Zhou Yunshen swept a cold gaze over her belly.
It was only because of Adjutant Li that he had been willing to take Li Qiner into his residence and treat her well.
Now that he knew what she had done, his natural inclination was to have her torn apart by chariots on the spot.
But today was his wedding day, and he did not want to frighten his new bride.
He would hold back for now. Once the guests had left, he would show this venomous viper what was coming to her!
Li Qiner's face had gone almost translucent. She was already two months pregnant. She absolutely could not let anyone discover it!
In desperation, Li Qiner rushed forward and grabbed Zhou Yunshen's arm.
"General, you mustn't! Call Qi Ye back at once!"
Zhou Yunshen frowned in disgust.
A murderous chill burst out around him.
A young woman with alluring features suddenly rushed out and slapped Li Qiner across the face.
The young woman shouted, "Li Qiner, I've put up with you long enough! Playing weak to get close to my father was bad enough, but now you're putting your hands on him! Who gave you the right to tug at his sleeve?"
"And didn't I warn you to behave today and not cause trouble?"
"Yesterday, you were parading around decked out like a trembling spray of flowers, and today you've changed into mourning clothes. Whose early death are you trying to curse into being?"
Li Qiner knelt on the ground, trembling as she covered her cheek. "I didn't! I just, I just... boohoo..."
"I know you're accomplished in both letters and martial arts, miss, and look down on lowly people like me. I'm unworthy. Can't I just disappear? Why must you treat me like this?"
Seeing her foolish, affected display, the young woman wanted to kick her to death.
Zhou Yunshen stopped her with a look.
Jiang Shuyue looked her up and down from the sidelines. [Where did this girl come from? She's so pretty and so fierce. Just my type.]
The system wiped away Jiang Shuyue's drool. [Stop swooning. This is your daughter.]
[My daughter? No wonder she's so badass... wait...]
Jiang Shuyue tilted her head, screaming inwardly. [Zhou Luming? She's Zhou Luming, the demon consort who brings ruin to the nation?]
The moment Jiang Shuyue finished her inward exclamation, several gazes turned toward Zhou Luming.
Zhou Luming awkwardly curled her toes.
She had been listening to gossip about her father. How had the conversation turned to her?
And what was this about a demon consort who brought ruin to the nation?
She was merely a little more alluring and a little prettier than most. Apart from killing enemies, she had never even killed a chick. She was the most loyal person in all of Great Zhou. How could she possibly bring ruin to the nation?
Jiang Shuyue was on the verge of tears. [My instant daughter is so beautiful. What fucking monster could bear to cut off her limbs and turn her into a human stump? Step forward! I'll drown him in my fake-sweet bitch act!]
At Jiang Shuyue's words, Zhou Yunshen's and Zhou Luming's expressions grew even darker.
Turning someone into a human stump was a vicious punishment. Who would dare do such a thing to a member of the Zhou family?
The system said, [Clearly, you weren't listening to the gossip! Didn't the Fourth Prince kill your instant husband and take the throne? Afterward, Zhou Luming submitted herself and entered the palace to avenge her father.]
[At first, the Fourth Prince doted on her. But later, he discovered that Zhou Luming wanted to steal back the archvillain's body, so he had men violate her, then falsely accused her of sowing depravity in the palace and colluding with foreign enemies to plot rebellion.]
[In the end, they cut off her limbs, soaked her in a wine jar, and left her in the sun for three days. Then she returned to the embrace of the Heavenly Dao.]
Zhou Yunshen's eyes stung. He raised his head slightly and silently swallowed his tears.
Of all his children, his eldest daughter was the most obedient and sensible. She had followed him from place to place since childhood, barely enjoying a few peaceful days, only to meet an end like this.
The Fourth Prince? Consort Shu? Very good.
Wash your necks clean and wait for me!
Zhou Luming's gaze drifted toward Li Qiner's belly.
Every debt of evil began with this woman.
That made things simple. She would not live past today!
Li Qiner did not understand why everyone's eyes shifted from excitement to sorrow, then filled with fury.
She did not know where she had miscalculated to earn not even a shred of pity from Zhou Yunshen.
But things had reached this point, and she had no way back. She could only steel herself and press on.
Li Qiner's vision went black, and she toppled straight toward the ground.
[Fuck, she's trying to fake a faint! She wants to dodge the imperial physicians and splash dirty water on my daughter at the same time? Not a chance.]
Quick-eyed and quick-handed, Jiang Shuyue caught her. "Why aren't the imperial physicians here yet? My little sister can barely hold on!"
"Coming, coming! This old servant is here."
An elderly imperial physician with a half-white beard ran in with seven or eight middle-aged men.
As they reached the entrance, they had heard someone muttering outrageously treasonous things.
They had initially thought they were all collectively possessed. Instead, the moment they entered, they discovered the precious treasure that was Jiang Shuyue.
She was nothing short of a miracle in medical history!
No, she was a blessing from heaven, allowing them to witness a divine miracle!
They were particularly interested in the Soul-Returning Pill the system had mentioned. If they could break off a tiny piece to study, they would surely leave their names in history!
Half the physicians of the Imperial Medical Bureau were weeping aged tears, feeling that it was wonderful to be alive!
Jiang Shuyue held Li Qiner firmly by the wrist. "Physicians, this young lady is in poor health. Sorry for the trouble, but please examine her thoroughly."
"No, no, no, I don't need it!"
Ignoring Li Qiner's struggles, the physicians surrounded her with beaming smiles. No, no, no, you do. You most certainly do!
In her panic, Li Qiner genuinely fainted.
A short while later, the physicians reported, "General, Miss Li is two months pregnant. We need only prescribe some medicine to stabilize the pregnancy."
Jiang Shuyue feigned shock. "Heavens! How can she be pregnant when she hasn't even married? General, this..."
Zhou Yunshen was speechless.
Wait, you already knew the truth. What are you putting on an act for?
Zhou Yunshen secretly rolled his eyes. "I only met her a month ago. The child isn't mine."
"Then could it be... ah, the poor girl. So young, and already she's fallen in with the wrong man. General, we must take extra care of her."
"How thoughtful of you, my lady."
Zhou Yunshen instructed the servants, "Take her away. Once I find that man, I'll preside over their wedding."
Zhou Luming scoffed. "Getting a girl pregnant before marriage makes him no decent man either. What if he refuses to marry Miss Li?"
"Refuses? Then he can keep Li Qiner company another way."
Jiang Shuyue: [System, does that mean what I think it means? Is the villain going to cut off Zhao Min's Little Brother and turn him into a eunuch?]
Zhou Yunshen was speechless.
Wait, you're an unmarried maiden. Aren't you embarrassed to call someone's thing his little brother?
The system replied, [No, I think he means sending them to reunite underground.]
[The archvillain is ruthless and a man of few words. Quite a likable character!]
Jiang Shuyue gave the archvillain another mental thumbs-up.
Zhou Yunshen's brow relaxed as well. He held out his hand to Jiang Shuyue. "My lady, the auspicious hour has arrived. Let us perform the wedding bows."
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