sang a new play in a melodious and charming way.Meng Jin Yao supported her chin with one hand, listlessly watching the performance. She wasn't really fond of watching plays, though the actors on stage...Meng Jin Yao was stunned: "Why"

"Mrs. Shen's old illness has flared up, and her condition is serious. I visited her yesterday, and the doctor said... he was afraid... afraid that she wouldn't have much time left.

Song Xining's words trailed off mid-sentence, her voice choked with emotion, tears welling up in her eyes. In a moment, they streamed down her cheeks. "It's just not fair," she sobbed. "Shen's mother was such a good person. Why did she have to get sick instead of the bad people"

Meng Jinyao’s face changed color upon hearing this. She hurriedly pulled out a handkerchief, wiping tears from her eyes while asking, “Anning, I saw Mrs. Shen a month ago, and she was fine. Why did she suddenly fall ill again”

Song Xining sniffled, her voice laced with resentment: "It's normal that you don't know. The Shen family has sealed the news, and it only happened in the past few days. Shen's father's concubine is pregnant, supposedly with twins. Shen's father couldn't bear to let the children become illegitimate, so he brought the concubine back and made her his wife. Shen's stepmother had a huge argument with him, and then she fell ill."

Meng Jin Yao's eyes widened suddenly, she was shocked.

This Mr. Shen and Mrs. Shen, they were a model couple that everyone envied, you see Mr. Shen only had his wife in the backyard, no concubines, which made him a once-in-a-hundred-miles good man. Suddenly, he secretly kept an outside mistress and even let her become pregnant

"Ayayo, you're shocked too, aren't you" Song Xining's tears fell even harder, feeling like her world view had collapsed and been overturned. "They were clearly such a happy couple, living in harmony for nearly twenty years. I clearly saw them still so affectionate when I last went to the Shen family. It turns out it was all fake, all a facade by Father Shen. He was raising a mistress while pretending to be good to Mother Shen."

Meng Jinyáo fell silent, feeling sorry for Shen's deep affection. Love misplaced, she ended up in such a state.

And Mr. Shen's so-called deep affection is truly ironic, isn't it He can still pretend to be deeply in love while secretly keeping a mistress. Why can't he just keep up the act Is it because the mistress became pregnant with twins Faced with the choice between hurting his wife and having his children become illegitimate, he chose the former

Perhaps, all men are so heartless.

She's grown up, the only man she's ever seen with deep affection was her best friend Ann's future father-in-law. As a result, the man who gave her deep affection has made his wife sick with anger and brought back his mistress.

In a short while, Meng Jinyu's eyes welled up with tears. She reached out and hugged her tearful friend, softly comforting her: "Anning, don't cry. We can't control what elders do. All you can do now is comfort Madam Shen and ease her worries, which will help her recovery.

Song Xining choked back tears and said, "I don't know how to comfort Mrs. Shen. She's been filled with regret ever since, lamenting that she disregarded her family's objections and married Mr. Shen. She hates herself for not being able to see people clearly and regrets helping Mr. Shen so much, only to end up becoming a pawn in his schemes."

Meng Jinyao, upon hearing this, recalled what Anning had once told her: Shen was just a poor scholar back then, while his wife, Shen Fu, was the daughter of a wealthy merchant. Shen Fu fell in love with Shen at first sight and married him despite her parents' opposition.

Mr. Shen was able to continue his studies and pass the imperial examinations with the support of his wife's family, eventually becoming an official in the capital.

It can be said that without Mrs. Shen, there would be no Mr. Shen today.

And it's likely that Master Shen kept a mistress secretly because of his promotion last year. Before last year, he was just a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Works. Last year, he made meritorious contributions by overseeing water conservancy projects. The position of Minister of Works was vacant at the time, so he was promoted to the third rank, becoming Minister of Works.

There's a huge difference between officials of the fifth rank and those of the third rank. Most officials of the fifth and fourth ranks find it very difficult to reach the third rank. When they are at the fifth rank, they often rely on their wives' families' money to get things done. But once they become high-ranking officials of the third rank, they no longer need to do so; instead, it's their wives' families who would try to curry favor with them.

Perhaps what everyone sees is an illusion. Master Shen may not truly love Mistress Shen; he only loves the silver her family possesses.

Thinking of this, Meng Jinyao suddenly felt a chill run down her spine. How deep-seated must such scheming be to disguise itself for so many years A man who stops at nothing to achieve his goals is more terrifying than wolves and tigers.

She swallowed nervously and whispered, "An Ning, perhaps Madam Shen was truly mistaken from the beginning."

Song Xining was puzzled and asked stammeringly, "What...what do you mean"

Meng Jinyao replied, "Perhaps, Master Shen doesn't really like Madam Shen that much. He only pretended to be affectionate because Madam Shen had something to offer him. Now that he is high-ranking and wealthy, he no longer needs the support of Madam Shen's family, so his true nature will naturally be revealed."

Song Xining took a sharp breath, this was even more terrifying than someone changing their heart midway. Remembering Shen's warm and elegant demeanor, she suddenly felt like she was about to faint.

"Of course, I'm just guessing. " Meng Jinyao paused, then continued, "After many years of marriage, they probably developed feelings for each other and may have even loved Shen's wife once. But perhaps it was love based on appearance that faded with time, causing their affections to wane."

Compared to the former, Song Xining was more willing to believe the latter. She nodded taciturnly: "It's probably that love has waned with the fading beauty."

A moment later, Song Xinning frowned and anxiously asked, "Aiyao, do you think the apple doesn't fall far from the tree Will Brother Shen be like his father too What if he likes me now, but when I get old and unattractive, he secretly keeps a concubine and then comes back with a pregnant concubine to take her as his wife"

Meng Jinyao was taken aback, then shook her head firmly and soothed softly, "Silly girl, what are you thinking about Young Master Shen and Lord Shen are different. Think about it, you and Young Master Shen grew up together as childhood sweethearts. How has Young Master Shen treated you all these years He lets you have your way, pampers you, even if you wanted the stars in the sky, he'd probably find a way to get them for you."

Song Xining said again, "But my father and mother are also very harmonious. My father still takes concubines."

Meng Jinyao knew Anning was greatly distressed, afraid of the prospect of taking a concubine. But she felt that Master Shen wasn't that kind of person, and said softly: "Anning, give Master Shen more trust. Master Shen doesn't even have a maidservant in his bedchamber now. Other men at twenty-two already have concubines.

Upon hearing this, Song Xining's heart, which had been filled with anxiety and fear, finally found solace and slowly calmed down. Their marriage had been arranged two years ago. Originally, she was supposed to marry when she came of age, but her mother couldn't bear to part with her. Brother Shen waited an extra year for her, waiting until she was sixteen before marrying her. Now it seemed that Brother Shen truly cared for her and wouldn't be like her uncle Shen.

Meng Jinyao soothed her again, calming her emotions. She was just preoccupied, and after the dishes were served, she didn't eat much despite facing a table of delicacies.

Listening to the news she revealed, Meng Jinyao also vaguely felt that Madam Shen probably didn't have much time left. If Madam Shen passed away, Young Master Shen would have to observe filial piety for three years, so the wedding date would need to be delayed by three years. However, for a couple in love, as long as they have each other in their hearts, a delay is nothing.

But, she still hoped that Mrs. Shen's condition would improve and she would recover her health, so Anning's wedding could be held as scheduled.later, he took the clothes from the little girl's hands and went into the clean room.Meng Jinyao glanced at his retreating figure, then turned her gaze to the ruby and gold headdress. A slight upturn...