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

The outside world was unaware of the turmoil in the Shen family. After all, the Yong'an Marquis's mansion was not particularly prominent in Xuancheng. If it weren't for the merits of their ancestors, the Shen family wouldn't have been able to afford to live in such a large mansion.

Over the years, the Shen family had been barely surviving by relying on their ancestral wealth and even using Xie Wanru's dowry. It was this same Shen family that poisoned Xie Wanru when the Xie family was accused of treason and even claimed that Xie Wanru had committed suicide out of fear of punishment, thus completely getting rid of the Xie family.

Now that Shen Nian'an's injuries have healed, her resentment towards Xie Wanru has only grown stronger.

Xie Wanru didn't care at all. What she cared about now was the only good bamboo shoot in the Shen family's clump of bad bamboo, Shen Cong'an. But Xie Wanru was really afraid that Shen Cong'an would also hold a grudge against her when he woke up, which would bring even more trouble to the Xie family.

As they hesitated, the day of the adoption ceremony finally arrived.

Early in the morning, Shen Mo was tidied up by the people Xie Wanru sent and taken to the ancestral hall.

To Xie Wanru's surprise, the elders of the Shen family stood up to oppose her adopting Shen Mo, saying that Shen Mo was born with evil spirits, had killed his parents, and was an unlucky person who would bring bad things to Xie Wanru in the future.

"When did Grandfather acquire the ability to foresee the future? I have no idea."

Xie Wanru teased, saying that Shen Yanzhi was clearly the unlucky one, bringing her bad luck.

“How could I, an elder, lie to you? Besides, a woman follows her husband after marriage. This adopted child will be your legitimate son in the future. How can you choose an orphan with an ominous name?”

Old Master Shen really did have a painstaking and earnest look on his face.

If Xie Wanru hadn't lived two lives, she might have actually been fooled by this deeply affectionate acting.

"If that's the case, why did you choose him for me to pick in the first place?"

Xie Wanru sneered.

Grandpa Shen glanced at Old Madam Shen, then at the head of the Shen family. Shen Zhan, completely unaware of Shen Nian'an's messy affairs, also looked at Old Madam Shen with a puzzled expression.

That day, Butler Shen brought three children. One of them was honest-looking but not good-looking. Most importantly, he was rude and impolite. Xie Wanru didn't even glance at him that day.

Another one was the thin Shen Mo. She went to great lengths to make Shen Yanzhi stand out at first glance, and even found someone to be her foil.

“Wanru, Grandfather is doing this for your own good. Why not have Shenmo adopted by Cong'an? Cong'an will probably never wake up in this lifetime. You like this child, so please take good care of him. In the future, there will be someone to keep vigil and the family line won't end. You and Nian'an should take good care of Yanzhi. If you are lucky enough to have your own child in the future, a sensible child like Yanzhi can also help you.”

Madam Shen had a typical kind and gentle face.

But Old Madam Shen's schemes were about to backfire on Xie Wanru.

The Shen family simply wanted Shen Yanzhi to be adopted by Xie Wanru so that she could enjoy the Xie family's favors in the future.

"I can't control what Shen Nian'an wants to do. If I can't even decide on my own son, then I'd better not have the title of Princess Yongchang."

Xie Wanru brought out her powerful backer; her greatest fortune in life was probably being granted the title of princess, which she could use to intimidate a large number of people.

"Wanru, what are you saying? You can't just say things like that."

Madam Shen smiled apologetically.

Xie Wanru has refused to share a room with Shen Nian'an for the past two years since she married into the Shen family, and her mother-in-law has not dared to say anything, simply because of Shen Nian'an's status as a princess.

Now, the Shen family wants her to be a princess so that their descendants can have a higher status. But they can't just abandon their own grandson and let Shen Mo, a member of a collateral branch, benefit from her.

The atmosphere suddenly turned cold. The adults were discussing inside, while Shen Mo and Shen Yanzhi waited in the side hall.

"Go and see why they haven't called us in yet."

Shen Yanzhi spoke to the servant who was following him.

Without giving it much thought, the servant left the side hall to inquire about the news.

Shen Mo glanced at them, then lowered his head back to his book. This morning he had specifically asked Xie Wanru for a book because he was about to go to the academy and was afraid of falling behind too much, so he wouldn't be able to understand what the academy teachers were saying.

Shen Yanzhi looked at Shen Mo and felt that Shen Mo was pretentious and disgusting. How could he still have the mind to read a book at a time like this?

He grew up in a small courtyard. Shen Nian'an rented a house far away so that they wouldn't be discovered. Their food, clothing, and daily necessities were vastly different from those in the Hou Mansion. Only after he arrived a few days ago did he realize that he could have whatever he wanted.

As far as he knew, Shen Mo's birth was even worse; his parents were just ordinary people who struggled to even have enough to eat. It was a miracle that Shen Mo could read.

Moreover, in his mind, if it weren't for Shen Mo, he could have been adopted smoothly. He looked down on Xie Wanru's background, but that didn't stop him from wanting the Xie family's help.

When Shen Yanzhi looked at Shen Mo again, he noticed that Shen Mo had a candlestick in his hand. Shen Mo was engrossed in his book and didn't notice Shen Yanzhi's actions at all.

Shen Yanzhi lit the candlestick, and a terrifying smile appeared on his youthful face.

He approached closer and closer with the candlestick in his hand. When Shen Mo realized someone was getting close, Shen Yanzhi actually poured the candlestick and the wax all over Shen Mo.

Shen Mo couldn't dodge in time and could only use his hands to block. The candle ignited Shen Mo's book, which then set his clothes on fire, and flames suddenly erupted everywhere.

"Mo Ge'er!"

Dongzhu came to call for help, and Shen Yanzhi pointed to the candlestick in his hand, while Shen Mo was on fire.

"Mo-ge'er, throw the book away quickly! Hurry!"

Dongzhu rushed over, but Shen Mo was still trying to put out the fire on the book, not caring about himself at all. Dongzhu kicked the book away and rolled on the ground with Shen Mo in her arms.

That's how the fire was put out.

When Shen Yanzhi saw Dongzhu arrive, he threw away the candlestick and hid.

When Xie Wanru heard the noise and rushed over, she only saw that Shen Mo and Dong Zhu had just finished rolling around, and Shen Mo's hands were covered in black soot.

"what happened?"

Xie Wanru felt a little flustered and quickly walked over. The other members of the Shen family followed behind her, and they were also puzzled by what they were seeing.

Shen Mo's hands were already showing signs of bloodshot veins, and his eyes were brimming with tears, but he didn't cry.

"Cough cough..."

Shen Mo wanted to speak, but he was in too much pain.

"Madam, when I came in, Mo'er was covered in flames, and Young Master Shen Yanzhi... was holding a candlestick!"

Dongzhu looked at Shen Yanzhi, who had appeared beside Madam Shen. She never expected that a child who was not even ten years old would commit such a heinous act.

"You're lying! I didn't! Grandmother, this lowly servant is trying to frame her grandson! Waaah..."

After Shen Yanzhi finished speaking, he burst into tears.

“Yan Zhi is just a child, why would he do such a thing? Just because you are Xie Wanru’s person doesn’t mean you can talk nonsense in the Shen mansion.”

Shen Nian'an shielded Shen Yanzhi behind him and roared with resentment, as if to say that Xie Wanru was an unreasonable and wicked person.