"Princess, shall we continue?"
Chunyu really didn't know what to say. The Second Princess's plan was full of loopholes. If it weren't for her master wanting to play along, she would have been subdued by the mistress long ago.
"They've all followed us?"
Xiuning didn't say anything, but asked about the person she had asked Fucha for before leaving the house.
Chunyu nodded, then waved to an open space in front of her.
Soon, the jungle trembled from side to side, and a man who looked like a steward quickly ran to Xiuning's side, "This servant greets the eldest princess."
"Have they caught him?"
Xiuning looked up at the white cloth strips hanging on the tree branches, fluttering everywhere in the wind.
"We've caught him. He couldn't take it anymore and confessed everything, whether he should or shouldn't have."
The steward was speechless. With such limited abilities, they dared to plot against the Hitara clan. They were truly courting death.
"It's good that you've said it," Xiu Ning said, not really interested in meeting the scholar who wanted to climb the social ladder.
Xiuning called Chunyu over and whispered a few words to her.
Xiuning left with Chunyu and the steward. When Chunyu returned, Xiuning already knew that the matter had been settled.
"Let's take a shortcut back."
Xiu Ning sighed, thinking to herself that Aunt Qin wasn't stupid, so how did she end up in this mess? After this matter was over, her father might be heartless again. Aunt Qin, who hadn't been abandoned a few years ago, would probably not escape this calamity this time.
...
"Chuntao, do you think our eldest sister will really continue on this path?"
Ruojin, supported by Chuntao's arm, dragged her aching left leg and walked very slowly.
"I think so. Princess, you were referring to the bamboo forest on the mountain, which has a serene and elegant scenery."
The eldest princess usually loves this kind of scenery, so she'll definitely want to enjoy it.
Chun Tao was unaware of Ruo Jin's malicious intentions. She only thought that the Second Princess's actions were merely an attempt to curry favor with the head of the household. After all, the Second Princess was less than a year younger than the First Princess, and once the First Princess finished her selection of consorts, the Second Princess should also be engaged.
"Princess, as long as the eldest princess is happy, the madam will be happy, and then you won't have to worry about your marriage."
Chuntao was genuinely happy for her princess. If the legitimate mother was willing to take care of her, the life of the concubine's daughter would be much better.
"I hope so," Ruojin had no intention of getting married. Her heart and mind were set on entering the palace, gaining favor, and becoming the Empress Dowager. She only gave Chuntao a perfunctory reply.
When the two returned to the room in the temple where they were temporarily staying, Ruojin saw Xiuning, who should have been in the bamboo forest behind the mountain with the down-on-his-luck scholar.
"Big, big sister?"
Her eyes widened instantly. Ruojin broke free from Chuntao's support and dragged her injured left leg to Xiuning's side. "What are you doing here, sister?"
Xiuning blinked, her expression calm. "Second sister, what you're saying makes no sense. If I'm not here, where else could I be?"
"You shouldn't be in the bamboo forest behind the mountain."
The words that were about to slip out took a sudden turn. Ruojin quickly covered her lips and instinctively stepped back.
Because of her leg injury, Ruojin fell to the ground, looking quite disheveled.
Xiuning stood up, took small steps to Ruojin's side, and bowed slightly. "Second sister, it's time to go back to the manor."
After saying that, no matter how unpleasant Ruojin's expression was, Xiuning walked away with remarkable ease.
What followed left Ruojin in a daze.
Because she was not fully conscious, Ruojin did not notice that Aunt Qin and her younger sister Ruomian seemed to have vanished into thin air during the return journey.
While the carriage was being repaired, Xiuning simply got into the Fucha family's carriage and said, "Mother, I need to trouble you and Father to tell them about Ruojin's matter."
It's not that my daughter doesn't cherish sisterly affection, but if Jin's intentions are impure, forcing her to stay in the manor could lead to endless trouble.
Fucha sighed and nodded seriously to Xiuning. "I'm not blaming you, but if you hadn't asked someone to handle it beforehand, I would never have agreed to your risky trip."
You and Ruojin are worlds apart. If something happens to you, Aunt Qin and the others will not survive, even though she gave birth to two daughters for your father.
The distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children is as vast as an insurmountable chasm.
Xiuning, your actions today are due to the Xitala clan; the actions of others tomorrow will also be related to their surname.
This world is inherently unfair, and all of Ruojin's efforts will be in vain. The rigidity of class and the shackles of feudalism are not so easily broken.
For Lady Fucha, Xiuning's actions today were reckless. If she hadn't prepared a backup plan beforehand, it would have been a complete failure. It was unwise for her, as the legitimate daughter, to clash head-on with a concubine's daughter.
If this had happened to Lady Fucha, she would have simply reported it to the authorities and nipped it in the bud to ensure that no accidents would have occurred.
After listening to Fucha's words, Xiuning understood that her mother was teaching her that no matter what, she should always have the mindset of striking first and valuing herself.
"Mother, rest assured, your daughter has learned her lesson."
"If you care, you will remember it. These words may not be pleasant to hear, but they are the truth."
Lady Fucha smiled and touched Xiuning's cheek, watching her go back before the carriage set off again.
...
"Princess, what's wrong?"
Chunyu carefully observed Xiuning's expression, who seemed hesitant to put down the teacup she was holding.
Xiu Ning shook her head slightly. "It's nothing. I was just thinking that some things were indeed handled improperly." She had never been to this dynasty before, and she didn't know how distorted this world was. Today, Anhua Temple's handling of Ruo Jin's matter would have been a normal approach in other feudal societies, but in the current situation, there was a different focus, which was something Xiu Ning hadn't expected.
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