"I've done many stuffs. Does the Marquis wish to inquire me about why I was chased and targeted by a group of bandits who were later traced back to Grandma Wei or how I had only went to Feiyu Pavilion to retrieve some clothes to return and find my Courtyard desecrated by your daughter? Or perhaps why in such a busy and lively street, your brother-in-law, from the Liu Family would lead a group of rough soldiers to force- search my carriage, and ask that I accept that?" Shen Liang's voice was saturated with sarcasm. In one breath, he had revealed much of what had happened in the past few days. He sure wanted to see just how cruel and heartless Shen Ruiting could be to allow things to progress to this point.
"What?!" Shen Ruiting, who had been questioned fiercely, felt stunned. He was aware of the matter regarding the bandits. But he had been completely oblivious to what happened to Zhonglin Courtyard and Shen Liang being stopped in public by a group of soldiers. What was going on?
"Marquis, this is the truth. That day when the fifth young master returned, he was already suffering from his injuries when you slapped him. Afterwards, his face was swollen for days. These few days, it had been raining continuously and the fifth young master has only left the Manor twice, both of which he was greeted and encountered incidents. The first time, Zhonglin Courtyard was ruined. This matter had even disturbed the old madame. If you don't believe it, you can head over to the Fragrance Lotus Courtyard and question them. The second family's madame had already investigated and discovered that the person who orchestrated everything was the seventh young lady. As for General Liu stopping the fifth young master's carriage and demanding a search, it was done in public, and many people can serve as witnesses. The fifth young master was forced to defend himself. Marquis, you can't blame everything on the fifth young master. He's still only a child."
For Shen Ruiting to be so biased, even Fu Ying who had just came could tell and couldn't bear to watch any further, much less Qi Yue and Qi Xuan. Fu Ying could be considered someone who had seen and experienced much, but even he had rarely ever seen a father treat their heir like this.
"...This Marquis will investigate this matter and root out the truth. You best not cause any more trouble. Otherwise, don't blame this Marquis for disregarding out father-son relationship." Afterwards, he strode away the same way he came in, with long angry strides.
Qi Xuan couldn't help but snort angrily, "Since when has he ever regarded his father-son relationship with Liangliang. Liangliang, don't be upset. In the future, we'll care for you."
As for Shen Ruiting, they had long since given up on expecting anything from him.
"There's nothing to be upset over. Go ahead and do what you need to do. I have a slight migraine and will return to the courtyard to rest." A slight smile toyed with the corner of Shen Liang's mouth as he turned around and headed back inside.
Qi Yue knocked angrily on Qi Xuan's head: " In the future, don't say those things before Liangliang. The Marquis is still his biological father after all. Although he says he's not upset, how can that possibly be entirely true? The Marquis has been blinded by infatuation. Why can't he see the goodness in Liangliang?"
"Perhaps we should start from other aspects," staring straight ahead with a deep gaze, Fu Ying said in a deep voice. Since the source of the problem lies in the late madame, then the right medicine should be prescribed for the root of the problem. Liangliang was an intelligent boy. He should know this. The only possibility was that he himself also held resentment and grudges in his heart, and never intended to resolve the misunderstanding between himself and the marquis.
"Leave this matter to me," with his words, Yaoguang disappeared. The three of them couldn't help but be stunned. Shen Liang never clearly revealed Yaoguang's identity to them. They had assumed the boy had some martial foundations but didn't expect his skills to be so good.
On the other hand, Liu Shuhan's heart skipped a beat when she was notified that Shen Ruiting had headed over to Zhonglin Courtyard right after returning from day's court session. Before, Shen Liang had directly splashed dirty water on her right before her presence. Now that she wasn't there, wouldn't he be even more excessive? Almost immediately, Liu Shuhan called on two maidservants to rush over to Zhonglin Courtyard with her, but halfway there, she was greeted by Shen Ruiting's dark expression.
"Marquis, how come you didn't..." seeing his ugly expression, Liu Shuhan suppressed the panic rising in her chest.
She managed a smile, but Shen Ruiting only rushed forward and demanded, "This Marquis will ask you, was Shen Qiang responsible for what happened with Zhonglin Courtyard?"
"This, Marquis, Qiang'er is still a child. She was only angry with Xiao Wu hitting me..."
Sure enough, this wasn't good!
Liu Shuhan hurried to explain but Shen Ruiting once again demanded, "Yesterday, Liu Wenjin took troops to stopped Xiao Wu's carriage, and allowed those rough soldiers to humiliate him. Did that happen?"
"...This, this concubine isn't clear..."
Clear that she couldn't contain the matter, Liu Shuhan was also flustered. She really didn't expect her brother to test Shen Liang like that and stir up such a mess. Not only her, even her brother regretted it.
"Alright. Very good, Mrs. Liu. The good daughter you raised and cultivated now even dares to tarnish her own brother's courtyard. Your brother from your maiden family even dares to insult and humiliate my Marquis Donglin's heir in public. What did you agree to this Marquis that day when this Marquis agreed to stand by you?" Shen Ruiting's anger continued to rise as he forced himself step by step toward Liu Shuhan. His eyes contained fury, adamant and fiery, not containing the least bit affection. Twenty years of being a married couple amounted to nothing.
"Concubine, this concubine does dare to forget. But Marquis, elder brother really only stopped Xiao Wu's carriage by coincidence. Qiang'er also committed a mistake because of her ignorance and young age..."
It would be a lie to say Liu Shuhan wasn't afraid. But Liu Shuhan couldn't stay frightened. Even after two decades of being a married couple, she was clear that Shen Ruiting didn't hold any affection for him. He could destroy everything she had built after years of hard work instantly.
Hearing her, Shen Ruiting laughed coldly, "So many carriages out in the middle of a busy street. Xiao Wu just so happened to leave the manor that day and just so happened to be stopped by Liu Wenjin? Do you take this marquis to be a fool? Qiang'er will be of age soon and would be able to marry soon, and you still have the face to say she's still young and ignorant? Madame Liu, it seems like this Marquis has indulged you too much these few years. From today on, you will stay in the main courtyard and not step a single foot out. Don't bother paying your respects to mother either. As for courtyard affairs, just leave it to the second and third family to handle. This Marquis will warn you one last time, do not provoke Shen Liang. No matter how unbearable he is, he is still my Marquis Donglin's heir, and my, Shen Ruiting's blood-related son!" After delivering his warning, Shen Ruiting tossed her a stern look before walking past her and leaving the manor.
"Madame!" Liu Shuhan's legs immediately gave out and almost fell down. Thankfully, her two maidservants rushed forward to catch her.
"Shen Liang! It's Shen Liang again! If this madame doesn't ruin him, I don't dare be human!" With the support of the two maidservants, Liu Shuhan's unwillingness only turned into deep resentment as her vicious gaze turned toward the direction of Zhonglin Courtyard.
Fragrant Lotus Courtyard.
"Mother, Elder Brother has left again. I heard from the servants that eldest sister-in-law has been grounded." Zhao Lan and Lu Yang who had received news, gathered in the warm pavilion of the old madame's residency. Now that they had acquired the authority they had always eyed, the two families were feeling smug and at the height of their times. However, none of them dared to relax. After all, the authority they derived was done so through improper means and was by no means, formal. In addition, such authority had been overseen by Liu Shuhan for more than a decade and her reach extended deep and far. They could lose everything the moment they lose their guard.
"She deserved it. Nothing more than a woman from a lowly and distant family. Does she really think that she's now the daughter of a noble family?" Lu Yang was merciless in her contemptuous words. Of the three sister-in-laws, although Liu Shuhan was the madame of the Marquis Donglin Manor, her birthright was of the lowest status. The other two sister-in-laws, who were truly born from legitimate madams and had a proper heritage and ancestry looked down on her. The conflict between the three families only served to further provoke the three's relationship.
"Third sister-in-law!" Zhao Lan shook her head in disapproval. Now that she held the Manor's authority, she naturally had to pay more attention to the words and deeds exchanged.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"Alright now. Both of you should speak less. So noisy. It's only making my head ache." The old madame supported her forehead before then stating seriously, "Keep an eye on that Liu woman and don't neglect that person either. Now that the Marquis Manor has become like this, it's all because of Xiao Wu. Don't underestimate him just because he's young. He's quite scheming. From now on, keep your vigilance up around him."
"Is that necessary? Eldest brother doesn't care about him and Shen Da's in the northwest as well. What can he do by himself?" Zhao Lan was clever. The moment the old madame mentioned the matter, she had already started planning ahead, but Lu Yang only revealed an expression of lackluster attitude. In her mind, Shen Liang was still that child who only knew how to hide behind Shen Da. She continuously attributed to the misfortune Liu Shuhan suffered from one blow after the other to luck and wasn't the least bit frightened.
"Fool!" the old madame gave her an infuriated glance before continuing in detail, "Why can't you even think about it carefully. He had only returned for a few days and how much trouble has already been stirred up recently? If it's all a coincidence, isn't it a bit too much? This old madame is more willing to believe that everything has been intricately planned and designed by him. Third daughter-in-law, don't neglect to take everything cautiously and seriously. Shen Liang isn't someone easy to bully. Be careful not to fall by his hands."
The old madame has lived and schemed in the back courtyard of a noble family for decades now and could be considered experienced. Even so, she found herself unable to decipher Shen Liang. After the transfer of authority, her instincts told her that the child was someone even more frightening than anything Liu Shuhan could manage."
"What mother has said is true. I don't think Shen Liang is simple either. Several days back, even Qiao'er suffered a loss in his hands." Although they never pursued this matter with Shen Liang, it doesn't mean they had forgotten about it. Zhao Lan had always kept it noted in her heart and was only waiting for the opportunity to pay it forth.
"Look at what you say. Those who don't know any better might mistakenly believe that we fear him. Alright, alright. I understand. He's never offended me anyways. It's not like I have nothing better to do than to provoke him." Unable to bear the two women's exchange and preaching, Lu Yang waved her hand with impatience as she still couldn't bring herself to take Shen Liang seriously.
"Oh you," clear on her personality, Zhao Lan found herself helpless and unable to continue. Instead, she turned around to face the old madame, "Mother, allowing Shen Liang to continue to act so freely would only plant the seed for danger. Perhaps we should..."
Zhao Lan did not finish her words, but those present all understood her underlying intent.
The old madame raised a hand: "As for now, don't be impatient. The Liu woman and her daughter has continuously suffered losses in Shen Liang's hands. From their character, they won't just sit by and watch him continue to live peacefully. We'll just sit back and watch the show. If an opportunity presents itself, you can stoke the fire and allow their relationship to become even more tense."
"But Mother, Shen Liang is a clever and sharp-tongued one. If we allow him to freely attack, the Marquis Donglin Manor might end up losing even more face," What use would taking over a notorious Marquis Manor that's reputation had already be tarnished do?
The third family still has a son and daughter, Shen Jing. In the future, when the authority has been stabilized in their hands, it would still fall into the second family's hands. Zhao Lan had to prepare for future endeavors.
"Ai," hearing this, the old madame could only sigh, "Allow this old madame to think about it. Shen Ruiting's reputation is not bad. How is it possible to regain our title? Fortunately, the rumors now all only target the main family, and has nothing to do with the second and third family. In the future, once we regain our title, and allow the second and third family to become the main branch, we should still be able to save the Marquis Donglin Manor's reputation. So the two of you must remember to not implicate yourselves into this muddy water. Even if you must act, do not confront Shen Liang head-on. Although this old madame can control his person as his elder, I cannot control his mouth."
Ever since Shen Liang's return, the Marquis Donglin's reputation became a worrying concern. Even if she thought of regaining the marquis title for her own sons, she didn't dare to tarnish the Marquis's Donglin title's reputation in the process of doing so. But ever since the main family's reputation has suffered in public, the old madame's thoughts had changed. As Shen Ruiting's stepmother, she could not deny that in terms of bringing face to the Marquis Donglin Manor, Shen Ruiting had always done a good job. In fact, she couldn't pinpoint any flaws whatsoever. With that, how would regaining the title be an easy feat? After all, it wasn't like the title of marquis could be easily taken like some rotten white cabbages thrown out in the middle of the streets.
"What Mother says holds true. This daughter-in-law will keep it in mind," Zhao Lan nodded her head in agreement, while praising the old for being more experienced in her heart.
Zhonglin Courtyard.
Under Shen Liang's orders, Yaoguang, who had snuck into Frangrat Lotus Courtyard only returned after the three women dispersed. He then conveyed all that was exchanged between the three women to Shen Liang accurately, with not a word out of place.
"So that's what they have scheming," Qi Xuan and Qi Yue finally realized.
Shen Liang was not the least bit surprised though, "Wanting to take back the marquis title for themselves? Shouldn't they first take a look at themselves and ask whether they have the qualifications in doing so?"
The title of Marquis Donglin was his elder brother's to inherit. If his elder brother had no interest in it, then he would rather destroy it with his own hands than to allow the title to land in anyone else's hands.
"Liangliang, there's not a single good person in this Shen Family. In addition, there's also some with a handicapped mentality. Why don't you marry over to the Wangfu as soon as possible as to prevent yourself from being influenced and contaminated?" *Wangfu = Pei Yuanxian's manor.* Yaoguang sat cross-legged on a bench as he stated as though he had already ascertained that it was only a matter of time before Shen Liang married over and becomes their Wangfei. In just one day, Fu Ying, Qi Yue, and Qi Xuan had already heard his urge for Shen Liang to marry over several times already. Their reaction had long since turned from their initial shock to being numb from it.
"Why don't I find a man for you to wed first?" Shen Liang placed the teacup down and slowly raised his eyes to meet Yaoguang's gaze.
Yaoguang almost fell from his bench. After being momentarily stunned, he then suddenly stood up and flexed his wrists, "The weather today is so pleasant. I don't think it'll rain again Liangliang, we should have an outing one day outside the Imperial City borders. I know a good place!"
He changed the topic more cleverly than no one else.
Shen Liang and those present couldn't help but hid their laughter. Just one energetic Qi Xuan was sufficient to turn their courtyard lively. Now that another Yaoguang had come, their small and humble Zhonglin Courtyard was bound to become even livelier.