Chapter 102: Dividing the Household

On Dingjing's case—Yuan's accidental killing of Sun Cainan—trial unprecedented swift. First Sun Tianzheng memorial to court—Yuan blood for blood—or aged and weary—retire—threatening Emperor Wenhui to quit.
Compared to Shen Gui—Personnel Minister mattered more. Sun Tianzheng years in office—network and paths—sudden replacement—chaos. Emperor must appease Sun Tianzheng. Censors daily awaited official errors—accidental kill—would not pass. Pity Sun Tianzheng lost only son—hard words—censors' focus fell on Shen Gui.
Surprising too—Shen Gui's attitude. Shen Gui knelt before Emperor—snot and tears—confessed poor teaching—willing sacrifice kin—Yuan pay with life.
Reportedly stunned entire court civil and military.
Words sounded iron impartial—but toward own son—not fight first—cleanly agree life for life—too inhuman. Shen Gui usually smooth—tiger not eat cub—this act made colleagues keep distance.
Ministers stood with Sun Tianzheng. Emperor asked princes—nine princes unanimous for Sun Tianzheng. Even silent—outcome all knew.
Execution order in three days—fastest since Ming Qi founding—almost no appeal or resistance—direct conviction. Sun push certainly—Shen house inaction large factor—other hidden hands—unknown.
……
Dark prison—Yuan sat innermost. Hair tangled—days unwashed—sour stink. Usually calm eyes—close look—slight panic—even star-points despair.
Last night someone entered—fed mute drug. Could speak nothing—who would—who could breach cell—Yuan knew in heart.
Fu Xiuyi would not save. Initially faint hope—later thought—rescue costs exceed gain—that man best at profit and harm avoidance—would not risk. Opposite—Yuan existence unsettling piece—Fu Xiuyi would eradicate without mercy.
Mute drug—not necessarily sparing life—Fu Xiuyi cautious—death in cell might invite suspicion.
Yuan's mouth slowly bitter smile. Winner king loser bandit—knew from start what Fu Xiuyi was. Serve Fu Xiuyi—should expect such end—never thought so fast.
Darkness—footsteps—unlike jailers' hurry—slow. He looked toward sound—in dim lamp—purple dress close.
Upward—young girl's clear face—smiled at him. "Second Brother."
Yuan's breath blocked.
Seeing Shen Miao—instant hate and unwillingness—wished to kill her now.
Even if unclear why affairs became thus—one thing Yuan knew—Shen Miao's hand in it.
Shen Miao slowly squatted—eyes level with Yuan, smiled. "Second Brother must have suffered inside. Second Aunt mad—Second Uncle won't visit—Seventh Brother young. Old Madam loved you most—but yesterday ordered—no speaking your name in house—abandoned you too. I thought—we're kin—I came send you last stretch."
Yuan gnashed teeth at Shen Miao—words kill—destroy belief. Shen Miao stabbed without hesitation. Yuan feelings cold—but imprisoned—no visitors—heart chilled. Old Madam favored him for talent—now prisoner—Old Madam would cut ties avoid trouble.
"Thinking so—Second Brother and Eldest Sister true siblings—both entered prison. Eldest Sister jailed—Second Aunt still ran about—now none for you."
Yuan silent.
"Why silent, Second Brother?" Shen Miao tilted head. "Unwilling speak to me—or…" sudden laugh. "Fed mute drug?"
Yuan startled—Shen Miao guessed mute drug—before thinking—next words shocked more.
"Fu Xiuyi's methods—same as ever—no difference." Shen Miao pondered.
Yuan eyes wide—Fu Xiuyi's name from Shen Miao's mouth—how know he served Fu Xiuyi? Familiar tone—even understood Fu Xiuyi deeply? Astonishment inexpressible—in Shen rear court however clever Shen Miao—Yuan did not overestimate—boudoir scope ends there. But Fu Xiuyi's name—could not treat ordinary.
"Second Brother needn't be surprised." Shen Miao swept him. "I know Fu Xiuyi—and his schemes. If you mean tell Fu Xiuyi about me—atone—too late. Prince Ding cautious—mute drug and no rescue—to avoid notice—won't send men here until you die—no further tie. Moment you became waste—no connection—no way drag him down."
Yuan's heart hammered—Shen Miao correct—Fu Xiuyi exactly so. Since yesterday—almost despair awaiting death. Never fish-die-net-break—that end worse than death—Fu Xiuyi never gentleman surface.
He extended finger—dipped dusty floor with bowl's muddy water—wrote:
Your purpose?
Shen Miao laughed aloud. Laughing—eyes curved, mouth curved—suddenly like a year ago still rough block—some stupid, some simple—girl understanding nothing. Same expression now—yet chilling.
Shen Miao stopped laughing, looked at Yuan. "My purpose—Second Brother guessed, no?"
You want second branch? Yuan wrote.
"Not only second branch." Shen Miao suddenly low—eyes fierce flash—killing intent leaked. "Third branch too—and Old Madam—and… Prince Ding."
Yuan stared tight.
"You ask why again?" Shen Miao said. "I only return what you did—to your eyes. Like this time—Jing affair—Second Brother not find familiar? Because originally your method—your chess path against you—how solve?"
Yuan confused—Shen Miao's expression almost mad. Hate second third branch understandable—surface harmony all knew—but hate Prince Ding? Because once loved Prince Ding unrequited?
"Second Brother," Shen Miao smiled oddly, "thank Little Sister—on your yellow spring road—so many bury with you. Rest assured—after you—second branch none takes your place. You'll remain Shen house's unique legitimate eldest son."
Yuan glared.
Shen Miao stood—voice in darkness light rise heavy fall—smashed Yuan's ears.
"Second branch will end without heirs."
……
Outside—jailer bribed satisfied left—promised tell no outsider. Jingzhe and Gu Yu helped Shen Miao to carriage. Gu Yu asked: "Miss—execution in three days truly?"
Shen Miao nodded.
"Like a dream." Gu Yu murmured. "Days ago Second Young Master arrogant—now life forfeit."
"Fate deserved." Shen Miao cold.
Sensing mood poor—Jingzhe and Gu Yu stuck tongues out silent. Back Shen house—entering—main hall crowded—Jing kin.
Jing mother rolling on floor shrieking. "Return our Chuchu! Return Chuchu!"
Old Madam iron-green—ordered guards. "Drive these out!"
"Old Madam," Guansheng no longer refined—fierce. "Chuchu entered your house fine—taken—life unknown—even court—you're wrong."
Old Madam raged. "Still dare speak! That slut ruined us—if not her jinx—how lawsuit on Shen house!"
"Old Madam mind words," Guansheng said. "We said—someone plotted in dark. Chuchu's maid vanished too—suspicious—someone bought her!"
Women all present—Chen Ruoqiu headache—Yue disgusted at Jing kin—Luo Xueyan detached—Wan Yiniang held Dongling quiet—no place to speak.
"Cousin stretches far—blame one maid and done?" Shen Miao's voice. "After all—adultery—maid cannot force."
Mockery—Guansheng red and white—all looked door—Shen Miao entered graceful. Old Madam never loved Shen Miao like today—if Jing trouble paused—heart eased.
Luo Xueyan pulled Shen Miao happily. "Jiaojiao out so long—tired?"
Jing mother still wailing. "You and Father blood kin—Chuchu your blood too—how cruel—heavens Old Madam drive us to death!"
Old Madam unbearable. "Who blood kin with you? Suzhou beggars climb relation? Piss and see yourselves—think pretty face means do anything—small-house stink—young already seducing men—" Old Madam in hurry—brothel market curses—extremely vile—all stunned.
After silence Guansheng laughed. "Old Madam—so heartless? Chuchu's matter—hands off?"
"Chuchu—what to me with me? Ridiculous!" Old Madam without hesitation.
"Fine," Guansheng sneered, glanced Shen Miao. "Cross river destroy bridge—don't blame my disloyalty. You had Chuchu climb Qiu's bed—had me woo Fifth Cousin—not so heartless then."
All shocked.
Guessed inside story—never expected Guansheng say before everyone.
Most shocked—Luo Xueyan.
She looked at Guansheng, slow. "What did you say?"
Guansheng ignored Old Madam's rage—broken jar. "Aunt likely doesn't know. Chuchu and I arrived—Old Madam warm—why? Loved us—wanted Jing kinship. But—Eldest Cousin wouldn't look at humble Chuchu? Old Madam personally drugged—eager match—never expected Second Cousin benefited."
Luo Xueyan trembled with rage—drew soft sword from waist—laid it across Guansheng's neck.
Guansheng face changed—still forced smile. "Aunt wrong person—we know our weight—without Old Madam's push—how dare dream? Drugging Old Madam's hand—shouldn't Aunt blame others?"
Luo Xueyan turned on Old Madam—killing air surging—Old Madam nearly fell from seat. "First branch—you parricide!"
"Old Madam wanted Chuchu marry Eldest Cousin—and me woo Cousin." Guansheng lewd smile. "Said—men women—that's all—rice cooked—heart devoted…"
Luo Xueyan couldn't listen—sword split ground—fine stone—visible crack. Jing mother screamed—Old Madam pale.
Yue and Chen Ruoqiu shrank—Wan Yiniang inwardly shocked—Old Madam used such base tricks. Common wives concubines—expected—but house mistress—unseemly.
Luo Xueyan one hand Shen Miao—one hand sword at Old Madam—true anger—killing air poured—next moment might sever Old Madam's head. "Old Madam—since I married Shen house—Shen Xin and I treated you deep respect—not birth mother—still honored. Now I know—ingrate wolves exist—such Shen house—I cannot stay."
"First branch—don't listen nonsense!" Old Madam dying hope. "You unfilial?"
"Truth or lies—investigate. Unfilial—" Luo Xueyan cold, word by word, "I'd bear unfilial name lifetime—not let my children stay such house!" Pulled Shen Miao. "Go!"
Old Madam raging behind—Jing kin trouble—Chen Ruoqiu smoothing—unimportant. Shen Miao pulled west by Luo Xueyan—heart light.
This was her goal. Sometimes one-sided words lack force—not disbelief—but household division hard—interests tangled—blame possible—Shen Xin deciding divide—not easy.
After today—division easier. At least—no mercy left for Old Madam from Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan. Parents protecting children—instinct.
Luo Xueyan pulled Shen Miao inside—shut door—breath—cold laugh. "Your father and brother at palace—should see what vermin these are!" Remembered—looked at Shen Miao apologetic. "Jiaojiao—frightened? Mother too angry just now."
Shen Miao shook head, looked at her. "What next? Mother said such to Old Madam—Old Madam will accuse after."
"Fear what." Luo Xueyan slammed table. "When your father returns—we discuss division. Shen house—none good heart—continue—who knows what next." Stroked Shen Miao's face. "No wonder you wanted half year in capital—you… knew early?"
Shen Miao smiled, said nothing—Luo Xueyan more sure. She rose. "No—I must investigate. Guards at yard gate—you stay in." Treated Shen mansion as dragon pool tiger den.
Shen Miao nodded. After Luo Xueyan left Jingzhe asked: "Miss—can we truly divide?"
"Of course." Shen Miao flat. "My mother tolerates no grit—will divide."
"Truly good." Jingzhe said. "After division—Miss free—no daily guard against this and that."
Bailu entered. "Miss—Taoyuan sent out—settled on manor—silver given."
Shen Miao nodded.
Chuchu's Taoyuan—simple to buy. Chuchu planned marry Yuan—elevate Taoyuan concubine to hold Yuan's heart. Yuan hated being calculated—Taoyuan concubine—Yuan would treat poorly. Chuchu thought great favor—unknown Taoyuan bought.
Taoyuan refused concubine—refused master like Chuchu—risked all—won freedom. Shen Miao kept promise—silver—life spared. Rulers reward useful servants—grace and severity.
After today—all as she wished. Gu Yu: "After Second Young Master executed—house quiet—good time divide."
Shen Miao smiled faintly—not quiet. Jing kin left for Sun Tianzheng—second branch not extinct yet.
"Second Aunt learning Second Brother executed—will grieve greatly." Shen Miao soft.
"Second Madam mad already?" Gu Yu surprised. "Mad—no sense—Caiyun Pavilion says—doesn't recognize people—how know?"
"Mad?" Shen Miao shook head. "Not necessarily."
Extreme pain despair—"madness" escapes unbearable reality. Ren Wanyun's deepest pain—Wolong Temple night—her inaction—Shen Qing's path to death. Powerless—watched Shen Qing die—could not face Shen Qing—could not face self—finally "mad."
Yuan's death news—likely madder still—Yuan's matter—still helpless.
Ren Wanyun mad not long. Continue mad—depends accepting facts. Soon Ren Wanyun will wake—still has Shen Yuanbai—fears Wan Yiniang's poison on Yuanbai.
Shen Miao will make Ren Wanyun wake early.
She targets not individuals—entire family line. Chose second branch—how stop after one pair of children lost?
What she wants—Shen Gui's line extinct three generations.