Chapter 51 I came here specifically to save you
Sure enough, after the banquet ended, gossip began to circulate in my ears.
The first person to bring up this matter was Fan Shujin, the daughter of the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, who had always harbored resentment towards Rongyue.
If anyone is to blame, it's her mother. Every few days, she would talk about how good and promising Rongyue was, which infuriated Miss Fan, who regarded Rongyue as a thorn in her side.
Instead of talking to Rongyue, she pretended to care for Yangqing, saying, "Yangqing, I've heard about it. Your second sister is so pitiful. If she's divorced, and her health is so poor, what will she do?"
Chi Yangqing said coldly, "What do you mean by divorce? Is Miss Fan more well-informed than our own family? I don't even know these things, yet Miss Fan speaks of them so eloquently."
Fan Shujin was taken aback and felt somewhat embarrassed. "If I'm not divorced, what other way out do I have? Now everyone knows, not to mention the locals. Does Young Master Wu really intend to endure this?"
Yang Qing said, "Whether he can tolerate it or not, what does it have to do with you? Do you want to marry him and become his second wife?"
Fan Shujin's face turned red. She originally just wanted to pick on the weak. She didn't want to deal with Rongyue, but Chuying was a hothead. If she really angered her, she would probably start to lose her temper on the spot.
Fan Shujin didn't want to lose face, which is why she chose Yang Qing.
Her father was the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, and the highest-ranking official in the Chi family was only the Second Master Chi, a fifth-rank official. She had always looked down on him and was unwilling to speak to the Chi sisters.
It was only recently, after Yang Qing and the Crown Prince became engaged, that Fan Shujin took another look at her.
She hadn't expected that Yang Qing, who looked so gentle, would have such a sharp tongue. Coming from a refined, scholarly family, she was far too proud to become a second wife to a divorced man. She was so angry she couldn't utter a single word.
No one else spoke, and the atmosphere became awkward for a moment.
After a long pause, Mingmiao, who had been silent all along, suddenly said, "Miss Fan's words are not wrong. Although her words are a bit sharp, they are ultimately well-intentioned. Why should Miss Chi make such a fuss?"
Yang Qing had never had any dealings with Ming Miaohe, but from a distance, Ming Miaohe seemed much more normal than Ming Luoqi, more like a noble lady carefully raised by a large family.
But after hearing those words today, her image in Yang Qing's mind plummeted, making her even more detestable than Ming Luoqi, who kept buzzing like a fly.
Yang Qing didn't understand either. In fact, she wasn't exactly good-tempered, so why did everyone think she was a good-tempered person?
Just like today, they dare not say these things to Rongyue, nor to Chuying. As for Liantang, she completely ignores everyone outside.
They all came to talk to her.
What about Empress Ming's niece?
Yang Qing coldly said, "You two are birds of a feather. You usually pretend to be so proper, but now you've shown your true colors. You're both women, yet you're more concerned about whether someone is being cuckolded than men. You're shameless."
Fan Shujin was furious: "I think you're the one who's getting carried away! You haven't even become the Crown Princess yet, and you're already showing off like this?"
Yang Qing retorted sarcastically, "Please, use your brain and think about it. Did you start acting crazy first, or did I deliberately make things difficult for you? Don't assume that everyone is like you, that they are all so filthy and vulgar."
Fan Shujin was furious. She had always been a talented woman, and although she was not as famous as Rong Yue, she had always been known for her purity and innocence. No one had ever used words like "filthy and vulgar" to insult her.
How could she tolerate this? She immediately stood up, but because of the large movement, the small table in front of her with the dishes was knocked over, and the exquisite bowls and plates fell to the ground and became shattered pieces.
Perhaps because of its high price, even the sound it made was exceptionally crisp, drawing the attention of everyone present.
That's fine, Fan Shujin can say that she did it accidentally, and that it was just a loss of face and a breach of etiquette.
However, Xiaoman, who was following Yangqing, was a bit dim-witted and assumed that a fight was about to break out when she saw the scene.
Previously, whether in the military or in the marketplace, it was common for people to fight over a disagreement. However, Xiaoman didn't really understand these noble ladies. The fact that the two of them were talking so loudly just now was already a big argument, and it was absolutely impossible for them to actually fight.
Xiaoman reacted much faster than Yangqing, immediately standing up and stepping forward. Her mind was filled with the Crown Prince's words: she must protect Yangqing and never let her be bullied by anyone.
Overwhelmed with a sense of responsibility, he stood between the two, deliberately not pushing Fan Shujin back with all his might, and shouted in a strong voice, "Don't you dare bully our young lady!"
Well, well, well, once you shout that out, it would be strange if no one knew what was going on.
Yang Qing hurriedly said, "What nonsense are you talking about! Come back here!"
Unfortunately, it was too late. Empress Ming had already noticed them and sent a palace maid to summon them to a side hall.
Empress Ming was by nature a man of few words, and when she saw that Ming Miaohe was also involved, her expression darkened further, and she asked in a low voice, "What's going on?"
They all lowered their heads, not daring to speak.
Fan Shujin had just been pushed, and although the maid behind her had caught her, her shoulder was still aching. Now, in this situation, she just wanted to be a pushover. Unexpectedly, Empress Ming looked at her first, her voice not angry but certainly not peaceful, and asked, "Tell me, what happened?"
Fan Shujin dared not refuse to reply, and could only brace herself and say, "I just had a quarrel with the seventh young lady of the Chi family, and her maid is being unreasonable and tried to attack me."
Yang Qing cursed inwardly and decided to downplay the issue.
Empress Ming then asked, "If it's about Miss Fan and Miss Chi Qi, why is Miaohe involved?"
After a moment of silence, Mingmiao said, "Miss Chi Liu's words were too aggressive. I only helped Miss Fan out of the predicament because I couldn't stand it."
Empress Ming asked, "Chi Qi, what else do you have to say?"
Yang Qing kept her mouth shut. How could she bring this up? If she said it in such a formal setting, Yan Yun's already dwindling good reputation would be completely ruined.
She just pursed her lips and didn't say anything.
Empress Ming then said, "That maid is too unruly. Let's send her away when we get back."
So, they assumed Yang Qing was too guilty to speak and blamed everything on her. Yang Qing was very upset and didn't want to agree.
Xiaoman, however, retorted, "Why should I be dismissed? I did nothing wrong. They were the ones who spoke hurtfully. My daughter is gentle and kind. If I hadn't stood up for her, they would have bullied her to death."
Yang Qing was silent for a moment, feeling speechless. Who told Xiao Man that she was gentle and kind?
Although Xiaoman was Li Shangxuan's person, Yangqing was still worried that if she really angered Empress Ming, even Li Shangxuan would not be able to protect her, so she quickly whispered and scolded, "Don't talk nonsense."
Empress Ming said, "Tell me, how did they use such hurtful words?"
Xiaoman then recounted the whole story. Yangqing was so angry she was speechless. She knew this person was a simpleton, but she never expected him to be this simpleton.
Without regard for anything else, before Empress Ming could even speak, she interrupted, "The border is a thousand miles away from the capital. Words that come from there are not reliable."
Empress Ming pondered for a moment before saying, "You are right. Miss Fan and Miaohe were indeed wrong to use foul language."
Fan Shujin said, "I did not slander anyone. These are all common knowledge. Chi Yangqing is just afraid to admit it in order to protect her own reputation."
With things having come to this point, Yang Qing had no intention of backing down. "What do I have to fear about being implicated? What do I have to be afraid to admit? Even if the rumors are true, those who deserve to be beaten, scolded, killed, and punished are the bandits and robbers, not the innocent victim. Why should the victim bear the blame when others have committed the wrong?"
Mingmiao said gently, "Miss Chi is very protective of her family. I also have sisters at home, so I can understand. However, you should also pay attention to the occasion. It's not a good look for you to make a scene like this."
Chi Yangqing snorted, "If Miss Ming thinks it's not pretty, why did you speak up for her? I'm defending my sister because she's not pretty, and you're talking nonsense and ruining her reputation. Is that the behavior of a lady from a prestigious family?"
Empress Ming remained silent.
Chi Yangqing continued, “This humble woman is not very learned, but I do know that in the previous dynasty there was a woman who was kidnapped by bandits, but later killed the bandits and returned home. She was widely praised, and some people even built a temple for her and included her in the biographies of virtuous women. Even if the rumors are true, my sister is sickly and weak, a woman, and could not kill the bandits, but she was already a remarkable person to be able to protect herself and return home. Therefore, this humble woman is not worried about being implicated, but should feel fortunate and proud.”
Yang Qing believed that what she said was reasonable and well-founded, but the Empress Ming remained silent, which made her very uneasy.
She could feel that Empress Ming's gaze remained fixed on her.
After a long while, Empress Ming said, "You are right. Fan and Ming were indeed in the wrong. They shall each go back and be confined to their quarters for three months and not be allowed to leave."
"As for you, although you made a mistake, I'll forgive you this time because of what you just said. As for that arrogant maid behind you, you'll definitely have to teach her a lesson when we get back."
Chi Yangqing was overjoyed. She never expected that Empress Ming would be so understanding. She couldn't suppress her smile. After bowing, she was led out by the head palace maid, where she bumped right into Li Shangxuan.
The head palace maid was taken aback. "Why has Your Highness come?"
Li Shangxuan said, "It's nothing, I'm just taking a walk."
The head palace maid said nothing, took her leave, and turned to leave.
Yang Qing was speechless. This was the Anning Palace, used for banquets. How could Li Shangxuan not know what was happening in the palace today?
"Just taking a casual stroll"—what a flimsy excuse! They're treating people like idiots.
She wanted to go back, but Li Shangxuan held her back and wouldn't let go, so she could only let him be.
Upon entering a house, Yangqing complained, "What are you doing? You're so annoying."
I'm speechless. Why did I have to come looking for her at this time? If others see this, they'll laugh at her again.
Li Shangxuan reached out and pinched her cheek: "You have no conscience. I was afraid the Empress would make things difficult for you, so I came here to save you, and you still complain about me."
Yang Qing said smugly, "Who needs your help? The Empress is quite reasonable. But how could this Xiao Man you found be so stupid?"
She recounted the whole story, and Li Shangxuan listened while holding her hand, smiling and coaxing her, "They bullied you, I'll stand up for you, okay?"
Yang Qing shook off his hand: "I don't need you. Why are you meddling in our girls' quarrel? If you really want to help me get revenge, then hurry up and find a way to bring that despicable Li Heyun down."
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