The Tyrant’s Drama Queen Empress

CHAPTER 33: Hurting Each Other

　　At one of the Shen family’s countryside estates, Shen Xi and Shen Jinxiu had already been staying for several days. Every day, they played the qin together, composed poetry, and exchanged verses. Neither of them mentioned when they would return to the Shen Manor. Occasionally, Xue Yunshi would visit, and whenever he did, Shen Xi would take charge like the lady of the house, personally arranging their meals, lodging, and every little detail.

　　Looking at the hangover soup Shen Xi had instructed the servants to bring over, Xue Yunshi smiled. “Jinxiu, now this is what I call living well. Free and unrestrained, and you get to stay with the person you love without outsiders disturbing you.”

　　The person he loved. A gentle warmth flashed through Shen Jinxiu’s eyes. He let Xue Yunshi tease him, because honestly, the man wasn’t wrong.

　　Shen Jinxiu felt fortunate that he had brought Shen Xi out of the manor. Otherwise, he didn’t even want to imagine how Madam Jiang might have continued to bully her in places he couldn’t see.

　　He couldn’t understand it. The mother who used to dote on Shen Xi so dearly, why had her attitude toward her changed so suddenly? Had she really felt nothing for all the closeness and affection Shen Xi had once shown her?

　　Xue Yunshi said, “This estate of yours is peaceful and secluded. A good place.”

　　Shen Jinxiu replied, “It can’t compare to the Marquis’s Shanyahai Villa. Though it seems you haven’t been going there much lately.”

　　Xue Yunshi glanced at him. “You don’t have to watch your words so carefully in front of me. Until I uncover all the people with hidden motives lurking in Shanyahai, I’ll be visiting less often.”

　　“People with hidden motives?” Shen Jinxiu paused, then pointed in the direction of the Imperial Palace. “Did that person do something?”

　　Xue Yunshi shook his head. “Not him. The old dog at his side.” Disgust was clear on his face when he said it.

　　Shen Jinxiu immediately understood who he meant. The “old dog” was Senior Eunuch Feng. Senior Eunuch Feng was highly trusted by Xie Yuanxun and served as one of his closest confidants.

　　“But how did he end up targeting your Shanyahai, Marquis?” Shen Jinxiu asked. “Wasn’t everything fine before?”

　　Xue Yunshi’s voice turned cold. “Isn’t it all because of that newspaper called News Weekly? Those scholars who visit my estate keep talking about it. From their tone, they feel injustice for Vice Minister Tang of the Ministry of Revenue, who was ruined by it. Outsiders only see the dirt splashed all over Tang, but why doesn’t anyone think about this? If he were truly that terrible, would he have held office for so many years? He had the ability to serve as an official. Yet because he cared too much for his family and was blinded by them, the sins committed by his relatives all turned into stains on his own reputation. How could people not feel regret for him?”

　　“You know how it is. I’ve always encouraged those who visit Shanyahai to speak their minds freely. I only wanted what was best for them, hoping to keep their youthful passion alive. But my kindness was met with betrayal. Someone leaked information that was detrimental to the newspapers, and now Senior Eunuch Feng has sent his Black Guards to start making arrests. Everyone knows how terrifying they are—they’re the sharpest blade in Senior Eunuch Feng’s arsenal. Even high-ranking officials have been dragged away by them. If those young scholars fall into their hands, they’re bound to suffer. That’s why I told everyone to stay away from Shanyahai for now. We’ll wait until the Black Guards’ madness blows over before we continue.” 

　　Shen Jinxiu tightened his grip. “The Black Guards......” They were a military force whose power rested entirely in Xie Yuanxun’s hands, with only his most trusted inner circle serving as leaders. They had the power to spy on the entire bureaucracy, as well as the right to arrest and interrogate officials at will. If the late Emperor ruled with benevolence, was Xie Yuanxun planning to rule with cold-blooded cruelty?

　　Fortunately, there was still Xue Yunshi. In Shen Jinxiu’s eyes, Xue Yunshi was a man of virtue and grace. He was exactly the kind of sovereign this dynasty truly needed.

　　“One day,” Shen Jinxiu said, “you will be the one to abolish the Black Guards, Marquis.” 

　　“Hahaha, thank you for your kind words,” Xue Yunshi replied.

　　While things were cordial between Shen Jinxiu and Xue Yunshi, the atmosphere between Shen Xi and Xue Mi’er was thick with thinly veiled insults and sharp barbs. 

　　Xue Mi’er had stubbornly followed Xue Yunshi to this manor. Originally, she thought he was meeting Song Qiaochu and had intended to catch them in the act. Instead of the tryst she expected, she found herself staring at the one person she couldn't stand: Shen Xi. 

　　As Shen Xi took an elegant sip of her tea, Xue Mi’er let out a cold snort. “Always putting on airs.”

　　“Are you talking about yourself, Miss Xue?” Shen Xi asked calmly.

　　“I’m talking about you!” Xue Mi’er looked at her with suspicion. “Why are you and Shen Jinxiu the only ones at this manor? Who knows what a man and a woman alone together are up to.”

　　Shen Xi’s brow furrowed. “Is this the legendary upbringing of the Xue household? To slander others so recklessly? I’ve certainly learned something new today.” 

　　“I’m the one speaking to you! Why are you dragging the entire Xue family into this? If you ruin the reputation of the ladies of the Xue house, I’ll make you regret it,” Xue Mi’er snapped. 

　　Shen Xi remained unfazed. “I haven’t done anything to ruin anyone's reputation. I was simply sharing my thoughts after seeing your behavior.”

　　“You think you’re so much better?” Xue Mi’er hissed. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed the way you and Shen Jinxiu look at each other. It’s shameless. To think you’d actually lust after your own brother.” Xue Mi’er was in love with her cousin, Xue Yunshi, but that didn't stop her from admiring other handsome men. 

　　Hearing the disdain in Xue Mi’er’s voice, a cold light flickered in Shen Xi’s eyes. She smiled thinly. “If your eyesight is truly that keen, then surely you’ve noticed Marquis Xue’s deep admiration for Miss Song of the Duke’s Manor. Perhaps you’ll have a cousin-in-law sooner than you think. In the end, all your efforts will be for nothing, and you’ll be stuck as the ‘little cousin’ forever.”

　　Xue Mi’er slammed her hand on the table. “Shut up! He would never marry her!” She glared venomously at Shen Xi before storming off in a fit of humiliated rage.

　　Shen Xi listened to the sound of Xue Mi’er’s retreating footsteps as she fled in a panic, having absolutely no intention of chasing after her. Did that girl really think she was an easy target? If anyone tried to hurt her with words, Shen Xi was more than ready to strike back. 

　　Caixia was standing in the corridor when a travel-worn servant hurried over. The moment he saw her, he handed over a newspaper he had just bought in the Capital. Caixia took it and prepared to leave, but the servant quickly stopped her. 

　　“Is there something else?” Caixia asked. 

　　“Caixia,” the servant whispered, “while I was out on the streets, I ran into one of my brothers from the manor, the one who guards the main gate of Shen Manor. He told me that he once saw Nanny Zheng leave the manor to submit a token to the Palace. It just so happens that he and Nanny Zheng are distant relatives, so they chatted for a bit. When he saw Nanny Zheng off, he heard her say that Madam missed Bao Fei and wanted to go to the Palace to see her.” 

　　Caixia’s expression shifted. “Are you sure about this?” 

　　“Of course I am,” the gatekeeper insisted. “My ears would never play tricks on me with something like this.” 

　　Caixia pursed her lips. She had been by Shen Xi’s side for a long time, and as her personal maid, she was well aware of how much Shen Xi targeted Shen Ling. Caixia remembered back when Shen Ling was still living at the manor, she once saw a lowly maid giving Shen Ling directions. Shen Xi didn't lash out then, but shortly after, she found an excuse to claim the maid had stolen her jewelry. She then called for a labor broker and had the girl sold off to some far-off place. 

　　Even in front of Madam Jiang, Shen Xi always managed to push Shen Ling aside, never giving her a chance to bond with their mother. Naturally, the relationship between Madam Jiang and Shen Ling grew more and more distant over time. 

　　Now that she knew Nanny Zheng was acting on Madam Jiang’s behalf to reach out to Shen Ling in the Palace, Caixia immediately turned to find Shen Xi. 

　　Once she found her, Caixia relayed everything the servant had told her. Shen Xi’s face darkened instantly. 

　　“Is this for real?” Shen Xi demanded.

　　“It’s true,” Caixia replied. “The man saw Nanny Zheng heading out with his own eyes. Miss, what do you think the Madam is trying to do?”

　　Shen Xi let out a cold laugh. What else could she be doing? Naturally, she was looking to close the distance and mend her relationship with Shen Ling. Ha, it seemed her decision to give up on leaving the Shen Manor to marry someone else was the right move after all. “Since you’ve chosen to be heartless, don’t blame me for being unjust.” 

　　Shen Xi turned her gaze toward Caixia. “Last time, didn’t you mention that the maid named Qiuju lost her husband?” Qiuju was the one Madam Jiang had caught trying to seduce Shen Kangzheng, leading Nanny Zheng to marry her off to the stableman in the manor. 

　　Caixia nodded. “Yes, that’s right.”

    

    

    

Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | Next Chapter