"Your Excellency..."
Shen Yunxuan looked up at the person who had arrived and was slightly startled. He then stood up and walked to Madam Zhou, asking, "Madam, is there something?"
Madam Zhou hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping herself.
Shen Yunxuan gently pulled Madam Zhou towards a chair and said, "Sit down and tell me."
Madam Zhou sat down, her hands nervously clutching her handkerchief. Seeing this, Shen Yunxuan glanced at her and said lightly, "Are you here to plead for the Zhou family?"
Struck by Shen Yunxuan's words, Madam Zhou felt a little embarrassed, but she nodded. Her mother had knelt before her with her brother and sister-in-law, and she couldn't bring herself to refuse them.
Her brother had said that his wife had already sent Sun Wanzhu back home, and Sun Wanzhu would never bother her again.
Her sister-in-law had apologized to her, a sincere apology, even bringing her dowry in hopes of forgiveness.
Her mother had blamed herself, saying that after yesterday outside the imperial palace, she had come to realize that her actions as a mother were shameful.
However, she still hoped that she would not pursue the matter, considering they were all family.
Looking at her tearful mother and her repentant brother and sister-in-law, Madam Zhou's hardened heart softened completely.
She knew that whether the Zhou family would be charged as accomplices of Sun Zhiyuan depended on a single word from her husband, Shen Yunxuan.
Her sister-in-law had not committed any grave offense, merely an accessory, and would likely only receive a few strokes of the cane.
Shen Yunxuan was a trusted confidant of the Empress. If he were to show some personal favor, this matter would be nothing.
But sitting there, looking at Shen Yunxuan's earnest expression, she found herself unable to say a word.
"Madam, do you have something to say?" Shen Yunxuan asked.
Madam Zhou thought for a moment and replied, "My mother, brother, and sister-in-law all came today."
"I know," Shen Yunxuan suddenly said.
Madam Zhou trembled. If Shen Yunxuan knew, it meant he probably knew what she was about to say too?
"Your Excellency..."
"You speak..." Shen Yunxuan did not intend to speak for Madam Zhou, but wished for her to voice it herself.
"This concubine... this concubine..." Madam Zhou did not know how to begin. After all, her sister-in-law had once tried to make Sun Wanzhu Shen Yunxuan's concubine. She didn't know if Shen Yunxuan had a very bad impression of her sister-in-law.
"They pleaded with you?" Shen Yunxuan asked.
Madam Zhou blinked in surprise. So he knew everything. She nodded. "Yes, my mother knelt and begged this concubine, and my brother implored this concubine to forgive my sister-in-law, saying that she was merely possessed by a momentary delusion and did not truly intend to make this concubine sad. Wanzhu has already been sent home by my sister-in-law and will no longer bother this concubine and Your Excellency."
"Madam..." Shen Yunxuan suddenly said.
Madam Zhou looked at him, bit her lower lip, and then suddenly stood up, curtsied, and said, "I implore Your Excellency to give my sister-in-law a chance. She knows she was wrong and will never do such things again. Will Your Excellency spare my sister-in-law?"
"Do you truly wish to do this?"
Madam Zhou was slightly taken aback. She instinctively looked up at Shen Yunxuan. His eyes were dark, like a mist, making him inscrutable.
It was as if they could draw her in, leading to a bottomless abyss from which escape would be impossible.
"Madam..." Shen Yunxuan called out softly.
This call snapped Madam Zhou back to reality. "Your Excellency, do you find it inappropriate?" she asked.
Shen Yunxuan turned and walked to the window, speaking slowly, "Madam, I only care if you are happy and if you truly wish to forgive them. If not, remember that no one can force or trouble you, Madam Shen. If it is truly your wish, then I can spare them. However, if there is a next time, I will show no mercy."
Madam Zhou trembled. She felt as if she were dreaming. Shen Yunxuan had always cared about her thoughts. At this moment, she felt that her previous suspicions were somewhat laughable, having caused her unnecessary doubt for so long. She was truly foolish.
"Husband, thank you," Madam Zhou said with heartfelt gratitude.
"So, what is Madam's decision?" Shen Yunxuan asked.
Madam Zhou took a deep breath and said, "This concubine is rather foolish and believes that family is always family. Therefore, this concubine wishes to trust them this once. If there is a next time, this concubine assures you that she will not cause Your Excellency unhappiness over such matters again."
"Madam, I wish for you to be happy."
Madam Zhou replied, "This concubine's heart is the same as Your Excellency's. This concubine wishes for Your Excellency to be happy as well."
"Your Excellency, His Majesty summons you!" someone called from outside the door.
Shen Yunxuan walked over and patted her shoulder. "Rest early."
Madam Zhou nodded, watching his retreating figure with a sense of reluctance.
She noticed that Shen Yunxuan's desk was a bit messy and walked over to tidy it up. She then saw the painting again.
This time, knowing that Shen Yunxuan had been summoned by the Empress and would not return for a while, she did not rush. She pushed aside the books pressing down on the painting, revealing it completely.
The maiden sitting in the center was particularly striking. Suddenly, she frowned. A memory seemed to flash through her mind. Why did this maiden look so familiar, as if she had seen her somewhere before?
She tried to recall, but couldn't immediately place it.
Suddenly, among these handsome men, she spotted a familiar face: it was Minister of War, Lord Wen.
Lord Wen's presence here made her realize why the maiden looked so familiar. With a sudden thought, her whole body trembled. This maiden was the Empress from several years ago.
Her features were exactly the same as the current Empress, except the current Empress possessed a bit more decisive authority, lacking the approachable demeanor of the past.
Suddenly, an idea formed in her mind. She stood up and walked towards a particular direction. Reaching the door, a household servant stopped her. "Madam, the old Madam has already gone to sleep."
"Then I shall come tomorrow." Madam Zhou turned to leave.
"Since you've come, come in!" a hoarse voice called from inside the room.
Madam Zhou was startled. The servant guarding the door had no choice but to let her in. She entered and saw the old Madam Shen on the bed. She walked forward and curtsied, "Old Madam, this concubine has disturbed your rest."
Old Madam Shen smiled. "Since you wish to see this old woman, you must have something you cannot resolve yourself. Come, ask, and this old woman will answer you."
Madam Zhou had not expected Old Madam Shen to understand her so well. She did indeed have something she wished to ask Old Madam Shen.
"Old Madam, is that jade pendant real?" Madam Zhou asked after a long silence.
Old Madam Shen smiled. "This old woman guessed that your first question would be about it. Let me ask you, if it were real, what would you do?"