You're the one who wants to marry a mistress, and I'm marrying someone else, yet you still

Aunt Caiyun.

The people who served the Empress the longest were those who had influence with the Emperor.

Her every move outside the palace represents the Empress, and now that Xie Wanru has returned to the Xie family, this matter has become quite a big deal.

"What? Shen Yanzhi is this rebellious son's son?"

Only then did Marquis Yong'an learn that the adopted son was the child of Shen Nian'an and his mistress, and that he had been caught in the act of having an affair with this mistress in Xie Wanru's boudoir that day.

Moreover, the mansion held a flower viewing party today, which attracted many ladies and young women. Now the whole of Xuancheng knows about this scandalous affair of the Shen family.

"You unfilial son! You have utterly disgraced the Shen family!"

The Marquis of Yong'an was so angry that he trembled all over. He smashed the teacup in his hand on the ground, and shards flew everywhere.

He stared at the person in front of him in disbelief, his eyes filled with shock and anger.

Shen Nian'an was kneeling, while Fu Rou was already struggling to stay kneeling and was squatting. Shen Yu'er and Shen Yanzhi were on either side of her. Anyone who didn't know better would think that this family of four was being abused.

"Hurry up and beat that woman to death! And you! Shen Nian'an, what do you think of the Marquis's family rules? Huh? How could you do such a scandalous thing!"

"The Marquis of Yong'an roared, his voice echoing throughout the hall."

Shen Zhan was a slow-paced person who usually didn't concern himself with the trivial matters in the inner quarters. His principle was that he didn't have great abilities, but he also wouldn't cause trouble.

But he never expected that Shen Nian'an would do such a thing.

"Father! Father!..."

Shen Nian'an kept kowtowing.

"I'll go apologize to Xie Wanru! I'll go apologize to her! Rou'er bore me two children, you can't beat her to death, you can't!"

Shen Nian'an cried her heart out, appearing quite affectionate.

"My lord, things have come to this point. Killing this woman won't help. The most important thing is to calm Wanru's anger and bring her back."

Madam Shen wanted to help Shen Zhan into the house. After all, she was a woman and had a soft heart. She was also afraid that if she really beat Fu Rou to death, Shen Nian'an would not be able to accept it. But Shen Zhan was unwilling and did not move his feet.

Shen Zhan's face was ashen as he said in a deep voice, "You're right. We need to appease the Xie family first; we can't let this marriage fall through. Shen Nian'an, you go to the Xie family immediately to apologize. Your attitude must be sincere, and you must beg Xie Wanru for forgiveness. You kneel at the Xie residence's gate. If Wanru doesn't forgive you, don't even think about stepping into the Shen residence again. As for this woman and child..."

His sharp gaze swept over Fu Rou, Shen Yu'er, and Shen Yanzhi, his tone icy: "Lock this woman and her child in the woodshed for now, and we'll decide what to do after this matter has calmed down. If the Xie family cannot accept this, then you may leave the Marquis's residence. My Shen family cannot tolerate such people who disgrace our family!"

Fu Rou's face turned pale, her eyes filled with resentment and despair. She wanted to argue, but was stopped by Shen Nian'an's gaze.

"grandfather."

Shen Yanzhi called out to Shen Zhan, but Shen Zhan didn't even glance at him.

In Shen Zhan's heart, he didn't care whether Shen Nian'an's child was his or hers. What he cared more about was the reputation of the Shen family. As for grandchildren, there would be plenty in the future, so one more wouldn't make a difference.

Shen Nian'an knew that any explanation would be futile at this moment; only by saving her life could she have any chance of turning the tide.

But Fu Rou was not willing to accept this. They were clearly framed. No matter how stupid she was, she would not provoke Xie Wanru before she had even gained a foothold.

But this family didn't ask how it happened at all; this was clearly a setup! But... who did it? Fu Rou couldn't figure it out.

"Yes, Father, I will go to the Xie family immediately."

Shen Nian'an kowtowed to express her gratitude, and when she stood up, her face was covered in tears.

Madam Shen sighed and instructed the servants to prepare a carriage.

She then secretly slipped a jade pendant to Shen Nian'an and whispered, "This is a family heirloom of the Shen family. It was bestowed upon your grandfather by the late emperor. Just say... just say it's a token of our Shen family's goodwill. The Shen family only recognizes her as the second wife. We hope she can remember our past relationship and give you a way out."

Shen Nian'an accepted the jade pendant. With this wrong step, his fate was now completely in Xie Wanru's hands, and he had no choice but to submit.

If Xie Wanru doesn't forgive him, Fu Rou will definitely not be able to enter the Shen family, and even he... might be abandoned by the Shen family.

Meanwhile, at the Xie family home, Xie Wanru was sitting upright in her boudoir. She felt neither anger nor disappointment at Shen Nian'an's betrayal, as it was all part of her plan.

"Miss, Second Master. No, it's the Second Young Master of the Shen family."

Dongzhu's report interrupted Xie Wanru's thoughts. If she weren't a maid, she wouldn't have acted impulsively and ruined her young lady's important matter. She really wanted to put a sack over Shen Nian'an's head and beat him until he was crawling on the ground looking for his teeth.

Xie Wanru gently raised her hand, indicating to Dongzhu that she understood.

"Let him wait."

As for how long to wait, that depends on how long Shen Nian'an can wait outside; she has absolutely no intention of seeing this person.

After Aunt Caiyun escorted Xie Wanru back to the Xie family and settled her in, it was getting late, so she returned to the palace. Before leaving, she told Xie Wanru:

"Princess, don't be afraid. I will go back to the palace to report to the Empress and I will definitely seek justice for you. You can stay in the manor with peace of mind. I will take care of everything else for you."

The implication is that Aunt Caiyun will support Xie Wanru, return to the palace to discuss the matter with the Empress, and ensure that Xie Wanru is not wronged.

"Aunt, could you please ask Aunt Rou if the Emperor will grant me a divorce? I can't live like this anymore. So many ladies and young misses were watching today, and the whole city knows about it."

Xie Wanru cried again after she finished speaking.

Aunt Caiyun dared not agree, after all, it was a marriage bestowed by the Emperor, and the Emperor's approval was required. Moreover, she felt that there was something strange about what was happening today.

He could only offer a few words of comfort before returning to the palace.

Upon returning to the palace, Aunt Caiyun immediately recounted the entire incident to the Empress.

"You mean, Wanru deliberately led you inside?"

The Empress asked in disbelief.

"Yes, this servant noticed that the princess wasn't surprised at the time, and if she hadn't mentioned that there was a plum tree outside her door, no one else would have entered her courtyard. It's all too coincidental. But this also proves that the princess really wanted to divorce the second son of the Marquis of Yong'an, which is why she went through such a long and complicated process."