Chapter 108: The Death of Lady Moon

Lady Jianghou glared at Jiang Lin upon hearing his words. "Then why do you keep saying you can’t be like Duke Shen and be criticized by others?"

Caught off guard, Jiang Lin’s expression faltered, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Jiang Miaodan was equally confused. Why had her mother suddenly changed her mind? She clung to Lady Jianghou’s arm and shook it gently. “Mother, how can Shen Sisi be my sister-in-law? If she is, I’ll be laughed at whenever I go out to gatherings.”

“You only think about yourself,” Lady Jianghou retorted. “I’ve watched Sisi grow up. Her character is beyond reproach. Let others say what they want. You didn’t see her the last time she attempted to hang herself—her face was so pale, it broke my heart. Such a good girl. Enough—this matter is settled.”

Fearing they might sense something amiss, Lady Jianghou feigned anger and left abruptly.

In her heart, she thought, Hmph, does she think everything will be fine just because she married in? Wait until I become the matriarch—I’ll make her life miserable! When the time is right, I’ll have Lin divorce her!

Jiang Lin and Jiang Miaodan were both puzzled, but they had no grounds to argue further, their faces clouded with worry.

Jiang Lin tried to console himself repeatedly. He had genuinely wanted to marry Shen Sisi—this was his lifelong wish. How could he disdain her status? Yet, a bitter taste lingered in his heart that never faded.

Back in her chamber, Lady Jianghou sighed deeply.

A maid approached respectfully: “Madam, the young master from the outer courtyard wishes to see you.”

Lady Jianghou was momentarily taken aback, then remembered that Shi Shaohua was still staying at the residence.

Claiming him as a distant relative’s nephew, she had arranged for Shi Shaohua to reside in a small courtyard within the mansion, telling the servants he was staying temporarily while taking the capital’s imperial exams.

The servants were not suspicious—such guests were common in prominent households before their decline; relatives seeking favors came in waves.

Lady Jianghou’s heart was uneasy. Half of her blamed herself for being foolish, while the other half found comfort in having him close by.

Meanwhile, Shen Sisi had promised to inform Shen Zhifeng that Shi Shaohua had found another place to stay.

In truth, Shen Zhifeng never knew the whole story and occasionally invited Lady Jianghou to that small courtyard. Feeling guilty, she never brought it up herself.

When Lady Jianghou went to see Shi Shaohua, she was met with the earnest and passionate gaze of the handsome youth.

“Madam,” he greeted.

After dismissing the servants, an awkward silence fell over the courtyard.

Shi Shaohua stepped forward, fixing his eyes on her, his Adam’s apple moving slightly. “I thought you would have me executed, but it matters not. I would gladly die for you. I have heard you are alone. If you have brought me here, may I stay by your side?”

Hearing such blunt yet fervent words, Lady Jianghou felt her face flush. Her mind went blank, and she turned away, unable to meet his gaze or find words.

She ought to have scolded him for his impertinence, yet at that moment, she felt shy like a young girl discovering love for the first time, her heart pounding wildly. It was a sensation she had never experienced even with Shen Zhifeng.

Just as the atmosphere grew intimate and their lips nearly met, a voice rang out from outside the courtyard: “Mother!”

Jiang Miaodan approached briskly, curiosity lighting her face. “Mother, I heard a distant relative arrived, so I came to see.”

She had heard from the maids below that the visitor was an exceptionally handsome young man.

Lady Jianghou’s face turned pale, and she hurriedly stepped back, scolding, “How rude and disrespectful! What kind of behavior is this?”

Jiang Miaodan felt wronged by the rebuke and was about to speak when she spotted Shi Shaohua standing in the courtyard.

The youth was tall and graceful, dressed in a white round-collared robe with a teal belt. His jade-like face bore a gentle smile, and his eyes openly revealed a sense of awe and admiration.

Jiang Miaodan blushed, her heart pounding, secretly wondering why he was staring at her so intently. Could this handsome lord have fallen for her at first sight?

Shi Shaohua had been procured at great expense by Shen Sisi to serve as a decoy.

His gaze was practiced in front of mirrors—full of affection but not overtly so. When a woman met his eyes, she felt as if she were the sole focus of his world, irresistibly drawn into his depth.

Lady Jianghou, thinking Shi Shaohua was looking at herself, felt a secret delight. After a brief introduction, she took Jiang Miaodan away quickly, but inwardly resolved to visit again that very night.

While the Jiang Residence blossomed with springtime vitality, the Duke Shen Mansion was shrouded in silence.

Shen Qingyun gazed at the sky softly. “What time is it?”

Yicui replied, “It’s noon, Miss. At this hour, the execution has likely begun.”

“Hmph, to die so easily—that’s still too easy for her,” Pearl sneered. To her, Yue Niang, who had long been secretly involved with Duke Shen and committed the heinous act of switching the young mistress, deserved a thousand deaths.

“Has no one left the house?” Shen Qingyun asked, referring to Shen Sisi and Shen Zhifeng.

“No. You know how they are—they want nothing to do with Yue Niang,” Yicui’s eyes glinted with scorn.

After waiting silently for a while, Han Feng returned. “Miss, Yue Niang is dead.”

Shen Qingyun nodded, exhaling a heavy breath.

A woman alone, dying in misery without anyone to see her off—she wondered if Yue Niang regretted her deeds in life. Shen Qingyun thought the best she could do was make Shen Zhifeng and Shen Sisi atone for their sins quickly and send them all away, so their family might be reunited in the afterlife.

Reviewing the accounts, a faint smile finally appeared on Shen Qingyun’s face. She took out two prescriptions and instructed Pearl, “The profits from the Liyan Pavilion have been good. Withdraw all the silver and use it to prepare these medicines. Once ready, place them at my estate east of the city.”

Pearl’s eyes widened. “Miss, this...?”

“Hurry! And remember, find clever people to handle this secretly this month, then report back to me.”

Pearl nodded, puzzled but obedient. So much silver, hard-earned, was being spent like this—it made her heart ache.

“Yicui, keep the silver I set aside with you. Use it to buy cotton-padded clothes. Once purchased, also place them at the estate.”

Yicui hesitated. “Miss, that’s quite a sum. Use it all?”

“Yes. Find someone to help you spend it all. Since we’re buying in bulk, be sure to negotiate a good price and get as many as possible.”

“Understood.”