Chapter 125: Unleashing Fury

  PS plus more seeking pink powder

  Shen Zhongbo is back.

  Hearing the greeting voice of the little maid outside the door, Hong Lian was overjoyed and welcomed her with Hong Sang. "The general is back." Just as she was about to help Shen Zhongbo take off his cloak, Hong Lian's hand froze in mid-air. "Gen...General..." Meeting Shen Zhongbo's icy gaze, Hong Lian shuddered all over.

  "Take him out and give him twenty lashes!" Shen Zhong's voice was low and even, no different from his usual tone.

  Twenty sticks... twenty sticks...

  The red smartweed is somewhat foolish.

  Until she was caught by the two old women, she came back to her senses. "General, spare my life!" She struggled free and knelt on the ground. "It's all the orders of the elderly lady, I'm just following orders, General, if you don't believe me, you can go ask the elderly lady!" Seeing the old women coming to catch her again, she crawled two more steps. "I really didn't deceive the General, it's just that the elderly lady is afraid that the lady will take advantage of the opportunity to stay in the General's mansion and not leave!"

  It's really mother!

  Mother, when did you become like this?

  Even if he was dissatisfied with his wife, Zhen Shiniang was after all a weak woman, how could she be driven out in the middle of the night? That night outside was so chaotic, if it wasn't for being taken in by Old Lady Xiao, now...

  Shen Zhong's thoughts dared not go further.

  A surge of intense disappointment filled his heart, and a flash of pain flickered in the depths of his eyes. "Take him away, execute him!"

  Also knowing that this matter involved the old lady, it couldn't be investigated further. Seeing Hong Lian crying and wailing to see the old lady, two more servant women immediately came up and covered her mouth.

  "What?" Chu Xinyi suddenly stood up while painting her nails, "The general has executed Hong Lian?" Eyes wide with shock and incredulity.

  Hong Lian, isn't she the senior maid who has followed Old Madam for many years?

  "Yes." The little maid's face turned pale, "And also ordered Chen to flog each of the two gatekeepers who were on duty that night twenty times and drive them out."

  "General actually bypassed her and Gao Quan directly found Chen Chaosheng!" Chu Xinyi muttered in shock.

  The General's Mansion had two stewards, with Gao Quan as the internal steward in charge of all matters within the mansion. Chen Chaosheng was the steward of miscellaneous affairs, specifically responsible for handling the miscellaneous affairs of the General's Mansion, and directly took orders from Shen Zhongge. Not to mention her, even the old lady couldn't order him around, and the dismissal of the small servants at the second gate belonged to internal affairs, which should have been handed over to Gao Quan. Now, Shen Zhongge had actually bypassed him.

  What does this mean?

  In an instant, a strange sense of panic arose in Chuxinyi's heart.

  "What did the old lady say?" It took a long time for Chu Xinyi to calm down.

  "I don't know"

  "Go take a look"

  The little maid quickly returned, "Madam has been granted the title of fifth-rank noblewoman and awarded a golden plaque that pardons her from death penalty. The old madam and the general are currently receiving the imperial edict at Haoran Residence."

  Actually, all these were the rewards given by Duke Cao on the night of Shangyuan Festival, but that night was just an oral decree. Today's imperial edict is just a formality. Chu Xinyi didn't know any of this, she stared blankly at the little maid who came to report back, her eyes slightly dazed.

  What does this mean?

  That cheap person was abandoned for five years, and now she has only attended a palace feast and was granted the fifth rank of nobility. What about her? She worked hard as an ox in the general's mansion for five years, what did she get?

  Even the table for the Eight Scenic Views was not allowed to be placed, just like now, she was in charge of the general's mansion as if she were the hostess. Yet, she didn't even have the qualifications to go out and receive a single imperial edict.

  That's the difference between wife and concubine!

  Shen Zhong's favor and indulgence towards her, however, were because of her status as a concubine. She couldn't share his glory and honor with him, which could only be shared by the woman who had taken his wife's place!

  Five years of endurance have been in vain.

  A strand of obsessive madness twisted Chu Xinyi's heart into a knot. Crimson blood threads twisted and turned like venomous snakes at the bottom of her eyes, a stunningly beautiful face gradually distorted, as if it were a midnight demon.

  ……

  Watching Shen Zhongjie put away the imperial edict, Old Lady took the initiative to bring up Honglian.

  “…having followed me for so many years, I never thought she would do such a thing.” The old lady's face was filled with indignation and regret, “Fortunately, Zhen Shi was taken in by Xiao Zhong Tang, otherwise...” She shook her head, the old lady didn't continue, she looked up at Shen Zhong Ge, “General went to Wutong Town yesterday, how was her spirit?”

  "Yesterday Wanxi suddenly summoned me, I didn't see her." Seeing his mother's furious face, Shen Zhongge had a different taste in his heart, and he subconsciously told a lie.

  The old lady felt a sense of relief in her heart, but sighed and said, "I was also anxious, seeing that your descendants are struggling, I wanted you to take her in early, who knew that as soon as I hinted at it, she would have such thoughts......" While probing, the old lady secretly glanced at Shen Zhongge's expression, thinking about how to bring up the topic, and simply had two maidservants brought in directly.

  "The slaves at the gate are proud..." Before she finished speaking, Shen Zhongge changed the subject first, just getting started, a little maid came in, "Chu Niang has arrived."

  "...I heard that the sister has been granted a noble title, congratulations to the old lady, congratulations to the general." As soon as she entered the door, Chu Xinyi smiled and paid her respects to celebrate.

  The old lady grunted and remained silent.

  Hearing these sincere congratulations, Shen Zhong's gaze softened.

  It was Lord Cao who recommended the tenth girl before his death. Knowing that Chu Xinyi had always been resentful about her position as wife, Shen Zhongjie explained exceptionally, fearing she would overthink it.

  He had already accepted Zhen Shiyin in his heart, and he didn't want Chu Xinyi to be too suspicious of her. Because she was fixated on the position of wife, Chu Xinyi had a lot of animosity towards Zhen Shiyin. He didn't expect them to get along like sisters, but still hoped they could get along harmoniously in his heart.

  Her status is already set, she should now put aside her unrealistic thoughts and live a peaceful life like before. Shen Zhongge was extremely fortunate that he had never mentioned his intention to promote her to Chu Xinyi.

  "Director Cao?" Chu Xinyi was taken aback, "How can he protect my sister?" In her heart, she silently cursed Director Cao's ancestors for eighteen generations, "...this old scoundrel, even in death, he won't let people rest in peace!"

  "...Madam Zhen's mother and Minister Cao were once childhood sweethearts." Suddenly hearing that Minister Cao was secretly meddling, Old Lady's heart burst into flames with anger. "Indeed, like mother, like daughter. The mother seduces others, the daughter does the same. It's just that the servant slept through and didn't hear the call at the door, she actually stayed in the Zhong Tang Fu for four whole days. Minister Zhong is a widower, this lonely man..."

  "Mother!" Before he could finish speaking, Shen Zhongge suddenly let out a loud roar.

  Everyone in the hall shuddered, and the little maid had already retreated in fear.

  Even the old lady was shocked with her mouth half open and unable to make a sound.

  Shen Zhong was speaking to her in this tone for the first time!

  It took a long time for the old lady to come back to her senses, and tears fell down, "They say that after marrying a daughter-in-law, one forgets one's mother. What have I done wrong? This is my retribution..."

  "The general was also anxious and misspoke, how could he be disrespectful to you?" Chu Xinyi helped the old lady wipe away her tears while giving Shen Zhongge a meaningful glance, telling him to admit his mistake.

  Chen Zhong suppressed the violent anger that was welling up in his heart and explained patiently, "Mother has misunderstood. Shiniang fell asleep as soon as she arrived at the Zhong Mansion that night and only woke up two days ago." Seeing the old lady raise her head, he continued, "...Xiao Zhong is a man of integrity and honor, someone who values loyalty and friendship, and we are also close friends. Mother must not humiliate him like this."

  Shen Zhongge's anger was not for the sake of defending Zhen Shiniang, and Old Lady's temper had slightly subsided. She thought that after all, it was she who had secretly manipulated things to make Zhen Shiniang flee to the Zhong household, so she felt a little guilty in her heart. She let out a low hum and stopped crying and making a scene.

  But attending a palace feast could exhaust her to the point of fainting, it seems that her poor health was not just a ruse after all, but actually true!

  Chu Xinyi's heart was filled with joy, but her face showed a surprised expression, "Sister's body has become like this?"

  "Mrs. Xiao invited Dr. Wen to take good care of her, and perhaps she could live for another year." Shen Zhongge's eyes flashed with a hint of melancholy as he thought that Zhen Shiniang had less than two years of life left.

  Dr. Wen's medical skills are absolutely correct, she really can only live for two years!

  That's to say, as long as you patiently wait for two years, you'll still have a chance to be promoted!

  Chu Xinyi's heart skipped a beat, and the dead ashes in her heart suddenly came back to life. She looked at Shen Zhongge with eagerness, just catching a glimpse of the faint melancholy that flashed across his eyes, and a surge of jealousy instantly rose up in her heart.

  It's not just sympathy, he was actually deceived by that cheap person!

  Chu Xinyi's five fingers clenched and unclenched, taking a long time to calm herself down so she wouldn't ask any sharp questions. She slowly stepped forward to pour tea for Old Lady Shen and Shen Zhongjie, using the brief moment to compose her emotions. When she lifted her head again, her face was filled with concern. "Sister is ill like this, General should bring her back to the manor as soon as possible." Sighing, "...the conditions in the manor are generally better than those in the ancestral home."

  Bring her back to the ancestral home?

  What about the oath he swore as a humble servant in front of the entire household?

  The old lady's body shook, and two sharp lights suddenly shot out from her eyes. Chu Xinyi trembled and subconsciously hid behind Shen Zhongge, one hand tightly grasping his hem.

  Shen Zhong looked at her thoughtfully and then lowered his head to take a sip of tea.

  Shen Zhongbo didn't respond immediately, and Old Lady's face slightly clouded over.

  Seeing that both were calm, Chu Xinyi was not giving up yet. She slowly and softly advised the old lady: "I know you're being intimidated by your sister's temper. To be honest, a concubine shouldn't interfere with this, but first, because of your sister's poor health, leaving her alone in the ancestral mansion would make the general uneasy. Second, because of your sister, within a month, two imperial edicts were issued and a fifth-rank noble title was bestowed upon her. It's clear that the emperor already considers them as a couple. The imperial decree is hard to defy, so please try to accept it, old lady." She glanced at Shen Zhongjie, "Also, to avoid putting the general in an awkward position."

  No matter what, she's going to force an answer out of him today!

  Shen Zhong's eyebrows furrowed into a knot as he listened, and he looked up at the old lady.

  The old lady's face turned from red to white and then black, sitting there without saying a word.

  She had just driven Zhen Shiniang away, but yesterday the Emperor issued an edict summoning both of them to enter the palace at the same time. Today, he again issued an edict granting a title to Zhen Shiniang. If she still doesn't understand the Emperor's intention, then she is an idiot.

  But, just to bring Zhen Shining into the General's Mansion like this, she was not willing, but what Chu Xinyi said was true and piercing, every word hitting her heart, and she couldn't use her mother's authority to force Shen Zhongjie to disobey the imperial edict, which would be a disaster that would destroy their family.

  The air fell silent, and you could hear a pin drop.