The atmosphere at the Tao family home was so joyful that Shen Xihe felt completely at ease. Before arriving, she had worried that Tao Zhuanxian and Tao Yuan might show displeasure toward Shen Yueshan, but upon seeing them bicker intensely, she realized the more they quarreled, the more it proved they held no grudges in their hearts.
"Did I hear that the County Lord of Huaiyang went to see you?" Tao Zhuanxian asked casually after the evening meal.
Huaiyang was Shen Yingluo's title, granted according to the ranking of a princess, demonstrating the emperor's favor.
Shen Xihe's brow twitched, and she quickly interjected, "Grandfather, it was Youyou who allowed her to enter."
Tao Zhuanxian subtly signaled to Shen Xihe with his eyes, while Shen Yueshan grinned at his daughter's defense. "We did meet once. That child—I hadn't seen her since her birth until now. I never expected she'd grown so big."
Tao Zhuanxian and Tao Yuan watched Shen Yueshan closely, not missing a single reaction. Seeing him speak of Shen Yingluo with natural ease, more like an ordinary elder expressing emotion, they felt relieved.
Tao Zhuanxian's expression softened considerably. "You've always been principled in your actions, and I, as an old man, am Youyou's maternal grandfather. This is your family matter, and I ought to avoid involvement. However, there are some words I must say upfront."
"Please speak, Father-in-law," Shen Yueshan replied, setting aside his playful demeanor and adopting a solemn expression.
"That child, from what I've observed dispassionately, doesn't seem ill-natured. Over the years in the capital, I've seen her a few times, and she has always treated us with respect as elders. You must not be harsh with her," Tao Zhuanxian said earnestly. "However, her status remains awkward. Youyou is tolerant by nature. It's because she doesn't want you to be the villain that she endures her presence everywhere.
Many noble families struggle with conflicts between legitimate and illegitimate children, let alone the life that stands between her and Youyou. If not for Youyou's own capabilities, there might be two lives at stake now. The fact that Youyou treats her this way is already out of consideration for you as her father, not wishing to put you in a difficult position."
At this point, Tao Zhuanxian looked directly at Shen Yueshan, who nodded in agreement. "Youyou's magnanimity and reasonableness are blessings I cultivated in my previous life."
"Youyou understands you as a father, and I hope you will understand her as a daughter," Tao Zhuanxian said tactfully. "On another note, I haven't detected any faults in the County Lord of Huaiyang, but she is, after all, His Majesty's niece. The Kang Prince's household is gone. Do not forget how His Majesty used Xiao Shi back then to bring about the County Lord of Huaiyang.
All these years, His Majesty has shown far more affection toward the County Lord of Huaiyang than you, her father. If His Majesty could use Xiao Shi back then, he might not hesitate to use the County Lord of Huaiyang in the future."
Pausing briefly, Tao Zhuanxian emphasized, "The matter of Ao Yin—we never expected His Majesty to disregard dignity so thoroughly, having Xiao Shi tamper with the imperial-bestowed antidote. You fell for the scheme, and our Tao family could hardly blame you. Nor did we anticipate their two-pronged approach: harming you in secret while planting agents near Ao Yin to wait for an opportunity. Ao Yin's death can only be accepted as our defeat in the game between ruler and subject.
But such a thing happening once is understandable. If you fall for the same trick twice and it involves Youyou and Buwei, the Tao and Shen families will no longer be in-laws but enemies."
Regarding the matter of Tao Shi, the Tao family grieved deeply, but in truth, Tao Shi could have been saved back then—she chose death herself.
Even if rescued, she would have lived at most two or three more years, bedridden and ill. In that case, not only would Xiao Shi have entered the household, but her husband's predicament would have remained unresolved, and their children would likely have ended up in the capital as hostages to pledge loyalty—a tragic fate.She chose to spend two or three years secretly dealing a blow to Xiao Shi, turning the spy sent by Xiao Shi—who merely intended to induce her premature labor—into someone who endangered her life. This became a powerful strike ensuring Xiao Shi’s inevitable status as a concubine, alleviating her husband’s crisis and paving a smoother path for her children.
After Tao Shi’s death, her personal maid brought her suicide note to the capital, and only then did the Tao family cease to hold her death against them.
The Emperor’s wariness of Shen Yueshan grew increasingly heavy. Just as he had used Xiao Shi back then, he would surely use Shen Yingluo now.
"Father-in-law, rest assured, Chong’a understands all this clearly." Shen Yueshan might appear rough on the surface, but without strategic thinking in his heart, he could never have become a thorn in the side of the Youning Emperor. "Chong’a and that girl were never destined to have a father-daughter bond in this lifetime. For me, for the Shen family, for Youyou and Buwei, and even for her, this is the best outcome."
Shen Yingluo could not bear Shen Yueshan’s concern. She was Shen Yueshan’s daughter, but also the niece of the Youning Emperor.
If Shen Yueshan showed her even the slightest leniency, she would be targeted by the Emperor and dragged into this game of no retreat. Whether she was used by the Youning Emperor to harm Shen Yueshan or Shen Yueshan used her to secretly harm the Emperor, if she had a conscience, she would be tormented by guilt.
Indifference toward her was the greatest protection she could receive.
Shen Xihe had never considered this before.
"Youyou, are you angry with Father?" On the way home, Shen Xihe remained silent, making Shen Yueshan uneasy.
Shen Xihe glanced at her father somewhat inexplicably. "Youyou is only reflecting on how her considerations were not thorough enough."
Shen Yueshan carefully studied her expression and, confirming she wasn’t hiding her feelings, breathed a sigh of relief. "It’s not that Youyou’s considerations were lacking—it’s that my Youyou is kind-hearted and cares deeply for her father. Youyou’s kindness makes her empathize with her as my flesh and blood; Youyou’s concern for me makes her first priority to avoid putting me in a difficult position."
After a moment of silence, Shen Yueshan cautiously added, "Father… has only done this much for her."
"Why didn’t Father tell her?" Shen Xihe asked.
"Silly Youyou." Shen Yueshan sighed softly, looking at his daughter with worry and affection. "You grew up by your father’s and your brother’s side. Whatever you wanted, your father and brother could provide for you. You’ve never experienced the pain of unfulfilled desires, which is why you’ve developed such a generous and open-hearted nature."
"Because of this, you don’t understand how insatiable human greed can be. If I give her no hope, she will harbor no expectations. Once she gives up, she can move on. But if I show her even the slightest concern—even if, to me, it’s merely a father’s duty—to her, it would be hope."
"She would never be able to let go, and her demands would grow increasingly. Once they exceed what I can give her, she would become disappointed, resentful, and bitter, believing that my refusal to fulfill her wishes was due to other reasons."
"For instance, because of you."
Human desires are boundless. Among thousands of people, there might be one who understands contentment, but Shen Yueshan had no intention of gambling on Shen Yingluo being such a virtuous person. His feelings for Shen Yingluo wouldn’t grant him that opportunity to take such a risk.
Rather than becoming enemies in the future, it was better to maintain peace from the start.
"Father, you also don’t want me and her to be at odds, do you?" Shen Xihe suddenly understood that Shen Yueshan’s attitude toward Shen Yingluo might also stem from a desire to prevent them from becoming irreconcilable.For Shen Xihe, being able to understand Shen Yingluo's innocence and not transferring his anger to her was already the limit. If Shen Yueshan hadn't explicitly told him and his sister since childhood that Shen Yingluo was someone who should not have existed, Shen Xihe and Shen Yungan would likely have been unable to ignore her.
OpenNovel