Chapter 184 Pregnancy (5)
The people around them were arguing even louder because of Madam Wei's words. Shen Qing's marriage to the Wei family had just been widely rumored, and now, in front of all the civil and military officials, she was diagnosed with pregnancy. How could this be possible? A virgin girl was actually pregnant. Was this an affair? And she even wanted to marry into the Wei family while pregnant? This was considered a rare event in Ming Qi.
Ren Wanyun still didn't move. She seemed to have lost all her strength. She just half crawled to Shen Qing and hugged Shen Qing in her arms.
"Madam Shen, I also want to know what's going on." The queen said coldly from her high seat.
While Ming Qi was considered open-minded regarding matters between men and women, unmarried pregnancy and adultery were matters of great disgrace to the family. If discovered, the family would be drowned. The Shen family was the most prominent of the Ming Qi officials. While Shen Gui's rank was not as high as Shen Xin's, it was certainly not low. The higher Shen Qing's status, the more severe the impact of this incident. The Empress, in charge of the six harems, was particularly displeased with such sordid affairs, and the chill in her voice was palpable to almost everyone.
Ren Wanyun felt a bitter taste in her mouth, unable to utter a word. What could she say? Should she say Shen Qing wasn't having an affair, but was raped? But no matter which it was, the fact remained that her innocence had been tarnished. As for Prince Yu, she couldn't utter a single word. Prince Yu was a man of small matters, and if she were to bring him up, she'd be in for a rough patch.
"If Madam Shen won't speak, then Miss Shen will speak." The Queen's eyes suddenly became sharp, and she ordered the maid beside her: "Go wake Miss Shen up, I have something to ask."
Ren Wanyun was startled, but the Queen's maids had already stepped forward. They moved so quickly that Ren Wanyun didn't even have time to stop them before the two maids had roughly pinched Shen Qing awake. Shen Qing had just woken up, still feeling the cramps in her stomach, when she heard the Queen's cold voice from the high throne ask, "Shen Qing, I want to ask you, who is the father of your unborn child?"
When Shen Qing heard this, her body froze and she looked at Ren Wanyun for help. In desperation, Ren Wanyun just shook her head slightly at Shen Qing and told her not to say anything nonsense. As for the future, Ren Wanyun would always find a way to rescue her.
Seeing Ren Wanyun shaking her head, Shen Qing didn't quite understand what she meant, but she didn't dare to speak nonsense, so she stammered, "Your servant... Your servant..." but couldn't say anything.
Shen Miao sighed softly and said, “Big sister, you should tell me. You have committed a serious crime now. Since the outcome is like this, I can’t let you bear this life alone.”
Ren Wanyun looked at Shen Miao fiercely, wishing she could tear Shen Miao’s mouth apart.
Shen Qing's body trembled, her eyes filled with fear. Shen Miao's words implied that she could not escape death. Between life and death, Shen Qing cared nothing more and suddenly shouted, "No... no... my child is His Royal Highness's! The one in my belly is His Royal Highness's flesh and blood!"
Today was truly one thing after another. A banquet meant for the return of the emperor had unexpectedly led to so many complications. Prince Yu… Everyone looked at Prince Yu, who narrowed his eyes and looked at Shen Qing with a gloomy expression.
"Qing'er, don't talk nonsense!" Ren Wanyun rushed over and covered Shen Qing's mouth with her hands, but the words were spoken and the water was spilled, and there was no way to take them back.
Shen Qing's eyes widened, staring intently at Prince Yu. Her thoughts were simple: since she'd been having an affair with someone outside her, getting pregnant before marriage was inevitable. But as long as she was carrying Prince Yu's child, she would be connected to the royal family, a lifeline. The emperor wouldn't order the execution of his nephew, no matter what!
Shen Miao looked at Shen Qing, feeling somewhat amused. She could probably guess what Shen Qing was thinking, but she had forgotten that there was a saying in the world: "Kill the mother and keep the child." In the harem, this tactic was used endlessly. Did Shen Qing really think that relying on that little bit of flesh and blood, she could live safely? It would only make her die faster.
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