Ning Shuang hurriedly clarified, "This servant would never have had such a thought, Sister Dongling, you can't pin this crime on me!"
Yu Ying suddenly felt very sad. She, a dignified princess, was actually disliked by the maids below her. The maids all knew that Su Gege was favored and wanted to climb the social ladder!
With a wry smile, Yu Ying said, "Since you want to go to Hua Tang Pavilion, then I will grant your wish and betroth you to Yun Song. From now on, you will serve Princess Su in Hua Tang Pavilion!"
Upon hearing this, Ning Shuang was secretly delighted, thinking she had misheard. The Fujin (principal wife) actually wanted her to marry Yun Song? Although this was a joyous occasion, she couldn't show it, lest the Fujin think she had ulterior motives. So, Ning Shuang tearfully expressed her agreement...
"My lady, I have no such intention! I do like Yun Song, but I only want to stay by your side and do not want to leave."
"Your heart is no longer with Lanzhao Courtyard, what use are you to me? Since you say Yun Song bullied you, then marry him!"
Yu Ying didn't care about the truth; she just wanted to get rid of the girl as soon as possible.
Since the princess insisted, Ning Shuang no longer declined. With tears in her eyes, she rose and reluctantly took her leave.
After everyone left, Dongling couldn't help but say, "Madam, Su Gege might not comply with this arrangement."
Yu Ying knew what she should do: drive Ning Shuang away. This was exactly what Su Yu Shan wanted. But why should she let Su Yu Shan have her way? Did she, as the mistress of the house, have to consider the feelings of a concubine?
"Su Yushan believes Chang Yue's statement, and I believe Ning Shuang's statement. What's wrong with that? Besides, Chang Yue is a member of Huatang Pavilion, and her testimony is not credible. Unless a third party confirms this, no one can prove that Yun Song is innocent."
In short, this matter cannot be admitted. If Ning Shuang denies it, some people might gossip, but most people will think Yun Song is the one with the problem. Once she admits it, others will assume she's shameless—she's just a maid I brought from my maiden home. Not only will she lose face, but our Lan Zhao Academy, and even the Fucha family, will be ridiculed.”
The Fujin's consideration was correct, but Dongling still had some concerns. "But I'm worried that Consort Su will whisper in his ear again, and the Fourth Prince might interfere in this matter to appease her."
Yu Ying was already numb to this. "What's the use of me trying to please him? He can't possibly care about me in the end. Since that's the case, I don't want to care about what he thinks of me anymore. I'm arranging marriages for the maids in my courtyard, and he has no reason to stop me. You should remind Ning Shuang to stick to her story and not to change her mind."
When the news reached Huatang Pavilion, Su Yushan looked surprised.
The evidence was conclusive, and logically, even if the Princess Consort didn't expel the person, she should have severely punished them. However, the Princess Consort's handling of the matter surprised Su Yushan.
"Ning Shuang used underhanded means to frame Yun Song, yet the Fujin (wife of the princess) didn't punish her and even betrothed Ning Shuang to Yun Song? What kind of logic is this?"
Yunfang guessed, "Could it be that the Princess Consort plans to place Ning Shuang by your side to monitor your every move?"
“If Ning Shuang’s plan succeeds and no one can testify for Yun Song, then the Princess Consort can arrange their marriage. But Ning Shuang has already been exposed, and the fault lies with her. Yun Song did not touch her, so on what grounds does the Princess Consort have to arrange the marriage?”
Knowing the whole story, Su Yushan would never let Yun Song suffer.
She firmly disagreed with the marriage, but Yun Fangling's eyes flickered, and she suddenly thought of something, "Actually, it wouldn't hurt to agree..."
Yunfang whispered a few words in her ear, and Su Yushan instantly understood. While shocked, she couldn't help but laugh, "Isn't this a bit too immoral?"
"This is the best approach. Let's go with the flow and give it a try! Who knows, we might get some unexpected benefits?"
After much thought, Su Yushan decided to give it a try, following Yunfang's suggestion.
As the sun set and the stars shone in the night sky, Su Yushan spoke of this matter to Hongli before going to bed. Hongli was greatly shocked, "How could someone who framed others get away with it? Your Majesty's way of handling things is far too perfunctory!"
"What the Lady Consort means is that Changyue might also be lying for Yunsong. There is no one else who can prove this now, but it is true that Yunsong drank alcohol. Most men will do something reckless when drunk, so she demands that Yunsong take responsibility for Ningshuang."
"I thought she would reflect on her actions after what happened with Granny Cui, but I didn't expect her to be so muddle-headed, blindly protecting her servants. She's hopeless!" Hongli planned to question his wife the next day, but Su Yushan stopped him.
"Hey---Don't interfere in this matter. If the Fujin wants to arrange the marriage, then let her have it. I'm telling you this in the hope that you can cooperate and let go of the matter."
Hongli raised his eyebrows in confusion. "What do you mean? Do you intend to have Yunsong marry Ningshuang? Are you afraid of the Fujin and dare not confront her? You don't need to worry about such a trivial matter; I can help you resolve it."
Shaking her head, Su Yushan smiled mysteriously, "Actually, I have other plans."
"What are your plans? Tell me, what exactly are you plotting?" Hongli pressed for an explanation, but she refused to say, only saying that she would tell him after she succeeded.
How could Hongli comply with her wishes? He slipped his hand under the quilt, covered the snow-white lotus with it, and gently caressed it, causing Su Yushan to let out a soft cry.
"You can talk, but why are you being malicious again?"
"If you don't tell me, I can be even worse!" As he spoke, Hongli's other hand continued to slide around. Su Yushan quickly grabbed his hand and started to act coquettishly.
"It hasn't succeeded yet. What if it fails? Just wait a day, and you'll know the results tomorrow."
"You can't wait a moment longer? Looks like you're looking forward to me teasing you." Hongli's breath brushed against her ear, his words not only suggestive but also his hands busy, caressing flowers and exploring the woods, unrestrained.
“I came back a little late last night, but you were sleeping soundly, so I didn’t want to disturb you. You should make it up to me tonight.”
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
