Chapter 11: Accusations, a Physical Altercation!

"Yes, it must be that jinx Shen Xiangwan who ruined us."

"Everything was going so smoothly in our Prince's Manor before. Just yesterday, she married into the manor, and the Prince coughed up blood from rage and has been unconscious ever since. Now, we are facing the fate of having our property confiscated and being exiled."

"It's her, it's all her fault. Third Aunt was right, she's nothing but a disaster and a bringer of misfortune!"

"Waaaah... I don't want to be exiled... waaaah..."

Almost instantly, the attention of everyone in the Wei family shifted toward Shen Xiangwan. After a brief moment of stunned silence, except for Zhao Yuping and her children, everyone's eyes were more or less tinged with suspicion and resentment. Perhaps having found an outlet for their frustrations, many joined in the condemnation.

"Shut up! Wanwan is not a disaster!"

Seeing that their words were becoming increasingly outrageous and that they were truly about to brand Shen Xiangwan as a jinx, Zhao Yuping shoved her child toward her younger son and stepped forward to reprimand them loudly. At a time like this, couldn't they just stay quiet?

"If she weren't a disaster, why would we be facing exile?"

The Old Madam of the Prince's Manor was the second wife of the late Prince. The lineage of the eldest branch was not of her blood, but from the original wife; thus, they had never been favored in the household. Previously, the title belonged to the eldest branch, and they had never shown much deference. Now that the title was gone and they were to be stripped of their property and exiled, they were even less inclined to treat her with any respect.

"Third Sister-in-law, you..."

"Mother."

Zhao Yuping was furious and prepared to argue with her, but Shen Xiangwan stepped in first to stop her. After giving her a reassuring look, her gaze swept over them one by one, finally settling on the Third Madam, Wang Lan, who was accusing her: "Anyone with even a shred of sense should know that the decision to exile an entire Prince's Manor is not something decided in a day or two. I only married into this family yesterday. I haven't even accused you of ruining my life yet, yet you are already turning the tables on me. It's simply ridiculous!"

These people were both stupid and malicious. Did they think that by blaming everything on her, they wouldn't have to face exile?

"You little wench, I'll tear you apart..."

Seeing that she actually dared to talk back and even subtly mock them for being brainless, Wang Lan's eyes turned bloodshot. She lunged forward, intending to tear at her.

*Slap!*

"Ah...!"

In a flash, Shen Xiangwan pushed Zhao Yuping aside and swung her hand, delivering a sharp slap to the woman. Wang Lan's somewhat plump body stumbled several times, nearly collapsing to the ground, and her fair cheek quickly began to swell and redden.

"Lanlan!"

"Mother."

After a brief moment of shock, the Third Master, Wei Jinghong, and their children rushed forward. Shen Xiangwan, meanwhile, shook her head slightly from the momentary dizziness and slowly raised her hand to touch her own red, burning cheek.

The Tianqi Dynasty was ruled on the principles of benevolence and filial piety. No one expected that Shen Xiangwan, as a new bride, would suddenly resort to violence, and against her own Third Aunt at that. At this moment, let alone the parties involved, everyone was stunned into a daze. Especially Zhao Yuping and her children; Wei Chenghe stood there with his mouth slightly agape in shock. Wasn't this woman being a bit too unseemly?

In contrast, the one who struck the blow, Shen Xiangwan, remained as calm and casual as ever. Even in her plain white attire, she could not hide her commanding presence, as if the person she had just struck was not an elder, but some stray dog.

"You hit me?"

Cupping her struck cheek, Wang Lan lifted her head almost mechanically. Her questioning voice rose sharply, clearly unable to believe that this woman actually dared to strike her.

[End of Chapter]