In Madam Yun's view, the Old Dowager does not like Shen Han.
But no matter what, Shen Han's surname is ultimately Shen.
His name bears the character Shen, he resides in the Shen Mansion, and is ultimately connected to the Shen Family Marquis Mansion.
The Old Dowager might disregard Shen Han, but she still needs to maintain the honor of the Shen Family.
On the high platform, Prefect Xu sat steadily in the high seat, unhurried to judge the case.
He just waited for Madam Shen to relay the news.
After navigating the court for so many years, he had his own wisdom to reach the position of Prefect.
Before long, a servant hurried back.
"What did Madam Shen say?"
No one else spoke, so Prefect Xu took the lead to ask.
"Replying to Lord Prefect, Madam Shen said, if someone makes a mistake, they must be punished.
Shen Family's face is tarnished today, but Shen Family's descendants will reclaim lost honor on the battlefield..."
Once the servant finished speaking, everyone understood.
This fifth young master of the Shen Family has been completely abandoned by the Shen Family.
Looking at the young man in the hall, Prefect Xu felt a bit of sympathy.
In this generation of the Shen Family, there was an eldest son prodigy like Shen Ye, whose talents exceed even his grandfather's in his youth.
With such a brother present, other Shen Family descendants naturally seem less impressive.
Moreover, Shen Han's betrothed was the one whom his illustrious brother adored.
The Shen Family had to sacrifice him to annul the engagement...
Prefect Xu shook his head in helplessness, thinking that Shen Han's situation was worse than being born in a poor family.
Subjected to Ink Punishment, his future status would be akin to that of a peasant; no one knows whether the young man still has the will to live...
In the Government Office, only Madam Yun still pleaded for Shen Han.
She pleaded with Madam He and Madam Xie, begging them to forgive Shen Han.
"Little Sister Yun, Shen Han has tarnished our Shen Family's reputation, his theft embarrassed the whole family.
If we don't punish him, and others follow in his footsteps, how could the Shen Family sustain the title of General?"
The two Madams still spoke of principles, doing so only for family honor and the upbringing of Shen Family descendants.
The younger members of the Shen Family, who came along, displayed an indifferent expression.
Perhaps in their eyes, Shen Han did commit theft and was therefore brought to this Government Office.
Outside the Government Office, the onlookers whispered among themselves.
Most people spoke in defense of Shen Han, thinking the two Madams were overly harsh.
Some even mentioned seeing Shen Han picking medicine dregs at the pharmacy some days ago, indicating how poorly the Shen Family's fifth young master lived.
Taking money was surely out of desperate need...
But what use is there in how these common people view things?
"Shen Family's fifth young master, there are witnesses and evidence; do you have anything to say in your defense?"
Prefect Xu looked at Shen Han; facing such calamity, his mind must be in chaos.
If his defense was weak, even if the Prefect wanted to help, it would be of no use.
All eyes were on Shen Han.
After a long silence, finally, it was his turn to speak.
If accused of stealing a meal, the dumbest thing is to cut open one's stomach to prove innocence.
Confronted with slander, without concrete evidence, defending oneself is often the worst response.
Shen Han had already thought of his argument; since you falsely accuse me, then I'm sorry, I'll falsely accuse you as well.
"Lord Prefect, I, Shen Han, reside alone on the east side vegetable garden of Shen Mansion; though life is harsh, I would never stoop to theft.
The whole incident is actually someone trying to teach this Shen descendant a lesson, to silence me, to make me afraid to speak."
Everyone was taken aback by what Shen Han said.
This affair seemed increasingly intriguing.
"Shen Han, you mean to say someone framed you?"
"Replying to Lord Prefect, that is indeed the case."
Prefect Xu furrowed his brow slightly, looking at Madam Xie of Shen Family's second branch.
"The one accusing you is your family's second madam. Are you sure you're not mistaken?"
As the words fell, the youthful peers from the Shen Family retorted against Shen Han.
"What status does the second madam hold to falsely accuse you?"
"Indeed, what's the benefit in smearing a poor soul like you?"
Below, Shen Han feigned a look of being put in a difficult position.
"Replying to Lord Prefect, I, Shen Han, live rightly and uprightly; never would I stoop to theft.
The reason for being accused is I accidentally witnessed something unsightly that day..."
At this, Shen Han paused slightly.
As expected, those around were captivated by his words.
Even if it's unsightly, the spectators love to hear unsavory tales~
"What exactly happened?"
"Around the seventh day, my room was drafty, so I planned to pick some discarded planks from the mansion to fix it.
But when I reached the back garden, I saw a servant and... and..."
Shen Han spoke haltingly, but the more he hesitated, the more intriguing it became.
Even Prefect Xu was piqued with curiosity.
"And who? I'm here; just answer truthfully."
"And the second madam embracing each other, and their hands were...
Replying to Lord Prefect, this concerns the Shen Family's reputation; I'm truly reluctant to speak further..."
This statement from Shen Han left plenty for the imagination.
"Nonsense!
I am virtuous; how could I commit such an unsightly act!
I shall slap you for this slander!"
The originally testifying Madam Xie from the second branch never expected to find herself in this situation.
Prefect Xu beckoned, and several Arresting Officers hurried to restrain Madam Xie.
Amidst the noisy crowd, a sudden bang struck the gavel.
Bam!
"Order!"
"Shen Han, continue with what you have to say."
Prefect Xu wore a hint of playfulness on his face, viewing the young man in front of him with a new perspective.
In adversity, Shen Han is not so easily defeated.
"After witnessing that incident, I was a bit enraged, asking the second madam and that servant to confess their wrongdoings to the Old Dowager, or I would expose them...
But they instead warned me, if I dared speak out, they would wipe me from existence.
They framed me for theft today as a warning, to show me what they could do..."
As Shen Han spoke, he became more indignant, even somewhat impassioned.
"But they miscalculated; to suffer the indignity of Ink Punishment is to trample on my dignity.
It's better to be shattered jade than intact tile; I will never compromise!"
Hearing his words, even the spectators outside the Government Office couldn't help but clap.
The Shen Family members, however, were completely dumbfounded.
Madam Yun glanced at Shen Han; she couldn't figure if he was telling the truth, but it surely felt real...
As everyone was in a daze, Shen Lei suddenly threw a punch at Shen Han from within the crowd.
"Slandering my mother, you're seeking death!"
His fist force exploded, whether just for venting anger or for another reason.
This punch was his all-out strike.
In his mind, Shen Han was destined to die!
Even if questioned after the fact, he could claim it was out of filial piety, being provoked upon hearing Shen Han insult his mother.