My Dear Wife, Please Be Gentle!

Chapter 969: Chapter 972: Gifting Deer Whip Wine

"Du Yingxue colluded with mountain bandits and deserves to be punished with fifty strokes and five years of imprisonment. However, considering she is pregnant, she will first be returned to her family to give birth before she comes to the Government Office to receive her punishment,"

King Qin said without a trace of mercy.

If every trivial mistake made by the young were overlooked, the children would become lawless in the future.

Besides, Du Yingxue was already fifteen, with a child in her belly, so she could hardly be counted as a child herself.

"Alas, she could have been a fine young lady, but she chose to be in cahoots with mountain bandits. King Qin is being merciful enough, allowing her to give birth to the child."

"Even if she gives birth, it’s a pitiful life; that child will never be able to hold its head high."

Not to mention being born out of wedlock, having a mountain bandit for a father is enough to make the child feel inferior.

"After all, it’s a life; giving the child away to a good family would at least be an explanation to the child."

"That’s a good idea, just not sure if the Du Family has such a good heart."

The ladies and madams huddled together in groups of threes and fives, whispering to each other.

It was quite pitiful for Du Yingxue to end up like this, but those deserving of pity often have detestable reasons behind them, and she should have foreseen the consequences when she laid her hands on such a small child.

The news quickly reached the front yard, where Du Zhiming and Du Haofeng, father and son, hurried to the back yard to bring the person back home.

Chen Yiling was scared enough by this incident, clutching onto Qin Mingrui and refusing to let go no matter what.

King Qin also showed his human side for once, granting Qin Longyun three days of leave, allowing him to stay at home to comfort Chen Yiling properly.

With some free time, Qin Longyun, together with Qiao Duo’er and Tan Zhenghong, decided to return to Big Willow Village early the next morning.

For them, that was truly their home.

Big Willow Village had also been struck by an epidemic, but fortunately, it was controlled in time, and only six people in the entire village died from it.

Compared to other villages, they were far more fortunate, but for their families, it was still a profound blow.

However, life had to go on, and time would eventually heal all wounds.

Madam Wang had been recuperating at the Tan Family for so long that she had fully recovered.

Now, seeing Tan Zhenghong and his wife return, she felt very delighted.

But remembering what she had done to them in the past, she dared not be too affectionate and decided to remain hidden in her room, invisible.

She also had a selfish concern: she feared Qiao Duo’er might reconsider and drive her out.

Back in their familiar home, Tan Zhenghong started tidying up both inside and outside the house.

By accident, he came across the Deer Whip Wine he had brewed several months ago.

Deer Whip Wine was best when infused for half a month to a year, though it won’t spoil with longer infusions, its effects and flavor tend to diminish.

Tan Zhenghong had thought that, once the child was born, he would be able to truly cherish his wife. But it was after seeing Qin Mingrui that he realized more time would be needed to care for the child after birth.

By then, drinking Deer Whip Wine would only add to the chaos, and Duo’er might even hit him for it.

"It’s such a waste!" Tan Zhenghong sighed.

Qiao Duo’er playfully suggested, "Pour out the wine and send it over to Big Brother Huang."

She had always thought the marriage between Huang Zhong and Hu’s Clan was imminent, but it had yet to happen.

The reason was both were too shy, lacking the courage to break through that final barrier.

Now was the time for the Deer Whip Wine to show its power.

Huang Zhong was only in his twenties, still a vigorous young man; a couple of drinks would surely stir up some thoughts. With that frustration building up over time, he’d grow impatient.

Tan Zhenghong gave a thumbs up, indeed a great idea!

But a direct delivery would be too ostentatious, so Tan Zhenghong found a clean wine jar to transfer the wine.