Shen Mianmian’s words left everyone stunned.
She was right.
Something about the whole situation did feel suspicious.
But suspicion alone wasn’t enough to prove Bai Qingzhou’s innocence.
Madam Ding’s expression shifted slightly.
“That’s true…”
She looked toward Bai Qingzhou.
“Qingzhou, do you remember anything else from that night?”
Bai Qingzhou shook his head.
“No.”
“I only remember drinking.”
“After that, everything became blurry.”
The Marquis of Anning’s face remained dark.
“A drunk man’s words and actions cannot be trusted.”
“Even if there were irregularities, that doesn’t prove you didn’t do it.”
The flower courtesan immediately seized the opportunity.
“Exactly!”
“The heir clearly spent the night with me.”
Her cheeks flushed red.
“He even…”
Before she could continue, Shen Mianmian cut her off.
“Stop.”
The courtesan froze.
Shen Mianmian raised an eyebrow.
“If you insist he spent the night with you, then answer a few questions.”
The courtesan instinctively felt uneasy.
“What questions?”
Shen Mianmian smiled.
“A man who is completely drunk doesn’t simply become a different person.”
“His habits remain.”
“You claim the heir spent the night with you.”
“Then tell us.”
“Did he prefer wine or tea?”
The courtesan was startled.
“What?”
Shen Mianmian continued calmly.
“Did he sleep on the left side of the bed or the right?”
“Did he talk in his sleep?”
“Was he sensitive to heat or cold?”
“What foods did he dislike?”
The courtesan’s face immediately stiffened.
How could she know any of that?
She had only received instructions.
No one had told her she would be interrogated.
The room grew silent.
Seeing her hesitation, Shen Mianmian laughed.
“You don’t know?”
The courtesan gritted her teeth.
“Why would I know such things?”
Shen Mianmian immediately spread her hands.
“Exactly.”
“Why don’t you know?”
“If a person truly spent an entire night with someone, wouldn’t they learn at least a little about their habits?”
The courtesan’s expression became increasingly ugly.
Jiang Yinjin narrowed her eyes.
This was bad.
The conversation was being led entirely by Shen Mianmian.
If it continued like this, people might begin questioning the courtesan’s testimony.
She softly interjected,
“Sister Shen.”
“Even if the courtesan cannot answer these questions, it still doesn’t prove the heir’s innocence.”
Shen Mianmian nodded seriously.
“You’re right.”
Jiang Yinjin paused.
She hadn’t expected agreement.
Then Shen Mianmian continued,
“But neither does it prove his guilt.”
“Since everyone wants evidence, then let’s discuss evidence.”
She looked directly at the courtesan.
“You say the heir slept with you.”
“Fine.”
“Then there should be proof.”
The courtesan suddenly felt nervous.
“What proof?”
Shen Mianmian smiled.
“The simplest proof.”
“The bed.”
Everyone looked confused.
Shen Mianmian explained patiently,
“A drunk man collapses like a dead pig.”
“If the heir was truly unconscious, then someone had to help him onto the bed.”
“Once on the bed, there should have been signs.”
“Rumpled bedding.”
“Displaced pillows.”
“Marks from two people sharing the bed.”
She looked toward the Marquis and Madam Ding.
“Did anyone inspect the room?”
The Marquis frowned.
“No.”
The room had been secured after the incident.
No one had thought to check such details.
Shen Mianmian immediately clapped her hands.
“Then let’s go check.”
“If the room remains untouched, we might still find clues.”
The courtesan’s face instantly turned pale.
Jiang Yinjin’s fingers slowly tightened beneath her sleeve.
Neither of them had expected Shen Mianmian to push things this far.
Meanwhile, Bai Qingzhou stared at Shen Mianmian.
His eyes were slightly red.
Yet for the first time since entering the hall, a faint light returned to them.
Because among everyone present—
Only Shen Mianmian had truly stood beside him.