Chapter 4: Selfishness

Before Doukou could even reach the torture board, she had already confessed. Was this what they called being stubborn?

Shen Tang scoffed inwardly.

Before she could speak, Ginkgo , filled with anger, shouted, “Doukou! When did the Miss ever instruct you to poison the Eldest Miss?!”

“You suggested such a terrible idea to the Miss, and when she got angry and slapped you, you thought that was a lesson for you? Is this how you learn?”

But there was always a way to fabricate charges.

Doukou lay on the bench, crying out, “Old Madam, I have no grievance with the Eldest Miss! I would never harm her! It was Second Miss who told me to poison her! She didn’t want the Eldest Miss to marry Prince Jingyang’s son tomorrow; she’s afraid the Eldest Miss will become a widow…”

As Doukou spoke, her expression suddenly changed, and she coughed up a mouthful of blood.

She looked at Second Madam in horror, then slumped over the bench, her eyes wide open, leaving no doubt that she would die with her eyes wide.

Shen Tang had hoped to find an opportunity to drive Doukou out of the manor, but now, after only slapping Doukou once, Second Madam had already treated Doukou like a discarded pawn, using her life to silence her and prevent her from defending herself.

That was truly ruthless.

Second Madam turned her cold gaze to Shen Tang, her eyes glinting like a lurking snake. “What else do you have to say, Second Miss?”

Shen Tang chuckled softly, “It seems that Second Aunt is quite convinced by Doukou’s words.”

Second Madam furrowed her brow, her tone displeased. “Isn’t Doukou under your orders?”

Shen Tang replied, “I don’t want my Eldest Sister to become a widow, but if it comes down to a choice between her and me, do you really think I would be so magnanimous?”

Second Madam was taken aback by Shen Tang’s response, momentarily speechless.

People were inherently selfish.

By admitting her lack of generosity, Shen Tang made it easier for others to believe in her innocence.

Shen Tang continued, “The palanquin from Prince Jingyang’s manor will come to fetch someone early tomorrow morning. If my Eldest Sister falls ill and can’t get into the palanquin, the auspicious ceremony will be delayed. What if they force me to take her place?”

“If I truly had the nobility to sacrifice myself for my sister, I could simply step forward and declare it. Why would I need to poison her? They say all medicine has poison; what if I miscalculated the dosage and ended up killing my sister instead…”

She paused, looking directly at Second Madam. “I truly am not as magnanimous as you think. If you insist on believing that I instructed Doukou, I have nothing further to say.”

“But let me make it clear: I will not take my sister’s place.”

Second Madam’s face darkened, her expression as cold as a venomous snake ready to strike. She said nothing, but the maids in the courtyard began to doubt that Shen Tang was guilty.

No one would knowingly leap into a fire pit.

The Old Madam frowned slightly but said nothing as she stepped into the house. Shen Tang had come to check on Shen Juan and followed her inside.

In the room, Shen Juan lay on the bed, her eyes tightly shut, looking pale, while the physician was checking her pulse.

Upon seeing the physician, Shen Tang’s expression turned icy. They said that family shame should not be aired publicly, yet here in the Pingyuan Marquis Manor, the physician hadn’t even left before they were already interrogating her maid in the courtyard, eager for everyone to know that Shen Juan was unable to marry because of her.

The Old Madam approached, asking, “Doctor Li, is my granddaughter alright?”

Doctor Li replied, “The Eldest Miss has been severely poisoned. It’s not life-threatening, but she will need to sleep for three days.”

“Is there any way to make her wake up sooner?” the Old Madam urgently inquired.

Doctor Li shook his head.

The Old Madam panicked, “She must marry tomorrow. What are we going to do…”

Mama Wang comforted the Old Madam, urging her not to worry.

Shen Tang, being dutiful, brought a cup of tea over. However, as she approached the bed, she accidentally stepped on her skirt, stumbling forward. She barely managed to steady herself, but the teacup flew from her hand, splashing tea all over Shen Juan’s face.

“Ah—”

The supposed poisoning victim, who was to sleep for three days, let out a startled scream.

Not only did she wake up, but she also sat up energetically.

The Old Madam was initially shocked, but then her face turned green.

While the Old Madam cared for Shen Juan, it didn’t mean she would tolerate Shen Juan playing such tricks under her nose, pretending to be poisoned to frame her own sister.

Shen Tang looked at Doctor Li with an innocent expression.

No one could wake a person pretending to be unconscious.

But splashing tea could.

Doctor Li was left speechless.

“Excuse me,” he said awkwardly, gathering his medicine box and making a hasty exit.

No one stopped him; after all, they weren’t foolish enough not to see that Doctor Li had been bribed by the Eldest Miss.

Shen Juan sat up in bed, her expression one of extreme embarrassment. The glare she shot at Shen Tang could almost pierce through her, as if she wished to devour Shen Tang alive. She quickly got off the bed and knelt on the floor, crying, “Grandmother, please don’t be angry! I am not unwilling to marry Prince Jingyang’s son or afraid of becoming a widow! I’m just worried that the omen from the Dazhao Temple will come true, and if the auspicious ceremony fails, it could lead to Prince Jingyang’s son’s death…”

Shen Tang found her hypocritical behavior disgusting.

If she simply admitted her fear of becoming a widow and her unwillingness to marry, Shen Tang wouldn’t have felt such aversion.

But to refuse to marry while concocting excuses for Prince Jingyang’s son was insulting everyone’s intelligence.

Even more disgusting was the support from Second Madam, who said, “Old Madam, don’t let your anger harm your health. It’s natural for the Eldest Miss to have these concerns…”

The Old Madam scolded, “What concerns? Prince Jingyang’s son is severely injured and needs to marry to recover. We in the Pingyuan Marquis Manor know the risks of our daughter becoming a widow, yet we still send her to the palanquin. If the auspicious ceremony fails and Prince Jingyang’s son cannot be saved, will they blame my granddaughter for his death?!”

“Prince Jingyang and his wife are not unreasonable people!”

Second Madam realized she had misspoken and quickly corrected herself, “I know the Jingyang family is reasonable, but do you really want to see your granddaughter married off only to become a widow

The Old Madam couldn’t bear it.

But it was the Imperial Astronomer’s Office that claimed the ritual marriage might help. The Jingyang Prince believed it—and had even come in person. What could she do? The Jingyang Prince wouldn’t force the Pingyuan Marquis’s household to give a daughter in marriage, but if they didn’t send one this time, the engagement would surely be canceled.

The Jingyang heir had been injured while saving the Second Prince, and this marriage to bring luck was his last hope. If the Marquis’s household refused, even the Emperor would be displeased. And once the engagement was withdrawn—who else would dare propose to Juan’er?

Likely no one would dare marry any of the other daughters of the Pingyuan Marquis’s family either.

As much as she loved Shen Juan, the Old Madam couldn’t prioritize one girl over the entire household.

The Old Madam said painfully, “No matter if the ritual marriage works or not, the Jingyang Prince’s household will not mistreat Juan’er.”

“Grandmother…”

But the Old Madam closed her eyes and said firmly, “Stay quietly and wait for the Jingyang Prince’s wedding sedan to come for you.”

With that, she turned and walked away.

Shen Juan sobbed uncontrollably.

That tear-streaked, pitiful face might have moved anyone—except Shen Tang. Having already suffered through being plotted against for a substitute marriage, only to be falsely accused of stealing someone else’s engagement, she felt no pity—only disgust.

Not bothering to pretend sisterly affection, Shen Tang also turned and left.

Just then, a maidservant rushed in from outside and announced, “Second Madam, someone from the palace has come—Consort Ye requests your presence.”