Volume One, Chapter 14: Murder and Mind Games

Lady Hou seemed not to hear clearly and murmured, "What did you say?"

Shi Zhao patiently repeated, “My name is Shi Zhao. I chose to become a nun on my own.”

Yu Siwen froze in place, a sudden fury erupting within him, though he did not know where to direct it.

It wasn’t the royal family who did this?

Then why would Shi Zhao choose to suffer for herself?

Lady Wen’an’s face gradually paled, and she trembled uncontrollably. “I know you hate us, but why degrade yourself like this? Do you understand what becoming a nun means? Your life is over!”

Lady Wen’an was near breaking down, gently taking Shi Zhao’s hand. “You must want to break your mother’s heart to be happy!”

She never imagined her own daughter could be so ruthless, seeking revenge in such a way.

Lady Wen’an was deeply disappointed. She had raised Shi Zhao with indulgence, never letting her suffer, and the Wen’an Marquis House had only done this one thing that shamed her.

Yet Shi Zhao kept making a scene, refusing to relent, even threatening to become a nun.

Yu Siwen remained silent, his emotions fluctuating wildly. Suddenly, his mind cleared. “Mother, please stop…”

After all, Shi Zhao’s decision to become a nun was their fault. If they hadn’t pushed her to take the blame, none of this would have happened.

Yu Siwen instinctively tried to avoid the topic, unwilling to hear Shi Zhao speak of these matters. Every time she did, he couldn’t help but feel angry, though he couldn’t explain why.

Shi Zhao found it rather amusing. She withdrew her hand from Lady Wen’an’s grasp, a surge of barely concealed malice rising within her chest.

Though she sought the imperial decree to practice as a nun not for the Wen’an Marquis House, Shi Zhao deliberately said, “Because the Empress Dowager and His Majesty the Emperor asked me who embroidered the Hundred Longevity Picture, and I was trapped with no way out, so I chose to become a nun and worship the Buddha.”

Once ordained, she would no longer have to concern herself with worldly matters.

Lady Wen’an was stunned, unable to fully process this. Her nose tingled, nearly tearing the handkerchief in her hand.

Her anger was overwhelmed by a tide of guilt. Clutching her chest, she suddenly found it hard to breathe.

So it was true! So it was true!

With a hoarse voice, Lady Wen’an whispered, “Si Yao... Si Yao...”

Regret suddenly washed over her. Why had she let Shi Zhao take the punishment for Yu Xuanyao? Why hadn’t she rescued Shi Zhao sooner?

The young girl she had carefully raised for over ten years, for the sake of the Marquis House, was now to become a nun for the rest of her life!

“...If you hadn’t made such a scene, arguing that the Hundred Longevity Picture wasn’t embroidered by you, why would the Empress Dowager have to ask?”

The old marquis’s eyes flickered as his fingers rapped heavily against the table.

“No... Old Marquis... it’s not like that...” Lady Wen’an’s expression was mournful.

She should have known Shi Zhao would never easily take the blame for others.

Since Yu Xuanyao’s return, Shi Zhao’s constant submission had made her forget what a proud girl she really was.

The young lady they had spoiled was so strong-willed and stubborn.

Watching Lady Wen’an’s painful expression, Shi Zhao’s face was a mixture of sorrow and anger.

If she was so hurt now, where was she when it all began?

But she didn’t want to say more. Turning toward the door, she said, “The Empress Dowager has ordered me to enter the palace monthly to worship with her. I’m afraid I won’t be moving to a villa in the outskirts after all.”

The old marquis slammed the table and stood up, but he couldn’t find any reason to force Shi Zhao out.

Lady Wen’an pleaded bitterly, “Si Yao, will you forgive your mother?”

Shi Zhao didn’t look back. “Lady Hou, please call me Shi Zhao from now on.”

Lady Wen’an burst into tears. “Si Yao, my daughter, why don’t you even want your own name anymore?”

“My name was never Yu Si Yao. It should have been changed long ago.”

Shi Zhao’s tone was calm, and she didn’t stop moving.

Just as she was about to leave, a tall figure blocked her path. Yu Siwen’s voice was still filled with reluctance.

“A lifetime with flickering lamps and ancient Buddha statues... are you really determined to do this?”

Yu Siwen had expected Shi Zhao to throw a fit, turning the household upside down, or to cut ties with them entirely.

But he never imagined she would simply become a nun.

Perhaps Shi Zhao sought the imperial decree to leave the palace unscathed, but she must have been willing deep down.

She would never do what she did not want to do, even if it meant death.

Her sister, proud and unrestrained, was the brightest jewel in the capital.

Yu Siwen couldn’t bear to imagine that his treasured sister of over a decade would spend her remaining life quietly in a nunnery.

Shi Zhao should have raged fiercely and then gone back to being the proud and carefree girl she was.

But now... Shi Zhao was too disappointing.

She detected the reproach in Yu Siwen’s voice and found it rather absurd.

“If the heir has complaints, he can go to the Empress Dowager himself.”

Yu Siwen’s expression changed. He had come to his senses; his earlier words to the royal family had been reckless.

He couldn’t afford such impulsiveness.

Seeing Yu Siwen fall silent, Shi Zhao bypassed him and strode toward Rong’en Hall.

She cared little for these so-called family members. Her only desire was to uncover the truth behind her grandmother’s death.

Yu Siwen watched her leave helplessly, clenching his teeth.

Shi Zhao had already boxed herself into a corner, but she was his sister after all. He couldn’t let her regret such a rash decision later.

Unaware of Yu Siwen’s thoughts, Shi Zhao left the Wen’an Marquis House behind and happened to run into Doctor Li.

Doctor Li immediately noticed the messy wounds on Shi Zhao’s wrist, his face darkening.

Shi Zhao inexplicably felt a pang of guilt.

As Doctor Li scolded her all the way, she obediently followed like a quail.

Approaching Rong’en Hall, Shi Zhao’s eyes brightened. Interrupting the doctor, she said, “Doctor Li, I know I was wrong. I’ll take better care of my wounds from now on. Let’s hurry inside and have a seat.”

Just as she finished speaking, a commotion arose in the courtyard of Rong’en Hall.

“The young lady hasn’t returned yet, how dare you mess with her things!”

Shi Zhao recognized the voices of Nurse Lan and several maids. Her expression changed. Forgetting to settle Doctor Li, she lifted her skirts and entered Rong’en Hall.

The courtyard, once a smooth grassy field, was now piled with clutter—boxes and all sorts of items Shi Zhao often used.

“What’s going on here?” Shi Zhao asked.

Xiao Xi cried out, “Miss! They want to drive us away!”