In the main hall, before Chu Jing could speak, Xue Ling beside her couldn’t help but scold, "Have you no shame? You were the one who chose to leave that night, and now you’re the one who wants to come back! What, now that the Cao Family hasn’t been punished by the Emperor, and my father has even entered the Grand Secretariat, you’re envious again, aren’t you? Let me tell you, spilled water cannot be gathered back up. Once you left, you were no longer part of the Cao Family!"
Madam Kong, who had initially felt a twinge of guilt at being exposed, suddenly recalled her father’s words before coming—
Cao Yang had entered the Grand Secretariat, and once Grand Councillor Gu retired, he might very well become the next Chief Minister!
That was a position second only to the Emperor, the highest authority in the land! Cao San was his own younger brother—with just a little promotion, wouldn’t he soar to greatness?
So, throwing all shame aside, she retorted, "I—I was just trying to save my life! I thought, if the Cao Family were to be exterminated, at least someone would be left to offer incense and prayers during Qingming and Hanshi..."
This shameless remark infuriated Xue Ling so much that she nearly lunged forward to drive her out.
But before she could, a teacup flew out and smashed directly against Madam Kong’s forehead.
"What nonsense are you spouting? My Cao Family is perfectly fine—what need do we have for your incense and prayers?"
The vigorous voice could only belong to Old Madam Cao.
Holding Sister Xin in her arms and followed by Fourth Lady Wang, Old Madam Cao strode in. Already in low spirits due to the second son’s affairs, she now vented all her anger on Madam Kong: "Miss Kong, when you wanted to leave, this old woman didn’t hesitate to give you a letter of divorce. Now you want to come back—so tell me, are you leaving or staying?"
Madam Kong had always been somewhat afraid of her mother-in-law. Under her questioning, her legs nearly gave way. "I—I want to stay! Mother—"
"Mother? Miss Kong seems to have forgotten—that night, what did you call me? ‘Old Madam Cao,’ wasn’t it?"
The old lady’s tone dripped with sarcasm, and Xue Ling beside her couldn’t help but snicker.
Running away in times of hardship, then crawling back for riches—since when did the world’s blessings belong to her alone?
Chu Jing frowned and stepped forward to Old Madam Cao’s side. "Mother, your health hasn’t been well these days. Don’t let anger affect you. I’ll have someone escort her out..."
At this, Madam Kong seemed to find an opening and shrieked, "Fine, I admit I was cowardly! But what about her? A woman who’s been married before and can’t even bear children! Mother, I’m still young—I can still give Third Master children! Please, let me come back!"
Chu Jing’s gaze turned icy. Old Madam Cao hurled her cane at Madam Kong. "You, give birth for my third son? There are plenty of women outside who’d kill to enter my Cao Family’s doors! So what if Jing’er was married before? In talent, beauty, and virtue, a hundred of you wouldn’t measure up to her! Get out!"
Madam Kong trembled in fear. Chu Jing said coolly, "Didn’t you hear? Escort Miss Kong out—now."
The gatekeepers immediately rolled up their sleeves and rushed forward. Madam Kong barely managed to snarl, "How dare you—" before her mouth was gagged.
As she was dragged out, she happened to pass by Chu Ruoyan, who quickly dodged aside as if avoiding the plague. Madam Kong’s eyes rolled back, and she fainted on the spot.
Back in the hall, Old Madam Cao’s fury hadn’t subsided. "That shameless creature—don’t ever let her step foot in here again!"
The gatekeepers hastily agreed, trembling. The old lady then turned her glare to Chu Jing. "And you—as the mistress of the household, where’s your backbone? What is that Earl of Zhongyuan, anyway? If not for the old master’s marriage pact with his family, with Madam Kong’s disgraceful behavior, would she ever have been fit to enter my Cao Family’s gates?"
Chu Jing smiled in acknowledgment. Noticing Chu Ruoyan’s arrival, she coaxed the old lady away before approaching her. "Apologies for the unsightly scene."
Chu Ruoyan shook her head. "Aunt, you were only considering the Cao Family’s reputation... With Uncle still in the Grand Secretariat but not yet assigned a post, you didn’t want to stir trouble and affect his career. That’s why you held back against Madam Kong."
Chu Jing sighed bitterly at being seen through. "What does it matter? You saw it yourself—even if you don’t provoke others, they’ll come for you. But enough of that. What brings you here today? Is it still about that matter from before?"
Chu Ruoyan nodded. Immediately, Chu Jing pulled her into a private chamber.
After dismissing the servants—even her daughter wasn’t allowed to stay—Chu Jing finally spoke. "Any leads? I mentioned it to your uncle yesterday, but he seemed completely unaware, only sighing and calling it a ‘cursed entanglement.’"
Chu Ruoyan could understand Cao Yang’s feelings.
Who wouldn’t resent a family member who, for the sake of a woman—one who wasn’t even carrying his child—committed a grave crime that implicated the entire household? He probably wished that person had never existed!
"There are some leads, but this matter requires Uncle’s help..."
Cao Yang returned from court and entered his study.
The moment he saw Chu Ruoyan, his eyelid began twitching.
When she mentioned needing his assistance, that twitch turned into a drumbeat pounding against his temples, making them throb. "Absolutely not! What kind of man do you take your uncle for?!"
Chu Ruoyan hurriedly explained, "It’s nothing difficult! All you need to do is send a visiting card to Princess Qingping, saying you’ll pay her a visit tomorrow..."
"Preposterous!" Cao Yang flatly refused, turning to Chu Jing. "My wife, I swear to heaven, Princess Qingping and I are completely innocent! I’ve barely even glanced at her! There’s no need for you to test me like this..."
Chu Jing rarely saw him so flustered. Arching a brow, she teased, "Truly, not even a glance?"
At the Meridian Gate, he’d probably looked more than a few times...
Cao Yang’s face flushed red. Just as he was about to swear a blood oath, Chu Jing finally laughed. "Husband, I’m only teasing. Ruoyan’s idea is a last resort. If there were any other way to meet the Princess, she wouldn’t have asked you to make such a ‘sacrifice.’"
Chu Ruoyan nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes! Uncle, it’s just a visiting card—a mere formality. You don’t even need to use your seal. Besides, this is also helping the Yan Family. Didn’t you always say we could come to you if we needed anything?"
Cao Yang let out a humorless laugh. "So I should thank you for considering my reputation so thoroughly?"
Chu Ruoyan: "..."
Chu Jing gave her a look, signaling her to step outside. After waiting for the time it took an incense stick to burn, Chu Jing emerged with the card in hand.
"Thank you, Aunt! Thank you, Uncle!"
"Don’t thank me yet," Chu Jing said, suppressing a smile as she glanced back at the study. "Your uncle said that as long as you never come to him for help again, he’ll thank the heavens."
Chu Ruoyan’s lips twitched, but she took the card without guilt.
Uncles were meant to be used, after all.
The Manor of Princess Qingping was located on Shuncheng Street in the western part of the city, spanning a hundred acres of extravagant luxury.
The Chu Family’s carriage stopped at a side gate, where a strikingly handsome male attendant smiled at Chu Ruoyan. "The Princess is waiting inside. Please."
Taking a deep breath, Chu Ruoyan stepped in.
In the main hall of the manor, Princess Qingping sat adorned in lavish court robes, a begonia blossom painted between her brows—clearly dressed to impress.
Yet the moment she saw her visitor, her smile froze. "Where is Cao Yang? Why are you here?"
Chu Ruoyan smiled faintly. Realization dawned on Princess Qingping, and her expression turned icy. "How dare he use me! Guards, see her out!"
"Your Highness, wait! Wouldn’t you like to know why I’ve come?"
Princess Qingping did harbor some curiosity about the woman who had broken her life-and-death token. "Oh? Then speak. What is your purpose here?"
Chu Ruoyan said calmly, "I’ve heard that before Your Highness was married, you were quite close to the Princess. So, I wished to inquire about some private matters between Her Highness and Imperial Son-in-law Cao."
Princess Qingping froze for a moment before bursting into laughter. "Hahaha! You dare to pry into my royal cousin’s affairs? Don’t you know the common folk revere her as a living bodhisattva? Even the late emperor praised her in his time!"
Chu Ruoyan replied evenly, "All the more reason to ask."
Princess Qingping’s gaze sharpened abruptly. "You do have quite the nerve…" She studied her for a moment before suddenly saying, "Very well. Then bring Cao Yang to me—let him spend a night in my company. After that, I’ll tell you what you wish to know. How does that sound?"
Chu Ruoyan was taken aback. "Your Highness isn’t afraid the Princess will hold you accountable? I thought you were always wary of her."
"Her and Imperial Son-in-law Cao’s little scandal isn’t worth her coming after me. Besides, for Cao Yang’s sake, enduring a reprimand or two would be worth it."
A faint smile slowly curled at Chu Ruoyan’s lips. "So, Your Highness does know something."
Princess Qingping’s expression shifted. In just a few exchanges, she had unwittingly revealed too much.
Now abandoning pretense, she said, "I know you’re investigating matters for the Yan Family. Yes, I do know something. But this involves risking the Princess’s displeasure. If you don’t bring Cao Yang to me, why should I help you?"
