The Mad Villain Driven to Death - Chapter 10

Before his death in his past life, Shen Zhaoxue’s reputation had long been shredded. He vaguely remembered saying similar things in prison while the jailers, who never failed to obey Wan Shenghan’s orders, tortured him while keeping him just barely alive.

If Wan Shenghan hated him as deeply as he thought, he would surely catch the hidden meaning in his words.

In the past, Shen Zhaoxue had seen too many people at court; no one could hide their emotions perfectly. There would always be a flaw. Relying on his keen intuition for human hearts, he had disposed of many ministers and factions who intended to subvert his nephew’s reign.

Wan Shenghan was currently just an ordinary scholar. If he truly harbored dark intentions, it was unlikely he could hide them from Shen Zhaoxue.

Relaxing his guard slightly, Shen Zhaoxue told himself that while his current temperament differed from his younger self, rebirth was a concept so far-fetched that no one would easily guess the truth.

His ears still throbbed with pain. Shen Zhaoxue tilted his head slightly, his expression grim.

Wan Shenghan did not respond to his previous provocation, merely saying, “Watching the ‘excitement’ is meaningless. Since you know they are here because of you, don’t go looking for trouble in front of them, lest they vent their anger on you.”

“Haven’t you already thrown the blame onto your father?” Shen Zhaoxue sneered. “You’re the one who wanted to send Wan Jingyao to the countryside, and you’re the one who wanted to send me away too. You clearly make the decisions in this house; do you think a forged letter is enough to fool people?”

“It won’t fool you, naturally,” Wan Shenghan replied calmly. “But my uncle and aunt have no real talent. They are narrow-minded and incapable of deep thought. They only see what is right in front of them.”

They only knew Wan Shenghan was the most capable eldest son and sent Wan Jingyao over to curry favor, not realizing that becoming an official didn’t mean his entire extended family could ride his coattails.

The Price of Ambition

Wan Jingyao had humiliated Shen Zhaoxue many times, even making things difficult during family banquets by claiming Shen Zhaoxue wasn’t a Wan descendant and had no right to be there. At the time, Wan Jingyao’s parents were present, and their words eventually forced Shen Zhaoxue to leave the hall in silence.

This had happened in his past life too, but back then, Wan Shenghan had always protected him, arguing fiercely with his parents and relatives until such incidents stopped.

Shen Zhaoxue knew that in this life, Wan Shenghan had not done the same. That was why Wan Jingyao had become so much more arrogant.

Tugging at his sleeves against the stifling heat, Shen Zhaoxue walked toward his own courtyard. Hearing the other man following him, he said, “If you hadn’t tacitly allowed it, how would they have dared to act this way?”

Wan Shenghan’s relatives didn’t understand that they shared the same fate as the main branch. Although Shen Zhaoxue was living under their roof because his own family had declined, he was still a guest. If Wan Jingyao went too far and word got out, the Wan family’s reputation would suffer.

If Wan Shenghan were to become the Top Scholar and someone mentioned this to Emperor Yuanshun, the suspicious Emperor—who valued the moral character of his ministers—might end his career right then and there.

Remembering that this was the reason Wan Jingyao was sent away, Shen Zhaoxue laughed softly. “You see? In your heart, your career is always the most important. If it weren’t for your prospects, you wouldn’t care if I lived or died.”

Wan Shenghan didn’t deny it. “Caring for one’s own interests is only human nature.”

Shen Zhaoxue understood this well. To put his nephew on the throne, he had committed countless atrocities. In the end, it all boiled down to “human nature.” It was just that because he affected the interests of too many, he became the “treacherous villain” everyone despised.

But Shen Zhaoxue didn’t care for empty reputation. In some ways, he and Wan Shenghan were alike: they only cared for results and benefits. Methods were merely necessary tools; neither was “nobler” than the other.

The Willow Tree Pact

Shen Zhaoxue stopped his pace, and Wan Shenghan followed suit. They stood beneath a willow tree. The summer leaves were no longer as tender as they were in spring, their edges lined with sharp serrations.

Shen Zhaoxue reached out his slender, pale wrist and plucked a willow leaf. “I don’t recommend offending your uncle and aunt, but things have already reached this point.”

“You should know,” Shen Zhaoxue lifted his eyes, a shallow smile on his lips but a cold frost in his eyes, “Some people are like rats in the sewer. Once you provoke them, they will cling to you forever, creating endless trouble—they might even want you dead.”

Wan Shenghan met his gaze. After a moment, he took the leaf from Shen Zhaoxue’s hand and tossed it into the bushes. “Then let them come. For every one that comes, I shall kill one.”

Such words sounded domineering, but to Shen Zhaoxue, they sounded like a fairy tale. He couldn’t help but laugh out loud. He continued walking, his tone a mix of helplessness and anticipation for the coming drama.

“I hope you don’t regret it.”

Wan Shenghan didn’t respond. He stopped following and said, “I must go to Shanyue Academy. It is hot today; do not wander about, lest you suffer heatstroke.”

Shen Zhaoxue didn’t look back or speak. His thin, elegant back receded into the distance, his white robes swaying in the breeze like a drift of winter snow.

The Confrontation at the Side Courtyard

Later that afternoon, Shen Zhaoxue lay in the armchair, rocking gently as he hummed a tune from a play.

“Living in a lonely place, a hundred thoughts weighed down, with no joy to be found…”

Suddenly, he sat up straight. Although the room blocked most outside noise, he could clearly hear people shouting outside his courtyard gate. He smoothed a stray lock of hair and hummed the final lines:

“The red candles welcome the guest, handsome enough to aid the land.”

He opened the door, and the noise grew louder. He recognized the voices immediately: it was Wan Shenghan’s troublesome uncle and aunt, Wan Rong and Madam Rong. He knew that for fools like them, seeing him would be the only way they’d realize why Wan Jingyao was sent away.

Since they couldn’t touch the future head of the house, they would inevitably seek a scapegoat. Shen Zhaoxue was calm. He walked to the front and asked, “What is this?”

The guard said, “Master Rong and Madam Rong wish to see Young Master Shen, but the Eldest Young Master said”

“It’s fine,” Shen Zhaoxue said indifferently. “Let them in. This is the Wan residence; nothing will happen.”

He handed a handkerchief to the servant. “Go to Shanyue Academy and find the Eldest Young Master. Ask him if he still intends to look after me. If things are as they were before, throw the handkerchief away and come back.”

The servant took the cloth and hurried away.

The gate opened, and Shen Zhaoxue met their furious glares with a smile. “Master Rong, what business brings you here?”

“I only ask you: Was it you who made Shenghan send Jingyao to the countryside?”

Shen Zhaoxue found it absurd. “I can’t even attend your family banquets; what power could I possibly have to move the Eldest Young Master?”

“Bah!” Wan Rong nearly spat in his face.

Shen Zhaoxue retreated two steps in disgust. Wan Rong cursed, “You little thing, born of a mother but not raised by one!”

“You left Wan Jingyao in this residence; isn’t he the same as me?” Shen Zhaoxue replied sarcastically, enunciating every word. “A piece of work born of a mother but not raised by one. He insulted me first. The Eldest Young Master originally thought it a small matter and told me to bear it. If he hadn’t tried to take my life several times, why would the Eldest Young Master be angry?”

“Nonsense!” Madam Rong cried. “I’ve heard you’re a ‘sleeve-cutter’ fox who seduces men. You must have whispered poison into Shenghan’s ear! Jingyao is still young and has always been obedient; he could never be as vile as you say!”

Shen Zhaoxue laughed. “Fine. If you have the nerve, go ahead and tell the whole city that I seduced the Eldest Young Master and bullied the family’s children. When Wan Shenghan’s career is ruined because of your loose tongues, don’t try to dodge the responsibility.”

He stood beneath the veranda, looking as beautiful as a woman, looking like a spirit that would suck a man’s essence in the sunlight.

“By then, Wan Shenghan, Wan Jingyao, and the entire Wan family including you and me will all rot together in this gilded Capital. No one will have a good life.”

He gave a cold, sharp laugh. “Since you’re so worried, why not go kneel in the ancestral hall for a few days? Perhaps the ancestors will give the Eldest Young Master a dream and tell him to bring the Second Young Master back sooner. Otherwise, the poor boy will be all alone in the country without his parents… he might be so scared he wets himself at night”

Before he could finish, Wan Rong suddenly pulled a bottle from his robes. With a splash, he threw the contents directly into Shen Zhaoxue’s face.

The liquid was mixed with crushed stone, instantly slicing into Shen Zhaoxue’s cheek. He let out a sharp cry as a searing, bone-deep pain flared across his face.