The old madam had summoned three renowned gynecologists, all famous figures, to examine Madam Yan. The final diagnosis from all three was the same: Madam Yan was one month pregnant.
The old madam trembled with rage. She had shown Madam Yan considerable tolerance, even enduring her siphoning funds from the General's manor, believing the money was for Xiao Man. To her shock, it was being used to support a lover!
The old madam's anger intensified. Raising her walking stick, she struck Madam Yan, yelling, "Shameless hussy! You dare to commit adultery within my General's manor!"
Madam Yan shielded her head with her hands. "Mother, I am wronged! I truly don't know what is happening."
"You dare to argue? So many doctors say you are pregnant; do you think they are all lying? Zhen said he did not touch you during his last leave. Tell me, whose bastard child do you carry?"
Madam Yan felt utterly helpless. She herself had no idea what was going on, let alone who the father of the child was. Yet, she was undeniably pregnant!
Madam Yan suddenly recalled her frequent erotic dreams over the past month, where Xiao Zhen would visit her, their intimacy passionate. Could it be that these dreams were not mere fantasies but reality?
However, Xiao Zhen was with the army. How could he have met her? Were the dreams real or false? If false, where did the child come from? If true, who was the man in her dreams, and who had orchestrated this to harm her?
Madam Yan's wet nurse, knowing Madam Yan was not the type to engage in such shameful behavior, stepped forward to protect her. Whispering in Madam Yan's ear, she said, "Madam, the urgent matter is to return to the Minister's manor for help. If this continues, I fear the old madam will punish you."
Madam Yan was completely lost. At this moment, returning to the Minister's manor seemed the only viable option. She immediately got up to flee, but was grabbed by several wet nurses. As Madam Yan struggled, her clothes were torn, revealing marks all over her body.
Upon seeing this, the wet nurses acted as if they had seen a ghost. They kicked Madam Yan's leg, pushing her to the ground. In a few quick movements, they tore away her clothes, revealing her body covered in the marks of passion. Madam Yan screamed, trying to cover herself, but to no avail.
The old madam's sharp eyes turned green. She detested anyone who shamed the General's manor more than anything. It was precisely why she disliked the arrogant and troublesome Xiao Man. But Madam Yan's actions were not just shaming; they were an outright desecration of the General's manor's reputation.
"Guards, bind her and hang her up! This shameless, depraved whore, I will beat her to death!"
Wet nurse Xu was also stunned by the scene. Even if Madam Yan had committed adultery, she wouldn't have been so blatant. Madam Yan's brazenness, not only committing adultery but doing so with such visible marks, showed utter disregard for the General and the old madam. She immediately stepped forward and slapped Madam Yan several times.
The slaps from wet nurse Xu left Madam Yan dizzy and disoriented. It was then she noticed the countless marks all over her body. Earlier, there were only a few red marks on her chest, but now they covered her entire body. Even with a hundred mouths, she couldn't explain it away. Su Dan Novel Network
"Old madam, this matter cannot be publicized!" Wet nurse Xu quickly ordered the courtyard gates to be closed, preventing any leaks. "If this news spreads beyond the manor, the reputation of the young ladies will be ruined. Even if you disregard the eldest young lady, you must consider the third young lady."
"That depraved whore's low-born offspring, it's not even certain if it's of my Xiao family!" The old madam was furious. Madam Yan cuckolding Xiao Zhen had crossed her bottom line. Now, she even harbored resentment towards Xiao Ling.
"Old madam, please consider the General and the eldest young lady. The eldest young lady is a destined one, noble beyond measure. We cannot ruin her future for such a vile creature!" Wet nurse Xu was afraid the old madam would actually kill Madam Yan, escalating the situation and harming the General's manor.
The old madam took several deep breaths, suppressing her murderous intent. Her gaze towards Madam Yan was one of wanting to devour her alive. "Confine her. I will think of how to deal with her."
Several nannies immediately came forward, gagged Madam Yan, and dragged her away to be confined. Wet nurse Luo was beside herself with worry. She had followed Madam Yan for many years and knew her character, but the marks all over her body and the pregnancy were undeniable. This time, her mistress was likely doomed.
The old madam seethed with anger. She had treated Madam Yan quite well, entrusting her with the management of the household and doting on her daughter. Yet, she turned out to be ungrateful. Come to think of it, the women in this manor were less troublesome than Xiao Man. Though Xiao Man was arrogant and prone to causing trouble, she would never disgrace the General's manor!
Madam Yan, having schemed and survived in the manor for over a decade, immediately sent someone to the Minister's manor for help upon learning of her pregnancy. The messenger, unsure of the details, merely reported that the General intended to kill Madam Yan. Upon hearing this, Minister Yan and his wife were outraged and immediately stormed the General's manor with their entourage.
Before the old madam could decide Madam Yan's fate, Minister Yan and his wife arrived with a mob, nearly suffocating her with their aggressive demeanor. Minister Yan, leveraging his position as Minister of Rites, invoked court protocols and threatened to impeach the General before the Emperor.
Xiao Zhen refused to see them, ordered his courtyard gates closed, and hid away in the Water Moon Pavilion with his beloved daughter, feigning ignorance of the commotion caused by Minister Yan's family.
The old madam, unable to bear the insult to her son, was helped up and went to meet Minister Yan and his wife.
Minister Yan had never respected the shrewd old madam. She cared only for benefits, and with the Wise Consort and the Tenth Prince behind them, he was sure the old madam would not dare to oppose them. However, he was annoyed by Xiao Zhen.
"Minister Yan, what is the meaning of this?"
"Old madam, tell Xiao Zhen to come out. What offense has my daughter committed that you wish to kill her?" Minister Yan asked haughtily. "If your General's manor cannot provide a satisfactory explanation, I will surely impeach the General's manor before His Majesty!"
"Impeach us?" The old madam laughed in exasperation. "Very well, go ahead if you dare. Today, I will cast all shame aside and demand justice for the Protector General's manor from His Majesty!"
Minister Yan was taken aback by the old madam's furious stance. He had adopted such an arrogant posture, certain that the old madam of the Xiao family would seek to de-escalate the situation. To his surprise, the old madam was also willing to appeal to the Emperor. He quickly looked for a maid from the General's manor but found no one from the Minister's household.
"What does the old madam mean? Why is my younger daughter not here? What offense has she committed? Even if it's a grave error, there should be an explanation. How can the General's manor mete out punishment privately?" Minister Yan finally sensed that something was amiss. Could his daughter have been framed?