Shen Yun was handsome with sharp features and an amiable face; with a simple curve of his lips, he could inspire unwavering belief.
His voice, gentle and clear, combined with his composed and self-assured demeanor, made people naturally trust his words.
Thus, after he spoke, the previously one-sided murmuring was suddenly split into two camps.
One side naturally continued to support what Taohua had said.
The other side, however, supported Shen Yun's statement.
Su Xiaoqi stood by, observing with a cool detachment. She discovered an interesting fact.
Most of those who supported Shen Yun were women, whether they were elderly or young.
Conversely, those who insisted on Taohua's version were mostly men.
This was likely the effect of like attracting like, and like repelling like.
"Yun Lang, why... why would you say that?
Back then, when you used your clothes to lay a mat for me in the cornfield of the manor, and placed me upon it... you didn't say that... Wuwuwu..."
Taohua's words were both shameless and explosive, causing the onlookers to prick up their ears.
"Tsk, this is quite a show, isn't it? Something we can listen to for free?"
Though they thought this internally, everyone listened with great interest.
However, many women, finding Taohua's words too coarse and direct, kept their distance to protect their reputations.
Yet, they were unwilling to leave entirely, so they donned veils and continued to watch.
With both sides presenting their arguments and sticking to their own accounts, the outcome became even more captivating for many.
They all turned to look at Shen Yun, eager to see how he would refute the claims.
Shen Yun did not disappoint, stating calmly:
"Miss Taohua claims to be merely a village girl. I am curious how you traveled all the way to the capital?
Who assisted you? Were you perhaps abducted and brought to the capital, only for that person to disappear? Upon seeing me, you then resorted to false accusation."
In the public square, Shen Yun did not wish to employ overly aggressive tactics, lest it attract criticism.
After all, he still had to remain in the capital.
"I... I didn't, Yun Lang..." Taohua sobbed.
However, her crying was unsightly. Her deliberately darkened eyebrows drooped, her nostrils flared, and tears and snot flowed freely, causing those nearby to frown.
Shen Yun's expression remained unchanged, though his eyes were beginning to gather anger.
Regardless of the intentions behind this, his reputation had been damaged.
But Taohua would not fare any better. He narrowed his eyes, his deep phoenix eyes flashing with sharp intent.
Su Xiaoqi, seeing his evident anger, felt displeased. She didn't know who had brought Taohua to the capital, but what mattered was that she was genuinely bothered by her.
She tugged at Shen Yun and stepped forward, saying:
"Since Miss Taohua claims to have had intimate contact with my husband, I must ask: do you know that my husband has a birthmark on his arm? Is that birthmark shaped like a butterfly or a circle?"
Her question was so direct that it successfully shifted everyone's attention from Shen Yun to Su Xiaoqi.
Previously, she had not spoken in public and had stood a few steps away from Shen Yun.
The crowd had not associated her with Shen Yun.
Upon hearing her speak now, they finally noticed the elegant and beautiful woman beside the protagonist of this incident.
Comparing her to Taohua was like comparing heaven to earth.
More and more people began to disbelieve Taohua, whispering amongst themselves.
"This woman must be Master Shen's wife. She's so beautiful."
"Indeed, with such a beautiful wife, why would Master Shen fancy that country woman..."
The discussions were varied, and every word and sentence fell into the ears of the three.
Taohua, utterly devalued, felt uncomfortable all over. She bit her lip, her face a picture of humiliation.
She desperately wished to cover her face and flee.
However, the Madam Quan following behind her did not allow her to retreat. She gripped Taohua's hand tightly, both to encourage her and to threaten her.
"I asked about the birthmark."
"I... I don't know," Taohua said softly.
But under Madam Quan's gaze, she dared not, and finally said, "I... I certainly remember the birthmark, but I... I didn't look closely. It was either butterfly-shaped or round."
Su Xiaoqi chuckled, scanned the faces of the crowd who heard this, and smiled, "It's not proper to discuss these matters in front of everyone, but since Miss Taohua herself is not afraid, we have nothing to conceal.
My husband's birthmark on his shoulder is actually..."
Before Su Xiaoqi could finish, Taohua interrupted, "I... I remember now. It's... it's butterfly-shaped."
Su Xiaoqi smiled again and asked, "Is it on the left shoulder or the right shoulder?"
Taohua, hearing that her guess was correct, suddenly gained confidence. She lowered her head as if in thought and said it was on the left.
Su Xiaoqi said it was wrong; it wasn't on the left.
Taohua looked up, fiddling with the hem of her clothes, saying she might have remembered incorrectly, as she was too flustered that day in the cornfield.
Su Xiaoqi smiled again, neither confirming nor denying. She simply asked if it was day or night in the cornfield that day.
After saying this, she added, "Except for the day of the grand examination, my husband has never stayed out overnight. Also, the nights in Yizhou Prefecture in autumn are still cold..."
"It... it was daytime!" Taohua was completely led by Su Xiaoqi's nose.
Shen Yun had intended to interject, but upon hearing Su Xiaoqi's words, he realized there was no need to speak. He decided to leave it to his wife.
He actually quite enjoyed the feeling of being protected by his wife.
"Oh, it was daytime, it was daytime, that's good. In broad daylight, one can see people clearly. I suppose Miss Taohua won't claim she mistook him later."
Everyone was confused about the meaning of Su Xiaoqi's words, only finding her reaction to such an incident, as the wife involved, to be far too calm.
At this point, Taohua's mind began to stir, sensing something was amiss, yet she couldn't articulate what.
Her intelligence failed her to grasp further implications, but a sense of unease grew within her.
"Alright, at this point, things are pretty much settled. I can tell everyone that my husband and this Miss Taohua never had anything to do with a cornfield.
Because he doesn't have a birthmark on his shoulder at all."
"No... impossible..." Taohua wanted to say that it was too dark then, and she hadn't seen clearly.
But then she remembered she had just claimed it was daytime.
She then wanted to say she remembered incorrectly...
However, everyone was looking at her with incredulous eyes, and Taohua felt a lump in her throat.
Others were not fools; they understood the plot at this point.
There was no clandestine meeting between the top scholar and a country maiden; it was all her own fabrication and boast.
Taohua's face turned pale, and she instinctively looked at Madam Quan behind her, only to find that she had already begun to walk away.
"Madam..." she called out loudly.
Su Xiaoqi glanced at Shen Yun beside her. He had already noticed the old woman and happened to block her escape route.
Su Xiaoqi continued, "Actually, your family was a tenant on our manor.
If my husband had truly taken a liking to you and wished to have any sort of relationship, he wouldn't have chosen a cornfield. He could have simply told me and taken you as a concubine.
After all, you were previously a concubine to the head of our manor. However, you abandoned me, your half-host, to find another family and slander my husband's name. It seems the only recourse is to report this to the authorities." Su Xiaoqi stated.
Taohua cried out in fear, "Ah, no, don't report it to the authorities! I was wrong, I was wrong! It was... it was someone who hired me with money, I... I didn't want to. I just..."
Taohua wanted to say she liked the young master, but meeting Su Xiaoqi's all-knowing gaze, she dared not say more.
However, at this stage, it was no longer a matter that could be resolved between just a few people.
Someone began to steer public opinion: "Are we to believe you just because you say so? We don't know you."
"Exactly, we'll only believe it if someone familiar with him speaks up."
Someone was instigating.
Su Xiaoqi felt anxious. Belief and disbelief were inherently subtle matters.
This was because people were not machines; they were always influenced by subjective consciousness.
Just as Su Xiaoqi was pondering how to further salvage Shen Yun's reputation, a familiar voice sounded:
"We are willing to testify for Xuzhi. His character has always been noble; he has a good reputation in our hometown."
Su Xiaoqi followed the voice and immediately recognized the speaker, an old acquaintance – Chang Wanqing.
"That's right, Brother Xuzhi is a man of self-discipline. We who know him can all testify to that."
Another person quickly spoke up.
This person had a pleasant voice, but Su Xiaoqi did not recognize him upon looking.
Shen Yun, however, recognized him instantly: "Xi Jianzhi."
Su Xiaoqi blinked. She didn't know this person, but she remembered the name.
Third place in the provincial examination.
Beside them, a group of scholars from various regions had gathered.
They all declared that they could not let the reputation of scholars be tarnished by these people who had appeared out of nowhere.
Scholars were often arrogant, each possessing a pride that others lacked.
Therefore, individuals who were not on good terms, and lacked sufficient mutual benefit, would generally be unwilling to speak up for each other.
But seeing them now, united in their rare solidarity, directing their accusations at those who had spoken for Taohua and Madam Quan.
These scholars, each having gone through various examinations and competitions, had experienced numerous contests.
They were seasoned veterans, most skilled in debating against a multitude of scholars.
The status of scholars was high. Individually, it might not seem like much, but now there was a large group.
All of them were speaking up for Shen Yun, questioning those who had supported Taohua.
Soon, they managed to silence the opposition.
Su Xiaoqi wondered at their unified front today. While surprised, she was also pleased.
Since others were stepping forward to defend them, she was naturally happy to remain silent.
Seeing that the situation was nearly concluded and everyone had had their fill of the spectacle, Su Xiaoqi signaled to Guo'er and Li Shushao beside her.
Understanding her intent, the two immediately bought some melon seeds, peanuts, and pastries from a nearby dried goods and confectionery shop and held them out, saying:
"Everyone, please disperse. We apologize for the disturbance today. This is a small token of appreciation from our master."
"Hey, who would have thought we'd get melon seeds and pastries just by standing here to watch a show?" Everyone grabbed handfuls.
Only the ladies from noble families seated in carriages, maintaining their dignity, refused the offerings and quietly departed.
As the matter was settled, Shen Yun looked at Su Xiaoqi with gratitude, only to be met with her cold expression.
Shen Yun's heart skipped a beat, and he thought, "Oh no, my wife is still angry!"