157: Chapter 86 Resentment_4 157: Chapter 86 Resentment_4 “How can I not interfere!” Mother Shen exclaimed, “I am your mother!
Ruyun suffered so much grievance last night, what did she do wrong?
She is your sister!
I know you are capable now, and I can no longer control you.
If you feel that Mother Shen and Ruyun are burdens to you, that we dishonor you and cannot be part of your family, then tell me now.
Ruyun and I will pack our things and go back to the countryside, so as not to trouble you, Master Top Scholar!” By the end of her speech, she had firmly planted herself on the ground, wailing, “It’s all because the old master died young, leaving such a mess, after I went through so much hardship to raise my son, and now he does not recognize his own mother, what a sin…”
Shen Ruyun hurriedly crouched down, and mother and daughter held their heads and wept together.
The servants outside were so frightened that they did not dare to breathe a word, pretending not to see, and kept their distance.
Such scenes were not unfamiliar in the Shen residence; whenever Mother Shen could not get the better of Shen Yurong, she would always resort to tearful wailing to force him to compromise.
Indeed, Shen Yurong immediately admitted defeat.
He said, “Mother, when have I ever said I wouldn’t take care of you?
It’s all my fault, I am unfilial, I am the one who is in the wrong.
Ruyun, I will go to Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion this afternoon, and I won’t let you be wronged.
Zhou Yanbang…
you just wait at home with peace of mind.”
Shen Ruyun secretly rejoiced in her heart, but she still pretended to sob and said, “Big brother, do not deceive me, and do not think that little sister is being unreasonably persistent.
If Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion does not give an explanation, I have nowhere else to go but to shave my hair and become a nun.
You also know how Yanjing City treats impure women…” She suddenly fell silent, looking anxiously at Shen Yurong.
Shen Yurong did not allow anyone in the residence to mention Xue Fangfei again, and everyone speculated it was because he could not admit to being cuckolded, as a wife’s affair is ultimately a humiliation for the husband.
Shen Yurong’s brow twitched slightly, but he did not lose his temper.
Instead, he suddenly became quiet and his expression turned cold.
He said, “I understand.
You both wait here in the residence, I will go out for a bit.” With that, he left without further regard for Shen Ruyun and Mother Shen.
This time, Mother Shen did not wail again.
Only after Shen Yurong left, she slapped Shen Ruyun’s back in frustration and blamed, “Why did you have to bring up that matter?
Look at your brother, he’s upset again.”
Shen Ruyun also regretted her words; at this critical juncture, she did not wish to anger Shen Yurong.
But she remained defiant and said, “What exactly is going on with big brother?
He gets so upset when that woman is mentioned, could it be that he still pines for her?”
“What nonsense are you speaking?” Mother Shen immediately retorted, “Your brother has long been done with that woman!
She made your brother the laughingstock of the entire city, what man could tolerate a cheating wife?
It’s good that she’s dead.
If she were alive, your brother would still be dragged down by her, where then would his bright future come from?”
Seeing Mother Shen’s stern demeanor, Shen Ruyun did not dare to argue.
After a while, she said, “Mother, will big brother really stand up for me at Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion?”
“Of course, he will!” Mother Shen, clutching Shen Ruyun’s hand, a hint of fierceness flashing in her eyes, “Even if your brother does not intervene, Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion has tarnished your reputation before so many people, they must give you an explanation.
If all else fails, we’ll ask the princess for help…
In any case, we absolutely can’t let you suffer this injustice!”
Shen Ruyun felt somewhat guilty; not even Mother Shen knew about her scheme with Zhou Yanbang, let alone Shen Yurong guessing it.
If Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion ever found out the truth, they would not let it go, but considering Zhou Yanbang’s condition, he likely wouldn’t find out the truth.
In this way, the matter was seamless, and she would be able to marry into Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion smoothly.
Her wish was finally coming true.
…
At this moment in Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion, the sound of a woman crying echoed through the hall.
“My lord, please stop!
Don’t beat him anymore!
Yanbang can’t take such a beating; please stop!” Madam Ningyuan tried to snatch the whip from Marquis Ningyuan’s hand but was pushed away and fell to the ground, watching helplessly as the black and shiny whip came down on Zhou Yanbang’s back, and he cried out in agony.
The servants and other people in Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion dared not plead for Zhou Yanbang.
Kneeling on the ground, he tried to dodge his father’s lashes but was struck even more fiercely.
Red welts immediately covered his back, raised one after another, looking particularly gruesome against his pampered skin.
As Marquis Ningyuan beat him, he cursed, “Outrageous son!”