Princess Yuanzhao gave a slight nod, and the group followed the Prime Minister's Wife into the spacious, brightly lit hall.
Along the way, Su Yunyan clung fearfully to Shen Nanxing's side, tightly gripping his arm.
"Brother, what should I do? Fifty strokes of the rod will kill me."
Shen Nanxing's eyes darkened as he reached out and patted the back of Su Yunyan's hand.
"Don't be afraid. The Young Master has already woken up. Even though the Yongning Houfu holds power and influence, my General's Mansion is not afraid of them."
In the hall, the ladies who had been sipping tea and chattering fell silent.
Princess Chang sat in the main seat, her voice carrying the authority of a royal princess.
"This princess originally felt unwell today, which is why I did not attend the Chengxiangfu's flower-viewing banquet. I never expected to hear that something had happened here, so I came to see for myself."
"I have already heard the full story from the Prime Minister's Wife. The Shenjia's adopted daughter, Su Yunyan, pushed the Yongning Hou's Young Master into the water, nearly causing his death. Fortunately, Madam Shen's medical skills are exceptional, saving the Young Master from the brink of death."
Princess Chang's gaze turned to Jiang Jinshu, a smile in her eyes.
"In consideration of Madam Shen's face, Su Yunyan shall receive fifty strokes of the rod. From now on, she is not to attend any banquets."
"Guards, carry out the punishment."
Soon, guards arrived to seize Su Yunyan.
Seeing this, Su Yunyan panicked and hurriedly hid behind Shen Nanxing.
"Brother, what should I do, what should I do?"
One hand moved to her stomach as she lowered her voice.
"The child…"
Jiang Jinshu, standing beside Princess Chang, watched Su Yunyan protectively covering her stomach and curled her lips into a cold smile.
Su Yunyan, you committed adultery with your own brother and are now carrying his child. That alone is enough to drown you in the gossip of Huangcheng.
Shen Nanxing shielded Su Yunyan behind him.
"Your Highness, Princess Chang, Yunyan is merely a weak woman. How could she possibly endure fifty strokes of the rod? The Young Master has already awakened. For this matter, my Shenjia is willing to offer heavy compensation as an apology."
At this moment, the Heir Apparent who had accompanied Princess Chang spoke up.
"General Shen, is your attitude that whoever feigns weakness is in the right? When Su Yunyan pushed the Young Master into the water, she showed no sign of weakness whatsoever. Could it be that the laws of Da Zhou are mere decorations? In the future, will anyone who commits murder or arson simply need to shed a few tears to escape punishment?"
After speaking, he coughed several times.
"Cough, cough, cough…"
Jiang Jinshu looked up. It was Zhou Shiyu, the Heir Apparent of Rui Wang Fu. Why would he speak up for her? And hadn't he always been in poor health, recuperating at home?
By now, several guards had arrived to drag Su Yunyan away for punishment.
Meanwhile, the guards from Chang Gongzhu Fu blocked Shen Nanxing, who was trying to protect Su Yunyan.
In the end, Su Yunyan, in a state of panic, was forced onto the long bench.
"Brother, brother, save me… Brother…"
Shen Nanxing hadn't expected the princess to bring two skilled fighters with her when she left the mansion. They now held him firmly in place.
"Your Highness, Princess Chang, Yunyan is a member of my Shenjia. I, Shen Nanxing, have also made significant contributions on the battlefield. Is this how Your Highness treats the family members of meritorious officials?"
Just as the rod was about to descend, Su Yunyan finally could hold back no longer.
"Stop! I'm pregnant!"
"If you strike me today, it will be two lives lost. You will be harming the Shenjia's eldest grandson."
As soon as Su Yunyan uttered these words, everyone in the hall was stunned.
The executioner promptly halted his hand.
Finally unable to hold back, Jiang Jinshu spoke up, clutching her handkerchief.
"Sister, did you really go so far as to sacrifice your own innocence just to avoid being beaten? I never heard Mother discussing marriage arrangements for you. Even if such discussions were underway, how could you possibly be pregnant before even getting married?"
Seeing that the situation was beyond redemption, Shen Nanxing decided to throw caution to the wind. He hastily pushed aside those blocking his way and helped Su Yunyan to her feet, shielding her behind him.
"Jiang Jinshu, Yunyan is indeed pregnant."
He then turned his gaze toward Princess Chang.
"It has always been said that Your Highness is benevolent and kind. Surely you would not allow a pregnant woman to face a fate that endangers both her and her unborn child. This matter concerns Shenjia and Marquess Yongning's Residence. Shenjia will provide an explanation to Marquess Yongning's Residence. I implore Your Highness not to intervene."
Upon hearing this, Princess Yuanzhao frowned slightly.
Prime Minister's Wife and Lady Yongning were also taken aback. Shenjia's adopted daughter was pregnant? And with Shenjia's bloodline?
Whispers filled the hall as people looked at Shen Nanxing and Su Yunyan with contemptuous glances, causing both of them to flush with embarrassment, wishing they could vanish into the ground.
Jiang Jinshu now spoke with an expression of utter disbelief.
"This can't be. How is this possible? You are siblings. How could you possibly have a child? Shen Nanxing, Su Yunyan, this concerns Shenjia's reputation. You cannot fabricate such lies just to escape punishment."
Zhou Shiyu glanced at Shen Nanxing protecting Su Yunyan, then at Jiang Jinshu, and spoke in a grave tone.
"Miss Jiang's parents sacrificed themselves for Da Zhou in their time. Since General Shen married Miss Jiang, he should have taken good care of her. How could he get involved with his own sister? To humiliate Miss Jiang like this—is Shenjia taking advantage of her having no parents to stand up for her?"
As soon as Zhou Shiyu spoke these words, everyone in the hall looked at Jiang Jinshu with sympathy, especially those ladies with daughters, who regarded Shen Nanxing and Su Yunyan with even greater disdain.
Su Yunyan hastily placed a hand on her stomach and declared.
"Jiang Jinshu, I really am pregnant. Isn't Imperial Physician Liu still here? Let Imperial Physician Liu take my pulse. The child in my belly is Shenjia's first grandson. If you dare to have me beaten today, neither Mother nor Brother will let you off."
Perfect, you asked for this yourself. Jiang Jinshu bowed to Princess Chang.
"Your Highness, what has transpired today is truly unbelievable. Perhaps we could trouble Imperial Physician Liu to take her pulse?"
Princess Chang nodded in agreement.
"Imperial Physician Liu, since you are here, please examine Miss Su's pulse carefully."
Imperial Physician Liu stepped forward to take Su Yunyan's pulse, feeling that his visit to Chengxiangfu today had truly been worthwhile. First, he witnessed Xuming Shisan Zhen, and now he was privy to such a scandal.
"Your Highness, this young lady is indeed two months pregnant."
Su Yunyan looked triumphantly at Jiang Jinshu.
"Jiang Jinshu, did you hear that? I am two months pregnant. You cannot have me beaten, or Mother will never forgive you when we return."
Jiang Jinshu now pressed her handkerchief to the corner of her eye, her whole body trembling unsteadily.
"How could this be? You are siblings. How could you do this?"
"This is nothing but…"
Fortunately, Caiping quickly supported her.
"Madam, are you alright?"
Jiang Jinshu wept until her eyelashes were wet with tears, looking at Shen Nanxing with eyes full of disappointment.
"Husband, no wonder you wanted me to take the blame for Su Yunyan—it turns out she is carrying your child. But I am your lawfully wedded wife."
"Even if my parents are no longer here, and you think I can no longer be of help to you, if you wish to abandon me, I accept it. You could simply marry whichever noble daughter you fancy. Why must you involve your own sister…"
Lady Yongning spoke up further.
"Today, I have truly witnessed something extraordinary. What kind of upbringing does the Shen family have, with brothers and sisters behaving so improperly… General Shen pushing his lawful wife to take the blame—no wonder he was pressuring Madam Shen to confess in the guest room earlier."
Upon hearing this, everyone understood. So, Jiang Jinshu had been forced to take the blame for Su Yunyan before. Could someone really be so shameless?
Princess Yuanzhao's expression grew increasingly stern.
"This is truly the first time I have witnessed such a scandal."
The crowd could not help but point fingers and murmur among themselves.
Su Yunyan, hearing the discussions, moved closer to Shen Nanxing, while Shen Nanxing's face darkened.
Once the onlookers had seen enough of the spectacle, Jiang Jinshu finally curtsied, tears glistening in the corners of her eyes.
"Your Highness, Princess Chang, this humble wife does not know what to do. My husband and my sister-in-law have a child together—this is truly…"
She gritted her teeth, wearing an expression of swallowing her bitterness.
"But after all, the child in Su Yunyan's womb is of Shen family blood. As the young mistress of the Shen family, I must consider the lineage. Since my husband disregards his reputation and the entire Shen family to be with Su Yunyan, it must be true love."
"Perhaps, let my husband take the punishment for Su Yunyan. This way, we can avoid two lives being lost and also give Yongning Houfu an explanation."