Chapter 287

Chapter 287: Fabrication "I don't know the specifics either. I only heard that when County Princess Rongjia was at the Du family, she murdered Elder Master Du's concubine in her hidden residence, and later sent people to hunt down the Mei family. I'm just not sure if it's true or false," Lou Wanxian said. "A concubine in a hidden residence? Isn't she deserving of death for that?" Madam Bai said indignantly, pointing at the door. "You go and find out for me right now. I want to know the details, and whether County Princess Rongjia will be in trouble!" She ordered Lou Wanxian about like a servant. From the moment Lou Wanxian entered the room, Madam Bai had only mentioned County Princess Rongjia, never asking how Lou Wanxian had been lately. In the past, Lou Wanxian always obeyed without question. But today, she truly didn't understand, and instead of going out to investigate, she asked in return, "Mother, even if something happens to County Princess Rongjia, what does it have to do with us?" "How is it not related? She is... she is my niece!" Madam Bai said loudly. "Then I am still your daughter!" Lou Wanxian's heart was filled with grievance. "From childhood to now, the Rong Prince Mansion has never given us a good face. Princess Consort Rong looks down on us even more. Privately, you can't wait for Princess Consort Rong to die. So why are you so concerned about County Princess Rongjia specifically? It's as if... as if she... she were your own daughter!" Even Lou Wanxian was startled when she said those words. Though it was impossible, she truly couldn't feel any maternal love from her mother toward her. When she was young, Lou Wanxian thought maybe she wasn't smart or sensible enough, so she worked hard to learn needlework and etiquette, and everything else that could make her mother proud. But every time she was barely praised by her tutor, her mother would find some excuse to stop her from continuing her studies. Back then, she had asked her mother why she couldn't continue learning. The reply she got was, "Do you really think the tutor was praising you? That was just politeness. In truth, they think you're hopelessly stupid. Don't go out there and embarrass me. Stay home quietly! You're so dumb, you should know your place." For a long time, Lou Wanxian truly believed she was stupid. But as she grew older, she noticed the gentleness her mother showed her other siblings, and the different attitude toward her. Only then did she gradually realize that her mother simply didn't like her. Why? Lou Wanxian couldn't figure it out. So she tried even harder to please her mother. Whatever her mother said, she would follow her mother's arrangements. Lou Wanxian strove to be the most obedient child, hoping only that her mother would praise her once, or say a single "you've worked hard" to her. But it never happened. "From childhood to now, County Princess Rongjia has always bullied me. And now you're so anxious—are you worried about her?" Lou Wanxian broke down in tears. Madam Bai looked at Lou Wanxian. "Can you compare to her? She was born a golden branch and jade leaf, while you? You're just the daughter of a minor official, and you married a worthless man. What's gotten into you today, arguing with me at every turn? What do you want to do, tear the roof off the house?" "It's not about what I want to do—it's that you, Mother, are truly baffling." Lou Wanxian wiped her tears. "If you want to find out, send your own people to investigate. I'd be glad if County Princess Rongjia died!" After all these years, Lou Wanxian had finally spoken her true feelings. Madam Bai's face turned pale. "You... what did you say? How can you say something so vicious?" "Doesn't Mother often curse Princess Consort Rong to die? Why is it that when I say something, it becomes vicious?" Lou Wanxian didn't want to say more and turned to leave. "Get back here!" Madam Bai shouted, but Lou Wanxian wouldn't listen. Over the years, Madam Bai's other children had grown up. She had a strange temper, and the only one who could regularly attend to her was Lou Wanxian. Today, Lou Wanxian had clearly had enough. Madam Bai clutched her chest, gasping for breath, and ordered the servants, "You go to the government office and the Rong Prince Mansion to find out. If anything happens to County Princess Rongjia, you must come and tell me!" Even the maidservants attending to Madam Bai didn't understand, but since their mistress ordered it, they obediently went to carry it out. After leaving the Lou family, Lou Wanxian still went to find out what was happening—not for her mother, but out of her own curiosity. On the way, she encountered the carriage of the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion and learned that Cui Lingrong was having tea nearby, so she took the initiative to go to the teahouse. Seeing Lou Wanxian enter, Cui Lingrong smiled and rose to greet her. "What a coincidence. I just ordered a pot of Biluochun tea. Come, sister, have a taste." "Then I'll shamelessly impose on you for some tea, sister." Lou Wanxian sat down and took a sip, her eyes darting around before she cut to the chase. "Marchioness Song must already know about County Princess Rongjia's situation, right?" "Yes, I did it," Cui Lingrong admitted directly. "You did it?" "Yes." "You... aren't you afraid Marquis Song will turn against you? Or does Marquis Song not know?" Lou Wanxian was quite surprised that Cui Lingrong hadn't tried to hide it. Cui Lingrong knew that Song Shulan was aware, but she didn't dwell on matters of the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion. She only mentioned County Princess Rongjia. "People outside all say I'm thorough and value propriety. I never thought I could be so vindictive. County Princess Rongjia plotted to take a life, and I want her to pay the price. I imagine you'd be pleased too, sister?" She spoke plainly, making it clear to Lou Wanxian that they shared the same stance on this matter, with no need for pretense. Lou Wanxian lowered her head and took another sip of tea, then smiled and nodded. But she wasn't particularly close to Cui Lingrong, so she didn't bring up what had happened with her mother earlier. Instead, she asked, "In Marchioness Song's view, will County Princess Rongjia manage to escape this time as well?" They both hoped she wouldn't. Cui Lingrong said, "As long as the crime is pinned on County Princess Rongjia, she's as good as dead. I think there's an eighty percent chance." One shouldn't speak too absolutely, but eighty percent was already a very high probability. Seeing Lou Wanxian let out a sigh of relief, Cui Lingrong asked again, "It seems Sister Lou also despises County Princess Rongjia." "We grew up together, and our mothers are both from the Bai family, so we were inevitably compared to each other." Lou Wanxian shook her head as she spoke. "My dislike of her has been there since childhood. If there's anything Marchioness Song needs me to do, just send someone to inform me. On this matter, I will spare no effort to help." Cui Lingrong thought for a moment. "There is actually one thing. I'd like Sister Lou to go check on the situation at the Rong Prince Mansion for me. Although the Rong Prince Mansion won't tell you the truth, you're clever—you'll certainly be able to discern the state of things there." As a relative, it was only natural for Lou Wanxian to visit upon learning that County Princess Rongjia was in trouble, so she smiled and agreed. The two parted ways at the teahouse. Cui Lingrong returned to the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, while Lou Wanxian went to the Rong Prince Mansion. Meanwhile, Prince Rong and his wife were both kneeling before the Emperor, still stubbornly refusing to admit anything. Princess Consort Rong spoke with righteous indignation. "Your Majesty, Rongjia may have a quick temper, but she would never do something as terrible as taking a life. As for the letters and tokens, those can all be forged. Cui Zeyu is Lady Cui's brother—the siblings have always harbored resentment that Rongjia married into the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, so they deliberately framed her!" "Hmph, the Princess Consort certainly has a sharp tongue and a remarkable talent for twisting the truth!" Cui Zeyu sneered. Prince Rong, meanwhile, looked toward Song Shulan, signaling for him to speak up. The Emperor took note of everyone's actions below the hall. Seeing Prince Rong turn his head, the Emperor also asked, "Song Aiqing, Rongjia is now your wife, and you've been married for quite some time. Tell me—do you think the Mei family matter has anything to do with Rongjia?"