You're the one who wants to marry a mistress, and I'm marrying someone else, yet you still

In the middle of the night, Old Madam Shen woke up and spent a lot of money to invite Doctor Huo, but was turned away. She could only wake up Shen Nianqing and make her kneel at the entrance of Plum Garden.

Shen Nianqing was furious, but she had no choice but to kneel down for Shen Nian'an's sake, otherwise her second brother would really lose a hand.

Moreover, her face also needs Doctor Huo's ointment to heal. Once she recovers, she will definitely teach Xie Wanru a lesson!

Xie Wanru didn't want to make a scene. She had already beaten the brother and sister, so she couldn't very well beat up Old Madam Shen and Marquis Yong'an as well. She asked Dongzhu to go and invite someone to help her.

However, she made it clear beforehand that she would adopt Shen Mo, and the adoption ceremony would be held three days later.

Madam Shen agreed to the adoption, but Shen Nian'an liked Shen Yanzhi, so she said that they should be adopted together, since the Marquis's mansion could afford to raise two children.

And she spoke very nicely. Xie Wanru knew that if she continued to argue, Shen Nian'an would probably think that she was just like any other woman, jealous and vying for attention. She didn't want to be misunderstood like that.

Therefore, Shen Nian'an and Xie Wanru each chose a child.

With the child, Xie Wanru no longer had to be required to share a room with Shen Nian'an, which was a good thing. Besides, as long as they didn't cling to her, Xie Wanru could do whatever she wanted.

Shen Nian'an's hand injury began to subside after the acupuncture treatment by Doctor Huo, and by dawn, the pain was much less. However, Shen Nianqing was not so fortunate, as she almost suffered a disfigurement and will need to rest for some time.

Before leaving, Doctor Huo took Xie Wanru's pulse again.

"No wonder she's Xie Yun's daughter, she's in such good health."

Doctor Huo stroked his beard with a chuckle.

"You always have such a knack for joking. It must have been so kind of you to call you over in the middle of the night."

Xie Wanru tried her best to remain calm so that Doctor Huo would not notice anything amiss.

For Xie Wanru, Doctor Huo was like family, yet he too was implicated in that catastrophe, exiled at an advanced age, and died on the road, without a peaceful end.

"You little brat are quite polite. If you don't want to raise a child with him, save up some money and adopt another child to raise, so you won't be bored."

Doctor Huo's face was full of smiles, all traces of the impatience he had shown when treating Shen Nian'an's injuries.

He is indeed getting old and needs less sleep, but he was invited over before dawn. He wouldn't have made the house call unless Dongzhu went in person.

As they walked and talked, Xie Wanru personally escorted Doctor Huo out of the mansion. Just as they stepped out of the hospital gate, they saw Shen Mo coming over to pay his respects.

"lady."

Shen Mo bowed to Xie Wanru first. The slap mark on his face had almost faded, but there were still some faint bruises.

“Shen Mo, the child from a collateral branch, will be adopted into my family in a couple of days.”

Xie Wanru introduced.

"Oh."

Doctor Huo stared intently, showing neither joy nor displeasure. He had no liking for anyone with the surname Shen.

Xie Wanru knew he didn't like the Shen family, so she didn't say anything more. She chatted about everyday things and then saw them off. Shen Mo followed quietly the whole time, without making a fuss.

Xie Wanru also began to think about how to settle Shen Mo. A child of this age should be studying, and it wouldn't be good for him to follow her around all day.

She pulled Shen Mo back to the courtyard, chatting and laughing, only to find Shen Yanzhi at the entrance of the Plum Garden.

Xie Wanru lowered her gaze and unconsciously tightened her grip until Shen Mo cried out in pain. Only then did Xie Wanru realize what was happening, immediately regained her composure, and released Shen Mo's hand.

Xie Wanru squatted down, "Mo'er, does it hurt? I'm sorry, let me blow on it for you..."

What a loving mother and filial son!

Shen Yanzhi looked over with disdain, but having just been reprimanded by his grandmother, he had to hide his true feelings in order to please Xie Wanru.

"I have spoken of my mother."

Shen Yanzhi bowed, his movements fluid and elegant.

Xie Wanru almost laughed out loud. When did they become mother and son?

“Young master, you are too polite. I have never given birth to anyone and am not worthy of the title of mother. Besides, you are the son that Shen Nian’an is going to adopt, and he will be the one to teach you in the future. You have nothing to do with me, so there is no need for you to pay your respects to me. Go back.”

Xie Wanru blew on Shen Mo's hands again before getting up and pulling him into the courtyard.

Shen Mo looked at Shen Yanzhi, only to be met with a disgusted glare from Shen Yanzhi.

He had no choice but to look away and stop looking. They had been staying in the East Courtyard for the past few days, but Shen Yanzhi had servants by his side and was a complete young master. Shen Mo had always been a little afraid of him.

Shen Yanzhi, having failed to reach his goal, turned and left.

He loathed this woman; in his mind, his biological mother and sister should be living here, and Xie Wanru was simply a cuckoo occupying the nest.

"Does she think I want to call her mother? Humph."

Shen Yanzhi walked forward angrily, not paying attention to her footing, and tripped and fell flat on her face.

Xie Wanru thought of Bailu Academy in Xuancheng, where her father and brothers had studied. It was one of the most famous academies in Xuancheng.

Xie Wanru immediately instructed Dongzhu to handle the matter, using the Xie family's name; there shouldn't be any problems.

Old Madam Shen and Shen Nian'an suffered a loss and haven't made any trouble these past few days. Moreover, they are afraid that Xie Wanru will change her mind and ruin Shen Yanzhi's adoption.

Xie Wanru had no intention of fighting with them. In her previous life, her soul floated for a very long time after her death, and she saw many things that would happen in the future.

One of them was the Third Prince who ascended the throne. He listened to the slanderous words of Shen Nian'an and her son and executed the entire Xie family in order to seize military power. As a result, the northern border was lost, the northern barbarians invaded from the south, and the people suffered.

It wasn't until three years later that the Crown Prince's family, along with the Crown Prince's posthumous son, regained power. The Shen family was executed, but the eldest son of the Shen family remained in a coma for ten years and did not participate in the matter. The new emperor was merciful, and because Shen Cong'an was the former Crown Prince's study companion, the new emperor spared him.

Who would have thought that Shen Cong'an would wake up after stopping the herbal medicine, and then assist the new emperor in making the Great Zhou Dynasty more and more prosperous.

If Shen Cong'an had been awakened earlier, with him in charge, could the Great Zhou have avoided its near-annihilation? His Highness the Crown Prince is kind and benevolent, and deeply respects his father…

Xie Wanru was startled by her own thoughts, because she was unsure whether Shen Cong'an would hold a grudge against her and Shen Nian'an if he knew that he had been framed by Shen Nian'an and was unconscious.

Anyone with a normal mindset would think that she and Shen Nian'an are in cahoots!

"Ugh!"

Xie Wanru sighed. She had vented her anger by causing trouble for the Shen family, but she didn't know what to do next.

No matter how she tries to stop her, Shen Nian'an will bring Shen Yanzhi back. Whether she brings him back or not, Shen Nian'an will still hold a grudge against the Xie family. Their feud started the day she married into the Shen family.

Xie Wanru's sigh wasn't loud, but Shen Mo heard it. He put down his book and looked in Xie Wanru's direction.

"What's wrong, Madam? Why are you sighing? Is something bothering you?"

Shen Mo's voice was soft, and his brows were slightly furrowed, showing great concern.

"I am fine."

Xie Wanru smiled gently and patted Shen Mo's head.

At that moment, she suddenly wished she had someone to confide in, someone to discuss what to do next.

Dongzhu was her maid. When she woke up, she couldn't even believe that she could see Dongzhu alive again. But she didn't dare to tell Dongzhu that she owed her.

In her past life, she failed to protect Dongzhu. In this life, she hopes that Dongzhu can have a good ending. After a while, she will select a few young men for Dongzhu and let her choose one she likes. Only by leaving the Shen family and staying away from Shen Yanzhi can she be safe.