Madam Jiang rushed into the room. In her haste, she could hardly walk steadily. It was only with Caidie's support that she didn't fall.
As soon as Madam Jiang entered, she saw Ji Junye and Shen Qing sitting side by side on the main seats, and Shen Mian being dragged out. Her heart sank like a stone.
Shen Mian seemed to grab the last straw. Driven by the desire to live, she struggled desperately and actually managed to break free from Zhuiyun's grasp. She hugged Madam Jiang's thigh and cried.
"Mother, save your daughter. I'm your only daughter..."
But in Shen Mian's hopeful gaze, Madam Jiang slapped her hard across the face.
Madam Jiang used all her strength in this slap, knocking Shen Mian to the ground. But she herself lost her balance due to the inertia and fell into Caidie's arms.
Madam Jiang trembled with anger. "How did I teach you on weekdays? How could you do such a thing? Do you want to piss me off!"
Just a moment ago, she was so heart - broken about Shen Qing's death that she fainted. But as soon as she woke up, those around her told her this even more shocking news.
She always thought that Shen Mian was just a bit sensitive and arrogant because of her background and limited knowledge. She believed that as long as she taught her patiently, Shen Mian would improve. But she never expected that Shen Mian would dare to attempt to murder someone!
And the victim was her other daughter!
Shen Mian was stunned. Since she was recognized as a family member, Madam Jiang had always cared for her. Even when she did something wrong, the most severe punishment was just to hire a couple of teaching maids. She had never been scolded. Now, mother actually slapped her?
Before Madam Jiang could steady herself, the next moment she knelt down.
"Your Majesty, it's my fault for not teaching this daughter well. I'm willing to take all the blame for her. Please spare her life!"
The moment Madam Jiang entered, Shen Qing stood up from her chair. Her gaze towards Madam Jiang was full of pity and some indescribable emotions. She wanted to say something, but opened her mouth and finally said nothing.
Madam Jiang's gaze met Shen Qing's in the air, but she quickly looked away.
Actually, it was obviously more likely for her to plead with Shen Qing than with the emperor. But how could she have the face?
Madam Jiang kowtowed vigorously, crying and pleading.
"Your Majesty, the Shen family has never asked you for anything. Even when all the male members of the Protector - of - the - State Marquis Mansion died in the war, the Shen family never blamed you. Our family has been loyal for generations. Shen Mian is the only bloodline left by my husband in this world. Are you really so heartless that you want to see the last trace of my husband's bloodline disappear from this world?"
Madam Jiang's words were so tragic that everyone present remembered what had happened that year. In that battle, all the men of the Protector - of - the - State Marquis Mansion died in the war, defending their homeland. Even today, no one had forgotten.
Ji Junye didn't say a word. Instead, he subconsciously looked at Shen Qing.
It didn't really matter to him. If he really wanted Shen Mian to die, no matter how Madam Jiang pleaded on behalf of the dead Protector - of - the - State Marquis, even if the entire Shen family army rebelled, he could still have her beheaded.
But Qingqing had always been emotional. This time, she would probably be sad for a long time.
However, this time Shen Qing was obviously stronger than he had imagined.
Shen Qing was calmer than he expected. She looked deeply at Madam Jiang and finally spoke.
"For the sake of my grandfather and mother's upbringing, I can spare Shen Mian's life. But she can no longer use this identity, and she must never appear in front of me again. Otherwise, I won't show any mercy."
From now on, the grudges between her and the Shen family were wiped out. They owed each other nothing.
Madam Jiang stared blankly at her. Did she mean for Shen Mian to fake her death and live in anonymity?
But now, it seemed to be the best result.
Madam Jiang subconsciously looked at Ji Junye, but Ji Junye's attention was all on Shen Qing. Madam Jiang understood.
Madam Jiang nodded repeatedly. "I agree."
Shen Mian never expected that in the end, only Madam Jiang would speak up for her, even risking her own life and the good reputation of her grandfather and father after their deaths...
Shen Mian shed remorseful tears. "Mother, I really, really know I was wrong..."
If from the very beginning, she had listened to her mother, not insisted on entering the Guangping Marquis Mansion, and not insisted on opposing Shen Qing, would she not have made such a big mistake?
Madam Jiang patted Shen Mian. "Then I'll take her away."
Since it was a fake death, Shen Mian would have no more ties with the Guangping Marquis Mansion or the Protector - of - the - State Marquis Mansion. She had to abandon all her past.
The moment they turned around, Shen Qing still couldn't help but turn her face away.
The next moment, Caidie's scream rang out. "Madam!"
"Mother!"
Madam Jiang had fainted once before and had just recovered a bit. After pleading for Shen Mian for so long, she finally couldn't hold on anymore. She spat out a mouthful of blood, her vision went black, and she fainted.
Seeing this, Shen Qing subconsciously grabbed Ji Junye's hand. Ji Junye held hers back and calmly protected Shen Qing behind him. He said, "Call the imperial physician to treat the Protector - of - the - State Marquis's wife."
Madam Jiang was carried away, and Shen Qing's emotions gradually calmed down.
Everyone had their own choices. This was her mother's choice.
After dealing with Shen Mian, they had another important matter.
Shen Qing looked at Xu Yanchi. "Bring me the divorce agreement."
"Absolutely not!" Xu Yanchi blurted out.
"Are you looking for death?!"
Ji Junye's gaze suddenly became extremely sharp. This kind of look could make even those old - timers who had been in the officialdom for decades tremble.
Under normal circumstances, Xu Yanchi would never have dared to face it directly. But today, he didn't know where he got the courage to challenge Ji Junye.
"If Your Majesty kills me, Shen Qing will surely become a widow."
He had already lost Shen Mian. He would never let go of Shen Qing, even if it meant death!
Ji Junye's hand had already clenched into a fist. He could indeed kill Xu Yanchi without hesitation, but then Shen Qing would become a widow.
He was a selfish man. He was so selfish that he didn't want any trace of others on Shen Qing.
How could Xu Yanchi deserve Shen Qing to be a widow for him?
Not even for a single day!
Ji Junye sneered. "I'm just informing you, not discussing with you. If you don't agree, I'll find a way to make you agree."
"Xu Yanchi, think it over clearly. The entire Xu family's fate is in your hands."
Xu Yanchi looked up and firmly met Ji Junye's gaze. "Then Your Majesty should also weigh whether your prestige and Shen Qing's reputation are worth sacrificing for an ant like me."
Everyone in the Guangping Marquis Mansion thought Xu Yanchi had gone crazy.
Just now, when Shen Mian pleaded with him, he didn't show any mercy and pushed her out. Now, Shen Qing just wanted a divorce, but he refused to agree even if it meant death?
A feeling of sadness welled up in Jiang Chan's heart. Cousin didn't even say a word for Shen Mian just now, but now he was openly challenging the emperor for a divorce agreement. In his heart, had Shen Qing's position far exceeded Shen Mian's?
Then what about her?
Although she was reluctant to admit it, she didn't think her position in cousin's heart could exceed Shen Mian's.
Cousin only had Shen Qing in his heart now. He had gone crazy.
Was cousin still the cousin she used to know?
Xu Yanchi decided to go all out. "If Your Majesty insists on forcing me with the entire Xu family, I'll be removed from the family register today and leave the Xu family. It's just a pity for Shen Qing. She won't even be a marquis's wife. She'll just be the wife of a commoner."
"Your Majesty can kill me, but can you stop the gossiping of the world?"