There were many onlookers standing outside the gate of Marquis Jing'an's Mansion. Jiang Muxue was pressed on a board, with two burly guards on the left and right holding wooden sticks taller than a person, waiting for the order to start the execution.

Marquis Jing'an stood in front of the mansion gate, with everyone in the mansion waiting behind him.

He said loudly: "Recently, my concubine Jiang Muxue has done many treasonous things, which is really a disgrace to our family. My Jiang family has been noble for hundreds of years, loyal to the royal family and treating servants well. No one has ever done anything against heaven and earth, but I didn't expect that such a black sheep would appear now. I am really ashamed of the emperor's grace, the people, and my ancestors."

As he spoke, he wiped away the tears from his eyes in pain and said with a choked voice: "Therefore, this marquis will never do anything to protect her. Today, I will punish this unfilial girl with a stick in the street to serve as a warning to others."

Having said that, he raised his hand, then lowered it, and turned around, looking as if he couldn't bear to watch.

Upon receiving the signal, the guard swung his wooden stick and hit Jiang Muxue's thin body.

"Ah——" Jiang Muxue screamed miserably one after another.

The onlookers were pointing and whispering at first, but when the stick fell and blood was seen, they could not bear to watch it anymore.

Jiang Muxue had been kneeling in the ancestral hall for three days and three nights. She was already weak and exhausted. After being hit twice, she fainted from the pain.

"Spare his life!"

As a loud shout came from not far away, everyone looked over.

I saw a handsome man riding a tall horse walking slowly towards me. Behind him was a carriage and two rows of servants carrying a red sedan chair and several baskets covered with red cloth.

Isn't this Zhong Lei, the eldest son of the Zhong family who was recently rumored to have an affair with the eighth daughter of the Marquis's Mansion? What is he doing here?

Marquis Jing'an also turned around and looked over.

Zhong Lei got off his horse and hurried forward, saying, "Please spare his life, Lord Marquis!"

The guards carrying out the execution looked at Marquis Jing'an, and only stopped and stood aside after he nodded.

A woman in brocade clothes got off the carriage behind Zhong Lei. She had a pair of red eyes on her thin face, a black mole under her thin lips, and a look of arrogance and harshness. It was his mother, Yu.

Marquis Jing'an looked at Zhong Lei, put his hands behind his back, and asked, "Mr. Zhong, what are you doing here?"

Zhong Lei bowed and said, "My Lord, I came here to ask for marriage."

Everyone was stunned. Aunt Feng, who was standing at the back of the crowd and had almost passed out from crying, rushed out when she heard this, "Mr. Zhong, what did you say? Are you here to ask for marriage? Are you asking to marry our Xue'er?"

Zhong Lei was stunned for a moment, then said, "This... I am indeed here for Xue'er."

Yu held the handkerchief and smoothed her temples, then glanced at Aunt Feng and said, "Who is so unruly?"

Marquis Jing'an gave Aunt Feng a warning look, and Jiang Chenwei immediately came over to pull Aunt Feng away, bowing and apologizing to Marquis Jing'an, "Aunt was anxious for a moment and lost her sense of propriety. I hope father will forgive me."

Mu stepped forward and said, "Wei'er, take Aunt Feng down first."

"Yes." Jiang Chenwei grabbed Aunt Feng's wrist and took her away.

Marquis Jing'an then said to Zhong Lei, "Mr. Zhong, please come in."

This public caning ended with Zhong Lei asking for marriage.

Everyone in the Marquis' Mansion moved to the main hall where they met guests.

After Mu stayed behind to dismiss the onlookers, she ordered the guards to carry Jiang Muxue back to her own courtyard and sent a palace doctor to go.

At this time, in the main hall.

Marquis Jing'an sat at the head of the table. After the maid came to serve tea, he asked, "Does Master Zhong want to marry Xue'er?"

Before Zhong Lei could answer, Mrs. Yu put down her teacup and said, "I brought Lei'er here to take in a concubine."

Everyone in the Marquis' Mansion was stunned.

Jiang Chenyi exchanged glances with his wife Dong, who then asked, "Madam Zhong, do you want to take our eighth sister as a concubine?"

"Exactly."

They finally understood the purpose of the red-haired girl. They wanted to bring Jiang Muxue back to the Zhong Mansion directly. However, even in the capital, even if taking a concubine did not require the three letters and six ceremonies, it would not be done in such a hasty manner.

Lin said, "Mrs. Zhong, I'm afraid this is against the rules."

Yu smiled and said, "We heard about it when we came here just now. You are planning to punish Jiang Muxue with a cane, which means beating her to death. Then there will be no such person in the Marquis' Mansion anymore. So why not give her to our Zhong Mansion as a concubine? Then your Marquis' Mansion will not have to bear the responsibility of a life. Wouldn't that make everyone happy?"

When Madam Mu heard this as soon as she entered the house, she frowned and said, "Madam Zhong, there is no such thing in the world! Even if you beat her to death, she is still a member of our mansion. The Marquis has never said that he wants to sever ties with her. If you carry her directly into the mansion like this, where will our mansion save its reputation?"

"Oh, Madam, what you said is not right." Yu raised her eyebrows and said, "If you say that the reputation of the Marquis' Mansion has been lost by this concubine, a woman who flirts with other men and even tries to seduce my brother-in-law, even if she is not beaten to death, which family in the whole capital would dare to marry her? Only our Lei'er is kind-hearted and wants to help her because of their chance encounter. Taking her into the mansion as a concubine is a great honor."

"You..." Mu didn't know how to refute for a moment. Dong was afraid that she would be angry, so she stepped forward and helped her to sit down.

The faces of everyone in the Marquis' Mansion were not very happy at this time.

Zhong Lei said at this time: "Although my mother's words are not very pleasant to hear, every word is reasonable. I think the Marquis has been worried about this matter these days. I will tell you the truth. I really like Xue'er and originally wanted to marry her as my principal wife. But Xue'er's reputation now, you also understand... I have no choice but to come up with this plan."

Marquis Jing'an said, "I understand what Madam Zhong and Master Zhong mean, but Xue'er is a girl from my mansion after all. It is not proper for you to bring her into the mansion in such a hurry."

Zhong Lei thought for a moment and said, "How about this? I am still single and Xue'er will not be wronged if she follows me. When this matter is over, if Xue'er gives birth to a boy or a girl, I will make her my second wife. How do you think?"

As soon as these words came out, Yu frowned.

Madam Mu and Marquis Jing'an looked at each other, and then Madam Mu said, "This is a major matter in our mansion. Why don't you two go to the guest room and rest for a while? Our family will discuss it and then give you a reply. How about that?"

Zhong Lei looked at Yu, who gave him a calming look and nodded, saying, "Then Lei'er and I will go down and wait for your reply."

"Okay." Madam Mu ordered the butler, "Take Madam Zhong and Master Zhong to the chamber."

After the two men left, only the people from the marquis's mansion were left in the hall.

Marquis Jing'an first asked everyone to express their views and opinions, and then voted to confirm.

Both the Dong couple disagreed, but Lin and Jiang Chenyan agreed. Excluding Jiang Chenan, Jiang Chenwei, Jiang Muyu, Jiang Muxue who were not present, as well as the second and seventh daughters who followed their husbands to work after getting married, the only remaining daughter was the ninth daughter, Jiang Muqing, who was born out of wedlock and had not married.

Everyone looked at the youngest, Jiang Muqing. She lowered her head timidly and whispered, "I...I agree."

Jiang Muqing usually has a low presence in the mansion. She is timid and doesn't like to go out. On weekdays, she can only be seen at family dinners.

Dong was puzzled and asked, "Why did Ninth Sister agree?"

Jiang Muqing pursed her lips and said in a voice as soft as a mosquito: "I don't want my eighth sister to die."

Everyone could understand this statement. After all, she was only twelve years old, young, and must have been frightened after seeing the caning scene just now. Although she and Jiang Muxue were not close on weekdays, they were sisters living under the same roof after all, and even if the bones were broken, the tendons were still connected.

Jing'an Hou respected his children's opinions and said, "Since this is the case, the minority should obey the majority."

Madam Mu sighed and said, "Today, many people have seen that the Zhong family came with sedan chairs. We can't let them go back empty-handed. Let's accept the gifts. I will ask the servants to prepare some dowry later. Although it is a bit hasty, it will not be disrespectful according to the rules of taking a concubine."

After the decision was made, everyone got busy.

The Zhong family had obviously made preparations in advance, even preparing the wedding dress. Jiang Muxue had just asked the court doctor to clean her wounds and apply medicine, and then she was dragged to the dressing table to dress up. She looked dazed and confused.

Just like that, that night, a sedan chair went out from the side door of the Marquis' Mansion and was carried into the Zhong Mansion.