Chapter 2: Deceived by Others
Zhu Mama remained uneasy, but Fanxing simply said, "Don’t overthink it, the Young Lady knows what she is doing."
The courtyard where Shen Yi lived was the most remote and desolate spot in the entire manor. Naturally, it was far from all the main courtyards.
This residence was where the late Li Shi had lived while she was alive. Years ago, after Li Shi was forced into the manor, she was called Concubine Li.
Because Shen Yi’s father was weak, he allowed Han Shi to send the mother and daughter to this secluded place. Until the day she died, Li Shi never moved elsewhere.
In this manor, the Old Duke lived in the front courtyard, while several main courtyards were occupied by Shen Yi’s uncle and father, as well as the families of two uncles born of concubines. The Old Duke’s family estate was to be inherited by the eldest son—Shen Yi’s uncle.
Therefore, he occupied the finest main courtyard.
Meanwhile, Shen Yi’s father and her titular mother, Han Shi, lived in a space that was slightly smaller, though as a legitimate son, his quarters were only marginally inferior to his elder brother’s.
Compared to the two uncles born of concubines, he was much better off. After all, the Old Madam doted on him dearly, the West Courtyard she provided was not lacking in the slightest.
Upon arriving at the West Courtyard, Shen Yi naturally could not enter directly. She had to wait for her arrival to be announced through various levels of servants. This was Han Shi putting on airs, especially toward Shen Yi, she did this every single time.
Shen Yi had long grown accustomed to it and stood there expressionless. Fanxing was the same, making it difficult for anyone to discern her feelings.
After waiting for about the time it takes to drink two cups of tea, word finally came from inside to enter.
Shen Yi nodded and entered the inner quarters of the West Courtyard. She offered her greetings outside the door, separated by a curtain: "Greetings to the Madam."
It was Han Yi who forbade her from calling her 'Mother,' allowing her only to use the title "Madam."
This actually suited Shen Yu’s own inclinations; who would willingly call an enemy 'Mother' for no reason?
Her current submission was merely a temporary necessity due to a lack of power, what she truly wanted was to strangle Han Shi with her own hands.
"Come in," the Madam’s head maid said coldly as she opened the curtain. Shen Die entered, while Fanxing was left outside.
"Sun Mama says you wish to observe a period of mourning for Li Shi?" the Madam demanded abruptly.
"In reply to Madam, that is indeed what this daughter said," Shen Yi replied, lowering her head.
"Heh. An outsider mistress, yet she gets such glory. Even in death, someone must mourn for her. You, the daughter of an outsider mistress, actually consider yourself a legitimate daughter? And 'Mother' this, 'Mother' that—what kind of mother is she to you?" Han Shi snapped angrily.
Shen Yi pursed her lips. "Please appease your anger, Madam. It was a habit of ten years, and I spoke out of habit. Madam is right to scold me."
Shen Yi had long since stopped trying to explain anything. Or rather, she had never intended to explain from the very beginning.
With such a wicked person, there was simply no need.
Only Li Shi, when she was alive, would always try to defend herself. But in this manor, some people simply didn't care, while others knew the truth but deliberately provoked her.
Regardless, no one would ever speak up for her. So why bother?
Shen Yi was not a weak person; she simply knew deep down that saying ten thousand words was not as effective as doing one thing. What she wanted was revenge, not to offer explanations to these disgusting people.
It was all pointless conflict. Since her power was currently inferior to theirs, she had to lie low.
There was no rush, the memories of an extra lifetime would eventually allow her to achieve what she desired.
Thus, bowing her head at this moment did not feel like some unbearable humiliation. After all, the hatred between her mother and daughter and this family already ran deep; adding a little more didn't matter. It would all be paid back in full.
Han Shi snorted. "Don't think that just because I'm telling you to become a concubine for your Eldest Sister, you can start putting on airs. What kind of place is the Earl’s Manor? By rights, you don't deserve it. If the Master hadn't pleaded with me, this good fortune would never have fallen to you."
"This daughter does not dare to go against the wishes of the Master and Madam. However, I must observe mourning. On this point alone, I truly cannot obey Madam. If Madam insists on refusing, please use a length of white silk to strangle me to death," Shen Yi said, kneeling.
Lady Han gave a cold huff.
"I'm not so desperate as to force you to go right now. If you want to mourn, then go ahead and mourn. Just know that by the time your mourning is finished, this 'good fortune' might not be waiting for you anymore."
"Thank you for your tolerance, Madam. As for this marriage, whether it is this one or a future one, it is all fate. Madam and the Master may decide as you see fit; this daughter has no objections," Shen Yi said.
"Good. Since you are willing to acknowledge that, it saves me a lot of trouble. If you are willing to be obedient, I won't make things difficult for you. After all, the events of the past had nothing to do with you. Rise and go back," Han Shi said smugly.
"Yes. Thank you, Madam. This daughter takes her leave." Shen Die rose and curtsied.
Han Shi naturally loathed Shen Yi, but she didn't dare let Shen Yi die as well. At least, not right now. And certainly not within the Shen Manor.
When Li Shi’s son died years ago, it caused a great deal of turmoil. Li Shi herself died only three or four years after entering the manor, which stirred up even more trouble.
Han Shi was already out of favor, and her own son was born after several concubine-born sons.
It was already an embarrassing situation.
Outsiders weren't entirely ignorant of what had happened to Li Shi and her two children.
If all three of them—mother and children, ended up dead within a few years, it would sound terrible to the public. At the very least, she couldn't let the girl die before she was married off.
Therefore, since Shen Yi insisted on mourning, Han Shi had nothing more to say.
Let her mourn.
Once they were out of the West Courtyard and a safe distance away, Fanxing finally asked, "Young Lady, how did it go?"
Shen Yi nodded.
Fanxing breathed a sigh of relief. "That’s good. We only knew before that the Eldest Young Lady was likely unable to conceive, and we thought she would choose someone from among her own maids. I never expected her to set her sights on you. Really... are they not afraid of what people will say?"
"What is she afraid of? Do you think she would willingly let me become a concubine for the Earl of Yong'en?" Shen Yi sneered.
"Most likely, she just wants to borrow a womb. Once I enter the manor and give birth to a son, that will be the moment of my death."
"This... this... they would actually..." Fanxing’s face turned pale.
"Calm down. This is merely her intention, the First Branch might not necessarily agree, and I will not comply," Shen Yi said.
The Eldest Young Lady, after all, was the legitimate daughter of the First Branch. She was the eldest legitimate daughter of this manor, but she had been married to the eldest legitimate son of the Earl of Yong'en for seven years without yet bearing a child.
Although the State Duke’s Manor held great power and an Earl’s Manor would not dare act out of line, heirs were, after all, held in the highest regard these days.
Failing to conceive for seven years—while the Earl’s Manor also did not dare allow concubines to get pregnant, was simply not a sustainable situation.
"Han Shi told me this was the Master's idea," Shen Yi said.
Fanxing bit her lip. "The Master is truly shameless! He actually... treats you like this? If it weren't for him back then, Madam would never have been harmed, nor would the Young Master and you. Now he truly... has not a shred of paternal affection left."
Even now, Fanxing felt hatred whenever she remembered. Years ago, when they were still living outside, although the Master was often away from home, he was tender and deeply in love with Madam whenever he returned.
The servants all said Madam was blessed to have found such a husband; though his business kept him away, he was so considerate and caring toward his wife and children. How wonderful it was.
Who could have known that it was all a scam from the very beginning!
Their Madam was a perfectly respectable woman from a good family, yet she was tricked into becoming an outsider mistress, even the marriage certificate back then was a forgery.
The Old Madam had been a widow for many years and lacked worldly experience, her family possessed a modest amount of property, yet they were deceived to such an extent by the Master.
The Old Madam passed away, the Eldest Young Master passed away, and Madam passed away too. Now, only a single Young Lady is left all alone.
[A note to fill this space: For those who ignore the plot and only care about how many women the male lead has, don't bother reading; this book is not the kind that only focuses on romance. Also, if you think the female lead can defy the heavens just because she is a transmigrator, this isn't for you either. If you find it bad or illogical, feel free to click away.]
Jade: Happy New Month to everyone!! And welcome to the month of Love～(^з^)-☆
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