Shen Youying called Danzhu and Bailuo in and asked them to watch over Shen Muyu and "escort" her to the carriage.

He then went next door to apologize to Xue Shen.

The sisters in the family had caused such a scandal, and the person involved was Prince Chen. Although Xue Shen did not bring it up, Shen Youying still blushed with embarrassment and lowered her eyes, not daring to look at his face: "Something happened at home, and I'm afraid I have to go back."

Fortunately, Xue Shen was very understanding. He not only didn't ask for details, but also comforted her, saying, "Princess, please go and handle it. Don't worry about the manor."

This saved Shen Youying the trouble of coming up with a vague explanation to cover things up.

She glanced up discreetly and saw that Xue Shen's expression was completely normal. She figured he probably hadn't heard Shen Muyu's outrageous words earlier, so she was completely relieved. She curtsied again, took her leave, and departed.

After everyone left, Wang Deshun, who was serving nearby, shook his head and said, "The princess resembles General Shen; she is calm in the face of adversity and has a clear understanding of things. How come this young lady hasn't learned any of it?"

To actually go and get involved with Prince Chen, and even dare to utter such treasonous words, is truly...

Wang Deshun kept shaking his head.

Xue Shen chuckled: "If everyone in this world were clever, what fun would there be?"

Watching fools bring disaster upon themselves can be quite entertaining.

*

Shen Youying escorted Shen Muyu back to the Shen residence.

Shen Mingjiang had just seen his daughter off early in the morning, but unexpectedly, the genius came back again, this time with his eldest daughter.

His expression was full of doubt: "Has something happened?"

Fang, who was standing nearby, felt a pang of unease when she saw Shen Muyu. She had gone to her daughter's courtyard at noon, and the maidservant who was serving her at the time clearly said that her daughter was taking a nap. How come she was back with Shen Youying now?

She glanced at the solemn-looking Shen Youying, then at her daughter who seemed somewhat dejected, and decided to preemptively say, "Were you playing again? Why did your second sister have to bring you back?"

Shen Muyu looked at her mother, who was trying to defend her, her lips moved, but she couldn't say a word.

Shen Youying dismissed all the servants, leaving only a few tight-lipped old women to keep watch, before recounting the whole story: "I only happened to witness it twice by chance, and I don't know the details. Let my elder sister tell me the specifics herself."

She lowered her eyes and stood beside Shen Mingjiang.

"How could this be?" Fang's first reaction was disbelief. She grabbed Shen Muyu's hand and kept giving her meaningful glances: "Could it be that your second sister has misunderstood?"

Shen Muyu bit her lip hard.

When she came back, she acted like a hero out of spite, saying that it would be a lie to say she wasn't afraid.

She looked at her worried mother, then at her silent but menacing father, her fingers clenched tightly together until her knuckles turned white.

Seeing that she remained silent for a long time, Madam Fang grew anxious and urged, "Silly child, speak quickly! Has your second sister misunderstood? You have no connection with Prince Chen, how could you know him?" As if she had thought of something, Madam Fang gripped her arm tightly and said, "Prince Chen is fond of women, is it because he has taken a fancy to you and is pestering you, and you had no choice but to..."

Although Shen Muyu was willing to become a concubine because of Prince Chen's status, she did indeed admire the gentle, considerate, and handsome Prince Chen.

Hearing her mother speak so ill of Prince Chen, she couldn't help but retort, "No! Mother, don't talk nonsense. Prince Chen has always treated me kindly, and we are mutually in love—"

"So, what your sister said is true?" Shen Mingjiang, who hadn't spoken until now, interrupted her and asked.

Shen Muyu's shoulders trembled, and she didn't dare to meet his gaze, nodding while holding back her tears.

Shen Mingjiang's chest heaved, and the veins on the back of his hands bulged from the suppression and forbearance. If it were his son instead of his daughter, he would have already resorted to family discipline.

He endured for a while, but finally couldn't control his anger and shouted, "I think you've been spoiled rotten by your mother!"

“A scoundrel like Prince Chen is someone that ordinary women would avoid like the plague, yet you disregard your reputation and have an affair with him. You don’t feel ashamed, but I feel ashamed for you!”

Shen Muyu was initially afraid, but her father's blunt words ultimately stung her pride. Remembering his favoritism, she clenched her fists tightly, her eyes red, and retorted, "Yes, Father looks down on Prince Chen and thinks my association with him disgraces you. But I was once a pampered young lady from a noble Duke's mansion. Do you think it's shameful for me to marry a lowly, uncouth man of the fifth or sixth rank and live a life of simple food and drink?"

Unexpectedly, she was so stubborn. Shen Mingjiang slammed his fist on the table in anger: "Your father was dismissed from his post by the Emperor long ago. I am no longer the Duke, and you are no longer the eldest daughter of the Duke's mansion!"

He thought of the husbands he had painstakingly chosen for his daughter; although they were not high-ranking officials, they were all handsome and promising young men. Given his past kindness, he was certain his daughter would not be mistreated after marriage.

But when he sent the portraits over, Fang and her eldest daughter were either dissatisfied with his appearance or critical of his temperament.

He initially thought that the daughter was picky because she had high standards, but now he realized that the mother and daughter were not dissatisfied with each other's character and appearance, but rather looked down on each other's family background.

But how easy is it to enter the home of a prince? Especially since the other party is the Prince of Chen.

Although there is no evidence to date, the Shen family's troubles are inextricably linked to Prince Chen and Empress Zhou.

He wouldn't even bother to look at him properly, yet his daughter is willing to become his concubine, disregarding her reputation!

Shen Mingjiang felt a surge of blood rushing to his head, and he swayed. He managed to steady himself by grabbing the table.

Shen Youying noticed his unusual behavior, took his arm, and asked worriedly, "Father?"

Shen Mingjiang waved wearily and said to Shen Muyu, "From today onwards, you are not allowed to leave the hospital. I will find you a suitable marriage. You can prepare for your wedding in peace."

Shen Muyu's eyes widened, and she shouted, "I won't marry him! I don't want to marry anyone else!"

"Guards, take this young lady back!" Shen Mingjiang roared.

Shen Muyu was about to speak again when Fang Shi covered her mouth. She knew her husband's temperament best and knew that once he had spoken, he would never change his mind.

With tears streaming down her face, she pleaded with Shen Muyu, "Don't be stubborn. Your father is right; the Chen Prince's mansion isn't a good place. Admit your mistake first, and once your father calms down, we'll find you a good husband—"

"But I'm already pregnant!"

Shen Muyu was surprised that even her mother wasn't on her side. Her eyes were red as she glared at everyone, and she said in a desperate manner, "The doctor said that I am more than two months pregnant, and the child is Prince Chen's."