TSWRLM -Chapter 287 Should Be Paraded and Immersed in a Pig Cage

“Madam Shen is already pregnant, yet she goes to the Wuyou Pavilion seeking pleasure—does she not fear something might happen to the child in her womb?”

The speaker was Princess Baohua. The moment her words came out, the previously cheerful chatter of the guests immediately fell silent, all eyes turning toward Chun Xi (Cao Chun Xi).

Cao Chun Xi’s humble background and reckless behavior could have been forgiven, but now that she was pregnant, how could she still be so unruly? To go to Wuyou Pavilion for amusement?

Although Shen Qingyuan had been married twice before and was much older than Cao Chun Xi, and although the Qingyuan Marquisate had long fallen into decline, even the most ruined marquisate was still a marquisate. Shen Qingyuan himself was talented—last year he had been promoted to the Censorate and had shone brilliantly during the winter hunt, making him a rising star at court.

That Cao Chun Xi could marry him was truly a blessing accumulated over eight generations.

Many of the onlookers now looked at her with anger. They thought Cao Chun Xi was unchaste and unworthy to sit among them. They also resented that someone of such low birth had married a fine husband, surpassing them. Now that her true nature was exposed, she deserved to be divorced and paraded in a pig cage—then they could vent their anger.

Under everyone’s scrutiny, Chun Xi did not panic. She simply looked calmly at Princess Baohua: “I am not well acquainted with the Princess. On what basis do you claim that I went to Wuyou Pavilion?”

Princess Baohua’s father, Prince Yu, was a contemporary of the late emperor. Now in her forties, Princess Baohua had taken a son-in-law into her household but had lost him to illness just five years after marriage. The couple had no children, and she had remained a widow ever since, never remarrying.

Princess Baohua’s unwavering loyalty to her late husband was well known among the public, and Chun Xi had heard of it. However, she had only seen the princess from a distance twice and never had the opportunity to interact with her. She certainly did not expect that Princess Baohua would suddenly attack her publicly.

But precisely because Chun Xi had no past grievances with Princess Baohua, her sudden accusation seemed all the more credible to everyone.

After Chun Xi asked her question, Princess Baohua admitted frankly: “The Wuyou Pavilion recently held another round of selecting a top contender through a flower-picking competition. I happened to attend that day and saw Madam Shen there. I could not bear to let Lord Shen remain in ignorance, so I chose to expose it.”

Her words caused a collective intake of breath.

For a moment, people did not know what was more shocking—the fact that a pregnant Cao Chun Xi would still go to Wuyou Pavilion for amusement, or that a long-widowed Princess Baohua secretly indulged in such pleasures.

The only certainty was that Cao Chun Xi had indeed participated in that Wuyou Pavilion contest. Princess Baohua had no reason to sully her own reputation by slandering her.

Shen Qingyuan had recently participated in court matters, and everyone knew he deeply cherished his wife. Yet Cao Chun Xi, instead of staying home to nurture her pregnancy, had gone to Wuyou Pavilion for fun.

Had Cao Chun Xi no conscience at all?

Everyone silently cursed her as ungrateful. Seeing the situation turn bad, Princess Hengyang was about to intervene when Chun Xi stopped her: “Princess, don’t rush.”

“They’re already throwing dirt on your head. How can you just sit there?” Princess Hengyang frowned. “That day, I insisted on bringing you along. I alone take responsibility. I will not let you suffer injustice for no reason.”

Princess Hengyang was fiercely loyal. Over the years, countless people had gossiped about her behind her back, and she did not care.

Just as Princess Hengyang was about to speak, Chun Xi deftly stuffed a pastry into her mouth: “Princess, have some food first. The real show hasn’t started yet.”

No sooner had Chun Xi spoken than a heavily pregnant Shen Qingchi stepped forward, eyes red: “Sister-in-law, Brother loves you so deeply, even willing to defy the family to protect you. How could you do such a thing?”

Shen Qingchi was further along in her pregnancy, her belly large while her body had wasted away. Her hollowed eyes made her look as if the child inside were draining her life—a bizarre sight.

Her accusations now made Chun Xi’s actions seem even worse.

Previously, Shen Qingyuan had married twice and both wives had lived comfortably in the marquisate. After marrying Chun Xi last year, he had separated household affairs from the marquisate. Though stepmother Mo treated him poorly, his current care for Chun Xi was out of genuine protection.

Yet, Chun Xi had gone to Wuyou Pavilion for amusement while he was away. Considering divorcing her would be one thing, but dragging her out to be paraded and immersed in a pig cage wouldn’t be an overreaction!

The crowd’s anger grew, and Princess Hengyang’s eyes widened in outrage.

Chun Xi’s sister-in-law was so reckless. If she truly wanted to protect Shen Qingyuan, she should stand with Chun Xi to defend her reputation, not rush out at Princess Baohua’s words to accuse her, thus confirming the scandal.

Wouldn’t that also make her brother a laughingstock? How would that benefit her?

Chun Xi remained calm, looking at Shen Qingchi: “Sister, why don’t you tell everyone what exactly I have done?”

Chun Xi’s composure made Shen Qingchi bite her lip in frustration: “Sister-in-law, you are pregnant, yet you don’t stay home to rest. You went to Wuyou Pavilion. Now Princess Baohua has testified—do you still intend to deny it?”

Chun Xi raised an eyebrow: “I merely asked you to explain what I supposedly did that enraged Heaven and men. Is that considered denial?”

She had never denied going to Wuyou Pavilion, nor had she tried to justify herself. This could hardly be called denial.

Unable to counter Chun Xi, Shen Qingchi ground her teeth and said bitterly: “Sister-in-law, you went to Wuyou Pavilion. You know what you did—those things are too dirty. I’m afraid if I say them, it would soil everyone’s ears.”

“I truly do not recall what I did. If you were there and saw it with your own eyes, why not tell us to help me remember?”

“I would never go to such a filthy place!” Shen Qingchi’s face flushed with anger. “Cao Chun Xi, don’t speak nonsense! I’ve been resting at the Grand Tutor Mansion this whole time. The entire household can testify!”

Chun Xi raised an eyebrow, her voice sharpening: “So you’ve never been to Wuyou Pavilion and know nothing? I thought you, like the princess, saw everything with your own eyes.”

Chun Xi was only stating facts, but her words sounded sarcastic.

Even Princess Baohua, the witness, had said nothing, yet Shen Qingchi was already flailing around here.

Her face turned even redder. Ashamed and furious, she shouted sharply: “No matter what, going to such a place shows you are unchaste. You should be paraded and immersed in a pig cage!”

Chun Xi nodded: “It is said that when the emperor breaks the law, commoners are punished alike. The princess is also a woman—she went to Wuyou Pavilion too. By your logic, should she also be paraded and immersed in a pig cage?”

Shen Qingchi’s expression changed slightly, and she blurted out: “Cao Chun Xi, who do you think you are? How dare you compare yourself to the princess?”