The mistress has no feelings, why do you provoke her?

The attendant swung the paddle and struck Xiao Ling hard on the lower body, causing Xiao Ling to scream in agony: "Ah..."

As the paddle struck her body, intense pain shot through Xiao Ling, making her feel like she was about to die.

However, before she could even process what was happening, the next slap came down.

The relentless pain left Xiao Ling feeling like she was living but also unable to die.

She only lasted until the tenth stroke before she fainted.

When the Duke of Zhenguo saw his beloved daughter faint, tears streamed down his face.

Just then, Consort Ning slowly spoke up: "After this incident, the Third Miss must have learned her lesson. Duke Zhenguo, please take her back quickly."

Upon hearing this, the Duke of Zhenguo hurriedly waved his hand at the executioners, saying, "Stop! Stop!"

However, in the time it took Consort Ning to speak, she had already been struck three or four times.

The Duke of Zhenguo knew that Consort Ning was doing it on purpose, but there was nothing he could do about it.

He also had to express his gratitude to Consort Ning: "This old minister thanks Your Majesty for sparing my life."

"Go then." Consort Ning waved her hand: "When you get back, keep a close eye on her mouth. Never let me hear anything I shouldn't hear again."

The Duke of Zhenguo was startled, realizing that Consort Ning was referring to the marriage alliance between the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion and the Prince of Chu's mansion.

The matter was originally ambiguous, but after this incident, there is absolutely no hope left.

Xiao Ling ruined a perfectly good marriage.

The Duke of Zhenguo had Xiao Ling carried back to his mansion.

Song Wenjun knelt down and kowtowed to Consort Ning in gratitude: "Thank you, Your Highness, for saving me."

"Alright, get up now." Consort Ning, who had just been furious, was now a completely different person, smiling at Song Wenjun.

Everyone was surprised; Consort Ning was far too lenient with Song Wenjun.

Not only did he stand up for her, but he also personally attended a child's birthday party, which is truly unbelievable.

No one could figure out Consort Ning and Xiao Ji's intentions, no matter how hard they racked their brains.

Can it be attributed to the fact that Song Wenjun was more likable?

Ignoring the expressions of the other noble ladies, Consort Ning said to Song Wenjun, "Go and bring the child here."

"Yes," Song Wenjun replied, and then ordered Xiao Tao to bring Gu Jinyan over.

Before long, a little birthday boy dressed in a red Zhou Chenyan outfit appeared before everyone.

Consort Ning smiled broadly, then took out a lucky charm from her bosom and personally placed it around his neck: "The young child is born into a new year, auspicious clouds fill the doorway, reflecting the brocade scales. One day he will surely become a steed that can travel a thousand miles, whipping his horse and galloping through the fragrant dust."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Song Wenjun was so happy she could hardly stop smiling. "It is my son's good fortune to receive Your Highness's personal blessing."

Consort Ning smiled and nodded, reluctantly returning the child to Song Wenjun.

Just when everyone thought Consort Ning would leave, she suddenly clutched her chest, her face contorted in pain: "Ouch, my head..."

As he spoke, the hand that had been on his chest moved to his head.

The nanny beside her called out in agreement, "Your Highness, it must be that the Third Miss of the Duke's Mansion has angered you so much that your headache has flared up again. Whenever Your Highness has a headache, you feel dizzy and weak all over. Quickly find Your Highness a quiet and elegant room."

Song Wenjun was completely dumbfounded. Your Majesty, isn't your acting a bit too clumsy?

But we still have to give them the face they deserve.

He had no choice but to instruct the servants: "Quickly help the Empress to Wenxi Residence to rest."

The crowd hurriedly helped Consort Ning down, and the noble ladies and wives, as if waking from a dream, took their leave one after another.

Song Wenjun personally escorted them to the gate, her face practically frozen with smiles.

Before parting, Lady Xue pulled Song Wenjun aside and asked her, "What's going on? Why are the Imperial Concubine and the Prince of Chu suddenly blaming your household? Did you offend them?"

Song Wenjun was on the verge of tears: "If only I knew what was going on."

"Huh?" Xue looked surprised and gave him a look that said, "You'd better be careful. I have a feeling this matter is not simple."

"If the Imperial Concubine truly harbored ill intentions, she wouldn't have helped me. Don't worry."

Xue sighed, "I hope so."

None of the winners of these palace intrigues are easy to deal with; it's likely that Consort Ning has ulterior motives.

Song Wenjun saw Xue Shi off onto the carriage before turning back.

Looking at the vast mansion, a sorrowful expression appeared on her face.

One great Buddha statue hasn't been sent away yet, and another one has come in. What should we do?

"Wenjun!" A thunderous sound behind her startled Song Wenjun.

Turning around, I saw Song Jinshu walking in with a gloomy face and a furious expression.

Behind her followed a worried-looking woman named Min: "Husband, please speak properly. Don't frighten your sister-in-law."

Seeing her elder brother, Song Wenjun felt a little guilty: "Brother, what brings you here?"

"You, you're really going to be the death of me!" Song Jinshu pointed at Song Wenjun's nose, her hand trembling with anger. "Such a big thing happened, and you didn't even let out a word. Don't you respect your brother at all?"

The other party came to confront them, and he was angry about Song Wenjun's divorce and moving.

It's been so long and they haven't contacted their family. Anyone would be angry.

Song Wenjun smiled and took Song Jinshu's arm, saying coquettishly, "Big brother, don't be angry anymore."

"Don't give me that. I'm asking you, is all of this true?" Song Jinshu was still furious, and even Madam Min couldn't persuade her.

Judging from his fiery temper, it seemed like he was about to slap Song Wenjun at any moment.

Song Wenjun wasn't afraid at all; Song Jinshu was just a paper tiger.

He would never have the heart to hit Song Wenjun.

When Song Wenjun made a huge mistake as a child, Song Jinshu would lose all his temper as long as she acted cute.

"Yes, it's true. I've severed ties with the Marquis's mansion," Song Wenjun answered honestly.

Song Jinshu looked at her with a mixture of anger and heartache, but the raised hand ultimately did not fall.

He cried out and squatted down, burying his face in his hands and sobbing.

Mrs. Min was caught off guard by his antics, unsure whether to appease him or not, and could only anxiously watch.

"Sister, you should try to persuade her," she had no choice but to ask Song Wenjun for help.

Song Wenjun stepped forward, squatted down in front of Song Jinshu, and held his hand, saying aggrievedly, "Brother, hit me, it's all because I was disobedient."

She grabbed Song Jinshu's hand, about to slap herself, but Song Jinshu forcefully pulled his hand away, then suddenly hugged Song Wenjun tightly and burst into tears: "It's all because my brother is useless, it's all because my brother is useless that you've suffered so much, ah..."

"Brother, it's not your fault, it's all my fault." Seeing him cry, Song Wenjun also shed tears.

While wiping her tears, Madam Min teased Song Jinshu, "A grown man crying like this, aren't you ashamed?"

Song Jinshu ignored them and continued to cry uncontrollably.

He blamed himself and felt guilty. If it weren't for his incompetence, Song Wenjun wouldn't have been able to bear so much alone.

Just as the group was embracing and weeping, Song Jinshu suddenly cried out and stopped crying.

Not far ahead, Xiao Ji stood there looking completely lost.

It doesn’t matter if you leave, it doesn’t matter if you don’t leave.

Song Jinshu was genuinely frightened. He shoved Song Wenjun aside and walked towards Xiao Ji, asking, "Where did this pretty boy come from?"