Chapter 31

Chapter 31: The Pain of a Carved Heart

“Lord Duke?” Fang Hong Zhi stepped forward, offering a respectful bow.

Duke Qi nodded briefly. “You have troubled yourself greatly today, Lord Fang. However, in truth, this remains a family affair within Duke Qi’s household. Allow me to manage the rest. You may return now.”

“This…” Fang Hong Zhi hesitated, turning towards Sheng Zhi Wan, for she was the true victim here.

Duke Qi’s face instantly darkened.

Sheng Zhi Wan nearly laughed at this sight. “Lord Fang has indeed worked hard today, but there is one more thing.”

At her words, Ting Lan swiftly presented a long, carefully prepared scroll to Fang Hong Zhi. “Lord Fang, this is our Princess’s dowry list. Since we don’t know exactly how much was stolen, we must trouble you again later for another thorough check.”

Fang Hong Zhi’s eyelids twitched as he saw the seemingly endless list.

Madam Cui nearly choked, her chest tightening painfully.

With the Dali Temple involved, it mattered not if the missing items had truly been taken by Shu Lang; anything listed would need to be returned, piece by piece!

Over the years, she had taken so much from Sheng Zhi Wan, she couldn’t even begin to count. Now, forced to return everything, she felt as though what had always belonged to her was being cruelly torn away.

The agony was as if her heart were being carved out!

Yet Sheng Zhi Wan was only having the authorities verify her own possessions—Madam Cui had no grounds to complain, and could only bottle up her resentment, feeling as though she might burst.

“When the time comes, simply send someone to inform me,” Fang Hong Zhi said, turning to leave.

Sun Feng, standing near Duke Qi, hastily followed after him.

Sheng Zhi Wan knew he was off to silence tongues, but paper could never truly hold fire. Though they might temporarily hide it away, once flames consumed it, they would face even fiercer repercussions.

With Dali Temple officials gone, Duke Qi no longer bothered with the shopkeepers. After a few curt words, he hastily dismissed them.

Then, his gaze settled ominously upon Sheng Zhi Wan, his voice thunderous with authority. “Kneel!”

Qi Fei Yan’s eyes gleamed with wicked delight.

Qi Shu Xian parted his lips, but no words escaped.

Madam Cui sat coldly, observing from above.

Sheng Zhi Wan calmly met Duke Qi’s intimidating stare. In the past, she’d shown endless respect toward Duke Qi, taking his every casual word as profound wisdom, never resisting, never defying.

But now, she smiled softly, her clear eyes bright with quiet defiance. Her gentle voice carried unwavering resolve: “Forgive Qing Ning’s ignorance, but I truly do not understand my wrongdoing here. Please, Lord Duke, enlighten me.”

Duke Qi choked briefly, gathering his composure before responding firmly:

“A woman’s virtue lies in tolerance, restraint, gentleness, and kindness. First, as Shu Lang’s sister-in-law, you ought to have been generous and forgiving, yet you caused all this trouble over a few trifling dowry items.

Second, you would casually implicate servants, heartlessly breaking the virtue of compassion.

Third, as the matriarch of Duke Qi’s household, you should understand that the family’s honor is yours as well. But you, driven by selfishness, publicly exposed our family shame by involving outsiders!

Do you acknowledge these faults?”

“Qing Ning recognizes these faults,” Sheng Zhi Wan replied clearly.

“Then kneel!” Duke Qi demanded.

“However,” Sheng Zhi Wan continued firmly, “Qing Ning admits no wrongdoing.”

Duke Qi froze, and Madam Cui, Qi Fei Yan, and Qi Shu Xian stared at her in stunned silence.

Sheng Zhi Wan’s voice carried confidently: “A family has its rules, and a kingdom has its laws. Before I became the daughter-in-law of Duke Qi’s house, I was first the daughter of my Imperial Father. Second Brother stole not just Qing Ning’s dowry, but gifts bestowed by the Emperor himself. According to the law, theft of imperial gifts warrants the execution of three generations. If I were truly to pursue justice, involving Dali Temple would be merely the beginning.”

She raised her gaze firmly, locking eyes with Duke Qi. “Perhaps Lord Duke might prefer to seek judgment from Imperial Father himself, to determine whose wrongdoing is greater—Qing Ning’s or Second Brother’s?”

Duke Qi’s words caught painfully in his throat.

All others stood frozen, stunned speechless.

“Sheng Zhi Wan! Do you realize whom you are speaking to? You dare threaten Father!” Qi Fei Yan shouted indignantly.

Sheng Zhi Wan cast her a sideways glance.

Qi Fei Yan was truly foolish…

Had she not noticed even Duke Qi himself was silent? If Duke Qi did not dare approach Imperial Father, would that not imply he was indeed threatened?

Did Duke Qi not value his pride?

“Silence!” Duke Qi thundered, his face darkened with displeasure before Sheng Zhi Wan even needed to speak.

Qi Fei Yan instantly shrank back, trembling in humiliation, avoiding Duke Qi’s piercing glare.

Indeed, both foolish and cowardly…

Amusement danced mockingly within Sheng Zhi Wan’s eyes.

After a long pause, Duke Qi finally forced out through gritted teeth, “Zhi Wan is correct. It is indeed Father’s oversight.”

“No matter,” Sheng Zhi Wan replied smoothly. “Once the dowry is recovered, Lord Fang has already promised verification. Father only needs to guide Second Brother properly to prevent future grave errors.”

“Shu Lang is still young…” Duke Qi began hesitantly.

“Small flaws unchecked lead to great disasters, Father. Second Brother’s mistake is hardly minor,” Sheng Zhi Wan responded, a faint smile upon her lips.

Duke Qi’s breath faltered. Finally, he decreed heavily, “Very well—by family law, administer thirty strikes of the rod, and ten days of repentance in the ancestral hall!”

“No!” Madam Cui cried out, seizing Duke Qi’s sleeve desperately. “Shu Lang is merely a child! How could he bear such punishment?”