Chapter 39 Princess Wenxin
Of the several execution grounds in the capital, the one most frequently used was the execution ground in the southern part of the city. The southern part of the city was primarily inhabited by commoners, making executions there more intimidating.
Today, Su Yuezhen was flogged at Caishikou in the western part of the city. The imperial palace is located in the western part of the capital, and high-ranking officials and nobles also reside there.
When Jiang Yu, Lu Yifang, Cheng Yunxiu, and the rest of the Chu State Duke's family arrived at the Yuelai Teahouse at the West City Market, it was already fully light. Outside the teahouse, carriages and horses were bustling about. Jiang Yu glanced at the rows of carriages and knew that today was anything but ordinary.
She followed Lu Yifang inside and was greeted by a waiter as they headed upstairs. After only a few steps, a cheerful female voice came from upstairs, "Madam Jiang, you've arrived too?"
Lu Yifang looked up and saw Lady Anling smiling at her from the top of the stairs. She quickly walked over and exchanged pleasantries with Lady Anling. Jiang Yu could feel Lady Anling glancing at her from time to time.
She knew that the Lady of Anling must know some inside information, since the notice was printed at the Lady of Anling's bookstore. Or rather, from the moment she entered the palace, almost all the powerful and influential people in the capital knew her identity and her entanglements with Qi Yuanhong and Su Yuezhen.
She was already mentally prepared, so she looked at Lady Anling Marquis with great composure. When their eyes met, Jiang Yu even gave her a bright smile.
Jiang Yu had gotten to know a bit about the powerful and influential people in the capital over the past few days. For example, the Marquis of Anling was a reckless and unruly man, but he was tightly controlled by his wife. The Marquis of Anling was very good at business and owned quite a few properties.
This person could potentially become a business partner in the future.
Lady Anling was startled by Jiang Yu's gaze, and after a moment of stunned silence, she smiled and asked Lu Yifang about Jiang Yu's identity.
Lu Yifang pulled Jiang Yu to her side and first introduced her to the identity of the Marquis of Anling. After Jiang Yu bowed to her, Lu Yifang took Jiang Yu's hand and said, "This is my Zhu'er."
Lady Anling was "surprised" for a moment, then said, "It's been found?"
Lu Yifang smiled, "Yes, it's been found."
“That’s wonderful news,” said Lady Anling with a smile. “You’ve finally overcome all your hardships.”
Lu Yifang smiled happily, "Yes, I feel so much more relaxed since my Zhu'er came back."
The two exchanged a few more pleasantries before parting ways. Although they had both come to see Su Yuezhen being caned, neither of them mentioned it, nor did they ask each other why they were there. Everyone knew the truth.
Jiang Yu and the others entered the room they had booked in advance. After entering, Lu Yifang said to Jiang Yu, "This Lady of Anling Marquis has had a tough time. She also comes from a high-ranking family and was excellent in every way, including talent and appearance. However, she was tricked by her stepsister into marrying that playboy, Marquis Anling."
You have no idea how dissolute Marquis Anling was back then. He indulged in all sorts of vices, from teasing cats and dogs to indulging in drinking, gambling, and whoring. He was the most dissolute playboy in the capital. When news of her marriage to Marquis Anling spread, everyone was worried for her.
But who knew that after the marriage, the Marquis of Anling became much more docile. Later, he stopped all his previous dissolute behavior, and even dismissed his former concubines and maids, choosing to live alone with her.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yu thought to himself, "The Lady of Anling Marquis is truly extraordinary in her methods."
Just then, a commotion arose outside, followed by a woman's voice, "Who's in this room? I'm not taking his room; I'm just sharing it with him, is that not allowed?"
"Yes, yes, I'll ask the guests inside right away."
Hearing the noise outside, Lu Yifang stood up and whispered to Jiang Yu, "It's Princess Wenxin."
Jiang Yu was taken aback. She had heard some rumors about this Princess Wenxin in the past few days. She was the current emperor's younger sister and was greatly favored by him. She should be about twenty-eight or twenty-nine years old now, but she had never married, and she also had several male favorites in her princess's residence.
In response, some ministers impeached the emperor, but he clearly stated, "My sister can do whatever she wants, let alone keep a few male lovers."
Since then, no one has impeached Princess Wenxin for her private life. However, this is also because Princess Wenxin, although favored and keeping male lovers was against the prevailing social norms, did not abuse her power. Therefore, the censors had no need to hold a grudge against a princess with no real power.
At this moment, Lu Yifang had already reached the door, opened it, and bowed to Princess Wenxin, saying, "Greetings, Princess."
"So you are the wife of the Duke of Chu's heir!" Princess Wenxin's voice was full of interest. She added, "It seems I've come at a very opportune time. How about we squeeze into the same room?"
"It is my honor." Lu Yifang stepped aside to invite Princess Wenxin in.
As soon as she entered, everyone in the room bowed to her. Princess Wenxin waved her hand, indicating that everyone should dispense with the formalities, and then her gaze fell on Jiang Yu.
She asked, "And who is this?"
"This is my daughter, Jiang Yu." Lu Yifang pulled Jiang Yu closer, and Jiang Yu bowed to Princess Wenxin.
Princess Wenxin looked her up and down, then laughed, "Is this top scholar's eye blinded by shit? You are far superior to that Su Si."
Jiang Yu didn't understand her personality, so she smiled but didn't say anything. However, Princess Wenxin seemed very interested in her, and pulled her to sit by the window, saying, "I think it's more interesting to watch this play with you today."
Jiang Yu smiled at her, then poured her a cup of tea and said, "This humble woman also finds it interesting."
"Oh, tell me how it's interesting?" Princess Wenxin asked Jiang Yu.
Looking at the crowd packed in front of the execution platform outside, Jiang Yu said, "Just a few days ago, Miss Su was still clamoring in front of me, saying that if I didn't get a divorce, she would give me a letter of divorce. Today, I am here watching her being publicly flogged, which is naturally quite interesting."
Princess Wenxin laughed heartily, and then Jiang Yu added, "Furthermore..."
Princess Wenxin seemed to be in a good mood at the moment and asked, "What else?"
Jiang Yu picked up her teacup and raised it, "Furthermore, I am very pleased to have met the Princess today."
"Hahaha..." Princess Wenxin laughed again, then said to Lu Yifang, "Your daughter is good, interesting."
Lu Yifang hadn't expected Jiang Yu to say these things to Princess Wenxin, and for a moment she didn't know how to react, so she could only smile awkwardly from the side.
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