Chapter 42: Claiming a Life Within the Jiaofang Palace

As soon as those words fell, the expressions of Lady Chen and Ji Zehai changed instantly.

Unable to contain herself any longer, Lady Chen jumped out on the spot to stop it, crying, "Your Majesty the Empress, you cannot let her be examined!"

A cold look crossed He Yunshu’s face. "Lady Ji, are you also trying to interfere with my decision?"

The sudden appearance of Imperial Concubine Ying had already greatly displeased her, and now Lady Chen had the audacity to court disaster right in front of her.

He Yunshu had immediately understood the Emperor’s intentions upon hearing Imperial Concubine Ying’s subtle hints earlier.

Unwilling to offend the Shen family, the Emperor had tossed this messy problem straight into her lap.

If she failed to handle it properly, misfortune would befall her and the He family.

"Your Majesty, this subject’s wife wouldn't dare."

Lady Chen lowered her head, her heart gripped by a frantic panic.

If Shen Ningyuan were to be physically examined and proven to remain a maiden, the Ji family would truly be finished.

Amidst Lady Chen’s tense and anxious thoughts, the span of an incense stick quickly passed.

Inside the grand hall, several palace attendants set up tall screens, enclosing a completely sealed circular space in the center.

"All men withdraw!"

The shrill, high-pitched voice of the elderly palace matron echoed through the hall.

Left with no choice, Ji Zehai had no option but to turn and walk out of the Jiaofang Palace along with the other men.

Before leaving, Ji Zehai did not forget to cast a warning glance at Lady Chen, signaling her not to speak nonsense.

Shortly after, two elderly matrons specializing in physical examinations led Shen Ningyuan behind the screens.

"Niruan, don't be afraid!"

Seeing that Shen Ningyuan was about to step behind the screens, Song Yan'er could not help but cry out.

Shen Ningyuan paused her steps, turned her head back, and gave Song Yan'er a reassuring look.

Then, she followed the two elderly matrons behind the screens.

As the screens closed, everyone could no longer see what was happening inside.

Lady Chen was frantic with anxiety, stretching her neck in a vain attempt to see everything within.

Yet, no matter how hard she peered, her efforts were entirely futile.

Time ticked away second by second, and all the women present waited anxiously for the outcome.

Unable to see anything at all, they could only hear the faint rustling sounds coming from within.

"It is finished."

At last, the voice of the matron came from behind the screens.

The gazes of the crowd grew even more intense.

Palace maids successively pulled open the enclosing screens.

Shen Ningyuan stood straight and tall in the center of the grand hall, lowering her gaze and remaining entirely silent.

Standing thus, she possessed an air of transcendent grace, independent of the secular world.

The two elderly matrons stood quietly on either side of Shen Ningyuan.

Like two wooden stakes, they flanked her tightly in the middle.

At this moment, the men who had previously departed slowly walked back into the grand hall.

He Yunshu sat up straight, her expression stern as she asked, "What is the result?"

The spines of everyone present stiffened as they nervously waited for the matron to speak.

One of the matrons spoke in a deep voice, " Replying to Her Majesty the Empress, the humble servants have carefully examined her just now. The Young Madam of the Ji family is still a maiden of untouched purity."

"What?" Lady Chen could not help letting out a sharp shriek. "Impossible!"

Upon hearing this, the elderly matron’s expression instantly turned gloomy. "Lady Ji, are you questioning my abilities? I am a senior matron in charge of intimate matters within the palace; my experience in such affairs is greater than all the meals you have ever eaten in your life!"

Lady Chen wanted to retort.

However, recalling the warning look Ji Zehai had given her before leaving, she silently closed her mouth.

He Yunshu looked down, a trace of suspicion still lingering in her eyes. "Are you certain there was no mistake in the examination?"

The other elderly matron immediately chimed in, "In front of Her Majesty the Empress, this old servant would not dare utter a falsehood. We each conducted an examination separately, and the results were identical: the Young Madam of the Ji family is indeed a pristine maiden!"

"So that is how it is."

He Yunshu’s gaze slowly shifted to settle upon Shen Ningyuan.

No wonder she had been able to remain so calm when the filthy water of accusation was first poured over her.

From the very beginning, she had relied upon her own unblemished innocence and had never feared these baseless slanders at all.

Thinking of this, He Yunshu shifted her posture and said with a cool, detached tone, "Since the Young Madam of the Ji family has proven her innocence, this matter shall now be put to rest. Both families can part on good terms and rejoice—how does that sound?"

Upon hearing these words, Shen Ningyuan finally deigned to raise her head.

Her gaze burned brightly as she looked straight at He Yunshu, speaking word by word, "It does not sound good at all."

He Yunshu paused. "What more do you want?"

Instead of answering, Shen Ningyuan countered, "Your Majesty the Empress, the Ji family went so far as to hire people to frame me and ruin my innocence. Should they not be punished for this?"

Hearing this, Lady Chen grew frantic once again.

Pointing at Shen Ningyuan, she shouted loudly, "What else could you possibly want? You are the daughter-in-law of the Ji family! Even if you were wronged, must you relentlessly pursue this matter without end?"

He Yunshu also seized the opportunity to say, "Shen Ningyuan, the Ji family is, after all, your husband's family. Leave a little room for grace in your dealings; you would do well to consider this carefully."

Shen Ningyuan knew very well that now was not yet the time to settle accounts with the Shen family.

However, after what had happened today, she certainly would not let the Ji family off so easily.

With this thought, Shen Ningyuan raised her head and spoke clearly, word by word, "I want my mother-in-law and father-in-law to make public the events of today's grand hall to prove the innocence of myself and the Shen family. Furthermore, when they come to escort me back to the Ji family to mourn my late husband, they must apologize to me before the eyes of all the citizens of the capital."

"That... is all?" He Yunshu doubted if she had misheard.

Just a moment ago, Shen Ningyuan had been clinging relentlessly to the issue, so why had she suddenly backed down now?

Lady Chen and Ji Zehai were also stunned, staring at Shen Ningyuan in utter disbelief.

"You—are you truly willing to return to the Ji family?" Ji Zehai asked hesitatingly.

Shen Ningyuan nodded. "That is correct. I am willing to return to the Ji family, but you must personally come to escort me back, announce my innocence before the citizens of the capital, and restore the reputation of both myself and the Shen family."

Ji Zehai’s expression darkened as he stared intently at Shen Ningyuan, as if trying to see right through her.

Their sole purpose in orchestrating this was to force Shen Ningyuan back into the Ji family. They had not expected their scheme to fail, only for her to voluntarily propose returning.

This was far too unexpected.

However, regardless of the reason, their objective had been achieved.

As long as Shen Ningyuan dared to set foot back in the Ji family, they would make sure she never lived to see the spring of next year!

With this thought, Ji Zehai conceded to Shen Ningyuan’s demands. "Very well, I agree to your conditions. I will personally escort you back to the Ji family before all the citizens of the capital and prove your innocence."

"Since that is settled, today's affair is thus resolved." He Yunshu moved her neck slightly. "You should all return quickly. I, too, must go and report the outcome of this matter to the Emperor."

He Yunshu had never expected the issue to reach such a neat conclusion.

She glanced at Shen Ningyuan and remarked quietly, "Shen Ningyuan, your forbearance and magnanimity are somewhat different from your mother's."

"Your Majesty flatters me," Shen Ningyuan replied submissively, lowering her gaze.

Then, she shifted her gaze toward Lin树 and Matron Ming standing to one side.

With a mild tone, she asked, "Then how should these two treasonous servants be dealt with?"

He Yunshu waved her hand dismissively. "Since they are servants who betrayed you, handle them however you see fit."

Shen Ningyuan lowered her eyes, concealing the chilling intent within them, and asked pointedly, "Does Your Majesty mean that?"

"I am certain."

He Yunshu maintained her indifferent attitude.

Without waiting further, she eagerly rose to her feet and turned to walk toward the corridor.

Having received He Yunshu's explicit approval, Shen Ningyuan slowly walked up to Lin Shu, maintaining her submissive and obedient demeanor.

Only Lin Shu caught the murderous intent flashing in Shen Ningyuan's eyes, and he was so terrified that his mouth flew open.

"Save me—"

Not giving him the opportunity to beg for mercy, Shen Ningyuan swiftly pulled the silver hairpin from her hair. Pivoting behind Lin Shu, she drove it viciously into the hollow of his throat.

In the blink of an eye, the hairpin pierced straight through Lin Shu's windpipe!