The Double

Shen Ruyun begged Zhou Yanbang for love in vain, and was ensnared in Jiang Yue’s manipulative trap, feeling both anxious and angry. Out of options, she had no choice but to seek help from her mother-in-law, Madam Ningyuan.

While the madam appeared kind and compassionate, comforting her, she actually slyly inquired if Shen Ruyun’s elder brother, Shen Yurong, could speak favorably on behalf of Zhou Yanbang to the emperor, allowing Zhou to return to his official duties.

Shen Ruyun had mentioned this matter to Shen Yurong, but he had refused. Once her brother made up his mind, not even nine oxen could hold him back, leaving Shen Ruyun no choice but to accept it. After tentatively approaching the subject several times and getting nowhere, Madam Ningyuan grew tired of these affairs. The next time Shen Ruyun came to lament, the madam claimed to be unwell, too lazy to even emerge.

Indeed, Zhou Yanbang’s career was at a dead end anyway. He could do as he pleased; at most, people would gossip behind his back, saying a few words wouldn’t cause someone to lose a piece of flesh. Why should she harm the mother-son relationship over such trifles?

Shen Ruyun was truly at a loss. She had intended to ask Princess Yongning for help, believing that if Shen Yurong wouldn’t aid her, surely the princess would. Yet at this critical juncture, Princess Yongning had married into the Li Family. Shen Ruyun panicked, fearing that if Princess Yongning severed ties with Shen Yurong upon marrying into the Li Family, how much further could the Shen family go? Were their good days over? That was why she hurried back to the Shen residence, to persuade Shen Yurong not to sever ties with Princess Yongning even after her marriage.

Unfortunately, her thoughts seemed to run counter to her elder brother’s.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Shen Ruyun found no solution for her dilemma at Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion, and Shen Yurong of her own family displayed such an attitude. Shen Ruyun suddenly thought that if Xue Fangfei were still alive, she would at least come up with a solution for her; she was so smart, she would surely find a way for Shen Ruyun to secure her footing within the Ningyuan household.

The carriage sped through the night, and Shen Ruyun pressed her hand to her forehead.

Xue Fangfei was already dead, and she shouldn’t dwell on the memory of a deceased person. Besides, it was precisely because of Xue Fangfei’s death that the Shen family enjoyed their current prosperity.

She was simply bewildered by the recent troubles, increasingly unable to comprehend Shen Yurong, nothing more.