Upon hearing this, Shen Nanxing’s face instantly turned ashen. He never expected Jiang Jinshu to make such a suggestion.
“Jiang Jinshu, do you have any idea what you’re saying?”
Jiang Jinshu ignored Shen Nanxing’s fury.
“Husband, this is the only way out. I had no idea earlier that my sister-in-law was pregnant. If I had known she was carrying your child, I would have taken the blame for her.”
“Now that the matter has been exposed before everyone, we must give Marquess Yongning's Residence an explanation.”
Watching Shen Nanxing’s increasingly livid expression, Jiang Jinshu felt a surge of satisfaction in her heart, yet on the surface, she maintained an expression of acting for their own good as she continued.
“Husband, in Da Zhou, a woman’s husband is her heaven. Now that Yunyan is carrying your child, you must take responsibility for her. If you take the punishment in her stead, it would at least serve as an explanation to Marquess Yongning's Residence.”
Zhou Shiyu chimed in once more, turning his gaze toward Princess Yuanzhao.
“Aunt, today’s incident is truly shocking—it has truly opened our eyes. However, Miss Jiang’s proposal is quite fitting. Since General Shen is so fond of his sister, it is only appropriate that he take the punishment for her.”
Princess Yuanzhao nodded slightly upon hearing this. Her eyes shifted between the three of them before she finally spoke slowly.
“General Shen, you are a pillar of the military, and the Emperor has always held you in high regard. But today’s incident is truly disappointing. If Shenjia cannot handle this matter properly, I fear it will tarnish the family’s reputation.”
Su Yunyan was already stunned. She had thought that the news of her pregnancy would allow her to escape punishment, but she never expected Jiang Jinshu to pull such a move, pushing her into an even more awkward situation.
Prime Minister's Wife quickly added her support.
“General Shen, this incident occurred in my Chengxiangfu, and we cannot simply stand by and do nothing. The facts are laid bare before us—we cannot let Shenjia brush this off so easily. The solution proposed by Madam Shen is already the best way to resolve this.”
If those fifty strokes were truly administered, he would likely be bedridden for half a month. Yet, under the gaze of everyone present, Shen Nanxing found himself unable to argue. Su Yunyan was pregnant—there was no way she could endure the punishment.
Seeing Shen Nanxing’s livid expression as he supported Su Yunyan in silence, Jiang Jinshu stood to the side and spoke helplessly.
“Husband, I too cannot bear to see you suffer, but only you are qualified to take the punishment for Sister Yunyan. The Young Master was pushed into the water by Sister Ruyan and nearly lost his life. No matter what, we must give them an explanation.”
Lady Yongning now stared coldly at Shen Nanxing and Su Yunyan.
“Since General Shen is unwilling to take the punishment for his sister, then let us report this to the authorities. Let us hope Su Yunyan can still protect her child while in prison.”
She emphasized the word “sister” heavily, and everyone’s gazes turned to Shen Nanxing and Su Yunyan as if watching a spectacle.
Jiang Jinshu stepped forward helplessly and bowed to Lady Yongning.
“Madam, this matter is Shenjia’s fault toward Marquess Yongning's Residence. I never imagined that the sister-in-law who called me ‘sister-in-law’ every day was carrying my husband’s child. Such chaos in the inner household is all due to my incompetence.”
"My husband now seems unwilling to accept punishment on behalf of Sister Ruyan, but if anything were to happen to the child in Sister Ruyan's womb today, Jinshu would have no way to explain it to Mother-in-law upon returning home. I beg the Marquess's wife to allow Jinshu to take the punishment in Sister Ruyan's stead. Otherwise, after returning…"
As she spoke, Jiang Jinshu wiped tears from the corner of her eye, appearing worried and fearful.
Upon hearing this, everyone present cast sympathetic glances at Jiang Jinshu. Without the support of her natal family, she was being oppressed and mistreated by her husband's family.
Zhou Shiyu looked at Jiang Jinshu and slowly spoke again.
"Today, I have truly gained insight. General Shen, a grown man, actually wants his lawful wife to take punishment for someone who could be considered either a concubine or an outside mistress. Searching across the entire Da Zhou, or even the whole world, one would be hard-pressed to find someone as shameless as General Shen."
Shen Nanxing was stung by Zhou Shiyu's words, his face flushing red. His clenched fists trembled slightly. He wanted to retort but hesitated due to status considerations, ultimately fixing his gaze on Jiang Jinshu.
"Jiang Jinshu…"
A noblewoman spoke up.
"General Shen, even I cannot stand by and watch this. Your Shen family is favoring a concubine and destroying the wife! You got a child with your adopted sister, yet refuse to take responsibility as a father, and even want your own wife to take the punishment instead. How can such unreasonable behavior exist in this world?"
All those present today were lawful wives. Seeing Shen Nanxing's conduct, they could not help but voice their condemnation.
"Indeed, although men in Da Zhou may have three wives and four concubines, they all respect their lawful wives. I have never seen anyone humiliate their own wife like this before."
"That's right. We lawful wives manage household affairs and serve our in-laws dutifully, only to end up taking the blame for an outside mistress? I ask you, if this is how things are, which families would dare form marriage alliances in the future?"
This was no longer merely a family matter. Many relationships among the great families in Huangcheng were maintained through marriage alliances. If today's incident were not properly resolved, it could affect the entire Huangcheng.
Shen Nanxing was overwhelmed by the chorus of accusations. Each word felt like a sharp blade, cutting into his pride and self-respect. Taking a deep breath, he finally conceded.
"Princess Chang, Prime Minister's Wife, Marquess's Wife, I, Shen Nanxing, am willing to accept punishment on behalf of Yunyan. I hope you will let this matter rest."
Then he shot a cold glance at Jiang Jinshu, who met his gaze with a flicker of mockery that quickly vanished.
"It is good that you have come to understand, husband. Although you may resent being punished because of Sister Ruyan, for the sake of the Shen family's descendants, you must endure this grievance for now."
"This concubine will apply medicine for you upon our return. I hope you will learn from this incident, restrain yourself more in the future, and avoid letting such disgraceful matters become public again, tarnishing the Shen family's reputation."
Upon hearing this, Shen Nanxing glared fiercely at Jiang Jinshu, then lay face down on the bench with an expression of humiliation.
Seeing this, Princess Chang gave the order.
"Carry out the punishment."
At Princess Chang's command, the prepared guards raised their paddles and struck Shen Nanxing's body.
"Thwack… thwack…"
As the sounds of the paddles rang out, Shen Nanxing clenched his teeth.
Su Yunyan stood to the side, her face pale, her hands tightly twisting the hem of her clothes. She spoke with concern.
"Brother…"
Soon, over thirty strokes had been administered. Shen Nanxing was nearly exhausted, his sweat and blood mingling and soaking through his clothes.
A pained groan echoed in the courtyard.
"Hmm…"
Jiang Jinshu raised a handkerchief to cover the faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
Shen Nanxing, this is only the beginning. The real show is yet to come. In this lifetime, I will make your Shenjia fall into eternal ruin.