Chapter 96: Compromise

With rumors like these flying around, Shen Zhifeng was so ashamed he no longer even wanted to step outside, for fear of running into some acquaintance and having no idea what kind of look he would receive.

After all that fussing, the others finally began to realize that there was nothing for it but to turn to Shen Qingyun.

Shen Sisi and the Dowager Madam both tried in turn, but Shen Qingyun only played dumb, insisting that she did not know where the divine physician was, and that it would be even more impossible for her to trouble Prince Li.

Having no choice, Shen Zhifeng ordered someone to summon Shen Qingyun to his study for a proper talk.

Yet he waited from afternoon until nightfall and still saw no sign of her.

At last, furious, he stormed to the Reed Court, only to find Shen Qingyun neatly dressed, composed and serene, sitting there drinking tea and reading a book. When she saw him arrive, she simply set the book aside and sat with calm ease, as though she had known he would come and had been waiting for him all along.

He studied this daughter of his. In the candlelight, her exquisite features carried a faint smile, yet she gave off a cool, distant air. The noble grace surrounding her had long since erased all trace of the country girl she had once been.

When had this daughter slipped beyond his control, formed her own opinions, and grown into a true young lady of high birth?

"Qingyun, are you blaming me?"

At that, Shen Qingyun’s smile deepened. She blinked, looking innocent and frank. "Yes."

Shen Zhifeng choked, barely holding back his anger. "Qingyun, you are still young. There are things you do not understand. Your father has his own hardships. Go invite the divine physician to treat me, and in the future I will certainly treat you and your mother well. The three of us can live peacefully and happily together as a family, all right?"

Shen Qingyun said nothing, only watching his performance with unwavering eyes.

An awkward silence fell over the room. Shen Zhifeng grew anxious. "Qingyun, do you not believe me? This whole matter was just an accident. Surely you do not think I was the one who drugged you. What would I gain from that? And if I had done it, why would I have drunk the soup myself?"

Shen Qingyun considered it for a moment, then nodded, as if she had been persuaded.

Shen Zhifeng pressed on at once. "My good daughter, at the very least I am your father, and your grandmother and elder sister are here too. Can you bear to watch us remain poisoned and go untreated?"

Hearing that insincere "my good daughter," Shen Qingyun finally could not help laughing out loud. "Why would I not bear it? Was this not all of your own making? What does it have to do with me?"

The mask of false concern on Shen Zhifeng’s face cracked like porcelain. Realizing that Shen Qingyun had only been toying with him, his expression darkened, and the tendons in his fingers stood out as he clenched them. "Shen Qingyun, what exactly will it take for you to invite the divine physician?"

So, he was dropping the act.

"Agree to divorce my mother, and I will invite the divine physician to treat all of you."

As she spoke, Shen Qingyun gently swirled the teacup lid against the bowl, blew on the rising steam, and took a sip of tea.

"You dare encourage your parents to divorce? You really are something raised in the countryside, a motherless wretch with no proper upbringing. You have no manners at all! Do you know that this is profoundly unfilial? I’m telling you now, I will not agree!"

At her words, Shen Zhifeng was so enraged he nearly leaped to his feet.

"I grew up in the countryside, all thanks to Father."

"What did you say? What are you talking about?" Seeing Shen Qingyun’s calm expression, as though she knew everything, Shen Zhifeng suddenly felt a pang of panic.

But Shen Qingyun had no interest in sparring with him any longer. She pointed toward the door. "If you refuse, then please leave."

"What exactly do you mean by that?"

"The literal meaning."

Shen Zhifeng felt a taste of blood rise in his throat. In his fury, he wanted nothing more than to smash this Reed Court to pieces. But he could do nothing. Driven by anxiety, he finally gave in through gritted teeth. "If you want a divorce, fine. Your mother may leave, but the dowry must stay! I should like to see what kind of life a divorced woman can live once she leaves the Duke’s residence."

"That need not concern Father. I have heard there have been certain rumors in the streets lately, though I do not know whether Father has heard them. As for the dowry, if Father can amend the law, then I have nothing more to say."

Pearl had been standing by the side all this time, watching coldly. Even she was so angered by the duke’s shamelessness that she wanted to burst out cursing him.

Even she knew that a woman’s dowry belonged to her personally. Any man with even a shred of decency would not dream of laying claim to it, yet the Duke was still threatening her so brazenly and with such righteousness.

Shen Zhifeng was simply being forced into a corner. Grinding his teeth, he said, "Then have the divine physician summoned first. Only then will I agree to the divorce, otherwise what if you go back on your word?"

"Then please have Father write the divorce agreement first. Otherwise, even if the divine physician comes, he will not issue the prescription."

He had not expected Shen Qingyun to block off even his retreat. Shen Zhifeng shot her a vicious glare, kicked the door open, and swept out with a flick of his sleeve.

Shen Sisi and the Dowager Madam were still waiting in the Hall of Easing Pines for news from Shen Zhifeng. When he finally returned, they hurriedly asked with hope, "Father, how did it go? Did little sister agree?"

Shen Zhifeng sat down heavily, his face dark with rage, murder in his eyes. "That unfilial daughter actually threatened me, saying I must divorce Madam Han or she would not agree to invite the divine physician."

Upon hearing this, Shen Sisi realized that Shen Qingyun truly could summon the divine physician, and quickly tried to persuade him. "Father, Madam Han’s heart left the Duke’s residence long ago. Father should simply agree to the divorce."

Since it concerned her own interests, the Dowager Madam agreed as well. "That Madam Han has occupied the position of Duchess for so many years and still failed to bear a son. Last time she even dared to hit you. She should have been cast aside long ago. Our Duke’s family has already endured her for years, and that is more than enough kindness. My son, you can always remarry another noble lady. As for Madam Han, she is nothing but a fallen woman. A single splash of spit from the crowd could drown her. Just wait and see her end her days in miserable loneliness. Now that would be truly satisfying!"

After being coaxed in this way, Shen Zhifeng still felt unwilling, but when he imagined Han Shi’s pitiful life after the divorce, alone and abandoned, he grew excited as well.

By then, even if she came crying and begging him, it would be too late!

"Fine. Divorce it is!"

With Shen Zhifeng’s consent secured, Shen Qingyun immediately made arrangements.

They all went to the Hanging Doctor Pavilion, where Lian Rufeng took their pulses and prescribed medicine for them. The Dowager Madam and Shen Sisi were in no serious condition; a few doses would suffice to cure them. Shen Zhifeng was different. Lian Rufeng said only that after taking the medicine, he would still need a long period of recuperation.

Shen Zhifeng was unconvinced, but Lian Rufeng merely said he had taken too many violent and harsh medicines, which had damaged his body, and that he must learn restraint.

Under the weight of those words, he did not dare make a scene and could only obediently swallow the medicine with his tail tucked down.

What Lian Rufeng did not say, however, was that this body of his could never be restored, no matter how he tried to nourish it.

With hope at last in sight, Shen Zhifeng also wrote the divorce agreement for Madam Han. Yet thinking of being separated from her daughter, Madam Han still felt uneasy.

"Mother, do not worry about me. Think about what happened this time. Just hurry and leave!"

Madam Han was indeed still shaken. This incident had utterly cured her of any remaining hope for Shen Zhifeng. She could no longer afford to be weak.

Looking into Shen Qingyun’s steadfast yet gentle eyes, Madam Han smiled and nodded. "All right, Qingyun. You must take good care of yourself. Come, there is still one important matter to attend to."