Prince Jing then returned to the front courtyard.
The matter involving the Ma sisters would be handled by the Ma family; it could not be pinned on him. What was most important now was how he could win over Ke Prince Mansion after the incident involving Long Yanrou.
No one noticed that in the shadow of a large tree not far away, as soon as everyone had left, a graceful figure also vanished.
Just as Princess Ning and her party had walked out of the courtyard, they happened to run into Madam Xu and Madam Zhang who were coming over after handling their matters. Both sisters-in-law intended to inquire about what had happened, but seeing the unusual expressions on everyone’s faces and feeling a sense of alarm, they dared not ask.
"It seems there’s someone over there!" a maid walking ahead of Madam Zhang suddenly exclaimed in alarm.
Everyone showed a look of surprise and hastened their steps forward.
The maid seemed to have encountered something unspeakable, clutching at her sleeve in a hesitant and reticent manner.
Madam Zhang stole a glance at Long Fengying, thinking that she had arranged some clever ploy against Princess Chen. A flicker of delight passed through Madam Zhang’s eyes, but outwardly she scolded the maid: "What are you blathering about? Don’t you have any manners?"
"Madam Ma, hold off on instructing your servants for now." Princess Ning asked the maid coolly, "What exactly did you see?"
The maid opened her mouth, then lowered her head without answering.
Confused by her reaction, the assembled group considered the many young ladies and gentlemen who had attended today’s flower viewing banquet. If someone... Everyone enjoyed spectacles, and similarly, the various ladies were concerned about their own daughters, daughters-in-law, or sons being involved, especially since a number of incidents had occurred in quick succession. They all felt a bit apprehensive and turned their attention to Princess Ning.
"I’ll go see what has alarmed this maid so," Madam Zhang said and walked toward the front.
Princess Ning and the others, worried it might be Yang Mengchen, quickly followed suit, and the rest, not wanting to be left behind, also trailed behind.
Watching Madam Zhang’s retreating figure, Madam Xu pondered. Could Madam Zhang be up to some mischief again?
Seeing the scene before them, everyone’s face subtly changed.
A woman was lying flat on the ground at the corner of a rockery. Her gown and jewelry were intact, but her forehead and pale face were smeared with blood, creating a shocking and suspicious sight.
Madam Zhang was startled. Could it be that Princess Fengying planned to use Guo Huan to deal with Princess Chen?
"Huanhuan..." Maternal Aunt Rou from the House of the Secretary of Honglu Temple let out a piercing scream and rushed to embrace her daughter.
The Secretary of Honglu Temple was extremely fond of Maternal Aunt Rou, who came from a brothel, and her children, almost to the point of spoiling his concubine over his wife. Madam Qi, his legitimate wife, harbored deep resentment and bitterness. Originally, Xinyang Marquis Mansion had not intended to invite Maternal Aunt Rou to the banquet, but after she went to the Secretary of Honglu Temple weeping, he forcibly made Madam Qi bring Maternal Aunt Rou and her children to the event.
At that moment, Madam Qi, who was present, felt an intense sense of satisfaction seeing Guo Huan in trouble, although she still walked over with a face full of concern and worry.
Seeing the scars on Guo Huan’s forehead, which obviously marred her beauty, Madam Qi secretly rejoiced, though her face betrayed none of it.
"Which black-hearted villain has harmed my Huanhuan? Now that Huanhuan’s face is disfigured, how can she ever get married?" Maternal Aunt Rou cursed aloud.
Her voice was sharp and mean, causing everyone there to frown slightly. Most of those present were principal wives, and although there were a few concubines, they all looked down upon maternla Aunt Rou, who had a lowly background and a frivolous demeanor, which left her often isolated.
Maternal Aunt Rou was utterly oblivious, and Madam Qi certainly was not about to enlighten her.
After wailing over her precious daughter, Maternal Aunt Rou suddenly turned her head and yelled shrilly at Madam Xu and Madam Zhang: "This happened in your mansion; you two must find the despicable villain. I want to flay their skin and tear their flesh!"
Although it was indeed the responsibility of Hou Mansion to address the incident, Maternal Aunt Rou’s attitude not only evaporated any sympathy for Guo Huan amongst the onlookers, but also because of the disgraceful Maternal Aunt Rou, they held Guo Huan in contempt.
As long as it did not involve Yang Mengchen, Princess Ning and the others could not be bothered to intervene, merely watching the situation unfold with cold indifference.
"Maternal Aunt Rou, do not panic; let’s first assess Ms. Guo’s injuries." Seeing Maternal Aunt Rou only cared about making a scene and not her daughter’s condition, someone who could no longer stand by spoke up.
Unaware of the scornful looks directed at her, Maternal Aunt Rou frantically shook her daughter in her arms: "Huanhuan, wake up, Huanhuan..."
Guo Huan remained motionless, her eyes tightly shut, which finally sent Maternal Aunt Rou into a panic. "What to do? Huanhuan won’t wake up, and we don’t know what happened?"
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