In order not to provoke him further, Wen Yanche had no choice but to go along with him and say, "Of course, if the servants have done something wrong or committed some other mistake that offends you, then kill them."

"Thank you, my lord. I understand."

Lu Shiyi stood up and bowed respectfully to him. This gesture made Wen Yanche feel uneasy. It looked like a life-or-death farewell, heavy like a final goodbye, which made people's hearts ache.

"Shi Yi, did you hear something again? Tell me, and I will stand up for you."

Xiao An didn't explain the reason just now, only saying that Lu Shiyi seemed to be going crazy. Wen Yanche was anxious and rushed over.

Lu Shiyi said expressionlessly, "I am fine, my lord need not worry."

Wen Yanche wanted to ask more, but Lu Shiyi interrupted him directly, "My lord, I am really fine. Please go back first. I am a little tired and want to sleep for a while."

Hearing him say that, Wen Yanche recalled the last time he had used the excuse of needing to sleep to "invite" all his husbands out of the place.

This isn't about wanting to sleep; it's clearly about feeling disheartened and wanting to avoid things.

This situation is truly worrying!

Wen Yanche said solemnly, "Shi Yi, you must not do anything foolish! No matter what happened, we will talk about it when my wife comes back. My wife and I will definitely find out the truth and give you justice."

Lu Shiyi's eyes darted around, and he didn't reply. He simply repeated, "My lord, I'm really tired from serving you. You should go back now. Yaoyao should go to sleep too."

Seeing this, Wen Yanche knew that he wouldn't get anything out of him, and thought he would ask Xiao An in detail when he returned to the courtyard later.

So he had no choice but to get up and say goodbye.

Wen Yanche kept turning back to look at him, and he stood there watching him go with a very faint smile on his lips.

After leaving Hehuan Pavilion and returning to Hemian Garden, Wen Yanche immediately summoned Xiao An to ask him what had happened.

Xiao An recounted the whole story in detail, and Wen Yanche became increasingly annoyed as he listened. After he finished, his face turned as cold as ice, and he felt utterly chilled.

He knew that wherever there are people, there will be trouble, but he never expected that such a vicious mind would exist in this mansion, under his command.

How could they bear to slander a baby who is only a few months old?

No wonder Lu Shiyi was so provoked. What father could tolerate his child being called a jinx or a monster?

During this period, he strictly rectified the atmosphere within the mansion, and no servant dared to speak out. However, unexpectedly, they could still say things a hundred times more cruel behind closed doors.

Wen Yanche was furious; it seemed these servants needed to be properly disciplined.

Upon receiving the order, Changfeng immediately sprang into action.

The next day

In the front courtyard square, Wen Yanche ordered all the servants to come and watch. He gathered all the spies who had escaped the net last time for spreading rumors, pronounced their crimes one by one, and punished them with caning according to the severity of their crimes. He also declared that after the punishment, they would all be expelled from the manor and never be employed again.

In the empty square, the screams of more than two thousand people rose and fell, chilling the soul.

The scene was utterly tragic.

More than two thousand people were brutally beaten together, and the onlookers were filled with fear and apprehension.

Those who had a guilty conscience were so frightened that they dared not spread another word.

Those servants who had previously listened to others' slander were now terrified, their pupils trembling.

The tragic scene before them brought the servants to their senses: it was hard to say whether Lu Shijun was favored by His Highness, but there was no doubt that Lu Shijun was quite popular with his master, who was willing to stand up for him and protect him.

Everyone said that it was Consort Lu who harmed Consort Gu's eldest daughter, but the lord only confined him to his quarters and did not make things difficult for him. He provided him with all the necessities of life, and even visited him at Hehuan Pavilion several times.

Now, so many servants have been publicly executed because of his actions.

After this experience, the servants were even more certain that no matter what anyone said in the future, they must never offend Lord Lu again, and they must never blindly follow the crowd or believe rumors.

Seeing that the example of making an example of someone had worked, Wen Yanche finally ordered the event to end.

Later that evening, after finishing his various tasks and returning from the shop, Wen Yanche went straight to Hehuan Pavilion to visit Lu Shiyi.

Unexpectedly, Lu Shiyi took the initiative to come out to greet him.

He looked much brighter today. He had shaved his beard, tidied his appearance, and combed his hair meticulously, seemingly returning to his former refined and elegant appearance.

If you ignore his tired eyes...

"Shi Yi, you look much more energetic today." Wen Yanche was very pleased.

“My lord, thank you for considering my needs. I have heard everything from Xiao An about the matter at the square. Thank you for being willing to stand up for me.”

Wen Yanche smiled and said gently, "You're too kind. There's no need for thanks. As the young king, it is my duty to manage the Langya Manor and discipline the servants who have made mistakes."

Upon hearing this, Lu Shiyi smiled and said, "My lord is truly a wise and capable gentleman, with a broad mind and a clear sense of right and wrong. With that, I can rest assured to serve you."

Wen Yanche was taken aback by these words and suddenly felt uneasy, as if there was something more to his words.

Wen Yanche stopped and turned to look back at him, staring straight into his eyes, trying to find a trace of feigned indifference in them.

Unfortunately, although Lu Shiyi's eyes were weary, they were deep and clear, devoid of any emotion.

He gave a slight, calm smile and said to Wen Yanche, "My lord, didn't you say last time that you really liked Yaoyao? She's awake right now, let's go in and play with her for a while."

Unable to discern anything amiss, Wen Yanche had no choice but to abandon his investigation and follow him inside.

During the time he played with Yao Yao, Lu Shiyi behaved normally and no longer gave off that strange feeling.

They seemed to be in a good mood, and their laughter could be heard from time to time.

Lu Shiyi never mentioned the rumors from beginning to end. Instead, he asked Wen Yanche for a favor, hoping to go out for a walk in the streets, even if it was just for an hour.

When Wen Yanche saw that he had finally become more cheerful and talkative, he granted his request, pardoned him from confinement for a day, and rewarded him with 20,000 taels of silver so that he could go out and buy some small items that Yaoyao liked to play with.

Lu Shiyi thanked Wen Yanche repeatedly, saying that he was finally free after suppressing his feelings for so long. He wanted to go out and have a good time, and buy Yaoyao lots and lots of gifts, so many that they wouldn't be able to fit in the pile.

He spoke these words in a cheerful tone, and Wen Yanche was genuinely happy, saying that he hoped he could get rid of the shadows and cheer up, and that he was doing very well like he was now.

The two chatted happily, and Lu Shiyi maintained a smile until Wen Yanche left Hehuan Pavilion.