The moment this thought arose, Chu Ruoyan dismissed it.
If the Yan Family were truly convicted of such a crime, Yan Zheng wouldn’t have been able to remain peacefully in the estate, let alone receive the title of Marquis of Anning.
Her gaze turned icy as she looked at the two noblewomen. "Madam Tao, Madam Hua, is what Wenjing said true?"
Madam Tao fell silent, while Madam Hua, being from the censor’s family, managed a weak defense. "Children’s angry words shouldn’t be taken seriously."
"Angry words?"
Chu Ruoyan smiled leisurely. "It seems your sons are prodigies, mastering military strategy at such a tender age. Why not consult Teacher Tang immediately? We wouldn’t want to delay their extraordinary talents."
With that, she made as if to head toward the schoolhouse.
The two women paled. Madam Hua hastily called out, "Second Young Madam, wait!"
These were no trivial matters. Children didn’t understand concepts like reckless ambition—they merely parroted what they heard from adults…
Forcing a smile, Madam Hua said, "Second Young Madam, don’t be angry. We were at fault earlier, wrongly accusing Wenjing without verifying the facts. This was just a childish squabble, hardly worth making a fuss over."
Madam Tao chimed in, "Yes, we won’t pursue the matter further."
Chu Ruoyan glanced at Yan Wenjing, confirming he was unharmed, and was about to respond when a sharp, frigid voice cut through the courtyard.
"You may not pursue it, but I will!"
Everyone turned to see a stunning woman in palace robes, haughtily striding forward with the support of her maids.
Madam Hua and Madam Tao hurriedly bowed. "Greetings to County Princess Kanghe!"
County Princess Kanghe was the only daughter of Prince Yu and Princess Yongyang—a spoiled, arrogant noblewoman who had only tempered her ways after marrying the eldest son of Chancellor Gu.
And Gu Hongzhi was her son!
The County Princess stopped before Chu Ruoyan, looking down her nose. "You think those words can be used as leverage? Let me make this clear—you may intimidate them, but not me! So what if it spreads? At worst, it’s dismissed as childish nonsense. But my son’s wrist was broken. Even if this goes to the Ministry of Justice, I am the wronged party!"
Chu Ruoyan frowned slightly.
As a member of the imperial family, County Princess Kanghe could indeed afford to disregard gossip.
"Yan Wenjing," the County Princess sneered, "I’ll give you two choices. First, kneel and apologize to Hongzhi, then break your own hand. Or second—" Her eyes glinted with malice. "I’ll have your crippled third uncle lose both his hands!"
"You dare?!"
Yan Wenjing’s eyes burned with hatred, as if he might tear her apart the next moment.
Chu Ruoyan’s expression also hardened. "County Princess Kanghe, this is disrespect toward the Marquis of Anning."
"What Marquis? He’s just a coward who abandoned his father and brother to save his own skin—a cripple rewarded out of His Majesty’s pity!" She tossed her head disdainfully. "And you? A merchant’s daughter, daring to act insolently before me? Servants! Slap her mouth!"
The maids surged forward to seize Chu Ruoyan.
"Stop! Hit me instead, leave her alone!" Yan Wenjing tried to rush forward but was restrained by a guard.
Chu Ruoyan smiled faintly. "It’s alright."
Then she met the County Princess’s gaze calmly. "Think carefully, Your Highness. This slap may cost your family everything."
The County Princess erupted. "Beat her! Tear that wretched mouth apart! Let’s see how a merchant’s daughter can ruin me!"
The moment the order was given, Chu Ruoyan suddenly grimaced, as if in unbearable pain—then coughed up a mouthful of blood!
"Ah! My face!"
County Princess Kanghe shrieked, her meticulously painted face now streaked with crimson. The maids scrambled to wipe it clean.
Suddenly, Yan Wenjing cried out, "Evil woman! Third Aunt!"
Chu Ruoyan’s frail body swayed like a leaf in the wind, collapsing backward.
Her nursemaid caught her. "Third Young Madam! Third Young Madam, what’s wrong? Don’t scare this old servant!"
Third Young Madam?!
County Princess Kanghe froze. "Who did you say she was?"
The nursemaid wept. "This is our newly wed Third Young Madam—the legitimate daughter of Duke Chu, properly married to our Marquis of Anning…"
What?!
The sickly daughter of Duke Chu’s household?!
Panic finally flickered across the County Princess’s face. She scanned the crowd for Madam Tao and Madam Hua, but both women looked equally stunned, as if they’d known nothing.
Then an uncertain voice called, "Ruoyan?"
They turned to see Xue Ling, daughter of Marquis Chengen, holding a five- or six-year-old boy’s hand, standing not far away.
And behind her—dozens of noblewomen with their children, even the teachers from the academy, all watching intently!
County Princess Kanghe swayed. "Wh-what time is it?"
A maid whispered, "Almost noon…"
Noon—when classes ended. Which meant… they’d all witnessed everything.
"Ruoyan—heavens, it is you!"
Xue Ling looked aghast. Handing the boy to her maid, she rushed forward—only for the County Princess to deliberately block her path.
Unwilling to indulge such behavior, Xue Ling shoved her aside.
"County Princess Kanghe, what is the meaning of this?
"Forcing Ruoyan to vomit blood wasn’t enough? Must she die before your eyes to satisfy you?"
The County Princess’s heart sank. They’d seen it all.
"This is a misunderstanding—"
“Oh? Then enlighten me—what ‘misunderstanding’ justifies harassing my cousin to the point of spitting blood? What ‘misunderstanding’ permits striking the widow of a war hero?”
Every word struck like a hammer.
The spectators’ expressions darkened.
The answer was obvious: bullying a family with no one left to defend them.
Frantic now, County Princess Kanghe searched for Madam Tao and Madam Hua—only to find they’d already retreated to the shadows, leaving her alone under the crowd’s scrutiny.
In desperation, she pointed at Yan Wenjing. "I never struck her! Ask him if you don’t believe me!"
The boy knelt beside Chu Ruoyan, clutching her hand tightly.
This was his fault. His recklessness had dragged her into this. He’d never liked her, yet she’d suffered for his sake. He couldn’t bear the debt.
Just as guilt overwhelmed him—he felt a faint tickle in his palm.
Looking down, he saw her pinky twitch against his hand.
She was faking!
Relief flooded him. Lifting his tear-streaked face, he wailed, "It’s all my fault… I should’ve endured their insults toward Father and Grandfather… Then Third Aunt wouldn’t have been slapped… wouldn’t have coughed blood for me…"
His innocent voice carried clearly to every ear.
The crowd’s disapproval turned to outright fury.
"What?! They insulted General Yan and the late Marquis?!"
"Have they no shame?"
"How could Chancellor Gu tolerate such a vile daughter-in-law?!"
Each word pierced County Princess Kanghe like a blade.
Never before subjected to such scathing condemnation, she stood hollow-eyed—then fainted dead away.
The last thought before blacking out was, "This truly will be the ruin of my family..."
