Chapter 9 — Sacrificed by the Heir: Reborn as Yue Zhaoyue to Avenge Sixteen Years of Injustice

The elderly matron sharply demanded, "Where is Spring Peach?"

Zi Su began to weep even more violently, her shoulders shaking with every sob. "Spring Peach did not throw herself into the well. She was sold and taken out of the capital."

I stared at her, my gaze icy and unyielding. "Sold to whom?"

Zi Su shook her head, terrified. "I do not know. It was Master's attendant, Shen Phuc, who handled the entire arrangement."

My hands, hidden deep within my sleeves, curled into tight fists. Father. It was truly Father. The matron pressed further, her voice cold as steel. "Where did the forbidden incense come from?"

Zi Su trembled, afraid to speak. I leaned forward, my voice low and cutting. "If you do not speak now, by tomorrow, Shen Yuntang will ensure the blame for the stolen incense falls entirely on your head."

Zi Su suddenly jerked her head up, eyes wide with betrayal and fear. "It was the Master who gave it to the eldest mistress! She told him that he never wanted the second daughter to marry into the Royal Residence. He feared that the second daughter’s temperament was too dull and withdrawn, and that she would never be able to charm the Grand Princess as well as the eldest mistress could."

The matron’s expression darkened instantly. I remained silent. In my past life, in that recurring nightmare that only ended with my death, I never once dared to ask Father why. Now, the answer laid bare before me, cruel and sharp. Because I was not as likable as Shen Yuntang. Because I was quiet. Because I was obedient. Because I did not know how to weep or fawn for favor. And because of that, I was someone who could be discarded without a second thought.

Zi Su suddenly scrambled to her knees, dragging herself across the floor toward me. "Second mistress, I have told you everything! Please, you must save me. The eldest mistress will have me killed!"

I looked down at her with hollow eyes. "When you helped her destroy me, did you ever consider that I, too, would face death?"

Zi Su collapsed onto the floor, utterly broken. The matron gestured for her men to gag the girl, then turned to me with a grave expression. "Second mistress, this matter involves the High Minister of the Shen family. It is likely the Prince himself will need to conduct a personal interrogation."

I nodded firmly. "I will go with you."

We had barely stepped out of the shed when the courtyard gate was kicked open. Father charged in, flanked by a group of retainers. He gripped a sword in his hand, his face deathly pale with fury. "Shen Zhaoyue, are you trying to destroy the entire Shen family?"

I met his gaze steadily. "The one destroying the Shen family is not me."

Mother followed behind him, wrapped in a heavy cloak, her eyes swollen and red from crying. "Shen Zhaoyue, I beg you, think of me. Your sister has finally returned home; do not drive her into a corner."

I looked at her, my voice devoid of emotion. "Mother, what if it were I who had been driven into a corner?"

She wept, clutching at her chest. "You still have your mother."

I glanced past her at Shen Yuntang, who stood huddled in a white fox-fur cloak under the dim light, looking like a flower crushed by an unforgiving storm. She whispered, "Sister, I am willing to kneel and beg for your forgiveness. Just please, do not report Father. He is a high-ranking official; if you make such a scene, the entire family will be ruined."

A hollow laugh escaped me. "So, the eldest sister finally admits it was Father behind all of this."

Mother’s face paled, and Shen Yuntang realized her mistake, quickly stuttering, "I... that is not what I meant."

The matron looked at Father, her tone official and cold. "High Minister Shen, the Prince invites you to the Royal Residence for a formal discussion."

Father sneered. "This is a private family matter. The Grand Princess is overstepping her bounds."

The matron stepped forward, unfazed. "The forbidden incense originated from within the palace walls, and the whereabouts of the maid Spring Peach are unknown. If the High Minister insists this is merely a family matter, I will convey your words exactly as spoken to the Prince."

Father’s hand tightened white-knuckled around the hilt of his sword. Mother lunged forward, grabbing my sleeves and pleading, "Shen Zhaoyue, say something! If you simply say you will no longer pursue this, the Grand Princess will not make things difficult for your father."

I looked down at her, seeing only the woman who had once cradled me for an entire night, weeping because I had bruised my knee and she feared a girl should never bear a scar. Yet now, when they were determined to destroy my entire life, she asked me to look the other way.

Mother sobbed, unable to utter another coherent word. Suddenly, Shen Yuntang fell to her knees. "Sister, I will give up Xie Linchu! I will not marry him; just please, spare Father!"

The voice of Xie Linchu rang out from the entrance of the courtyard. "Shen Yuntang!"

He strode in, his expression stormy and harsh. Shen Yuntang immediately threw herself into his arms. "Brother Linchu, I cannot stand by and watch Father suffer!"

Xie Linchu turned his eyes toward me, full of resentment. "Just how far are you planning to push her?"

I replied calmly, "She has already confessed."

"She only spoke out of desperation to save her father," he snapped.

"Zi Su has also provided her testimony," I reminded him.

He dismissed me coldly. "You would believe the words of a lowly servant?"

I looked him in the eye. "And who do you believe, young noble?"

He did not hesitate for a second. "I believe Shen Yuntang."

I nodded, a cold clarity washing over me. "Very well."

Seeing my composure, Xie Linchu became even more incensed. "Who are you putting on this performance for?"

I ignored him entirely and turned to the matron. "Let us go."

Xie Linchu stepped into my path, his hand raised to block me. "Shen Zhaoyue, if you drag the High Minister to the Royal Residence for interrogation today, I swear I will never marry you."

I lifted my head to meet his arrogant gaze. "Why does the young noble always assume I still wish to marry you?"

He froze, stunned into silence. In his arms, Shen Yuntang let out a fresh wave of wails. "Sister, please, do not act out of spite."