Chapter 27 Jiang Liangxu: What nonsense is Madam talking about...?
The other party wants to use public opinion to attack the Jiang family. It's not enough to just make a scene at the Jiang family's doorstep; the whole of Jin'an should be in an uproar.
After that day, many heroes suddenly appeared in Jin'an to rescue damsels in distress, but because the rescued women were beautiful, rumors spread that they were forcibly taken by the men.
The ways in which heroes rescue damsels in distress are quite unique, springing up like mushrooms after rain, wild and unrestrained.
The most common scenario is that the brother and sister come to the door demanding an explanation;
What evokes pity is the elderly father who took his daughter to seek justice;
Those seeking novelty include brothers bringing their younger siblings, younger brothers bringing their widowed sisters-in-law, and children bringing their beautiful mothers.
These people were all holding the sons of high-ranking officials who had supposedly entered the city's protective camp accountable.
Like the third son of the Zhou family, the eldest son of the Zhao family, the Qian family...
Every street, alley, and alley in Jin'an is like a grand opera, with different wonderful performances unfolding.
The rapid escalation of the incident left the people of Jin'an overwhelmed with the latest gossip.
Compared to the silent and aloof behavior of the two people in front of the Jiang family's gate, the rest is quite interesting.
This led to a gradual decrease in the number of people paying attention to the area in front of the Jiang family's house.
There was a person who was deliberately arranged to give a lecture. At first, he spoke with righteous indignation, which the people listened to with great interest. They were even incited to the point of almost rioting.
But as time went on, the people lost interest in the silent brother and sister. After all, the first time you hear the same story, you are deeply moved, the second time is okay, but the third, fourth time... the more times you hear it, the less interested you become.
Even when someone mentioned the Jiang family bullying people again, some people said, "What's wrong with that? Didn't Madam Jiang give you a choice? She gave you money to support your pregnancy and let you see if the child resembled the Jiang family bloodline when it grew up. You didn't want to? Did you ever think you could cling to the position of the principal wife? You wouldn't even dare to do that in your wildest dreams."
"Let's go, let's go, there's nothing interesting here. I'm telling you, it's more lively over at the Li family's place. They're not even letting their old mother off the hook. Tsk tsk tsk, the two sides are arguing like they're putting on a grand opera. It's so exciting to watch."
"Oh, what I saw was the grandmother seeking justice for her granddaughter. It was ruthless. The granddaughter was so small. You have no idea how much the grandmother cried. She was an animal."
The crowd quickly dispersed.
Only two people remained kneeling alone in front of the door.
The servants repeatedly told Zhao Xian about what was happening outside the mansion.
Zhao Xian munched on sunflower seeds, thinking, "A professional opera singer is definitely different; she's got real talent."
She only provided a few ideas; how to compile them was entirely up to the storyteller.
He's very talented; each version is brilliant and the content is unique.
Li Lianniang listened, stunned. "Mother, are these all fake? Do so many people really believe them?"
"Whether you believe it or not is not important, as long as things get out of hand. People like to watch a show, and the more bizarre it is, the more attractive it is. As for the slander by the brother and sister, when you look back on it later, you will find that no one cares about the play that the two of them performed, because it was not exciting enough to leave a deep impression."
Li Lianniang listened attentively.
That's true.
At first, some people were indignant and sympathetic to the brother and sister, and threw rotten vegetable leaves at the Jiang family's house.
In just a few days, the area in front of the door has become deserted.
"Remember this: if anyone slanders you in the future, do not try to prove yourselves or reason with them."
“They’re all trying to harm you, so why would they listen to you? Either make them produce evidence, or try to shift the focus.”
"Proving yourself is the most useless thing. Even if you prove your innocence, the spectators will have already left. Even if you wash away the rotten vegetable leaves thrown on you, you will still have an unpleasant smell. Only you will be disgusted."
Seeing the solemn expressions on their faces, Zhao Xian didn't say anything more. These things are easy to talk about, but the key is whether you know how to handle them when you encounter them.
Zhao Xian clapped her hands, and Shaoyao quickly handed her a warm handkerchief to wipe her hands.
"When the eldest son returns, have him come to see me."
The matter has been brewing for several days now, and it's time to take it a step further. Just letting the public watch the spectacle isn't enough; it's time to put some pressure on them.
Within two days, strange rumors began to circulate about the story of the hero saving the damsel in distress but then forcibly taking her as his own.
Because the heroes in the "hero saves the beauty" story were all sons of high-ranking officials who had entered the city's garrison, after a few days of commotion, some people began to suspect that this might be a conspiracy deliberately targeting the officers and soldiers of the city's garrison.
It should be understood that the city guard camp is an important place for guarding the gates of Jin'an, the capital city. What is the purpose of these people trying to tarnish the reputation of the city guard camp officers and soldiers?
Under the emperor's nose, such remarks would be thoroughly investigated by many.
In just a few days, Jin'an City seemed to have been sealed off, becoming deserted and quiet.
The gatekeeper relayed the message to the inner gatekeeper, who then had Yingchun relay it: "Madam, the two people outside the gate have disappeared."
Zhao Xian was looking at the ceramic beads, each about the size of a thumb, white, red, purple, and green, neatly arranged in a wooden box.
The ceramic beads are all carefully selected, with uniform glaze and good luster.
These ceramic beads were made by her instructing the steward to find someone to fire them, so that they could be used to make peony-themed items to compensate the Princess.
She didn't care whether the two men stayed or left; they were just following orders.
There's a lot of negative talk about the city's defense camp going around now, and the people behind it probably won't dare make them kneel anymore.
After Jiang Wei returned from his duty, he brought news to Zhao Xian: "This morning at court, Princess Rongyang was impeached by the censor for allowing her servants to slander court officials, spread rumors, and disrupt order."
Zhao Xian was not surprised to hear the name of Princess Rongyang, after all, the original owner of this body had not offended anyone.
"Tolerating servants?" Zhao Xian laughed after hearing this. "With so many charges against her, she's managed to absolve herself of all responsibility."
They ordered the prefect of Jin'an to investigate, and the prefect released the man under pressure from above.
Now that things have blown up, we have to investigate. Since all the people on the street are opera singers, we can only start investigating from the source.
The source of this problem was the brother and sister.
Their actions at the entrances of the Lu and Jiang families were witnessed by others.
These are the kinds of crimes that can be very serious, or they can be easily overlooked.
Tsk.
-Royal Palace-
Inside the Empress Dowager's bedroom, Shouchang Palace.
Princess Rongyang had been kneeling for quite some time, her knees aching and her legs numb, but she dared not get up on her own.
“Grandmother, it was that Zhao family who framed Rongyang. How dare Rongyang shake the city's defenses?”
The Empress Dowager groaned at her words. How could she be so stupid? She was, after all, her own granddaughter. The Empress Dowager sighed, "Why did you go and provoke the Jiang family again?"
Princess Rongyang's face was full of grievance: "I asked my grandmother to issue an imperial decree to grant Nianzang a marriage to Jiang Erlang, but you refused."
The slight pity that had just arisen in the Empress Dowager's heart vanished instantly. "Are the men of the Jiang family really that good? Why do you and your daughter have to keep such a close eye on them?"
"Is marrying your daughter to the Jiang family to fulfill your own wish, or because Sixth Sister really wants to marry Jiang Erlang? She is your daughter, not a puppet for your own selfish desires."
As soon as the Empress Dowager finished speaking, a eunuch announced from outside, "His Majesty has arrived!"
Before long, footsteps approached. Princess Rongyang, who was already kneeling, turned around and bowed down: "Rongyang greets Imperial Uncle and begs Imperial Uncle to do justice for Rongyang. That Zhao family has harmed Rongyang."
The Emperor didn't even glance at Princess Rongyang, nor did he tell her to rise. Instead, he bowed to the Empress Dowager and greeted her, saying, "Your Majesty."
The Empress Dowager straightened her body slightly and nodded: "Your Majesty, what brings you here? Please sit down."
After the Emperor sat down, he glanced at the person kneeling below and said, "Rongyang just said that someone harmed you. How did they harm you? Tell me, and your imperial uncle will take care of it for you."
Princess Rongyang raised her head and said, "Those troublemakers in Jin'an were all hired by the Zhao family. They deliberately framed Rongyang, claiming that she slandered court officials, framed city guards, and damaged the imperial dignity. Rongyang did not do any of these things, and Rongyang denies them."
The Emperor smiled gently and spoke in a more amiable tone: "Yes, Your Majesty knows that the Jiang family hired a group of opera singers to perform on the streets a play about Jiang Erlang rescuing a beauty but harboring evil intentions. They do not name names or surnames, but only imply that the so-called 'hero' comes from the city guard camp."
The Emperor abruptly changed the subject: "Then what was the purpose of the person you sent to cause trouble at the Lu family's gate, who specifically named Jiang Erlang? Don't those three charges you just mentioned match up perfectly?"
The Empress Dowager looked at Princess Rongyang, who had been filled with expectation, and was suddenly terrified, turning pale.
Frustrated and disappointed, she said, "Guards, escort the princess back. Without my permission, she is not to leave the Lin family's residence."
Princess Rongyang looked up, her eyes filled with anxiety: "Grandmother."
The Empress Dowager waved her hand, and a palace maid came forward to help Princess Rongyang back down.
The Emperor watched this scene without saying a word, knowing that the Empress Dowager was protecting Rongyang.
The Empress Dowager looked at the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, please don't take it to heart."
"Mother, please arrange two tutors for Rongyang."
He's over thirty and still makes such a foolish move. Instead of ruining the marriage between the two families, he got smeared and vilified.
Even so, she still felt wronged.
The Emperor deeply suspected that the fact that Prince Duan kowtowed to save him had also influenced Princess Rongyang.
The Emperor and Empress Dowager chatted for a while, and then the Emperor left.
The Empress Dowager rubbed her aching temples: "Go and invite Lady Jiang to the palace."
-Jiang Family-
Granny He and Peony took out the robes of the Lady of the Imperial Decree; the former was responsible for smoothing them out, and the latter for fumigating them.
Normally, such imperial robes are only worn on very important occasions and are prepared in advance.
The palace summons came suddenly, so this was the only way they could handle it, hoping to avoid making a mistake.
Yingchun then did Zhao Xian's hair and makeup.
After the messenger from the palace arrived, Li Lianniang and Cui Tingyue put aside their daily affairs and rushed over.
Li Lianniang asked with some concern, "Mother, why did the Empress Dowager suddenly summon you?"
Zhao Xian looked at herself in the bronze mirror, picking out the jewelry she wanted to wear: "This morning, Princess Rongyang went to the palace before dawn. The Empress Dowager wants to see me, perhaps it's related to this matter."
She was impeached and then immediately entered the palace; she moved quite quickly.
Ever since returning from delivering the gift letter to the Lu family, Zhao Xian had arranged for people to keep a close eye on the Lin family and report back at the slightest sign of trouble.
"You all don't need to stay here with me anymore, go and do your own things." Zhao Xian herself was also a little uneasy, because Princess Rongyang was related to people in the palace.
But she didn't want to show it, for fear of making them worry.
The Empress Dowager summoned her to the palace by imperial decree; she couldn't possibly deny it.
They boarded the carriage with Granny He.
Granny He had also come from the palace, so she was familiar with the rules and the roads.
Upon arriving at the Empress Dowager's Shouchang Palace, Zhao Xian, having been summoned, entered the hall, lifted her skirt, knelt, and bowed, saying, "Your subject, Zhao, greets the Empress Dowager and wishes her good health."
"Rise, please take a seat."
Zhao Xian was somewhat surprised by the Empress Dowager's easygoing nature and lack of any difficult behavior, but she still dared not let her guard down.
Only half of his buttocks were touching the stool.
The Empress Dowager spoke first: "Zhao, you are very good at raising sons."
Here she comes, Zhao Xian said, sitting up straight and speaking sincerely: "Their father is in charge of teaching the children. I am just a woman, how could I know anything about that?"
Jiang Liangxu should pay for the emotional debts he caused.
Zhao Xian was the main person in charge. I don't know, I didn't teach her, it wasn't me, it was all done by Jiang Liangxu.
The Empress Dowager's voice did not reveal any displeasure. Instead, she said, "Zhao, don't be modest. Both of your Jiang family's sons are well-educated and raised. They are handsome and talented. The Emperor regretted it back then. He originally wanted your eldest son to marry a princess, but who knew that a marriage was arranged for them so early on."
Alarm bells rang in Zhao Xian's mind.
He tightened his grip under his sleeve before saying, "When my husband was sent to serve as an official in a remote area, he received a favor from the Zeng family. In addition, the two children grew up together and developed a bond, so they arranged their marriage early on."
She mentally reviewed every word she spoke, making sure she didn't say anything that would give anyone cause for criticism.
She just didn't understand why the Empress Dowager would suddenly bring up the Emperor's original intention to marry Princess Jiang Wei, when the eldest son and his wife had been married for over a year and had a child.
The Empress Dowager's tone was never serious from beginning to end; it was very casual, as if she were chatting about everyday matters. She then said, "You have two sons, and you've missed out on one of them. How about letting your second son marry the sixth daughter of the Lin family?"
Almost the instant the Empress Dowager finished speaking, Zhao Xian had already stood up and knelt down.
"To be honest, Your Majesty, my second son was recently engaged to the third daughter of the Lu family. I know that the sixth daughter of the Lin family is Your Majesty's great-granddaughter and cannot be a concubine. But the Lu family's daughter is also a good girl, and I don't want to wrong her." Zhao Xian kowtowed as she spoke, saying, "I humbly beg Your Majesty to grant me a favor and bestow upon the third daughter of the Lu family the title of County Princess. I will handle the matter of the Jiang family and the Lu family annuling their engagement."
Zhao Xian's words were not soft at all; they were firm and resolute.
An appreciative glint appeared in the Empress Dowager's eyes. She was merely testing the waters; she had expected Zhao Shi to refuse, but to her surprise…
I couldn't help but sigh inwardly, what does Rongyang have to compete with them!
Rongyang had been pleading for his daughter's favor as a county princess for so many years, but the Emperor had remained silent.
Zhao's words implied that if Lin Nianzang wanted to marry into the Jiang family, she would have to compensate Lu San-guniang.
If this is really done, even if the Jiang family and the Lu family break off the engagement, the Lu family will still have to remember her kindness.
With such good interpersonal skills, Rongyang's defeat was not unjust.
Zhao Xian could not see the Empress Dowager's face, nor did she know what decision she was making, so she could only lie on the ground and wait.
A soft laugh rang out, and the Empress Dowager's voice sounded again: "Get up. You are quite an interesting person. Come to the palace often to chat with me."
As Zhao Xian rose, a palace maid appeared before her with a tray. The Empress Dowager said, "This is a congratulatory gift from me for the engagement of the two families' children. May they be a perfect match, as you wish."
Zhao Xian knelt down again to express her gratitude before rising to accept the pair of jade ruyi scepters.
The Empress Dowager had someone escort Zhao Xian away.
Neither of them mentioned Princess Rongyang from the moment they met, but Zhao Xian knew that the Empress Dowager must have summoned her to the palace because of Princess Rongyang.
Granny He was waiting outside the hall. When she saw Zhao Xian come out, she hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Madam."
Zhao Xian smiled, using her expression to let her know that everything was alright.
"Let's go back."
Although she didn't know the Empress Dowager's purpose in summoning her to the palace, Zhao Xian knew one thing: Princess Rongyang had the idea of marrying Lin Liu Niang to Jiang Heng.
They even went to the Empress Dowager to plead their case.
She couldn't help but curse inwardly: "You're sick!"
She had only ever seen such plots in novels, where someone who couldn't marry the man they loved would marry their daughter to someone else's son, or have someone else's son marry their daughter.
It's absolutely disgusting.
As Zhao Xian emerged from the palace and passed through the palace gates, she saw Jiang Wei standing outside. She asked in surprise, "Wei'er, what are you doing here?"
Jiang Wei took two steps forward and said, "Lianniang sent a servant to tell me that Mother has gone to the palace and that her son is waiting here for Mother to return home."
Although his face remained expressionless, the lingering worry in his eyes warmed Zhao Xian's heart.
She reached out and patted Jiang Wei's arm; Jiang Wei was so tall that she couldn't even reach his shoulder when he stood up straight. "Let's go."
Zhao Xian had the coachman drive the carriage to the Lu family first.
Since it was afternoon, Lord Lu and his son were also at home.
Lord Lu and his son greeted Jiang Wei and led him to the study, while Zhao Xian and Madam Lu went to the flower hall in the backyard.
Madam Lu pulled Zhao Xian to a seat, looked her up and down, and asked with concern, "Why did the Empress Dowager suddenly summon your wife to the palace?"
"For this." Zhao Xian opened the brocade box and pointed to the jade ruyi inside, saying, "The Empress Dowager knew that our two families' children were engaged, so she specially bestowed a pair of jade ruyi upon them. My Heng'er kept one, and Third Sister took the other. When Third Sister marries into the Jiang family, they will be a pair."
Seeing the jade ruyi bearing the imperial mark, and judging from Zhao Xian's relaxed demeanor, it seemed that the Empress Dowager had not made things difficult for her.
Mrs. Lu breathed a sigh of relief.
"By the way, Princess Rongyang has been confined to her quarters, and the Empress Dowager has arranged for two nannies to tutor her."
Even now, Madam Lu still doesn't understand why Princess Rongyang sabotaged the engagement between the Jiang and Lu families.
She's already so old, does she really want to marry Jiang Erlang?
Staying at home is good; it keeps them from causing trouble and creating chaos.
Zhao Xian was summoned to the palace and was unaware of what was happening there. However, it seems that the Empress Dowager is a reasonable person.
Speaking of sweet romance novels, even getting engaged is fraught with twists and turns. I wonder if there will be more trouble later on!
To be honest, Zhao Xian wanted to get the wedding of the male and female protagonists in her sweet romance novel done right now, the sooner the better.
Unfortunately, Lu Zhaoying was not yet of marriageable age, and the Lu family, feeling sorry for their daughter, was unwilling to marry her off so early.
After bidding farewell to the Lu family, the mother and son returned to the Jiang family twice.
Because of the widespread rumors of honey traps and entrapment among the city's guards, Jin'an has been under martial law recently, and the streets are very quiet.
Inside the carriage, Zhao Xian sat next to Granny He, with Jiang Wei sitting beside her.
“My mother has been acting in a way that is somewhat similar to what she did back in Xingyang City.”
Zhao Xian was talking to Granny He when she suddenly heard him speak, which startled her.
However, the sudden mention of the past made Zhao Xian's heart skip a beat. What did this mean? Did he doubt her?
"Granny, I need to wash and fumigate these clothes properly when I get back. Judging from the Empress Dowager's tone today, she might summon me again," Zhao Xian said to Granny He, straightening her sleeves.
Pretend not to hear Jiang Wei's words.
When Xingyang City was suddenly mentioned, she had no recollection of it, only knowing that it was a place where Jiang Liangxu had once been stationed.
--
Princess Rongyang was confined to her quarters, and all the previously sensational stories of heroes rescuing beauties vanished in an instant.
After the marriage between the Jiang and Lu families was arranged, Zhao Xian also had people spread the word that the Empress Dowager had given jade ruyi to the younger generation of both families.
Those who had their eyes on Jiang Erlang lamented that they were too slow.
With the successful firing of the ceramic beads, Zhao Xian had something else to do and no time to worry about anything else.
A month passed by quietly.
In late May, the temperature suddenly turned hot, with the blazing sun visible in the mornings and evenings.
The summer clothes for the household were distributed half a month ahead of schedule.
Zhao Xian didn't have much of an appetite, so she suggested, "Let's get some ice to eat; it's so hot these days."
"No, Mother said she wanted to eat ice a few days ago, but she felt unwell for two days afterward. I dare not let you eat it again."
Having handled household affairs for a long time, Li Lianniang's demeanor had changed, and she spoke louder and more forcefully.
Zhao Xian said somewhat embarrassedly, "I was being greedy then, I'll eat less this time."
There are few desserts here, and even fewer iced desserts that suit my taste. I couldn't resist having an extra bowl that day.
Li Lianniang shook her head firmly, "The physician said that you have injured your internal organs and need to rest for a month or two, otherwise you will feel unwell again. You are not good when taking medicine, and you cannot eat cold food. Mother, please bear with it."
Zhao Xian feigned sadness and said, "It's over. I put you in charge of general affairs, and now you've even started managing me."
Li Lianniang said reproachfully, "If Mother were as obedient as Xiu'er when taking medicine, perhaps she could eat ice a few days earlier."
The mention of medicine made Zhao Xian feel unwell. "I'll just take it easy and recover slowly. All medicines have side effects, so I should take them sparingly."
Cui Tingyue, who was listening in, was delighted.
Yingchun entered the room and reported, "Madam, the gatekeeper in the front courtyard has sent word that Princess Rongyang has arrived."
Upon hearing the words "Princess Rongyang," the smiles on their faces vanished instantly.
"Mother, I'm going..."
Zhao Xian pressed down on Li Lianniang's hand and said to Yingchun, "Go and invite the princess in."
They didn't even send a formal invitation, which shows they weren't there to have a proper conversation.
Zhao Xian received Princess Rongyang in the front hall. Watching her walk towards them from afar, Zhao Xian sighed, wondering why the royal family hadn't found a chain to restrain her. What if she bit someone? She had no sense of public morality.
Thinking this to herself, she had already risen to greet the princess, saying, "Your subject, Zhao, respectfully welcomes the princess."
"Madam Jiang, do you know why I've come here today?"
Princess Rongyang's face was full of arrogance, showing no shame whatsoever for the fact that she had recently tripped up the Jiang family behind their backs.
Zhao Xian was surprised by her shamelessness and quite envious: "Please enlighten me, Princess."
Princess Rongyang sat down on the stool. "I have come to collect the compensation from you on behalf of my aunt."
"Princess, please return. I cannot hand over the compensation to you."
"What do you mean by that, Madam Jiang? I represent the Eldest Princess. Are you trying to renege on your compensation by refusing to hand over the items to me?"
Before Zhao Xian could speak, Princess Rongyang continued, "Are you not prepared yet? I must remind Madam Jiang that your aunt has already shown mercy by giving you a chance to make amends for the imperial gift. If you continue to be perfunctory, I will definitely take this matter to the Emperor."
"May I ask what the princess intends to accuse my wife of before the Emperor?"
A gentle, refined voice sounded behind Zhao Xian.
Before Zhao Xian could turn around, she saw Princess Rongyang slowly stand up, her face showing a complex expression as she looked behind her.
A mixture of joy, sorrow, resentment, and hatred emanated from the person who had just been arrogant, now giving off an indescribable sense of vulnerability and helplessness.
The sheer complexity of the material, comparable to a textbook, left Zhao Xian in awe; this is what true acting is all about.
If her artists had this kind of acting skill, they wouldn't need to be ridiculed by everyone.
However, an untimely voice completely ruined the performance.
"Princess, you have not yet answered my question. What are you accusing my wife of?"
"My lady is timid and gentle, and doesn't cause trouble. May I ask what leverage the princess has over her that allows her to threaten to report this to the Emperor?"
“Princess, why don’t you present the evidence? I, Jiang Liangxu, will take the blame for your wife.”
Princess Rongyang's face was filled with complex emotions, but ultimately, sorrow prevailed. Her lips murmured, and one could hear her calling out, "Jiang Zangming, you..."
Just as Zhao Xian thought she was about to pounce on her, she saw Princess Rongyang suddenly run away from Jiang Liangxu.
Zhao Xian: "Huh?"
He glanced at Princess Rongyang, who had run away, and then at the tall, upright man at the door, dressed in a silver-gray, curved-collar, right-fastening narrow robe.
Zhao Xian stared at his face for a while longer and concluded that he was not as handsome as his two sons.
To be honest, he was not quite the Jiang Liangxu she had imagined. At first glance, he didn't seem like a scourge to the country, so how did he manage to bewitch Princess Rongyang into becoming mentally challenged?
Aren't you going to chase after them?
Jiang Liangxu glanced at her in the direction of her gaze and then looked away, asking, "Did you drink fake alcohol?"
Zhao Xian was baffled by the question and subconsciously retorted, "I don't drink, who drinks in broad daylight?"
And what is the meaning of this fake liquor?
"So what nonsense is Madam spouting?"
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Author's note: I didn't deliberately create any mystery in the previous chapters, so I was worried that this chapter might feel too abrupt. However, many readers guessed it correctly, which is fantastic.
Updates will be unstable for now. I'll stabilize them once I've reached a certain word count.
Thank you so much for today's big surprise! It's the first time I've ever received such a gift, I'm so flattered! [Sprinkling flowers emojis]
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