I was pampered like a treasure after being married off to the young marshal, but my father and broth

As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized something was wrong.

He frowned and stared at Shang Sheyu.

Seeing her smile deepen, he said, "Since Young Master Huai'an passed through the east side on his way to the West Garden, does that mean you also went to the East Garden?"

"I..."

Quan Huai'an was speechless, his handsome face turning bright red.

What kind of robber logic is this?

"How can these be the same?" he argued angrily. "I was just passing by, you are..."

"I was just passing by," Shang Sheyu shrugged, his eyes frank. "Since we were both just passing by, why is it that Young Master Huai'an is innocent for just passing by, but I'm considered to have trespassed?"

"You're just making excuses!"

Unable to argue with her, Quan Huai'an could only turn to his grandmother for help: "Grandma, look at her! That mouth of hers can turn black into white. Please don't believe this merchant's nonsense, she must have gone to Dongyuan..."

"That's enough." Si Nan was exasperated. Her face darkened, and she glanced at the two of them.

Shang Sheyu's words were watertight, and Huai'an had no actual evidence.

Moreover, Huai'an was unaware of the situation in Dongyuan.

If we let him continue to make trouble, and he actually breaks through the barrier, that would be the real problem.

Thinking of this, the old lady coldly looked at her grandson: "No manners! She is your uncle's lawfully wedded wife. According to seniority, you should respectfully call her 'Auntie.' You keep referring to her as 'this woman' and 'the merchant's daughter.' Who taught you such manners?!"

"..."

Quan Huai'an was stunned by the scolding.

Although his grandmother was strict with him, she always doted on him. She had never embarrassed him like this in front of outsiders.

And all for a female merchant who had just started working there!

"Grandma, I..." Quan Huai'an was only seventeen years old, and being suddenly yelled at made his eyes red with grievance. "It was clearly her who broke the rules..."

"shut up!"

Si Nan didn't give him a chance to defend himself: "You idle away your days doing nothing of importance. Why don't you learn from your older brother? Spreading rumors and causing trouble, I think you're just asking for trouble because you're living too comfortably as a young master."

She turned to look at Granny Yan and coldly ordered, "Take Young Master Huai'an to the library and have him organize all the books on the first floor, wipe off the dust. He can eat only when he's finished. If he doesn't finish, he's not allowed to come out!"

"What?!"

Quan Huai'an looked on in disbelief and exclaimed, "Wipe books? Grandma, I'm the young master of the Quan family! You want me to do servant's work?"

"What? How many more pampered princesses have you become?" Si Nan's eyes narrowed. "Even Grandma can't boss you around anymore?"

The old lady usually had a kind and gentle face, but when she got serious, the imposing aura she exuded from the military was enough to make people tremble.

Quan Huai'an shrank back, feeling unwilling, but dared not argue back.

He glared fiercely at Shang Sheyu, his eyes filled with such rage that he wished he could poke two holes in her.

This businesswoman certainly has some clever tricks up her sleeve.

She's only been at his house for a few days, but she's already managed to get his grandma to speak up for her!

Granny Yan stepped forward and gestured for him to enter. "Young Master Huai'an, please."

The boy gritted his teeth, paused as he passed Shang Sheyu, leaned down slightly to whisper in Shang Sheyu's ear, and bared his teeth, "You're ruthless! You got away with it this time, but next time... I'll make you pay! Just you wait!"

After making those harsh remarks, he straightened up, snorted coldly, and strode out.

Shang Sheyu lowered her eyes, her fingers gently stroking the plum blossom embroidery on her cuff.

She's now at odds with Quan Huai'an, and her days in the Quan family are unlikely to be peaceful from now on.

But compared to the man locked up in the East Garden, Quan Huai'an, this brat who wears his heart on his sleeve, is hardly a threat.

Only Si Nan and Shang Sheyu remained in the main hall.

The smoke from the incense burner rose in wisps, blurring Si Nan's face.

"Sit closer."

Shang Sheyu got up as instructed and moved the chair forward a bit.

Si Nan picked up her teacup and took a small sip: "That kid from Huai'an is spoiled. He doesn't know how to keep his mouth shut. Don't take it to heart."

"No." Shang Sheyu lowered her head obediently: "Young Master Huai'an is a man of true character. He was only anxious to uphold the family rules. Your daughter-in-law understands."

"It's good that you think that way." Si Nan put down her teacup, her gaze falling on Shang Sheyu's face. Suddenly, she changed the subject, seemingly unintentionally asking, "However, although Huai'an was reckless, you really didn't go to the East Garden he mentioned?"

Shang Sheyu's heart skipped a beat.

coming.

This is a true interrogation.

She looked up, her face showing confusion and curiosity: "Mother-in-law, I was just about to ask you the same thing. What's so strange about this East Garden? Why did Young Master Huai'an say it was a forbidden area, and that no one was allowed to go there?"

She paused, then added, "I heard that was Third Master's former residence. Now that he's not home, the courtyard is empty. Why has it become a forbidden area?"

A dark glint flashed across the old woman's eyes, then a smile played on her lips as she casually remarked, "It's nothing. That yard has been abandoned for years, it's been neglected for so long, the roof is almost collapsing, and nobody cleans it regularly. There are plenty of snakes, insects, and rodents inside, especially in winter when stray cats and dogs come in. It's filthy."

"For the safety of the people in the manor, the courtyard was sealed off, and no one is allowed to enter."

Snakes, insects, rats, and ants?

Shang Sheyu chuckled inwardly.

If it really only contained snakes, insects, and rodents, why send so many Western doctors over? And why nail all the doors and windows shut?

Quan Huai'an was punished for simply mentioning the matter and made to clean the library. Her mother-in-law was treating her like a fool.

"Oh, I see." She looked enlightened, patted her chest, and said with lingering fear, "Thanks to my mother-in-law for reminding me. I'm terrified of those snakes. If I had accidentally wandered in, I would have been scared out of my wits."

"Hmm." Si Nan glanced at Shang Sheyu's reaction and saw the fear in her eyes, which seemed genuine. "So, stay away from that place in the future, not only for the sake of the rules, but also for your own safety."

"Yes, daughter-in-law remembers."

The merchant readily agreed.

After all that trouble, it was already noon when we returned to Xiyuan.

As Xi'er served the dishes to the table, she kept muttering that what had just happened was truly terrifying.

Looking at the table full of exquisite dishes, she had no appetite at all.

Quan Huai'an probably lured her to the East Garden because he believed the rumors about "snakes, insects, rats and ants" and wanted to make her suffer and be frightened.

But to his utter surprise, what was hidden inside was not snakes, insects, or rodents, but a living, extremely dangerous man.

It was truly an unexpected turn of events that I was able to escape with my life from that person today.

She revealed her identity, saying she was the third young mistress of the Quan family. That person must have taken that into consideration, which is why he didn't dare to really strangle her and let her go.

She was on the verge of death at the time and didn't have time to think things through. Now that she's calmed down, she realizes that the person already knew she was the one who broke into the East Garden...

If that person tells the mother-in-law...