Chapter 97 - 96: Why Should I Apologize When I’ve Done Nothing Wrong?

Words : 1413 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Chapter 97: Chapter 96: Why Should I Apologize When I’ve Done Nothing Wrong?Xue Qingqing bit her lip, trembling all over in anger. She saw it clearly—Shen Xinglei had kept a mistress here, and that mistress had even borne him a son! But why, why was it that when she brought her father and mother here, this courtyard was suddenly occupied by new residents?! Could it be that Shen Xinglei became aware of her little schemes and secretly relocated the mistress? The more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. With her eyes reddened, she looked up at Shen Xinglei. When her mother began arranging the husband-to-be meetings, she had been quite pleased with this young duke’s son from the Shen Guogong Mansion who had already earned numerous military merits—after all, he seemed so honest and straightforward! During their strolls through the garden, he would thoughtfully lay a handkerchief on the stone seat before inviting her to sit, claiming it was clean and warm. During meals, he would peel shrimp for her, shield her from drinking, and even refuse to let other young ladies and gentlemen make fun of her. He kept a purposeful distance from every young woman, including the maids. When she asked him why, he would answer with pride written all over his face, saying that he was now engaged and would give his fiancée the sense of security she deserved because he loved her. Listening to those words, she couldn’t help but blush. In just a few short days of interaction, he had made her believe that marrying him would surely be a happy affair. But what she never expected was that beneath the seemingly honest and kind exterior of that man lay deceit and malice. He was clearly keeping a mistress and her child, yet pretended to be pure and virtuous, feigning ignorance about love between men and women, wearing the guise of a decent man to deceive her and her family, intending to tie the Xue Minister’s Mansion to the Shen Guogong Mansion’s stake... Xue Qingqing could hardly imagine what life would be like if she hadn’t uncovered Shen Xinglei’s deceptions and truly married into the Shen Guogong Mansion, wed to such a duplicitous man! She stamped her embroidered shoes and faced everyone’s doubting glance, resolute as she declared, "Shen Second Young Master may have the capability to relocate his mistress and her child, but I refuse to believe he hasn’t left behind even a shred of evidence! Father, Mother, please dispatch someone to search this courtyard—we’re bound to uncover proof that the mother and child lived here!" "Enough!" Madam Xue furrowed her brows. "Qingqing, haven’t you embarrassed us enough today? Hurry and apologize to Shen Second Young Master!" "Mother, I’ve done nothing wrong—why should I apologize?" Shen Xinglei’s face was full of sincerity: "Madam Xue, please don’t pressure Miss Qingqing. It’s all my fault—I must have done something wrong that upset her, leading her to think up this scheme to frame me in hopes of breaking off our engagement. I don’t care about my reputation; I only beg Miss Qingqing to tell me what I’ve done wrong. I truly wish to marry you, and I’m willing to change any shortcomings for you..." His heartfelt words moved the maids and servants accompanying both the Xue and Shen families. Minister Xue glared at Xue Qingqing in exasperation: "A husband like him—capable, humble, honest, and truly infatuated with you—where else could you find someone this good even with a lantern? If you can’t be satisfied with him, then don’t bother marrying at all in this lifetime; there isn’t a man in this world better than him!" Madam Xue nodded repeatedly, strongly agreeing with his sentiment. Xue Qingqing watched Shen Xinglei as he turned black into white right before her eyes, watched everyone side with him. Everyone’s gaze toward her felt like reproachful glances accusing her of ignorance. She had no words to justify herself, her hands and feet were icy, and all the blood in her body seemed to rush to her head. Unsure what to do, she suddenly remembered another tip handed to her by the mute maid: Shen Xinglei planned to tamper with her drinks using slow-acting drugs that would render her infertile in the future, making room for the mistress’s son. If she could catch Shen Xinglei in the act of drugging her, could she prove to her father and mother that Shen Xinglei was indeed a scoundrel? Maybe then she could break off the engagement! Thinking of this, Xue Qingqing quickly said, "Perhaps I must have been mistaken at the time and wrongly accused Shen Second Young Master. Father, Mother, how about we host a banquet at the restaurant to apologize to Shen Second Young Master?" Madam Xue’s demeanor softened: "Good child, if you think this way, nothing could be better." Her eldest daughter Mianmian had been missing for years, with countless reports filed and search parties sent out, yet there was still no trace of her. S~eaʀᴄh the NôvelFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Xue Ling, after all, was a man, and not someone from whom she could share her inner thoughts. Beyond their daily greetings, there were no other exchanges. Now, Qingqing was the only daughter by her side who understood her feelings and cared for her. She hoped deeply that Qingqing could marry into a good family. Having scrutinized countless options, Shen Xinglei, despite being the son of an aristocratic family, showed no idle habits. At a young age, he had already earned military merits and was truly the best spouse Qingqing could hope to marry. Thus, she was determined to ensure this marriage went through. Minister Xue and Madam Xue first boarded the carriage. Xue Qingqing looked at Shen Xinglei with a complex expression, only to see him slowly retract his guileless and honest facade, his gaze now filled with a faint smile directed at her. She clenched her fists tightly: "Shen Second Young Master..." "So, you found out?" Shen Xinglei lowered his voice with a mocking tone. "If I hadn’t caught onto your secret tracking, I wouldn’t have been able to cover my tracks concerning Miaoniang and Fang Ge’er in time. Xue Qingqing, do you really think you’re clever?" Xue Qingqing stared at him in disbelief. Her parents had just boarded the carriage, and this man immediately dropped his pretenses! Her breathing quickened: "You truly—" "Yes, exactly," Shen Xinglei smiled as he spread his hands. "Not only do I keep a mistress, I also have an illegitimate son. But what of it? No one will believe a word of it. Look around—your own parents don’t believe you either." Xue Qingqing bit her lip, trembling all over, so furious that she couldn’t find the words to respond. She then looked at Shen Xinghan. As Shen Xinglei’s elder brother and a rising star in the Hanlin Academy, his face betrayed no trace of emotion. Clearly, he had known all along about his younger brother’s deeds! This family... The Shen Guogong Mansion’s family was utterly rotten! Shen Xinglei leaned closer to her: "Since you already know, I might as well tell you—I not only have an illegitimate child but also intend to ensure you become infertile in the future so that Miaoniang can raise Fang Ge’er until he matures into a man of honor." Towering and robust with dark skin, he looked to her like an iron fortress standing before her. Xue Qingqing did not feel fear—only seething anger. She raised her hand to slap Shen Xinglei, but he grabbed her wrist with ease and pushed her away. Shen Xinglei sneered, "Our marriage is already set in stone. Don’t think that just because you’re a lady from a noble family, I won’t dare to lay a hand on you. And don’t throw your spoiled temper in front of me—if you dare provoke me or Miaoniang in the future, you’ll have a taste of my wrath!" "That’s enough—don’t overdo it," Shen Xinghan remarked indifferently. "Minister Xue has gone ahead to the restaurant. Let’s head there as well." Due to the distance, Xue Mianmian couldn’t hear what they were saying. She only knew that her younger sister must have suffered a great injustice; otherwise, with her timid and meek nature, how could she have raised her hand to strike someone! Her eyes reddened with heartache: "Zhaozhao, what do we do next?"

Chapter 97 - 96: Why Should I Apologize When I’ve Done Nothing Wrong?

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