Chapter 38: Sending You to Hell Step by Step

Shen Ninghua was grounded in Yingyue Courtyard. Shen Dong only told her not to go out, but he didn’t forbid people from visiting her. Therefore, Shen Xuanhua ran over as soon as he finished breakfast.

“Eldest sister, come and see.”

Shen Ninghua was practicing calligraphy in her room when she heard Shen Xuanhua’s voice. The tip of the writing brush in her hand trembled and a tiny drop of ink landed on the snow-white paper with plum blossom as its background.

When Shen Xuanhua came into the room and saw this scene, he scratched his head embarrassedly. “Eldest sister, it’s all my fault. I’m so reckless.”

Bai Ruo put away the paper that Shen Ninghua had thrown aside and put on a new one. Shen Ninghua was no longer in the mood to continue practicing calligraphy. “You are so flustered early in the morning. Aren’t you afraid that Aunt would criticize you again?” During this period of time, she found that Shen Xuanhua was very childish at home. This made her wonder how Old General Su could feel at ease to send him to the battlefield.

“Mother is unwilling to discipline me now. By the way, eldest sister, I’m here to send something to you.” Shen Xuanhua took out a stack of gold tickets from his pocket. “The Second Prince told me to hand over these to you. He said that it was for buying your war manual.”

Shen Ninghua rolled her eyes thoughtfully. The day she returned to the Shen Mansion, she asked Shen Xuanhua to deliver the original copy of the war manual to the Second Prince. She didn’t expect Baili Jinchuan to deliver the gold tickets to her so quickly. “You already have my transcription of the war manual. You can copy it again and present it to the Second Prince. Letting him pay for it seems like I’m taking advantage of him.”

Shen Xuanhua smiled and said, “The Second Prince guessed correctly. He said that once I gave you the gold tickets, you would definitely say those words. The Second Prince asked me to tell you not to worry. He was buying the original copy of the war manual as a tribute to the emperor. So it was worth all the money no matter how expensive it was.”

“Hmm, then I’m relieved.” If Baili Jinchuan could think of offering the war manual to the emperor, then he must have understood her previous advice. Next, they only needed to see the empress’s reaction.

“Eldest sister,” Shen Xuanhua took a sip of the tea that Bai Ruo brought over. “Your tea is very delicious. No matter how carefully I brew my tea, I can’t get this taste.”

Looking at his greedy expression, Shen Ninghua burst into laughter. “I brought this tea from the country villa. It tastes good because something special was added to the tea when it was produced. If you like it, I’ll ask Bai Ruo to give some to you when you leave.”

“Thank you, eldest sister. By the way, eldest brother Xuanye will be back to celebrate grandmother’s birthday. The Second Prince said that he would come to see eldest brother.”

Shen Ninghua’s eyes sparked. “Is Shen Xuanye back so soon?” Shen Xuanye had been traveling outside to study, but later a secluded monk appreciated his talent and accepted him as a disciple. After that, Shen Xuanye started to study all kinds of knowledge from the monk. At first, Shen Dong and Madam Zhao were extremely reluctant, but when they knew that the monk was Master Liao Chen, a secluded and highly respected guru, they happily sent Shen Xuanye to study with him.

As a disciple of Master Liao Chen, Shen Xuanye’s reputation naturally rose.

However, in Shen Ninghua’s previous life, Shen Xuanye didn’t come back until she was sent to Baili Jinze as a concubine. This time, he was coming back so early. Madam Zhao must have delivered some messages to him.

“Eldest sister, brother Xuanye’s return wouldn’t cause any trouble to you, right?” Shen Xuanhua asked hesitantly.

Shen Ninghua raised her head. Seeing Shen Xuanhua’s worried expression, she couldn’t help thinking that although he was talented and had an astonishing instinct in the tactics of war, he was still only a thirteen-year-old lad. He was too soft-hearted because he hadn’t gone through any hardships. “What kind of trouble could there be? I’m happy that Xuanye was coming back to congratulate grandmother on her birthday.”

Shen Xuanhua lowered his head and said, “Alright, it’s good that you are happy.” Her expression a moment ago clearly indicated the opposite. Eldest sister was still unwilling to tell him anything.

Hong Ling quickly ran in and said, “Miss, Master and the First Lady are coming here. Their expressions are awful.”

Shen Ninghua raised her eyes and said, “It’s fine. Go and open the door. Father and mother are coming to my yard, and I should happily welcome them. Bai Ruo, go and make some hot tea.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Eldest sister, I’ll go and fetch my mother here.” Shen Xuanhua was worried.

Shen Ninghua stopped him and said, “No need, I can handle this small matter myself. Xuanhua, you’ve delivered the gift for the Second Prince. Go back. There’s no need for you to be here.”

“I’d better stay here. I can help you in case Uncle punishes you.”

“What are you talking about? I followed his order to stay in the courtyard and I didn’t do anything wrong. Why would father and mother punish me for no reason? Stay here if you want to. Just take it easy and watch.” Knowing his kind intention, Shen Ninghua no longer forced him to leave.

As soon as they finished speaking, Shen Dong and Madam Zhao walked in one after the other.

Shen Ninghua tidied up her clothes and bowed, “Greetings, father and mother.”

Madam Zhao ignored her actions. Instead, she looked at Shen Ninghua with reproach in her eyes and said earnestly, “Ninghua, you will be an adult in two years. As Linghan’s eldest sister, you should be the most sensible. Why did you bring such a disgrace to our Shen family?”

Shen Ninghua looked at long-faced Shen Dong. His face was gloomy and he was obviously suppressing his anger. She looked at Madam Zhao confusedly, “Mother, what did you mean? When did I do something that would embarrass the Shen family? Yesterday, I already explained clearly that it was not me who disrupted the Shen family.”

Madam Zhao’s eyes were filled with hatred. She turned around and saw the gold tickets on the table. Her tone became even more disdainful. “At this time, you still refuse to confess. The emperor values filial piety the most. Whoever does something unfilial will be driven out of the family, whether they are male or female. Ninghua, the Shen family really can’t tolerate you.”

Shen Ninghua responded sternly, “Mother, your accusation is very serious. I serve grandmother wholeheartedly and treat father and you respectfully. How can you frame me up without any evidence?”

Madam Zhao sneered, “Then explain where did the gold tickets on your table come from?”

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“Someone sent it over.”

“Humph, then tell me again, why would someone give you a stack of gold tickets?”

Shen Ninghua frowned in confusion, “I had a unique war manual. Someone wanted it and paid for it, so I agreed. Do you think I can’t receive my payment?”

“Of course, you can receive your payment, but Ninghua, you shouldn’t have resold your mother’s dowry. Is the Shen family unable to raise a daughter? Are you still refusing to admit that you’re unfilial, and that you have embarrassed the Shen family?”

Shen Ninghua pursed her lips and looked at Shen Dong. “Father, do you think so too?”

“Ninghua, you did let me down.” Shen Dong said solemnly.

Shen Ninghua knelt down and looked straight at Shen Dong. “Father, the Second Prince wanted to buy the war manual. Of course, I didn’t agree. But he said that he wanted to present the manual as a tribute to the emperor. Therefore, I agreed to give it to him free of charge for the sake of his filial piety. However, he insisted on buying it for 50,000 taels of gold because only by paying me could he present the war manual as his tribute to the emperor. Now it seems that I was wrong. I will send someone to deliver the gold tickets to the Second Prince later and get the war manual back.”

Shen Dong suddenly widened his eyes. “What…what did you say? You sold the war manual to the Second Prince, and then the Second Prince will present it as a tribute to the emperor?”

“Yes.”

Madam Zhao choked and turned to look at Nurse Qin. Why didn’t anyone tell her such important information? If she knew that Shen Ninghua had sold the manual to the Second Prince, she would in no way dare to make such a fuss.

Nurse Qin was also stunned. She was only briefed about Shen Ninghua’s actions and then truthfully report it to Madam Zhao. She had no way of knowing what the informers failed to tell her.

Shen Ninghua lowered her head to hide the smile in her eyes. After many years of comfortable and carefree life, the First Lady had become too lax. Shen Ninghua deliberately misled her and she immediately took Shen Dong with her on a punitive expedition. Now she could only blame herself for falling into the trap.

Shen Dong coughed stiffly, “Ninghua, get up. Since the Second Prince has already sent the gold tickets over, you can keep them. There is no reason for you to take the war manual back once you have sold it.”

Shen Ninghua frowned. “But what mother said also made sense. I only considered the filial piety of the Second Prince, but I didn’t consider the face of the Shen family.”

“It’s fine. You didn’t do anything wrong. I’ll take care of this matter.” Shen Dong coldly glanced at Madam Zhao. He was unhappy with the woman’s increasingly inappropriate actions. “You should have a good rest for a couple of days. If you need anything, just tell…the butler, and I’ll ask someone to arrange it for you.”

Hearing this, Madam Zhao’s face suddenly turned pale. Telling the butler? What did Shen Dong mean by this? Did he want to deprive her of the right to manage the family?

Shen Ninghua was satisfied. “Yes, father.”

“Hmm, you can rest now.” Shen Dong was embarrassed and didn’t stay any longer. After he finished speaking, he turned around and left. Madam Zhao’s face was pale. She glared at Shen Ninghua fiercely and quickly followed Shen Dong out.

After everyone had left, Shen Xuanhua heaved a sigh of relief. “I thought Eldest Uncle was here have you punished. But he actually let you go so easily. Eldest sister, I’m relieved that you’re fine here. I’ll go back and tell my mother now.”

“Yes, go.”

Bai Ruo stepped forward to help Shen Ninghua massage her legs to alleviate the pain in her knees. “Miss, it seemed the First Lady wouldn’t leave the matter at that.”

“I know.” Shen Ninghua’s eyes were calm, but a violent storm was take shape in her heart. “She has been able to get whatever she wants. Suddenly, a variable like me appeared and got the upper hand of her in everything. How could she be willing to eat humble pie? What I want is just her unwillingness.”

“I didn’t get it.” Bai Ruo pondered for a long time but couldn’t understand.

The First Lady had the support of the Zhao family. Shen Ninghua’s previous actions were merely a small test to force her to do something big at the birthday banquet. That would be the real fight!

“Miss,” Hong Ling quickly walked in and frowned. “Shen Linghan is back.”

“I see.” Shen Ninghua nodded. Baili Jinze was worldly-wise and played safe. Without concrete evidence, he wouldn’t act rashly. Shen Linghan wouldn’t be hurt at all.

“A lot of people are out to welcome her, and she brought back a lot of gifts, which she said were conferred by the empress to help her get over the shock.” Hong Ling became even more indignant.

Shen Ninghua laughed, “What are you angry about? The empress is her aunt, so it’s reasonable for the empress to support her.”

“So we just let her go like this?” Then everything they had done would be in vain.

“It won’t be in vain. Hong Ling, I’ll teach you a line today: Don’t just stare at your feet, but also look at the road ahead.”

Shen Ninghua curled her lips, and a trace of coldness flashed in her eyes. The previous incident was just a prelude. She would pave the way step by step and send Shen Linghan to hell bit by bit!

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