"Who is below?" Wen Yuxi asked.
"This commoner is Sun Wanyue, and behind me is my sister, Sun Wanzhu," Sun Wanyue replied.
Wen Yuxi looked at Shen Yunxuan, who said, "They are my wife's maternal relatives."
Upon hearing this, Wen Yuxi remarked, "It seems you are not well-favored by the Zhou family."
"Lord Shen, do you recognize these two individuals?" Sun Zhiyuan questioned Shen Yunxuan.
Shen Yunxuan stepped forward and said, "I do."
"Lord Shen, even now, you refuse to confess?"
"Confess to what?" Shen Yunxuan looked up and asked.
Sun Zhiyuan continued, "The Sun ladies are here to support you, so tell us everything that happened!"
Sun Wanyue never imagined that one day she would be in the imperial palace, in the imperial court, with the most noble woman sitting on the dragon throne.
"Sun lady." Seeing Sun Wanyue remain silent, Sun Zhiyuan reminded her again.
Sun Wanyue declared, "Your Majesty, this commoner accuses the current Minister of Justice, Lord Shen, of toying with my sister Wanzhu's affections. He had promised my sister the position of primary wife, but now he has broken his promise and refuses to honor it."
The assembled ministers erupted in a clamor.
Wen Yuxi stated, "Nonsense. Lord Shen already has a primary wife in his household; how could he possibly promise you the position of primary wife?"
Sun Wanyue replied, "This commoner knows that what I say is hard for your lordships to believe, but my sister has a token of betrothal from Lord Shen."
"Bring it out," Wen Yuxi commanded.
Sun Wanyue looked at Sun Wanzhu, who hesitated. Sun Wanyue urged her, "Wanzhu, bring it out. Don't forget what I told you outside."
Sun Wanzhu shivered. Her sister had told her outside that if they failed, they might never leave the palace alive.
With a resolute heart, Sun Wanzhu took out the jade pendant from her waist. Shen Yunxuan was slightly taken aback, but his subtle movement did not escape Wen Yuxi's notice. Wen Yuxi appeared uneasy, asking, "Is that true?"
Shen Yunxuan, his face grim, replied, "This is the betrothal jade pendant I gave to Lady Zhou."
Hearing this, Wen Yuxi's expression darkened. "It seems Lady Zhou has colluded with the Sun family."
"She wouldn't," Shen Yunxuan denied outright. Based on his understanding of Lady Zhou, she would not do such a thing.
"So, it is someone from the Zhou family then?"
Shen Yunxuan's gaze became unfocused.
"Your Majesty, this is the token of betrothal that Lord Shen gave to my sister. Lord Shen said it was a family heirloom passed down through generations of the Shen family."
Wen Yuxi observed Shen Yunxuan, whose demeanor was clearly changing. She knew that the jade pendant Sun Wanyue produced was genuine. The reason Sun Wanyue possessed it was undoubtedly the Zhou family's doing. This matter would likely be difficult to resolve.
Wen Yuxi beckoned someone over and gave them several instructions. The person then withdrew.
Everyone's attention was fixed on the jade pendant in Sun Wanyue's hand, and no one noticed Wen Yuxi.
Wen Yuxi quietly said, "I have already sent for Lady Zhou. Only she can prove your innocence at this time."
Shen Yunxuan's eyes deepened. If he still didn't realize who was behind this, he would be too foolish. It was clear that yesterday, the Zhou family, in conjunction with Sun Wanzhu, had set a trap. Did they not consider that he had already married Lady Zhou? Did they not know that without even the last shred of family affection from the Zhou family, they meant nothing to him in his eyes? Da Feng Novel Network.
"Madam, something is wrong! My lord is in trouble," Hong Yan rushed into the room and said to the dazed Lady Zhou.
Lady Zhou was startled and looked at Hong Yan. "Trouble? What trouble could he be in?" As a third-rank official, a favorite of the Emperor, she did not believe he could be in trouble.
Hong Yan swallowed and gasped for breath. "Madam, you may not know, but your maternal sister-in-law has taken the token of betrothal that my lord gave you to the imperial court and accused my lord of toying with Miss Sun's affections, demanding that His Majesty punish my lord."
"How is that possible? That jade pendant has always been with me. Hong Yan, if you're going to lie, at least be more convincing."
Seeing Lady Zhou's disbelief, Hong Yan urged, "Then please check if the jade pendant is still here. I recall that young lady Sun frequently visited your chambers."
Lady Zhou was taken aback and quickly stood up. She opened her cabinet, revealing a brocade box. As her hand touched the box, her heart skipped a beat. She paused, then opened the box. It was empty.
"She took the jade pendant," she said weakly.
"Miss, what shall we do?" Hong Yan was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
"Take me to the palace," Lady Zhou said to Hong Yan, word by word.
Hong Yan was startled. "Madam, but we don't have the pass to enter the palace."
Lady Zhou thought for a moment. "Hong Yan, go prepare the carriage. I will go to the Shi residence first."
Although Hong Yan didn't understand why Lady Zhou wanted to go to the Shi residence first, she had no other ideas and could only nod.
Soon, the carriage stopped in front of the Shi residence. Madam Xiao Min had received the news in advance. She had initially intended to accompany Lady Zhou to the palace herself, but the little one disagreed and insisted on going along. Madam Xiao Min reluctantly brought Xue Xingyue into the carriage. Inside the carriage, Lady Zhou grasped Madam Xiao Min's hand and pleaded, "Sister, please help me..."
Madam Xiao Min replied, "My dear sister, don't worry. I just received word from my husband's messenger, instructing me to take you to the palace."
Lady Zhou breathed a sigh of relief, thinking she would have to spend a lot of effort to persuade Madam Shi to take her to the palace.
When they reached the imperial palace gates, imperial guards were indeed blocking the way, preventing the carriage from passing. Madam Xiao Min presented the pass she had used last time. The imperial guard glanced at it, then at Madam Xiao Min, and signaled to let them through.
"Madam, please alight and proceed on foot," the imperial guard said.
Madam Xiao Min nodded, carrying Xue Xingyue, and alighted from the carriage. Lady Zhou also got out of the carriage. Just as she was about to walk inside, a voice called out from behind, "Fen Li..."
Lady Zhou turned around and saw Madam Fan walking towards her. Madam Xiao Min frowned. Why was Madam Fan appearing here at this time?
Lady Zhou was also puzzled but stepped forward to ask, "Mother, why are you here?"
Madam Fan grabbed Lady Zhou's arm and said, "My child, come here. Mother has something to tell you."
"Mother, I have urgent business to attend to in the palace now. We can talk about anything after I return."
"My child, Mother's matter is also urgent and will not take up much of your time."
After all, she was her mother. Lady Zhou said to Madam Xiao Min, "Sister, please wait for me for a moment."
Madam Xiao Min nodded but reminded her, "Sister, please be quick."
Lady Zhou pulled Madam Fan to the side and asked, "Mother, what is it?"
Madam Fan held her hand, wanting to speak but hesitating, refusing to say anything for a long time. After Lady Zhou asked several times, she still couldn't get anything out of her.
Lady Zhou frowned, suddenly thinking of something, and asked, "Is it sister-in-law who asked you to stall me?"
Madam Fan was startled and quickly shook her head. "No." After saying that, she lowered her head in a flustered manner.