When Shen Feng realized he was digging himself deeper, he completely gave up struggling. Now that the deed was done, any further explanation would be useless.
Shen Feng deeply regretted his actions at this moment. If he hadn't blurted out two crucial pieces of information, perhaps things could have been glossed over. But now that matters had reached this point, Shen Feng could only leave it to fate, hoping that his senior sister and Chaoyan would be merciful, especially towards Du Xinshi.
However, Chang Jianyi and Chu Chaoyan now felt betrayed. They had initially believed that Du Xinshi was merely staying in Yuzhou temporarily. When Du Xinshi joined the Fengshen Palace, it was because Chang Jianyi wanted to match her brother with Zhang Xixi, and Du Xinshi was just an afterthought. But now, Zhang Xixi was fine, while Du Xinshi was undermining them.
Chang Jianyi and Chu Chaoyan were usually very amiable, always smiling and polite to everyone, which earned them good impressions. But Shen Feng knew very well that these two women, who shared his bed, could be terrifying when angered. And now was the time for Chu Chaoyan and Chang Jianyi to explode.
Chang Jianyi began with sarcastic remarks, but her target wasn't Shen Feng, but Du Xinshi, who was hiding behind him. "Sister Du, I thought you were just a woman struggling to survive with your child in the apocalypse. But it seems that's not the case at all. I never expected your scheming to be so deeply hidden?"
Upon hearing this, Du Xinshi's face turned pale. She felt utterly powerless against Chang Jianyi's verbal assault.
Chang Jianyi continued, "Chaoyan once told me that when you followed Shen Feng to Yuzhou, you set a trap for him, didn't you? Knowing Shen Feng was new to the world, you ensnared him. Then you used Shen Feng to cover up Mu Ying's assassination attempt. You exploited Shen Feng to the fullest and almost ruined his reputation, didn't you? Shen Feng, forgiving your past transgressions, took you in. Little did he know, you would repay his kindness by seducing him."
Du Xinshi's complexion became even paler, her lips trembling. Clearly, this brought back unpleasant memories.
Chu Chaoyan chimed in, "Exactly. You had ill intentions from the moment you set your sights on Shen Feng. You were already married and had a child, yet less than a year after your husband's death, you set your eyes on another excellent man. You acted weak on the outside, but in reality, you were plotting to find an even better man. A woman like you would smile at a greasy, pot-bellied middle-aged man if he had money, because you are inherently promiscuous and available to anyone."
Chu Chaoyan's words were ruthless, directly attacking Du Xinshi's vulnerabilities. Who wouldn't judge you for being married and having a child, only to seek a new lover less than a year after your husband's death, using your body as bait to ensnare men?
"Enough. Don't say such insulting things," Shen Feng finally couldn't bear it. He knew Du Xinshi wasn't that kind of person.
Chang Jianyi looked at Shen Feng mockingly and asked, "What? You can't stand to defend your mistress now? You're no better. I'll scold you later too."
Shen Feng exploded and retorted, "Shut up. You can hit me or scold me, but clean up your mouths. I respect you, which is why I haven't said much. But now, I'm telling you directly: Du Xinshi, I will keep her here, and you will not lay a hand on her!"
If Chang Jianyi and Chu Chaoyan were just verbally abusing him, Shen Feng would have endured it silently. But their words were too much, especially directed at a pregnant woman. Du Xinshi had fainted from anemia earlier, yet she was being targeted like this. Shen Feng knew that if he didn't step forward, he wouldn't be a man.
When Shen Feng stepped forward to defend Du Xinshi, Chang Jianyi and Chu Chaoyan were furious. In their eyes, Shen Feng and Du Xinshi had been involved for a long time. And now, they refused to admit their mistakes and wouldn't even accept being scolded.
Chang Jianyi continued, "I haven't said anything wrong. You two are lovers. One is insatiable, wanting more even with two wives. Do you see us as mere possessions? The other is shameless, seducing a married man. She already has a child, yet she's now fallen for someone else. I wonder what her husband feels in the afterlife!"
Du Xinshi couldn't refute their words, and her emotions became increasingly agitated. When grief reaches its peak, one feels pain in their heart. Du Xinshi clutched her chest and crouched on the ground. However, the pain in her chest was nothing compared to the pain in her heart. Verbal attacks were far more damaging than any weapon.
Seeing Du Xinshi like this, Shen Feng gritted his teeth. He knew this exposure wouldn't end well, but the situation had become irreversible. Shen Feng was furious.
"Sister Du, how are you?" Shen Feng quickly asked about Du Xinshi's condition.
Du Xinshi, tears streaming down her face, replied, "I'm fine. My heart is just a little uncomfortable. Let's leave here first."
Chang Jianyi continued, "Truly deep-scheming. Now her heart is uncomfortable. This tactic of retreating to advance is well-played. I'd like to see if you'll end up dying."
Shen Feng couldn't take it anymore and walked directly in front of Chang Jianyi, questioning, "You keep accusing others of being dirty, but are you so clean yourself?"
"What have I done wrong? Have I ever done anything to betray you?" Chang Jianyi looked at Shen Feng with cold eyes.
Chang Jianyi didn't feel she had ever done anything wrong, especially in her dealings with Shen Feng. Therefore, she saw no reason for Shen Feng to accuse her. Even in an argument, she believed she would come out on top.
Chu Chaoyan, meanwhile, felt the conflict escalating. Shen Feng and Chang Jianyi were both enraged. If the argument continued, it would be impossible to resolve. However, Chu Chaoyan didn't know how to intervene.
Shen Feng then said coldly, "What you did that betrayed me was announcing your remarriage a few months ago. Do you know how it felt when I heard that news? Like I had a hat on my head!"
Upon hearing this, Chang Jianyi defended herself, "Don't you already know? It was because the children and Xiao Jie were kidnapped. I just wanted to save the children, and I was also buying time to find help."
"Is that so? Then have someone investigate how many people in the civilian population are spreading rumors that you did unspeakable things with those people from the Heavenly Dragon Bureau. Some even say that during the week you disappeared in Yuzhou, you were entertaining guests in the Heavenly Dragon Bureau's residence, never leaving from morning to night. They say those twenty-odd Heavenly Dragon Bureau ability users couldn't satisfy you. Do you think you've maintained my reputation well?" Shen Feng began to bring up old grievances.
Hearing these rumors, Chang Jianyi's eyes widened. She hadn't expected the rumors to be so widespread. She had done nothing wrong, yet she was being slandered without cause. "This is all defamation! If you love me, you wouldn't believe these rumors! Besides, I've never heard these rumors. You must be making them up."
Shen Feng continued mercilessly, "I'm talking nonsense? It's because I chose to believe you that I captured those who spread these rumors and sent them to the mines. If I didn't love you, I would have confronted you directly."
Chu Chaoyan, not wanting the situation to spiral out of control, immediately stepped in front of Shen Feng and said, "Afeng, you need to calm down. Quickly take Sister Du to rest. Stop talking. And Sister, you stop arguing too. Let this matter pass."
Chu Chaoyan didn't stop there and continued, "You know the truth of the matter, yet you're still using these rumors to accuse me. This is unreasonable!"
"Unreasonable?" Shen Feng showed no signs of calming down. He sneered, "Then weren't you being unreasonable just now? You've thrown so much mud. You keep saying how much you love me, but now, you can't stand it when I mention some rumors. Have you ever considered that these rumors targeting you will ultimately fall on me? Ever since you announced your remarriage, countless rumors have spread, all about your infidelity. I was missing for half a year, and you announced your remarriage. Doesn't that suggest you are promiscuous and available to anyone? And I, I am the cuckold in those rumors. Hmph, the greatest shame for a man is to hear his wife being described as promiscuous with others."
Cornered by Shen Feng's words, Chang Jianyi's face turned ugly. Before she could speak, tears welled up in her eyes. She was unaware of these rumors Shen Feng spoke of, as they had never reached her ears. But now she realized that in the eyes of some, her reputation was already ruined, all because of her decision a few months ago.
"Shen Feng, I misjudged you!" Chang Jianyi slapped Shen Feng across the face, the sound sharp and clear.
Shen Feng didn't dodge. He regretted speaking so much in his anger. But it was because Chang Jianyi had been so aggressive, constantly spewing insulting words, even using the term "available to anyone" for Du Xinshi. Shen Feng now just wanted Chang Jianyi to know what it felt like to be insulted and slandered.
So, when Chang Jianyi slapped him, Shen Feng didn't dodge, as there was no need. He could withstand this slap.
Chu Chaoyan was stunned by this scene. Had the relationship between the formerly loving couple deteriorated to this point?
"Afeng, hurry and leave with Du Xinshi. I'll handle things here," Chu Chaoyan urged.
At this moment, Chang Jianyi began to weep uncontrollably. Chu Chaoyan had never seen her so heartbroken. Shen Feng's silence was also unusual. Chu Chaoyan didn't want this family to break apart, so she quickly tried to mediate. She didn't want the argument to continue, as more drastic actions might occur.
Shen Feng looked back and suddenly saw Du Xinshi lying on the ground, seemingly having lost consciousness.
Seeing this, Shen Feng quickly checked Du Xinshi's condition. He found her covered in sweat and breathing weakly. Shen Feng was startled and immediately rushed Du Xinshi towards the hospital.
"Chaoyan, I've always been doing things for him, and now he's using these rumors to attack me. He's too much," Chang Jianyi couldn't help but cry into Chu Chaoyan's arms, her tears wetting Chu Chaoyan's clothes. Chu Chaoyan quickly comforted her.
"Sister, it's okay. Shen Feng is just saying things in anger. Once you both calm down, everything will be fine," Chu Chaoyan said.