Returning to the Shen Mansion, a group of people quickly made their escape.
They were well aware that Madam He and Madam Xie were not in a good mood today.
If they made any mistakes, they were afraid of being scolded mercilessly.
For a while, even the servants and maids kept their distance.
Entering her room, Madam Xie shattered a delicate porcelain piece in anger, and still not appeased, she smashed a box of jade ornaments to pieces.
The room was filled with the sound of shattering objects.
Holding a bowl of calming soup, Madam He walked in slowly.
"Sister, drink this bowl of soup first."
Seeing it was Madam He, Second Madam Xie's grievance deepened further.
"Dear sister, today Shen Han slandered me, how can I face people in the future...
Along the way, the maids and servants were whispering, spreading those rumors.
If it reaches our lord's ears, what am I to do..."
Madam Xie held Madam He's arm, feeling very wronged.
She gritted her teeth with hatred towards Shen Han.
They both never considered themselves to be in the wrong, being used to being domineering, believing everything should go their way.
Madam He was much calmer today, not as panicked as before.
"Sister, have you realized that Shen Han, this calamity, is not as foolish as we thought."
Madam He's sudden words made Madam Xie quiet down a bit.
"Being treated differently by the Shen Family, living by the fish pond and vegetable garden, in a room that's either drafty or leaking.
In such circumstances, this calamity remains unfazed.
Especially over the past year, he hasn't made a single mistake, making it impossible to catch him out."
Madam He frowned, looking serious.
"To cancel the engagement with Su Jinyu, plotting to disable that calamity, plotting to have him sentenced to the Ink Punishment, ruining his reputation, but both times were unsuccessful...
This calamity's response was rather cunning, immediately turning around to counter-accuse."
With Madam He's analysis, the previously flustered Madam Xie regained some composure.
At this mention, Madam Xie also realized some things were amiss.
"And also, young Shen Lei is now at the Peak of Grade Nine, yet at the Government Office, when confronting Shen Han, it ended in a draw..."
"So, this calamity, by picking up discarded medicine scraps, actually advanced to the Ninth Grade of the Martial Path!"
Upon this realization, they suddenly felt that this overlooked, downtrodden youth of the Shen Family indeed possessed some abilities...
But regardless of abilities, this marriage must be called off.
Madam He must ensure this matter is resolved for her son, as Su Jinyu can only be her daughter-in-law.
Moreover, since relations with Shen Han have long been poor, it's best to suppress him early on while they can.
If he were allowed to develop smoothly, it would only result in disaster for themselves.
In the side room, Shen Lei, who had confronted Shen Han with a punch, clenched his jaw, gently massaging his own hand.
He believed he had chosen the perfect moment, that with one punch, Shen Han would surely be left disabled.
Unexpectedly, Shen Han dodged his punch and even dared to counter.
The key was that his hand now hurt like hell.
Where on earth did Shen Han learn the Martial Path, and how could he now challenge him?
Fortunately, at least he didn't show his pain in front of others.
Shen Lei felt a bit comforted, at least he wasn't utterly disgraced.
7:00 PM.
It was originally time for the Shen Family's dinner, but Madam Shen, Madam He, and Madam Xie did not come to the dining room.
Others knew it must be because of those rumors from the Government Office.
Although Madam Xie always claimed her innocence, and the other members of the Shen Family verbally stated their belief in her,
But with matters like these, people are prone to think otherwise.
In the ancestral hall.
Madam Shen was seated in a high position, with Madam He sitting to the left.
Meanwhile, Madam Xie was kneeling in front of Madam Shen.
"In the presence of heaven and earth, and ancestors, explain clearly the ins and outs of this matter."
Madam Shen closed her eyes, breathing heavily.
She was very angry.
Her daughter-in-law, causing such scandalous rumors with the household servants, brought great shame to her face as the matriarch.
The worst part was that this affair had become widely known.
Now, rumors spread everywhere outside, even some unsuccessful scholars, trying to make some money, have started writing stories.
Things like "Madam Kongkong Illusion," "Dusk Jade Tower Spring," and "New Household Tales"...
In the place of brothels and teahouses, they are reportedly preparing to use these as the basis for storytelling...
"What's the matter, can't you speak?"
Seeing Madam Xie remain silent for so long, Madam Shen grew increasingly angry.
"Madam Shen, you must believe your daughter-in-law, I truly did not commit those shameful acts.
My husband is valiant and charismatic, and we have three children together, as their mother, how could I do such a thing?"
"So you're saying that Shen Han's words at the Government Office were all lies?"
Madam Xie nodded.
"Madam, though Shen Han seems young, his mind is cunningly astute.
I never expected he would slander me as a method of retaliation...
If we had known earlier, we wouldn't have used this tactic…"
Madam Shen understood, realizing it was a mutual defamation play.
"So the incident of your jewelry being stolen by Shen Han was also a calculated slander?"
Faced with Madam Shen's questioning, Madam Xie glanced at Madam He, and finally nodded.
She dared not lie anymore, otherwise, the discovery of discrepancies by Madam Shen would further lead to suspicions of infidelity.
"How foolish!
A bunch of rotten ideas, making the Shen Family's reputation a complete mess.
And have you thought about it?
If this slander against Shen Han were exposed, what path would you take?
Slandering your own younger generation, is that how elders should behave? At that time, even the Shen Family can't protect you!"
Upon hearing Madam Shen's reprimands, both madams lowered their heads.
"But if we don't do something, are we supposed to let Jinyu marry that calamity Shen Han?"
"Madam, with the Marquis absent, you are the head of the family, you need to help your good grandson."
Looking at her two daughters-in-law, Madam Shen couldn't help but sigh.
She favored Shen Ye and disliked Shen Han.
But no matter what, Shen Han was still her biological grandson, how could she help one grandson against another?
At most, she could be slightly biased...
"You don't need to worry about this, leave it to Shen Ye, let the boy handle it himself.
Having lived for so many years, possessing hardly any tactics within, makes one wonder how such a clever child like Shen Ye was born."
After Madam Shen finished speaking, she gave further instructions.
The theft incident involving Shen Han and Madam Xie's rumors were no longer to be discussed, let time fade these matters away.
Both madams naturally had to obey, not daring to defy Madam Shen.
Without even having dinner, Madam He immediately wrote a letter and sent it to the Capital City.
Letting Shen Ye handle things himself would indeed be more reliable.