The Shen family was shrouded in sorrow over Li He's affairs. "She dared to do such a shameless thing; this old woman will surely grant her death," declared Madam Shen, furious.
"Thank you, Madam, thank you, Ning girl, for speaking for the madam. This servant is willing to die as atonement. Please do not implicate the madam." With that, Jin Si rose and lunged towards the door.
Xue Zi Ning's eyes tightened. She sprang forward, grabbing the hem of Jin Si's fleeing gown and pulling her back.
Everyone was stunned. Ning girl actually knew martial arts? Jin Si's movement had been sudden; someone without skill couldn't have stopped her.
Xue Zi Ning set Jin Si down. "I will get you justice. Dying solves nothing." She stood up and saw no trace of grief or anger on Jin Si's face. For some reason, she felt a vague unease.
Shen Yun Xuan walked up to her. "Ning An, please continue." Madam Shen, having regained her senses, felt that no matter what Ning An was hiding, she had no intention of harming the Shen family. Moreover, the Shen family needed her.
"Sister-in-law, you're amazing!" Shen Yue Yue exclaimed in surprise. For so long, she hadn't known her sister-in-law possessed such skills.
"No one is to speak of today's events. Otherwise, do not blame me for being impolite," Shen Yun Xuan warned coldly. This was the first time he had revealed a killing intent, even towards his own kin.
"This old woman guarantees no one will speak a word of it today," Madam Shen pledged first. Everyone else in the room followed suit.
"Ning An, rest assured, no one else will know. You may continue," Shen Yun Xuan said.
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "Next, I need Jin Si to tell us what was put into the sweet soup."
Upon hearing this, Jin Si said, "I only put in musk..."
"Vile servant..." Shen Cong Jun gritted his teeth. Restrained by Madam Shen, he dared not speak loudly, but he vowed to sell Jin Si off later. Such a wicked servant could not be kept close.
"How much did you put in?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
Jin Si replied, "Only about the tip of a finger."
Xue Zi Ning said, "I understand."
"Mother, what else is there to say? Even if my actions were wrong, the child is innocent," Shen Cong Jun said, his heart aching for his unborn child.
"Ning An, while Cong Jun's actions are condemnable, that is, after all, a descendant of the Shen family. Jin Si must be dealt with," Madam Shen stated.
Shen Yun Xuan instinctively glanced at Xue Zi Ning. Seeing her brow slightly furrowed, he said, "Madam Shen, what if this child was not only lost due to Jin Si?"
Madam Shen was taken aback. "Ning An, what do you mean?"
"I still wish to invite Concubine Liu out. There are some things I need to ask her directly," Xue Zi Ning said.
"What do you mean? Concubine Liu has already miscarried and cannot be exposed to the wind," Shen Cong Jun vehemently objected.
Madam Shen looked at Xue Zi Ning. "Must Concubine Liu be invited?"
"If you wish to know the truth..." Xue Zi Ning did not finish, but everyone understood her meaning.
Madam Shen sighed. "Li Mei, bring more people. Even if you have to carry her, bring Concubine Liu here. But pay close attention to her condition and ensure she doesn't catch a chill."
Li Mei nodded. "Madam, please rest assured, I will keep it in mind."
"Mother, how can you listen to an outsider and forcibly bring Concubine Liu here?" Shen Cong Jun was furious.
"Cong Jun, don't you want to know the truth? Don't you want to know if it was Jin Si's musk or if someone else killed the Shen family's descendant?"
Shen Cong Jun's body trembled.
Half an incense stick's time later, Li Mei returned, accompanied by several old women carrying a chair. A slender figure sat on the chair, completely swathed, with only her eyes visible.
"Madam, Concubine Liu has been brought," Li Mei announced.
Madam Shen nodded. "You may go." Li Mei withdrew.
Shen Cong Jun hurried forward, whispering, "Have you caught a chill? Is your body still uncomfortable?"
"My lord, this concubine is fine, but I can only appear before you in this state. Please do not be angry."
"How could I be? You should be resting in your room after your miscarriage. I feel guilty for causing you such trouble."
"My lord, your care for this concubine is enough. Even if I am uncomfortable, your affection is sufficient to help me endure."
Madam Shen coughed lightly. Concubine Liu turned to look at her. "I beg your pardon, Madam. My body is not well enough to be moved."
"It is nothing. It is I who was insistent. Someone, bring a brazier for Concubine Liu," Madam Shen commanded.
"Thank you, Madam, for your kindness," Concubine Liu said.
Shen Cong Jun said coldly, "Ask your questions quickly."
Xue Zi Ning stepped forward, looking at Concubine Liu. Concubine Liu also looked at her, smiling faintly. "You must be Ning An girl!"
"I am," Xue Zi Ning replied softly.
Concubine Liu smiled. "I have heard much about Miss Ning. Thank you, Miss Ning, for helping the eldest young madam."
Xue Zi Ning was startled. Concubine Liu sighed. "Although I am but a concubine, the eldest young madam never suppressed me due to my status. On the contrary, the eldest young madam and I got along well. I admired her greatly. Alas, beauty is fleeting. The eldest young madam is gone, and I..." Concubine Liu covered her mouth, seemingly weeping.
"Since you know this, why did you act that way? Why did you behave improperly with my lord while Li He's corpse was still cold? What will the Wei family think of the Shen family?" Shen Er Furen finally spoke.
"What did I do? Are you speaking of my pregnancy? I was indeed pregnant, but my pregnancy began before the eldest young madam's labor," Concubine Liu stated.
Shen Er Furen was stunned, and Xue Zi Ning was also taken aback. "Concubine Liu, are you saying your pregnancy began before the eldest young madam's?"
Concubine Liu nodded. "Yes."
"Then why didn't you say anything?" Shen Er Furen pressed.
Concubine Liu chuckled softly, a hint of helplessness in her voice. "I knew my words carried little weight, and with the eldest young madam about to give birth, if I were to add to her troubles, would that not displease her further? So, I thought to speak after the eldest young madam's delivery. I never imagined..."
"Concubine Liu, you drank the soup sent by the Madam?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
Concubine Liu glanced at Shen Er Furen and nodded. "Yes."
"Vile woman, I will disown you today!" Shen Cong Jun roared, lunging to grab Shen Er Furen by the hair.
"My lord, no..." Concubine Liu cried out in shock, reaching to stop Shen Cong Jun. But Shen Cong Jun was consumed by rage and shoved Concubine Liu aside, lunging at Shen Er Furen.
"Ah..." came Concubine Liu's cry of pain. Shen Cong Jun snapped back to awareness, turning to see blood flowing from beneath Concubine Liu.
"Liu'er..." Shen Cong Jun rushed forward, embracing Concubine Liu.
Concubine Liu clutched Shen Cong Jun's arm, speaking word by word. "My lord, you must not... you must not do that to the Madam."
"Someone, quickly get a physician!" Shen Cong Jun shouted frantically.
Madam Shen immediately ordered someone to fetch a doctor.
"Second Uncle, let go of Concubine Liu. Concubine Liu is merely bleeding from her miscarriage; she won't..."
"You all knew Liu'er had miscarried, yet you still made her come. Yes, it was you! It was you! If anything happens to Liu'er, I will never forgive you!" Shen Cong Jun pointed at Xue Zi Ning, enraged.