477 Kicked Out
Shen Yuansong pondered for a moment with furrowed brows and said, “Indeed, the safety of the Shen family is very precarious at the moment.”
Hearing this, Shen Zhong and Shen Chong both brightened up and nodded eagerly.
Shen Cong then chimed in, “Yes, that’s right. Who knows when the Queen will barge in with her men again? We were all frightened out of our wits yesterday. If we don’t do something, our family will become completely vulnerable. Granduncle, please trust me and let me handle our family’s security. I guarantee that I can keep our home safe!”
Shen Yuansong looked at him and replied, “I understand your intentions. However, the Valor Gate has never gotten involved in the affairs of the four great families, so it may be difficult to ask for their assistance.”
Shen Zhong immediately responded, “It may be difficult for others, but Cong’er is acquainted with some of the members of the Valor Gate who are currently in charge. It shouldn’t be a problem to ask a few of them for help, right Cong’er?”
At this moment, Shen Cong’s eyes lit up even brighter. “Yes, that’s right. I think it should be no problem to invite four or five people. However, Grandfather, you need to give me the authority to handle the security of our manor. Otherwise, it would be seen as disrespectful if I invite members of Valor Gate to help and they have to listen to someone else’s orders.”
Shen Yuansong sighed. “But four or five people are too few. How can they protect such a large family like ours?”
Shen Cong was confused by his grandfather’s words and was still thinking about it when Shen Yuansong continued, “In fact, we split into different branches long ago. Now that the main branch is suffering a catastrophe, I cannot drag down the second branch as well. How about this? The second branch can move out today. Cong’er knows some disciples from Valor Gate who can protect a few people of the second branch. They should have enough capability in this regard.”
Shen Zhong and Shen Chong were thunderstruck by these words.
What did Shen Yuansong mean by asking the second branch to leave?
If they left, they would never have another chance to compete for inheritance rights!
Shen Zhong was about to protest, but Shen Yuansong had already turned to the butler and said, “Actually, our family has been divided into different branches in my generation. I remember the second branch’s residence is in the south. Can it be inhabited?”
The butler replied immediately, “Yes, it can. It is cleaned every day.”
Shen Yuansong nodded and said without further discussion, “Alright, then find a few people to escort the second branch there.”
Shen Zhong cried out in desperation, “Uncle! We don’t have any grievances against the main branch. We really don’t. The Shen family is in trouble now, and we can’t just abandon it!”
Shen Chong also hastily exclaimed, “Uncle, is there anything we did wrong? The three branches used to live together happily. It was so lively!”
Shen Cong shouted even louder, “Grandfather, are you trying to kick us out of the family?”
Shen Yuansong looked at the three of them indifferently and said, “Why are you guys freaking out? I just think you were right earlier. Our home’s security is not strong enough. If someone breaks in one day and scares you all, how can I explain to our ancestors? So, you should move out first. When things calm down, you can come back if you want to.”
Could they come back safely after leaving? It was impossible!
Shen Zhong and Shen Chong wanted to say something, but Shen Yuansong had already turned to Shen Ruojing and asked, “Jingjing, can you trust these people?”
Shen Ruojing looked at her grandfather; she was very satisfied.
When a tree grew too large, some of its problematic wilted leaves had to be shaken off.
Now that external enemies were surrounding them, the troublemakers from the second branch of the Shen family might become internal troubles as well. Only by decisively driving them away could the entire Shen family unite and fight against their enemy.
She nodded to Shen Yuansong and said, “With them here, we won’t have a repeat of last night’s situation!”
Shen Yuansong nodded and said, “Then I’ll leave the home security to you from now on.”
“Okay.”
The two of them quickly settled the transfer of power with a few words, making Shen Zhong and Shen Chong jealous!
For so many years, they had worked hard to show their worth, but the old man only let them do some work in the company. The family’s power had never been handed over to them!
And now, it was given so easily to Shen Ruojing, a girl?!
They were furious. They wanted to say something, but a single glance from Shen Yuansong made them shut up.
The old man’s authority was very immense, making them afraid to speak.
Shen Zhong and Shen Chong looked at each other and knew that if they didn’t leave now, they might be kicked out. If that happened, they would lose face and might not even be able to take anything with them.
Hence, they lowered their heads with resentment and said, “Fine, we’ll leave!”
When the three of them left to pack their things, Shen Jiayi still stood there, feeling dazed and motionless. She seemed to not understand what had just happened.
On the other hand, Shen Tingyan looked at Shen Yuansong nervously and asked, “Grandpa, what about the third branch?”
As soon as she spoke, Shen Yuansong sighed and said, “What third branch? I’ve already said it. You are my granddaughter, Shen Yuansong’s own flesh and blood. From now on, just live here peacefully.”
Shen Jiayi widened her eyes.
She finally realized what had just happened…
Before this, Shen Yuansong didn’t have any children, so he treated the children from the second and third branches as his own, even publicly stating that these granddaughters were all his biological granddaughters.
That was why the eldest granddaughter, Shen Wanying, who was actually from the second house, was able to marry the eldest grandson of the Bai family.
And Shen Tingyan, who was from the third house, was also able to marry the eldest grandson of the Xu family as the legitimate granddaughter.
The other sisters were also married as legitimate granddaughters of the Shen family, and their husbands were all from good families.
However, Shen Jiayi had not been married off yet.
If the second branch was to be separated like this, she would just be the daughter of the second branch of the Shen family and no longer be considered a legitimate granddaughter of the Shen family.
Hence, Shen Jiayi panicked. She looked toward Shen Yuansong with red eyes and said, “Grandpa, I…”
But Shen Yuansong was already fed up with this grandniece who always acted like a princess and kept looking down on this and that.
He couldn’t be bothered to talk to her and simply said, “Tingyan, you can take your sister away.”
Shen Jiayi wanted to say something, but her arm was pulled by Shen Tingyan, who then dragged her out of the room.
Once they were out of the living room, Shen Jiayi pushed Shen Tingyan away and glared at her angrily. “What are you doing?”
Shen Tingyan sighed. “Jiayi, we’re sisters. I advise you not to cause a scene.”
But Shen Jiayi was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. Her entire body was bristling.
“Shen Tingyan, what gives you the right to lecture me? Do you think you’re more noble than me? You’re not! The Xu family has long since looked down on you. It’s been three years since you married into their family, but you can’t even have a child because of the cold you caught when you fell into the water as a child. Just you wait, if the Shen family falls, the first thing the Xu family will do is divorce you!”
This statement made Shen Tingyan’s face turn pale.
She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out.
...
Shen Jiayi stared at her. “Wait a minute, it’s not a festival or anything, so why are you back here?”
After that, she suddenly realized something and laughed. “I know, did the Xu family send you back? I heard a little rumor, your days haven’t been good, right? You see, that is why Shen Ruojing is a disaster! Since she returned to the family, how many problems have there been?”
Shen Tingyan immediately responded, “It’s because of my health problems. It has nothing to do with Ruojing…”
Shen Jiayi sneered and felt like she had finally gained the upper hand. She then left with big strides.
Shen Tingyan stood still for a while. She had been married to Xu Zhaosan for three years but still had no children.
They tried hard every night but couldn’t conceive. They had also gone to see doctors, but they couldn’t find any problems.
Hence, Shen Tingyan’s mother-in-law blamed her, saying that it was because she had fallen into cold water when she was a child and that the cold qi had damaged her womb.
If it wasn’t for Shen’s family background, her mother-in-law would have kicked her out long ago.
Last night, the queen broke into the Shen family and wanted to take away two-thirds of their wealth.
When Shen Tingyan’s mother-in-law heard about it, she immediately sent Shen Tingyan back home and told her to stay for a few more days.
In fact, she just wanted to get rid of her.
...
Shen Tingyan then lowered her eyes and composed herself before returning to the living room to report to Shen Yuansong.
She then apologized to Shen Ruojing. “Ruojing, I wasn’t feeling well on the day of your recognition banquet. I’m sorry.”
Actually, it was her mother-in-law who didn’t allow her to come.
She thought that with the appearance of a real legitimate granddaughter in the Shen family, Shen Tingyan, who was a fake granddaughter, would become a joke.
Shen Ruojing waved his hand and said, “It’s okay.”
Shen Tingyan then turned to Shen Yuansong and said, “Grandpa, me and my mother still have some personal belongings. If there’s any financial problem in the family, please feel free to ask us for help.”
Shen Yuansong replied, “How could I ask such things from you guys?”
Shen Tingyan said sincerely, “Grandpa, you took care of us after Dad passed away. We know that those things were given to us by you, and we are also part of this family.”
Shen Yuansong smiled and said, “It’s not that bad yet, don’t worry.”
A moment later, Shen Yuansong suddenly asked, “Why did you come back home so suddenly this time?”