Chapter 22: Ruthless Betrayal

“What!” Madam Han was so startled that she stood up abruptly. “Are you certain about this?”
The old maid scratched her head. “It’s based on experience. That maid—her complexion is unusually pale and dark, and she’s been vomiting constantly. It’s just...”
A fierce and ruthless glint flashed in Madam Han’s eyes as she clutched the handkerchief tightly and instructed Madam Chen, “Go and summon the household physician to examine Fu’an’s pulse.”
Madam Chen, realizing the gravity of the situation, hurried to arrange for a young maid to fetch the doctor and rewarded the old maid, reminding them to keep their mouths tightly shut.
Shen Qingyun was also stunned by this sudden turn of events. Had something like this happened in her previous life?
Thinking carefully, it seemed Fu’an had taken a long leave back then because of family matters. Now, it appeared she had secretly gone to terminate a pregnancy.
As she pondered this, Shen Zhifeng finally arrived, late as usual.
“What’s happening here? Why is the doctor being called?” He spoke as he looked into the room, not seeing Fu’an and showing no concern for Madam Han’s grim expression.
“Master, it’s because I failed to properly discipline my maid,” Madam Han said, embarrassed.
Shen Qingyun, unconcerned about the commotion, added, “Father, this isn’t Mother’s fault. Do you remember Fu’an, the second-class maid by Mother’s side?”
Shen Zhifeng nodded.
He had slept in the small courtyard last night and, upon waking and having breakfast, had heard that Fu’an had been tied up. He didn’t know the details and feared he’d been exposed, so he rushed over.
“Father, you never know what’s in people’s hearts. Fu’an always seemed obedient and gentle, but last night she was caught consorting with a young servant. She insisted she was innocent, but Mother had the old maid examine her, and it turns out she might even be pregnant.”
“Bang!”
Shen Zhifeng had been holding a teacup, and now he slammed it down on the table so hard that a crack appeared in the base, and scalding water spilled everywhere.
“Father!”
“Master!”
Everyone cried out in alarm, and the young maid hurried forward to clean up.
Shen Qingyun wore a look of shock, but her eyes were full of mockery. “Father, don’t be angry. If the maid truly carries some bastard’s child, just sell her off.”
Shen Zhifeng realized his reaction was excessive, but every word grated on him, his forehead veins bulging and his vision swimming.

He had waited for Fu’an all night, only to find she had been with another man and was now carrying some unknown child.
Such humiliation!
His face turned red with rage, but he knew he could not reveal his relationship with Fu’an. He gritted his teeth and feigned calm. “The Duke’s household has always held itself to high standards. Who would have thought such disgrace would occur?”
Madam Han gave it little thought, only feeling deeply that she’d failed in her duties. She should have noticed something was amiss when Fu’an resisted the marriage arrangements. She now lowered her head and didn’t notice Shen Zhifeng’s unease.
Shen Qingyun, knowing she had orchestrated Fu’an’s presence in the stables, delighted in Shen Zhifeng’s discomfort.
How does it feel to be betrayed? Is this all it takes to break him?
The household physician arrived, having examined the maid first, and reported Fu’an’s pregnancy.
Shen Zhifeng’s eyes burned with fury and cruelty. “If that’s the case, prescribe a dose to abort the child and sell the maid off quickly, lest she sully the Duke’s house.”
Madam Han was about to comply when Shen Qingyun interrupted, “Mother, Father, having a child is not Fu’an’s fault alone. We should at least identify the child’s father; otherwise, aren’t we leaving trouble in the house?”
Shen Zhifeng snorted. “It must be the man she was with last night.”
“Father, you don’t understand,” Shen Qingyun said solemnly. “Last night, Fu’an was caught with Liu Shuan from the stables. I believe it was a moment of madness for her; how could she have been involved with such a man for so long and even have a child?”
Shen Zhifeng’s anger flared when he heard the man was the old, ugly Liu Shuan from the stables. He wanted nothing more than to take a knife and end Fu’an right then.
Shen Qingyun continued, “For such a scandal, with the father nowhere to be seen, it shows how despicable and irresponsible he is. We must not let such a cancer remain here.”
Shen Zhifeng’s eyelid twitched.
Madam Han, now deeply angered, nodded in agreement with Shen