Chapter 20: What’s Yours Is Mine

The room quickly emptied, leaving only the brother and sister behind. There was no time to recount the hardships of the past three years; Shen Ahua pointed toward the distant figure.

"Brother’s taste has gotten worse than ever. What’s this, fallen for the delicate little flower?"

"Enough!" Shen Jin’s hand, hidden in his sleeve, clenched tightly.

Shen Ahua’s eyes reddened. "To humiliate Sister Qing for such a person—it’s you who’s unworthy. From now on, I won’t call her sister-in-law anymore."

"Are you done making a scene, Shen Ahua? Lu Qingqing is married now, she’s Mrs. Xie. Besides, Yueyue has been by my side these three years—she saved my life."

His words only drew a mocking laugh from Shen Ahua.

"Do you even know why Sister Qing married?"

Their eyes met.

A long, heavy silence.

Shen Jin said nothing, and Shen Ahua paused, swallowing all the words she wanted to say.

"I crawled out from piles of corpses just to see her again. And yet, she didn’t even have the courage to face the gossip."

Shen Jin felt his chest constrict. He had believed their feelings for each other would never waver, that he could accept her marrying another, but not so swiftly—not to the point where she bore Xie Zhiyun’s child.

Shen Ahua fell silent.

"I will marry Yueyue. She blocked a sword for me—her grace of saving my life, I can never repay." Shen Jin looked at his sister, who had long since shed her childishness. "Ahua, your brother is back now. From now on, I’ll protect you."

Shen Ahua’s tears finally fell, a single drop sliding down her cheek as she looked at Shen Jin. "There’s no need. I’m fine now."

When she needed protection most, it wasn’t Shen Jin who shielded her, but Lu Qingqing, who stood alone against everything.

"The Shen family massacre—you don’t really believe the Emperor had no part in it, do you? How can you be content with your high position? If Mother and Father knew—"

"I only know that without the Emperor’s protection, I would have died a thousand deaths." Shen Ahua’s expression grew dull. "I’m tired. Let’s catch up another day, Brother."

Her mind in turmoil, Shen Ahua fled the place in haste.

At the door, she brushed past Jiang Jiuyue, and heard the woman’s soft words: "I know you don’t like me, Your Highness, but don’t you want to know the truth behind the Shen family’s destruction?"

Shen Ahua stopped, turning to look at the radiant woman.

Jiang Jiuyue was different; she was confident—even with her frail body, every movement exuded composure and calm.

"You know?"

"I don’t just know. In a few days, when I help Brother Jin get the evidence, I hope Your Highness will be prepared."

Jiang Jiuyue walked to her side.

"Your husband—the Emperor—is far from innocent."

"Then let’s wait for Miss Jiang to bring the evidence. We’ll see for ourselves." Shen Ahua would never bow to such a woman.

At this moment, Jiang Jiuyue was like a venomous snake coiled around Shen Ahua’s heart, ready to strike at any moment.

"Stubborn and blind. I was kind enough to warn you... tsk tsk." Jiang Jiuyue shook her head at the departing figure, thinking Shen Ahua was beyond saving.

She entered the room, seeing the anger still etched on Shen Jin’s face.

"Brother Jin."

"What is it? Ahua has always been like this since childhood, don’t take it to heart." Shen Jin sighed helplessly, trying to comfort Jiang Jiuyue.

"It’s all right. She’s the Imperial Consort—it’s to be expected," Jiang Jiuyue replied softly. "Let’s stay in the palace for a few more days. I know where those correspondence letters are kept—I’ll fetch them for you."

Each step Jiang Jiuyue took seemed to be beyond Shen Jin’s expectations, and he furrowed his brows.

"Yueyue."

"Hmm?"

"There’s no need for you to intervene in so many things. I’ll handle my own affairs." Shen Jin didn’t want Jiang Jiuyue to give so much.

But the woman’s eyes reddened, her voice laced with grievance. "Are you blaming me for meddling? But what’s yours is mine; I’ve always held your concerns close to heart."