Chapter 82 The Farce at the Wedding
"A little unpleasantness occurred, and we had a discussion. Shanggong, please don't take it to heart. By the way, I taught Lady Dingyuan the principles of conduct, but I don't know if she listened."
Seeing Zhao Xian's calm and even slightly playful smile, Wang Shanggong opened her mouth, wondering if she was still so self-righteous after hitting someone.
A eunuch hurried over and said to the female official, "Your Excellency, the Sixth Prince wants you to take Lady Dingyuan to wash up. Don't disturb the ladies' enjoyment of the opera."
Lady Wang glanced at the Lady of Dingyuan, who hadn't offered any explanation and naturally didn't want to cause any trouble. "Ladies, please enjoy your food and drinks."
With the help of a palace maid, the Lady of Dingyuan Marquis and the others disappeared from everyone's sight.
Noticing that Cui Tingyue's pearls were in disarray, Zhao Xian reached out to smooth them out for her.
Madam Xu and Madam Li watched the whole thing and looked at each other in bewilderment.
Madam Xu did not expect Zhao Xian to be so impatient, taking action directly in front of so many people.
She hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not go forward.
Madam Li exclaimed in amazement, "I heard that girl is an adopted daughter. Madam Jiang is very sentimental."
Even if they're not your own children, you can still go to this extent.
"Madam Jiang, please have a seat here."
A lady greeted him.
Everyone present knew Lady Dingyuan's character and looked down on her from the bottom of their hearts. Her son had such a bad reputation, yet she still wanted to find a girl from a good family.
They had some guesses when they heard Zhao Xian scolding the Lady of Dingyuan, but they didn't know the details.
Zhao Xian did not refuse, and pulled Cui Tingyue over to sit down, generously satisfying the curiosity of the ladies present, while also giving Cui Tingyue a legitimate reputation.
However, Zhao Xian still noticed that some of the ladies who had previously been very interested in Cui Tingyue had given up on the idea.
It seems she was too fierce and scared people.
"Pan'er? Are you cold?"
Liu Pan'er also came today. Since the last time at Guluo Temple, she has been confined to her home copying "Rules for Women" and "Precepts for Women" because someone complained about her. She was only released today.
Seeing the mother and daughter beating someone in public, Liu Pan'er was terrified.
She had originally intended to teach Cui Tingyue a lesson in private for the time she was humiliated in the palace, but after seeing Cui Tingyue's underhanded tactics, she began to back down.
In the backyard of the Sixth Prince's residence, a figure was hiding and frantically avoiding the palace maids and eunuchs.
There were many people today, but she didn't know who to ask for help and hadn't seen anyone she knew.
At the foot of the artificial hill not far away.
Lin Nianzang looked at the injuries on Lady Dingyuan's face with heartache, and pulled Lady Dingyuan, who wanted to leave the table, saying: "How hateful! She just thought that my godmother was easy to bully, and she dared to humiliate you in front of so many people. My godmother just swallowed her anger and ran away?"
Lady Dingyuan touched her cheek. Wouldn't it be a laughing stock if she stayed? Besides, she dared not gamble with what Zhao Xian had said.
"It's all my fault for not being there at the time, otherwise I could have helped. I feel so bad for my godmother being injured." Noticing that Lady Dingyuan had no reaction, a hint of disdain flashed in Lin Niancang's eyes. "That Lady Jiang is really arrogant. Forget it, we can't afford to offend her. Let's just be the soft persimmon and not provoke her."
As if she had triggered some kind of mechanism, Lady Dingyuan instantly flew into a rage, "Who's the pushover? Can't you speak properly?"
Lin Nianzang quickly comforted her, saying, "Godmother, calm down. It's all for the sake of our children's reputation."
Lady Dingyuan shook off Lin Nianzang's hand, "Pah! She's not even his biological son. She treats an outsider like a treasure and dares to look down on my son."
Lin Nianzang continued to persuade, "Godmother, let it go. Madam Jiang doesn't agree to this marriage, and nothing we do can change her mind. Let it go."
Lady Dingyuan's anger was ignited and could not be extinguished. "Let it go? No way. Who does she think she is, daring to speak of my son like that?"
The Lady of Dingyuan spoke in a ferocious manner, which aggravated the injury on her cheek, causing her to grimace in pain.
She said viciously, "A mere adopted daughter, even being my son's legal wife is an insult to my son, and she still dares to hit me. If she loses her innocence..." As she spoke, Lady Dingyuan suddenly grabbed Lin Nianzang's hand, gritted her teeth and said in a low voice, "If she loses her innocence, wouldn't she be at my mercy?"
Lin Nianzang continued to persuade her, "Godmother, please don't. Although she is your adopted daughter, Madam Jiang protects her very much. Don't do anything foolish."
The wife of the Marquis of Dingyuan did not believe that anyone would care about her daughter's reputation. She thought that an adopted daughter was even worse than a concubine's daughter, and that she was a dirty thing. She said disdainfully, "She was just putting on an act to gain fame. Anyone can do that, but she shouldn't have stepped on my and my son's reputation."
Lin Nianzang lowered his head and played with the embroidered handkerchief in his hand, using it as a cover to hide a faint smile from the corner of his lips.
With a thud.
Lin Nianzang noticed the faint sound of something rolling to the ground.
It's uncertain whether it's a person.
Lady Yuanhou gave him a meaningful look.
She was still plotting with a sinister look on her face. Lin Nianzang couldn't count on her, so he found a maid who had retreated and asked her to go and check on things.
The maid walked over.
"ah--"
"ah--"
Two voices rang out simultaneously, one from a woman and the other from a maid.
Before long, the maid was escorted over by a woman.
"Sixth Sister, thank goodness I found you! Please save me!" Lang Zhizhi recognized Lin Nianzang's maid and rushed over as soon as she saw her.
Lin Nianzang was suddenly embraced, and upon smelling the sweaty odor emanating from her, he stiffened for a moment, then said gently, "Miss Lang, it's been a long time. What are you doing here? And what are you like..."
Lang Zhizhi's hair was a bit messy, and she had a smell.
"I've been locked up. They won't let me out. I'm going to report them. Please take me out, please."
Lin Nianzang paused, his fingers holding her arm, and asked with surprise and heartache, "Who dares to be so bold? Where did you come from, young lady?"
She remembered that this Miss Lang had been brought into the Third Prince's residence; it was her brother who told her.
I originally thought I could use her to cause trouble for the Jiang family, but she's just a useless piece of trash.
Lin Nianzang remembered that the Sixth Prince's residence and the Third Prince's residence seemed to be next to each other.
She gave her personal maid a wink and mouthed the name of a person; the maid understood and left.
Lang Zhizhi looked around and, finding no one had noticed, whispered to Lin Nianzang, "It's that old witch, the Third Prince's Consort. She won't let me leave the Third Prince's residence."
Lin Nianzang knew he had guessed correctly. "This is the Sixth Prince's residence. How did you get here, young lady?"
"Climbing the wall, huh?" Lang Zhizhi said nonchalantly. "Sixth Sister, please take me out of here. Luckily, I met you here."
"Don't worry, since you snuck out, you can't be seen. I've already sent a maid to scout ahead." Lin Nianzang led Lang Zhizhi towards a more secluded place.
"Waaah, Sixth Sister, you're so kind! I'm so lucky to have met you here."
Lin Nianzang had no idea how long Lang Zhizhi had been hiding in that place, nor did he know how many secret plots she had overheard with the Lady of Dingyuan Marquis.
"I was just saying that I haven't seen Miss Lang in a long time, and I was thinking of inviting you to the poetry gathering."
Lang Zhizhi said carelessly, "I can play again after I get out."
Bored while waiting, Lang Zhizhi peeked out and was shocked to see that behind Lin Nianzang's maid were the Third Prince's Consort and several maids and servants.
Lang Zhizhi shoved Lin Nianzang away abruptly: "You slut, you lied to me."
"Ah—" Lin Niancang was caught off guard and was suddenly pushed by her, hitting the rock behind her. The pain made her tears well up in her eyes.
The Third Prince's Consort saw Lang Zhizhi dart past and escape, and immediately ordered, "Catch her."
Lang Zhizhi used to go to places with few people, but now that she had been discovered, she scurried around like a headless fly. After hearing the noise, she rushed to the most bustling place.
She didn't want to go back to that awful place; she wanted to leave.
"What happened?"
Who is that?
"It's going to be really exciting, who's so ignorant of the rules and running up to cause trouble?"
...
Suddenly, a person jumped out onto the stage, which displeased the women who were engrossed in watching the play.
What's even more infuriating is that several more people ran out from behind, seemingly chasing after the woman in front. Those who were grabbing her nearly bumped into the important person, which further fueled the discontent.
The Third Prince's wife paled for a moment upon seeing this, and tried to stop the servants from grabbing Lang Zhizhi, but they were too noisy to hear her orders.
Lang Zhizhi ran around frantically, smashing teacups whenever he could grab one, and eating a few bites of fruit and snacks before throwing them at people behind him.
She moved nimbly, seemingly darting through the crowd, but always heading towards the least crowded areas.
The prince's wedding ceremony was held in the evening, and it was still dusk, when the sunset was at its most magnificent.
There was no one else she knew around. She didn't even see the young ladies she had met with Lin Nianzang before. Since Lin Nianzang had betrayed her, those people were definitely not trustworthy either.
There were many ladies and young women present, and countless faces flashed before her eyes. Lang Zhizhi searched for a long time before finally seeing a face she recognized.
"Madam Jiang, save me!" Lang Zhizhi rushed over, wanting to ask for help.
Before she could even get close, she was suddenly punched in the stomach, then her wrist was grabbed and her heel was kicked, sending her flying.
After being thrown into the air, she spun around once before landing and being pinned to the ground, unable to move.
Zhao Xian was amazed by the peony she was making.
The other ladies and young women swallowed hard; this girl was incredibly skilled.
"Madam Jiang, help! I am Lang Zhi and Lang Qingwan. My brother is Lang Mingxuan. We have met at Guluo Temple. He is the one I told you your son did me a favor."
Zhao Xian rubbed her forehead slightly. Even if she didn't say anything, Zhao Xian would have recognized her long ago. She just didn't understand why she would cause such a scene at the Sixth Prince's residence. Judging from the commotion she made just now, she was practically courting death.
"What are you doing here, Miss Lang?"
Peony helped Lang Zhizhi up, but she didn't let her guard down around her.
Lang Zhizhi rubbed her wrist. "The Third Prince's Consort imprisoned me. I begged Madam Jiang to report it to the authorities for me. They won't let me leave the Prince's residence, they even had people beat me, forced me to kneel, and didn't give me food. This is abuse. I'm going to sue them."
The Third Prince's wife arrived hurriedly, supported by servants, and said angrily, "How dare you! Stop talking nonsense and shut her up!"
A group of people rushed over to grab Lang Zhizhi.
Lang Zhizhi hid behind Shaoyao, shouting, "Get away, get away! Don't touch me! If you dare touch me, I'll call the police and have you arrested!"
Hearing her tearful voice, Zhao Xian said, "Wait."
The Third Prince's wife narrowed her eyes slightly. "I apologize. The servants in the manor are ignorant and have disturbed the ladies."
"Bullshit! I'm not a servant, I'm the uncle's guest. He invited me into your prince's residence. How dare you call me a servant? Forced buying and selling is illegal! You ignorant of the law, and you're even imprisoning me and not letting me leave! I'm going to sue you!"
The Third Prince's wife looked very unpleasant.
She knew this woman was unruly, but she never expected her to cause such a commotion at the Sixth Prince's residence, especially on the very day of her sixth brother's wedding.
The Third Prince's Consort could already imagine how she would be reprimanded tomorrow, and how she would be ridiculed by the women of Jin'an.
Maintaining the demeanor of a princess consort, she said, "Madam Jiang, this is a private matter of my household. Please hand over the woman."
Lang Zhizhi kept hiding behind Shaoyao, "No, she will definitely abuse me, hit me, prick me with needles, and not give me food. She is a bad person. I will die if I fall into her hands."
The crowd looked at each other in bewilderment as they listened to her words, some exchanging glances as they looked at the Third Prince's Consort.
Such methods in the inner quarters do exist, but they are not spoken of in public.
The Third Prince's residence can't even keep an eye on a single servant. What kind of mistress is the Third Prince's wife...?
The servants supported the Third Prince's wife, who was gripping their wrists tightly, but dared not utter a sound.
"What's going on? What's all the fuss about?"
"Wow, it's so lively!"
Two voices, one stern, the other teasing.
Everyone looked at the Third Prince Xiao Zhenjun and the Sixth Prince Xiao Jingbei who appeared. Beside them were other princes and a group of ministers behind them.
"Uncle, uncle."
Upon seeing the Third Prince appear, Lang Zhizhi showed no fear whatsoever; instead, she exclaimed joyfully.
She broke free from Shaoyao's grasp and ran over, "Uncle, where did you go? I've been looking for you everywhere, and she wouldn't let me... Ah..."
With a snap.
The man had a strong grip and slapped Lang Zhizhi so hard that she fell to the ground.
Lang Zhizhi covered her cheek in disbelief, "You hit me?"
The Third Prince, dressed in a black robe embroidered with gold pythons, exuded nobility, but his expression was frighteningly cold. "What nonsense are you spouting? Get back here."
Lang Zhizhi: "You hit me?"
The Third Prince didn't look at her, but instead looked at his wife, saying in a cold voice, "Isn't it embarrassing enough? Take her back to the manor."
The Third Prince's wife raised her hand, and servants from the Third Prince's residence came forward.
Lang Zhizhi was stung by the Third Prince's icy expression and suddenly roared, "You hit me? Xiao Zhenjun, you hit me? Have you forgotten what you said to me in bed? And now you're turning around and hitting me?"
"Don't touch me, you perverts! Xiao Zhenjun, you scumbag, you tricked me into sleeping with you! I'm not even an adult yet! This is rape! You pervert who likes minors! Help! Help! They're human traffickers! I've been kidnapped! Ugh... Ugh..."
The servants hurriedly tried to cover her mouth, but Lang Zhizhi spoke so fast that she had already blurted out everything.
She's also very mischievous and can't be kept quiet by one person.
It took several people to catch her.
The Third Prince's wife frowned. "Take him away."
The sixth prince, dressed in wedding attire, showed no anger at the arranged marriage; instead, he was filled with gossip about something amusing. "Wait a minute," he said.
The Third Prince looked at the Sixth Prince, took a step forward to block him, and said, "Sixth Brother, today is your wedding day. I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
Having said all that, she didn't want the Sixth Prince to pursue the matter further.
The sixth prince smiled and said, "Third brother, the law clearly states that trafficking in women is a crime and punishable by flogging."
Lang Zhizhi was being held and kept making "mmm" sounds, as if she was agreeing with the Sixth Prince's words.
The Third Prince frowned. Unfortunately, this was at the Sixth Prince's residence. Because the Sixth Prince was young, he was the most fearless. "Sixth Brother, this woman is a maid in my household. She's lost her mind and is talking nonsense."
The Sixth Prince was shocked. "How could a crazy maidservant manage to evade so many guards and cause such a scene in the backyard?"
The Third Prince, acting like a good older brother, said, "The security at Sixth Brother's residence is a bit lax. I'll send a few guards over another day."
Hearing the Third Prince's shameless words, the Sixth Prince laughed, "Instead of sending me guards, Third Brother, why not replace them with a new batch for your own residence? Is this woman from your household? Did she come with your Third Sister-in-law, or did she run away? Judging from her accusations against you, Third Brother, as a human trafficker, she probably wasn't brought by you."
The third prince put his hands behind his back and looked at his much younger brother, "Sixth brother, are you really determined to investigate her identity?"
"It's truly heartbreaking to see this woman screaming so desperately. As for whether she was abducted to Third Brother's residence, we can let Prefect Jinzhao investigate." The Sixth Prince spoke with a nonchalant attitude. "Or perhaps, Third Brother, you dare not?"
"No need for such trouble, I know her identity." The Third Prince's already cold face grew even colder. "Where is Langmingxuan?"
Lang Mingxuan only regretted not leaving sooner. "This humble official greets all the princes."
Upon seeing Lang Mingxuan, Lang Zhizhi struggled even harder, her eyes filled with pleading.
Third Prince: "Tell the Sixth Prince, who is that woman?"
Lang Mingxuan knelt before the princes and said, "Your Highness, she is my younger sister, Lang Qingwan. She was favored by the Third Prince and entered the palace as a maid. This is my sister's good fortune. My sister sometimes talks nonsense, which makes Your Highness worry."
Zhao Xian didn't watch the power struggle between the princes; her eyes were fixed on Lang Zhizhi.
When Lang Mingxuan came out, she was excitedly asking for help, but after listening to Lang Mingxuan's words, she gradually calmed down until her face turned ashen.
The body went from struggling to remaining completely still.
The Third Prince looked at the Sixth Prince: "Does Sixth Brother have any more questions?"
The Sixth Prince shook his head slightly. "I misunderstood Third Brother. But Third Brother should still treat them well. How dissatisfied must they be to have run away?"
The Third Prince glanced at his wife without leaving a trace, a veiled warning: she couldn't even keep an eye on a woman.
The latter lowered his head, his fingers on the servant's wrist tightening slightly, his well-maintained, long nails digging into the flesh, and the servant gritted his teeth, not daring to utter a sound.
The prince's appearance brought this farce to an end.
The men from the Third Prince's residence escorted Lang Zhizhi toward the front courtyard. Although the two princes' residences were next to each other, they couldn't very well climb over the wall to go back.
As she passed the guards, Lang Zhizhi suddenly broke free of her restraints, drew a knife from a guard's waist, and slashed the arm of the servant who had been holding her down, causing him to pull his hand back in pain.
Lang Zhizhi held up her knife: "The Sixth Prince and the others are lying. I was tricked into the Third Prince's residence by Xiao Zhenjun. He pretended to be a respectable person and played the hero, saying he admired my talent. Once I entered the residence, he started to grope me. He raped me. He's a beast in human clothing. I'm going to report this to the authorities. Even the emperor is subject to the same laws as commoners. He forcibly took a woman from the people. Is there no one going to do anything about this?"
Lang Mingxuan angrily said, "Enough! How long are you going to keep this up? Put the knife down."
Lang Zhizhi glared at him: "Shut up, you bastard. Did you contact him a long time ago? No wonder you kept stopping me from seeing Jiang Wei. And his appearance was so coincidental. You sold your sister for personal gain. Without me, would you know those poems? Would you wear fine silks and satins? Would you have a good reputation? You plagiarist."
The Third Prince's face was very dark, so dark it seemed to sink into water, and his fists were clenched so tightly they cracked.
Lang Mingxuan's face turned from black to red, then back to black, like a five-colored plate.
On the other hand, the Sixth Prince could hardly suppress the smirk on his face.
Because Jiang Wei was mentioned, he became the main character in the crowd, receiving countless stares.
Enraged, the Third Prince gritted his teeth and said, "Kill her for me."
The Sixth Prince added fuel to the fire: "Third Brother, you're being a bit petty. Why are you arguing with a young woman like me?"
Upon hearing his words, Lang Zhizhi's expression froze for a moment: "You hit me, and you want to kill me?"
Her expression suddenly changed, and she said fiercely, "I'm going to accuse the Third Prince of treason! He's plotting a rebellion! There's a secret passage in the Third Prince's residence containing a yellow robe..."
The gleaming knife pierced Lang Zhizhi's abdomen.
Lang squeaked open her mouth, and crimson blood flowed from it. "You will die a horrible death."
The Third Prince looked at the man as if he were already dead, and with increased force, he plunged the knife in even deeper.
All that could be heard was the sound of flesh tearing, and blood stained Langzhi's clothes red.
Seeing the sudden turn of events, some people covered their mouths and screamed, while others closed their eyes, unable to watch.
Zhao Xian suddenly felt a sharp pain in her head, and several images flashed through her mind, her vision filled with crimson.
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