Chapter 62: Expulsion

Chapter 62: Expulsion

Shen Changze led Yan Yang, who was carrying a bundle of thorny branches, waiting for a long time in front of the Pingxi General's Mansion until he finally saw the main gate open and someone come out.

Prince Yu Zheng personally escorted the imperial physician out of the mansion, saying as they walked, "Doctor Chen, please take extra care with Yun'er’s injuries; you must cure him."

"Your Highness, rest assured, I will do my utmost," Doctor Chen replied, bowing with his medicine box on his back.

Seeing Prince Yu Zheng, Shen Changze wanted to step forward to speak.

However, Yu Zheng did not give him the chance, casting him a cold glance before turning and entering the mansion, ordering the servants to close the gate.

Shen Changze, having been snubbed, could only go to ask the physician.

"Sir, please wait a moment."

Doctor Chen, about to get into his carriage, turned back, puzzled, "Who are you?"

Living deep within the palace, Doctor Chen rarely left to treat patients and did not recognize the man before him.

"I am Shen Changze from Marquis Jing'an’s residence," Shen Changze introduced himself.

Upon hearing this, Doctor Chen’s expression changed instantly. He glanced at Yan Yang, who was carrying the thorny branches, and understood, "So it was your son who injured Young Master Zhuang."

"Yes," Shen Changze steeled himself, "May I ask, Doctor Chen, how is Young Master Zhuang’s condition?"

Doctor Chen replied coldly, "The wounds are not deep, but he suffered a concussion, causing dizziness. If not treated properly, it could affect his future studies."

Shen Changze took a half-step back, disbelieving, "Is it really that serious?"

"If you don’t believe me, why ask?" Doctor Chen snorted, turning to get back into his carriage.

Seeing this, Shen Changze hurriedly bowed and apologized, "Please forgive me, Sir. That was not my intention. I beg you to do your best to heal Young Master Zhuang."

"I have been entrusted by the Grand Princess and Prince Jing, so I will certainly do my best," Doctor Chen said, then ordered his driver to leave.

Shen Changze stood there, looking at the tightly closed gates of the general’s mansion, feeling uneasy.

To show sincerity, Shen Changze and Yan Yang waited until the night grew deep and everyone in the general’s mansion had retired before returning home.

Mother Shen and others had been waiting. As soon as they saw Shen Changze return, they immediately asked.

"How did it go? Did the Grand Princess forgive Yan Yang?"

Shen Changze shook his head, looking dejected, "The imperial physician diagnosed that Young Master Zhuang has a concussion. If not treated properly, it could affect his future."

"Oh no!" Mother Shen felt as if the sky was falling.

Cheng Jinchu held Yan Yang, tears streaming silently down her face.

Lu Mingke asked, "Did the Grand Princess say anything?"

Shen Changze sighed deeply, "The Grand Princess refused to see us, and the gates of the general’s mansion were tightly closed. We couldn’t even enter the courtyard."

From this, it was clear that the Grand Princess was extremely angry, and this matter would likely not end well.

Everyone looked at each other in silence, filled with anxiety.

After Lu Mingke and Shen Qingrong returned to Huaqing Courtyard, Shen Qingrong, trembling with fear, approached Lu Mingke to undress and serve him for the night.

Lu Mingke stepped back, repulsed, "I will stay with Xingyuan. Have the servants move my things to Xingyuan’s room tomorrow."

"Husband, are you rejecting me?" Shen Qingrong wept, her tears like pear blossoms in the rain, looking pitiful.

In the past, when Lu Mingke saw her like this, he would have embraced her and comforted her, his anger dissipating.

But now, he only felt disgust and hypocrisy.

"I told you, if you are dirty, don’t touch me again," Lu Mingke turned and left without a second glance.

Shen Qingrong fell to the ground, feeling utterly hopeless.

Jiang Shu, Jiang Shu, it’s all because of this wretch!

Shen Qingrong’s eyes burned with hatred, blaming everything on Jiang Shu.

At Listen Bamboo House, Jiang Shu had not yet gone to sleep, listening to Chuyu recount the news she had just gathered.

"Master Yan Yang was too harsh. I hope Young Master Zhuang is alright," Chuyu said indignantly.

Jiang Shu’s almond-shaped eyes flickered, but she did not explain, only instructing, "Pack everything up quickly. We will be leaving soon."

"Yes," Chuyu, though puzzled, trusted Jiang Shu’s judgment.

After Chuyu left, Jiang Shu recalled what Yu Lan had said to her earlier that day, feeling deeply grateful.

She knew that Zhuang Yun’s severe injury was to help her obtain a divorce.

The moment Yu Lan saw Zhuang Yun injured, he thought of a way to assist her in obtaining a divorce.

Now, all she needed to do was wait, wait for Shen Changze to come and beg her, beg her for a divorce.

The next day, when Shen Changze went to court, he was scolded angrily by the emperor.

Moreover, Lady Zhuang, as a noblewoman, entered the palace to file a complaint on behalf of Zhuang Yun.

The emperor and his ministers deliberated and, considering Yan Yang’s youth and the unintentional nature of the incident, decided to spare him severe punishment and instead expel him from the capital.

Though it seemed a light penalty, the expulsion of the heir of a marquisate from the capital was akin to cutting off his future prospects and wealth.

Shen Changze brought the news back to the Marquis Mansion, and upon hearing it, Old Lady Shen fainted, her old eyes darkening.

Mother Shen pounded her chest, weeping and wailing.

Cheng Jinchu felt a dizzying spin, and she bit her tongue hard to keep from fainting.

"Lord, please find a way to save Yan Yang. He is so young; how can he survive alone outside of Shang Jing?"

"He is our first child; you cannot abandon him."

Shen Changze frowned deeply, exhausted and drained, "The Emperor's decree has been issued and cannot be changed."

Today, he had knelt in court for over an hour, pleading desperately to save Yan Yang. However, Lady Zhuang, citing the achievements of General Zhuang and his son, threatened to die if Yan Yang was not punished, determined to penalize him.

Even Crown Prince Yu Cheng’s intervention proved futile.

"Is there no other way? If Yan Yang leaves, I cannot stay in this Marquis Mansion either." Cheng Jinchu’s face was filled with sorrow, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Shen Changze rubbed his forehead, weary and powerless.

Lu Mingke, who had remained silent, finally spoke, "There is only one way to have the Emperor revoke his decree."

"What is it?" Cheng Jinchu asked eagerly, her eyes filled with hope.

Shen Changze and the others also turned to look at Lu Mingke.

Lu Mingke said gravely, "To have Lady Zhuang withdraw her accusation."

"How is that possible! If there were any leeway, Lady Zhuang would not have resorted to threatening death." Mother Shen sighed, dismissing the idea.

Cheng Jinchu fell into despair once more.

"I heard that Elder Sister has a good relationship with the Grand Princess. Perhaps we can seek her help," Lu Mingke suggested.

Mother Shen despaired, "After yesterday’s incident, why would she help us?"

But Cheng Jinchu saw a glimmer of hope and stood up, "I will go and beg her. If she helps, I will kneel and kowtow to her."

As a mother, she would forsake her dignity and pride to protect her child.

Cheng Jinchu, unable to wait, hurriedly walked without looking where she was going and stumbled over a threshold, falling to the ground.

"Ahh!" came a cry of pain.

Shen Changze rushed over, lifting Cheng Jinchu into his arms, and asked anxiously, "What happened? Where does it hurt?"

"My... my stomach hurts." Cheng Jinchu clutched her abdomen, beads of cold sweat forming on her forehead.

"Blood, she’s bleeding!" Shen Qingrong exclaimed in alarm.

Hearing this, Mother Shen quickly instructed the servants, "Go fetch Lady Fang!"

Shen Changze carried Cheng Jinchu to a side room in Shouyong Hall, while Mother Shen ordered the maids to prepare hot water and cotton cloths.

Before leaving, Lady Fang sent a message to Jiang Shu.

Jiang Shu understood and immediately instructed Chuyu to go outside the mansion to invite a midwife, leading her to Shouyong Hall.

Cheng Jinchu’s pregnancy had already been unstable, and today’s fall likely meant grave danger for the child in her womb.

Lady Fang was under Jiang Shu’s employ, and if anything went wrong, the blame might fall on her, leading to difficulties for Jiang Shu.