Chapter 59: Let’s Get a Divorce 

Shen Shilang bowed respectfully to Madam Wei and said, “I’ve come today to bid farewell.”

“Farewell?” Madam Wei’s initial reaction was one of joy.

Shen Shilang was finally leaving the Wei family!

To Madam Wei, Shen Shilang had always been like a thorn in her flesh—visible but impossible to remove. Even though he never sought attention in her presence, the mere knowledge of his existence made her uneasy.

Wei Zhaoxian had even sent Wei Jianming to the military because of Shen Shilang.

Madam Wei’s hatred for Shen Shilang had reached its peak.

Now, hearing that he was leaving, Madam Wei was almost jumping with joy.

But after a few seconds, she suddenly calmed down, feeling somewhat panicked.

Wei Zhaoxian would absolutely not agree to this!

“Why are you suddenly leaving?” Madam Wei frowned, “Has our family treated you poorly?”

If Wei Zhaoxian thought she had driven Shen Shilang away…

He definitely wouldn’t let her off!

She had merely tried to arrange a marriage for Shen Shilang, was that enough reason for him to leave?

As Madam Wei pondered this, she heard Shen Shilang address the matchmaker: “You should understand Madam Wei’s intentions. I am merely a guest in the Wei mansion, not a member of the family. Madam Wei has no relation to me and no right to arrange my marriage. If you wish to propose, you should come directly to me. Approaching Madam Wei is pointless.”

Madam Wei: “!!!”

Only then did Madam Wei realise her mistake.

Shen Shilang had been waiting for this moment!

“That’s not…” Madam Wei hurriedly corrected herself, “Since you’re the General’s cousin, how can you say we’re not related?”

“My parents passed away long ago, and I don’t bear the Wei surname,” Shen Shilang said calmly. “I’m grateful for the General’s care and protection in the Wei mansion all these years. However, I’m not truly a member of the Wei family, so it’s inappropriate to trouble Madam Wei with my personal affairs.”

“Exactly!” Su Jinshi said angrily. “If that girl is so great, why not introduce her to Wei Jianming?”

Hearing Su Jinshi’s transmission, Shen Shilang couldn’t help but smile.

“I’ve already overstayed my welcome in the Wei mansion for years, benefiting from their protection,” Shen Shilang said solemnly. “Now that I’ve achieved the rank of Jieyuan^[1]first-placed candidate in the provincial imperial examinations (old, it’s time for me to be independent. That’s why I’ve come to bid farewell to Madam Wei today.”

After finishing, Shen Shilang turned to the matchmaker and said, “There’s no need to trouble Madam Wei with marriage arrangements. If you have any matters, come directly to me.”

With that, Shen Shilang strode away.

Su Jinshi hurriedly asked, “Shen Shilang, are you really leaving?”

“It’s time to go,” Shen Shilang explained in a low voice. “I’ve been looking for an opportunity to leave the Wei family. This is a good chance to depart and also to separate myself from the Wei mansion. If I ever come under suspicion, at least the Wei family will be somewhat protected.”

Su Jinshi understood, “You mean, if someone investigates you in the future and traces it back to the Wei family, they’ll find that you left because Madam Wei tried to force an unfavorable marriage on you. So you’d appear to have severed ties with the Wei family. As long as your true identity isn’t discovered, enemies would only target you, and the Wei family wouldn’t be in danger.”

“From the moment General Wei saved me, he risked the annihilation of his entire family. I can’t do much, but I hope to protect them until I succeed in my revenge,” Shen Shilang said.

Once his revenge was complete, there would be no need for protection.

It would mean the current Emperor was dead, and no one could harm the Wei family anymore.

Shen Shilang returned to his small courtyard to pack his belongings, knowing that time was of the essence.

He didn’t have many possessions, and he didn’t take any of the money given to him by the Wei family.

He only took the money he had earned from writing letters, copying books, and painting for others.

Just as he finished packing and was about to leave with his luggage, Steward Ning hurried over, “Young Master Shen! Are you really leaving?”

“Thank you for your care all this time, Steward Ning,” Shen Shilang said. “Especially for today’s matter. If not for you, I might have been in a difficult situation. I’m leaving in a hurry today and can’t properly express my gratitude. But I’ll remember your kindness today and will surely repay it in the future.”

“It’s nothing worth mentioning,” Steward Ning waved his hand dismissively. “However, the General has returned and is currently discussing matters with Madam in the main courtyard. Perhaps you should speak with the General first?”

“Very well,” Shen Shilang agreed that he should bid farewell to Wei Zhaoxian.

Manager Ning was delighted, thinking he had persuaded Shen Shilang to stay.

But Shen Shilang didn’t put down his luggage and continued towards the main courtyard.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, he heard Wei Zhaoxian’s furious voice from inside: “I’ve long given up hope that you’d treat Shilang well. I only asked that you ignore his existence and focus on living your own life.”

“Who knew you couldn’t even do that, and would go so far as to scheme about his marriage!” Wei Zhaoxian raged.

“How can you call this scheming? The daughter of a county magistrate, how is she not good enough for him?” Madam Wei stubbornly argued. “He knows he’s alone in this world, with no parents. It’s already fortunate that others don’t look down on him!”

Wei Zhaoxian struggled to control himself, taking several deep breaths before saying, “She’s simply not good enough! Forget about a county magistrate, even a prefectural governor’s daughter wouldn’t be good enough! Let alone the fact that she’s not even the magistrate’s daughter, but a niece, and from a merchant family!”

“Shen Shilang may be perfect in your eyes, so perfect that even a governor’s daughter isn’t good enough, but others might not see him that way!” Madam Wei felt Wei Zhaoxian lacked fair judgement. “He’s only achieved the rank of Jieyuan, not Zhuangyuan^[2]top scorer in the palace examination﹤highest rank of the Imperial examination system﹥! What’s wrong with a county magistrate? It’s not an easy position to obtain. Besides, his niece’s family being in trade could provide financial support for his official career.”

“Considering Shen Shilang’s background, this is the best match I could find after careful selection. He’s ungrateful, and you blame me!” Madam Wei raised her voice, feigning innocence and defending herself. “Do you know how much effort I put into finding a suitable match for Shen Shilang?”

Wei Zhaoxian laughed coldly, “You’re the legitimate daughter of the Earl of Yongning’s family. Surely you know that once Shilang passes the highest examinations, with his character, appearance, and talents, how many noble families in the capital would be willing to form an alliance with him?”

Madam Wei was stunned into silence for a while before saying, “But he’s alone, without parents. How could the nobility be interested in him? Allying with him would bring no benefits at court!”

“He has the talent to become a Zhuangyuan. Do you think they wouldn’t be interested?” Wei Zhaoxian looked at Madam Wei with disappointment.

Madam Wei was frightened by his disappointed gaze. Wei Zhaoxian had never looked at her like this before.

As Madam Wei’s face involuntarily showed panic, Wei Zhaoxian dropped a bombshell, “Let’s separate.”

“What did you say?” Madam Wei screamed like a madwoman, “Just because I tried to arrange a marriage for Shen Shilang that hasn’t even been finalized, you want to separate from me!”

“You don’t have to care for him, but don’t scheme against him,” Wei Zhaoxian said. “In the past, when you mistreated him time and again, I let it go each time. But now you’re even trying to manipulate his marriage. If I let this slide too, I won’t be able to face his family ancestors in the afterlife!”