The incident caused by Shen Shu wasn't a big deal. As long as the Wei family produced the imperial gift, the case could be resolved quickly. Unfortunately, the Wei family couldn't produce it.
How can something that has already been sent to a powerful family be taken out again?
He couldn't very well ask for it back; not only would he not get their help, but he might also offend them, which he couldn't afford.
The case was heard in court at Shuntian Prefecture, and Shen Ning was also summoned. After all, the imperial gift was originally her dowry, and she is now the head of the Shen family, so it was necessary to ask her questions as usual.
Shen Ning arrived on time in a sedan chair, her fox fur coat covering her completely, but she was slender and tall, not at all bulky.
She wore a long pomegranate red dress, her movements like red plum blossoms falling in the snow, appearing and disappearing as she walked.
Since she was in court, she didn't wear any fancy jewelry. She simply had Liuying help her put her hair up and put on two jade hairpins, which were simple and elegant.
Outside the courtroom, Steward Liang and Liang Zhuohou's expressions shifted slightly upon seeing Shen Ning. Liang Zhuohou instinctively wanted to step forward, but dared not act rashly. Instead, he reminded his father, "Father, the eldest young lady has arrived."
Butler Liang hesitated for a moment before stepping forward to greet her: "Young Miss."
Shen Ning didn't argue with him about whether he was still the Shen family's butler at this moment, and nodded slightly: "Uncle Liang, it's been a long time."
After saying that, he naturally walked inside.
Liang Zhuo almost instinctively wanted to chase after him, but Butler Liang stopped him: "What are you doing?"
Liang Zhuo looked somewhat unnatural and stammered without being able to articulate his thoughts, but how could anyone not see what he was trying to say?
Butler Liang looked at him coldly: "It was my fault before, that I actually wanted you to ask for the young lady's hand in marriage."
Liang Zhuo said urgently, "The young lady is very well."
Butler Liang: "Of course the young lady is wonderful, but you are not good enough for her."
Liang Zhuo: "..." Speechless.
Seeing that his son seemed to really care about the young lady, Butler Liang was quite distressed.
If the young lady were still just a little girl who needed to depend on him, Butler Liang could still look at Shen Ning with the attitude of an elder looking at a junior, and calculate the benefits of her becoming his daughter-in-law.
But from everything he realized after being bewitched and driven out of the Shen family and then to the Wei family, he truly understood that the young lady was not simple.
The seemingly natural troubles that befell the Wei and Shen families may actually be part of a grand scheme orchestrated by the young lady.
With Shen Changlin and Shen Ming dead, the second branch of the family has completely lost its threat. The young master has been sent away, and the second young lady has been abandoned by everyone. Now it's the Wei family's turn.
The young lady is a very wise and decisive person. She was burdened by her relatives before, but now that she has gotten rid of all the burdens, who can stop her?
He knew better than anyone what kind of person his son was. He was not good enough to be with the eldest daughter, let alone the fact that he was fickle and had an ambiguous relationship with the second daughter. It was all wishful thinking on his part.
----
Inside the main hall of the yamen, the Wei family of three stood to one side, but Shen Shu was not there.
The three members of the Wei family looked at her. Wei Changgeng's expression was cold, and his gaze seemed to be able to devour her. Madam Wei's eyes were filled with anger.
It's ridiculous. They stole the things themselves, and now the thieves hate the owner.
Wei Congwen stood behind his parents, glancing at Shen Ning with a complicated expression. He didn't seem to have much emotion; he and Shen Shu had broken up, but he wouldn't like Shen Ning anymore. At most, he felt a little regretful.
Seated in the courtroom was Tao Guangyi, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, with a dignified appearance and a solemn gaze: "Who is there in the courtroom?"
Shen Ning replied, "Shen Ning, daughter of Shen Shuyuan, pays her respects to Lord Tao."
Tao Guangyi asked, "Did you arrange the dowry that Shen Shu brought?"
Shen Ning: "That was originally my dowry, but due to some absurd reasons, it was eventually transferred to Shen Shu."
Tao Guangyi then asked, "The imperial gift was originally earned by your father through honor, so why was it included in your dowry?"
Shen Ning remained composed and answered calmly, "Your Excellency, since our parents died, my two sisters and I have lost our elders. My second uncle and cousin are idle and irresponsible, squandering their family fortune and now coveting the property of the first branch. In principle, all these things should be inherited by my younger brother Shen Yu, but he is too young and his mind is not settled enough to shoulder such a responsibility. In addition, my mourning period was over and my marriage to the Wei family was imminent. I deliberately included the imperial gifts in my dowry list to keep them by my side and protect them through the Wei family's status. When my brother grows up and becomes sensible, we can return them."
"Later, an accident occurred and the marriage was changed, but my second uncle and aunt were pressing me hard. After much consideration, I decided not to take back the dowry. Shen Shu is also Shen Yu's sister, and imperial gifts cannot be touched casually. It's the same if it's under Shen Shu's name. Who would have thought that in less than half a year, it would turn out like this."
Shen Ning answered calmly, as if she didn't need to think, simply recounting a past event, which inexplicably made her convincing.
Tao Guangyi nodded, with a hint of praise: "Your consideration is correct, but sometimes man proposes, God disposes."
Seeing that Tao Guangyi was praising the person, Madam Wei became uneasy: "My lord, she is lying. She must have hidden those imperial gifts. She just wrote them down on the list. Who knows if they were really in the dowry or not? I certainly haven't seen them."
Wei Changgeng's face was cold and solemn, and he rebuked Shen Ning with the dignity of an elder: "Shen Ning, it is good that you want to protect your family property, and it is also understandable that you want to use my name, but you should not hide the things and instigate Shen Shu to slander me."
After saying this, he looked very sad and disappointed: "Your father and I were classmates and close friends. I loved you all like my own children. How could you treat me like this? How can you face your father's teachings?"
He's pretending to be confused, hoping to shift the blame back onto her.
Shen Ning did not argue with him, but said to Tao Guangyi, "My lord, I am certain that all the imperial gifts were included in the dowry and sent to the Wei family. This can be testified by Shen the servant, the matchmaker, and even Steward Liang outside. Some of the guests that day should have seen it. As for what happened after the items entered the Wei family, it has nothing to do with me, because I have not been to the Wei family even once since then."
Wei Changgeng was surprised that Shen Ning did not take the bait, and for a moment he was at a loss for what to do. He was anxious, but he did not dare to show it on his face. He just gave his wife a wink.
Upon receiving his signal, Madam Wei immediately lunged at Shen Ning, crying out, "Shen Ning, you can't distort the truth like this! You're trying to kill your uncle..."
"Bang!" Lord Tao slammed his gavel: "Silence! What kind of behavior is this, crying and wailing?"
Finally, he turned to Shen Ning and said, "Your matter has been explained. Now, please stand aside and listen in."
After saying that, he said to the clerk next to him, "Immediately arrange for someone to question them. You don't need to bring them here, but you must have them put their fingerprints on the document."
The advisor had served Lord Tao for many years. Even though Lord Tao had not said a word of favoritism, the advisor could still sense that Lord Tao seemed very kind to this Miss Shen, and he immediately began to make a plan.
"I'll go right away."
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