The Double-Chapter 587 - 172 Commoner

"You are the child’s father, you know it better than anyone else,"

As soon as these words were uttered, the entire court was shocked!

Shen Yurong? Princess Yongning? How did these two come to be involved with one another?

Prince Cheng’s mind was in turmoil. He angrily said, "Li Xian, you cannot speak carelessly like this!" Although he too sheltered the Li Family and did not wish to create tension with them, it did not mean the Li Family could reveal Yongning’s secrets here. If Yongning were to become known as someone who did not respect herself, someone who was involved with another before marriage, then even his own reputation would be tarnished.

The Li Family was not a rash one, so why would they engage in such a public spectacle of mutual disgrace with Princess Yongning in the Golden Throne Hall today?

However, Li Xian knew clearly in his heart that no matter what, Princess Yongning had revealed his affairs. If he did not retaliate, everyone in the world would probably believe Princess Yongning’s words, and the Li Family would become a laughingstock. If she had started it, he was not afraid to finish it. The world’s tolerance for his actions would probably be higher than for those of Princess Yongning.

And there was Shen Yurong, who had been standing in the crowd all this time, practicing self-preservation to perfection, as if the flames could not touch him. Thus, he remained an onlooker. But why, why should the Li Family raise Shen Yurong’s bastard child? The Li Family was not such a fool. All of this began with Shen Yurong. If Princess Yongning had not become pregnant with Shen Yurong’s child and had not needed to protect the child, why would Empress Dowager Liu have pleaded with the Empress Dowager to grant an early marriage, causing the Li Family such a catastrophe?

In any case, since they had all become the laughingstock of the officials, no one should think of escaping–they would all be dragged into the mess!

Shen Yurong never anticipated that suddenly, he would become the target of a thousand fingers pointing at him. Everyone’s gaze, filled with scrutiny, mockery, and schadenfreude, overwhelmed him for a moment. What he did not know was how Li Xian came to know that Princess Yongning’s child was his. Judging by Princess Yongning’s expression, she was clearly surprised as well, suggesting she had not been the one to reveal it. As for others, he believed that Princess Yongning, unless hopelessly foolish, would not have spoken of it willingly.

What should he do? Always astute, Shen Yurong was truly at a loss in this moment. In line with his usual dislike for arguments, he should have remained where he was, smiling, letting others judge him, adopting an attitude of "a clear conscience fears no accusation." But today, with Princess Yongning present, nobody knew what this thoughtless woman might do next to shock everyone and make matters worse.

So, his nonchalant smile was hardly sustainable, and he had to speak up for himself, "Lord Li’s words are false, this is defamation...."

"Whether it’s defamation, Lord Shen knows it in his heart," Li Xian replied, "If one truly intends to investigate, they can always find some clues. Lord Shen need not rush to prove your innocence; evidence will surface to prove all this."

At first, Li Xian only knew that Princess Yongning’s child was not his, but he had no clue about the real father. Until the night after Princess Yongning’s miscarriage, unexpectedly, he received a letter. It was brought to him by a servant, claiming someone had left it on his desk, addressed to Eldest Young Master Li. The servant handed it to Li Xian. Li Xian opened it to find a note inside, which simply stated that Shen Yurong was the father of the bastard child in Princess Yongning’s belly.

Li Xian did not know who had sent the letter, nor whether the contents were true or false. But when he recollected the past, it seemed that at each banquet where Shen Yurong was present, Princess Yongning would also attend. Even when Princess Yongning was not invited, she would appear for various reasons. When one reflects, they often recall minor details that are usually overlooked. Once Li Xian became aware of this relationship and reflected back with suspicion, he realized that there might indeed be an elusive relationship between Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong.

Moreover, apart from Shen Yurong, no other candidate seemed more fitting.

Earlier, provoked by Princess Yongning, Li Xian revealed her secret. Even then, Shen Yurong maintained a façade of being an outsider. However, Li Xian, with a keen sense, noticed that in her panic, Princess Yongning stole a glance at Shen Yurong.

It was this glance that cleared any hesitation Li Xian had. He named Shen Yurong, and indeed, Shen Yurong was not innocent. Despite his efforts to hide it, his discomfort was evident. Even his rebuttal seemed so powerless.