Bian Ruohan wiped her tears with a handkerchief, leaned close to Consort Zhuang’s side, and opened her mouth wide to show Consort Zhuang her loose back molar.
Consort Zhuang’s delicate brows furrowed lightly. Her slender, pale fingers twisted the handkerchief to cover her mouth and nose. After one glance, she exclaimed in shock: “He really hit you this hard?”
Lu Heng appeared refined and elegant—he didn’t seem like the type who would strike a woman.
Seeing that even Consort Zhuang was half-doubtful of her words, Bian Ruohan’s tears came streaming down.
“Cousin, don’t you believe me either? This is from Lord Earl’s beating. Otherwise, besides him, who would dare hit me? Tell me, what kind of force did he use on his newlywed wife to loosen my tooth?
“That Qin Shi is no good thing. Not only does she seduce Lord Earl, but she deliberately acts coy and plays hard to get, scheming against me countless times behind my back. I’m simple-hearted and can’t compete with Qin Shi at all. I think Qin Shi wants Prince Zhongshun’s favor while secretly keeping Lord Earl as a devoted lover. She’s so promiscuous, yet she doesn’t take me seriously at all, nor does she respect our Bian family.”
Hearing Bian Ruohan’s words, anger appeared on Consort Zhuang’s jade-like oval face.
“That Qin Shi truly dares to behave this way? She’s so shameless, yet Prince Zhongshun doesn’t care?”
“That’s exactly why I say she’s formidable. Sister, with her around, my days are simply unbearable. Lord Earl is completely manipulated by her, and I think Prince Zhongshun is also bewitched and fooled by her. This woman is a vixen! A disaster!”
Consort Zhuang pressed her lips together, believing most of Bian Ruohan’s words.
This cousin of hers had been pampered since childhood, was accustomed to acting carelessly, and had some willful temper. When her emotions flared up, her brain stopped working.
Qin Shi was now Prince Zhongshun’s princess, while Lu Heng’s wife was Bian Ruohan. She really had no need to keep dwelling on a man’s past, much less to falsely accuse Qin Shi. If she made the situation irreconcilable, wouldn’t she be the one losing face?
If Qin Yining really did those things, she couldn’t let it slide easily. Such behavior of keeping one man hooked while hanging onto another would damage the Bian family’s dignity.
The Bian family still had many unmarried daughters. If Bian Ruohan could suffer such humiliation despite such a good marriage, how could the Bian family’s daughters establish themselves in the future?
Seeing Consort Zhuang deep in thought, Bian Ruohan quickly said: “Cousin, Bian Tong discovered that residence. Let me call him to tell you, then you’ll know I’m not lying.”
After hesitating for a while, though it was improper to see an outside man, Bian Tong was after all a Bian family member, and given the seriousness of Bian Ruohan’s matter, Consort Zhuang nodded.
Bian Tong arrived shortly.
Outside the door, Bian Ruohan carefully instructed Bian Tong: “Now that Consort Zhuang Your Majesty has come, and Her Majesty the Empress is also here, they will surely seek justice for me. If I don’t vent this anger and let that wretch continue being smug, I’m afraid the Bian family daughters won’t be able to hold their heads up in the future. When you see Her Majesty later, just tell the truth—don’t be afraid of anything.”
Bian Tong lowered his head in acknowledgment.
But only Bian Tong knew in his heart how helpless he truly felt.
After Lu Heng brought people that day and found no adulterer, he had carefully reconsidered upon returning. He was indeed certain that the carriage from the Qin mansion went directly to that residence.
But he had also been influenced by Bian Ruohan’s subjective assumptions.
Was the person who came out of the Qin mansion really Qin Shi? Perhaps it could have been someone else.
Was the person living in that residence definitely some adulterer? It could have been someone else entirely.
These weren’t necessarily conclusive factors at all.
But Bian Ruohan insisted so firmly, and he had wanted to flatter her immediately at the time without contradicting her, leading Bian Ruohan to drag the Earl to search, ultimately causing such an unpleasant scene.
Bian Tong found it even more impossible to deny his initial claims. Otherwise, wouldn’t Bian Ruohan want to kill him to vent her anger?
But now he had to meet Consort Zhuang—should he maintain his story? Would it cause even bigger trouble later?
Bian Tong followed Bian Ruohan into the room and respectfully performed ceremony to Consort Zhuang.
Bian Tong strictly observed protocol, not daring to approach, keeping his head lowered and bowing as he awaited instructions.
Consort Zhuang then questioned him carefully.
Bian Tong wanted to voice his analysis, but upon reflection, he decided preserving his life was more important. After all, these were people of status—no matter how they quarreled, they wouldn’t lose their lives, but he was different. If things went badly, Bian Ruohan alone could kill him without anyone else’s help.
Forget it—at worst, after answering, he’d find an opportunity to leave…
Thinking this, Bian Tong didn’t mention his doubts at all, only very cleverly went along with Bian Ruohan’s meaning: “This humble person followed the Loyal and Righteous Earl’s wife’s orders to watch the Prince’s mansion. I indeed saw a carriage leave the Prince’s mansion and go directly to that residence.”
Bian Ruohan said anxiously: “I saw Qin Shi being intimate with guards in the alley outside before. Afraid of being discovered by Prince Zhongshun, she specifically changed into men’s clothing and slightly disguised her face. But cousin, what kind of person is she? She wholeheartedly wants to seduce my husband—let alone wearing men’s clothes with slight makeup, I’d recognize her even if she turned to ash!
“That day I cornered her in the alley and chased after her to question her, but she had people kidnap me and take me to a ruined temple in the outskirts to kill me! Fortunately I was clever and escaped through an inconspicuous hole behind the temple while they weren’t paying attention. Otherwise, sister wouldn’t see me today!”
Thinking of the danger she experienced that day and Lu Heng’s indifferent attitude toward her, Bian Ruohan’s tears flowed again. She grabbed Consort Zhuang and recounted everything Lu Heng had said and done that day in detail.
Bian Tong also chimed in to testify: “Your Majesty, what the lady says is indeed the truth.”
If Consort Zhuang had been half-doubtful before, hearing Bian Tong’s words, she now fully believed.
Bian Ruohan wiped her tears and sobbed: “Lord Earl doesn’t believe me, so I had Bian Tong follow Qin Shi, and that’s how we found that place. But Qin Shi is too cunning—we probably alerted her, so when Lord Earl went, he found nothing. Standing right on the street, he said I was causing trouble, slapped me, and even said he’d divorce me. Sister…”
Bian Ruohan grabbed Consort Zhuang’s hand and knelt on the ground, crying heartbrokenly, making Consort Zhuang’s eyes red too.
“Enough, enough, get up quickly. This palace knows about this matter. Since you’ve encountered such injustice, we must seek an explanation. Are daughters of the Bian family born to be looked down upon?” Consort Zhuang helped Bian Ruohan up and gently waved at Bian Tong.
Bian Tong immediately felt as if granted amnesty and carefully withdrew with lowered head.
Consort Zhuang was now somewhat moved and choked up: “I never thought you’d have such a bitter fate too. I entered the palace and act cautiously for survival. I originally thought that among us sisters, at least you could win the favor of the head of the Lu family and live happily with your husband in the future, not needing to be as careful with every word and action as I am to survive. I never imagined your days would be this difficult too.”
Hearing Consort Zhuang’s words, Bian Ruohan felt even more sorrowful. The two sisters, thinking of their own heartaches, couldn’t help but embrace and cry together for a while.
When their emotions calmed somewhat, Consort Zhuang stood up: “Come, go with me to see Her Majesty the Empress. Tell her everything you just told me and ask her to seek justice.”
Bian Ruohan was startled: “Can’t sister resolve this matter?”
Consort Zhuang shook her head: “Silly sister, with Her Majesty the Empress here, where would I have a place to speak? Moreover, given Prince Zhongshun’s rising status, Princess Zhongshun is even more dignified than a small consort like me. My rank simply cannot suppress hers. Only Her Majesty the Empress can handle this matter.”
Thinking about it, Bian Ruohan found this reasoning sound, so she nodded: “Good, then I’ll go with sister.”
Qin Yining naturally didn’t know about Bian Ruohan and Consort Zhuang’s machinations.
After returning to the mansion, her days continued as usual. After two peaceful days without being summoned by the Empress, Qin Yining focused on her own affairs.
But peaceful life was easily disturbed by waves.
On this day, while Pang Xiao was chatting with Qin Yining, someone came to report: “Your Highness, someone from the Loyal and Righteous Earl’s mansion has delivered a calling card.”
“Oh?” Pang Xiao exchanged a surprised glance with Qin Yining. “Why would he send me a card out of the blue?”
Bingtang brought up the gold-embossed card. Pang Xiao took it, looked at it, then handed it to Qin Yining.
Qin Yining took it and looked, becoming even more surprised.
Lu Heng’s calling card inquired whether Pang Xiao would be free tomorrow afternoon, and if so, he wanted to visit for a chat.
“Do you plan to see him?”
“Naturally I must see him.” Pang Xiao’s fingers tapped the table repeatedly—this was his habit when thinking. “If I don’t see him, how will I know what medicine he’s selling in his gourd?”
Qin Yining nodded, saying with some worry: “When things are abnormal, there must be demons. You should be careful and have Huzi and the others make secret arrangements.”
Seeing Qin Yining’s concern for him, Pang Xiao couldn’t help but smile: “Don’t worry. If he wants to move against me on my territory, he needs to see if he has the ability. I think he must be planning some scheme. Let’s just see what medicine he’s selling in his gourd.”
Qin Yining nodded with deep concern.
Pang Xiao then had someone send a reply card to the Earl’s mansion.
The next afternoon, Lu Heng indeed came calling.
Pang Xiao met Lu Heng in the flower hall of the outer courtyard.
Though the two men stood on different political sides and were also rivals in love, they were both people who knew etiquette and had deep schemes. They weren’t at the point of fighting like cocks upon meeting.
The two exchanged pleasantries as if they were colleagues with decent relations, courteously yielding precedence as they took their seats. Huzi served tea and withdrew outside, closing the door.
Pang Xiao smiled: “What advice does the Loyal and Righteous Earl have? Please speak freely.”
Lu Heng played with the blue and white covered bowl, having no intention of drinking tea. Seeing Pang Xiao’s directness, he didn’t drag things out either, smiling: “His Majesty ordered Her Majesty the Empress to come here to chant sutras and pray for blessings, beseeching the rain to stop. In my view, the day when the rain stops isn’t far off.”
“Indeed.” Pang Xiao secretly laughed inwardly but agreed on the surface: “This prince thinks the same.”
Lu Heng smiled: “Regarding the imperial mausoleum matter, you and I haven’t had the opportunity to begin construction since our appointments. Seeing that construction will begin when the rain stops, I thought that during this time, we should properly investigate the materials for building the imperial mausoleum to avoid any problems after construction begins. What does Your Highness think?”