Chapter 39 Unusual
Wen Zhiming's illness has already made the Anshun Prince's Mansion a topic of conversation among aristocratic families. If Meng Lingge really does such a disgraceful thing, then Wen Zhiming will become a pitiful person for others to laugh at and watch the show.
Moreover, Wen Zhiming is so dependent on and trusting of Meng Lingge now. If this is true, how will he face it? How will he bear it?
Princess Anshun suppressed her inner turmoil and stared intently at Wen Weizhu.
"Explain yourself more clearly: when and where did you see him? Who is the man? Are there any other witnesses?"
Wen Weizhu quickly said, "The Princess Consort instructed me to visit my sister-in-law when I had time. I got up early today and went to the garden to pick some fresh flowers to take over. When I got to the gate, I unexpectedly saw my sister-in-law sneaking out with her personal maid. I was curious, so I followed her. I saw my sister-in-law go to the small courtyard behind the East Street market. There was a handsome man inside. He was having breakfast with my sister-in-law, exchanging glances, and then they went into the room together... My maid also saw all of this..."
She lowered her voice for the last few sentences, but everyone was holding their breath and listening intently, so they could all hear her.
After saying that, Wen Weizhu gave her maid a look.
The maidservant, having received her instruction, hurriedly nodded in agreement: "That's right, I saw it too."
Consort Jiang felt even more confident after seeing how detailed and specific her daughter's explanation was.
"Outrageous! Shameless! This is simply too much... Although our young master is ill, they have only been married for a few days! Your Highness, allowing such a person to continue to stay in the Anshun Prince's Mansion and by the young master's side is the real scourge! This kind of person should be stripped naked and paraded through the streets, then thrown back into the Meng Mansion, so that everyone can see the Meng family's upbringing and know that our Anshun Prince's Mansion is not a place where just anyone can scheme against us."
"Shut up!" Princess Anshun was so angry that her brow twitched.
She was still biased towards Meng Lingge, but if this matter wasn't investigated thoroughly, everyone would have doubts, which would be detrimental to both Mo'er and Meng Lingge.
Wen Weizhu spoke with such certainty that even if Meng Lingge's keeping a man was a lie, her meeting with men alone was probably true.
Upon closer examination, it was found that Meng Lingge's reputation was still damaged.
This is not a good matter.
Both concubines were happy for the matter to go through, but clearly wouldn't offer her any good advice. They then turned their gaze to Wen Kehao, "Kehao, you've always had plenty of ideas, what do you think should be done about this?"
Wen Kehao respects his elder brother Wen Zhiming very much, and will likely protect his brother's reputation.
Wen Kehao was listening intently when he was suddenly called upon. He secretly wished Meng Lingge would suffer the most, ideally being divorced by his elder brother. However, he couldn't let anyone know these dark thoughts, so he could only feign anxiety and distress.
After a moment's hesitation, he slowly said, "I don't think my sister-in-law is that kind of person, but my second sister has always been honest and upright, and wouldn't make things up. There must be a misunderstanding. I think the best way is to not alarm my brother and sister-in-law, and find an excuse to keep my brother occupied. If my sister-in-law really has an affair with that person, she will definitely go there again. We just need to wait near that courtyard and wait for her to arrive, and we will know the truth. If my sister-in-law behaves herself and doesn't go, then it will prove that she is innocent, and that my second sister has misunderstood."
Consort Chen nodded and said, "Hao'er is right. To catch a thief red-handed, one must catch them in the act. Our people are open-minded, and it's not a big deal for a man and woman to meet when they have maids. We can't let some baseless rumors ruin the reputation of the Crown Princess."
Most importantly, if Meng Lingge is caught having an affair with that man, then she will have no way to deny it.
Princess Anshun naturally understood this principle, knowing that Consort Chen was not speaking up for Meng Lingge, but was just saying it on purpose to get her to agree to the matter.
She didn't want to agree, but there was no better way at the moment.
Furthermore, if Meng Lingge is truly so despicable, why should she still protect her?
Wen Weizhu was not satisfied. "Third brother's idea was originally good, but sister-in-law just saw this wild man today. Perhaps she won't see him again for a while. How long are we supposed to wait?"
Wen Kehao said, "Second Sister said earlier that Eldest Sister and this man were chatting happily and exchanging glances, which shows that the two are very close. If we keep Eldest Brother occupied and don't bother Eldest Sister, we can create an opportunity for her. How could she miss it?"
"This..." Wen Weizhu was at a loss for words. She wanted to say that Meng Lingge had just had a tryst that morning, so she shouldn't be so thirsty, but she was still an unmarried girl and couldn't say it so blatantly in front of everyone.
Princess Anshun clutched her chest, looked around, and said, "Then it's settled! Everyone here, listen up! Not a single word you hear here today is to be revealed, or your tongues will be ripped out!"
"yes!"
The servants all lowered their heads in fear.
Those who serve in this room are all the master's personal maids. Without the master's instructions, they would not risk their lives by speaking out.
And obviously, none of the masters here would inform Meng Lingge.
The maid helped Wen Weizhu to her seat and she sat down again.
A maid's voice came from outside: "Your Highness, the Princess Consort has arrived."
When Wen Zhiming and Meng Lingge walked in, everyone had already composed themselves and showed no signs of anything amiss.
Meng Lingge said, "I'm sorry to have kept Mother, Consort, and my younger siblings waiting. It was my fault. I went out to buy some things today, which caused the delay. I hope Mother won't be angry. I will pay attention to the time next time."
Princess Anshun said calmly, "It's good that you've come. Let's eat."
Wen Zhiming and Meng Lingge sat down next to Princess Anshun, and everyone raised their hands to eat.
Although it was the same breakfast as usual, Meng Lingge sensed that something was amiss.
Princess Anshun seemed to treat her much colder than usual. Although the two concubines were smiling, their smiles were strange and made people feel uncomfortable.
Wen Weizhu was acting strangely; her face was flushed, and her face seemed a little swollen. She was also deliberately avoiding eye contact with her.
The servants stood straighter than usual.
The only one who was normal was Wen Kehao, who was always aloof.
Considering the carriage that had been following her, Meng Lingge guessed that Wen Weizhu must have been badmouthing her to the princess.
But since Princess Anshun hasn't said anything, she can't ask directly.
She didn't ask, but Wen Zhiming didn't think much of it. Seeing Wen Weizhu's swollen cheeks, he asked in confusion, "Did Second Sister get beaten up? Her face looks like a monkey's bottom."
Consort Chen wanted to laugh upon hearing this, but a look from Princess Anshun startled her back.
Wen Weizhu's hand, which was holding a plate of food, froze in mid-air. The intense humiliation she felt when she was slapped in front of everyone came rushing back to her.
She was speechless at her older brother Wen Zhiming, thinking to herself, "You idiot, you're already being cheated on, and you still have the mind to care whether I blush or not?"
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