After becoming pregnant, the cold-hearted nobles all went mad.

"Why not go?"

Shen Lingyi stared intently at the words in the book.

Shen Su valued both of his daughters equally, and Shen Tingjiao never lacked the lessons he arranged for her; it was just that she hadn't wanted to study before.

Recently, I suddenly realized a truth: one must be strong to succeed, and mastering knowledge is the way to determine one's own destiny.

Seeing that she was serious, Peony had no choice but to reluctantly accompany her mistress.

She had been reading for two or three days in a daze, and just when she could hear the teachings of the sages whether her eyes were open or closed, the ship docked and they arrived in the capital.

Shen Su wrote to them a couple of days ago urging them to come back.

He must be overjoyed to learn that his wife and daughter have arrived.

But for Shen Lingyi, there was one more thing to deal with during this trip home.

"Sister, you've thought carefully about what you're going to say to Father when you see him later. If you use the same tactics you used on Grandfather, I'm afraid you won't get away with it."

Shen Tingjiao froze, her eyes filled with panic, as if Shen Lingyi were a bully who had oppressed her: "What are you saying, little sister...?"

"Stop pretending," Shen Lingyi turned around, looking down at her. "Your maternal grandfather is unwilling to pursue the matter because he is an elder and doesn't want to make things difficult for a junior. He also understands that you resorted to this tactic to save your life. But I am not like that. You took my life and still expect me to have a good relationship with you?"

She approached and lowered her voice, "You and I both know that Zhao Qu wouldn't dare to defile the daughter of the General's Mansion."

"Jiaojiao!"

At the entrance of the General's Mansion, Shen Su was the first to see Shen Tingjiao standing in front of him. She walked over with a smile on her face.

"what!"

Shen Tingjiao collapsed to the ground in front of everyone, tears welling up in her eyes, and said to her, "Sister, do you hate me that much?"

"Shouldn't I hate you?"

Shen Lingyi's hair ornaments swayed gently on her head, and she slightly raised her chin, revealing her exquisitely beautiful eyes and brows, which were sharp and unparalleled.

In contrast, Shen Tingjiao on the ground had her clothes on loose and her hair in a mess.

Those who don't know the truth will naturally think that Shen Lingyi is bullying people.

Even Shen Su slowed down his pace as he approached, not because he suspected his youngest daughter of bullying someone.

"Chase everyone away." He ordered his servants. What's wrong with them? Why do they all have to come and watch when he's just picking up his daughter? It's like his general's mansion has become a stage for a theatrical performance.

Faced with the conflict between the two sisters, Shen Su chose to go back and resolve the issue behind closed doors.

Shen Tingjiao sobbed the whole way back. Jiang Shi looked at her coldly and said, "You're crying now. What will happen when you can't cry anymore?"

If Jiang Shi still harbored some illusions about her eldest daughter before, she completely woke up after the trip to Liangzhou.

Shen Tingjiao paused slightly, then secretly gave Linlang a look, signaling her to go find the old lady.

Seeing the little maid run away, Shen Lingyi didn't say anything; it would be more lively with more people around.

After some questioning, the whole story was finally cleared up. Shen Su was furious. "How dare you be so audacious! That's your maternal grandfather!"

Shen Tingjiao knelt on the ground, wiping away her tears: "Father, I didn't want to either... but how can a woman like me resist that villain?"

"They're all your daughters. Is my sister's life precious while mine isn't?"

"You've committed such a heinous act, and you still have the nerve to argue back!" Shen Su was so angry that his hands were trembling.

"Very well, I neglected you two sisters before, thinking that leaving you to your grandmother and mother was enough. Now it seems that even daughters need to be disciplined with a stick to produce filial sons!"

Shen Su drew his sword, startling Jiang Shi and her maidservant who rushed forward to stop him.

Jiang's face turned pale, but she forced herself to remain calm and advised, "How can you beat and kill your own daughter? Are you out of your mind? Even if she has problems, it doesn't warrant this."

"Mother is right."

Shen Lingyi wanted to get rid of this scourge, but unfortunately, the novel kept implying that the chosen one was no ordinary woman.

It seems that Shen Tingjiao cannot be eliminated so easily, so there is no need to leave any ammunition for criticism.

After listening to his wife and daughter's advice, Shen Su's anger had already subsided.

Shen Tingjiao stood up, her eyes blurry with tears, and sneered, "Father, if you want to kill me, then kill me. Anyway, I'm just a stranger in this mansion. Father, you only care about whether my sister is dressed well, have you ever cared about me?"

"Mother, you only care about my sister's comfort. Do you even remember that I'm your daughter too?"

"Is the young lady possessed?" Peony muttered under her breath. At a time like this, why add fuel to the fire? Does she want to die even faster?

A hint of surprise flashed in Shen Lingyi's eyes, until Granny Feng arrived and shouted:

"Stop it, all of you!"

"Grandma, save me!" Shen Tingjiao cried out as if she had grasped a lifeline, suddenly throwing herself into the old lady's arms, tears streaming down her face in fear.

"Don't be afraid, Grandma is here," the old lady said, first showing her concern, then stomping her cane heavily. "Who says my Jiaojiao has no one to love her? I am her support. Humph, I want to see who can touch her with me here."

Shen Su was not going to let the matter rest, and he told them about what had happened in Liangzhou.

The old lady said nonchalantly, "Isn't she still alive? You need to figure out what your in-laws are and what your own family is. Look at where you're siding with. Besides, you know Jiaojiao's personality."

"What can a frail young woman do? Does she think she can pin the blame on her maternal grandparents' family if something happens to them?"

After speaking, he glanced at Mrs. Jiang standing next to him with disgust.

"If you had married Governor Liu's niece back then, none of this would have happened. I heard that the Liu family's daughter has only been married for less than three years, yet she has already given birth to two sons for her husband's family..."

"Mother, why are you bringing up these old stories?"

Shen Su frowned deeply, and Jiang Shi, who was being openly disliked, turned pale.

Shen Lingyi slipped into Jiang's palm, pressing her hand against hers, and slowly said, "Grandmother, you are mistaken. This matter involves treason and rebellion. Because of your supposedly gentle and kind granddaughter, His Majesty's great cause was almost ruined."

When Jiang looked at her, her breath suddenly became warm and confident.

She doesn't need a son; this one daughter is enough for her.

The old lady's expression finally changed.

When it comes to matters of the imperial court, it's not something a woman like her can decide.

Shen Tingjiao raised her hand to wipe away her tears, forcing a strong smile: "It's alright, Grandmother. Please hand over your granddaughter. I made a mistake once, and I don't want to make the same mistake again."

"No matter how Your Majesty decides to punish me, I will not let this matter involve the household. However, from now on, I will not be able to serve you as often as before. Please take care of yourself, Grandmother."

She placed the back of her hand against her forehead and performed a solemn bow, which made the old lady's heart ache.

The old lady swayed, and Shen Su instinctively went to support her. "Mother, what's wrong...?"

"You still care about your old mother?!" The old lady shook off his hand and began to beat her chest and cry about her hardships.

"Everyone makes mistakes. Even when you were young and foolishly insisted on marrying this woman, I didn't say anything. I pitied you for raising you with so much hardship. Now that I'm old, you can't stand to see me doing well and want to forcibly take my darling away from me."