Chapter 51: Truly Pitiful

Impossible!

How could this be?

Ten years ago, Shen Zhaoxi had been nothing more than a sheltered young lady, ignorant of the world. The Shen family cherished her as if she were a rare treasure, and she never had a care in the world. She was always cheerful, unable even to bring herself to harm an ant. Back then, she had secretly mocked Shen Zhaoxi for her innocence and naivety, thinking her kindness was pitiful and insignificant.

But now, why did she glimpse a chilling sharpness in Shen Zhaoxi’s eyes?

That look seemed to pierce straight through to one’s soul—a gaze that left her helpless and afraid, as if all her secrets had been laid bare.

She shouldn’t have eyes like that.

As Shen Xin found herself rattled, staring at Shen Zhaoxi’s serene and indifferent face, a sense of confusion washed over her.

The girl seated in the wheelchair, dressed in an ink-black gown, her sleek black hair cascading down, exuded an air of cold detachment. Her gaze was calm, devoid of all the innocence of the Shen family’s little princess who used to run to her brother with every minor trouble.

When had everything changed?

Only now did Shen Xin realize that something was terribly wrong.

Reading the expression on Shen Xin’s face, Shen Zhaoxi smiled in satisfaction.

“Shen Xin, there's really no need for you to put on this fake act in front of me,” she said. “We’ve already torn off our masks—there’s no point pretending any longer.”

“You…” Shen Xin’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Perhaps Shen Xin still believed that within the Shen household, Shen Zhaoxi would never dare to do anything to her. She also thought the incident at the lakeside pavilion and on the cliff would never be exposed, since Shen Zhaoxi had no proof.

But unfortunately, Shen Zhaoxi no longer cared to keep up even the appearance of kinship.

“Did you bring it?” Shen Zhaoxi suddenly turned her head to the maid approaching her—Xiaoxiao, who always accompanied her.

“Yes, Miss. I have it,” Xiaoxiao replied, holding a vintage wooden box engraved with dark patterns, and presenting it to Shen Zhaoxi.

Shen Xin’s eyes flickered.

Wasn’t that the gift she’d planned to give her grandfather for his birthday tomorrow? The antique she’d spent a hundred million yuan to acquire at the Imperial Club banquet a few days ago?

“That’s mine!” Shen Xin suddenly lunged forward, only to be blocked by Shen Zhaoxi’s maid.

“What exactly do you want, Zhaoxi?” Shen Xin demanded.

Even now, she couldn’t bring herself to utter Shen Zhaoxi’s full name. Was it really so difficult to say those two syllables?

“Zhaoxi…” The girl’s voice was weak and low, utterly devoid of warmth, repeating the name that had just come from Shen Xin’s lips.

“How affectionate it sounds.”

“Shen Xin, don’t you find yourself pathetic?” Shen Zhaoxi continued. “The Shen family adopted you, and you repay them with betrayal. Ten years ago, Grandfather sent you abroad, yet now you come rushing back with gifts to curry favor. Tell me, isn’t that despicable?”

Upon hearing this, Si Si almost rushed forward in outrage, but the maid beside her held her back, shaking her head.

The affairs of the Shen family were not for Miss Si Si to interfere in. Moreover, judging by the demeanor of the eldest miss, she clearly had no intention of reconciling with Miss Shen Xin.

Within the Shen family, if anyone held the highest position, it was the eldest miss. Even the young masters treated her with extreme care. If she truly wished to make things difficult for someone, none of them could stand in her way.

“But…” Si Si fretted. She knew she shouldn’t get involved, but nobody really knew the full truth of the matter. If Shen Zhaoxi was wrong about Shen Xin, wouldn’t she, too, become just another bystander?

It was widely rumored in the capital that the Shen family’s eldest miss had been frail since birth—a premature baby kept in an incubator for a month before being allowed home. Because of her delicate health, the entire Shen family pampered and protected her as she grew up beneath the wings of her grandfather, parents, and brothers.

Her health was fine—until that incident ten years ago.

When Shen Zhaoxi was brought back by the eldest young master, she was wrapped in a trench coat, cradled in his arms, filthy and covered in blood. She was sick for three straight months, burning with fever, her condition deteriorating so rapidly that Old Master Shen and the young masters feared she wouldn’t survive.

But she did.

After that, the little princess of the Shen family disappeared from public view. People said she was perpetually ill and kept at home, away from outsiders. As for what really happened, only the Shen family knew. Everything else was just rumor.

No one truly knew what sort of person Shen Zhaoxi had become.

“What is it you want to say?” Shen Xin asked, outwardly making an effort to remain composed, but inside her sleeve, her fingers clenched so tightly that her nails almost drew blood.

With so many people watching in Birch Garden, she couldn’t afford to betray herself.

How pitiful.

Shen Zhaoxi cast her a cool glance. This was the same girl who had dared to attack her on the way back from Sanqing Peak, yet here in Birch Garden, she didn’t even dare to raise her voice. But of course, Shen Xin needed to maintain her gentle and kind persona. If the Shen family ever found out what she was really like, things would take a turn for the worse.

At that moment, Xiaoxiao opened the wooden box and presented it before Shen Zhaoxi.

“Miss,” she said respectfully.

Shen Xin’s brow furrowed.

“This gift must be worth a great deal, yes?” Shen Zhaoxi finally let her gaze fall on the box’s contents.

“What are you trying to do?” Shen Xin demanded. “That’s mine—” She tried to rush forward and snatch the item from Shen Zhaoxi’s hand. It was what she meant to present to her grandfather for his birthday.

“Give it back to me!”

Xiaoxiao blocked her path.

No matter how desperately Shen Xin tried, Shen Zhaoxi would never let her succeed.

“Shen Xin.”

Shen Zhaoxi spoke slowly, her face pallid and sickly in the sunlight, her voice cold and mocking.

“The thing you treasure so dearly may be utterly worthless in my eyes.”

She was referring to the half-scroll from the Western Zhou that Shen Xin had acquired—a forgery, worth nothing at all.

But in Shen Xin’s ears, the words sounded like pure mockery.

In the next instant, a spark flared at the girl’s fingertips.

Before Shen Xin could even react, the half-yellowed scroll turned to ash in Shen Zhaoxi’s hand and was cast away.

“You—!”

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Author’s note:

Some readers have asked why the heroine, so powerful, hasn’t yet dealt with Shen Xin. Of course she could—she could end it all in a single move. But she’s just returned, and she’s still in the Shen family. The true identity of the top brass in the First Military District is strictly confidential. You can’t expect her to announce, “I’m the commander of the military district, dare to provoke me and see what happens!” My dears, military credentials aren't something to be used so casually.