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 left. I had no idea earlier that my sister-in-law was pregnant. If I had known she was carrying your flesh and blood, I would have taken the blame for her myself.”
“Now that the matter has been exposed before everyone, we must give the Yongning Marquis’s household 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 place, it would at least serve as an explanation to the Yongning Marquis’s household.”
Zhou Shiyu spoke up again in support, his gaze turning toward Princess Yuanzhao.
“Aunt, today’s incident is truly shocking—it has certainly opened our eyes. However, Miss Jiang’s suggestion is quite fitting. Since General Shen is so devoted to his sister, it is most appropriate for him to take the punishment in her stead.”
Princess Yuanzhao nodded slightly upon hearing this. Her eyes shifted among 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 matter is truly disappointing. If the Shen Family cannot handle this 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.
Madam of the Prime Minister quickly chimed in.
“General Shen, this incident occurred in my Prime Minister’s residence, and we cannot simply stand by and do nothing. The facts are laid bare before us—we cannot allow your Shen Family to gloss over this so easily. The suggestion put forth by the young madam of the Shen Family is already the best solution.”
If those fifty strokes of the rod were truly administered, he would likely be bedridden for half a month. Yet, under the gazes of everyone fixed upon him, Shen Nanxing found himself unable to argue. Su Yunyan was pregnant—there was no way she could endure such a beating.
Seeing Shen Nanxing’s livid face as he supported Su Yunyan without speaking, Jiang Jinshu stood to the side and spoke helplessly.
“Husband, I too cannot bear to see you suffer the beating, but only you are qualified to take the punishment for Yunyan. The young Shizi was pushed into the water by Sister Yunyan and nearly lost his life. No matter what, we must give them an explanation.”
Lady of Yongning Marquis now looked 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 fell upon Shen Nanxing and Su Yunyan as if watching a spectacle.
Jiang Jinshu stepped forward helplessly at this moment and bowed to Lady of Yongning Marquis.
“Madam, this matter is the Shen Family’s fault toward the Yongning Marquis’s household. I never imagined that the sister-in-law who called me ‘sister-in-law’ every day would be carrying my husband’s child. Such chaos within the inner household is all due to my incompetence.”
"Since my husband now seems unwilling to accept punishment on behalf of Sister Ruyan, if anything were to happen to the child in Sister Ruyan's womb today, I fear I would have no way to explain it to my mother-in-law upon returning home. I beg Marquess's Wife to allow me to take the punishment in Sister Ruyan's stead. Otherwise, when I go back…"
As she spoke, Jiang Jinshu wiped tears from the corner of her eye, wearing an expression of worry and fear.
Upon hearing this, the crowd cast sympathetic glances at Jiang Jinshu. Without the support of her natal family, she was being ground down by her husband's family.
Zhou Shiyu looked at Jiang Jinshu and slowly spoke again.
"Today, I have truly broadened my horizons. General Shen, a grown man, actually wants his lawful wife to take punishment for someone who is neither a proper concubine nor an acknowledged mistress. Searching across all of Da Zhou, or even the entire 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 the difference in status. In the end, he could only fix his gaze on Jiang Jinshu.
"Jiang Jinshu…"
A noblewoman spoke up.
"General Shen, even I, an old woman, cannot stand to watch this. Is your Shen Family planning to favor a concubine and destroy the wife? You've gotten your adopted sister pregnant, yet you refuse to take responsibility as a father. Now you want your own wife to take the punishment for you. How can such an unreasonable thing exist in this world?"
Those present today were all lawful wives. Seeing Shen Nanxing's behavior, they could not help but voice their criticisms.
"Indeed, although men in Da Zhou may have three wives and four concubines, they all respect their lawful wives. I have never before seen someone so intent on humiliating his own wife."
"Exactly. We lawful wives manage household affairs and serve our parents-in-law with filial piety, only to end up taking the blame for an outside mistress. If this is how things are, who in the world would dare to arrange marriages between families in the future?"
This was no longer merely a family matter. Many relationships among the noble families of the imperial city were maintained through marital alliances. If today's incident were not properly resolved, it could very well affect the entire imperial city.
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, Madam of the Prime Minister, Marquess's Wife, I, Shen Nanxing, am willing to accept punishment on behalf of Yunyan. I hope you will all let this matter rest."
Then he shot a cold glance at Jiang Jinshu. Meeting his gaze, Jiang Jinshu flashed a look of mockery, which vanished almost instantly.
"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 will have to endure this grievance for now."
"When we return, I will apply medicine to your wounds. I hope you will take this incident as a lesson, restrain yourself more in the future, and avoid letting such disgraceful matters become public knowledge again, lest they tarnish the Shen Family's reputation."
Upon hearing this, Shen Nanxing glared fiercely at Jiang Jinshu before lying 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 the paddles and brought them down on Shen Nanxing's body.
Thwack… thwack…
As the sound 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 her hand, using a handkerchief to conceal the faint smile curling at the corner of her lips.
Shen Nanxing, this is only the beginning. The real show is yet to come. In this lifetime, I will ensure your Shen Family falls into eternal ruin.