Article 570: Wanwan bowed her head and apologized.
The sixth day of June.
The divination indicated that the weather would be clear and cloudless.
There is a square at the south gate of the city where tens of thousands of people gather, and the Insect King Festival is held here every year.
Before daybreak, the capital city was already bustling with activity. The city's common people would not miss the excitement, and some people from farms outside the city also wanted to come and share in the good fortune. The wide avenues in the south of the city were blocked.
As dawn broke, the Imperial Guards came to clear the way, and the Emperor's carriage and the Empress's phoenix palanquin emerged from the palace gates, heading towards the South Square of the city.
Behind the emperor and empress were civil and military officials, as well as some court ladies with titles and ranks, among whom was Cheng Wanwan.
She didn't bring her official court dress with her when she came to the capital. The clothes she was wearing were borrowed from Madam Lin. Madam Lin had also been a lady-in-waiting when she was young. She hadn't worn the clothes many times, so she slightly altered the waistline, and they fit Cheng Wanwan perfectly.
When we walked to the square, the sun had just jumped out of the horizon, and golden light spread all over the earth.
Cheng Wanwan had to admire the wisdom of the ancients. Without any knowledge of astronomy and geography, they were able to calculate the sunrise time so accurately.
The ceremonial officials had already arrived. According to the rules, the emperor stood at the highest point, followed by the empress. Civil and military officials stood on the huge square according to their status, while the court ladies stood on the secondary square. In short, the square was crowded with people. Officials were on the square, and outside the square were the people watching the excitement.
Cheng Wanwan, holding the sixth rank, stood far back, unable to even see the Emperor's face clearly, only able to make out a bright yellow figure standing at the highest point.
The bells rang, the altar was opened and incense was burned, and the Insect King Festival ceremony officially began.
There are ancient stone amplification devices in the square, and Cheng Wanwan can hear clearly when the officials and the emperor speak at the top.
"Virtue is shining brightly, and we welcome you to the Xun direction..."
"...After the three offerings, all the gods arrived...The plants and trees flourished, and spring came to the world."
"… the pure sound of elegant music, sent to the gods."
After the lengthy sacrificial speech, music began to play in the square. The elegant and magnificent music was very beautiful, and Cheng Wanwan listened carefully.
Once the music ends, the sacrificial ceremony is considered truly over.
The ceremonial officers removed all the solemn utensils at the scene, and the emperor and empress prepared to return to the palace, but they knew in their hearts that today's matter was not over yet. However, it would be inappropriate for the people of Sui'an to say anything if the emperor and empress were here, so the emperor and empress got on the sedan chair and did not leave for the time being.
Since the emperor and empress had not yet left, the civil and military officials in the square naturally could not leave either, and gathered in groups of three or five to talk.
At this moment, Cheng Wanwan walked out of the crowd and walked towards the Ye family step by step.
Two members of the Ye family came today, but Ye Lingbo was not present. The fourth-rank patriarch of the Ye family and Deputy Commandant Ye were standing together talking.
Upon seeing Cheng Wanwan approach, the two stopped talking, and the surrounding court officials also turned to look.
In the past five or six days, the lawsuit between the Ye family and Sui'anren has become known to everyone. Although Sui'anren is only a sixth-rank official, because she has made great contributions and is deeply loved by the Empress, the Ye family did not dare to come to her house to seek justice when they suffered such a great injustice this time... The court officials were very annoyed that a sixth-rank court lady could cause such a big incident in the capital.
A woman is a woman; she'll throw caution to the wind for a little personal gain. Luckily, she's only a sixth-rank official. If she were in a higher position, she'd be strutting around like crazy.
The head of the Ye family coldly watched Cheng Wanwan approach, his face displaying a conciliatory expression: "The people of Sui'an are not noblewomen of the capital's court, yet they have the ability to participate in the Insect King Festival sacrifice. They are truly capable... My Ye family knows we are no match for the people of Sui'an. Even though my son almost died at their hands, our Ye family dares not come to seek justice. We beg the people of Sui'an to stop making things difficult for us..."
It was rare for a fourth-rank court official to bow his head before a sixth-rank woman, and people around her couldn't help but talk about it.
"This Sui'an person is too arrogant and domineering."
"That's nothing. I heard she was even disrespectful to the General of the Cavalry."
"The Emperor and Empress haven't even left yet, and she already dares to cause trouble for the Ye family. Ignorance is bliss."
"..."
Amidst the crowd's discussions, Cheng Wanwan suddenly knelt down and said, "The whole city knows that I accidentally injured your son. Since everyone in the city is here today, I will apologize to your son and the Ye family in front of everyone."
The head of the Ye family looked rather displeased. He had agreed to go to the Ye family to apologize, but this woman was apologizing in front of everyone.
With so many eyes watching, how can the Ye family possibly vent their anger? This woman is so cunning, it's impossible to guard against her! No matter what she says later, the Ye family cannot forgive her. They must put on a victim's act and let the whole city drown this vicious woman in their spit!
“Five days ago, I trespassed into the military camp and, in a fit of impulse, lashed Commander Ye fifty times. I was terribly wrong!”
Her voice was so loud that it could be heard from the outside and then spread out, causing discussion among the people.
These people originally came to watch the Insect King Festival, but who would have thought they would witness such a spectacle? Even more unexpectedly, the people of Sui'an admitted that they had slapped Master Ye.
In fact, many scholars in the capital sided with Sui'an, believing that a woman from Sui'an would never do such a rude thing.
But when she said that, the scholars felt embarrassed. It turned out that the people from Sui'an had really beaten Master Ye, giving him fifty lashes... Then their previous defense of the people from Sui'an was a joke...
“I was terribly wrong. I made four mistakes.” Cheng Wanwan said each word clearly and forcefully. “First, a month ago when I first arrived in the capital, Master Ye harassed my personal maid in the street. My mistake was not to give the maid to Master Ye as a concubine on the spot, which is why Master Ye held a grudge against me.”
The Ye family head's expression suddenly changed.
This is not an apology, it's clearly throwing mud!
However, before the Ye family head could speak, Cheng Wanwan continued to speak.
"Secondly, Chief Ye frequently visits the military camps outside the capital, repeatedly committing insubordination and bullying Commandant Shao. As an outsider, I should not make arbitrary accusations, because this matter has nothing to do with me!"
"Third, although Chief Ye is a civil official, he disciplined soldiers in the military camp, and two soldiers almost lost their lives as a result. Although Chief Ye's actions were not in accordance with regulations, they have nothing to do with me, a sixth-rank official!"
"Fourth, even as a mother, I shouldn't lose my composure when I see my son about to die, and I shouldn't kill Master Ye!"
"I deeply realize my mistake. If I encounter such an incident again, I will never act impulsively. I can seek justice from the general or report the case to the authorities... In short, I was wrong this time. Lord Ye wants to beat me or scold me, even if he wants to whip me five hundred times, I will never say a word!"
She knelt down, lowered her head, and admitted her mistake in a very good manner, but the words she said shocked everyone.
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