Shao Zhengru’s rebuttal stuck in his throat as he couldn’t help but remember that Shao He had once hinted that the Emperor knew of her identity, which is why he dared not speak against her.
"For this reason, one can only hint," said Mei Ying with resignation. "You still speak as if you’re an outsider, but we are after all family. How can we speak as if we are from two different households?"
"Family? When did I ever become part of your family?" Shao He countered.
Seeing his parents lower their voices in such a manner towards Shao He, Shao Mingyang could not stand it and cursed, "How audacious, to even talk back to father like that!"
"He may be your father!" Shao He replied, shooting him an icy glance.
She had once harbored beautiful illusions about the word "family," illusions they had shattered themselves. In her most helpless and difficult moments, not only had they not offered a helping hand, but they had also kicked her when she was down.
Now seeing her in her glory, they came running back, speaking of family, which was utterly ridiculous.
"You unfilial daughter, not even acknowledging your own father, how do you deserve to become the Fifth Prince’s Consort!" Shao Mingyang roared.
He simply could not bear to see Shao He living well. Why should she rise from the branches to become a phoenix? Why should she live so well?
Although everyone knew Shao He’s true identity, this was the first time someone dared to mention it in public.
Everyone watched with the eyes of spectators, not a single person stepping forward to help.
Shao He knew these people appeared friendly on the surface, but deep inside they couldn’t wait for you to make a fool of yourself.
If he didn’t handle this well, he would become a laughingstock along with Pei Huaian in the future.
Shao He straightened her back and stepped forward, fixing her gaze on Shao Mingyang, "It seems you’re drunk without even having had a drink."
"The legitimate daughter of the Shao Family married to Chu Yu was abused to death, and the Shao Family, witnessing her demise, did nothing to help. Her body was devoured by vultures at Mass Burial Mound. And here you are, falsely claiming relations; where do you get the nerve?"
Shao Mingyang was so blocked that he couldn’t utter a single word; he opened his mouth, then shut it again.
Shao He had no intention of letting them go but continued, "Moreover, Lady Shao is mentally unstable, possibly harmed by a vile person. Such a respectable mother of the household has turned into a simpleton. Does the Shao Family’s method of favoring the concubine over the wife truly know no bounds?"
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Shao Zhengru finally started to panic.
He had never expected that Shao He would dare to speak out about these matters in public, his face barely able to maintain composure.
Mei Ying, noticing the strange looks from the crowd, felt her anger rising rapidly.
"Shao He, I know you hold many grievances against us, but many things were beyond our control. You must not slander us !"
Mei Ying posed as a victim, her pitiful expression making anyone believe she was the aggrieved party.
Facing her impressive acting, Shao He clapped her hands lightly, "You are ultimately something that cannot appear on a respectable stage, a concubine daring to wear the legitimate mother’s clothes and jewelry! Whether I am slandering you, or you have a guilty conscience, everyone knows the truth."
Mei Ying clenched her sleeves tightly, not expecting Shao He to be so difficult to deal with.
Seeing the situation escalate, Shao Zhengru tried to step forward to calm things down.
Shao He, seeing the approaching figure, pointed at him and preempted, "I hear Lord Shao is currently distributing grain from the granaries to relieve the famine, but the task is unwell executed, resulting in widespread public dissatisfaction. Could it be the pressure has driven him mad, hence recognizing the wrong person?"
"If Lord Shao is indeed too exhausted, perhaps he could request a few days off from the Emperor to avoid irreparable mistakes; that would be more loss than gain!"
With these words, Shao He completely exposed the Shao Family’s guise and cleared her own name, many who knew the Shao Family’s inner workings pointed and commented.
"I hear the Shao Family rose up because of Lady Shao’s family, and after the Wei Family fell into hardship, Shao Zhengru began to abuse and curse Doctor Shao."
"Yes, I’ve also heard that Shao Zhengru wrote to Marquis Pingnan’s Mansion severing the father-daughter relationship."
Shao Zhengru, ignoring the whispering, focused solely on what Shao He said.
He understood that her mention of rest meant for him to resign, but having climbed the ranks for so many years, he couldn’t possibly give up his position.
"If you don’t help me, then it will be the end for us all, and those test papers you sold before can confirm blood relationships," Shao Zhengru said through gritted teeth.
He had no way out now; only Shao He could help him.
Shao He, with a calm expression, looked at the angry man and spoke coolly, "Are you threatening me?"
"Was it not you who threatened me first? Yes or no, will you help?" Shao Zhengru was beyond fear at this point, ready to escalate the matter further if needed.
Seeing the confident man, Shao He chuckled softly and whispered near him, "Guess, if the Emperor comes to know of this, what would your fate be?"
As they were speaking, Pei Huaian approached languidly, accompanied by Crown Prince Pei Siyang and Third Prince Pei Haolan.
The crowd quickly bowed down, "Greetings to the Crown Prince, Third Prince, Fifth Prince."
Pei Huaian walked straight to Shao He and reached out to support her, asking aloud, "Has anyone been bullying you?"
As he spoke, his gaze, cold as ice, turned towards Shao Zhengru.