Chapter 31: Conspiracy

The woodshed was dim and damp, with an indescribable, musty, moldy scent hanging in the air. Shen He leaned slowly against the mottled wall, her gaze drifting through the gloomy space. This scene couldn't help but evoke heavy memories of her previous life spent in the cold palace.

The darkness here mirrored that place—equally suffocating, equally chilling.

Yet, times had changed, and her state of mind was no longer what it once was. There was a time when she had poured all her sincerity into a man, only to be betrayed by that very devotion. In that moment, she had felt as though she were cast into an endless abyss, stripped of all color and meaning in life.

Now, Shen He understood that one’s own strength was the only true foundation for survival. The pain of the past had transformed into a deep, inner resilience, a reminder that in this world, one must rely solely on oneself to walk with a steady step.

The woodshed door creaked open. Shen Jiao stood at the entrance, a triumphant smile on her face.

"Sister, are you alright?" Shen Jiao’s voice was dripping with feigned concern.

Shen He cast a cold glance at her and remained silent.

"Sister, I know you are upset, but you cannot blame Grandmother; after all, you were truly in the wrong," Shen Jiao continued. "I am only here to persuade you for your own good."

"Oh? I am quite curious—what exactly are you here to persuade me of?" Shen He looked up at her.

"To accept your fate. What is not meant for you will never be yours," Shen Jiao said with a meaningful tone.

Shen He sneered, "Sister, I have absolutely no interest in your Third Prince. Just because you believe someone is a prize, it does not mean others do. After all, some people have a sharp eye—they recognize trash when they see it and discard it early on. Others, however, clutch that same trash to their chests as if it were a treasure; to everyone else, it only looks ridiculous."

Shen Jiao never believed that Shen He, who had once loved Xiao Jingren so deeply, could truly let go. "Elder Sister, I know you are only saying this to spite me. But if the Third Prince were to find out about what happened at Shiyun Pavilion today, what would he think?"

"He can think whatever he pleases. What does it have to do with me?" Shen He retorted coldly.

"Oh? Is Elder Sister starting to play hard to get now?"

Shen He shook her head; these two were remarkably alike.

"Spare me the nonsense," Shen He interrupted impatiently. "What is it you truly want?"

"Sister, I have no choice in this."

Shen He looked at Shen Jiao, her eyes icy.

"Come here!" Shen Jiao called out to the doorway in an unquestionable tone.

Immediately, several figures dressed as servants stepped quietly into the room.

"Escort the eldest young lady out of the estate," Shen Jiao ordered coldly.

"Who dares move!" Shen He snapped sharply.

She instantly understood Shen Jiao's intent—the moment she stepped out of this place, she would undoubtedly be framed with a fabricated charge of fleeing the estate. Everything would then be left to the version of events concocted by the mother and daughter. Though Shen He no longer cared much for her reputation, she would not allow herself to be schemed against in such a way.

The servants seemed to ignore her sharp command, pressing forward step by step. They joined forces to grab her arms, attempting to drag her away by force. Just as Shen He opened her mouth to call for help, the head servant—an elderly woman—acted with practiced speed. She pulled a cloth from her sleeve, stuffed it into Shen He’s mouth, and then tightly bound her lips with a strip of fabric, ensuring she could not make another sound.

Shen He’s gaze was like a blade, locking fiercely onto them. Under her stare, several of them couldn't help but feel a shiver of dread; their expressions shifted to panic and unease as they exchanged glances.

Seeing their hesitation, Shen Jiao lowered her voice, speaking with urgent intensity: "Be quick about it!"

The servants remained clumsy and anxious. After all, Shen He was the eldest daughter of the house and had the Empress Dowager’s backing. If the Master of the house returned, how would they answer for this?

Just as the atmosphere reached a breaking point, a figure appeared quietly at the door: the mistress of the house, Shan Zhuyu.

Her gaze was firm, and her tone carried undeniable authority: "You all work in my courtyard; you are the people I trust most! When have I ever treated you poorly? You must remember that I am the one truly in charge here! Even if the Master returns, as long as you bite your tongues and insist you know nothing of this, I will protect you all!"

With Shan Zhuyu’s word, the servants regained their resolve and firmly dragged Shen He toward the exit.

Shen He’s eyes inadvertently swept over the candlestick standing silently in the corner, and a plan formed in her mind. In a flash, she exerted all her strength, slamming her shoulder into the person dragging her, sending them stumbling back.

Using that momentum, Shen He lunged like an arrow toward the candlestick. Under her violent impact, it wobbled and crashed to the floor, the sparks instantly igniting the pile of dry firewood nearby.

The sequence of actions was fluid and decisive. In the glow of the rising flames, Shen He’s figure appeared exceptionally resolute.

The group was seized by panic, rushing forward in a chaotic scramble to extinguish the fledgling fire. Once it was out, they immediately joined forces to bind Shen He tightly, leaving her unable to move.

Shen Jiao stepped toward her and, with a sharp crack, struck Shen He across the face.

"Shen He, this slap is for the one you gave me that day! Take her away!" Shen Jiao’s voice was cold and hard.

Shan Zhuyu watched from the side, cold-eyed: "Remember, take her out through the back gate. Be quick!"

They dragged her out of the Shen estate via the back gate and forced her into a carriage. Shen He struggled with all her might, but it was like a trapped beast fighting in vain.

Shen Jiao stood at the gate, watching the carriage disappear into the distance, a cold, sinister smile curling on her lips.

"Shen He, this is only the beginning."