Chapter 25: Defamation
Wei Mingzhen looked at her with a hint of surprise, "Miss Zhou, this is not proper."
Zhou Ruolan said, "I'll only delay you for a moment, sir. I have something important to tell the Third Young Master."
Wei Mingzhen was about to refuse.
"It's about Jiang Rufei."
The words of refusal were stuck in his throat. Wei Mingzhen pursed his lips, hesitated for a moment, and took a few steps to the other side.
Zhou Ruolan hurriedly followed, looked around, and whispered, "This matter is none of my business, but I just can't bear to see Third Young Master Wei being deceived."
Wei Mingzhen frowned, "If you have something to say, just say it directly."
"Does the Third Young Master Wei know that Jiang Rufei has an affair with Prince Zhaoning?" Zhou Ruolan deliberately emphasized the last two words.
Wei Mingzhen immediately frowned, "Miss Zhou, please be careful with your words."
"You don't believe it?" Zhou Ruolan said anxiously, "I saw it with my own eyes. They had a secret meeting in the garden before the banquet started!"
Wei Mingzhen's face instantly turned gloomy.
"Ms. Zhou," he interrupted coldly, "If you defame someone else's reputation without any evidence, you will be held accountable."
Zhou Ruolan's face turned pale. "Everything I said is true! Jiang Rufei..."
"Shut up!" Wei Mingzhen's anger surged, and he said coldly, "I already know that Miss Jiang Er is acquainted with Prince Zhaoning. It's definitely not the affair you claim."
Although he had seen Jiang Rufei and Pei Jing together many times, they were all in public and definitely not to the extent that Zhou Ruolan said they were having an affair. Besides, no one would be stupid enough to have a secret meeting in the palace.
"You knew?" Zhou Ruolan was incredulous. "Since you know, you should know that they are definitely more than just acquaintances."
"I already know about this matter." Wei Mingzhen said in a deep voice, "Besides, it has nothing to do with you. Miss Zhou, please keep your mouth shut and don't slander others."
Zhou Ruolan was stunned.
How come this is completely different from what she imagined?
She originally planned to tell Wei Mingzhen about this. Wei Mingzhen was Jiang Rufei's fiancé, and he would definitely not be able to swallow the humiliation of being cuckolded.
At that time, it would be a struggle between the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion and the Zhaoning Prince Mansion. Jiang Rufei would be disgraced, and she would reap the benefits.
Even if the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion did not break up with Jiang Rufei due to the power of Prince Zhaoning, the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion would not tolerate Jiang Rufei.
But why didn't these two situations happen?
Wei Mingzhen knew it clearly, yet he remained so tolerant. Was he afraid of Pei Jing, or was he so in love with Jiang Rufei that he was willing to even be cuckolded?
Zhou Ruolan clenched the handkerchief in her hand unwillingly, a trace of resentment flashing in her eyes, "Since Master Wei can tolerate this, then I must have said too much."
She turned and left.
"etc!"
A glimmer of hope ignited in Zhou Ruolan's heart, but she heard Wei Mingzhen say coldly, "Do you know what the consequences will be if your nonsense gets out?"
Zhou Ruolan's back instantly broke out in a cold sweat. "I know, I know."
Pei Jing might kill her, and the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion would not let her off easily.
Wei Mingzhen nodded and walked past her towards the carriage.
He seemed calm, but he was actually very restless inside.
Jiang Rufei is his fiancée, and he should be the one to speak on any issue. It is not the turn of an outsider to interfere or stir up trouble.
He didn't want to make malicious assumptions about Jiang Rufei, but he had seen her interact with Pei Jing several times. He originally thought about canceling the engagement directly, but he was afraid that his excessive thoughts would ruin her life. A woman who had been broken off could only marry down if she wanted to remarry, so he had been hesitant to make a decision.
Wei Ciying was still waiting by the carriage. When she saw Wei Mingzhen, she asked, "What did Zhou Ruolan want to talk to you about my sister-in-law?"
"fine."
"It's okay, you have a dark face."
Wei Mingzhen softened his tone, "It's just nonsense."
Wei Ciying understood after he said that.
She said, "This is why I don't like getting close to those girls. They have nothing to do all day and always love to gossip about others behind their backs. Third brother, please don't believe them."
…
Yao Shi hadn't slept yet so late because she was going to ask her about the palace banquet. She asked someone to guard the gate and told Jiang Fei to go to her Fusui Garden as soon as she came back.
Who knew that I would wait and wait but no one showed up. Later I heard from the servants that the second young lady went back to the courtyard as soon as she came back and would come again tomorrow.
Yao had waited until now, and when she heard the words "come back tomorrow", she was immediately furious.
"Master, look at this child." Yao said angrily.
Jiang Bingshi smiled and tried to smooth things over. "Well, tomorrow is tomorrow. There's no need to rush. Besides, it's already so late. Just take a rest."
What Yao hated most was his mild nature, always saying everything was fine.
When she married him, she thought he was gentle and that they could have a good relationship, but she didn't know he was so gentle and didn't compete with the second and third wives.
If she didn't have some tricks up her sleeve, who knows how badly their eldest wife would have been bullied.
As Yao took off his outer robe, she complained, "Look, she never took me, her mother, seriously. After going to the palace, she thinks she's a big shot."
"Let's see, it's not a big deal."
The more Yao thought about it, the angrier she became. She put her clothes away and turned around, "I want to see what this girl is busy with."
Jiang Bingshi hurriedly advised: "Oh, Madam, it's so late..."
"Why late?" Yao shook his hand away. "As a mother, how can I not see her?"
Jiang Bingshi couldn't persuade her and was too lazy to do so. He didn't want to take care of household affairs anyway, so he took off his shoes and went straight to bed.
Yao and her personal nanny angrily entered Jiang Fei's west wing.
As soon as I entered the yard, the lights in the house suddenly went out.
Yao was furious and pointed at the door. "What does she mean by this?"
Jiutao opened the door and came out, holding a basin of water and bowing, "Madam, the young lady has gone to bed."
Yao sneered, "She doesn't sleep early or late, but she falls asleep as soon as I come."
"Yes, I went to bed a long time ago." Jiu Tao corrected, "I went to bed as soon as I came back. I was just cleaning up in the room."
Yao looked at the basin she was holding, then at Yunxiang standing in the corridor, and said, "Come with me."
Yunxiang followed Yao out of the yard.
"Miss Second went to sleep right after she came back?" asked Mrs. Yao.
Yunxiang is considered an elder in the mansion and has been with Jiang Rufei for many years. In the past, she would have spoken the truth. In this way, when Jiang Rufei was scolded, she would comfort her and Jiang Rufei would be even more obedient to her.
But now it’s different. Although she stays with Jiang Rufei, she no longer trusts her. Life is not easy for an unfavored maid.
Yunxiang immediately said, "Madam, the young lady came back and said she was tired and went straight to sleep. I guess it's because the palace has too many rules and regulations and it's very tiring."
Yao's expression eased slightly, she glanced into the courtyard again, and walked away unsatisfied.
After Yao left, Yunxiang immediately walked to the door to ask for credit, "Miss, I told Madam that Miss has gone to bed and Madam has gone home."
There was no sound in the room. Just as Yunxiang was about to knock on the door, it was opened from the inside.
Jiu Tao looked worried and said, "He still doesn't say anything, and he won't tell me what happened in the palace."
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