Volume 1 Chapter 6 Knocked Unconscious

When the flogging finally ended, Shen Nanxing could no longer hold on and fainted. Su Yunyan rushed over to him in a panic.

"Brother, oh brother, how are you?"

Seeing this, Jiang Jinshu spoke with a look of feigned sorrow. "Sister Yunyan, my husband has suffered this punishment entirely because of you. From now on, you must conduct yourself properly and focus on your pregnancy; do not cause any more trouble for him."

She then turned to the Grand Princess and the other noblewomen. "Your Highness, ladies, I shall take my husband home now. I apologize for ruining the mood today and hope you will forgive us."

The Marchioness of Yongning stepped forward. "Jinshu, I am a bit older than you. Would you mind if I addressed you this way?"

Jiang Jinshu quickly replied, "I would be honored to be close to you, Marchioness."

The Marchioness smiled. "Today, thanks to you, the young heir was saved. While I cannot say much for the conduct of the Shen family, I recognize you as a friend. Do not let yourself be bullied in a den of wolves like the Shen household. If you ever need anything, send word to the Yongning estate."

Jiang Jinshu bowed again, her demeanor poised and graceful. "Thank you, Marchioness. I understand."

At the Shen estate, Madam Shen grew anxious as the evening deepened and the group had yet to return. "Weren't they supposed to attend the banquet at the Chancellor's residence? Why are they back so late?"

Just as she spoke, Nanny Feng hurried over. "Madam, the young master has returned, but..."

"But what?" Madam Shen asked urgently.

"The young master had to be carried back," Nanny Feng replied.

Madam Shen rushed toward the gate. "What on earth has happened? How could he be carried back after simply attending a banquet?"

As she reached the entrance, she saw Shen Nanxing being carefully carried by servants. His face was as pale as paper, his clothes were soaked, and he was covered in blood—it was clear he had been subjected to a severe punishment. Su Yunyan followed closely behind, weeping and frantic.

"Nanxing! What happened to you?" Madam Shen cried out, rushing forward to check her son's injuries, her heart twisting with pain.

"Mother..." Shen Nanxing managed to open his eyes, his voice weak. "I am fine, I merely took some punishment on Yunyan's behalf."

Madam Shen was even more confused. "Weren't you at a banquet? Why were you punished? And why for Yunyan? What exactly happened?"

Inside the carriage, Jiang Jinshu slowly peeked out as Caiping lifted the curtain. "Mother, it is a long story. Sister Yunyan pushed the young heir of the Yongning estate into the water at the banquet, nearly causing a catastrophe."

"I did my best to rescue the young heir, and hoping to keep the scandal from spreading, I begged the Marchioness of Yongning to let Yunyan off with a light punishment. But Yunyan refused, claiming she carried my husband's child. In the end, out of concern for the life in her womb—and because we had to provide an explanation to the Yongning estate—my husband volunteered to take the punishment for her."

Madam Shen looked at Jiang Jinshu in shock. "You knew?"

Her expression turned complex and unreadable. She looked from Su Yunyan to Shen Nanxing, at a loss for words. Seeing Madam Shen’s reaction, Jiang Jinshu let out a mocking laugh.

"My sister-in-law has publicly proclaimed that she carries her own brother’s child, so of course, I heard it. You have always told me that since Yunyan has no parents of her own, I should treat her with kindness. But now that this scandal is known throughout the capital, it seems your coddling has truly spoiled her."

Su Yunyan spoke up hurriedly, "Sister, I know you are furious with us, but brother is severely wounded. Let us get him inside to be treated. Whatever punishment you wish to inflict on me later, I will accept, but please, do not let your anger delay his care."

Jiang Jinshu’s mocking smile deepened. "Sister? Why the change in address? You seem to have adapted to your new identity quite quickly. Oh, wait—you two have long disregarded all moral codes. In your sordid hearts, I suppose..."

Stung by the mention of their illicit affair, Shen Nanxing’s face flushed red, and he scolded her weakly, "Enough, Jiang Jinshu! Why must you be so cynical? Isn't today's incident all your fault anyway?"

Jiang Jinshu cast a look of contempt at Shen Nanxing. "My fault? Shen Nanxing, was it I who made you abandon all sense of shame? Was it I who made Su Yunyan vicious enough to push a child into the water? You have no sense of right and wrong."

Madam Shen, seeing Jiang Jinshu’s sharp tone, frowned. "That is enough. What kind of decorum is this, arguing at the gate? Jinshu, I don't mean to criticize, but even if Yunchuan and Yunyan acted improperly, as the young mistress of the Shen house, you should prioritize the bigger picture and take care of your husband."

Jiang Jinshu looked at Madam Shen. "So, Mother, you know they acted improperly? Very well. Since Yunchuan was punished for Yunyan’s sake, and their shameful relationship is now out in the open, I shall leave it to Concubine Su to take good care of him."

She brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I am exhausted after a long day, so I shall leave you both to your intimacy."

She sat back inside the carriage. "Let’s go. Straight to the main courtyard."

Caiping lowered the curtain. The carriage slowly rolled past Shen Nanxing and the others. Jiang Jinshu had not stepped out of the carriage once, leaving everyone stunned.

Su Yunyan was the first to recover. "Sister, are you just going to abandon my brother?" She turned to Madam Shen, crying, "Mother, Sister is truly angry; she doesn't even care if he lives or dies."

Madam Shen looked at Su Yunyan. Despite her usual indulgence, the sight of her son bleeding on the stretcher made her feel a surge of resentment. "Enough, let's go inside." She ordered, "Call the house physician immediately."

In the main courtyard, Caiping watched as Jiang Jinshu calmly removed her hair ornaments. "Young Mistress, are you really not going to see the General?"

Jiang Jinshu placed a hairpin into her jewelry box. "He has his beloved to care for him; why should I trouble myself? Go to the kitchen and get me something to eat. Also, have someone prepare hot water; I wish to bathe."

Caiping was even more surprised. "Young Mistress, you used to be so anxious about the General. Are you truly not going to look after him? Won't that just let Su Yunyan..."

Jiang Jinshu looked up at Caiping. "Caiping, I was blind and foolish in the past, failing to see that those two dogs had long been wallowing in filth together. Now that I see their true colors, I no longer need to endure or appease them."

Caiping’s face brightened. "That is wonderful, Young Mistress. I am glad you have realized this."

"Young Mistress, that Su Yunyan used to rely on the Madam and the General to bully you and take advantage of you time and again. Now that her true face is revealed, you must guard against her."

Jiang Jinshu smirked at her reflection in the mirror. "It isn't a matter of guarding against her. Hasn't the entire Shen family been living off my blood? I was soft-hearted before and gave them too much leeway. From now on, I want to see if the Shen family can continue their 'loving' harmony without my subsidies."