Old Lady Shen said this with a hint of anger on her face. The other ladies, who were always eager to watch the excitement and never minded getting involved in others' business, didn't leave either.

  "Mother, don't be angry, maybe the guest entered the wrong room," Chen Ruoqiu comforted. After saying that, she gave a signal to the two maids beside her, and they stepped forward, pushing the door open.

  The door seemed to be tightly closed, but it wasn't locked. It looked like a light push would open it. However, immediately after, there was a loud "ah" of surprise, and the two maidservants were startled, taking two steps back.

  They did so with such an attitude, which made people suspicious instead. Old Lady Shen shouted loudly: "What's going on?"

  One of the maids seemed to lose her balance, and with a slight push on the door with both hands, she inadvertently opened it wider, revealing the situation inside to everyone present. Everyone couldn't help but take a deep breath in shock.

  The teahouse was very small, originally a temporary resting place, with only one small couch and a low table. At this moment, the tea cups on the low table were all shattered on the ground. On the narrow couch, two figures overlapped, vaguely visible as a man pinning down a woman. The noise that had just come from inside was the sound of the tea cups shattering during their struggle.

  At this moment, the chaotic scene was almost unreservedly exposed in front of everyone. Those ladies immediately covered their daughters' eyes, fearing they would see such a dirty thing.

  "Ah, Miss Bao!" exclaimed the servant girl outside.

  "Chu Chu!" Chen Ruoqiu also shouted.

  "What?" Old Lady Shen was stunned and almost fainted. Fu'er, who was beside her, quickly went to support her.

  "What's going on?" Chen Ruoqiu's face was somewhat flustered, and to others, it seemed like the mansion had suffered a loss and was momentarily at a loss. The two people in the house didn't know what was happening either, but when they heard the commotion outside, the man lying on top of the woman didn't move, while the woman struggled to push him off her body.

  "My goodness." Xi'er covered her mouth, a look of surprise on her face: "Young Master has already gone back to his room after getting drunk, how can he be...".

  One sentence, heard by everyone, and the whole story became clear at once.

  The drunken young master of the Fu family, who happened to meet his cousin Miss Bao on her way back to change clothes, suddenly had a lustful heart and lost control of his emotions, and did something that tainted her innocence.

  "Qiu Er has always been steady, how could he do such a thing?" Chen Ruoqiu shook his head and said: "It's all because of drinking too much!" At this point, he showed a look of extreme pain and regret.

  In their conversation, Shen Qiu's guilt had already been determined.

  Shen Miao looked at the scene in silence, almost identical to the one from her past life. After Shen Qiu woke up, he was speechless and unable to defend himself. Although Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan believed him, the facts were laid out before them, and it was indeed the young lady's family that had been wronged. If Shen Qiu didn't marry Jing Chu Chu, all these madams would have come today and drowned him in saliva with their gossip. What about her own actions back then? Shen Miao thought to herself with a gloomy expression, feeling deeply humiliated by having a brother who would tarnish someone's innocence, making her want to disown him and join others in condemning Shen Qiu.

  Shen Yue suddenly said: "Fifth sister, why aren't you speaking?"

  Everyone's gaze suddenly turned to Shen Miao. Shen Qiu was Shen Miao's older brother, and since Shen Qiu had done such a thing, Shen Miao's face wouldn't be able to hold up either. It was just unknown whether this Shen Miao would wholeheartedly help Shen Qiu or make a move of righteous kin-slaying.

  Yi Peilan liked to see Shen Miao in trouble, and at this moment, she was even more pleased to say hypocritically: "Shen Miao, actually this matter has nothing to do with you, after all, your elder brother is your elder brother, you are you, although you are from the same family, but can't be generalized."

  But the more she said that, it seemed to remind everyone that Shen Miao was indeed Shen Qiu's sister, and since Shen Qiu had lost his moral integrity, how good could Shen Miao be?

  "It's just strange," Shen Miao said calmly: "Instead of solving the problem, you're discussing it here. Do you want to let outsiders at the entrance of the Shen Mansion join in and watch the excitement too? After all, there are many people."

  Her sarcasm was like a knife, hitting the bullseye in one go.

  Yes, something like this has happened. If it were an ordinary family, they would immediately think of ways to cover it up, but Mrs. Shen and Chen Ruoqiu seem to want more people to know about it, even discussing it at the door. What kind of heart is this? At least it can't be considered a good heart. What's the point of this again?

  Chen Ruoqiu and Old Lady Shen felt a bit awkward, but they heard Shen Miao continue to say lightly: "Even if my mother is not here, there should be someone in charge of the overall situation. Is it that just because Second Aunt has become Third Aunt, she doesn't know what to do?"

  Chen Ruoqiu's face suddenly turned green, and Shen Yue's complexion was also not good. At this time, mentioning Ren Yuanyun, everyone's eyes had some deep meaning. Chen Ruoqiu was even more angry, Shen Miao's words were clearly saying that her ability to preside over the overall situation was not as good as Ren Yuanyun, wasn't it a slap in the face?

  Shen Miao, after all, was a person who had been in the harem for many years. The women in the harem were not easy to deal with, and even when they quarreled, it was like a battle of wits. One sentence could be interpreted in ten different ways. At this moment, her words seemed neither light nor heavy, but they made people think deeply.

  Just because Luo Xueyan is not here, can you bully Shen Qiu at will? And seeing that Shen Qiu has made a fool of herself, but ignoring it and even letting everyone know? More importantly, the ladies are not fools, they were previously shocked by the situation in front of them and ignored other things, but Shen's calm demeanor made them gradually calm down, and when they looked back inside, there was some unclear meaning. It is said that a fool has been made, but who knows if this fool is man-made?

  Madam Shen was enraged by Shen Miao's few words and said, "Wu Yaotou, with your brother involved in such a matter, you have this kind of attitude! You are indeed obstinate!"

  Shen Miao almost laughed, but shook her head: "This is a big deal, let's invite Father and Second Uncle and Third Uncle to come over and make a decision."

  Mrs. Shen was stunned, Chen Ruoqiu was stunned, and all the ladies present were also stunned. This matter was originally better known to fewer people, but now Shen Miao couldn't wait for more people to know. Chen Ruoqiu felt even more uneasy in her heart, she didn't know why, although everything was going as she had imagined, but she always felt that something was not right.

  The door was wide open, and the people inside seemed to be quiet too. The maids of Old Lady Shen originally wanted to close the door, but they heard Shen Miao coldly say: "Don't close it, since those who should see have already seen, closing the door now would be like covering one's ears while stealing a bell. If anyone wants to take another look, they can do so and understand clearly."

  At this time, Mrs. Shen also felt something was wrong, she wanted to let someone go into the house, but Shen Miao's aggressive posture made people surprised, and at this moment it was difficult to do anything else, and doing more would only make things worse. Mrs. Shen could only suppress her unease and watched as Shen Miao ordered someone to invite Shen Xin and the others over.

  Jiang Xiaojuan wiped away tears and said: "Miss Jing is still young this year, something like this happened, what will she do for the rest of her life?"

  "Please, all of you, bear witness for me." Old Lady Shen spoke up, "My family has always been known for its integrity and good reputation. Since we've had this kind of scandalous affair, I naturally need to give everyone an explanation. Chuchu is my niece from my mother's side, and she's always been clever and sensible. I originally thought about keeping her by my side and finding a good family for her to marry into in the future... who would have expected..." Old Lady Shen's face was filled with pain: "My family isn't one that bullies others just because of our status. No matter what happens in the future, Chuchu is still the daughter-in-law of my Jing family, and this is not something to be doubted. I will definitely give Chuchu a say in the matter!"

  What a magnificent reason! What a righteous and proper tone of speech!

  If she didn't know the inside story, Shen Miao would have also praised Old Lady Shen's behavior as good. Her eyes were filled with mockery, and it was no wonder that as a former songstress and actress, her acting skills were truly vivid and lifelike.

  As expected, after Mrs. Shen finished speaking, she immediately won over everyone's favor.

  "It's indeed worthy of a noble family, truly daring to take responsibility."

  "If it's like this, then Miss Jing will have someone to rely on for the rest of her life."

  "The Shen family's integrity is indeed true, and Old Lady Shen's choice was truly wise."

  "Who would have thought that Old Lady Shen still had such bearing."

  Half of them praised Mrs. Shen for knowing her mistake and making amends, while the other half pitied Jing Chuchu for being inexplicably afflicted with this disaster, as for Shen Qiu, he was almost unanimously portrayed by everyone as a shameless lecher.

  Just then, a hurried cry was heard from outside: "Chu Chu! Chu Chu!" Looking up, Shen Miao's people finally brought Shen Xin and his group over.

  However, it's not bad that he didn't call those colleagues from the government office, only Shen Xinsan brothers and Luo Xueyan. The one walking in front was Jing Guansheng. He strode forward with big steps, and when the ladies saw him, they all made way for him. Jing Guansheng stood at the door but didn't go in, just staring blankly inside as if he had been struck by lightning.

  "What's going on?" Lu Xueyan asked urgently.

  Chen Ruoqiu wiped away her tears and said: "Don't worry, sister-in-law. This matter is not Chu'er's fault either. It was all because of drinking too much."

  On the way, Shen Gui and Shen Wan had already heard about this matter. Shen Gui couldn't wait for Shen Xin to be unlucky and immediately put on a ashamed attitude: "It's all my fault, I should have stopped Qiu'er from drinking, if he wasn't drunk, how could such a thing happen?"

  "Second brother, don't blame yourself," Shen Wan sighed. "No one wanted this to happen, let's think about what to do now."

  "What else can we do?" Jing Guansheng's eyes were bloodshot: "My sister came here in good faith, but was plotted against and her reputation tarnished. We must get to the bottom of this!"

  "Shut your dirty mouth!" Shen Xin flared up at once: "That stinky little brat Shen Qiu, I've watched him grow up, he can't possibly do something like this!"

  "Not bad." Luo Xueyan sneered: "Jing Chuchu is not some kind of national beauty, when Qiu Er was in the border town, many big shots wanted to marry her off to him, and any one of them would be more beautiful than Jing Chuchu. To sacrifice his future for a Jing Chuchu, isn't Qiu Er stupid?"

  Shen Xin was originally a tough guy on the battlefield, not taking anything from anyone. Luo Xueyan was even more straightforward and wouldn't mince words. Her words made Jing Guansheng's face turn pale. As for Old Lady Shen, this time she was really so angry that she couldn't speak.

  But thinking about it, what they said also makes sense. Jing Chu's appearance is good, but not to the point of being rare in the world. Jing Guansheng saying that she was plotting against him was indeed a bit excessive.

  Shen Miao almost wanted to laugh, in her past life Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan had also protected Shen Qiu like this. Unfortunately, everyone knew that Jing Chu Chu had been innocent and without any ulterior motives before, and at that time, under the watchful eyes of many people, what could be said? Could only admit defeat. Old Lady Shen called so many noblewomen from the capital to "bear witness", simply to leave Shen Qiu with no way out.

  "You have the evidence and witnesses, how can you still quibble!" Jing Guansheng angrily said: "Could it be that my sister, a weak woman, could force Shen Qiu? I originally thought Shen Qiu was a gentleman, but it turns out he's someone who knows people by face but not by heart. I'll report this to the authorities!"

  Reporting to the authorities, that would make it a big deal known to everyone. Old Lady Shen angrily said: "Enough!" She spoke softly to Jing Guansheng: "Guansheng, you are my nephew, and you also know how I have treated you these days. This little maid Chu Chu is someone I like very much, let her suffer injustice, others may agree but I won't! Don't worry, I will definitely give you an explanation!"

  "Old family rules!" Madam Shen's tone changed, and she scolded Shen Xin: "This matter was originally Chu'er's fault from the start. Your father taught you that the Shen family does things with integrity, if we ruin a girl's reputation, we must take responsibility! Since Chu'er did such a thing, he must marry Chuchu and treat her well for the rest of his life!"

  The Shen family is upright and honest, this was what General Shen had always taught Shixin. If it were in the past, Shixin would have swallowed this insult for the sake of Mrs. Shen's face. But now that they are about to enter the capital, the discord between him and Mrs. Shen has grown deeper. Hearing these words now, looking at Mrs. Shen's expression, he felt an unspeakable sense of hypocrisy and hatred, a fire burning in his heart. Shixin angrily said: "I've said it before, Qiu'er can't do such a thing!"

  "But... " However, Shen Dongling, who had been hiding behind and unnoticed by everyone, suddenly spoke up: "Why did no one go in to take a look before saying that the person inside is Big Brother? Is Big Brother really inside?"

  As soon as this was said, everyone was stunned for a moment.

  Not bad, is the person inside really Shen Qiu? From the beginning to now, no one has gone in to take a look, even if they could see, it's just two bodies stacked on top of each other. In fact, all the ladies basically understand what's going on, this matter is very deep, saying it's a misunderstanding after getting drunk, it's probably also being calculated by someone. However, since it's been calculated to this point, Shen Qiu can only admit to being unlucky.

  Chen Ruoqiu smiled and said: "What did Dong Lian say? Only Qiuer got drunk and left the table, otherwise who else?"

  "There's also Second Brother." Shen Miao said lightly: "Why hasn't Second Brother appeared either? Why is it only Big Brother who has to take responsibility?"

  "Sister, what are you talking about?" A sudden loud voice rose, Chen Ruoqiu's mind went blank, everyone turned their heads to look, not far away, Shen Qiuyi was dressed neatly, standing beside him was Feng Anning, looking at the crowd with some confusion.

  "Peace!" Mrs. Feng was startled and hurried over to pull her away, scolding: "How can you run around everywhere like this?"

  "I went to the toilet and got lost on my way back." Feng Anning looked very innocent: "I walked around for a long time but couldn't find my way out, and I happened to run into Big Brother Shen from the Shen family. He brought me here. What's going on?"

  Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan were stunned for a moment, then Shen Xin burst out laughing, the laughter in everyone's ears had several points of complacency.

  Shen Qiu is fine here, who else is inside?

  "It's enough to look," Shen Miao smiled slightly: "Come on, let's take a closer look, who is the one responsible?"

  Mrs. Shen wanted to stop him, but it was too late. The maids beside Luo Xueyan were all strong and capable, and before Chen Ruoqiu could speak, they had already rushed in. Their movements were too quick, and the crowd hadn't even reacted yet, when they heard a groan from inside, and the two maids had already carried the man out to face everyone: "It's the second young master!"

  Shen Yu's disheveled clothes and flushed face appeared before everyone. Compared to Shen Qiu, who had just shouted his name but didn't go in to check, this evidence was almost irrefutable. Everyone's gaze turned to Shen Gui and Old Lady Shen.

  "What's all this, it was just a misunderstanding after all! It almost got Brother wrongly accused. You servants should be more careful next time, a bad reputation can lead to imprisonment!"

  "Sister, what are you talking about?" Shen Qiu scratched his head: "What pot am I supposed to carry?"

  "Qiu Er, someone wants to introduce a daughter-in-law to you." Luo Xueyan seemed to have figured it out. Just now, Shen Lao and Chen Ruoqiu were so pressing her, but now it was just a false alarm. The unnamed fire was burning fiercely, and the words became even more impolite: "I said, our Qiu Er's daughter-in-law must be personally approved by me. Qiu Er is also very strict with himself, where would he casually bring a daughter-in-law into his own home?"

  It turned out that Feng Anning suddenly realized, saying: "What's going on? I've been with Shen Jia Gege all along. Shen Jia Gege must have sobered up from his drunkenness. But I've only heard of forced marriages, could it be that there's also a thing called 'forced marriage' now?"

  Feng Anning was also a talented person, she deliberately said it in such an exaggerated way, directly making Mrs. Feng change her face and scold: "Anning!" Feng Anning stuck out her tongue and didn't speak again.

  "Grandma, cousin, Second Uncle, what's going to happen now?" Shen Miao said with a difficult expression, but her demeanor was carefree and leisurely, and everyone could see that she was enjoying the commotion.

  What is called slap in the face? This is what's called a slap in the face!

  Mrs. Shen was a bit flustered, since today's events were her orders, she had naturally made thorough preparations. However, why Shen Qiu became Shen Yuan, she didn't know what went wrong. But as soon as she saw Shen Miao's smiling face, Mrs. Shen understood that this matter must have something to do with Shen Miao.

  Shen Gui was also stunned, he had heard that Shen Qiu had made a mistake and had come over to watch the commotion. To know that a person's reputation can also affect their career in the imperial court, otherwise those censors would not have received high salaries. Now Shen Qiu has become Shen Yuan, Shen Yuan had just returned to Beijing to take up his post when this happened, isn't this going to cut off his official career?!

  Ladies are still a bit confused, but the madams see it clearly. Today's events are obviously just a play staged by the Shen family themselves. It's clear that someone wanted to use Jing Chuchu to frame Shen Qiu once, but who would have thought that Shen Qiu would turn into Shen Yuan instead? Thinking back on Shen Miao's attitude from the beginning of the incident until now, it's obvious that she has a connection to how things turned out.

  Everyone says that Shen Jia's legitimate daughter, the fifth young lady, is a fool and an idiot, but now it seems that no one dares to think of her as a fool anymore. The person who set up today's scheme probably didn't expect to be turned around either. Even these people who were invited to "testify" have become Shen Miao's pawns at this moment.

  Mrs. Shen was in a difficult situation, and with a flicker of her eyes, she pretended to faint in order to gloss over the matter. However, she heard Shen Miao say: "Brother-in-law, sister-in-law has encountered this situation, as her brother, you must be very distressed. Don't worry, grandmother just said that she will definitely take responsibility for sister-in-law."

  Madam Shen suddenly came to, staring at Shen Miao: "Gan'er is still unconscious, obviously he was plotted against. Wu Yaotou, don't spout nonsense!"

  "Old lady, what are you talking about?" Before Shen Miao could speak up, Luo Xueyan exploded: "Just now when you said that the person inside was Qiu Er, I never heard you think for him. Yuan Er is your grandson, isn't Qiu Er also your grandson? This bowl of water, you're carrying it too evenly, aren't you?"

  Lu Xueyan was not afraid to have a falling out with Old Lady Shen, she had such a fiery personality, and after a string of sharp words, Old Lady Shen could only furiously shout: "You're rebelling!"

  "Grandma, let's talk about how to deal with Second Brother first." Shen Miao smiled slightly, her tone warm and gentle, without a hint of anger from start to finish, making Shen Lao Fu Ren even more uncomfortable. She said: "Just now, Grandma said that Grandfather used to say that the Shen family must be upright and honest, if they ruin someone's reputation, they must take responsibility for it. Second Brother must marry Eldest Cousin!" She intentionally imitated Shen Lao Fu Ren's righteous tone, causing Luo Xue Yan to burst out laughing. Shen Miao looked at everyone: "All the ladies have seen that Grandma always keeps her promises, she won't forget in such a short time."

  The noble ladies around knew that Shen Miao was using them as a shield, but they could only "heh heh" dryly laugh. Old Lady Shen's face turned red and white from Shen Miao's sarcastic remarks. She could only repeat over and over: "There's something fishy about this matter, there's something fishy about this matter!"

  "I also think there's something fishy about this," Shen Miao raised an eyebrow: "So let's report to the authorities after all. Father, your subordinate is quick to act, and it's still possible to make it to the Metropolitan Governor now."

  Before he had finished speaking, Shen Gui shouted: "No way!"

  "What's wrong again?"

  Shen Gui glared at her fiercely, once the news got out, this matter would be impossible to cover up. The officials in the imperial court were idle every day, and it would be strange if they didn't impeach him. Moreover, it was an ugly affair, what's the benefit of making everyone know about it?

  "Never mind," Shen Miao waved her hand with a slight headache: "After all, this matter still depends on Brother-in-law's opinion." She looked at Jing Guansheng, who had been gloomy and unpredictable the whole time, and smiled slightly: "Brother-in-law is the one who is most heartbroken, isn't he?"

  Jing Guansheng didn't say anything.

  "Get a doctor here at once!" Old Mrs. Shen said angrily. Jing Chu Chu and Shen Yuan had been quiet all along, fearing that they had been plotted against. Old Mrs. Shen was furious but couldn't vent her anger. To think that everything today should have happened to Shen Qiu, who would have thought that it turned out to be Shen Yuan instead? But she just couldn't say anything about it.

  Chen Ruoqiu was busy apologizing to the various madams, who had seen enough of the good show and knew that today was just a fight between Shen Miao and the others in the Shen family. In the end, Shen Miao won. They promised not to say anything and took their leave. Feng Anning winked at Shen Miao and followed Madam Feng out. Shen Yue looked at the messy courtyard and felt quite disappointed.

  It was just a little bit away from destroying Shenqiu, why did it end up as Shenyuan?

  Shen Xin followed Old Lady Shen to the main hall, this matter must be handled properly. Moreover, it involves the reputation of the Shen family, and with so many people watching, it can no longer be settled with a small compromise.

  Shen Miao was walking at the back when she was suddenly stopped by someone. Turning her head to look, it was Jing Guan Sheng who had walked up to her.

  Jing Guan was slightly chubby and tall, standing in front of Shen Miao with a somewhat oppressive presence. The usual smile on his normally refined and gentle face had disappeared, replaced by an ominous scowl, as if a wolf that had shed its sheepskin was revealing its true nature. He said: "Fifth sister, is this your doing?"

  "Yes." Shen Miao acknowledged readily.

  He didn't expect Shen Miao to say that, Jing Guansheng was taken aback at first, and then angrily raised his fist at Shen Miao. Jing Xiu and Yu Ru hurriedly stopped him, while Shen Miao coldly looked at him: "It was me who did it, what can you do to me?"

  "You're shameless!" Jing Guansheng growled.

  "Am I shameless?" Shen Miao looked at him: "Eldest Brother, today's matter, dare you say you didn't know about it?"

  Jing Guansheng was stunned, glaring at him. As Jing Chuchu's older brother, how could Jing Guansheng not know what Old Lady Shen had in mind? Letting Jing Chuchu become Mrs. Shenqiu would be beneficial and harmless to him, but who knew it would end up being Shen Yuan instead!

  "Making your own sister a pawn, and now you're saying I'm shameless? Brother-in-law, don't you think you're being too disgusting?" Shen Miao said with a smile.

  "You!"

  "It's already a done deal, so you might as well think of another way." Shen Miao looked at him calmly: "Your sister has already lost her innocence in front of so many people, and it will be difficult for her to marry into a good family and become your bargaining chip in the future. Who would want to marry a broken shoe?"

  She spoke viciously, Jing Guan clenched his fists tightly, but had to admit that Shen Miao was right. What's the point of losing both wife and soldiers, he now understood. If Jing Chuchu became like this, where would there be any good family willing to take her in later, let alone a wealthy one?

  "Cousin, considering we're cousins, I'll remind you of this. Shen Miao smiled intimately: "Actually, as long as it's marrying into the Shen family, for all of you, it's considered climbing up a high branch. Since that's the case, what difference does it make whether you marry Big Brother or Second Brother?"

  Jing Guan's heart skipped a beat as he looked at Shen Miao without saying a word.

  "To be honest, my second brother also entered officialdom at a young age and had a bright future ahead of him. Compared to my eldest brother, he was also excellent. Since you both have the idea of exchanging your sister for a better future, if the person on the bed becomes my second brother, then it's not bad to change from being called 'eldest sister-in-law' to 'second sister-in-law', after all, it doesn't harm you either."

  She looked at her own fingernails, and it was unclear who she was talking to: "As a person, you have to know how to be flexible."