Your Highness, your wife has had her virginity mark applied and married someone else.

Shen Mingshu paused, then curled her lips into a smile: "Of course, Mingshu is her daughter."

This expression, with a touch of girlish charm, proudly conveys her love for her mother.

As Zhang Yu read on, her eyes reddened. She sighed deeply, tears streaming down her face as she smiled bitterly, "How long ago was it that you expressed yourself to me like this, Ah Ye?"

"Parents who love their children plan far ahead, Shen Mingshu, don't blame me."

"If I blamed you, I wouldn't have appeared today."

Shen Mingshu responded to everything gently, seemingly having truly let go of everything, and tenderly wrapped her wounds.

"Aunt, you brought me into the manor and gave me a chance to live. I remember it all. It was Ming Shu who was young and ignorant and let you down. Besides—"

Shen Mingshu paused for a moment, then said, "Besides, the child was lost to the underground river because of me, it wasn't your fault."

"Now that you're going through a tough time, Ming Shu wants to do something for you."

Zhang Yu said with a self-deprecating laugh, "What can I still do now?"

She had assured Wei Yuan that he wouldn't cause any trouble, but she never imagined that agreeing to let Wei Yuan enter the capital was a huge mistake.

In a short period of time, and even before any scientific investigation was conducted, the situation has already developed to this point.

What can she offer Shen Mingshu as a guarantee?

Looking at the ashen face on Zhang Yu's cheeks, Shen Mingshu asked in a calm and gentle tone, "Does Auntie wish to return to the Zhang family?"

Zhang Yu scoffed, "That's no longer my home, why would I go back?"

"No, no matter what, your surname is Zhang, and you will always have a share in the Zhang family. It's more comfortable there than here."

Shen Mingshu's clear eyes illuminated the emotion on Zhang Yu's face.

"Does Aunt still remember your original intention when you brought me into this household? What was your purpose?"

"..."

The water in Zhang Yu's eyes rippled with emotion. As she gazed at Shen Mingshu, whose bearing was so similar to that of Madam Yin, her eyes darkened, and she recalled that rainy night.

She was dignified and elegant. Looking at Shen Mingshu's thin and disheveled face, she watched with satisfaction as Shen Mingshu desperately tried to please her, hoping to dry the place that had been soaked by Shen Mingshu's rain.

"You seem like a well-behaved girl. If you help Ah Ye pass the imperial examination with flying colors, how about I adopt you as my goddaughter?"

"..."

Perhaps it was the memory of the past that made Zhang Yuqiang stand up, and life returned to his face, which had looked utterly hopeless.

Why?

If she becomes Zhang Yu's goddaughter, then she will be a member of the Zhang family.

The Zhang family may not be powerful, but in the capital, they are a well-known name, far more powerful than the Shen family.

If Shen Mingshu is brought into the Wei family in the future, and the Zhang family and the Wei family are brought together again, she may very well become the next Zhang Yu.

No matter how powerful the Lu family is, they can't compare to the Wei family. Everyone can see Wei Yuan's intentions clearly, which is why Zhang Yu hasn't tried to separate the two of them in the past three years.

This is a win-win cooperation for both Shen Mingshu and Zhang Yu.

But, did Shen Mingshu really choose this path behind Wei Yuan's back for this very purpose?

Shen Mingshu's eyes remained sincere: "Aunt, Lu Youyou's feelings for A Yuan cannot be resisted by A Yuan's love for me alone."

"If I were just an ordinary citizen, I would be quietly dealt with in the future. With the Lu family around, there's nothing A-Yuan can do."

"Therefore, I need the Zhang family."

"Even if A-Yuan gets angry, he will still support me."

"..."

The Zhang family is merely a pawn of the Wei family, but they still wield considerable influence externally.

Men held official positions in the court, and women held ranks in the imperial harem, including princes.

In the future, Zhang Yu will also be at the helm.

The Zhang family's future may not necessarily remain stagnant.

If Shen Mingshu doesn't fight for her rights, she will likely suffer the same fate as the Yuan family in the future.

Moreover, if Wei Yuan accepts, it will actually confirm to Old Madam Wei that he has let go of the Yuan family matter.

This is what Zhang Yu saw.

That's what she believed.

Zhang Yu looked around the room, her gaze lingering for a long time on the wardrobe that Wei Xu had personally crafted.

Finally, she took out the divorce letter that Wei Xu had thrown at her face from her bosom.

……

"Bang!"

Shen Mingshu's door was kicked open violently, and the door panel slammed against the wall, instantly becoming covered in cracks.

Shen Mingshu had just sat up in bed when a large hand grabbed her by the neck and slammed her back onto the bed.

"Shen! Ming! Shu! How dare you instigate my mother and father to divorce! Do you really want to die?!"

Shen Mingshu knew that Zhang Yu had a fiery temper, but she didn't expect her to go to the government office and register with Wei Xu so quickly.

Shen Mingshu painfully pried Wei Ziye's hand apart. Seeing the murderous rage in his eyes, Shen Mingshu truly felt afraid.

She immediately went to get the bone whistle from her waist.

Wei Ziye watched her actions, his cold eyes narrowing slightly, but he did not stop her.

Sure enough, the bone whistle was blown, but apart from consuming her already limited oxygen, nothing else happened.

Either Wei Yuan was angry at her betrayal.

Either Madam Wei keenly sensed that her attitude was off and suspected her of being pregnant.

Shen Mingshu frowned in frustration, but there was nothing she could do.

She couldn't fully trust Zhang Yu and dared not say more, yet she had no way to make her disobey the emperor's secret order and immediately take her out of the mansion.

Wei Ziye, that madman... his grip is really strong.

Is she really going to die here?

"stop!"

A cold snort came from the doorway from Zhang Yu!

She rushed forward and pushed Wei Ziye backward forcefully.

But Wei Ziye's eyes were bloodshot as he gripped Shen Mingshu tightly, not moving an inch, as if he wouldn't let go until he strangled her to death.

Shen Mingshu's forehead veins bulged with pain, her face flushed red, and the strength in her hands diminished.

Zhang Yu's eyes reddened at the sight. Tears streamed down her face as she roared, "If you also want to force me to my death along with the Wei family, then go ahead and strangle her!"

One sentence completely awakened Wei Ziye's rationality.

He looked at Shen Mingshu struggling in pain before him, then suddenly woke up and stepped back.

His left hand trembled as he staggered backward, his back slamming heavily against the roof beam. His long eyelashes drooped rapidly, obscuring the light that suddenly shattered in his eyes.

"If she hadn't instigated you, how could things have come to this?"

Zhang Yu, supporting Shen Mingshu, looked at the bruises on her neck and was furious: "If it weren't for your grandmother's scheme, I wouldn't be in this situation! If you're so capable, go and strangle her for your mother!"

"..."

Shen Mingshu suddenly gasped for breath, coughing violently. Zhang Yu quickly arranged for someone to apply medicine and pour water for her.

Wei Ziye watched, his jawline taut, his fingertips unconsciously tightening, yet stubborn.

"You harmed your grandmother first, and she gave you a chance to change, but you still didn't cherish it. How can you blame others for that?"

Zhang Yu suddenly turned to look at Wei Ziye.

She was suddenly grateful that Shen Mingshu had reminded her; otherwise, she would still be lying in the backyard, hoping that Wei Ziye would come and comfort her!

Are you saying the mother deserved it?

Wei Ziye's Adam's apple bobbed a few times, but he remained silent.

This tacit acceptance only hurt Zhang Yu's heart more.

She originally thought it didn't matter if Wei Ziye didn't understand her torment and pain, as long as she was still his mother, he would be able to feel sorry for her and understand her a little.

It turns out that everything changes.

Zhang Yu didn't explain anything, but simply wiped away her tears and reminded him in a deep voice.

"The divorce is finalized. If you wish to visit your mother at the Zhang family home in the future, you are welcome. However, if you intend to cause trouble for Ming Shu, don't blame me for throwing you out!"

"Mother!"

Wei Ziye looked up in shock, his eyes filled with a broken, bloodshot glint. He asked incredulously, "Do you know what you're saying?!"

"Of course I know!" Zhang Yu stood up, her face cold as she stood protectively in front of Shen Mingshu. "Wei Ziye, if you still consider me your mother, apologize to your sister today!"