Lian Tao took out a handkerchief and stuffed it into the woman's mouth, then carried her to the government office.
Wang Manzhu was somewhat worried, "Wouldn't this be inappropriate?"
Qin Su knew what she was worried about and reassured her, "Don't worry, I'll take care of it."
Seeing her say that, Wang Manzhu had no choice but to nod and stop asking about the matter.
"Should we still go shopping?"
I wonder how Qin Su will handle this situation.
Qin Su thought for a moment, then nodded to Wang Manzhu, "Let's continue with what we're doing."
Even if Qin Su doesn't handle this matter, someone else will; she doesn't need to worry about it.
Qin Su just couldn't figure out who did this. She trusted Uncle Hu's ability to get things done, so Xue Huai'an definitely wouldn't be able to spare the time.
If he wasn't the one spreading the rumors, then who was?
Premarital virginity loss? This kind of crime wouldn't have much impact on ordinary families, but Qin Su is marrying into the imperial family. The imperial family won't tolerate such a stain, so once it's confirmed, this marriage will definitely fall through.
What's more, the woman later said that she was pregnant with another man's child.
Those who know she's pregnant are all her own people, so the other party is definitely just guessing. Anyway, adding another charge against Qin Su won't make a difference.
Yu Shuo held an extremely high status; he was a hero who protected his country and his people, and he naturally attracted a lot of attention. As his fiancée, Qin Su was bound to be under scrutiny as well. Therefore, the rumors intensified and seemed almost unstoppable.
In the afternoon, Qin Su was summoned to the palace.
There was no one else in the Wolong Hall except Emperor Mingyang and Chief Steward Deng.
Emperor Mingyang's gaze fell on Qin Su's abdomen, where her belly did indeed appear to be slightly protruding.
This displeased Emperor Mingyang, as the imperial family's reputation was of utmost importance.
Have you heard about the rumors circulating in the capital?
Qin Su nodded, "I've heard about it."
It's really a shame that Emperor Mingyang only summoned her to the palace now; she thought it would be sooner.
"Don't you have anything to say?"
"Do you know that the imperial family's reputation cannot be tarnished?"
The emperor's overwhelming aura swept over Qin Su, and this was the first time she had ever felt pressured.
"This subject understands."
"Go and summon the imperial physician," Emperor Mingyang said to Chief Steward Deng beside him.
Qin Su knew that Emperor Mingyang had become suspicious, so she knelt down and said, "No need. The rumors in the capital are true."
Emperor Mingyang frowned, his mood almost at its worst.
"I originally thought you were a good person, which is why I allowed you to marry Ziyu. Ziyu's heart is completely devoted to you, but you, on the contrary, are so shameless!"
"I am utterly disappointed in you!"
Qin Su: "..."
She touched her belly and smiled with relief, thankful that Yu Shuo had set the wedding date for a few days later.
"How dare you laugh?" Emperor Mingyang pointed at Qin Su, furious.
"Do you know that even if you were to lose the entire Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness, this crime wouldn't be enough?!"
Qin Su suddenly spoke up, "The child is Prince Chen's."
Emperor Mingyang and Chief Steward Deng were stunned on the spot.
"impossible!"
Emperor Mingyang immediately denied it.
Chief Steward Deng also found this statement utterly absurd.
Qin Su smiled gently, "At first, I also thought it was impossible. His Highness doesn't seem like the kind of person who would be so disrespectful to a young lady."
"This story begins with the Spring River Banquet."
Qin Su recounted the whole story, and Emperor Mingyang remained silent.
Based on his understanding of his younger brother, he certainly didn't seem like the type to do something like this before marriage. But Qin Su said she had been drugged and was in critical condition, so it didn't seem impossible.
"Go and summon Prince Chen to the palace."
This matter still requires the person involved to confront it.
Just then, a young eunuch entered from outside, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, Prince Chen requests an audience."
Emperor Mingyang glared at Qin Su speechlessly and said irritably, "Summon him."
Any elder brother would think his younger brother is pathetic to be manipulated by a woman, and Emperor Mingyang was no exception.
Upon seeing his younger brother, dressed in a long, black robe with wide sleeves, enter, Emperor Mingyang said sarcastically, "You've come quite quickly."
Yu Shuo said, "I have heard rumors circulating in the capital and fear that Your Majesty may have misunderstood Su Su, so I have come to explain."
After saying that, he turned to look at Qin Su. Seeing that Qin Su was still kneeling, he reached out and helped her up. Then he said to Emperor Mingyang, "Your Majesty, Su Su is carrying the eldest son of the Prince Chen's family. She cannot kneel for long."
Qin Su coughed lightly and explained in a low voice, "It's a girl."
Without changing his expression, Yu Shuo changed his answer to, "Eldest daughter."
"You dare to admit it." Emperor Mingyang still spoke in a sarcastic tone, feeling a bit disappointed in his younger brother, who was being manipulated by a woman.
Yu Shuo, supporting Qin Su, said frankly, "I dare to take responsibility for my actions. I cannot let Su Su bear this burden alone."
"Then tell me what's going on with this child." Emperor Mingyang then looked at Qin Su and said to her, "You are not allowed to speak."
Qin Su shrugged; she didn't intend to say anything.
Yu Shuo recounted the events of the Spring River Banquet. What he said largely matched Qin Su's account, except for the part about his purpose for attending the banquet.
"Alright, I misunderstood you."
Qin Su didn't care much; she had never thought of Emperor Mingyang as family.
"Deng Quan, I remember that the Yuehai Kingdom sent a box of pearls. Find it and give it to Princess Wei'an."
Qin Su dismounted from the donkey and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness."
The matter of Emperor Mingyang misunderstanding her was thus dropped.
"Does the Empress Dowager know about this?" Emperor Mingyang asked again.
Yu Shuo nodded.
Emperor Mingyang immediately sneered, "So only I was kept in the dark?"
Yu Shuo pursed his lips, "You didn't ask either."
Emperor Mingyang: You won't tell me unless I ask? This is such a big deal!
"Fine, I was wondering why you were in such a hurry to get married, turns out you couldn't hide it anymore. Alright, so how do you plan to handle this matter?"
Yu Shuo looked at Qin Su, seemingly asking for her opinion. Qin Su was quite frank and said, "Naturally, we will deal with it according to the law. It's just that I don't know who is spreading these rumors. Their intentions are not hard to guess."
As soon as she finished speaking, Yu Shuo tightened his grip on her arm slightly.
"Your Majesty, please leave this matter to me."
"Suit yourself," Emperor Mingyang waved his hand.
Yu Shuo escorted Qin Su back to the Marquis's residence. As soon as Qin Su arrived, the Empress Dowager sent Granny Qin to deliver a reward, and she did so with great fanfare, as if she wanted everyone to know about it.
Her actions undoubtedly debunked the rumors on their own.
Qin Su had barely entered the palace when not only was she unharmed, but Prince Chen personally escorted her back to her residence. This was witnessed by everyone in the capital.
The Empress Dowager then sent more gifts to appease them.
If Qin Su had truly done something to wrong Prince Chen, why would she receive such treatment? What does this mean? It means that the rumors in the capital are all baseless.
And just like that, Qin Su did nothing, and the rumors disappeared.
However, the next day she received a letter from Chongyang saying that he had found the mastermind and asked her to go and take a look.
Qin Su was also very curious about who was doing such a thankless task.
She followed Chongyang to the imperial prison, and was stunned when she saw the people inside.
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