Abandoning Wife and Selling Daughter? Turning Around to Marry a Powerful Minister and Wiping Out Your Entire Clan! - Chapter 30

Shen Ting was not feeling well at the moment. Zhou Quan had been upset by something elsewhere, and when she tried to act coquettishly, he ended up having a big fight with her and left the Zhou residence with Liu Feng.

Just as the shopkeeper arrived to report back, she couldn’t run after Zhou Quan to make amends, so the matter was left unsettled.

By the time she finished dealing with miscellaneous affairs, night had fallen, but Zhou Quan still hadn’t returned.

She wanted to send someone to find out where he was, but just then, the curfew drums sounded. The imperial city had strict rules—unless there was a medical emergency or an official was summoned by the emperor, no one could go out after curfew.

Moreover, there were many imperial censors around the Zhou residence. Even though Zhou Quan himself was also a censor, if he were caught wandering outside after curfew, the others would report it to the emperor even faster.

Even though she was anxious, she had no choice but to wait at home.

Just then, Cui Liu entered the room and whispered in her ear.

“What? Someone saw the master secretly meeting that wench yesterday, and he even tried to force himself on her?” Shen Ting’s eyes widened in disbelief.

She knew that Zhang Xiaolan was far more capable than herself, and the skills Zhou Quan admired in her now were learned from Zhang Xiaolan.

Even though she had driven Zhang Xiaolan out of the house after returning to her family, she still felt uneasy.

She had considered eliminating her altogether—once she was dead, Zhou Quan could think whatever he wanted, but it would all be in vain.

However, fighting against the dead was the hardest battle of all. Instead, she had to find another way—to make Zhou Quan cherish her and expose Zhang Xiaolan’s disgraceful side.

Zhou Quan prided himself on being from a noble lineage and despised vulgar behavior.

Back then, she had deliberately exhausted and humiliated a once dignified and elegant noble lady, making her end up brawling like a common shrew in the streets.

That incident had secured her Zhou Quan’s favor and affection.

Now, Zhang Xiaolan had once again caught Zhou Quan’s attention. He was even willing to force himself on her and publicly claim that she was a runaway concubine of the Zhou family.

Shen Ting clenched the handkerchief in her hands, her feet nearly grinding holes into the floor.

Cui Liu had one more piece of news, and it was something that would likely enrage Shen Ting even further.

“The house that the master mentioned before—it was actually meant for his mistress.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Ting exploded with rage.

That house had been purchased before their marriage. At the time, Zhou Quan had told her that a fellow official was in financial trouble, and he was lending money to help him buy a residence as a favor.

Since they were about to get married, she had believed him.

She had believed him!

That bastard had already arranged an escape route for that wench before he even abandoned her!

Shen Ting felt like she had uncovered the truth. Her heart was filled with grief and fury.

“No need to panic, madam. Even if Zhang Xiaolan truly becomes the master’s mistress, we have nothing to fear. Can the main wife really allow an outside concubine to insult her?” Cui Liu gently massaged Shen Ting’s head, comforting her.

“The master is now a Censorate Attendant and values family reputation the most. If he favors a concubine over his wife, madam could report it to the Deputy Censor-in-Chief, and the master would have no choice but to change his ways.”

Back when Zhang Xiaolan lived in the Zhou residence, Cui Liu had only been a third-class maid.

Once Shen Ting married into the Zhou family, all the old servants were naturally dismissed. With her sweet tongue, Cui Liu had quickly become Shen Ting’s favorite and was promoted to a first-class maid.

She had never liked Zhang Xiaolan. Others saw her as kind and fair, but Cui Liu thought she was just pretending.

Thus, she was fully aligned with Shen Ting.

Hearing the words of her trusted maid, Shen Ting felt somewhat comforted.

Yet, she still felt unsettled.

The next morning, she immediately inquired whether the master had returned.

Upon hearing that he hadn’t, Shen Ting was deeply disappointed. She had no appetite despite the lavish breakfast spread before her.

Wanting to cheer her up, Cui Liu teased her about preparing a surprise before slipping away.

Shen Ting wandered aimlessly in the front hall, pacing back and forth. The servants there, afraid of being reprimanded again, all kept their heads down and remained silent.

The entire hall was eerily quiet.

“Madam! Early this morning, someone saw the master and that Zhang woman coming out of that house together. They even took food inside before going back in!”

A loud-voiced maid came rushing in.
Shen Ting lost all ability to think. Her mind was completely consumed by rage and grievance!

“Tell the maids in the courtyard to grab whatever weapons they can find—we’re going over there right now!”

Shen Ting immediately gave the order, and the entire courtyard sprang into action. Within fifteen minutes, she was leading a large crowd toward the house.

They moved swiftly. Since the place wasn’t far, they arrived quickly.

Fueled by fury, Shen Ting ordered the door to be kicked open and stormed inside.

Along the way, they tied up every servant they encountered and took any valuables they saw.

The raid was swift and overwhelming.

Zhou Quan soon found out.

He hurriedly got dressed with the help of his attendants and was shocked to see Shen Ting standing before him.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Zhou Quan deliberately put on a stern face—Shen Ting had always been afraid of this expression. “You should be managing the household properly. Do you really think you can dictate my affairs?!”

“Tie up that wench inside and give her a good beating in the courtyard!”

At this moment, Shen Ting had only one thought—anyone standing between her and Zhou Quan was her enemy. Even if the emperor himself intervened, she would not be stopped from punishing that woman!

Zhou Quan was stunned by Shen Ting’s ruthlessness. In his moment of hesitation, even Liu Feng was captured and thrown aside.

Upon discovering that the mistress wasn’t Zhang Xiaolan, Shen Ting breathed a sigh of relief. But when she saw the woman’s face, a wave of panic surged within her.

The woman was incredibly beautiful and perfectly matched Zhou Quan’s tastes.

Most importantly, she had the same delicate, pitiful demeanor as Shen Ting herself.

Shen Ting couldn’t bear the thought—she had worked tirelessly to make money for Zhou Quan, and now he had found another soft, gentle woman to dote on!

“Ruin her face! Take all her jewelry and send her to the brothel! Since she wants to serve men, she can serve them properly!”

Shen Ting had completely lost her mind. If not for Zhou Quan standing there, she would have skinned the woman herself!

Slap!

Zhou Quan stepped forward and slapped Shen Ting hard.

“Shen Ting! Do you have no regard for me at all?!” Seeing his beauty about to suffer, Zhou Quan was also enraged.

Not because he cared for the woman, but because Shen Ting had completely disregarded his authority!

His words struck Shen Ting like a dagger to the heart. She pulled out her golden hairpin and immediately aimed for Zhou Quan’s chest.

Cui Liu pushed past the stunned crowd and held Shen Ting back, kneeling before Zhou Quan.

“Master, madam only acted out of deep love for you. Please, have mercy on her. You are her only support.”

Hearing this, Shen Ting instantly collapsed, sobbing in Cui Liu’s arms.

Zhou Quan, seeing this scene, softened his stance.

In the end, the couple reconciled and returned home together. However, the mistress was not as lucky—though she wasn’t beaten, she was still sold to a brothel.

Hearing this, Zhang Xiaolan felt a bit disappointed.

“Shen Ting was still too weak—she got slapped and was easily coaxed back.”

She adjusted her clothes and left the neighboring courtyard with the Han brothers.

The servant had seen someone else in disguise that morning.

Though it was a pity that Zhou Quan and Shen Ting hadn’t fought more viciously, she mused,

“A broken mirror can never be truly restored. They’re just pretending not to see the cracks.”

“Boguang, take some money and buy that woman’s freedom,” Zhang Xiaolan instructed Han Boguang. “If she wants to leave, give her the deed.”

“Yes.” Han Boguang turned and left.

Only Han Changshu remained at Zhang Xiaolan’s side.

“I wonder if Manager Hao has good news…” Zhang Xiaolan muttered, quickening her pace.