Chapter 5 — The Wedding Veil Still Cold, Loyal Bonds Severed

The reigning sovereign harbored a deep-seated hatred for corruption. Any offense committed within the capital must be pursued to the bitter end. If I could present irrefutable evidence, uncovering the crimes of the Ning household would be regarded as a monumental service, so the magistrate was naturally inclined to deliver justice to me. He immediately ordered tables and chairs to be brought out, hastily setting up a temporary tribunal right within the Marquis's estate. Ning Wan-Er and the couple were escorted before it for interrogation. Han Lin-Shen attempted to intervene, but was checked by his father's stern gaze. He could only stand by helplessly and watch as Ning Wan-Er was bound and forced to kneel upon the ground. The couple confessed that they had once been servants of the Ning family, dismissed for committing offenses. Later, they had begged Ning Wan-Er to take them back, whereupon she imposed a condition: if they wished to return, they must help her spread rumors about me. Even the vicious insults had been taught to them word by word by her own mouth for the purpose of propagation. When Ning Wan-Er tried to refute their claims, they promptly produced the bank drafts she had given them as payment. They had originally intended to pocket the money and flee the capital, but before they could escape, they were captured by my men.

"Fourth Miss Shen, we no longer need these bank drafts; we only beg you to spare our lives."

"We are ignorant country folk and know nothing of writing; all those venomous words were entirely taught by Miss Ning. Every debt has its debtor, every grievance its author; if you must blame someone, blame the one who truly deserves it."

Ning Wan-Er was struck as if by a slap before the assembled crowd, her entire body collapsing flat against the earth, consumed by utter humiliation. According to the laws of our dynasty, those who falsely accused others would suffer the counter-punishment, along with receiving fifty blows to the mouth. The magistrate gave the command, and bailiffs immediately prepared to execute the sentence on the spot. Terrified, Ning Wan-Er cried out loudly that she was with child and could not undergo corporal punishment.

"Pregnancy only exempts one from decapitation, not from all other punishments."

I stepped before her, looking down from above upon her disheveled and pitiful form.

"It is merely a striking of the mouth, how could it possibly harm the child in your womb?"

Realizing there was no escape, Ning Wan-Er clutched her abdomen in feigned agony and fell backward. She was faking a faint. Han Lin-Shen instantly seized the opportunity to scoop her up in his arms, intending to carry her inside. The members of the Han family also rushed forward to intervene; Lady Han's eyes were reddened as she wept with a choked voice:

"Where is the logic in executing a woman who is carrying a child? Are all of you made of iron?"

The surrounding onlookers began to soften as well. Although Ning Wan-Er was guilty, if it caused any mishap to the infant in her womb, it would indeed be too cruel. The magistrate found himself in an awkward position, and I alone remained unyielding. I spread my arms to block Han Lin-Shen's path, preventing him from taking Ning Wan-Er away. Then, looking toward the magistrate, I spoke:

"Since Miss Ning has fainted, it would be best to summon a physician to examine her right here and now. Otherwise, should any misfortune befall the child later on, I fear no one will know upon whose head to lay the blame."

Before the magistrate could reply, Han Lin-Shen flew into a rage:

"Third Sister Shen, Wan-Wan has already been driven to this state, yet you still refuse to let her go. Do you wish to push her to her death?"

I looked at him expressionlessly:

"It is precisely because I fear you people might pin the blame on me later that I wish to invite a physician to examine her right here."

The magistrate nodded in agreement, stating that my words were entirely reasonable. With him supervising the scene, the Han family was strictly forbidden from removing anyone at will. Before long, two physicians were escorted to the courtyard. But just as they stepped forward to check her pulse, Ning Wan-Er abruptly "woke up." She claimed that a sudden tightness in her chest had merely triggered an old ailment, but now she was completely fine.

"Then you no longer require a physician's examination?"

I asked, my gaze filled with suspicion. Ning Wan-Er nodded reluctantly. The fact that she was pregnant had already been exposed, yet she still refused to be examined by a physician—could it be that there was a secret hidden within her belly that could not be revealed? Harboring doubts in my heart, I continued to advise her:

"In any case, you are about to undergo your punishment. Should you find it unbearable halfway through and lose consciousness once more, a physician would at least be able to prescribe treatment."

As soon as my words fell, Ning Wan-Er's face twisted with fury, her teeth grinding fiercely as she spat out each word:

"I can endure it."

Her willingness to suffer the beating rather than allow a physician to feel her pulse only served to confirm my conjecture. The child in her womb most likely had an unclear conception timeline and a high probability of not being Han Lin-Shen's true flesh and blood. Otherwise, there would be no need for such secrecy. Just as I was deep in thought, the magistrate suddenly brought up a provision: if a criminal was unable to endure punishment due to special circumstances, a family member could take their place. A flurry of gazes instantly converged upon Han Lin-Shen.