The Dust Settles

After she had dinner, she went to walk around to promote digestion of her food. However, along the way, she was pulled into a bamboo forest by that person. She should have struggled angrily, but perhaps it was because the surroundings were too quiet, or perhaps the man's skills were too good, her heart that had been dry for a long time was nourished for a moment.

So that night, she dismissed all the servants early.

She thought that it was just a moment of pleasure and that she would not have anything to do with that person in the future.

At her age, she had never thought that she would be pregnant.

Not long after, the doctor arrived.

Madam Li nervously stretched out her hand. The doctor gently placed two fingers on it. After a moment, he smiled and said, "Congratulations, Madam. You're already more than a month pregnant."

Even though she had already guessed it, Madam Li's heart still sank when she heard the doctor say it himself.

The nanny who looked after her vital organs was dumbfounded. From a few years ago, the Marquis seldom comes to Madam's yard. The most recent time was at the end of last year.

What… what should I do?

After sending the doctor away, the master and servant sat in silence.

After a while, the nanny hesitated and said, "The most important thing now is to think of a way to abort this child. Why don't you use the excuse of paying respects to Buddha to stay in the temple for a while…"

Madam Li wiped her face. "Of course I know that. But I've been in charge of family affairs for so many years. If I don't have a reasonable reason to leave the residence rashly, how can the people in the residence not raise suspicions?"

At this moment, she was filled with regret. If she had known earlier, she would not have done that on a whim.

At this moment, Cui Liu lifted the curtain and came in. "The coachman, Qian Da, said that he has something to discuss with Madam."

At this moment, Madam Li was feeling vexed, so how could she have the time to care about such trivial matters? She waved her hand impatiently and told the nanny to go out and ask what it was about.

When the nanny came in again, she looked like she wanted to say something but she hesitated.

"…Madam, Qian Da said that the Marquis might have a mistress."

Madam Li did not even look up when she heard this. She nodded expressionlessly.

The two of them had been husband and wife for many years, so how could she not know that Shen Jian had someone outside? Anyway, which men among the advanced families and nobles had a clean yard? In the few years after they got married, she spent a lot of effort to get him back to the backyard and keep an eye on him in order to stabilize her status. However, now that her children were already adults, as long as Shen Jian did not go overboard, she could not be bothered.

Seeing that Madam did not mind, the nanny said anxiously, "But, Qian Da said… the Marquis often goes to the Southwind Pavilion… He…"

Madam Li instantly understood what she meant. She knew that some descendants of aristocratic families had fetishes, and the Southwind Pavilion was a famous male brothel in the capital.

She had never heard of Shen Jian having such a preference in the past, but people change. At the thought of this, she felt disgusted.

Good men had always been despised by the world. However…

Her heart skipped a beat. She was just worrying that she would not have the chance to leave the residence successfully.

As long as she lured the people in the residence to catch him in the act, it would be logical for her to pretend to be sad and disappointed and go to the manor to relieve her anxiety for a while.

…

The next day, when Madam Li greeted Old Madam, she inadvertently mentioned that there were many pomegranate trees planted in a manor. It was now the season for pomegranate flowers to bloom and she heard from the steward that there was a large gorgeous patch of pomegranate flowers. Since the weather was good, she suggested that Mother take her daughters-in-law to take a look.

So under Madam Li's strong persuasion, Madam Cui took the three Madams to the manor.

Just as they were about to board the carriage, Shen Mingjiao and her servant happened to walk over. When Shen Mingjiao heard that everyone was going to look at the pomegranate flowers, she excitedly said that she wanted to join them. Then, without waiting for Madam Li to refuse, they climbed into the carriage shamelessly.

Madam Li had no choice but to let her tag along. She thought that she could just lure her away when the time came.

The manor happened to be adjacent to the Daxiang Monastery. When the carriage stopped, the few of them alighted. When the guard saw the main family, he was first stunned. Then, he thought of something and his face turned pale. He trembled and bowed to them.

Madam Li glanced at that person and snorted in her heart. She had already asked Qian Da and learned that Shen Jian had hidden the man in this manor.

The group went in. When the head of the manor received the news, he hurriedly welcomed them while sending someone to inform the marquis. Halfway through, he was stopped by a person arranged by Madam Li.

Madam Li led everyone forward. Along the way, Madam Cui sensed something and asked Madam Li unhappily, "Eldest daughter-in-law, why is there no one in this manor? What are you up to?"

Madam Li did not intend to hide it anymore. She glanced at Shen Mingjiao, who was walking at the back and looking around. Then, she sighed and said, "Mother, I have no choice. I hope you can help me decide later."