Chapter 109: You only want to marry a decent woman, not a lowly woman.
"The painting 'Lantern Festival Scenery' from the Nanshi Painting Studio is the best physical evidence."
As Su Ying spoke, she slowly unfolded the scroll in her hand.
The painting depicts a dazzling display of lights, bustling streets, and a bustling crowd. The faces of men, women, and children are all filled with festive joy. However, in one corner of the painting, there is a rather illogical scene:
A ragged, skinny old man was accompanied by a thin young boy who was also dressed in rags. In front of them stood a beautiful and elegantly dressed young lady, who was none other than Jinniang.
At a quick glance, one could easily mistake the painting for a pair of beggars, an old man and a young girl, begging for food from a wealthy young lady. However, a closer look reveals numerous doubts.
Beggars in the Great Zhou Dynasty would carry a bowl and a cane when out on the streets, to indicate their status and avoid being seen as bandits. However, the two figures in the painting are empty-handed, possessing neither a cane nor a bowl. Even more bizarre is the elder man's upright figure, his gaze piercing, his expression devoid of any attempt to curry favor. Instead, he places one hand on the young man's shoulder, seemingly giving him instructions.
Jinniang, who was sitting opposite them, not only did not keep a distance from the two of them, but was quite close to them, staring straight ahead with a nervous expression, as if she was listening to the old man's instructions.
Su Ying's gaze swept over Jinniang calmly, her voice soft but firm, "It would be difficult to convict based on just one painting. But with the little beggar's confession and your cousin's personal identification, Sister Jinniang, it's a foregone conclusion that you and Cai Jiu conspired to set up this scheme."
Jinniang chuckled softly, her expression sarcastic. "I thought it was such important evidence, but it's just a painting. If this counts as physical evidence, then I'll draw one someday and say that you and the little beggar colluded to frame me. Will that also prove your guilt?"
Su Ying shook her head, her tone still calm, "Sister Jinniang, you haven't been in the capital since you were a child, yet you know everything about the capital's affairs. I think most of it came from your mother. But time has passed, and things are no longer the same as they used to be."
"From what my aunt said just now, I believe your mother must have married and moved to Fujian around the time Your Majesty ascended the throne. It's no wonder you didn't know."
"The Imperial Concubine has always loved hustle and bustle. His Majesty, mindful of her distress in the palace, has granted her servants special permission to search the market for curiosities. Among these, paintings of Lantern Festival lanterns are particularly beloved by the Empress. Therefore, every Lantern Festival, every studio in the South Market presents their own paintings of lanterns for the Imperial Concubine's selection. To win the Imperial Concubine's favor, the painters meticulously scrutinize every detail, ensuring every detail is authentic."
“This painting is one of them.”
She unfolded the scroll in front of Jinniang and said firmly, "This painting isn't a figment of my imagination, but a depiction of a real scene. Therefore, it's not only physical evidence, but also irrefutable proof."
Su Ying's words were clear and well-reasoned, each one like a hammer striking her heart. Jin Niang was speechless for a moment, feeling a sense of powerlessness and desolation welling up from the bottom of her heart.
Growing up, she was used to hearing her mother whisper in her ear: She was the daughter of a Duke's family in Beijing. Even though the Duke's family had changed a lot now, her background was still very noble, much higher than those of her cousins.
Her mother said that her future was in Beijing, and she had to return to Beijing. Over the years, her mother's obsession gradually became hers.
However, apart from the Du family, there seemed to be no other prominent families in the capital. So, her obsession with marrying to the capital was unknowingly formed: marrying to the Du family, marrying her cousin Heng.
And now, Su Ying's words were tantamount to shattering the only thing she had wanted since she was a child.
She looked at the bright-eyed, intelligent, and talented Su Ying standing before her. Meanwhile, she herself had been exposed by her aunt, her tricks seen through by her cousin, and she was being laughed at by everyone.
Seeing the painting look so inferior, Jinniang was immediately ashamed and angry, with resentment rising in her chest. She suddenly rushed forward, wanting to tear the scroll into pieces.
Didn't you say that the painting is physical evidence, clear proof? I'll tear it up and see what evidence you have!
When Du Heng saw Su Ying approaching Jinniang to tell her story, he became wary.
He stared at the two of them intently, and indeed noticed that Jinniang's expression was different. When hatred suddenly appeared in her eyes, he almost instinctively took a step forward, stretched out his long arms, and blocked Su Ying to his side.
Caught off guard, Jinniang felt a tall figure blocking her way. She was filled with hatred and rushed forward with all her strength, her nails scratching the flesh of the person who blocked her way.
When she looked closely, it was the back of Du Heng's hand!
Su Ying screamed in surprise at the sudden change in front of her. She didn't care about the scroll that fell to the ground. She walked forward quickly and lifted Du Heng's sleeve to check his injuries.
At this moment, no amount of painkillers, no matter how effective, could outweigh Ying'er's unconcealed concern. The moment her fingertips touched his arm, it was like a gentle raindrop falling on scorched earth. He knew then that the rejection from the library, the cold words from the side hall, were all lies, untrue and unreliable.
"Heng'er!"
Cheng's exclamation made Su Ying suddenly realize that she had lost her composure. She was stunned for a moment, then quickly withdrew her hand, stepped back a few steps, lowered her head, and said nothing.
Everyone was shocked. By the time they reacted, Du Heng's hand was covered in blood. Jin Niang fell to the ground, looking terrified, muttering, "Cousin, I didn't mean to do that. I didn't mean to do that."
Cheng was furious and was about to step forward to attack, but Rong spoke at this moment.
At this moment, Rong finally assumed the demeanor of a mistress in charge of the household. Her face was imposing without anger, and her voice was calm yet steady and resolute: "Now that the truth is out, there should be no more risk of slander. Brother Heng, Second Aunt would like to borrow your study."
Du Heng immediately understood what she meant. He would stand up and stand firm, unyielding, in the debate between right and wrong. But if he wanted to persuade with affection and soft words, it would ultimately be more appropriate for Second Aunt to step in.
So he leaned forward and bowed, saying, "Second Aunt, please do as you please."
Seeing Rong's solemn expression and her son's determined gaze, Cheng fell silent unconsciously. It would be better for them to leave quickly. Heng'er's hand injury must be treated with medicine as soon as possible without any delay.
Meanwhile, Rong Shi, seeing that Du Heng had understood, showed some approval in her eyes. She nodded slightly and then turned to the rest of the people in the room. She said in a tone that brooked no argument, "You all should step aside first. Let me speak to my cousin alone for a few words."
After everyone left, only Rong and Jinniang, who was slumped on the floor, were left in the study.
Rong slowly walked up to Jinniang, helped her up, and said, "Come, sit over there with Second Aunt."
Jinniang was already filled with despair. Looking at Rong's sullen expression, she managed to force herself to say, "What's the matter? Second Aunt, seeing that the hard approach didn't work, wants to try the soft approach?"
Rong didn't respond, but just looked at her quietly, with a look of pity and heartache in her eyes.
She raised her hand and gently tucked the messy hair on Jinniang's temples behind her ears, then lowered her head to straighten her clothes.
After a long pause, he sighed, "All you want is to marry respectably, not like your mother, who married far away into a lowly family. Now, you want to marry into the capital, but I'm afraid it's impossible. But I can help you return home in glory and find a good family in Fujian. Are you willing?"
These words hit the softest spot in Jinniang's heart. Her eyes became hot and tears instantly burst out.
Since she was born, her mother has imposed her lifelong unfulfilled wishes on her.
All her childhood memories were of her mother using a cane to force her to learn the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and needlework. And all she did was just to win a gentle look, a compliment, or a bit of affection from her mother.
Over time, she learned to obey, became accustomed to submission, and only did things that satisfied her mother. She gradually lost sight of what she really wanted, and even thought that her mother's wishes were the direction of her life.
Unconsciously, she had become a tool for her mother to fulfill her long-cherished wish, and had long lost her self.
But now, Rong's words and actions suddenly awakened the self who had been trapped in his mother's obsession for a long time.
Seeing her expression change, Rong knew she had hit her soft spot, so she continued, "You've been very much favored by the old lady these days, and I don't want her to know the truth and be hurt."
"If you agree, I will tell the old lady that you have received a letter from your family, inviting you to return home. For your future, please ask the old lady to write a letter of recommendation for you as a third-rank imperial lady. I will also send someone to escort you back to Fujian, and as the mistress of the Du family, I will give you a gift to return home, so that you can return with honor."
"I will order everyone present to remain silent about what happened today. The letter you wrote was written only to ensure Heng'er's safety in the imperial examination, and it will never be used by anyone else."
......
I thought the storm had died down, but Jinniang had barely put pen to paper when Qingyun arrived in a hurry, his expression grave. "Second Madam, the officers from the Inspectorate are here, saying they've been ordered to bring the young master in for questioning."
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