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Shen Wenqiu knew he would be scolded upon returning to the Marquis of Huai'an's residence, but he never expected it to happen so soon.
He had just entered the room and hadn't even sneaked back to find Aunt Qin when he was stopped by the Marquis of Huai'an's men.
Yan Qing snorted coldly, looking at Shen Wenqiu who was being pinned to the ground, and said, "Brother Qiu, let me remind you, the Marquis is furious about you not coming home last night! You'd better think carefully about how to explain this to the Marquis!"
Shen Wenqiu glanced at Yan Qing. This was someone that Aunt Yan had arranged to be by the side of the Marquis of Huai'an. Usually, relying on Aunt Yan as her backer, she could do whatever she wanted in the Marquis of Huai'an's mansion.
Yan Qing looked down on him, a man who was disliked in the mansion.
He was well aware of his current situation, so he naturally wouldn't confront Yan Qing head-on, and simply listened quietly.
Seeing that Shen Wenqiu remained silent, Yan Qing assumed that he was intimidated by her. He snorted triumphantly and swaggered toward the main courtyard where the Marquis of Huai'an lived, with the servants escorting Shen Wenqiu following closely behind.
Upon arriving at the main courtyard where the Marquis of Huai'an resided, one immediately saw the Marquis of Huai'an and Consort Yan engaging in intimate acts as if no one else was around. A haggard-looking woman in plain clothes was kneeling at their feet.
Without much thought, Shen Wenqiu could guess that the person who was intimate with the Marquis of Huai'an was Aunt Yan.
It was her idea to send him to Prince Rui's bed that led to the Marquis of Huai'an's idea.
The death of the Lady of Huai'an was also orchestrated by her. The Marquis of Huai'an was not unaware of this, but he was lusting after her beauty and did not want to lose his confidante, so the two of them concealed the matter.
As for the haggard-looking woman in plain clothes kneeling on the ground, she was naturally the original owner's birth mother, Aunt Qin.
Judging from her appearance, she guessed that she couldn't find Shen Wenqiu, so she called Aunt Qin over to vent her anger.
Shen Wenqiu frowned slightly, stepped forward to Aunt Qin's side, but did not kneel down.
The expected kneeling and begging for forgiveness did not occur. The Marquis of Huai'an frowned in displeasure and looked at Shen Wenqiu, "You didn't come home last night, why don't you quickly admit your mistake?"
Shen Wenqiu looked up at the Marquis of Huai'an as if he had heard a joke. Just as he was about to speak, Aunt Qin beside him tugged at his sleeve and shook her head.
He lowered his eyes to look at Aunt Qin, pursed his lips, but still looked up at Marquis Huai'an with a smile, "My son went to a friend's house. It's almost curfew, and he was afraid of risking coming back and causing trouble for the family. How is that wrong?"
This was obviously a lie, but since the Marquis of Huai'an dared to lie through his teeth, Shen Wenqiu naturally had to lie back as well.
It's all fake anyway; it's just a matter of who can cover it up and who has the stronger fist.
Marquis Huai'an never expected Shen Wenqiu to be so sarcastic. In his memory, Shen Wenqiu always just lowered his head and endured the anger. How could he have changed so much after going out?
Could this kid's so-called friend actually exist? Does having someone backing him up make him speak with more confidence?
Despite these thoughts, the Marquis of Huai'an still wanted to maintain his dignity as a father.
He snorted coldly, glanced at Shen Wenqiu sideways, and said impatiently, "You're just a smooth talker trying to escape punishment. You grew up at home; don't you know who your father is?"
Shen Wenqiu smiled, looked directly at the Marquis of Huai'an, and asked, "Then tell me, Father, who are my friends?"
Marquis Huai'an had no idea that Shen Wenqiu would actually respond, and was immediately stumped by the question.
He has never cared about Shen Wenqiu all these years, and he would rather this son not appear in front of him, so how could he know about Shen Wenqiu's social life?
Seeing this, Aunt Yan chimed in, saying, "Young Master, what you're saying is ridiculous. The people of the Marquis of Huai'an's mansion only associate with the families that Master knows well. Last night, Master personally went to the homes of his colleagues to inquire about you, but he couldn't find you anywhere. He worked all night and didn't even say a few kind words, and now you're questioning me like this. Is this the filial piety a son should have?"
Shen Wenqiu raised an eyebrow and shifted her gaze to Aunt Yan's face.
He sneered inwardly. Aunt Yan had indeed done something to get to where she was in the Marquis of Huai'an's mansion.
However... the most important factor in these two tricks is whether the Marquis of Huai'an is willing to fall for them.
Aunt Yan is quite capable.
When the Marquis of Huai'an heard what Aunt Yan said, he knew it was fabricated, but he still shamelessly agreed.
He raised his head, looking arrogant, nodded, and said to Shen Wenqiu, "Aunt Yan is right! I didn't sleep all night because of you, and now you dare to question me!"
Shen Wenqiu stared directly at the Marquis of Huai'an, unsure of what to do next after confronting him so directly.
But he knew he couldn't admit to this crime. If he did, what would happen if the Marquis of Huai'an used it against him later?
Besides, the Marquis of Huai'an might have intended to send him there once, but who knows if he would do it a second time.
"Father and Aunt Yan's ability to distort the truth truly grows with age," Shen Wenqiu chuckled, her meaning clear: she did not accept the Marquis of Huai'an's explanation.
“Wenqiu…” Aunt Qin was terrified and hurriedly tugged at Chen Wenqiu’s sleeve, her eyes full of worry, and whispered to stop her, “If you admit your mistake, maybe it will be over.”
Shen Wenqiu said nothing, only patted Aunt Qin's hand and shook his head.
The meaning is quite clear, and Aunt Qin, having lived in the house for so many years, understands it perfectly well.
Actually, this was just the Marquis of Huai'an and Consort Yan wanting to teach him a lesson.
Marquis Huai'an had expected Shen Wenqiu to kneel and beg for mercy, but to his surprise, Shen Wenqiu uttered such rebellious words. Enraged, Marquis Huai'an's beard bristled, and he glared at Shen Wenqiu, pointing at him and saying, "Guards! Bring out the family law! I will beat this rebellious son to death today!"
Yan Qing immediately agreed, glanced triumphantly at Shen Wenqiu, and waved his hand, sending two servants up with sticks.
Although this stick is not as large as the one used for court beatings, a beating from it would still be unbearable.
But now that Shen Wenqiu is still in the Marquis of Huai'an's residence, this beating is probably inevitable.
He figured that the Marquis of Huai'an wouldn't dare beat his son to death at home; it would only be a matter of physical pain, so he would endure it for now and make further plans later.
So, Shen Wenqiu obediently lay down on the stool, closed his eyes, and prepared to receive the family punishment.
When Marquis Huai'an saw that Shen Wenqiu did not beg for mercy at all and showed no respect for his father, he became even more furious and shouted, "Beat him!"
Seeing this, Aunt Qin hurriedly tried to rush forward, but Yan Qing, who was prepared, grabbed her and pressed her firmly to the ground.
Helpless, she could only reach out towards Shen Wenqiu, her body trembling with sobs, crying out, "No! Don't hit my son! My lord! If you must hit him, hit me instead! It's all my fault for failing to raise him properly! Don't hit my son!"
Seeing Qin Yiniang's reaction, the Marquis of Huai'an showed a satisfied expression, raised his head and looked down at her and Shen Wenqiu, and said: "Today, Shen Wenqiu is willing to kneel down and kowtow to apologize, and properly perform the great ceremony of a son! Then I, as his father, can barely forgive him."
Shen Wenqiu bit his lower lip to endure the pain, ignoring the arrogant Marquis of Huai'an. He was really not a person who could endure pain.
But he was holding back his anger, and he managed to suppress it, even though his lips bled and left deep marks, and his fists were clenched to the limit.
It was tough.
Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside, the door was pushed open, and a servant rushed in, looking flustered.
"The palace...the palace has sent an imperial edict!"
The Marquis of Huai'an immediately stood up, his face filled with panic. Aunt Yan, on the other hand, showed a flash of surprise, followed by a calculating expression.
As for Aunt Qin, she was only surprised for a moment, and then took advantage of Yan Qing's shock and distraction to break free and pounce on Shen Wenqiu.
"Wenqiu, how are you? Get up quickly, don't scare your mother!" Aunt Qin dared not touch Shen Wenqiu, for fear of touching some wound.
Shen Wenqiu was speechless. He was trembling with pain, but he remembered to look up at Aunt Qin and shake his head to show that he was alright.
He could tell who cared about him and who wanted him dead.
Upon hearing that an imperial edict had arrived from the palace, the Marquis of Huai'an hurriedly set off.
But after taking only two steps, he turned to look at Shen Wenqiu, frowned, pointed disdainfully behind the screen, and said, "Quickly, get him inside, don't offend the important person! And get Aunt Qin inside too."
The servant immediately nodded in agreement, then lifted the weak Shen Wenqiu, who was slumped on the stool, and dragged him away.
Concerned about Shen Wenqiu, Aunt Qin tried to step forward, but was held back by the servant and dragged behind the screen.
When the Marquis of Huai'an arrived at the front hall, he saw the eunuch from the palace standing there. He hurried forward and asked with a smile, "You've worked hard, sir. My son is ill, and I went to see him just now. I was delayed in entertaining you. I deserve to die."
The eunuch looked at the Marquis of Huai'an with a forced smile, immediately recognizing that the Marquis was lying. He smiled and looked around, then asked, "Where is your eldest son? This imperial edict is for him."
The Marquis of Huai'an was startled and looked at a loss. He quickly leaned closer and asked in a low voice, "May I ask if you could tell me what my son did to offend you, sir?"
The eunuch frowned, glancing disapprovingly at the Marquis of Huai'an, and said, "How dare you! How dare you make wild guesses about the imperial family! This is His Majesty's grace that your eldest son has been granted permission to enter the palace to accompany the Ninth Prince in his studies! This is an immense favor! Quickly, call out your eldest son, Shen, to express his gratitude!"
The Marquis of Huai'an had no idea that Shen Wenqiu could enter the palace as a study companion. Remembering how he had just beaten Shen Wenqiu half to death, he trembled with fear, forcing an awkward smile as he explained, "My son...my son is ill, I'm afraid..."
The eunuch came from the palace and had seen all sorts of sordid things. Judging from the faces of Consort Yan and the Marquis of Huai'an, he could easily guess what had happened. He snorted coldly and said, "If that's the case, then I will naturally go and see how the illness is, so that I can return to the palace and report to the Emperor."
Marquis Huai'an was afraid that the eunuch would see Shen Wenqiu's miserable state and what he had said back at the palace, so he quickly gave Yan Qing a meaningful look.
After understanding, Yan Qing quickly withdrew and ran to the main courtyard, hurriedly taking Shen Wenqiu back to a courtyard where she usually rested.
As for Shen Wenqiu's original residence, it was truly unspeakable. Whatever the outside world said about the Marquis of Huai'an's favoritism didn't matter; what mattered was that no one could actually see inside.
In her daze, Shen Wenqiu only felt herself being carried on someone's back. When she opened her eyes again, she saw a palace servant dressed as a eunuch standing by the bed with a scrutinizing expression.
The eunuch glanced at her and nodded, saying, "She is indeed seriously ill, but the Imperial Tutor's classes are about to begin, so it's best not to delay any longer. I'll go back to the palace and ask for permission. If the Emperor approves, I'll have the Imperial Physician come and take a look, so she won't miss her school days."
The Marquis of Huai'an was not very capable to begin with, so he dared not displease the Emperor. He immediately agreed, "Yes, yes, thank you for your trouble, sir. We will take good care of my son these days and make sure he doesn't miss his school days."
The eunuch nodded in satisfaction and said, "It's getting late. Let's go back to the palace and report to the Emperor. Since the imperial decree has already been accepted by the Marquis as his father, there's no need to trouble Young Master Shen. Just get him ready to go to the palace before school starts."
Marquis Huai'an repeatedly agreed, personally escorted the eunuch out of the mansion, and then returned to Shen Wenqiu's room.
He looked at Shen Wenqiu lying on the bed, staring at her pale face, and felt a surge of anger rising in his heart.
But he can't do anything about Shen Wenqiu now. He can't give Shen Wenqiu to Prince Rui, and he can't do anything to torment Shen Wenqiu.
They had just repeatedly assured him that if Shen Wenqiu couldn't make it, his whole family would be held accountable.
The Marquis of Huai'an was unhappy, and Consort Yan was even more furious.
Why shouldn't her son get such a good opportunity as a study companion? Although the Ninth Prince has been out of favor for a long time, the Emperor personally chose a study companion for him and even came to see him in a serious manner. He must have taken it to heart. Who knows what the future holds?
The thought that her son's golden opportunity had been snatched away by Shen Wenqiu filled Aunt Yan with resentment. But the imperial decree had already been issued, and she couldn't say anything.
"Father, you should go back. Your son needs to rest." Shen Wenqiu didn't bother to look at the Marquis of Huai'an's expression. He understood that he was going to the palace to accompany the Marquis of Huai'an, and the Marquis of Huai'an couldn't touch him for the time being.
Upon hearing this, the Marquis of Huai'an said nothing, merely snorted coldly, and turned to leave.
Aunt Yan also left, giving Aunt Qin a glare as she went.
After everyone had left, only Aunt Qin remained, wiping Shen Wenqiu's forehead with a handkerchief, a worried smile on her face, and choking back tears as she asked, "Does it hurt?"
Shen Wenqiu's heart stirred.
He almost couldn't hold back his tears, as everyone's attention was focused on his role as a study companion.
Only Aunt Qin cared whether he was in pain or not.
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