Chapter 296 The Child Is Not Yours
Yao Niang lost a lot of blood and soon fell into a coma.
After the doctor came to diagnose her, he concluded that she had been poisoned and the baby in her womb was gone.
The wedding could not go on, so Marquis Qingyuan immediately reported the matter to the authorities, ordered his servants to close the mansion door, and then took the sword he had worn in his youth from the ancestral hall.
Holding a sword, he walked back into the main hall. Qingyuan Hou's face was ashen and murderous aura lingered all over his body.
He slammed the sword in his hand on the coffee table and spoke thoughtfully, "Back then, this sword accompanied me on the battlefield. It has chopped off at least eight hundred heads. After the war, I enshrined it in the ancestral hall and haven't touched it in over twenty years. Today, someone has murdered my wife and children. I will make the real culprit pay with blood!"
After being conferred the title, the military power in the hands of Qingyuan Hou was taken away and he was no longer reused. He had lived an absurd and cowardly life in recent years, but at this moment, the murderous aura of a military general emerged from him again.
Everyone present was startled.
The three uncles of the Shen family quickly spoke up to clarify.
"Brother, our family has lived a good life thanks to you. Now that you can remarry and have children, we are all happy for you."
"That's right, in our family, my eldest brother is the most courageous and capable. His children are all talented. He has children and grandchildren all around him, and we can all enjoy his blessings. Even if we were kicked in the head by a donkey, we wouldn't do anything to kill anyone."
The three took turns flattering the Marquis of Qingyuan, desperately trying to get themselves out of the situation. Seeing that they couldn't get to the point, Shen Qingyu couldn't help but speak: "The three uncles are right. No one would do anything that is not beneficial to themselves. Dad has been away from the court for many years and has no chance to offend anyone. The child in my stepmother's belly only threatens my eldest brother and sister-in-law."
As soon as these words were spoken, the whole room fell silent, and everyone seemed to have just woken up from a dream.
Yes, Marquis Qingyuan is not valued, the marquis's mansion has no foundation, and there is no family property to be divided. The only thing worth fighting for is this title.
There have been no wars in recent years, and apart from inheriting the titles passed down from ancestors, ordinary people have no chance to be granted titles of nobility or become prime ministers.
The relationship between Qingyuan Hou and Shen Qingyuan as father and son has never been good, but now he loves his new wife and the child in her womb very much. If the new wife really gives birth to a son, Qingyuan Hou might actually be partial to pass the title to this son born in his old age.
But Shen Qingyuan is now a favorite of the emperor and has a bright future. Will he murder his stepmother and unborn child for the title?
Everyone was puzzled for a moment, then turned their eyes to Chunxi.
Shen Qingyuan is a smart man, but Cao Chunxi is of humble origin and has little knowledge. It is entirely possible that he would do such a stupid thing in a fit of rage.
Feeling everyone's gaze, Chunxi was a little speechless.
Did she actually look so stupid?
Under the gaze of everyone, Shen Qingyuan walked to Chunxi and protected her behind him.
As soon as he stood still, he heard Qingyuan Hou's cold question: "What do you have to say?"
Shen Qingyuan looked at Qingyuan Hou as if he were a fool: "Can you ask a stupider question?"
Before Qingyuan Hou could say anything, Shen Qingyu jumped out first: "Brother, how can you talk to Dad like that? Even if you enter the Censorate now, you can't..."
Before Shen Qingyu could finish his words, Shen Qingyuan hit him on the knee with a teacup.
Feeling a sharp pain, Shen Qingyu knelt down in a cowardly manner.
Shen Qingyuan looked down at him and said, "Is it your turn to interrupt us while we're talking?"
Shen Qingyuan's attack was swift and fierce, and the pressure around him was no less than that of Qingyuan Hou. In fact, he seemed to be suppressing Qingyuan Hou.
Shen Qingyu lost face in public and finally shut up. Everyone also looked away to avoid being noticed by Shen Qingyuan.
Not long after, Jingzhao Prefecture Governor Li Mingde arrived with officials.
He didn't rush to inquire about the situation or search for clues, but went straight to Shen Qingyuan: "Master Shen is a master at solving cases. I believe you already know who the real culprit is, right?"
Shen Qingyuan said calmly: "To be honest, sir, everyone now suspects that I am the murderer."
Li Mingde: “…”? ? ?
What the hell?
Who is the murderer?
Li Mingde suspected that there was something wrong with his ears. At this time, Shen Qingyue stepped forward and explained the cause and effect in a few simple words.
Upon learning that Yao Niang had been poisoned and had lost her child, Li Mingde immediately sent people to trace the source of the poison.
Not long after, a box of leftover cakes and Xing'er, the maid who had been taking care of Yao Niang, were brought to Marquis Qingyuan.
As soon as she saw the Marquis of Qingyuan, Xing'er knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly, begging for mercy: "My Lord, this box of cakes was sent by the eldest young lady's wife. I really didn't know there was poison in it. If I had known, I would never have given it to you."
Hearing this, Shen Qingyu immediately gained confidence. He endured the pain and stood up, staring at Shen Qingyuan: "With all the evidence, what else do you have to say?"
Without waiting for Shen Qingyuan to speak, Qingyuan Hou drew his sword and pointed it at Shen Qingyuan: "Get out of here!"
Marquis Qingyuan liked the child in Yao Niang's belly very much. He was even willing to let Yao Niang marry into his family and give her a legitimate status for the sake of this child. However, the child was killed just after the wedding today.
Even if the Jade Emperor came today, Marquis Qingyuan would have to kill the murderer behind the scenes to relieve the hatred in his heart!
Shen Qingyuan stood in front of Chunxi without moving an inch.
Shen Qingyu sneered and said sarcastically, "Brother, you've been so good at pretending not to fight or compete all these years. You've fooled everyone. Cao Chunxi even poisoned her stepmother's unborn child, and you still want to protect her. Could it be that you were behind her doing this?"
As soon as Shen Qingyu finished speaking, Qingyuan Hou couldn't control his anger and stabbed Shen Qingyuan with his sword: "Rebellious son, I will kill you!"
Marquis Qingyuan was full of murderous intent, but he was old after all, and had been indulging in wine and women over the years. He was no longer the great general who had once dominated the battlefield.
But after two rounds, the sword in his hand was kicked away by Shen Qingyuan.
I don’t know if Shen Qingyuan did it on purpose, but the sword that was kicked away brushed against Shen Qingyu’s neck and got nailed to the pillar behind him.
A bloody wound appeared on Shen Qingyu's neck, and warm, bright red blood gushed out instantly.
"Ahhh, help me, I'm hurt!"
Shen Qingyu covered his neck and screamed desperately. He no longer had the confidence to accuse Shen Qingyuan just now. He was extremely scared to death.
Li Mingde immediately asked a doctor to bandage him. Just as he was about to question Xing'er further, a soft and weak voice rang out, "Dad, don't be angry. The child in stepmother's belly is not yours. You were given a sterilizing drug a long time ago. You will never have children again."
As soon as these words were spoken, the hall became even quieter. Even Shen Qingyu was like a chicken with its neck strangled, silent.
Qingyuan Hou's breathing was rapid, his old face flushed. He glared at Shen Qingchi fiercely, and after a while he asked, "What did you just say?"
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