The pain of losing a grandson weighed heavily—who cared whether you actually did it? Madam Gu just needed an outlet for her frustration. She had genuinely hoped for a child.
Finally marrying a daughter-in-law who came with a pregnancy, she had endured all her dissatisfaction, but now the child was gone and the Minister of Justice position had been claimed by Gu Chaobei first. Anyone in her position would not easily forgive Shen Guiyan.
“At the time, only the Fourth Young Madam and the maid Baoshan were present. If it wasn’t the Fourth Young Madam, then it could only be Baoshan.” Yushu stood to the side. “If the Fourth Young Madam insists on not admitting it, then have Baoshan pay with her life for the child in my Miss’s belly.”
“What place is this? Madam hasn’t yet pronounced judgment, and you, a mere maid, dare to make decisions?” Xu Mengdie laughed lightly. “Are all the maids in the Eastern Courtyard so loose with their tongues?”
Yushu froze, frowning as she glanced at Xu Mengdie. This Concubine Xu from the Southern Courtyard had helped Shen Guiyan against them more than once. It had nothing to do with her—what was her intention?
But as a maid, she didn’t have the courage to challenge a concubine and could only lower her head and endure it.
“I think Yushu makes sense.” Madam Gu looked up. “If I were to punish Yan’er, I would also feel some heartache. Bei’er would surely be upset when he returns. But the life of a legitimate son cannot be lost in vain. A life for a life—better to give Baoshan one hundred strokes of the rod and expel her from the manor.”
Shen Guiyan frowned. “Madam! One hundred strokes—how could Baoshan survive that?”
“Does the life of my Chancellor Manor’s legitimate son not outweigh the life of a mere maid?” Madam Gu looked at her, her expression actually softening somewhat. “She’s just one maid. After sending her away, I’ll select ten or eight more for you. There’s bound to be a devoted one among them. You needn’t be too upset.”
Baoshan’s face turned deathly pale, but she bit her teeth and didn’t argue.
Shen Guiya’s fall was indeed caused by her push—if punishment came, she had no excuse. But this household seemed full of sinister hearts. If she died, what would become of Miss in the future?
Though it was rather pathetic, Baoshan was still somewhat afraid of death. But looking up at her Miss kneeling before her, she closed her eyes again.
Her life had been saved by Miss. Without Miss, she wouldn’t exist. Now facing this great disaster, if she could shield Miss from some of it, that would be good.
After a long internal struggle, Baoshan walked forward and knelt, about to confess, when she heard Shen Guiyan say, “It wasn’t Baoshan who pushed her. Killing her innocently would only add another wronged spirit to the Chancellor Manor.”
“But aside from her, there’s only you.” Madam Gu still smiled very gently. “You know I cannot bear to see you punished.”
Shen Guiyan looked up into Madam Gu’s eyes, her heart growing cold. After all, she wasn’t her birth mother-in-law. This was clearly forcing her to take the blame. If she resisted, Baoshan would be punished instead. Either way, she wouldn’t be allowed to escape unscathed.
The Gu brothers and the Chancellor were all absent. Everyone present was female family members. Even though Xu Mengdie wanted to help her, her words didn’t carry enough weight. Shen Guiyan recognized the situation clearly. Taking a deep breath, she kowtowed. “Then Madam should punish Guiyan.”
Madam Gu smiled. “You’re willing to accept punishment?”
“Yes.” Shen Guiyan closed her eyes.
Willing, my foot! Pushed to this point and she still had to say she was willing. Shen Guiyan cursed inwardly, also feeling deeply regretful. She had truly been careless, never imagining Shen Guiya would use even the child in her belly as a game piece, falling into another of her schemes.
Put simply, she just wasn’t as ruthless as Shen Guiya—severing family ties and bloodlines was utterly inhuman.
But this ordeal at least let her see things more clearly. Madam Gu valued heirs above all else, Concubine Guan sided with the Eastern Courtyard, Concubine Liu’s attitude remained unclear, and only Xu Mengdie truly stood by her.
Xu Mengdie had warned her beforehand to be careful of Shen Guiya. She hadn’t fully listened. Now she realized she had wronged a good person.
“After all, it’s a human life. The punishment cannot be light.” Madam Gu sat upright in the seat of honor, looking at Shen Guiyan. “You’ll receive twenty strokes of the rod, two years’ stipend will be withheld, and you’re forbidden to leave the manor for half a year. How’s that?”
Even having prepared herself mentally, Shen Guiyan couldn’t help but draw in a sharp breath.
Indeed, when it wasn’t your own flesh and blood, there was no heartache. Twenty strokes could take half her life. Two years’ stipend and six months confined to the manor—wouldn’t she be like a caged songbird, eating daily but able to do nothing else?
How deeply unwilling she felt.
She raised her head and asked, “Could it be changed to thirty strokes, but allow Guiyan to leave the manor?”
“No.”
Madam Gu shook her head firmly. The key point of the punishment was preventing her from leaving the manor. To avoid being too obvious, she had added the other penalties.
Gu Chaobei’s position as Minister of Justice was precarious—he needed someone to help investigate cases. If they could trap Shen Guiyan in the manor, that incompetent Gu Chaobei would accomplish nothing. Then when the Minister of Justice position became vacant, it would go to whoever it should have gone to.
Madam Gu was grieved about losing the child, but beyond her grief, she was calculating how to recoup her losses through Shen Guiyan.
“Why not?” Shen Guiyan frowned. “I…”
“This is punishment. Do you think you have room to bargain?” Madam Gu laughed coldly. “If not for remembering you helped Bei’er in the palace, this light punishment wouldn’t be nearly enough to pay for a life. You should be content.”
Concubine Guan nodded. “Reporting this punishment to the Master, there’s nothing improper about it. Since the Fourth Young Madam is willing to accept it, there’s no need to say more.”
Shen Guiyan gritted her teeth. This was clearly digging a pit for her to jump into—and if she didn’t jump, they’d kick her in.
They were in the wrong from the start. Even if Gu Chaobei returned, he couldn’t save her. Sighing, she lowered her head. “Guiyan accepts.”
“Good.” Madam Gu said, “Then bring the family punishment implements, and inform the steward of my orders.”
“Yes.” Concubine Guan responded immediately, running faster than anyone to fetch the punishment implements.
Gu Chaodong was still pacing in the courtyard, hesitating, when Fengxiao came running back. “Young Master! Quickly! Madam is about to use family punishment on the Fourth Young Madam!”
“What?!” Gu Chaodong was shocked. He had been wondering how to handle it if he agreed to Shen Guiya’s conditions and later wanted to divorce her to marry Yan’er. But Mother had already disregarded everything and was about to punish her?
This wouldn’t do! Gu Chaodong stopped hesitating and strode forward—but not outward. He walked into the chamber.
“I agree!” He said just these four words.
Then, regardless of Shen Guiya’s reaction, he stepped forward and grabbed her hand. “Quick, come with me to explain to Mother. Mother is about to use family punishment on Yan’er!”
Shen Guiya had been sleeping soundly and was yanked awake abruptly. Her mood was extremely foul. But hearing this, she was delighted. “Shen Guiyan is about to be beaten?”
“Just come with me quickly!” Gu Chaodong was truly anxious, pulling Shen Guiya so forcefully he practically dragged her off the bed. Shen Guiya cried out in pain several times before stopping him. “Why are you so anxious? I just had a miscarriage—my body is weak!”
Gu Chaodong released her, looking rather helpless. “Then get up first and come with me.”
“Wait.” Shen Guiya rolled her eyes and changed clothes with calm composure.
The physician sitting outside as decoration was already quite exasperated. He came forward to quietly remind her, “Young Madam just had a miscarriage—you cannot get out of bed.”
“Ah yes, can’t get out of bed.” Shen Guiya’s heart jumped. She immediately feigned weakness and fell back onto the bed. “Have a maid go stop Madam. Just say I’ve awakened and ask them to come see me. You should also use this time to write that thing for me, or what if you go back on your word later?”
Gu Chaodong was quite angry but had no way to deal with her. He could only turn and go write the separation agreement. This matter absolutely couldn’t let Madam Gu know, or he would surely be scolded to death.
With this delay, and the maid walking at a leisurely pace to relay the message, the punishment implements had already arrived at the main hall.
A household servant held the rod. Shen Guiyan knelt in place, back straight.
“Twenty strokes. Be measured about it.” Madam Gu said lightly.
The servant acknowledged and raised the rod high.
“Miss!” Baoshan cried out softly, wanting to rush forward, but was held back by Xu Mengdie beside her.
The Ministry of Justice.
Gu Chaobei sat in a chair swinging his official sash, with only Yuwen Changqing in the room.
“You’ve gotten yourself into big trouble.” Yuwen Changqing sat on the desk, looking at him. “Everyone thinks this is the Emperor’s supreme honor—giving you a Minister position without even taking the civil examination. But this case—you’ll be wrong whether you investigate or not. In my view, you really can’t hold onto that sash.”
Gu Chaobei snorted lightly. “If it weren’t so thorny, do you really think the Empress would easily agree to the Emperor’s decision? You and I were both there that day. Everyone knows whose people those black-clothed men were. The world’s greatest couple is fighting, and I’m just the innocent fish in the moat.”
“Maybe it’s actually a good opportunity.” Yuwen Changqing smiled. “Recently, rumors abound saying that Third Miss Shen brings prosperity to her husband. In my view, you should take her out more often. Maybe she’ll find you a clear path forward.”
“Take her out?” Gu Chaobei thought of Shen Guiyan and recalled the garden incident today. His heart felt somewhat awkward. “That woman—I can’t quite figure her out. Taking her out might upset that ancestor. Better forget it.”
Yuwen Changqing smiled with lowered eyes. “I still remember what she said in the hall that day—truly every word a pearl, giving the Emperor plenty of face. Otherwise, you might have been charged with disrespect. How could you be so prestigious now? You should treat her well and not fail her.”
“You all praise her.” Gu Chaobei frowned slightly, somewhat impatiently waving his hand. “I naturally know she’s good and will cherish her well. Why does everyone need to remind me?”
As if he wasn’t worthy of her. He was also quite impressive! She should also cherish him well, not ignore him completely like today!
“What’s wrong with you?” Yuwen Changqing looked at him curiously. “Your mouth is pouting so high, like a sulking child.”
“You’re the one pouting!” Gu Chaobei said with pouted lips. “Who’s sulking? Who’s a child? This lord is nearly twenty!”
Yuwen Changqing: “…”
About to tease him with mixed laughter and tears, Zhuiyun outside suddenly pounded urgently on the door. “Master, something’s happened at the manor!”