Chapter Twenty-Eight: Facing Each Other in Court

As soon as Xue Chun untied the ropes binding Luo Yanqing’s hands and feet, Luo Yanqing fled in panic, running out as fast as she could, her mind fixed on reporting to the authorities at once and having that wicked woman properly punished!

Watching her bolt away in such a hasty retreat, Xue Chun could only shake her head and sigh: a person like that, destined for greatness? What a laughable notion!

After Yun Ming of the Prince of War’s manor left, Weishao Qianyu instructed Ye Shiyi to take Luo Yanqing to the ruined temple, and sent Nuandong to provoke Xue Chun, so that Xue Chun would teach Luo Yanqing a lesson.

Weishao Qianyu knew very well that Feng Jinye, Yun Ming, and Huangfu Chen all liked to frequent Mingkeju, and that Xue Chun was the manager of Wanlai Xue. Everything fell into place.

Yet Feng Jinye did not let Weishao Qianyu off so easily. Weishao Qianyu, unable to cope, complained with resentment, “Why are you acting like a gossiping old woman? Do you really find these rumors and scandals so interesting?”

These rumors, whether from back then or now, Weishao Qianyu had never explained to Feng Jinye.

If possible, Weishao Qianyu would never mention them, but now had no choice but to say, “Today, Grandfather brought Lu Yanran and Lin Rui, and cleared up the recent rumors, but still, it all relates to Lu Yanran’s husband, Lin Yichu!”

“Two years ago, Lin Yichu abducted Qingxuan, and threatened me to let him stay at the residence. Afterwards, rumors swept through the city, claiming I was cheating on my husband, that I was promiscuous, fit for any man.” Weishao Qianyu recounted the events concisely, her manner calm and unaffected.

Feng Jinye listened with apparent indifference, but the fingers that tapped idly on the table were now clenched into a fist. Weishao Qianyu noticed his nails digging into his flesh, evidence of the rage he was barely containing.

She didn’t know whether Feng Jinye was more furious over Feng Qingxuan’s abduction, or her own sullied reputation.

With a sigh, Weishao Qianyu lifted her cup and handed it to him, saying, “Have some tea first.”

Feng Jinye paused, glanced up at her, unclenched his fist, took the cup, and drank in silence. His voice, when he spoke, was cold as ice: “Is he still alive?”

“Dead!” Weishao Qianyu replied lightly, raising her cup as well. “After we found Qingxuan, I broke his hands and feet and drove him out of the city. Banqiu was still not satisfied and chased after him, cutting off his limbs. He bled to death!”

“Dead, then so be it,” Feng Jinye said coldly. Anyone who dared lay a finger on the people of the Prince of War’s manor was doomed to die young.

Weishao Qianyu smiled faintly. “Qingxuan is unharmed. You can rest easy.”

Feng Jinye froze again; he understood that, in this matter, the one most deeply wounded was Weishao Qianyu herself.

Given her temperament, she would have protected Feng Qingxuan at all costs. After rescuing her, to preserve Qingxuan’s reputation, she would have kept the truth to herself, bearing all the scorn alone.

Even by driving Lin Yichu out of the city, even by killing him, nothing could truly be restored. People would only assume she was silencing a witness. The pain in Feng Jinye’s chest twisted tighter—an upright reputation was a woman’s lifeblood, and such shame was enough to make her an outcast. He could not imagine how she had survived such an ordeal.

In the ruined temple north of the city, after Luo Yanqing escaped, she discovered it was deep night, nearly midnight, and the city gates had long been locked.

Unable to re-enter the city, Luo Yanqing grew more certain that her release was no act of kindness.

Terrified by the darkness all around, she crept through the grass, guided only by faint starlight, until she spotted a dilapidated courtyard some distance away. Groping her way forward, she knocked for a long time before a boy of about fourteen opened the door and, kindly enough, took her in.

Luo Yanqing, anxious and ill at ease, knew she’d have to be careful the next day when entering the city, lest her reputation be ruined if recognized.

She stewed in her rage, convinced this was all Weishao Qianyu’s doing, cursing her viciousness under her breath.

The courtyard in the northern outskirts was a refuge for orphans. Luo Yanqing, feeling a little more secure, took off her hairpins and gave them to the eldest child there, thinking that if these people ever talked, she could accuse them of theft.

At dawn, Luo Yanqing kept a low profile, borrowed a country girl’s dress, and slipped into the city, returning to the Dingyuan Marquis’s household with a sigh of relief—she had come through unscathed.

After washing and changing, she hurried to find the Marchioness, recounting the events of the previous night in full. The Marchioness was appalled...

Later, mother and daughter conspired to have a maid report the matter to the authorities, so that the culprit could be captured and harshly punished.

It was only because they didn’t dare use the Dingyuan Marquis’s power directly, lest suspicion fall upon Luo Yanqing, tainting her reputation.

Unable to restrain herself, Luo Yanqing began spreading rumors. In a flash, the old gossip about Weishao Qianyu from two years ago was aflame once more.

On the fifth day of the new year, Luo Yanqing donned a newly made embroidered gown, draped herself in a fine cloak with a veil, and sat in the main hall of Mingkeju, listening to the chatter of tea patrons discussing Weishao Qianyu’s scandal.

“What a pity! The only legitimate daughter of General Weishao’s household, as beautiful as a fairy, turns out to be nothing but a wanton!”

“Truly a disgrace to General Weishao’s illustrious name!”

“General Weishao himself turned traitor—how could his daughter be any better?”

“Enough nonsense!”

“General Weishao was no traitor; those are the words of malicious slanderers. Even the Emperor has not passed judgment on his house!”

“When the Prince of War sought her hand, they said she was virtuous and learned. Who would have thought she’d be so shameless!”

“Sigh, what a shame for our Prince of War—his former fiancée was a wanton, and the new princess is no better!”

“You don’t know the half of it! That former fiancée was carrying on with her cousin’s husband—Lin Yichu, the husband of Lu Guogong’s second daughter, Lu Yanran. All those sisters entangled with Lin Yichu—it’s a disgrace. Even the new princess can’t be any good. Truly, our poor Prince of War!” This part, more dramatic than an opera, was recounted by the same maid who had been slapped by Nuandong.

Wanlai Xue, opposite Mingkeju, naturally heard all the rumors. Weishao Qianyu was unmoved, though grateful the people still spoke up for her father.

Qingxia was incensed, itching to rush over and argue with the gossips.

The Prince of War’s manor was shrouded in gloom that day. Feng Jinye ordered Chujui to keep a close eye on the rumors outside, and every detail was duly reported.

Feng Jinye was livid, his eyes dark with rage all day. The servants of Tingfeng Pavilion were on edge, walking on eggshells.

Even Weishao Qianyu was affected, her face a little paler than usual.

She agonized, for the matter concerned Feng Qingxuan’s reputation, and she could not allow anyone to explain the truth.

As Weishao Qianyu sat, her complexion ashen, Qingxia burst into Zhiyu Tower, flustered and alarmed. “Miss, something terrible has happened—Xue Chun is missing!”

While Luo Yanqing spread rumors about Weishao Qianyu, she also had her maid Yinghong report to the authorities—but instead of claiming Luo Yanqing had been abducted, she said it was Yinghong, the maid who had been slapped, who had been taken, demanding the authorities find her and hand her over to the Dingyuan Marquis’s household for private punishment.

The authorities, upon receiving the report, immediately sent officers to investigate the ruined temple, and soon enough, Xue Chun was apprehended...

Under threat from the Dingyuan Marquis’s household, the authorities prepared to hand Xue Chun over for private retribution...

But Xue Chun would not submit; she could not enter the tiger’s den and implicate Weishao Qianyu.

Being skilled in martial arts, Xue Chun struggled fiercely as she was being escorted to the Dingyuan Marquis’s household, and managed to escape.

When it came to matters other than money and Weishao Qianyu, Xue Chun’s wits were not particularly sharp.

Even in her escape, her not-so-bright mind thought to report to the authorities. As she ran, she shouted at the top of her lungs, “I’m innocent! I want to report a crime! I want to report a crime!”

Her uproar soon brought the matter before the magistrate.

Xue Chun assumed Luo Yanqing would rather keep the matter out of court, so she deliberately caused a scene. But when the officers brought Xue Chun before the bench, arrangements had already been made behind the scenes.

Yinghong knelt below, sobbing pitifully as she accused Xue Chun of abducting and abusing her.

Before long, the courthouse was packed with townsfolk eager to listen...

Yinghong, well-versed in Luo Yanqing’s art of performance, wept and wailed her tale of being abducted and abused, adding with a flourish, “Your honor, I suspect the culprit is none other than the former General Weishao’s eldest daughter’s personal maid, Xue Chun!”

Her words set the crowd outside the court abuzz. At this moment, Weishao Qianyu was the talk of the town; the audience outside more than doubled.

The magistrate banged his gavel and shouted, “Silence! Bring in the accused!”

With that, two officers brought Xue Chun to the bench...

Her hands tied behind her back since her capture, Xue Chun had been cursing her innocence all along. Before going in, her mouth had been gagged, but as soon as the rag was pulled out, she shouted, “You scoundrels! Just you wait—my mistress will come and save me!”

The magistrate slammed his gavel again. “Silence!”

The crowd quieted, and the magistrate asked, “Yinghong, what evidence do you have for your accusation?”

Yinghong, inwardly mocking Xue Chun’s foolishness, immediately pointed at her, crying, “She was jealous that my lady was praised as the first talented woman, outshining the Weishao family’s legitimate daughter. Unable to abduct my mistress, she took me in her place to vent her anger!”

It is said: the more insecure one is, the more they boast; the more one lacks, the more they flaunt.

“First talented woman”—perhaps the greatest thorn in Luo Yanqing’s heart—was dragged into the matter right there in court.

Xue Chun, worried for Weishao Qianyu, became agitated beyond measure. “Don’t you dare slander my mistress! Just you wait—she’ll come and save me!”

“Your honor, I’m innocent! Please, see the truth!” Frightened and helpless, Xue Chun began to cry in earnest. “Please, your honor, judge fairly!”

Luo Yanqing had always enjoyed a good reputation, giving porridge to the poor at Qingfeng Temple every year, beloved by the people of Yuendu.

Now, the crowd outside the court began to take Yinghong’s side, and Weishao Qianyu’s reputation suffered even further.

Compared to Luo Yanqing, she was heaven’s fairy, while the other was but dirt beneath their feet.

“Your honor, pass judgment quickly—one look and it’s clear who is good and who is evil!”

“Just look at the handprint on the maid’s face—no doubt about it! Punish this wicked woman!”

“Like mistress, like maid—a nest of snakes and rats!”

Hearing the jeers outside, Xue Chun’s fury burned, but for Weishao Qianyu’s sake, she forced herself to be calm. “My mistress is the heir of the Marquis of Xibo, Yun Ming! Let’s see who dares slander her now!”

Her words rang out like a thunderclap, and the courtroom fell utterly silent.

The townsfolk outside had thought Xue Chun just a lowly, destitute maid from a disgraced general’s house—what harm in a little gossip? But the Marquis of Xibo’s household was the Empress Dowager’s own family—no one dared speak lightly of them.

Yinghong, kneeling, was struck dumb in terror by Xue Chun’s words.

Luo Yanqing, hearing this, went pale as death.

She had miscalculated!

If word of this got out, wouldn’t it be a public feud between the Xibo and Dingyuan marquisates—relations by marriage?

Luo Yanqing would lose face, reputation, and everything.