"The Doctor hasn’t arrived yet, and Mother’s condition is very critical; we had no choice but to come over and ask Princess Chen to treat Mother," Madam Xu answered with a puzzled face, "We didn’t see Princess Chen on the way here. When did Princess Chen go to the inner court?"
Anxious, Xia Zhimo was just about to say something when Lady Luo timely shook her head, signaling her to remain calm. She, along with Princess Ning and others, knew full well that Yang Mengchen had been set up, but firmly believed Yang Mengchen would turn the tables yet.
"About half an hour ago, a Maid came to find my youngest sister-in-law. We all saw her follow that Maid toward the inner court," Long Fengying said.
The ladies present all expressed their agreement that it was so.
Madam Xu waved her hand and said, "We never sent a Maid to ask for Princess Chen." Madam Zhang and the two nieces-by-marriage hurriedly chimed in agreement.
"Oh heavens, what’s going on? Could something have happened to my youngest sister-in-law? We..."
"Shut up!" Princess Ning said in a stern voice, scolding Long Fengying, "The matter isn’t clear yet, and here you are crying out in alarm. What kind of decorum is that?"
As Princess Ning was a respected elder with considerable authority, Long Fengying naturally did not dare to defy her and sheepishly closed her mouth, saying no more.
Just then, a Maid ran over in a hurry, looked timidly at everyone, and appeared to be on the verge of speaking but hesitated.
"Speak up if there’s something!" The Ma family was trying their best to curry favor with Princess Chen. If something happened to Princess Chen at the Hou Mansion, the consequences would be unthinkable. Madam Xu, extremely anxious, saw the Maid halting and failing to speak, and couldn’t help but rebuke loudly.
The Maid, scared pale, hastily replied, "This servant... saw Prin... Princess Chen headed... towards the front courtyard..."
"My youngest sister-in-law went to the front courtyard?" Long Fengying suddenly raised her voice, startling everyone, who then showed various expressions.
Long Jingxi glared fiercely at Long Fengying, her eyes and brows emanating chilliness and severity, "Long Fengying, do not forget your status!"
Understanding the implication in Long Jingxi’s words and considering the Emperor’s affection for that wretch Yang Mengchen, if Yang Mengchen were to commit any act that brought shame to the Royal family’s dignity, the Emperor would surely execute Yang Mengchen. However, he would also investigate the cause, and once that was uncovered... And with the merciless Prince Chen who would certainly not let things slide, Long Fengying clenched her teeth with hatred yet felt an inexplicable fear and regret. She should not have plotted against Yang Mengchen in this manner, but now that things had reached this point, she had no way out.
"We must find Jiujiu," declared Princess Ning, believing her niece-by-marriage would be fine. She pointed to the Maid, "You, lead the way."
The group followed the Maid to the courtyard that bordered both inner and outer courts, where they heard bursts of a man’s panting and a woman’s moans from inside a room. The ladies, of course, knew what was happening and hurriedly told their daughters and daughters-in-law to stay in the courtyard.
"My youngest sister-in-law..." Long Fengying shouted in panic.
"Silence!" Princess Ning was furious, "If you continue to spout nonsense, I will not show you any mercy!"
Long Fengying sulked and lowered her head, concealing the resentment and jealousy in her eyes.
Madam Xu and her two daughters-in-law turned deathly pale out of fear, shaking all over. They thought to themselves that it was all over; the Hou Mansion couldn’t escape this disaster!
Madam Zhang was originally pleased, but seeing the terrified expressions of her older sister-in-law and the two nieces-by-marriage, she came to her senses about the grave consequences of this incident, her face turning ashen and her heart filled with regret.
Lady Luo and Lady Xiao believed in Yang Mengchen and thus stepped forward to push open the door. They went inside for a moment and then came back out. Lady Luo said in a low voice, "This is utterly preposterous!"
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