Princess Chang nodded slightly, and the group followed the Madam of the Prime Minister 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 heavy strikes will kill me."
Shen Nanxing’s eyes darkened as he patted the back of Su Yunyan’s hand.
"Don’t be afraid. The young Shizi has already woken up. Even though the Yongning Marquis’s household 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 Prime Minister’s flower-viewing banquet. Unexpectedly, I heard that something had happened here and came to see for myself."
"I have already heard the full account from the Madam of the Prime Minister. The Shen Family’s adopted daughter, Su Yunyan, pushed the young Shizi of the Yongning Marquis’s household into the water, nearly causing his death. Fortunately, the young madam of the Shen Family possesses exceptional medical skills and pulled the young Shizi back from the brink of death."
Princess Chang looked toward Jiang Jinshu, a smile in her eyes.
"In consideration of Madam Shen’s efforts, Su Yunyan shall receive fifty heavy strikes and is henceforth barred from attending 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 rested on her stomach as she whispered in a low voice.
"The child…"
Standing beside Princess Chang, Jiang Jinshu watched Su Yunyan protectively covering her stomach, a cold smile curling at the corner of her lips.
Su Yunyan had engaged in an illicit affair with her own brother and was now carrying his child—enough to drown her in the gossip of the imperial city.
Shen Nanxing shielded Su Yunyan behind him.
"Princess Chang, Yunyan is merely a delicate woman. How could she withstand fifty heavy strikes? The young Shizi has already awakened. For this matter, my Shen Family is willing to offer generous compensation as an apology."
At this moment, the Shizi 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 Shizi into the water, there was no sign of delicacy. 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…"
Jiang Jinshu looked up. It was Zhou Shiyu, the Shizi of Rui Wangfu. Why would he speak up for her? Moreover, 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 the Princess’s Mansion blocked Shen Nanxing, who was trying to protect Su Yunyan.
In the end, Su Yunyan, overwhelmed with panic, was forced onto a long bench.
"Brother, brother, save me… Brother…"
Shen Nanxing had not expected the princess to bring two skilled fighters with her when she left the palace. They now held him firmly in place.
"Princess Chang, Yunyan is a member of my Shen Family. I, Shen Nanxing, have also rendered distinguished service on the battlefield. Is this how Princess Chang treats the family members of meritorious officials?"
Just as the board was about to descend, Su Yunyan could no longer hold back.
"Stop! I am pregnant."
"If you strike me today, it will be two lives lost—you will have harmed the Shen Family’s eldest grandson."
As soon as Su Yunyan uttered these words, everyone in the hall was stunned.
The executioner promptly halted his strike.
Finally unable to hold back, Jiang Jinshu spoke up while clutching her handkerchief.
"Sister, did you truly disregard your own innocence just to avoid being caned? I haven't heard Mother discussing marriage arrangements for you. Even if marriage talks 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 quickly pushed aside those blocking him, helped Su Yunyan up, and shielded 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 Princess Chang is benevolent toward others. Surely you would not allow a pregnant woman to suffer the fate of two lives lost. This matter concerns the Shen Family and the Yongning Marquis's household. Our Shen Family will provide an explanation to the Yongning Marquis's household. I ask that Your Highness Princess Chang not interfere."
Upon hearing this, Princess Chang's brows furrowed slightly.
Both the Madam of the Prime Minister and the Lady of Yongning Marquis were astonished. The adopted daughter of the Shen Family was actually pregnant? And with a child of Shen blood?
The whispers and scornful looks directed at Shen Nanxing and Su Yunyan in the hall made their faces flush with embarrassment, wishing they could find a crack in the ground to hide in.
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 the Shen Family'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 solemnly.
"Miss Jiang's parents sacrificed themselves for Da Zhou back in the day. 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 the Shen Family taking advantage of her having no parents to support her?"
As soon as Zhou Shiyu said this, everyone in the room looked at Jiang Jinshu with sympathy, especially the ladies with daughters, who regarded Shen Nanxing and Su Yunyan with even greater disdain.
Su Yunyan hurriedly touched her stomach and spoke up.
"Jiang Jinshu, I really am pregnant. Isn't Imperial Physician Liu still here? He can take my pulse. The child in my belly is the Shen Family'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.
"Princess Chang, what has happened today is truly unbelievable. Perhaps we could trouble Imperial Physician Liu to take her pulse."
Princess Chang nodded upon hearing this.
"Imperial Physician Liu, since you are here, please properly examine Miss Su's pulse."
Imperial Physician Liu stepped forward to examine Su Yunyan's pulse, feeling that his visit to the Prime Minister's residence today had truly been worthwhile. First, he witnessed the Thirteen Life-Prolonging Needles, and now he was privy to such a major scandal.
"Your Highness Princess Chang, 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 home."
Jiang Jinshu now pressed her handkerchief to the corner of her eye, her whole body swaying 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 was now crying so hard that even 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 have married any noble lady you fancied. Why must you… with your own sister…"
The Lady of Yongning Marquis spoke up.
"Today, I have truly witnessed something extraordinary. What kind of upbringing does the Shen Family have, with a son and daughter entangled in such… General Shen pushing his lawful wife to take the blame—no wonder General Shen was forcing the young mistress to confess in the guest room earlier."
Upon hearing this, everyone understood. So, Jiang Jinshu was previously made to take the blame for Su Yunyan? Could someone really be this shameless?
Princess Chang's expression grew increasingly grave.
"This is truly the first time I have witnessed such a scandal."
The crowd could not help but point fingers and whisper among themselves.
Su Yunyan, hearing the murmurs, moved closer to Shen Nanxing, whose face darkened.
After the crowd had seen enough of the spectacle, Jiang Jinshu finally curtsied, tears glistening in the corners of her eyes.
"Princess Chang, this humble wife does not know what to do. My husband and my sister-in-law have conceived a child… this is truly…"
She gritted her teeth, wearing an expression of swallowing her pain in silence.
"But after all, the child in Su Yunyan's womb is of the Shen Family's bloodline. 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 on behalf of Su Yunyan. This way, we can avoid two lives being lost and also give an explanation to the Yongning Marquis's household."