Transmigrated into an Ancient M-Preg Novel as the Scumbag Alpha (GL) - Chapter 16

Xu Tuo was Shen Liunian’s most loyal follower, brimming with unspoken deep affection.

In the novel, Xu Tuo, having recognized Shen Liunian as her sovereign, followed her entire life. Later, she was captured by the enemy, stripped of her outer garments, and died of dehydration under the scorching sun.

A dignified scion of an aristocratic family, who had lived a life of impeccable reputation, had never endured such suffering. The most arduous part of her life was probably just waking up early for court every day.

Being stripped of her outer garments was equivalent to being stripped alive of her pride. For a person who valued propriety throughout her life, it was a double torment, both psychological and physical.

Yun Chenghuai looked up. “Deputy Minister Song, Assistant Minister Xu.”

“Your subjects are here.”

Song An and Xu Tuo answered in unison. The difference was that Xu Tuo’s voice was like a gentle breeze, much softer.

“This matter will be entrusted to Deputy Minister Song and you.”

“Yes, your subjects will surely do their utmost.”

Xu Tuo added, “Reporting to Her Highness Princess Chuxiang, the Dali Temple has no responsibility for interrogation. We must receive the case after Deputy Minister Song has conducted the interrogation.”

“No need.” Since Shen Liunian had summoned the Dali Temple, she naturally had a plan. “The interrogation is already complete. Deputy Minister Song, bring your people to verify. Assistant Minister Xu, you only need to review and examine.”

In reality, the powers of the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple were difficult to precisely delineate, and there were often instances of mutual shirking of responsibility.

The events at the princess manor today could be handled by the Ministry of Justice or the Dali Temple. Simply put, the Ministry of Justice investigated and executed, while the Dali Temple adjudicated.

There were also hierarchical distinctions: commoners and officials below the seventh rank fell under the Ministry of Justice, officials above the seventh rank under the Dali Temple, and imperial relatives required a joint trial by the Three Judicial Offices of the Censorate.

So, were the manor’s servants considered ordinary people’s affairs, or imperial relative’s affairs?

It was all a chaotic mess. The original owner couldn’t quite figure it out, let alone Yun Chenghuai, a modern person.

The Ministry of Justice and Dali Temple varied across different dynasties. Southern Qin belonged to an unknown dynasty to her, and its laws had more differences from the historical texts she had read.

For now, whatever Shen Liunian said, she would do. She would study Southern Qin law later.

“An Yuan, hand over the documents with everyone’s signatures and fingerprints, along with the witnesses and physical evidence, to Deputy Minister Song and Assistant Minister Xu.” Yun Chenghuai gestured to Xiao Bei to arrange seats. “Esteemed guests, please be seated.”

“Thank you, Your Highness, for the seats.” The officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple bowed in thanks.

The guards presented the evidence, and everyone began to work.

Yun Chenghuai had tea and pastries served, and also ordered some nourishing soup to be brewed.

She offered a cup of tea to Shen Liunian. “Madam, have some tea.”

Shen Liunian: “……”

The officials meticulously checked the evidence for less than the time it takes an incense stick to burn. Yun Chenghuai offered tea, served water, and peeled nuts. She did everything the maids could have done, truly acting as a good wife.

Her behavior caused the officials to frequently glance at her. Didn’t they say Princess Chuxiang disliked the Princess Consort? The rumors don’t match reality.

Xu Tuo, however, focused intently on the case, not even looking their way.

Her posture was perfectly straight as she flipped through the evidence page by page, finally setting down the account books after a long while.

“Your Highness, Princess Consort, the evidence of embezzlement by people within the princess manor is conclusive. According to our dynasty’s law, servants who steal their master’s property shall receive eighty strokes of the cane. If they survive, they may be sold or exiled.”

“A princess manor is different from ordinary residences. Many items are imperial gifts or officially manufactured. Those who steal officially manufactured goods shall have their three generations exterminated. Those who steal imperial gifts shall have their nine generations exterminated.”

Song An also set down the signed and fingerprinted evidence in her hand, a smile in her eyes. “Assistant Minister Xu is correct.”

Song An had procrastinated for so long without speaking, but as soon Tuo spoke, she immediately agreed, indicating she wished to avoid any involvement in this matter.

Yun Chenghuai paid no attention to the officials’ thoughts; she was contemplating Xu Tuo’s words.

Just as Shen Liunian had said earlier, the laws were indeed stringent.

Officially manufactured goods were uniformly issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, all meticulously recorded. Any excess or shortage was noted.

To distinguish between officially manufactured and privately made goods, the severity of the law directly highlighted the difference between the two.

Upon hearing the Dali Temple confirm their guilt, the offending managers and nannies frantically knelt, begging for forgiveness.

Shen Liunian looked at Yun Chenghuai, signaling that she could speak.

Yun Chenghuai cleared her throat and said, “Those who actively confess will be spared the death penalty, but not the living punishment. Internal palace maids will be sent back to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. As for servants bought by the princess manor, they shall be…”

Sent to prison? She only paused for a moment, but Shen Liunian knew what she was about to say and proactively interjected, “Summon the people from the brokers’ office and have them taken away.”

“Yes, as the Princess Consort commands.” Yun Chenghuai continued, “As for those who refuse to confess, they shall be dealt with according to the law.”

As the managers and nannies begged for mercy, creating a headache-inducing uproar and chaos in the courtyard, An Yuan had the manor guards escort them out.

Song An and Xu Tuo bowed. “Understood.”

The officials didn’t linger. The princess manor’s guards escorted the servants away, and they no longer needed to concern themselves with the remaining matters.

A large number of people suddenly left the princess manor. The remaining small portion weren’t without issues, but they were deeply entrenched and would need to be gradually removed.

The princess manor quieted down, with many vacant positions. Operations also faced problems, but thanks to the Shen family members stepping in, the manor’s functions didn’t completely collapse.

As dusk deepened, after handling so many matters today, it was time to rest.

“Madam, are you tired?” Yun Chenghuai asked with concern.

Shen Liunian was only one month pregnant and needed to take care of her body, yet she was burdened with the manor’s affairs. Yun Chenghuai was genuinely concerned for her.

Their gazes met in the air. The concern in her eyes was genuine, not feigned.

Shen Liunian suddenly felt that Yun Chenghuai had truly changed.

Could someone in this world really change so drastically overnight? She had indeed heard stories of wife changing when their wives became pregnant.

But she remembered the scene from last night, just before she fainted—the look of distress in Yun Chenghuai’s eyes.

Could it be that Yun Chenghuai knew she was pregnant at that time? If so, why did she punish her?

Shen Liunian was baffled. Yun Chenghuai’s change was too sudden, too real. A person could pretend, but not to this extent, let alone Dog Yun.

Yun Chenghuai saw that Shen Liunian didn’t answer her and kept staring out of the courtyard. Could she be thinking about Xu Tuo?

She remembered Shen Liunian’s admiration for Xu Tuo in the novel.

They hadn’t even exchanged a word just now; it shouldn’t be possible for them to fall for each other so quickly.

She didn’t mind Shen Liunian liking others, but her current situation was precarious. It would be best for Shen Liunian to stay in the manor for now. Once her own situation improved, she would divorce her.

She wouldn’t hinder Shen Liunian’s career or happiness. She could leave with nothing during the divorce, hoping that the assets of Princess Chuxiang Manor could help the other party somehow.

Yet, she still curiously asked, “Madam, are you thinking about Xu Tuo?”

Shen Liunian: “???” What nonsense is this dog-thing spouting again?

Yun Chenghuai didn’t notice Shen Liunian’s strange look and continued talking to herself, “Yes, Xu Tuo, Xu Ziyu. A gentleman like jade, a scion of an aristocratic family, gentle and refined…”

“What are you trying to say?” Shen Liunian directly interrupted her.

Yun Chenghuai paused, then foolishly said, “I mean Xu Tuo is a good person.”

“What does that have to do with me?”

Shen Liunian always spoke to her without reservation. After saying this, she turned and walked into the room.

As night deepened, the temperature grew cooler. Even with her cloak, she felt a slight chill.

Seeing Shen Liunian return to the room, she quickly followed, wishing she could slap herself. After dealing with so many people in the manor, and removing most of the spies, with all the crucial positions now filled by her own people, she was feeling happy and let her guard down for a moment.

“Madam, you’re pregnant, don’t get angry.” Yun Chenghuai said, smiling coaxingly.

Shen Liunian took a deep breath, shifting her gaze elsewhere, deliberately not giving her a glance.

Dog Yun’s change was too significant; she still needed to observe her. Shen Liunian’s attitude would not improve. She wanted to see if Dog Yun was pretending or had truly changed.

Regardless of truth or falsehood, it all depended on what Dog Yun would do next.