The Spirited Daughter-in-law and the Mountain Man

"I originally intended to facilitate a union between Minxiang and the young Master," the guard Hu Hong also spoke up. "I don’t know how it happened, but I ended up in bed with Minxiang. Even though this isn’t the first time we have been intimate, this occasion was very odd."

Xiao Yuchuan harrumphed, "That’s because you didn’t knock me out. I drugged you and Minxiang, to help you, you dog-couple!"

Minxiang felt terrible inside. Her virginity had been ruined by a guard, even though both she and Hu Hong were acting under the Lady’s orders. Now, to protect the Lady, she still had to falsely claim that she had an affair with Hu Hong.

Shen Yun pretended to be shocked and anxious, "Chuan’er, you were knocked out? Are you alright?" She walked over to him, sizing him up from head to toe, even reaching out to touch his arms and neck.

Xiao Yuchuan avoided her touch with a cold face, "I’m fine."

Minxiang kowtowed on the ground, "young Master, in a moment of foolishness, I fancied I could climb the social ladder. Please show mercy, young Master!"

Shen Yun’s face showed utmost disappointment, "Minxiang, you were my favorite Maid, I never thought you’d commit such an error. You’ve truly let me down!"

"I deserve to die." Tears welled up in Minxiang’s eyes, "I was momentarily possessed by a folly, I beg the Lady for forgiveness."

Shen Yun looked toward Xiao Yuchuan, "Chuan’er, how do you want to deal with this?"

"You need to give a satisfactory account," said Xiao Yuchuan, expressionless.

Shen Yun said seriously, "If you admit that you are the legitimate son of the Xiao Family, and Minxiang had the audacity to target the young Master, to rebel from below and even knocked you unconscious, then she has walked herself into a dead end. If you deny it, I, too, wish to spare her life. A punishment of fifty heavy strikes with the rod, and then she can be expelled from the Mansion. Hu Hong gets a hundred strikes, and he will also be expelled."

"Lady, have mercy, I’ve realized my mistake. Punish me as you will, but please don’t cast me out!" Minxiang pleaded, pale with fright, continuously kowtowing till her forehead bled.