Chapter 47: Do You Still Remember the Old Servant?

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Shen Yuan’s sarcastic retort nearly pushed Shen Wanning to the edge of losing her temper.

If it weren’t for the crowd, she would have ripped Shen Yuan’s mouth apart on the spot!

“Don’t be so frantic. It’s not easy for you to come this far. As a fellow woman, I pity you,” Shen Yuan said.

“I don’t need your pity!” Shen Wanning’s eyes brimmed with hatred, her teeth clenched as she spoke each word distinctly. “Who do you think you are to pity me? Believe it or not, I’ll ask Father to drive you out of the Shen household!”

Tsk, tsk, that phrase again?

It was as if everyone thought Shen Yuan’s return to the Shen estate was a grand favor, an unparalleled honor.

But she had come back with a purpose, not out of so-called family affection.

Family affection—what was that worth?

Shen Yuan looked at Shen Wanning as if watching a joke, seeing through the true face hidden beneath those fragile tears, a face that made her nearly retch.

“Go ahead and throw me out. My mouth can’t keep secrets in; if I accidentally spill everything, your precious identity as a wealthy young lady won’t even let you through the gates of the Shen estate!”

“You’re talking nonsense...”

“Wanning, come here!” Madam Chen called sharply.

Shen Wanning quickly changed her expression, concealing her venomous glare behind a smile as she approached Madam Chen and obeyed her commands.

Madam Chen beamed, positioning her by her side, gazing at the beggars scattering coins in front of the estate gates. She clasped her hands together and prayed toward the horizon: “Today, my husband and I distribute wealth to aid the city’s destitute, forging good karma. I pray to the Bodhisattva to pity Wanning’s sufferings, so that henceforth she may live unhindered, with a smooth and prosperous life!”

Shen Wanning glanced triumphantly at Shen Yuan, flaunting her status.

Look, on grandmother’s death anniversary, mother personally prays to the Bodhisattva for her blessings. Isn’t that love? Could Shen Yuan ever be so fortunate?

Shen Yuan’s expression remained cold and calm, her eyes still as a placid lake.

Watching the throng of beggars being corralled outside by the servants, a ruthless chill curled at her lips.

Years ago, she was abducted by a beggar and sold as a slave.

The filthy, sewage-like faces and their triumphant expressions while counting money were seared into her memory.

These vermin hiding beneath the flashy capital were like gnawing worms burrowing into every corner of the streets, revolting beyond measure.

Just like Shen Yong, the benevolent master scattering coins—no different from them at all!

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Shen Yuan observed Shen Yong and Madam Chen busily moving through the crowd, suddenly her eyes glistened with moisture.

From the moment Shen Yong ordered the servants to drive her away, and Madam Chen favored Shen Wanning, the meaning of “family” had long ceased to exist.

Now, it was her turn to make her appearance.

“Where did this old woman come from? Can’t even hold onto a coin? I think you’d be better off missing hands or feet!”

A sharp reprimand cut through the crowd, drawing everyone’s attention.

Shen Yuan saw Liu Yan stealthily weave through the beggars to her side, nodding slightly—a silent acknowledgment that the task was complete.

The scolding caught the notice of Shen Yong nearby. He strode forward and asked quietly, “What’s the matter?”

A servant pointed at the hunched old woman by the table, loudly complaining, “Master! This woman is deliberately causing trouble. I clearly handed her some broken coins, but she made a mess of them, scattering coins everywhere!”

Shen Yong glanced indifferently.

It was merely an old woman clutching a headscarf, bending slightly, trembling as she held the scattered coins in her palm—it looked difficult for her.

Irritation flickered briefly in Shen Yong’s eyes, but out of decorum, he whispered into the servant’s ear, “Today is a day for charity. If you keep making a scene and embarrass me, you’ll regret it.”

The servant turned pale with fright.

For the Shen estate’s dignity, he dared not shout anymore.

Shen Yong brushed his sleeve and turned away; such a trivial matter didn’t warrant his personal involvement.

At that moment,

The old woman behind him deliberately flung the coins onto his back, straightened her posture, and asked in a hoarse voice, “Master Shen, do you still remember your old servant?”

The familiar yet strange voice made Shen Yong’s steps falter. He instinctively turned around and met Madam Su’s face, marked with deep lines and eyes filled with hatred, which sent a shiver through his heart.

If he remembered correctly, this old servant should have been dead long ago!

How could she appear here now?

Shen Yong was certain of what he saw because the overwhelming hatred in her eyes left no doubt—it was indeed Madam Su!

“Someone, drive this woman out!” he ordered sternly.

The servants rolled up their sleeves, ready to move forward, but Shen Yuan’s voice stopped them.

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“Since Father holds this charity event to accumulate merit for Grandmother, and everyone is to receive rewards, why must this old servant be driven away?”

She stepped through the crowd, and the closer she got, the more Shen Yong’s mood soured.

The servants dared not act. Unexpectedly, Shen Yong growled, “What are you waiting for? Must I personally throw her out?”

He was unwilling to let years of accumulated good karma collapse all at once.

All for someone who was already dead?

Ignoring the servants, Shen Yuan had already reached Madam Su and helped her up. Pretending to examine her carefully, she furrowed her brow and loudly asked, “Isn’t this Grandmother’s Madam Su? My eyes are poor; I’m afraid I might be mistaken. Father, Mother, come look—do you recognize her?”

Shen Yong clenched his eyes shut to hold back his anger, then instantly locked eyes with the shocked Madam Chen.

He suspected this might be a staged act by Shen Yuan!

“Who is this?” Madam Chen stepped closer to inspect and, recognizing Madam Su, took a step back and coldly accused, “Isn’t this the servant who stole from the old madam? I heard she died long ago. I never thought she was still alive.”

Her mind turned swiftly, and naturally she brought up the incident of Madam Su’s theft and expulsion.

Shen Yong had not considered this before. After a moment of frustration, hearing Madam Chen’s words now seemed like finding an ally. He played the victim, “Yes, she was the one who caused trouble at the old madam’s funeral! If she harbors ill will against the Shen family, why hesitate? Drive her out at once!”

“Are Master Shen and Madam Chen so afraid of this old servant’s presence because there’s some secret to hide?”

It seemed that with Dr. Yang’s daily medication, Madam Su’s moments of clarity had improved greatly, and she could clearly recognize Shen Yong and Madam Chen.

“You’re speaking nonsense! I have lived an upright and honest life, even the Emperor once praised me. How dare a mere servant accuse me?”

Shen Yong narrowed his eyes, his words laced with menace.

Just as years ago he had tarnished Madam Su’s reputation, forced her to confess under duress, and driven her out, he would do the same now!

“So, this is the Madam Su who once served Grandmother?”

Shen Yuan intentionally stood in front of Madam Su, causing the servants to hesitate, afraid to break protocol by advancing rashly.