Shen Wei only wanted the third branch to discipline Shen Dian strictly to prevent him from ruining the reputation of the Marquis's mansion, but she did not expect things to escalate to such a serious extent. Her eldest uncle said that he would beat her third brother to death with a cane. That was not something to be trifled with. Although her father stopped her eldest uncle, he also spoke very harshly. If the third branch had any illegitimate son, her father would not have stopped her eldest uncle from beating her third brother to death with a cane.

Like Shen Wan, Shen Wei was curious about what outrageous things Shen Dian had done at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion to anger her uncle and even her father to such an extent.

Shen Wei was both afraid that the third branch of the family and the old lady would find out that she was the one who had really exposed this matter, and also glad that she had exposed it. Now her eldest uncle was so angry that he wanted to beat Shen Dian to death and let Shen Dian go unpunished, with unimaginable consequences.

Yesterday, after Shen Wei returned from the Ling Prince's Mansion, she followed Shen Wan's instructions and secretly told the Second Madam's maid about Shen Dian's comings and goings to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. The Second Madam was still angry about Hong Kui's matter, and the Third Madam was also annoyed that her son would lead Shen Dian astray. Now she had run into the Second Madam's hands.

Her son never frequented brothels during his lifetime, so don't try to pin this blame on him.

After Shen Dian left the mansion today, the Second Madam secretly sent someone to follow him. When they saw Shen Dian enter the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, they rushed back to report to the Second Madam. The Second Madam then took the opportunity of discussing matters with the Old Madam to tell the Third Madam to keep a close eye on her son and prevent him from following in the footsteps of Young Master Wu.

The third wife was already dissatisfied with her nephew, and now that he had become her son-in-law, she was even more displeased with him. She compared her son to Young Master Wu, which was an insult to her son.

The third wife didn't believe her son would go to a brothel and was convinced that the second wife was slandering him. They started arguing over nothing. Just then, Shen Jing went to see the old lady and saw them arguing again. Her face darkened and she stopped them, saying, "Whether he is in the brothel or not, just send someone to the brothel to ask. What's there to argue about?"

The Second Madam didn't trust anyone else to go, so she sent Steward Zhou to Baihualou to bring Shen Dian back.

Steward Zhou is Shen Jing's confidant and will not favor anyone. The fact that the Second Madam sent Steward Zhou shows that she is certain that Shen Dian is at Baihualou.

Shen Jing then asked Steward Zhou to make the trip.

According to the family rules, even if Shen Dianzhen had found a girl from the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, he would only be punished with forty strokes of the cane and made to kneel in the ancestral hall to reflect on his actions. He would never be beaten to death.

Shen Jing was strict in disciplining his troops, but he was by no means one who abused punishments; anything unusual must be suspicious.

Shen Wan and Shen Wei went to Qinghui Courtyard. As soon as they reached the screen, they heard the old lady pounding her chest and saying, "The old master gave birth to four sons, but what about you? Each of you only has one legitimate son. Li'er is gone, which has already taken half my life. Now you want to beat Dian'er to death. Even if he broke the family rules and went to a brothel like Baihualou, I will not stop you from punishing him according to the family rules. But you want to beat him to death right away. You might as well beat me to death as well, so that I won't have to bury my son again and again!"

The old lady refused to let Shen Jing kill Shen Dian, no matter what she said.

Shen Jing's expression had never been so cold.

When the Fourth Master saw Shen Wan go inside, he quickly said, "Wan'er, you should try to persuade your father."

Shen Wan walked to her father's side and said, "I know that you are doing this for the good of the Marquis's family, but my grandmother only has my third brother as her own grandson. If you really beat my third brother to death, my grandmother will hate you. My grandmother has always valued the reputation of the Marquis's family. Don't worry that what my third brother did will upset my grandmother. You should tell my grandmother the truth and let her decide."

Shen Wan understood her father's temperament. If he wanted to beat Shen Dian to death, it must be because Shen Dian truly deserved to die. It didn't matter who handled it, so why should her father be the villain and invite hatred?

The father was thinking of the old lady's best interests, but the old lady wouldn't appreciate it.

The Fourth Master nodded, "Wan'er is right, the Old Madam will definitely handle this impartially."

His face was almost frozen solid. He instructed Sun Mama, "Help the old lady into the inner hall."

The old lady's face turned ashen.

Shen Jing then instructed Steward Zhou, "Report this truthfully to the old lady."

The old lady immediately raised her arm, and Sun Mama helped her up, with Steward Zhou following behind.

Shen Wan advised Shen Jing in the hope that Shen Jing would expose Shen Dian's misdeeds in front of everyone, so that the old lady would have no face to protect Shen Dian anymore. Unexpectedly, Shen Jing invited the old lady back to the inner room and asked Steward Zhou to report to her alone. This was no longer because the old lady had no face to protect Shen Dian, but because Shen Jing couldn't even bring herself to say what Shen Dian had done.

What exactly did Shen Dian do?

Shen Wan's curiosity was like a cat scratching at her heart. Chen Yu and Chen Feng had both come along; wouldn't they be observant enough to eavesdrop?

Everyone waited in the main hall. After a while, Steward Zhou came out and said, "My lord, the old lady invites you into the house."

Shen Jing went to see the old lady with a cold face.

Inside the room, the old lady sat slumped on the small couch, looking as if she had aged more than ten years in an instant, as if all her energy and spirit had been drained away.

As Shen Jing walked in, the old lady said with great distress, "I never thought that such a despicable thing would be born into the Marquis's mansion. No wonder you wanted to beat him to death in your anger, but your second brother has already died without an heir. Can you bear to see your third brother die without an heir as well? Dian'er has been corrupted by Young Master Wu. He is still so young. Can't you give him a chance to reform?"

Shen Jing knew that the old lady would protect Shen Dian, so he said, "As the head of the Pingyang Marquis's family, I must uphold the family rules and not tolerate any favoritism. I am also responsible to our ancestors in the afterlife and cannot allow unworthy descendants to tarnish their reputation."

As he finished speaking, Chen Jing's voice became sharp.

The old lady knew that once Shen Jing was determined to do something, no one could dissuade him, but she could not let Shen Jing kill Shen Dian no matter what. She had to kneel down and beg Shen Jing.

Shen Jing's expression changed. He grabbed the old lady's arm and pulled her up, his face grim. "It's because he knows you're protecting him that he dares to act so recklessly and disregard ancestral laws!"

The old lady said, "I spoiled Dian'er. If the Marquis wants to beat me to death, then beat me to death!"

Shen Jing angrily flicked his sleeve, "You're making things difficult for me. I'm just following the family rules. The third branch of the family has separated from the main mansion of the Marquis's residence. I won't interfere in the family affairs of the third branch!"

After saying that, Chen Jing turned and left.

The old lady behind him had a livid face and a cold glint in her eyes.

Inside the main hall, everyone remained. When Shen Jing came out, Shen Wan went to greet him and called out, "Father..."

Shen Jing glanced at the Third Master and Third Madam, "The Third Branch will move out of the Marquis's Mansion tomorrow."

His voice was cold and deep, brooking no argument.

The Third Master and Third Madam's faces stiffened.

Shen Wan was overjoyed. They had finally reached the point of dividing the family property. Although only three branches were divided, the second branch was not far behind.

After saying this, Shen Jing turned to leave, but before he could even step out the door, a maid's urgent cry came from behind him, "Something terrible has happened! The old lady has hanged herself!"