Madam Xu’s mouth hung agape, stunned by Shen Xiaoyan’s words. It took her a while to find her voice. "How could you… how could you speak like that? I am your father's wife."
"I haven't finished speaking," Shen Xiaoyan said, turning to look directly into Shen Cheng’s eyes. She continued, "And you, from the moment I woke up after my suicide attempt, I am no longer your daughter. I have repaid the life you gave me, and so has Xiaoming. From now on, don't presume to be my father. You've done things you wouldn't dare speak of repeatedly in public, have you? We agreed on a filial piety allowance of two taels of silver a year. If you still want it, I’ll continue to provide it. But if your family dares to cause trouble again, you won't even get that."
Shen Cheng’s face went from red to white, then from green to purple with each word Shen Xiaoyan spoke. Finally, he exploded, his words sounding more like a roar, "You unfilial daughter!"
"Father's lack of benevolence, daughter's lack of filial piety," Shen Xiaoyan stated calmly.
A silence fell over the room with Shen Xiaoyan’s words. Even Shen Cheng, who had been roaring moments before, didn't know what to say.
"Alright, Xiaoming, let's go. From now on, this has nothing to do with us," Shen Xiaoyan said, pulling Shen Xiaoming towards the exit.
"Xiaoyan."
At that moment, Shen Xiaoyan heard someone call her name. Judging by the voice, it must have been Shen Fazhu.
Shen Xiaoyan stopped and turned around, indeed seeing Shen Fazhu looking at her with a complex expression. "Is something the matter?"
Shen Fazhu stared at Shen Xiaoyan for a long time, but in the end, he said nothing, allowing Shen Xiaoyan and the other two to leave.
After Shen Xiaoyan, Shen Xiaoming, and Zheng Wei departed, the room fell silent once more.
Shen Cheng was full of disbelief. Madam Xu harbored hatred. Shen Shi remained indifferent. Shen Fazhu looked resigned.
Finally, after a long pause, Shen Fazhu spoke, "From now on, you all be good. Don't go looking for her again."
Shen Cheng nodded mechanically. Madam Xu was unwilling but dared not say anything.
Although Shen Fazhu was old and did not live with them, his words still carried significant weight.
Madam Zhang sat expressionless throughout, as if the events in the room had nothing to do with her. At this moment, her mind was likely wandering somewhere far away.
Meanwhile, after Shen Xiaoyan and the other two left the Shen family compound, they stood outside the gate and looked back. They finally sighed and headed towards Madam Pan's home.
They exchanged a few words with Madam Pan at her house but didn't mention what had just transpired. Those who needed to know would eventually find out, so there was no need to elaborate.
By the time the three of them left Madam Pan's home, the sun was already setting.
They walked slowly towards the outskirts of the village, side by side, without speaking.
Back home, sitting on their kang bed, Shen Xiaoyan felt a sense of release. Finally, she was completely free from that family.
Shen Xiaoming lowered his head and remained silent for a while before finally looking up at Shen Xiaoyan. "Eldest Sister, if they spread this around, what will happen?"
Shen Xiaoyan knew what Shen Xiaoming was worried about. After all, those who abandoned their parents, those who disregarded family ties and blood, were always the subject of public scrutiny here.
"It's fine. They were in the wrong from the start," Shen Xiaoyan said, patting Shen Xiaoming's head.
She had thought Shen Xiaoming might be reluctant, as that was his father, after all. But to her surprise, Shen Xiaoming was only concerned about this matter.
This fact brought Shen Xiaoyan a sense of comfort. Shen Xiaoming was worried about her and cared for her. With such a younger brother, she felt very fortunate.
Because Shen Xiaoming was in low spirits, Shen Xiaoyan prepared a simple dinner. After they ate, they retired to their respective rooms early.
That evening, Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei sat facing each other on the kang bed. Shen Xiaoyan kept looking at Zheng Wei, appearing as though she had something to say but hesitated.
Seeing her want to speak but holding back, Zheng Wei found it amusing.
Suppressing his laughter, Zheng Wei asked, "Mimi, whatever you want to ask, just ask. Why the long face?"
"You… don't you think what I did today was wrong?" Shen Xiaoyan bit her lip and finally asked.
Zheng Wei looked earnestly into Shen Xiaoyan's eyes, seeing the worry there. Finally, he smiled softly. "Why would it be wrong? Why should you bother with people who treat you badly? In fact, I've wanted to tell you for a long time to stop paying attention to them."
Zheng Wei's answer greatly surprised Shen Xiaoyan.
She knew Zheng Wei was a man of his time. Even if not all ancient people were blindly filial, they still valued filial piety, even if only superficially. Yet, Zheng Wei seemed unwilling to even go through the motions.
"Surprised?" Zheng Wei raised an eyebrow, looking at Shen Xiaoyan.
"Yes, a little," Shen Xiaoyan nodded and then added, "But I like it."
After speaking, Shen Xiaoyan leaned forward and kissed Zheng Wei on the cheek.
Indeed, a few days later, Shen Xiaoyan learned from Madam Pan, who often visited, that everyone in the village knew about what she had said that day. Opinions were divided, and people were saying all sorts of things.
Shen Xiaoyan just smiled upon hearing this. She couldn't be bothered by what others said.
However, she hadn't seen Xu Xiao’e when she visited last time.
Since she thought of it, Shen Xiaoyan asked Madam Pan. Madam Pan replied that Xu Xiao’e had been staying in her room all day since that incident, basically not coming out.
Shen Xiaoyan understood. She was too ashamed to show her face.
This was for the best. She had no desire to see Xu Xiao’e’s face, especially since she had coveted her man.
A few more days passed, and it was truly the depth of winter. It snowed again, not heavily, but the snow cover remained, and the weather was extremely cold.
Shen Xiaoyan basically stayed indoors these days, diligently tending to her vegetable sprouts and playing with her small pets.
Perhaps due to the good environment and temperature inside the house, Shen Xiaoyan's vegetable sprouts grew very well and were already edible.
Zheng Wei was going to town today to pick up some finished cabinets. He also planned to see Lu Taobao and informed him that the greens were ready. Upon hearing this, Lu Taobao immediately became excited. He got into his cart and returned with Zheng Wei.
Shen Xiaoyan saw Lu Taobao enter with Zheng Wei and smiled as she greeted him, "You're here. Just in time for a treat. I'll treat you to hot pot for lunch."
Lu Taobao walked forward with a smile. "Great! I haven't had greens in so long, I truly miss them."
As he spoke, Lu Taobao plucked a spinach leaf and played with it in his hand.
Shen Xiaoyan reached out and snatched the leaf away. She said to Lu Taobao, "These vegetables are precious. You can't waste them."
After speaking, Shen Xiaoyan stood up and walked outside. As she passed Zheng Wei, she said, "You two chat first. I'll go prepare."
Zheng Wei nodded. "Alright, I'll help in a moment."