Volume One, Chapter 12: So, Are You Apologizing?

The promised status of a lawful wife instantly reverted to that of a concubine—today, Su Yanyan’s emotions truly swung wildly.

“Mother, didn’t we agree…” Shen Lady spoke sharply, her tone commanding.

“Enough. Since everyone already knows about you and Xing’er, from now on you shall be Mistress Su of the Shen household,” Shen Nanxing quickly interjected.

“Mother, you can’t treat Yanyan so unfairly,” Shen Lady shot a fierce glare at Shen Nanxing, her voice brimming with undeniable authority.

“Xing’er, have you lost your senses? The Shen family is a prestigious and noble lineage. How could we casually take a lawful wife? Wouldn’t that make us a laughingstock? Yanyan can only enter as a concubine. This is for the family’s reputation—and for Yanyan’s own good—to avoid future gossip and scandal.”

“But, Mother…” Su Yanyan’s voice trembled as she tried once more to plead.

“There is no ‘but.’ This matter is settled,” Shen Lady cut her off firmly.

“Yanyan, rest assured, though you are a concubine, you have called me ‘Mother’ all these years. I have always raised you as my own daughter. The Shen family will never mistreat you or your child.”

Watching silently from the side, Jiang Jinshu smirked inwardly—indeed, everything depends on having money in hand.

Shen Lady’s gaze flickered toward Jiang Jinshu, a reluctant bitterness stirring within her. That little vixen was growing increasingly difficult to control.

“Jinshu, you have always been a sensible child. The matter of a lawful wife will no longer be mentioned in the Shen household. You must take good care of Xing’er and this family.”

Jiang Jinshu smiled faintly at these words, casting a glance at Shen Nanyue.

“If the Shen family never intended for Su Yanyan to be a lawful wife, then should my eldest sister-in-law not apologize for invading my courtyard—insulting, beating, and threatening me to make Su Yanyan a lawful wife?”

Shen Nanyue bristled at the accusation.

“Jiang Jinshu, don’t even think about it! You humiliated me in front of so many people, struck me, and you expect me to apologize? Believe me, I’ll make sure…”

Jiang Jinshu watched her flare up calmly, smiling slightly.

Shen Lady hurriedly intervened, “Yue’er, apologize to Jinshu.”

Shen Nanyue was unwilling.

“Mother, she’s the one who beat my daughter like this—why should my daughter apologize?”

She leaned close to Shen Lady, whispering, “Mother, perhaps she did it on purpose. How could she bear to leave the Shen family?”

Shen Lady pondered deeply, uncertain whether Jiang Jinshu truly intended to relinquish her position as housekeeper.

Sensing their hesitation, Jiang Jinshu spoke deliberately, “Since I’m no longer housekeeper of the Shen family, shouldn’t the antiques, paintings, jewelry, and fabrics that eldest sister-in-law borrowed from me be returned?”

She deliberately emphasized the word ‘returned.’

Shen Nanyue’s expression darkened. How could she bear to give back those precious items? As for the antiques and paintings, she had already gifted them to others to maintain social ties.

“Jiang Jinshu, those were gifts from you. How can you ask for them back once given?”

Jiang Jinshu stared at Shen Nanyue in surprise.

“What? Gifts? Didn’t you say you merely borrowed them at the time?”

“Oh, and the Princess Dowager’s mansion still holds a list of my dowry. The Princess Dowager said she was afraid I might lose it in my youth, so she kept it safe.”

“If anything from my dowry goes missing, it can be found through that list. If word gets out that the Shen family’s eldest daughter seized her sister-in-law’s dowry, I wonder how well eldest sister-in-law will fare in her marital home.”

Hearing this, Shen Lady’s heart raced with anxiety. She knew fully well how many benefits Shen Nanyue had taken from Jiang Jinshu, and if this escalated, it would bring disgrace upon the Shen family.

“Jinshu, we are family—why fuss over such trivial matters? She is your eldest sister-in-law, after all.”

Jiang Jinshu did not respond to Shen Lady. Instead, she fixed her gaze on Shen Nanyue’s face.

“So, eldest sister-in-law, will you apologize?”

Shen Nanyue’s face turned pale and flushed in turn. She had never imagined Jiang Jinshu would be so difficult to deal with, and for a moment, she found herself trapped beyond escape.

She looked toward Shen Lady for help, only to see her mother’s expression was weary—clearly unwilling to confront Jiang Jinshu head-on at this critical juncture.

“Jiang Jinshu, you… you’re going too far!”

Shen Nanyue gritted her teeth, her tone softening with a hint of concession.

Jiang Jinshu smiled faintly.

“Caiping, go to the Princess Dowager’s mansion. Copy my dowry list and bring it back. While you’re at it, tell the Princess Dowager that some items from my dowry have gone missing.”

Seeing the situation worsening, Shen Lady longed to silence Jiang Jinshu once and for all but could only grit her teeth and try to smooth things over.

“Enough. We are all sisters here—there’s no need to ruin harmony over such a petty quarrel. Yue’er, apologize to Jinshu, and let this matter rest.”

Shen Nanyue clenched her teeth, unwilling but under her mother’s watchful gaze, she forced out a reluctant apology.

“I’m sorry. I was impulsive.”

Jiang Jinshu smiled.

“Since I am still the housekeeper of the Shen family, it’s only right to teach today’s insubordinate servant a lesson, to prevent future insolence. Have the stewardess send back the bond servant’s contract from my courtyard, along with the ledger and keys.”