Sir Song, do you want to pledge yourself to me?

Although Shen Mingzhu didn't grow up with Qi Tongzhi, she was his niece whom he had loved with all his heart since childhood. Even if she wasn't very good, Qi Tongzhi couldn't bear to see her killed by Shen Songhe.

Song Jinbai was a powerful figure, backed not only by the Xuanwei Marquisate but also by the powerful Taifu Mansion. Lord Song had yet to show up for Shen Mingzhu's actions today, clearly expressing his deep displeasure. Qi Tongzhi knew that if he couldn't come up with a satisfactory reason to plead for Shen Mingzhu, he would undoubtedly offend Lord Song.

In the officialdom, Lord Song is his immediate superior. If he offends him, he will be hampered in every way in the government office. Even if Song Jinbai does not take action personally, as long as he shows his dissatisfaction with him in his eyes, countless people will follow suit and help Lord Song to trip him up.

After careful consideration, Qi Tongzhi finally decided to plead for Shen Mingzhu.

He took a deep breath and said respectfully to Shen Songhe, "Madam, please understand. Mingzhu is young and ignorant. She made such a mistake in the heat of the moment, but she truly has no ill will towards Lord Song. I ask that you, Madam, consider that this is her first offense and that she is truly repentant, and be lenient with her."

As he spoke, he glanced at Madam Qi, who was kneeling beside him, unconcerned. Seeing that she showed no intention of pleading, he continued with a pained tone, "Mingzhu shouldn't be so wishful thinking. Miss Ji and Lord Song are a match made in heaven. Now that the wedding is imminent, I wish Miss Ji and Lord Song a long and happy marriage. To show my sincerity, I am willing to give Miss Ji three shops in the capital as a gift. I also hope that Miss Ji can speak up for Mingzhu and let her go this time."

Shen Mingzhu struggled desperately, obviously not wanting her uncle to ask Ji Nuan for help. She shouted, "Don't ask her, uncle, don't ask her! She wishes I were dead..."

When Qi Tongzhi heard that Shen Mingzhu was still making trouble, he was so angry that he almost jumped up.

It was already this late, and this girl was still so willful. He had finally found the breakthrough point, and he couldn't let this girl ruin it.

Qi Tongzhi got up angrily, picked up the cloth on the ground, covered Shen Mingzhu's mouth tightly before she could say anything more unpleasant, turned around and knelt down again in his original place.

The action was done in one go, and everyone was stunned.

Ji Nuan almost burst out laughing. She glanced at Shen Songhe secretly and saw that the corners of the latter's mouth were twitching slightly while he was trying hard to suppress it.

Mother Wu, Song Shisi and others who were waiting on the side turned their faces away, their shoulders shaking as they tried to hold back their laughter.

Madam Qi covered her face:...He calls himself a famous scholar, but he is so disgusting!

"Madam Hou?" Qi Tongzhi reminded softly, as if he was completely unaware that his previous actions had caused others to laugh.

Shen Songhe coughed lightly and quickly regained her previous indifferent expression. "Hey, Nuannuan, what do you think about this? Miss Shen challenged the authority of the Song family. Ultimately, she still wants to compete with you for your husband. If you are willing to be magnanimous and forgive her and let it go, I can consider giving her a lighter sentence for your sake."

The implication was obviously that Ji Nuan was hinting that if she accepted the three shops given by Qi Tongzhi, she would no longer be able to severely punish Shen Mingzhu.

Ji Nuan understood Shen Songhe's intentions and knew that her words about ordering Shen Mingzhu's death were just a bluff to frighten them. Considering that Qi Tongzhi and Song Jinbai would have to work together in the future, they had to give him some face. Going too far would be detrimental to Song Jinbai's work.

So, she said very cooperatively: "Since Lord Qi has pleaded so earnestly, and Miss Shen has already realized her mistake, for the sake of Lord Qi and his wife, I don't want to dwell on it any further. However, the Song Mansion is definitely not a place that tolerates presumptuous behavior. If we let such behavior go easily, I am afraid that others will follow suit."

"Aunt Shen, how about this? Madam Qi, please find Miss Shen a marriage out of town as soon as possible. Marry her away within a month and never set foot in the Kaiyun Mansion again. This will serve as a punishment. What do you think?"

Shen Songhe nodded in approval. "Very good, very good! Qi Tongzhi, do you have any objection to this arrangement?"

In order to make the Marquis' wife change her mind about executing her niece, Qi Tongzhi had already spent the painful effort to save his three shops in the capital. Now that he was just expelling her from Kaiyun Mansion, how could he have any objection?

Mrs. Qi was even more eager for this. She wished Shen Mingzhu would get out of Kaiyun Mansion as soon as possible and stop causing trouble for her.

Shen Mingzhu was so angry that she was about to burst into tears, but she couldn't speak to stop it.

She was unwilling to marry anyone other than Lord Song, and she could not leave Kaiyun Mansion, otherwise it would be extremely difficult for her to see Lord Song in the future.

She twisted her body desperately, trying to break free and fight for herself. However, the woman holding her down grew tired of her repeated struggles and, taking advantage of her inattention, pinched her arms twice. Even though her eyes widened in pain, she couldn't make a sound.

"Since Lord Qi and Madam Qi have no objection, then it is decided. Miss Shen's wedding preparations are in a hurry, so I will give the three shops that Lord Qi gave me to Miss Shen as a dowry. I am sure Lord Qi will agree, and Miss Shen will be happy to accept it, right?" Ji Nuan said the last sentence while looking into Shen Mingzhu's eyes.

This disgusting thing, even if Ji Nuan can't kill her now, she will humiliate her and make her angry to death.

As expected, Shen Mingzhu struggled hard again, but ended up being pinched hard by the old woman again, causing her to cry in pain.

Qi Tongzhi had no time to care whether Ji Nuan intended to humiliate him. He was just glad that the property he had given away was recovered. He hurriedly said, "Thank you, Miss Ji, for your generosity."

Shen Songhe was very satisfied that Ji Nuan was not that short-sighted and did not lose her composure because of a few shops.

She was too lazy to pay any more attention to the uncle and nephew, and waved them off. "I've been making a fuss all day, and I'm tired. You can go back. Keep an eye on her. If any more rumors spread that are unfavorable to the prince, it won't be easily solved by marrying her off far away."

Qi Tongzhi promised solemnly, "Madam, rest assured. I will keep this in mind. I will lock her up when I return and will never let her set foot outside the mansion again until she gets married."

Shen Songhe nodded, "I've made a note of it. You guys go ahead."

Madam Qi had been kneeling for so long that she stumbled a little when she stood up. She took out a handkerchief from her bosom and tied it around Shen Mingzhu's face. Then she bowed to Shen Songhe and said, "Please, Madam Hou, lend me these two maids."

Shen Songhe immediately saw through Madam Qi's intentions, and seeing Ji Nuan smirking with her head down, her mood also improved, so she readily agreed: "Go ahead."

Madam Qi left with the two maids who had helped escort Shen Mingzhu. Before Qi Tongzhi could react, he hurriedly bowed and chased after Madam Qi, asking, "Madam, what are you doing? Mingzhu is fine now, shouldn't we let her go first?"

Madam Qi continued walking. "My Lord, don't you know Mingzhu's temper? If I let her go now, can you guarantee that she won't make trouble again?"

Upon hearing this, Qi Tongzhi looked embarrassed and could only nod helplessly, "Madam, you are absolutely right!"