Shen Congjun started, unwilling to accept it, and said angrily, "You... you are just making excuses for this wicked woman."
"I don't need to make excuses for anyone, this is just the fact. It's just that Second Master Shen refuses to face these issues. If he were to face them, he would know there's no reason for Second Madam Shen to do this," Xue Zi Ning said indifferently.
Shen Congjun shook his head, "No, no..."
Seeing this, Old Madam Shen sighed and shook her head.
"Old Madam, the person has been brought," said Li Mei, the maid beside Old Madam Shen, as she returned.
Old Madam Shen nodded, "Let her in."
Shortly after, a little maid walked in, "Greetings to Old Madam and Second Master."
Upon seeing the little maid, Shen Congjun quickly stepped forward and asked, "How is your concubine Liu?"
Hearing Shen Congjun ask about Concubine Liu, the little maid knelt on the ground with a thud and cried, "Second Master, please take pity on Concubine!"
Seeing this, Shen Congjun eagerly asked, "Tell me, what happened to Concubine Liu?"
The little maid cried, "Concubine lost her child and was heartbroken, even wanting to die. Fortunately, we servants stopped her. However, Concubine has no will to live and lies in bed listlessly."
Upon hearing this, Shen Congjun turned to look at Second Madam Shen with hatred in his eyes. He suddenly stepped forward and slapped Second Madam Shen across the face. Second Madam Shen was completely unprepared, her face was struck to the side and instantly became red and swollen, indicating the force of the blow.
He seemed unsatisfied and was about to strike again, but a hand firmly gripped his wrist. "Let go of me, let me beat this wicked woman to death."
"Second Master, hitting your wife without clarifying the facts?" Xue Zi Ning was also angered. To hit someone without rhyme or reason?
"Who do you think you are to tell me who I can hit?" Shen Congjun tried to break free from her grasp, but he found that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't.
He was stunned, looking at the clearly slender and delicate girl, how could she have such strength?
"I am indeed no one of the Shen family, but Old Madam Shen has granted me this authority, so I will handle this matter properly. Second Master Shen, please mind your words and actions, otherwise, I don't mind bringing Concubine Liu out."
"How dare you..." Second Master Shen was also furious. When had he ever been threatened like this?
"What is there that I dare not do? A mere concubine dares to act presumptuously in front of the principal wife. Those who know will think the principal wife is magnanimous, but those who don't will think Second Master Shen dotes on his concubine and neglects his wife. I think Second Master Shen hasn't read the laws of our dynasty properly. According to our dynasty's laws, those who dote on their concubines and neglect their wives are forever forbidden from participating in imperial examinations and cannot serve in the court."
Shen Congjun trembled all over, "You... you're talking nonsense..."
Hearing this, Xue Zi Ning turned her head to look at Shen Yun Xuan, who was walking in from outside, and said coldly, "Third Young Master Shen, recite our dynasty's laws regarding doting on concubines and neglecting wives."
Shen Yun Xuan nodded and began, "According to our dynasty's laws, those who dote on concubines and neglect their wives are forbidden from entering the court for three years. For those who are not officials, they are forever forbidden from participating in imperial examinations."
Shen Congjun took a few steps back and said, "I... I haven't doted on my concubine and neglected my wife."
"I haven't said that Second Master Shen dotes on his concubine and neglects his wife either, I'm just reminding you that the consequence of doting on concubines and neglecting wives is that Eldest Young Master Shen might be unable to enter the court as an official, and Third Young Master Shen cannot enter the court within three years."
"Congjun, I don't care how foolish you are, but if you ruin the future of the younger generation, I will never allow it," Old Madam Shen said angrily, tapping the ground with her cane.
Second Master Shen cowered and quickly said, "I haven't, Mother, I really haven't."
"Since Second Master Shen insists he has not doted on his concubine and neglected his wife, then please do not participate in how I interrogate Second Master Shen next," Xue Zi Ning said coldly.
Shen Congjun had no more to say. Although he doted on Concubine Liu, he also knew what was most important, and that was the family's honor.
"Someone drag this disobedient maid out and give her ten slaps," Xue Zi Ning said coldly.
The little maid never expected to be punished without being asked anything, and was momentarily stunned. Only when the servants dragged her out did she react and quickly beg Shen Congjun for help, "Second Master, save this servant, save this servant..."
Just as Shen Congjun was about to speak, he remembered his promise and could only turn his face away, refusing to look at the little maid. The little maid was despairing.
Soon, sounds of painful wailing could be heard from outside. Xue Zi Ning called out towards the outside, "Bring her in after the punishment."
The little maid, after receiving ten slaps, came in without her previous arrogance and disdain.
"Don't you know how to curtsy?" Xue Zi Ning asked coldly.
The little maid was startled and quickly endured the pain to curtsy, "Greetings to Old Madam, Second Master, Second Madam, Third Young Master, Fifth Miss, and Ning Miss."
The little maid was on the verge of tears.
Xue Zi Ning nodded, "Indeed, after a beating, your words have become sweeter, and your eyes can see people."
Shen Yue Yue, standing nearby, couldn't help but chuckle. Sister-in-law was still so lovely.
Xue Zi Ning continued to ask, "How did your concubine lose her child?"
Hearing this, the little maid cried, "Concubine drank the sweet soup bestowed by Madam. After drinking it, her stomach ached, and then... then she miscarried."
"Wicked woman, you actually..."
"Second Master Shen, have you forgotten what you just promised?" Xue Zi Ning frowned and asked coldly.
Shen Congjun angrily turned his head away.
"Who sent it?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
The little maid said, "Sister Jin Si."
"Call Jin Si here," Xue Zi Ning said.
Soon, Jin Si walked in. Upon seeing the situation, she understood something. After bowing, she knelt on the ground, "Please punish this servant, everything was done by this servant, and it has nothing to do with Madam."
Shen Congjun was enraged upon hearing this, and stepped forward to kick her, but was stopped by Shen Yun Xuan.
"Let go, I want to kick this wicked servant to death, she killed the descendant of my Shen family."
"Second Uncle, please remain calm. If everything was done by Jin Si, she will explain it to Concubine Liu."
Shen Congjun did not want an explanation; he just wanted to kill this wicked servant now. However, he couldn't move at all, as Shen Yun Xuan was holding him firmly.
"Jin Si, you..."
Second Madam Shen looked somewhat incredulous.
Jin Si looked at Second Madam Shen with red eyes, "This servant feels it is not worth it for Madam. Since Concubine Liu entered the household, Second Master has visited your room very few times. Even when he did, Concubine Liu would always find excuses to call Second Master away. You never mentioned it in front of Old Madam, but this servant knows you suffer in your heart.
Especially after the young madam left and Eldest Young Master did not understand you, you suffered even more. At this time, the news of Concubine Liu's pregnancy, less than a month, this servant feels it is even more not worth it for you. This servant pities you and took it upon herself to give Concubine Liu sweet soup, with several herbs added..."
"Wicked servant, I want to kill this wicked servant, she harmed the descendant of my Shen family."
Jin Si looked at Xue Zi Ning and said, "Miss Ning, please punish this servant."
Xue Zi Ning looked at Old Madam Shen and asked, "The Eldest Young Madam left less than a month ago, and Concubine Liu is pregnant for less than a month. If the Wei family finds out, who knows how the Shen family will respond?"
"Nonsense, Shen Congjun, you are a disgrace..." Old Madam Shen was furious.
Shen Congjun also knew he was in the wrong and was no longer as arrogant as before, "But... even if I am wrong, you can still kill Concubine Liu's child?"
Old Madam Shen was so angry she couldn't help herself, "If it were me, I would directly bestow death upon her."
Shen Congjun trembled all over, "Mother..."