bestfiction Chapter 235 I'll Take Her Place
Chapter 235 I'll Take Her Place
Su Mu accepted the order and left the palace. After returning to the Dali Temple, he conveyed the Emperor's decree.
Upon hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
However, Granny Sheng still looked distressed, showing no sign of relief. The wrinkles on her weathered face seemed to have deepened even further.
Yu Wan's complexion did not improve.
There was no one else in Granny Sheng's house...
Grandma Sheng, supporting Yu Wan's hand, stood up shakily, faced Su Mu, and said with deep gratitude:
"Thank you, Lord Su, for making this trip for me, but I am all alone at home, and there is no one to take the blame for me."
After he finished speaking, the surrounding people couldn't bear it and shook their heads and sighed. Discussions immediately arose among the crowd.
"Grandma Sheng and Rongxi have always relied on each other, and the two have a very deep relationship. I have lived next door to them for more than ten years and have never seen any other relatives visit."
"It turns out that her granddaughter, who was her only family, is gone. No wonder the old lady is so determined to fight for justice for her granddaughter, even at the cost of her own life."
"It's really pitiful..."
"Although Lord Su has good intentions, Granny Sheng has no relatives or friends. Who can take her place in this tragedy?"
As Yu Wan listened to the murmurs around her, her gaze slowly shifted to the heavy, gleaming board in the hands of the bailiff.
She subconsciously bit her lower lip, her mind a jumble of thoughts.
Before Su Mu could speak, she suddenly said, "Lord Su, may I take these twenty lashes on behalf of my adoptive grandmother?"
Su Mu was slightly taken aback when he heard that clear and melodious voice before looking at Yu Wan.
He naturally recognized Yu Wan.
Yun Shang's wife is also the eldest legitimate daughter who was recently found in the Duke of Anguo's mansion.
He frowned slightly, just uttering a single word, "This..."
At this moment, Granny Sheng's aged and choked voice rang out urgently:
"How does this work!"
Grandma Sheng stared wide-eyed and shook her head vigorously, like a rattle-drum.
"Yu girl, absolutely not! You have nothing to do with this matter, how can I let you take the punishment for me!"
"Besides..." She was not Miss Yu's godmother.
Grandma Sheng wanted to say that, but Yu Wan seemed to have anticipated what she was going to say and cut her off.
“Grandmother.” Yu Wan grasped Grandma Sheng’s hand, her gaze firm and her words earnest: “Now that I have acknowledged you as my grandmother, I should naturally be filial to you.”
We're family, so let's not be formal. I'm young and healthy, so twenty strokes of the cane are nothing to me.
"But after I've had those twenty strokes of the cane, could Grandma make me some sweet rice cakes?"
As Grandma Sheng listened to Yu Wan's words, tears welled up in her eyes, and her lips trembled slightly.
She wanted to say something to dissuade her again, but Yu Wan's firm gaze shut her up.
She could only hold Yu Wan's hand tightly and say in a trembling voice, "Okay, okay, Grandma will make you sweet wine cakes and sweet wine dumplings. Whatever you like to eat, Grandma will make it for you!"
What merit or ability did Min Xiuzhu possess in her life to meet such a kind benefactor when she was already halfway to the grave!
The surrounding people were all moved by Yu Wan's filial piety and righteousness, and they all praised him.
However, Su Mu frowned, looking troubled, his heart filled with hesitation.
These twenty strokes of the cane were no small matter. Even though Yu Wan was young, she was still a woman, and of noble status...
Su Mu lowered his voice and advised, "Miss Yu, why do you have to do this?"
"The Duke of Anguo and his wife went through so much trouble to find you. If you are harmed because of this, how can I explain it to the Duke of Anguo and his wife, and to Lord Yun?"
Yu Wan paused slightly, then smiled calmly and said in a seemingly relaxed manner, "Lord Su, there's no need to worry. It's just twenty strokes of the cane; it won't kill you."
She spoke without hesitation, but only Yu Wan herself knew the truth.
She was actually terrified.
How could someone be unharmed after being hit on the buttock with such a large board?
But she couldn't just stand by and watch Granny Sheng go to her death.
Yu Wan took a deep breath, slowly released Grandma Sheng's hand, and walked straight to the torture bench.
Seeing this, Su Mu sighed helplessly and had no choice but to signal the yamen runners to carry out the execution.
He looked at the bailiff and raised his voice, saying, "Since the daughter of the Duke of Anguo's family is Granny Sheng's adopted granddaughter, it's not against the rules for her to take the blame for Granny Sheng."
He emphasized the words "daughter of the Duke of Anguo's family" to remind the yamen runners to go easy on her.
Don't really hurt the important person.
The constables looked at each other, and they all understood what Su Mu meant.
Yu Wan lay down on the torture bench, her palms sweating with nervousness.
Yu Wan slowly lay down on the torture bench, her hands unconsciously clenched tightly, her palms already covered in cold sweat.
Two bailiffs, each carrying a board, approached step by step, then raised the boards high—
At this critical moment.
A clear, cold voice, tinged with anxiety, pierced the air, "Wait—"
A commotion broke out outside the crowd as everyone turned to look.
A handsome young man dressed in a white brocade robe hurried over.
He stood tall and straight like a pine tree, his brows and eyes exuding a cool and aloof air, but at this moment, his eyes, which were usually as calm as still water, were filled with worry and anxiety.
This person was none other than Yun Shang.
Yu Wan looked up in surprise. In that short time, Yun Shang had already walked quickly to Yu Wan's side and pulled her up.
His brow furrowed, and his tone was somewhat cold and hard, "What nonsense are you spouting?"
Yu Wan was dissatisfied and muttered under her breath, "I'm not being silly. Granny Sheng is already pitiful enough. I can't just watch her die."
"What if something happens to you?" Yun Shang's dark eyes were deep as he stared intently at her.
"What would happen to the Duchess of Anguo if something were to happen to you?"
What will happen when Mother and Yunxi find out?
He paused, a fire burning in his eyes, and his voice deepened, "What would I do if something happened to you?"
Yu Wan's heart skipped a beat, as if she had been struck by something.
Yun Shang reached out and gently pushed Yu Wan aside.
As he brushed past her, he whispered in her ear, "I don't want to lose my wife so soon after we got married."
Then, turning to Su Mu, he said, “Lord Su, I am Yu Wan’s husband. Husband and wife are one. Granny Sheng is also my grandmother. It is my duty as a grandson to suffer for my grandmother. I should bear this blame.”
After saying that, without waiting for Su Mu's response, he strode to the torture bench and lay down on it nimbly.
Yu Wan stared blankly at the scene, unsure how to react.
Her eyes were filled with shock, and Yun Shang's words were still echoing in her mind.
—I don't want to lose my wife so soon after we got married.
She never expected that Yun Shang would do it for her without hesitation.
It was originally her meddling that led to Granny Sheng taking on this matter; in the original novel, Yun Shang never actually met Granny Sheng.
But now, Yun Shang, who has deviated from the original storyline, is truly protecting her.
At that moment, Yu Wan felt a surge of emotions she had never experienced before.
It seems that those feelings of liking that were once easily expressed and superficial have now been catalyzed by an invisible force and gradually transformed into heartfelt sincerity.