Chapter 123: A Powerful Counterattack
After returning from the Daxiangguo Temple, Su Wanrou's forced spirits collapsed, and she had a low-grade fever for two consecutive days, which frightened Zhou Mama and Qingdai, who stayed by her bedside day and night. The imperial physician came again to take her pulse and prescribed medicine, only saying that she was still suffering from overwork and lingering cold, and that she needed to calm her mind and not waste any more energy.
Su Wanrou knew the gravity of the situation, so she obediently drank the medicine and rested quietly in the warm pavilion, ignoring everything else and leaving it to Zhou Mama and Fu Bo to handle.
However, the tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease. Her personal appearance to refute the rumors, while temporarily suppressing the gossip of "serious illness" and "unstable pregnancy," also stirred up a hornet's nest, fueling the growing resentment of certain lurking figures. New, even more insidious rumors, like poisonous fungi breeding in a damp corner, began to spread quietly once more.
This time, it wasn't her serious illness that was the issue; instead, it turned to "virtue."
First, some said that the Duke's body was barely cold (although the war report had already clarified the situation), yet the Duchess went to the temple to burn incense in a grand manner, ostensibly to pray for blessings, but in reality, she couldn't stand being alone and wanted to attract unwanted attention. Even worse, some pointed the finger at the child in her womb, implying that the child's origin was unclear; otherwise, why would the Duchess have "fallen ill" so soon after the Duke's death, and then conveniently diagnosed with pregnancy? The filthiness of their words and the malice of their intentions are utterly appalling.
These rumors no longer circulated among the common people, but were precisely spread within the circles of officials' wives and daughters, their malice and destructive power far surpassing anything before. If confirmed, Su Wanrou would not only be utterly ruined, but her unborn child and the entire Duke's mansion would also be stained with an indelible mark.
When Granny Zhou and Uncle Fu learned of this, they were trembling with anger, yet they hesitated to act rashly. Such slander, which threatened a woman's reputation, only made them appear more guilty the more earnestly they defended themselves. But ignoring it would only lead to irreparable damage, as public opinion could be devastating.
"Madam, this old servant...this old servant truly doesn't know what to do!" Zhou Mama cried, tears streaming down her face, before Su Wanrou's bedside. "How could those people be so heartless! They're trying to force you to your death, Madam!"
Su Wanrou leaned against the large pillow, listening to Granny Zhou's tearful account. Her face showed little shock or anger, only her knuckles turned slightly white as she placed her hand on the brocade quilt. She had long anticipated that if the first attack failed, the other party would have a backup plan, but she hadn't expected their methods to be so despicable, not even sparing the unborn child.
She closed her eyes, and what came to mind was Gu Yangui's deep eyes as he held her hand the night before his departure, saying, "Wait for me to come back," filled with trust and concern. She remembered Mingxuan leaning against her, his expectant eyes as he whispered, "Will Mother give me a little brother or a little sister?"
She cannot give up. For her husband, for her children, for her family, she must fight.
This time, she couldn't just passively refute the rumors. She needed to fight back, to let those rats hiding in the gutter know that the mistress of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was not a soft persimmon to be squeezed at will.
"Granny, stop crying." Su Wanrou opened her eyes, her gaze calm, even carrying a hint of cold light. "Crying won't solve anything. Since they've made their move, we'll just have to accept it."
"Madam, do you have an idea?" Granny Zhou asked, wiping away her tears.
Su Wanrou did not answer directly, but asked, "Before my husband left the mansion's guards and some of the secret guards for me to command?"
Granny Zhou was taken aback, then nodded: "Yes, the Duke did indeed give instructions that in case of emergency, the Madam can use her token to mobilize Mo Yu, the leader of the secret guards."
Su Wanrou nodded slightly. Gu Yangui had left her not only the visible guards, but also a hidden force, dedicated to reconnaissance and protection, which was rarely used. Now, it was time to put them to use.
"Go and invite Mo Yu to see me," Su Wanrou said softly, her tone carrying an undeniable determination. "Don't alert anyone else."
A moment later, a man dressed in black, with an ordinary face, easily lost in a crowd, appeared silently like a ghost in the outer room of the warm pavilion. He bowed to Su Wanrou through the screen. It was Mo Yu, the leader of the secret guards.
"Mo Yu, you know about the rumors outside?" Su Wanrou's voice came through the screen, calm and undisturbed.
"Your subordinate is aware." Mo Yu's voice was low and hoarse, devoid of any emotional fluctuation.
"Is it possible to trace it back to the source?" Su Wanrou asked. Although she already had a guess, she needed solid evidence.
Mo Yu replied, "Madam, the rumors spread in a roundabout way. They initially came from the mouths of several servants from the Imperial Censor's household who frequently interacted with the women of the Yongchang Marquis's household. However, my investigation revealed that these servants had recently had contact with a stewardess from the Qi Prince's residence."
Prince Qi's Mansion!
Su Wanrou's heart skipped a beat. Prince Qi was the current emperor's younger brother, and his discord with Gu Yangui, who controlled the military, was an open secret in the court. If Prince Qi's family was stirring things up behind the scenes, then this was no longer just a petty squabble among women in the inner quarters, but a conspiracy involving factional strife in the court! The Liu family was probably just a pawn being pushed forward.
"Is it possible to obtain evidence?" Su Wanrou pressed.
Mo Yu was silent for a moment, then said, "We can try to find evidence, both witnesses and physical evidence, but it will take time. Moreover, if we use extreme measures, we may alert the enemy."
Su Wanrou hesitated. Directly attacking the Qi Prince's mansion was too risky and not a wise move at the moment. But if she let it go, this mudslinging would be thrown squarely on her head.
We must find a way to both clarify the rumors and deter petty thieves, while also avoiding a direct confrontation with the Prince of Qi's residence for the time being.
After much deliberation, a bold plan gradually took shape in her mind.
"Mo Yu, I don't want you to directly harm the people in the Qi Prince's Mansion." Su Wanrou spoke slowly, issuing her instructions clearly and logically, "I want you to do three things."
"First, 'casually' deliver conclusive evidence pointing to the Yongchang Marquis's mansion as the source of the rumors to Princess Anyang and several respected elder ladies of the imperial clan who have always been at odds with Prince Qi. Remember, it must be done flawlessly, as if they discovered it themselves."
Having obtained the evidence, Princess Anyang and the others, in order to dampen Prince Qi's arrogance and to repay Su Wanrou's favor (after all, Su Wanrou had clarified things to Princess Anyang through Granny Zhou), would naturally try to "reveal" the truth on a suitable occasion. Their intervention would be far more effective than Su Wanrou's own protests.
"Secondly, I want you to send someone to keep an eye on Lady Yongchang and Liu Yiyi, recording every word and action they've taken recently, down to the smallest detail. Especially... their interactions with male guests outside the manor." A cold glint flashed in Su Wanrou's eyes. You want to tarnish my reputation? Then let you taste the bitterness yourselves!
“Third,” Su Wanrou paused, her voice growing deeper, “I want you to find out who was behind those who initially spread the rumors in the streets that the Duke was seriously injured. This needs to be done quickly, and we need to get irrefutable evidence.”
"Understood, subordinate." Mo Yu accepted the order, and with a flicker, disappeared as silently as he had come.
After Mo Yu left, Su Wanrou called Zhou Mama and Fu Bo to her side.
"Uncle Fu, in my name, send a message to the Prefectural Governor's Office, stating that recently, there have been numerous scoundrels spying outside the Duke's residence, spreading rumors and disturbing the women of the household. Please, Prefectural Governor, strengthen patrols to reassure the people." This move was meant to send a warning, indicating that the Duke's Office had taken note of the rumors and would not tolerate them.
"Granny, you should go to the Yongchang Marquis's residence yourself."
Granny Zhou was taken aback: "Madam, what are you going there for? Those heartless bastards..."
Su Wanrou said calmly, "Go visit the sick."
"Visiting someone in the hospital?"
"Hmm." Su Wanrou's lips curled into a barely perceptible sneer. "Just say that I heard that Old Madam Liu (Liu Yiyi's grandmother) has been unwell recently, so I have prepared a generous gift to visit her. Remember, the gift must be generous, and the gesture must be grand. Let everyone know that our Duke's Mansion is very 'concerned' about the Yongchang Earl's Mansion."
Granny Zhou was puzzled at first, then suddenly realized, and a look of relief appeared on her face: "This old servant understands! Madam is going to... first be polite, then use force? No, she's going to slap them in front of everyone!"
Su Wanrou's move was extremely clever. When the rumors pointed to the Yongchang Marquis's residence, she not only didn't avoid suspicion, but instead went to "visit" them in a grand manner, displaying the magnanimity and tolerance of a legitimate wife. This was tantamount to putting the Yongchang Marquis's residence on the spot—if the rumors weren't spread by them, they would be extremely grateful; if the rumors were indeed spread by them, then Su Wanrou's actions were a blatant warning and mockery: I know you did it, but I won't expose you, and I'll even come to "care" about you, let's see how you handle it!
Sure enough, Granny Zhou arrived at the Yongchang Earl's residence in a grand procession, carrying lavish gifts and riding in the Duke's carriage. The Yongchang Earl's wife, upon hearing that the Duke's wife had sent someone to inquire about her illness, was filled with suspicion and uncertainty, but had no choice but to receive her with a heavy heart.
In front of many servants from the Yongchang Marquis's mansion and other guests who came to visit her, Granny Zhou expressed Su Wanrou's "concern" to the fullest extent, and the generosity of the gifts was even more eye-catching. The Lady of the Yongchang Marquis's face turned pale and then red, and she barely managed to deal with it, almost grinding her teeth to powder.
Once the news spread, anyone with a discerning eye could see the clues. Furthermore, during a palace banquet, Princess Anyang and others "inadvertently" mentioned the recent rumors and "inadvertently" pointed out the connection with the Yongchang Earl's Mansion. Although they did not say it explicitly, the implication was quite clear.
For a time, the Yongchang Earl's Mansion became the object of everyone's contempt and ridicule. What troubled the Yongchang Earl's wife even more was that, from some unknown time, rumors began to circulate in the capital about her daughter, Liu Yiyi. They said that Miss Liu was ambitious but had a fragile life. After being sent back by the Duke's Mansion, she was unwilling to be alone and even exchanged poems with some shady literati, behaving quite improperly.
These rumors, some true and some false, struck a nerve with Lady Yongchang. She hastily restrained her daughter, forbidding her from leaving the house, and was too exhausted to deal with the prying eyes of outsiders, leaving her no time for anything else.
Several days later, Mo Yu came to report again late at night.
"Madam, the source of the rumor that the Duke was seriously injured has been identified. It was a retainer of the Prince Qi's mansion who spread the rumor through an underground gang. We have both witnesses and physical evidence. In addition, during the investigation, I also intercepted a secret letter." Mo Yu presented a secret letter.
Su Wanrou unfolded the letter and was shocked. It was written to Prince Qi by a general on the border who was at odds with Gu Yangui. The letter mentioned the unfavorable situation in the war and implied that if handled properly, they could use this opportunity to shift the blame for the defeat onto Gu Yangui...
This is no longer just a power struggle within the household; it's a conspiracy involving the lives of soldiers on the front lines and the fate of the nation!
Su Wanrou took a deep breath and carefully put away the secret letter. This evidence must not be touched now; it must be saved for the most crucial moment.
Following this swift and precise counterattack, the slanderous rumors targeting Su Wanrou melted away like snow under the sun. The people of the capital once again witnessed the methods of this young Duchess—silent until she spoke, then astonishingly powerful. She appeared delicate, yet she could defuse crises with ease and even deliver a fatal blow to her opponents.
Those who had been watching from the sidelines or even gloating all backed down and dared not provoke the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion again.
In the stillness of the night, Su Wanrou stroked her increasingly pregnant belly, gazing at the cold moonlight outside the window. "My husband, you are fighting valiantly on the border, while I, in the capital, have also protected a peaceful home for you. Those demons and monsters, I will sweep them away for you."
This time, she is no longer merely a delicate flower needing protection, but a kapok tree standing shoulder to shoulder with her husband. She is ready to weather the storm together.
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