Chapter 6: If That's the Case, Am I Wrong?

The sound startled Shen Lang, who was practicing swordsmanship nearby. He hurried over and, upon seeing Shen Wan’ning flailing in the pond, nearly lost his sanity. Shen Yuan also came to investigate.

With Shen Lang present, Shen Wan’ning was quickly rescued. She coughed violently after struggling and swallowing some water.

Shen Lang anxiously demanded, “Who pushed you in? Who dares to do such a thing?”

Before Shen Wan’ning could answer, she fainted, curling up like a cat in Shen Lang’s arms.

Seeing her weakened state after falling into the water, Shen Lang’s heart seemed to be torn in pain. He sent someone to return her to the Splendid Garden and then harshly questioned the maid beside him, “You can’t even protect your mistress! Don’t you want to live?”

The maid knelt down crying, cautiously glancing at Shen Yuan, and shouted hoarsely, “Third Miss refused Fourth Miss’s apology to the Young Master and didn’t like the jewelry Fourth Miss brought either. Those were Fourth Miss’s most treasured possessions, all gathered to please Third Miss! When Third Miss rejected them and sent them back, who would have thought she would push Fourth Miss into the pond!”

“You’re talking nonsense! My lady was inside and never came out. Which eye of yours saw her push someone?” Liu Yan couldn’t help but defend Shen Yuan, but as soon as she spoke, Shen Lang kicked her down to the ground.

He glared fiercely at Liu Yan. “The mistress hasn’t given permission; what right do you have to speak?”

Shen Lang was trained in martial arts and kicked with great force; Liu Yan collapsed in pain, unable to get up.

With nowhere to vent his anger, Shen Lang wanted to kick her again but saw Shen Yuan standing in front of Liu Yan, deliberately protecting her.

“You worthless servant, why are you protecting her? Step aside!” Shen Lang shouted.

Shen Yuan’s eyes gleamed coldly, her voice sharper than before. “Do you want her life?”

Flames flickered in Shen Lang’s eyes as he gritted his teeth, “The pond water is freezing cold in autumn, and Wan’ning is frail. Do you really dislike her that much? Shen Yuan, you want her dead!”

“Brother, why don’t you ask how I could have pushed Wan’ning in when I was inside the room? Do you think I can throw blows from afar? Oh, maybe I’m pushing an ox,” Shen Yuan retorted.

“Don’t argue with me! With Green Luo as a witness, how could I be falsely accused? If Wan’ning dies from falling into the water, it won’t just be me, but our father, mother, eldest brother, and fourth brother who won’t let you off!” Shen Lang warned coldly.

“If I’m being falsely accused, how about you kneel before me and kowtow three times?” Shen Yuan challenged.

“You’re talking nonsense!” Shen Lang had no desire to argue, finding the idea of a brother kneeling before his sister absurd, especially in front of others.

Ignoring him, Shen Yuan stepped toward Green Luo, her bright eyes still burning with anger. “Green Luo, think carefully. Did Wan’ning fall by herself, or did I push her?”

Green Luo dared not raise her head, her voice as small as a whisper. “Third Miss, please don’t threaten your servant.”

Her words implied that Shen Yuan was indeed guilty.

Hearing this, Shen Lang’s bias toward Shen Wan’ning grew stronger.

“Shen Yuan! Why are you forcing a servant? What exactly are you trying to do...?”

“Slap!”

Shen Yuan raised her hand and struck Green Luo with all her might.

Two sharp slaps landed on Green Luo’s left cheek, which immediately swelled, tears streaming down her face.

Shen Lang’s words of reprimand caught in his throat. He swallowed and asked, “She’s just a maid. Was it necessary to hit her so hard? Do you want a false confession?”

Rubbing her sore palm, Shen Yuan seemed to hear a joke. “After all, Green Luo is just a servant in the Shen household, full of lies. I can hit and scold her if I want. Isn’t that right? If you think I’m wrong, Brother, I’m willing to apologize to Green Luo. But first, you have to apologize to Liu Yan!”

“You’re mad! Who am I? Apologize to a servant?” Shen Lang was furious.

“In that case, am I wrong to teach Green Luo a lesson?”

Shen Yuan glanced coldly at Green Luo, who was now crying uncontrollably, clutching her left cheek.

Seeing this, Shen Lang felt even more that Shen Yuan lacked manners and was nothing like a proper young lady.

Compared to Wan’ning, they were worlds apart—like heaven and earth.

“Brother, why don’t you seriously consider whether I have any reason to push Wan’ning into the pond in the Autumn Water Garden? Would I want to make such a scene and have you all come to question me?” Shen Yuan knew Shen Lang was foolish when it came to Wan’ning and would disregard everything else.

“If you didn’t push her, then did Wan’ning jump in by herself? Is she stupid enough to hurt herself?” Shen Lang argued loudly but paused to think and realized it might indeed be so.

If Shen Yuan had pushed Shen Wan’ning, her shoes would surely be muddy from going near the pond.

Shen Lang looked down and saw Shen Yuan’s embroidered shoes were spotless, as were Liu Yan’s.

He exhaled sharply, hardly able to believe the truth.

Wan’ning… how could she have jumped in on her own?

Shen Lang turned to Green Luo, his anger barely contained. “What exactly happened? Answer me! If you dare lie again, I’ll send you to the enforcers!”

Shen Yuan’s eyelashes trembled.

The images of trafficking and abuse involuntarily flashed before her eyes.

Green Luo stopped crying and knelt, answering intermittently, “Second Young Master, Third Miss never pushed Fourth Miss into the water. I lied! I saw Fourth Miss jump in because Third Miss didn’t like her apologizing on behalf of the Young Master, nor did she like the jewelry Fourth Miss brought. In despair, she jumped into the pond. I... I felt sorry for Fourth Miss!”

Shen Yuan couldn’t help but admire Shen Wan’ning’s cunning.

Now, in Shen Lang’s eyes, Wan’ning’s image was completely tarnished.

Seeing Green Luo’s sincerity, Shen Lang had no choice but to believe her.

He knew Wan’ning had been eager to befriend Shen Yuan ever since she returned.

But Shen Yuan was stubborn and distant, utterly unreasonable.

Shen Lang tried hard to suppress his anger and turned to Shen Yuan, unable to hide his disdain. “Wan’ning sees you as an older sister and has gone to great lengths to please you. And you? How could you trample on her sincerity?”

“If you want to lecture me, Brother, I don’t want to listen. Please leave,” Shen Yuan said coldly, dismissing him.

“You!” Shen Lang shook his head, unable to understand when the beloved sister he had protected since childhood had become so unreasonable.

Since she was sending him away, he had no desire to stay in the Autumn Water Garden—it was the most remote and cramped courtyard in the mansion. Why linger?