who I marry doesn't matter. If I am lucky, and my presence doesn't bring him the 'blessing' of health, but instead sends Pei Ji to meet the King of Hell, wouldn't living as a widow be more comfortable for me?"

"Don't speak such nonsense," Shen Lang countered instinctively. He knew well that a woman without her husband as a pillar of support would have a difficult life. Even if Pei Ji were a cripple, at least he was still alive.

"I... I must return. Rest assured, I will not speak of Nanny Su to anyone," Shen Lang said.

Shen Yuan nodded in acknowledgment. She had gambled correctly. Shen Lang still possessed a shred of conscience.