Chapter 39: What More Do You Have to Say?
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He Yunshu’s words, though posed as a question, carried a tone of certainty. Clearly, she had already made up her mind, convinced deep down of Shen Ningyuan’s guilt.
At this thought, Shen Ningyuan lifted her head, her expression calm as she looked directly at He Yunshu.
With a firm tone, she retorted, “Your Majesty the Empress, the matters you speak of are things this humble wife has never done. Why should I confess to them?”
“Oh? You mean to say that Lord Ji and your mother-in-law have falsely accused you?”
“Your Majesty, these allegations are indeed baseless.”
Shen Ningyuan’s attitude was neither humble nor arrogant. “Since marrying into the Ji family, I have always observed the duties of a new wife, devotedly serving my in-laws, caring for the entire household. I have never acted on my own; all decisions were discussed with my mother-in-law. Even when going out to purchase supplies, I had to obtain her permission and return within the prescribed time.”
“In the past year, I have conducted myself properly—being loyal to the Ji family elders above and faithful to my late husband Ji Yunchuan below. I have not interacted with any outside men, so how could there be any secret pregnancy?”
As she spoke, Shen Ningyuan glanced at Madam Chen. “Perhaps in these days, my mother-in-law, unable to accept the death of my late husband, has become mentally unwell and is suffering from hysteria.”
At these words, Madam Chen grew agitated once more, pointing at Shen Ningyuan and cursing, “Shen Ningyuan, what nonsense are you spouting? It is you who are mentally disturbed, you who are hysterical!”
“If not for mental disturbance, how could my mother-in-law be so certain that I have wronged Yunchuan?”
Shen Ningyuan pressed on, “If not for hysteria, how could my abdomen remain flat, and yet be said to carry a secret child?”
Madam Chen was silenced by the question.
In truth, she knew very well that whether it was the rumors outside or the scandal reaching the palace, it was they who were tarnishing Shen Ningyuan’s name.
Seeing Madam Chen fall silent, disdain deepened on He Yunshu’s face.
Muttering “fool” under her breath, she turned to Shen Ningyuan. “Ji Madam Shen, your in-laws have both witnesses and evidence proving your illicit affairs with an outsider. Think carefully before explaining yourself to me.”
With that, she ordered from outside, “Bring them in.”
No sooner had she spoken than two eunuchs led in a nursemaid and a sharp-featured man.
He Yunshu pointed at the two and asked coldly, “Shen Ningyuan, do you recognize these two?”
Shen Ningyuan looked up, her expression unchanged.
Softly, she replied, “Your Majesty the Empress, I do know these two.”
Before He Yunshu could question further, Shen Ningyuan went on, “One is the steward nursemaid of my quarters.”
“And the other?” He Yunshu’s face twisted into a sly smile as she emphasized, pointing at the sharp-featured man, “Who is he, and how do you know him?”
Faced with He Yunshu’s deliberate provocation, Shen Ningyuan remained calm, her tone even. “He is Lin Shu, the son of the Ji household’s rear courtyard vegetable supplier. He occasionally helps his father deliver vegetables. I often prepare porridge, decoctions, and medicinal dishes in the kitchen for my mother-in-law, so we have met a few times.”
“Oh? You’re quite candid.” He Yunshu’s tone shifted sharply as she continued, “You claim to have only met him a few times, yet remember so clearly. Do you think I would believe that?” She pressed on.
Upon hearing this, Shen Ningyuan finally lifted her gaze, meeting He Yunshu’s eyes.
Without emotion, she replied, “Your Majesty, as I said, since marrying into the Ji family, I have scarcely stepped outside the household gates. I have seen few outsiders, so it is only natural to have some impression of those I have occasionally met.”
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“You may have only some impression of him, but he knows you intimately!” He Yunshu lightly tapped Lin Shu. “You, tell us how you came to know the young madam of the Ji family.”
Startled, Lin Shu trembled as he raised his head. “Your Majesty the Empress, I first met the young madam when delivering vegetables to the Ji household’s rear courtyard. After several encounters, the young madam secretly favored me and gave me a scented sachet as a token of affection...”
“You’re lying!”
Before Lin Shu could finish, Song Yan’er interrupted in frustration.
“Yuan’er is a person who follows all rules. How could she give you a personal token?” Song Yan’er said angrily, “You are clearly trying to frame Yuan’er!”
He Yunshu sharply called, “Madam Song!”
“I am still here; what are you acting out for?”
Song Yan’er paused, realizing she had been too impulsive.
She immediately lowered her head. “Your Majesty the Empress, I admit my mistake. Please forgive me.”
Seeing this, Madam Chen raised a triumphant brow.
Those two little brats still wanted to challenge her? They were too inexperienced!
He Yunshu regained her composure and turned her gaze to Lin Shu, her voice low and commanding. “You, continue.”
Lin Shu nodded repeatedly. “Yes, yes, I will continue.”
“The young madam’s token—I dared not accept it at first and refused many times. Until one time, when I was late delivering vegetables, the young madam sent away all the kitchen servants and, as I entered, she embraced me.”
Song Yan’er could no longer bear it and wanted to retort, but Shen Ningyuan gently held her wrist.
Shen Ningyuan quietly reminded, “Sister-in-law, let him speak.”
Song Yan’er had no choice but to swallow her anger and glare fiercely at the family.
If she hadn’t witnessed it herself, she could hardly have believed it.
That a mother-in-law would slander her own daughter-in-law like this!
Madam Chen, seeing Shen Ningyuan’s silence, instinctively thought she had given up.
She immediately jumped up, shouting at Shen Ningyuan, “So you claim you never left the gates, yet how did you manage to cuckold my son right under our noses?”
Madam Chen glared at Lin Shu. “You, continue!”
“After the young madam embraced me, she said she had been a widow for a year and was terribly lonely, begging me for pity.”
“I was weak-hearted and accepted her request. I know I was wrong!”
After speaking, Lin Shu struck himself heavily across the face.
The crisp slap echoed throughout the vast hall.
“You, you, you...”
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Song Yan’er pointed at Lin Shu, her heart racing with anger, unable to speak a word.
In contrast, Shen Ningyuan remained calm and composed.
As if the Ji family’s young madam spoken of was not her at all.
Seeing Shen Ningyuan’s lack of reaction, He Yunshu frowned.
All the slander had been poured on her head, yet Shen Ningyuan remained so composed.
Could it be that she had some sort of backing?
No matter, whatever her reliance, it was now in their hands, and they would strip her bare.
After all... she was Cui Jin’s daughter!
With this in mind, He Yunshu turned her gaze to Lin Shu and asked again, “You said the Ji family’s young madam gave you a scented sachet. Are you carrying it with you now?”
Lin Shu quickly nodded.
Then, from his sleeve, he produced an exquisitely embroidered sachet, holding it above his head.
With a trembling voice, he said, “The young madam threatened me to keep the sachet on me at all times. I dared not disobey and have carried it ever since.”
Hearing this, Madam Chen immediately rushed forward, raising her hand as if to slap Shen Ningyuan.
“You vile woman! Do you have no respect for my son?”
But the slap never landed.
Shen Ningyuan raised her hand and caught Madam Chen’s wrist.
Her voice was icy cold. “Madam Ji! In the Pepper Chamber, the Empress holds the highest authority. You have no right to lay hands on anyone.”
With that, Shen Ningyuan forcefully shook off Madam Chen’s hand.
Madam Chen staggered, nearly falling to the ground.
He Yunshu disliked Madam Chen’s loud manner as well and did not reprimand Shen Ningyuan, tacitly approving her action.
She then gave a subtle signal to the nursemaid standing by the side.
The nursemaid nodded, approached to take the sachet from Lin Shu, then respectfully climbed the steps and handed it to He Yunshu.
He Yunshu examined the sachet carefully, noticing a flying kite embroidered in the lower left corner.
“Hmph!” He Yunshu snorted and threw the sachet down the steps. “Shen Ningyuan, do you have anything else to say?”