Chapter 29: Trespassing on Private Property

Shen Chutang pondered for a moment. “Wasn’t it because staying on the mountain was too stifling?”

“It was because of your martial aunt. Back then, she too was afflicted by the Demon Miasma. Your martial uncle went through untold hardships to gather the herbs for the Marrow Cleansing Pill, but your martial aunt couldn’t survive the pain of the cleansing, which was like being flayed alive. She passed away. Your martial uncle was left utterly disheartened, so he descended the mountain.

I suppose he doesn’t want you to seek those herbs because he fears the greater your hope, the deeper your disappointment will be.”

Shen Chutang was stunned. “How did my martial aunt become poisoned by the Demon Miasma?”

Her master shook his head. “We don’t know.”

At this, Shen Chutang’s spirits lifted. “That poison is rare. If I can find out how she was poisoned, maybe I can uncover what really happened to martial aunt back then!”

Her master’s expression grew stern. “No! It’s too dangerous!”

“My senior brothers are helping me; I won’t be in any danger, Master~”

“I said, no.”

“Master~”

Since childhood, Shen Chutang had always been fond of acting spoiled. She rarely called him ‘Master’ properly, always lengthening it to ‘Master~’, and whenever his little disciple acted this way, his heart would inevitably soften.

“Be careful in all things. Don’t force yourself.”

Shen Chutang grinned. “Got it.”

After hanging up, Shen Chutang decided it was time to find an opportunity to take Lu Yuebai’s pulse.

...

“I’ve found out,” someone reported, “that wretched girl Shen Chutang not only found jobs for Wang Shaofen and her son, but she herself is actually living in the Xishan Villas area!”

Liu Shuhua’s face was full of disbelief. “Where did she get the money to live there? You know, rental apartments in that area go for tens of thousands a month!”

Shen Tingting’s face twisted with malice. “It must be the Shi family who arranged it for her! She saved Shi Hanhang—how could she not get something in return? I bet she’s known all along the Shi family made a mistake, so she’s been dodging us to keep all the Shi family’s favors for herself, and then publicly humiliated us at the banquet!”

Liu Shuhua considered this and realized it made sense. If not for the Shi family’s support, how could that wretched woman Shen Chutang possibly afford such a luxurious place?

Suddenly, Shen Tingting remembered, “Mom, isn’t Aunt living there too?”

Their aunt’s name was Shen Meili. She had remarried to a wealthy old man and now lived in the Xishan Villas, not long ago even bragging about her new home to the family.

Liu Shuhua nodded. “That’s right, she does.”

Shen Tingting immediately decided to go to the Xishan Villas and found Shen Meili. “Auntie!”

Seeing the two of them holding premium bird’s nests, Shen Meili’s plump face broke into a smile. “You didn’t need to bring gifts just to visit.”

Despite saying so, she quickly took the bird’s nest from their hands.

Shen Tingting smiled. “Auntie, we missed you and especially came by to see you.”

Then Shen Tingting deliberately brought up Shen Chutang’s place. “Auntie, have you noticed anyone going in or out of that house?”

“I think that place is unoccupied. The previous owner emigrated, and that house was vacant and up for sale not long ago.”

When Shen Tingting heard this, she was overjoyed. “Mom, that woman must have noticed the villa was empty and simply moved in without permission!”

Liu Shuhua immediately nodded. “That makes sense.”

Shen Meili, who had only achieved her current comfortable life through her brother’s help, had since reached new heights after remarrying a richer man.

“That wretched girl dared to treat you like this? Come, I’ll take you there!”

Shen Meili led Shen Tingting and Liu Shuhua to the villa where Shen Chutang was staying.

Standing before the grand house, Shen Tingting was wide-eyed with envy. She’d assumed Shen Chutang, cut off from the family, could only afford a shabby hostel or a cheap rental, yet here she was living in a place like this!

She pressed the doorbell. After a while, the door opened.

When Shen Chutang saw the three women at her door, she spoke coolly, “What do you want?”

Shen Tingting raised her voice. “Shen Chutang, you moved into someone else’s house without permission. Are you enjoying yourself?”

Shen Chutang guessed they’d investigated her, which was how they’d found her so precisely.

“Well, it’s a bit more enjoyable than your place.”

Furious, Shen Tingting shoved past her into the house. Looking at the lavish furnishings, she couldn’t help but seethe—her own family couldn’t afford such standards! Yet this woman was living in such comfort!

Shen Chutang’s voice was icy. “You’re trespassing. Get out.”

“Ha! Trespassing? You know the owner emigrated and sneaked in to live here, thinking you could fool everyone? Only the wealthy can afford to live here. How could a girl like you possibly live in such a high-end place?”

Shen Chutang looked at the plump woman. “And who are you?”

Shen Meili raised her hand to strike her. “Mind your manners, I’m your aunt!”