Shen Cheng turned and strode out.
Shen Xiaoyan watched his retreating figure, momentarily at a loss for words.
When she first transmigrated, she had hated Shen Cheng, her father, for being so cruel to his own children.
But now, knowing the truth, she no longer harbored hatred.
However, she would never forgive him.
From this day forward, there would be no further connection between them.
"Eldest Sister, should we capture Xu Xiao'e and question her thoroughly to find out how she knows this matter?" Shen Xiaoming suddenly spoke.
"We can."
"Really?" Shen Xiaoming was surprised. Her sister had agreed so readily?
"Really. Whoever is behind Xu Xiao'e, regardless of how they know about what happened back then, they are definitely targeting us. Since we can't guess who it is, it's better to just capture Xu Xiao'e and question her properly," Shen Xiaoyan explained.
"I'll handle this matter," Zheng Wei suddenly said.
Shen Xiaoyan looked at Zheng Wei with amusement. Did this man truly believe she intended to capture Xu Xiao'e?
"I'll send someone to invite her. I believe she'll be here within the hour," Zheng Wei explained.
Shen Xiaoyan then nodded in understanding. "It seems you're quite clever, knowing how much weight you carry in Xu Xiao'e's heart."
Zheng Wei was taken aback at first, then realized he had spoken incorrectly. Glancing at Shen Xiaoming, who was covering her mouth and snickering beside him, he coughed uncomfortably, stood up, and walked out.
However, this time, both Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei were mistaken.
An hour later, Huo Si returned with an empty imperial carriage.
"Master, Mistress, Xu Xiao'e said that if you want to know who it is, you must go and see her yourself."
Upon hearing Huo Si's reply, both Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei were stunned. What was Xu Xiao'e playing at?
"Then let's go and see."
Shen Xiaoyan said, glancing at Zheng Wei. Zheng Wei nodded in agreement.
After arranging for three wet nurses to look after the triplets, she called for Luoluo and Huadian, instructing them to guard the triplets in the main room and to notify her immediately of any issues.
With everything in order, Shen Xiaoyan and the other two boarded the carriage and headed towards the town.
In front of Yu Ji Jewelry Shop, a servant was seen standing by the door, gazing out. Upon seeing their carriage, he immediately jogged forward. "Is this Shen Xiaoyan?"
"I am." Shen Xiaoyan lifted the curtain and nodded at the servant outside.
Seeing Shen Xiaoyan's face, a flash of admiration flickered in the servant's eyes, and his tone unconsciously softened. "Our Old Madam said to have you all go directly to the back."
Shen Xiaoyan nodded and lowered the curtain.
Huo Si drove the carriage, following the servant down a small alley, eventually stopping before a large gate.
"Mistress, we've arrived," the servant's voice came from outside again.
Shen Xiaoyan and the other two alighted from the carriage. After instructing Huo Si to wait outside the gate, they followed the servant into the courtyard.
Upon entering the courtyard and reaching the moon gate, they saw a maidservant standing there. She showed no reaction as Shen Xiaoyan and the others approached.
As the servant was about to lead them further in, the maidservant said, "You can go back to the front. Leave this to me."
The servant nodded, then smiled at Shen Xiaoyan before reluctantly leaving.
The maidservant's nose turned upwards, and she scrutinized Shen Xiaoyan from head to toe, her eyes filled with disdain.
However, Shen Xiaoyan noticed that the maidservant's gaze towards Zheng Wei was exceptionally gentle.
Shen Xiaoyan mused inwardly, could this be a case of like repelling like?
Otherwise, she didn't think she was uglier than Zheng Wei, so why did this maidservant have such an expression?
Before the maidservant could speak, another maidservant emerged from within the moon gate. This maidservant's expression was extremely respectful. Shen Xiaoyan compared her to the previous maidservant and deeply felt that this was how a maidservant should behave.
"Please follow me. Our Old Madam has invited you."
Upon hearing the maidservant's words, Shen Xiaoyan could no longer contain herself and burst into laughter.
Xu Xiao'e was younger than her, and without even having children yet, she had somehow reached the generation of an "Old Madam."
In this regard, compared to Xu Xiao'e, she was truly ashamed.
The newly arrived maidservant showed no reaction when Shen Xiaoyan laughed. In fact, she herself found it rather amusing.
A woman not even as old as her, being addressed as "Old Madam" daily, it was truly...
"Ill-mannered," the haughty maidservant said faintly, her words laced with undisguised disdain.
Shen Xiaoyan gave her a calm glance and said nothing, walking inside with them.
The three followed the maidservant into the main room and saw Xu Xiao'e sitting alone in the main seat.
As Xu Xiao'e saw Shen Xiaoyan enter, fire instantly ignited in her eyes.
Upon seeing Zheng Wei following behind, her gaze became incredibly complex.
Shen Xiaoyan ignored her and casually pulled Shen Xiaoming and Zheng Wei to sit down.
As soon as she sat down, she heard the voice of the previous maidservant again. "Calling you ill-mannered was no exaggeration. Guests have not seen the host yet, nor has the host offered seats, yet you sit yourself down. You truly have thick skin."
Shen Xiaoyan followed the voice and saw the maidservant standing by the door, looking at her with a face full of contempt.
After being repeatedly taunted by a maidservant, Shen Xiaoyan was truly amused to the point of anger.
"This is the first time I've ever seen such a well-mannered maidservant. Where did you buy her from, and how much did she cost?" Shen Xiaoyan said, looking towards Xu Xiao'e.
Xu Xiao'e's face instantly stiffened. She glanced at the maidservant standing by the door but said nothing.
Seeing her strange attitude, Shen Xiaoyan instinctively felt that this maidservant was no ordinary person.
She then carefully observed the maidservant.
Upon closer inspection, she noticed that although the style of the maidservant's clothes was the same as the other maidservant's, the fabric was indeed superior, and the color was very beautiful.
A light yellow robe, coupled with a cinched waist, clearly revealed her graceful figure.
Shen Xiaoyan then looked at her face, which was unremarkable, but her hair arrangement was very beautiful.
She wore no additional hair ornaments, only a white jade hairpin to secure her bun.
Such an outfit did not match her face at all, nor did it match her apparent status. Combined with Xu Xiao'e's attitude, Shen Xiaoyan thought she understood.
Exchanging a look with Zheng Wei, a flicker of understanding passed through their eyes.
"Enough with the pleasantries. You asked us to come, and we are here. Now, you should tell us where you heard those things from," Shen Xiaoyan asked directly.
Upon hearing Shen Xiaoyan's question, Xu Xiao'e did not answer immediately. Instead, she instinctively looked at the maidservant by the door. Seeing the maidservant's impatient expression, she quickly looked at Shen Xiaoyan and said, "You don't need to care how I know. It's the truth, isn't it? With such a shameless mother, you still have the nerve to come out? I feel ashamed for you."
"Thank you very much for that," Shen Xiaoyan replied, completely unfazed. "However, I still can't compare to you. You were able to conspire with your stepson to harm your husband. How could I be afraid to show my face?"
Shen Xiaoyan's words struck a nerve with Xu Xiao'e. She opened her mouth to curse, but Shen Xiaoyan noticed that with just a glance from the maidservant, Xu Xiao'e's rage instantly subsided.
"Heh heh, perhaps you want Zheng Wei to bear this stigma his entire life?" Xu Xiao'e suppressed her anger, adjusted her expression, and continued. "Look at Zheng Wei now; he is no longer the feared cold-faced killer of Baiyun Manor."
After saying this, Xu Xiao'e turned her gaze back to Zheng Wei, looking at his face with adoration. After a moment, she continued.
"Zheng Wei now possesses talent and good looks. What right do you have to match him? Being with him will only drag him down."
Shen Xiaoyan raised an eyebrow. "So, according to you, I should abdicate and let you have him?"
Xu Xiao'e was choked speechless, not knowing what to say.
"What is she? How is she worthy of Zheng Wei?"
The previous maidservant's voice chimed in again, with the same disdainful tone, but this time, Xu Xiao'e was the one being belittled.
Xu Xiao'e's face turned red with anger at the maidservant's words, but she dared not say a single word.