Chapter 600

"Yes."

***

The night was deep. Moonlight streamed down like water. The entire Shen Residence was brightly lit, as if it were daytime.

"Second Madam, Third Master requests an audience." The steward's voice came from outside, breaking the silence of the inner quarters of the Shen Residence.

Jiang Hua put down the book in her hand and frowned slightly. It's so late, what does Third Master Shen want?

Today was her third day back at the Shen Residence. For these three days, Jiang Hua had not left her room, and except for essential matters, she barely interacted with anyone. Even her meals were brought to her room by maids.

She was the Second Madam of the Shen family, and also the Eldest Young Master's wife; by rights, no one in the Shen Residence should dare to disrespect her. But the Eldest Young Master Shen had disappeared. She, Jiang Hua, had become an unloved abandoned woman in the eyes of everyone in the Shen Residence. Even the servants privately said she was shameless, seducing her own nephew. Otherwise, why would Third Master Shen, Shen Huai, come to find her in the middle of the night?

Jiang Hua scoffed softly and placed the book on a nearby table. "Let him in."

Since Shen Huai had come knocking, she might as well make things clear.

Shen Huai walked into the room, his gaze falling on Jiang Hua, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. Jiang Hua was originally exceedingly beautiful, and now, as a married woman, she possessed an added charm. Especially her gaze towards him, both cold and alluring, captivating his soul.

Shen Huai's heart trembled, and he awkwardly avoided Jiang Hua's gaze. "Second Sister-in-law, did... did you ask for me?"

Jiang Hua raised her eyes and glanced at him with a half-smile. "Third Master Shen, your words are truly polite. If I'm not mistaken, it was Third Master Shen who requested an audience just now."

Shen Huai's expression immediately turned somewhat unpleasant. "Second Sister-in-law, what... what do you mean by this?"

Jiang Hua stood up, walked to the window, opened it, and let the moonlight spill into the room. "I am merely speaking the truth."

Jiang Hua turned around, her beautiful eyes fixed on Shen Huai, and said, word by word, "Third Master Shen, you and I are, after all, brother-in-law and sister-in-law. We should maintain a proper distance. If it gets out that you came to the inner quarters in the middle of the night, it will damage both our reputations."

Shen Huai's face turned completely ashen. He hadn't expected Jiang Hua to be so direct, nor had he expected her to bring up reputation in front of him.

"Second Sister-in-law, have... have you misunderstood something?" Shen Huai suppressed his anger and explained, "I... I just wanted to ask you about Eldest Brother..."

"Eldest Brother?" Jiang Hua chuckled softly, interrupting Shen Huai. "Third Master Shen, you and I both know that Eldest Brother—" Jiang Hua paused here, her gaze falling on Shen Huai with a half-smile. "Eldest Brother is already dead."

Shen Huai's pupils constricted sharply, and his face turned deathly pale. "Second Sister-in-law, what... what nonsense are you spouting?"

"I'm not spouting nonsense." Jiang Hua walked up to Shen Huai, looking down at him. "Third Master Shen, you and I both know perfectly well that Eldest Brother disappeared years ago and is no longer alive. The reason you've delayed marrying isn't for Eldest Brother, but because you harbor feelings for me, isn't that right?"

Shen Huai stiffened, his face completely drained of color. "Second Sister-in-law, you... you're talking nonsense!"

"Third Master Shen, do you dare to say you haven't?" Jiang Hua pressed closer, forcing Shen Huai to retreat step by step. "Do you dare to say you haven't lusted after my beauty? Do you dare to say you haven't thought about replacing Eldest Brother and becoming the master of the Shen Residence? Do you dare to say you haven't thought about making me, Jiang Hua, your woman?"

Shen Huai's face alternated between green and white, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He had never dreamed that Jiang Hua would be so direct. She actually knew! She knew everything!

Shen Huai's heart trembled, and his eyes darted about. He did indeed have these thoughts, but he had never dared to voice them. Moreover, Jiang Hua was his second sister-in-law, his eldest brother's woman!

"Third Master Shen, don't you like me?" Jiang Hua suddenly smiled, her face blooming like a flower. Her smile was beautiful, so beautiful it made Shen Huai's breath catch. "Don't you want to marry me?"

"I..." Shen Huai looked at Jiang Hua, his eyes somewhat infatuated. He indeed wanted to marry Jiang Hua. He dreamed of it! But Jiang Hua was his second sister-in-law; how could he marry her?

"Third Master Shen, I'll give you an opportunity." Jiang Hua suddenly leaned closer to Shen Huai and whispered in his ear. Her voice was very soft, yet it was like a spell, enchanting Shen Huai. "As long as you're willing to help me, not only can I become your woman, but I can also help you become the master of the Shen Residence."

Shen Huai trembled, his eyes blazing. "Second Sister-in-law, are... are you serious?"

"When have I ever lied?" Jiang Hua chuckled softly, extended a slender index finger, and gently hooked Shen Huai's chin. Her fingertip was cool, yet it made Shen Huai's entire body feel hot. "Third Master Shen, as long as you listen to me, this Shen Residence will be yours sooner or later."

Shen Huai's breathing quickened, and his gaze grew even more ardent. "Second Sister-in-law, what... what should I do?"

Jiang Hua leaned closer to Shen Huai and whispered a few words in his ear. Shen Huai's expression immediately became somewhat peculiar.

"Second Sister-in-law, this... this..."

Jiang Hua released Shen Huai, took a few steps back, and looked at him calmly. "Third Master Shen, do you choose wealth and glory, or do you choose to live a mediocre life? Do you choose to become the master of the Shen Residence, or do you choose to live your entire life in the shadow of Eldest Brother?"

Shen Huai's expression kept changing. He looked at Jiang Hua, his eyes filled with complexity. Jiang Hua was right; he did want to become the master of the Shen Residence. He also truly wanted to marry Jiang Hua. But the conditions Jiang Hua proposed were simply too outrageous!

"Third Master Shen, you must think carefully." Jiang Hua gently reminded him, "You only have this one chance."

Shen Huai's eyes struggled for a moment. Finally, he gritted his teeth and made his decision. "Second Sister-in-law, I agree!"

A faint curve appeared at the corner of Jiang Hua's lips. "Third Master Shen, you won't regret it."

***

The next morning. The entire Shen Residence was in an uproar.

"Did you hear? Second Madam beat Third Master Shen!""What? Second Madam beat Third Master Shen? Is that true?""Of course it's true! Third Master Shen's face is swollen, and they say he even broke a few ribs!""My goodness! Second Madam is actually so ruthless?""Exactly! Third Master Shen is still a young master of the Shen Residence, how dare Second Madam?""Who knows? Maybe Third Master Shen angered Second Madam.""I think Third Master Shen got what he deserved! Who told him to go to Second Madam's courtyard in the middle of the night?""Shh! Quiet down, don't let Second Madam hear you.""Hmph! No matter how formidable Second Madam is, she's still just a woman. She beat Third Master Shen like this, will Old Madam Shen spare her?""Exactly! Old Madam Shen dotes on Third Master Shen the most, Second Madam is in trouble now."

In Old Madam Shen's courtyard. Old Madam Shen sat in her armchair, her face ashen. "Investigate! Investigate thoroughly for me! Who exactly beat Huai'er like this?!"

The steward knelt on the ground, trembling. "Old Madam, this servant has investigated thoroughly. It... it was Second Madam who did it."

"What?!" Old Madam Shen suddenly stood up, her face even uglier. "That Jiang Hua has some nerve! How dare she beat Huai'er?! Quick! Summon Jiang Hua to me!" Old Madam Shen was trembling with rage, wishing she could tear Jiang Hua to shreds immediately.

Before long, Jiang Hua arrived in Old Madam Shen's courtyard. She wore a plain-colored long dress, her hair pulled up in a high bun, her face calm, her expression serene. Upon seeing Old Madam Shen, she performed a respectful yet unyielding bow. "Your daughter-in-law greets Mother."

Old Madam Shen let out a cold snort, not allowing her to rise. "Jiang Hua, you have immense nerve! How dare you beat Huai'er?!"

Jiang Hua lowered her eyes, her voice calm: "Mother, your daughter-in-law did not hit Third Brother."

"You still dare to quibble?!" Old Madam Shen angrily slammed the table and stood up: "Huai'er himself admitted you hit him, and you still dare to deny it?!"

"Mother, Third Brother merely fell accidentally; it has nothing to do with your daughter-in-law." Jiang Hua raised her head and looked at Old Madam Shen with an open, frank gaze. Her eyes were so clear, without a trace of impurity, making it impossible to tell if she was lying.

Old Madam Shen's body trembled with anger. Of course, she knew Jiang Hua was lying. But Shen Huai had personally admitted Jiang Hua hit him, and Jiang Hua stubbornly denied it. What was she to do?

"Jiang Hua, do you think I've become senile or something?!" Old Madam Shen pointed at Jiang Hua and roared, "You dare to do it but not admit it?!"

Jiang Hua's face remained as calm as still water. "Mother, your daughter-in-law did not do it, so there is nothing to 'dare to admit' to."

"You!" Old Madam Shen was so furious she nearly choked. In all her life, this was the first time she had ever encountered such a brazen person!

"Jiang Hua, don't think you can do as you please just because Huai'er isn't here!" Old Madam Shen roared, "Don't forget, you are still a daughter-in-law of the Shen family!"

"Mother speaks truly." Jiang Hua smiled faintly: "Your daughter-in-law naturally would not forget."

"If that's the case, why won't you admit to hitting him?!" Old Madam Shen glared at Jiang Hua, wishing she could devour her alive.

"Your daughter-in-law did not hit anyone." Jiang Hua repeated again.

Old Madam Shen was trembling with rage. She had never met someone so stubborn and unyielding!

"Mother, Third Brother has woken up. If you don't believe me, you can ask him." Jiang Hua suddenly spoke.

Old Madam Shen's expression froze upon hearing this. That's right! Huai'er is awake, she can ask Huai'er!

"Someone! Bring Huai'er here!" Old Madam Shen immediately commanded.

Before long, Shen Huai was carried over. His face was pale, his body covered in injuries; he looked utterly wretched. Upon seeing Old Madam Shen, he immediately cried out, "Grandma! You must uphold justice for me!"

Old Madam Shen looked at Shen Huai with heartache and gently asked, "Huai'er, tell Grandma, who exactly beat you like this?"

Shen Huai raised his eyes, glanced at Jiang Hua, his gaze flickering. Of course, he knew who hit him. But he had already promised Jiang Hua yesterday that he wouldn't reveal this matter. "Grandma, I..." Shen Huai hesitated for a moment, but ultimately, following Jiang Hua's instructions, he said, "Grandma, I... I accidentally fell yesterday, which is why I got injured."

Old Madam Shen's expression changed dramatically upon hearing this. "What?!" She looked at Shen Huai, her eyes complex. Huai'er actually lied? "Huai'er, are... are you not lying?" Old Madam Shen asked with a trembling voice. Shen Huai lowered his head, his voice very soft: "Grandma, I am not lying."

Old Madam Shen was utterly stunned. She had never imagined that Shen Huai would actually lie for Jiang Hua. She looked at Jiang Hua, her eyes filled with doubt and bewilderment.

A faint smile always lingered on Jiang Hua's face. "Mother, do you believe now that your daughter-in-law did not hit anyone?"

Old Madam Shen took a deep breath, suppressing her anger, and said, "Alright, you may leave." Jiang Hua smiled faintly, bowed, and turned to leave.

The moment she left, Old Madam Shen's face immediately turned ashen. "Huai'er, you... tell Grandma, what exactly happened?!" Old Madam Shen glared at Shen Huai and demanded sharply.

Shen Huai lowered his head, not daring to look at Old Madam Shen. He knew he had completely enraged Grandma this time. "Grandma, I..." Shen Huai hesitated for a moment, but ultimately recounted everything that had happened last night, exactly as it occurred, to Old Madam Shen.

After listening, Old Madam Shen's face grew even uglier. She had never imagined that Jiang Hua would do such a thing! Even more, she hadn't expected Huai'er to actually agree to Jiang Hua's conditions!

"You... you fool!" Old Madam Shen was trembling with rage, pointing at Shen Huai, and roared, "You actually did such a thing for a woman?!"

"Grandma, I... I was wrong." Shen Huai said, weeping.

"You were wrong? Where were you wrong?!" Old Madam Shen roared, "Do you know that doing this will ruin the Shen family?!"

"Grandma, I..." Shen Huai was speechless. He knew he was wrong. But what could he do? He had already agreed to Jiang Hua.

Old Madam Shen looked at Shen Huai, her eyes complex. She had never imagined that her most beloved grandson would be bewitched by a woman.

"Grandma, please... don't be angry anymore." Seeing Old Madam Shen's anger, Shen Huai quickly said, "Grandma, I promise, it won't happen again."

"Do you think I'll still believe you?!" Old Madam Shen roared, "Get out of my sight!"

Shen Huai was thoroughly rebuked by Old Madam Shen and could only slink away dejectedly.

Old Madam Shen watched Shen Huai's retreating figure, her eyes filled with disappointment. She had never imagined that her grandson would become like this.

"Jiang Hua!" Old Madam Shen gritted her teeth as she uttered Jiang Hua's name, her eyes brimming with resentment. She would absolutely not let Jiang Hua have an easy time of it!