The elder sister killed the whole family, and came back to be beaten to death

In her previous life, the Second Wife had not thought about her mother's dowry, or rather, she had not cared about it. The Prince of Jingyang's Mansion was anxious to have a wedding, and the Second Wife was completely focused on how to help Shen Xi avoid becoming a widow, so she had no time to secretly replace the dowry.

Besides, at that time, at least half of the people in her yard were the Second Wife's people. She lived under the Second Wife's nose. Even if she married into the Jingyang Prince's Mansion, she could still be replaced secretly, so there was no need to rush.

In her previous life, the people that the Second Wife had placed around her could not win Xie Guimo's heart, so they were beaten or sold. The Second Wife could not get into the Jingyang Palace. In addition, her mother's dowry was always locked in the warehouse in the outer courtyard. Shen Tang did not think much about it. She did not expect that she had underestimated the Second Wife's ability. She actually took away so much of her mother's dowry quietly.

A painting cannot appease the anger of the Yongning Earl's Mansion. God knows how many things the Second Wife took away!

Doesn’t father disbelieve in the second wife’s ambition? This is a good opportunity for him to see clearly.

When Shen Sui returned home from the military camp, Shen Tang went to the front yard and waited for Shen Sui outside the study.

After waiting for about a quarter of an hour, Shen Sui came back and saw Shen Tang standing there with red eyes. Shen Sui asked, "What happened?"

Shen Tang said, "I have something to ask my father."

The yard was not a place to talk, so the father and daughter went into the study to talk.

After entering the study, Shen Sui asked, "Who wronged you again?"

Shen Tang looked at Shen Sui and said, "Father, do you remember that there was a painting called 'Nine Peaks in Snow' as part of Mother's dowry?"

Why did you mention that painting for no reason...

Shen Sui not only remembered the painting, but was also deeply impressed by it. Jiang had given it to him to appreciate and copy during her lifetime. He would never forget those days in his life.

Shen Sui thought Shen Tang wanted the painting and said, "I'll have someone open the warehouse and give it to you."

Shen Tang asked, "Is the painting of my mother an authentic one?"

Shen Sui laughed, "Of course it's the original."

Shen Tang said, "I went out today and saw that painting in the Mobao Pavilion. It's also an authentic one."

Shen Sui frowned.

There is only one authentic copy, it is impossible for it to be both in the storeroom and outside the mansion.

Shen Sui said, "The one your mother left behind is the original."

How could her father not hear the hidden meaning in her words? !

"Mother's dowry was stolen!"

"I know my father doesn't believe anyone would dare to steal the dowry left by my mother. If he doesn't believe me, my father will secretly have someone open the storeroom and find the painting."

Shen Sui didn't believe what Shen Tang said before, and Shen Tang had no other evidence to convince Shen Sui. But this time it was different. Either the painting could not be found in the warehouse, or someone had replaced it with a fake.

She wanted to see how her father felt when he couldn't find the painting and saw a fake!

Since it was related to Jiang's dowry, and it wouldn't be difficult to find it, Shen Sui asked Manager Li to get the painting.

After waiting for a long time, Steward Li finally brought the painting over and said, "Sorry to have kept you waiting, my Lord."

Shen Sui took the painting, opened it, glanced at it, and his face darkened.

Although the painting is so realistic, fake is still fake.

Shen Sui had copied it several times, so how could he not know it?

Shen Tang looked at Manager Li and asked, "After I fell into the water, did anyone enter the warehouse?"

Manager Li nodded and said, "The Second Madam's people went in once and said that the eldest daughter didn't know when she would get married, so they wanted to take back the dowry given by the Second Madam and give it to her when she got married, so they opened the storehouse."

Shen Xian married the Prince of Jingyang to bring good luck, and the second wife gave her a lot of dowry, including two shops, a farm, and a lot of fertile land. Since Shen Xian didn't marry, it's understandable that the second wife wanted to take them back. Besides, the old lady agreed to this.

Manager Li said, "When the people from the Second House were looking for something, I asked someone to accompany them. It shouldn't happen..."

Manager Li's voice became lower and lower as he spoke. If he hadn't personally watched over the items, there was a possibility that someone had tampered with them.

Shen Sui threw the fake painting on the table and looked at Shen Tang, "Tell father everything you know."

It's rare that my father finally believes me.

Shen Tang said, "I saw the painting today and asked someone to follow the clues. Now the original is in the hands of Prince Zhao. It was given to Prince Zhao by the Yongning Earl's Mansion."

Shen Tang paused, looked at Shen Sui, and said, "I said that the painting was stolen by Second Aunt as compensation for the eldest daughter of the Yongning Earl's Mansion. Do you believe it, father?"

Shen Sui frowned, "Why does your second aunt want to compensate the eldest daughter of the Yongning Earl's Mansion?"

Shen Tang did not explain, but said, "It's not easy to convince father with empty words, let alone to ask Second Aunt to confess in person. Please lend me 10,000 taels, I want to exchange mother's dowry for it."

Explaining now is powerless. Once my mother's dowry is taken back, the second wife will have no right to quibble, and my father will have no right to disbelieve.

Shen Sui looked at Manager Li and said, "Give Tang'er 10,000 taels."

Shen Tang said, "You don't have to give it to me. Please ask Manager Li to go to the Yongning Earl's Mansion tomorrow and exchange my mother's dowry."

As for how to change it, she doesn't need to teach me.

Manager Li looked at Shen Sui, and Shen Sui said, "Do as Tang'er said."

Manager Li agreed.

Shen Tang said, "After I get my mother's dowry back, I will explain to my father why Second Aunt wants to compensate the eldest daughter of the Yongning Earl's Mansion."

Shen Tang didn't say much, bowed, and left.

Shen Tang left without looking back. Shen Sui was angry inside and looked helpless.

His daughter was angry with him. He didn't believe what she said before, and now that he asked, she deliberately didn't tell him.

It's not that he didn't know that the second wife had selfish motives, but he had no children, and the marquisate and title would be handed over to the second wife in the future. The daily military affairs were tiring enough for him, so he turned a blind eye to these things. But the second wife had her eyes set on the dowry left by Jiang, and no matter what the reason was, he would not tolerate it.

Shen Tang returned to the inner courtyard and almost as soon as she entered the second gate, she saw Shen Xi walking towards her from a distance.

Shen Xian questioned, "You went to see your father again?!"

Are you so afraid that she will look for her father?

Shen Tang really didn't want to deal with Shen Xian, so he perfunctorily said, "Shouldn't I personally go to my father to pay back the money I borrowed from him?"

She had just received her monthly salary two days ago, and no one would give her extra money, so she could only pay back the monthly salary.

Shen Xian thought that Shen Tang was asking Shen Sui to borrow money or complain again, so when she heard that Shen Tang was looking for Shen Sui, she hurried over. She didn't expect that he was asking her to pay back the money, but why didn't she believe it?

It's just a loan of one hundred taels. Will my father ask Shen Tang to pay it back with monthly allowance?

Shen Xian asked, "Did father accept it?"

Shen Tang's eyes were cold. "You wouldn't believe me even if I told you. You can go and ask your father if he will take it back."

After saying this, Shen Tang walked around Shen Xi and left.

Even if she gave Shen Xian two more courage, she would not dare to ask Shen Sui.

Shen Xian really didn't have the courage to go. She didn't know why. Although Shen Sui loved her very much, she was afraid of Shen Sui from the bottom of her heart. Unlike Shen Tang, she dared to act coquettishly even when Shen Sui was angry.

Shen Xian didn't dare to ask, she could only stare at Shen Tang's back as he walked away, pulling the embroidered handkerchief in her hand fiercely.

……

The next day happened to be a day off for the court.

As usual, after breakfast, Shen Tang took Ginkgo to Songhe Hall to pay his respects to the old lady.

Shen Tang arrived early today. When she arrived, no one had come yet. Shen Tang greeted the old lady, sat down, and looked at the old lady, seeming to want to say something but stopping herself.

The old lady noticed and put down the teacup in her hand, "Is there anything you can't say to Grandma?"

Shen Tang said, "There are many paintings by famous artists in the dowry left by my mother. I want to open the storehouse and take a few to copy. I would like to ask for your permission, grandmother."

The old lady thought Shen Tang had some difficulty in discussing it with her, but it turned out that she just wanted to copy a few paintings. She was about to agree when the second wife's voice came to stop her, "Second Miss has only learned painting for a few days, and you dare to copy the masterpieces of famous masters?"

She stepped forward and said to the old lady, "The other day when we went to Duke Wen's mansion to celebrate his birthday, I heard that Mrs. Lin, a Hanlin scholar, was worried about her daughter copying a painting and accidentally knocked over the inkstone, ruining a famous painting. I felt so sad when I heard it. The second young lady wanted to copy paintings, so she took two cheap ones from the public house to copy for fun. It's enough to practice her painting skills. There's no need to feel bad if she accidentally ruins it. It's better not to let her ruin the famous paintings left by my eldest sister-in-law."

Waste...

Shen Tang's eyes flashed coldly when he heard these two words.

She just wanted to copy the calligraphy and paintings left by her mother, but she used such insulting words.

What's even more infuriating is that someone else chimed in. Shen Xian said, "My second sister went to the study to look for father yesterday. Could it be that she wanted to take the dowry left by mother? Since father didn't agree, she came to look for grandmother now?"

The old lady would not easily agree to anything that Shen Sui disagreed with, especially such a small matter as copying a painting.

Only Shen Sui and the old lady have the key to the warehouse of Jiang's dowry. As long as one of them agrees to open the warehouse, it will be fine.

Shen Tang said, "Eldest sister, what you said is too harsh. I just want to copy the calligraphy and paintings left by mother. It's not like I won't return them. How can you touch mother's dowry?

Before she died, my mother instructed me to give all the dowry to her and that if I didn't grow up safely, I would be sent back to the Jiang family. When my eldest sister got married, I offered to give her half of it. Now, I just want to borrow some calligraphy and paintings, but my eldest sister is obstructing me. Second Aunt is afraid that I will ruin the paintings. Could it be that when I get married in the future, my mother will not give me the calligraphy and paintings as dowry?"

When talking about the arrangements made by Jiang before her death, Shen Tang became more and more certain that it was to protect her. His father would definitely listen to his mother's last words.

If she died, all her dowry would be sent back to the Jiang family without a single item missing, and nothing would be left for Shen Xi.

For the dowry left by her mother, the cruel second wife allowed her to live until now.

Shen Xi's eyes were red. "I know Mother doesn't like me. Do you really have to stab me in the heart with a knife so early in the morning?!"

Is this a stabbing?

She hasn't actually used the knife yet.

Shen Tang felt extremely disgusted, but the Second Madam felt sorry for her daughter and said sarcastically, "The Second Miss hasn't even decided on a marriage yet, and she's already thinking about getting married."

This was even more irritating. Even the old lady couldn't stand it anymore and scolded, "Is this what you should say as an elder?!"

The Second Wife realized she had spoken out of turn and quickly admitted her mistake, "I just feel sorry for Xian'er. We were both born to my eldest sister-in-law, yet she treats us differently..."

The old lady felt sorry for what Shen Xian had gone through since she was born, but Shen Sui had no control over Jiang's dowry or who Jiang would leave it to, not to mention other people in the Marquis' Mansion. Moreover, although Jiang left all of it to Shen Tang, Shen Tang took the initiative to give half to Shen Xian, which shows the deep sisterly love. But how did Shen Xian treat Shen Tang? She calculated that Shen Tang would marry her to the Prince of Jingyang for her to get married. It's no wonder that after this incident, Shen Tang and her were at loggerheads.

Is Shen Xian the only one who plays the victim? She can do that too. Shen Tang's eyes also reddened. "My mother loved me, but it's a pity that she passed away so early. Unlike my eldest sister, she was loved by my second aunt for more than ten years. They were as close as mother and daughter. I just wanted to copy the painting my mother left behind. I don't know why my second aunt and eldest sister stopped me..."

Originally everyone in the room felt sorry for Shen Xian, but when Shen Tang said this, everyone felt that Shen Xian was not so pitiful anymore. After all, everyone in the Marquis' Mansion knew how much the Second Wife loved her. No matter how much Jiang loved Shen Tang, it was useless after her death. Otherwise, she would not have left behind any dowry calligraphy and paintings, which Shen Tang could not even copy if he wanted to.

And why did the second wife and the eldest daughter stop the second daughter from copying the painting? Even if the second daughter was clumsy and destroyed the painting, at most it would be counted as part of her half of the dowry. The second daughter would be the one who suffered the loss, and it would not affect the eldest daughter at all, let alone the second wife. But they kept obstructing her, clearly deliberately opposing the second daughter.

The maids' hearts completely tilted towards Shen Tang.

The Second Wife said, "Second Aunt is also concerned about you..."

No one cares about the Second Wife's concern, can you please stop disgusting her?

Shen Tang suppressed the goose bumps on his arms and glanced at the clepsydra. Could it be that Manager Li has returned from the Yongning Earl's Mansion?

Just as he was thinking this, Manager Li came in, followed by four servants, carrying in two large boxes.

As soon as he came in, he attracted everyone's attention. The old lady glanced at the two large boxes and asked, "What is this...?"

Steward Li said, "This is the compensation that the Second Madam sent to the Yongning Marquis's Mansion a few days ago. The Marquis ordered me to take 10,000 taels to the Yongning Marquis's Mansion to exchange it for it."

Swish.

The old lady's face instantly darkened, and she put the teacup she had just picked up back down heavily.

The sound of the teacup knocking against the small table frightened the maid in the room.

Shen Tang glanced at the Second Wife's pale face, and the corners of his mouth curled up, then tightened. "I was pushed into the water by the eldest daughter of the Yongning Marquis's Mansion, and I caught a cold. The Marquis' Mansion wanted to compensate her with 10,000 taels. Since the public treasury didn't give her any compensation, Second Aunt used her own dowry to make up for it..."

The old lady said, "She is willing to pay this money, so why would the Marquis redeem her?!"

Steward Li suspected that the old lady was secretly cursing the Marquis for being stupid. He said awkwardly, "This box contains all the dowry left by the lady..."

Originally the old lady's face was filled with anger, but this time her rage was so intense that it was almost bursting with anger.

The room was so quiet that not even a loud gasp could be heard.

Shen Tang's foreshadowing was brilliant. She, the biological daughter, wanted to copy the calligraphy and paintings left by her mother as a dowry, but the Second Wife obstructed her under the guise of caring about her. As a result, the Second Wife herself stole Jiang's paintings to compensate the person who pushed Shen Tang into the water. Her selfishness was so great that she almost brought Jiang, who had been buried in the ground for more than ten years, back to life.

The old lady was so angry that she wanted to skin the second wife alive.

She glanced over with an angry look, and the second wife, who had already been feeling very uneasy, almost slid off the chair and fell to her knees.

The Second Wife's face was pale, and she couldn't find any excuses. "Mother, I did this for a reason..."