roccoschili Chapter 176 Imprisonment
Chapter 176 Imprisonment
The Prince of Zhenbei stood on the riverbank, his eyes deep as he gazed at the surging, white-waved river.
The river is four or five zhang wide, and due to the continuous rain, the water level has risen and the current is very dangerous.
Under normal circumstances, they could easily cross it.
But now, if you're not careful, you'll be swept away by the swift current.
"Your Highness, after the victory, you traveled back to the capital overnight and are now exhausted." The subordinates continued to persuade, "Why don't we go to an inn to rest for the night, recharge our energy, and make a decision tomorrow?"
The Prince of Zhenbei turned to his weary-looking subordinates and said, "Go find an inn to stay in first."
The subordinates did not move.
The Prince of Zhenbei said, "I will not act rashly."
He wanted to take Rongguang back and bring Manman home.
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A carriage sped by and suddenly stopped in front of the Marquis of Chengen's residence.
Shen Shaohuai stepped down from the carriage with a cold expression and strode towards the backyard. He had just arrived at Madam Shen's courtyard when he saw her coming out with her maid.
"Mother." Shen Shaohuai bowed to Madam Shen, his gaze subtly sweeping over her attire, clearly indicating that she was preparing to leave the manor: "Where are you going?"
"Huai'er, you're back." Madam Shen dismissed the maids around her, a smile appearing in her eyes: "I have a way to get rid of Shen Qingtan. Without her obstruction, your future career will go further and further."
Shen Shaohuai thought of the letter he had received, written by Shen Qingtan. In the letter, she instructed that if Madam Shen revealed her true parentage, she would definitely report Madam Shen for abducting her.
Shen Qingtan did not analyze the pros and cons for him in the letter, but the information she revealed was enough for him to realize the seriousness of the situation.
Shen Shaohuai has always valued his reputation and cherished his image. How could he let Madam Shen ruin his good reputation?
"Mother, I have something to say to you." Shen Shaohuai's expression was solemn: "Please come to the study with me."
Madam Shen's heart skipped a beat, and she asked with concern, "Huai'er, is someone at the Imperial Academy making things difficult for you?"
Shen Shaohuai remained silent, his lips pressed tightly together.
Upon seeing this, Madam Shen concluded that someone was taking advantage of the Marquis's misfortune to kick Shen Shaohuai while he was down.
"Huai'er, if anyone dares to bully you, tell your mother!" Madam Shen said through gritted teeth, "Your mother will seek justice for you!"
Shen Shaohuai paused, then continued walking forward without saying a word.
Madam Shen's heart clenched. As soon as she entered the study, she couldn't help but ask, "Huai'er, tell me the truth, who took advantage of our family's predicament to bully you?"
Shen Shaohuai closed the study door behind him, looking down at Madam Shen's undisguised worry and anxiety. His fingers, hanging by his side, tightened.
Madam Shen vaguely sensed that something was wrong with Shen Shaohuai, and said anxiously, "Huai'er, say something!"
“Mother, I have studied diligently since I was a child, hoping to earn a degree and bring honor to our family. Now I have entered the Imperial Academy, and my future is bright. I am able to achieve what I have today because of your meticulous care for twenty years.”
Shen Shaohuai recounted all the things Madam Shen had done for him: "I thought I could repay your kindness in raising me, but who knew that my father would get into trouble and be imprisoned. I'm so grateful that you've gone out of your way to ask Prince Yu to spare my life."
Madam Shen's eyes welled up with tears, and her face was filled with emotion.
Shen Shaohuai remembered her kindness in giving him life and raising him; all that she had done for him over the years was worth it.
"Mother, you've worried yourself sick over me. How can I, as your son, watch you make mistakes and lose your life?"
Shen Shaohuai said in a high-sounding manner, "Once you expose Shen Qingtan's background, Shen Qingtan will report you. Given her background and status, even if you are to be held accountable, you will not be able to escape punishment."
Madam Shen looked astonished: "Huai'er, what are you doing?"
“Father used to live in the study, which was fully equipped.” Shen Shaohuai did not answer Madam Shen’s question, nor did he dare to look her in the eye: “For the time being, you will stay here.”
"Are you going to imprison me?" Madam Shen couldn't believe that her son, whom she had raised with such care, was actually defying her. "Shen Qingtan is the daughter of the Prince of Zhenbei. They know that I colluded with the troupe leader to abduct her, forcing them to separate their child. Given the Prince of Zhenbei's ruthless nature, how could he possibly let us off?"
Shen Shaohuai remained unmoved: "Mother, I will arrange for someone to take care of you. Once things have calmed down, I will release you."
"Huai'er!" Madam Shen grabbed Shen Shaohuai's sleeve: "After the Prince of Zhenbei returns in triumph and atones for his crimes, he will come after us for retribution. If we strike first, at least we can save our lives. What does reputation matter as long as we live?"
Shen Shaohuai lowered his eyes, concealing the thoughts in them.
Although the Prince of Zhenbei was cruel and ruthless, he was also clear about his gratitude and grudges.
Even if there is a reckoning, it will only target the responsible parties and will not implicate the innocent.
“Mother, I’m doing this for your own good. I won’t just stand by and watch you make one mistake after another,” Shen Shaohuai said gently. “I’m about to lose my father, and I don’t want to lose my mother too.”
He broke free from Madam Shen's sleeve and stepped out of the study.
Madam Shen hurriedly chased after her.
At this moment, two burly, rough-looking maids rushed over and dragged her into the study, one on each side.
"Huai'er, are you just going to let these lowly women defy their superiors and humiliate your mother?" Madam Shen turned her head to look at the door, where she saw Zhu Yujiao standing gently beside Shen Shaohuai.
She immediately realized that the rough maid who was dragging her was sent by Zhu Yu.
Madam Shen glared at Zhu Yu, about to berate her.
“Madam, please don’t make a fuss. Just stay in the study so that Second Master can rest assured.” Zhu Yu hid behind Shen Shaohuai and said timidly, “You have always thought of Second Master. You wouldn’t bear to let him be criticized by others, would you? If I had a child, I would not let the child be stigmatized for my own sake.”
Madam Shen was so angry she nearly fell over. If she insisted on going out, it would mean she was disregarding Shen Shaohuai's reputation for her own sake.
Shen Shaohuai's face darkened, and he instructed the maids, "You all stay here and take good care of Mother."
He personally closed the door and ordered the servant guarding the study to dispatch more people to strictly guard the study in the front yard, forbidding anyone from approaching.
Subsequently, he issued an additional order, commanding that all of Madam Shen's trusted confidants be imprisoned in the main courtyard.
When Madam Shen heard Shen Shaohuai's instructions, every word he uttered felt like a sharp blade piercing her heart.
She originally thought that Shen Shaohuai was threatened by Shen Qingtan and that he had locked her in the study to save her life, disregarding social norms.
But what Zhu Yu said was not what she had imagined at all.
Shen Shaohuai forbade her from revealing Shen Qingtan's background in order to protect his own reputation.
So, in Shen Shaohuai's eyes, is her life less important than his reputation?
This realization dealt a heavy blow to Madam Shen, who refused to believe that Shen Shaohuai could be so heartless towards her.
It must be that vile woman Zhu Yu deliberately sowing discord.