"Your Highness, please show mercy. The young master cannot withstand sixty planks. This will be fatal!"
Zhao Guanjin was touched but dared not say another word. He looked at Wei Qianrui with eyes full of worry and tenderness.
Jun Jiuli remained cold and silent. Marquis Wu'an stood beside her, wishing someone would drag her away.
She thought that since she was so pitiful, public opinion would surely lean towards her, and someone would eventually pity her and help her.
Unfortunately, in Great Chu, only she and Zhao Guanjin were foolish. Who would offend a dignified princess for her sake?
Wei Qianrui wept as if her heart were breaking. She closed her eyes, intending to faint and frame Jun Jiuli.
With a single glance from Jun Jiuli, Dong Yi, who was beside her, immediately stepped forward, supported Wei Qianrui, and shook her vigorously.
Where no one could see, he pinched her thigh fiercely. Wei Qianrui was in great pain, but she could only tightly shut her eyes, not daring to make a sound.
She thought that by fainting, she could escape this ordeal. A woman must consider her reputation, and Jun Jiuli would surely not go too far.
Jun Jiuli had been waiting for her. Ru Tong immediately went to fetch a doctor. Zhao Guanjin's heart was in agony, wishing he could rush over.
"Qianrui, Qianrui, you must not be harmed! Wake up, wake up. Princess, please, you must save her."
Even a blind person could see that the two of them were acting suspiciously. Marquis Wu'an wished he could send his son back to be remade.
"Don't worry, this princess will definitely save her. Although she didn't do anything and fainted on her own, it happened to be at the entrance of this princess's mansion, so this princess will consider it a good deed."
The doctor carefully felt her pulse, his features contorting into a frown. He looked up to observe Jun Jiuli's expression.
"If there's anything, just say it. There's nothing shameful."
"Yes, this young lady... this young lady is pregnant."
This news was absolutely explosive, so much so that the unconscious Wei Qianrui woke up. Zhao Guanjin's mouth hung open, wide enough to fit an egg.
The crowd began to whisper, their gazes shifting between Wei Qianrui and Zhao Guanjin, silently speculating on Jun Jiuli's next move.
"I'm not... you're lying, I'm not pregnant."
Wei Qianrui bit her lip, fully embodying the image of someone being slandered. She had never imagined that Jun Jiuli, whom she considered extremely wicked, would call a doctor for her.
The doctor was displeased upon hearing her words. "Hmph, I have been practicing medicine for many years. How could I misdiagnose a pregnancy? If you do not believe this old man, you can invite other doctors."
"I... I don't need to, I'm fine now."
As she spoke, she stood up, no longer possessing her previous delicate demeanor. Her eyes fell on Marquis Wu'an, hoping the Marquis would offer her some protection.
"Since you injured yourself by crying and begging this princess, I cannot stand idly by. If you do not trust the doctor in this princess's mansion, then invite a doctor from Huichuntang."
Before Wei Qianrui could refuse, a guard bowed to Jun Jiuli and headed towards Huichuntang.
Wei Qianrui was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. She secretly observed Jun Jiuli. With her scheme exposed, the princess would surely not let her live.
Who wouldn't love such an excellent man as the Crown Prince? How should she break this predicament? If she had known the princess was so vicious, she shouldn't have been so ostentatious today.
But it was too late to regret. She repeatedly looked at Zhao Guanjin. The Crown Prince would surely protect her, right? The child in her belly was his flesh and blood.
Marquis Wu'an wished the guard had been a little heavier-handed and knocked that rebellious son unconscious, lest he speak carelessly later.
In a short while, the guard returned with three doctors. Dong Yi forcefully pulled Wei Qianrui's hand, and the three doctors reached the same conclusion.
"Miss Wei, judging by your attire, you are not yet married. Whose child is in your womb? Speak it out, and this princess will seek justice for you."
"I... I..."
Wei Qianrui stammered, looking at Marquis Wu'an, then at Zhao Guanjin.
Zhao Guanjin's mind was filled with the sound of whipping, his entire attention focused on his buttocks.
Marquis Wu'an quickly interjected, "Madam Wei, just tell the princess the truth. Do not speak nonsense and offend the princess's ears."
"I... I don't know..."
"You don't know whose it is, or you cannot say?"
Feeling the strange glances from those around her, Wei Qianrui gritted her teeth in hatred.
"It is all my fault, concubine. I should not have offended Your Highness. I beg Your Highness to spare me, sob sob sob~"
"You think this princess is making things difficult for you? This princess is seeking justice for you. Speak out the name of that ungrateful person, and this princess will make him marry you."
Wei Qianrui dared not speak and only continued to cry. Jun Jiuli sat on the couch, her impatient expression suggesting she could execute her at any moment.
Wei Qianrui's heart chilled. She no longer dared to cry. She looked at Zhao Guanjin with profound grief, as if she were resolutely about to dash herself against a pillar.
Zhao Guanjin was extremely heartbroken. When Wei Qianrui was about to act, he shouted, "Don't!"
Disregarding Marquis Wu'an's obstruction, he said loudly, "It's mine. The child in Qianrui's belly is mine."
"Sob sob sob~ Princess, please don't blame the Crown Prince. I shamelessly seduced the Crown Prince. I will die now, and I will not stand in your way."
"No, don't! Wei Qianrui, don't do anything rash, you still have a child in your belly."
"Beast, why don't you shut your mouth? Quickly apologize to the princess. My Zhao family will never allow such a woman to enter our home. The wild seed in her belly is not qualified to be a son of my Zhao family."
"Father, how can you be so heartless? That is your unborn grandson, my first child."
Marquis Wu'an strode forward and slapped Zhao Guanjin several times. He then nervously took out a handkerchief and stuffed it into his mouth.
He rushed over and knelt before Jun Jiuli. "Your Highness, this subject has failed to discipline his son. This subject is ashamed of His Majesty's favor. My Zhao family will never acknowledge the child in that woman's belly. I beg Your Highness to give my son another chance."
"Marquis Wu'an, do you think this princess has a very good temper?"