"My lord, Wang Tian has been brought."
"This humble one, Wang Tian, greets my lord."
"Someone claims you have evidence of Zhao Liu harming the Shen family's main husband back then. Today, you shall speak of what you saw and heard in the yamen."
"Yes." Wang Tian nodded, thought for a moment, and then poured out the speech he had prepared.
"Reporting to my lord, I accidentally overheard a conversation between Madam Zhao and Young Master Shen outside the window that day. I heard Madam Zhao personally tell Young Master Shen that Shen Er Gongzi's father was killed by him without anyone noticing, and that Shen Er Gongzi would surely not escape the clutches of their father and son."
"Young Master Shen curiously asked Madam Zhao why she kept Shen Er Gongzi alive instead of eliminating him as well. Madam Zhao said, said..."
Glancing at Shen Lin's face, as dark as the bottom of a pot, Wang Tian suddenly fell silent, appearing flustered and afraid to continue.
"Just speak, my lord will absolve you of any crime, and I will protect your life."
"Yes, yes." Raising a hand to wipe away non-existent sweat from his forehead, Wang Tian continued, "Madam Zhao said that Doctor Zhao at the time still had some conscience, and the dosage of the medicine was insufficient, which is why Young Master Shen was fortunate to survive, though his health has always been poor."
"You are slandering me! My late husband died in childbirth. Who sent you to frame my husband?" Shen Lin could no longer listen, flicked his sleeve, kicked Wang Tian over, and cursed him furiously.
The gavel sounded again. Shen Lin, his face flushed, glared at Wang Tian, who was lying on the ground, but dared not say a word.
"Father!"
No matter what, Wang Tian was ultimately Afu's father. Seeing his father injured, Afu could no longer care about anything else. He quickly ran to Wang Tian's side, helped him up, his brows furrowed. But the moment he met Wang Tian's gaze, he froze and slowly let go.
The warmth of Afu's palm on his arm disappeared. Wang Tian lowered his eyes, lost in thought.
"Wang Tian, are you alright?"
"I am fine, this humble one is fine. Thank you for your concern, my lord."
"Shen Lin! You have disrupted the court multiple times. Do you truly believe I dare not punish you!"
The stern reprimand entered Shen Lin's mind, sending a chill down his spine, making his hair stand on end and his back feel cold.
The courtroom fell into an absolute silence. With Zheng Yu not speaking, no one dared to speak first.
The quiet moments were always difficult to bear, especially for those with guilty consciences, such as Zhao Liu and Shen Jia.
It was as if they had rehearsed everything. With all the evidence and witnesses present, as Wang Tian uttered his last word, Zhao Liu's heart sank into despair. His schemes and plans of half a lifetime were all ruined.
The eerie silence in the courtroom was driving him to madness. His heart felt as if it would leap out of his throat, and the back of his clothes was soaked with cold sweat. He was truly finished.
Before Zhao Liu could think further, Zheng Yu spoke directly, following procedure. However, it was clear to everyone that Zheng Yu had no intention of giving Zhao Liu a chance to defend himself, and even if he did, there was nothing he could say.
His ten fingers clenched, pinching his palm until it hurt. At this moment, only this pain allowed him to feel that he was still alive, that his body was still under his control.
The muffled sounds in his ears grew distant. The figure of his wife in front of him remained motionless, unwilling to even glance back. Only Shen Jia beside him was still supporting him, but he could feel the dampness in Shen Jia's palm through the fabric.
A cold palm rested on another person's cold fingertips, but they could not warm each other, only transmit coldness and fear.
"Father! Father!" He couldn't even wait for the verdict before fainting from fright. All he could hear was Jia'er's worried voice. His wife hadn't even turned her head.
"Father's revenge is finally avenged. Be happy, don't look so glum." Feeling Lu Yu's two fingers pressing hard on the corners of his mouth, Shen Xuan finally smiled, his lips naturally curving into a handsome arc.
This matter was finally over. Walking along the small path in Huicanghe Village, both of them were deeply moved.
The first time they walked this path, they thought they were entering another den of iniquity from one. They were anxious and self-abandoning, but unexpectedly, heaven had given him such a good wife. It was heaven's favor.
Lu Yu's heart was also filled with emotion. The first time she walked this path was because the family hadn't prepared firecrackers the day before their wedding. She didn't want to mistreat her husband. She only thought that since the original owner had wronged him, and she had taken over the body, she had to compensate him well.
Being a couple who respected each other was much better than being a resentful couple. At least in the future, there would be someone to talk to at home, and she would no longer be alone. Caring for each other and respecting each other was the best outcome she could have imagined at the time.
Unexpectedly, heaven favored her, bestowing upon her a happy marriage, such a lovely and kind husband, and the person she loved.
Placing the basket containing paper money and white candles on the ground, they both knelt solemnly beside the tombstone. Shen Xuan knelt slightly behind Lu Yu, which was both etiquette and tradition.
During the memorial, the man must kneel behind the woman. If it were a husband, he should lean back slightly to the side.
Lu Yu gently pulled his hand, wanting him to be level with her, but Shen Xuan pressed down on her hand that was already holding his, shaking his head slightly, "Wife, this is not in accordance with etiquette."
Shen Xuan's refusal was clear, and Lu Yu could not force him further in front of her parents' tombstone. She nodded slightly to Shen Xuan, but did not let go of their clasped hands.
"Mother, Father, this is your daughter's husband, the person your daughter loves, the one who will spend a lifetime with your daughter. Today, your daughter has brought her husband to see you. Your son-in-law is exceptionally good and cares for your daughter very much. You two can rest assured."
Shen Xuan was deeply moved by Lu Yu's words and blushed at the unreserved praise that followed. He secretly pinched the soft flesh of Lu Yu's palm, which only made Lu Yu grip his hand tighter, leaving him no room to act out.
"Your daughter has found the true culprit of your accident. It was my daughter's fault before; I never considered that there might be other reasons and never investigated. Fortunately, good and evil are ultimately rewarded, and she has received her due punishment."
"Now your daughter is a resident physician, just like your mother. She is dedicated to treating illnesses and saving lives, thus inheriting your mother's legacy. You and Father can rest assured."
Lu Yu chattered on, recounting all the events of the past six months in meticulous detail.
In the past, Lu Yu was consumed by gambling and drinking, never willing to speak much with her parents. Her current actions were a form of filial piety for Lu Yu.
"Xuan'er, say a few words to Mother and Father." After Lu Yu finished, she gently shook their clasped hands.
"Mother, Father, I am your son-in-law, your wife's husband. Today, I have come with my wife to visit you. Mother, Father, please rest assured. I will take good care of your wife and fulfill my responsibilities as a husband. I will also... strive to have descendants for your wife."
Shen Xuan hesitated for a moment before finally saying the last sentence. Seeing Lu Yu's worried gaze, Shen Xuan shook his head to indicate he was fine.