Dad, open the door. I'll bring your mistress back for you.

"Grandfather, Aning has something to say." Shen Chuning called out to Shen Huaizhong who was about to go out.

Shen Huaizhong paused, "What's the matter, Xiaojiu?"

"I want to write a letter of severance." Shen Chuning said resolutely.

"Letter of severance? Has the Shen family ever let you down?" Shen Huaizhong looked at Shen Chuning sharply, his eyes full of disbelief.

"Xiaojiu, just because you were wronged, you want to sever ties with the Shen family? You don't care at all about the love your grandparents, uncles, aunts and brothers have for you? Do you know how disheartening this makes us?" Old Madam Shen said with great sorrow.

Shen Chuning remained silent.

Shen Huaizhong calmed down a bit and returned to Songhe Hall to sit on the armchair. "Xiaojiu, have you thought about it? After leaving the Shen family, what are you going to do in the future?"

"I've thought about it. I've saved some money over the years. After I break up my engagement, I'll set up a household on my own and do some small business to support myself." Shen Chuning expressed her plan.

Shen Huaizhong asked, "Establish a daughter's household? Even if you write a letter of severance and establish a daughter's household, in the eyes of outsiders, you are still a girl from my Shen family. What effect will this have other than letting you vent your anger?"

Shen Chuning's eyes were red.

Shen Huaizhong's heart softened. He waved for Shen Chuning to come closer and reached out to wipe the tears from Shen Chuning's face. His slightly rough hands scratched Shen Chuning's face, causing her some pain.

"Tell grandpa what injustice our Xiaojiu has suffered."

Shen Chuning burst into tears. "No one in the family believed An Ning. When we were checking the accounts last December, An Ning said there was something wrong with Huarong Pavilion, but grandma just didn't believe it. Even with all the evidence before her, grandma still sided with Shen Jingwan. She picked up the case high and then put it down lightly, and in the end, nothing came of it."

Shen Jingwan also shed tears after hearing this, but unlike Shen Chuning's crying, she did not allow herself to lose her composure even when she was crying. "It's all Wan'er's fault. Wan'er didn't even know that sister had suffered so much because of Wan'er. If anyone has to leave, it should be Wan'er, the concubine's daughter, who will leave. As long as Wan'er leaves, sister will still be the only daughter in this mansion."

Shen Jingwan knelt down again in the direction of Shen Huaizhong and Old Madam Shen, kowtowed three times, and said, "Grandfather, Grandmother, being your granddaughter is the happiest thing in Wan'er's life. However, Wan'er is not blessed enough to bear the title of the Shen family's daughter."

Old Madam Shen became even angrier after hearing what Shen Jingwan said. Shen Chuning didn't want to leave on her own, it was obvious that she wanted to force Shen Jingwan to leave.

Shen Jingwan was the one she had taken great pains to raise and brought back home. How could she drive her out just because of Shen Chuning's jealousy?

Madam Shen's face darkened, "Xiaojiu, don't be willful."

Shen Chuning ignored Madam Shen and Shen Jingwan, but continued to attack Shen Huaizhong.

"Grandfather, I know I shouldn't criticize my elders, but my mother is really going too far."

"Let's not talk about those trivial things from many years ago. Last year, the Queen Mother gave me a cat as a reward, and I took it away just like that. And Aning's illness last year was not unrelated to Mother."

"My father stole her jewelry and gave it to Aunt Xue. I tried every possible way to help her get it back. After Aunt Xue came home, she turned around and gave it to Shen Jingwan. What was the point of all the hard work An Ning put in?"

When Shen Qingjiang heard Shen Chuning talking about his troubles again, he was about to attack Shen Chuning, "You rebellious girl, just say what you want to say. Why are you mentioning your father?"

Shen Qinghai and Shen Qinghe, who were standing next to Shen Qingjiang, quickly pulled him back and said, "Third brother, calm down and listen to what Xiaojiu has to say."

Shen Huaizhong also slammed his palm on the table, "Third brother! Kneel down!"

After obeying, Shen Qingjiang knelt on the ground reluctantly. There was nothing he could do. He was the burden of this family. Although he had the fewest children, if the old man was unhappy and kicked him out of the house, he would not be able to support his wife and children by his own ability.

"Grandfather, this time mother directly suspected that it was Aning who killed the baby in Aunt Xue's belly. How can Aning stay in this family?" Shen Chuning sobbed and almost died.

"Third brother's wife, do you really say that?" Shen Huaizhong's eyes widened with anger.

"Daughter-in-law...daughter-in-law is just...just guessing." Mrs. Shen San answered in a low voice with her head lowered.

"Guess? Not only did Xiaojiu never do that cruel thing to his siblings, even if it was really Xiaojiu who did it, you, as his mother, didn't know how to cover it up in public and educate him well behind the scenes, but you actually said it out loud like that?"

Shen Huaizhong's temples were throbbing with anger.

"This... Isn't it that nothing happened to An Ning?" Mrs. Shen San excused herself.

"That's because there's evidence. If there wasn't, do you know how much harm your words would do to Xiaojiu? If someone else heard it, do you know that your words would ruin Xiaojiu's life?"

"Daughter-in-law...daughter-in-law..." Mrs. Shen stammered and couldn't speak.

How could she not know the seriousness of the matter? It was just that when Old Madam Shen suspected her, she subconsciously wanted to push the responsibility away.

When she first said that, she felt a little regretful, but when she calmed down and thought about it, the old lady loved Shen Chuning so much, even if it was really Shen Chuning who did it, she would not do anything to her. At most, she would scold her a few words, and then she would just coax her.

But if the blame is put on her, she will be at risk of being divorced, and she will not allow such a thing to happen to her.

"Aning, stop messing around. Your father and mother have scolded you, and they know they are wrong. You have achieved your goal. If it doesn't work, I will fine you half a year's monthly salary to calm you down. What do you think?" Old Lady Shen said patiently.

"Mom, it was Qimei who said something nonsense and made Chu Ning unhappy. I didn't say anything nonsense, so why do you want to punish me?" Shen Qingjiang said dissatisfiedly.

Old Madam Shen was troubled by her son who only knew how to cause trouble at critical moments. "Do you know what it means that husband and wife are one? If you make a mistake, she will be punished too."

Shen Jingwan patted Shen Qingjiang's back with her small hands to help him calm down. "It's okay, Daddy. Wan'er made some money last year managing Huarong Pavilion. If Daddy needs money, you can ask Wan'er for it. Wan'er can also give Daddy her monthly allowance. It's just that Huarong Pavilion was taken back because of my sister. Otherwise, even if there are mountains of gold and silver, at least Daddy won't contradict Grandmother over a few taels of silver."

Shen Qingjiang felt relieved. "Shen Chuning, look at Wan'er. She's only a few months younger than you, but she's much more sensible than you. Qin Qimei, you've raised such a good daughter. What else can she do except make me unhappy all day long?"

Mrs. Shen San also showed dissatisfaction to Shen Chuning because Shen Chuning was scolded by Shen Qingjiang.