Chu Ruoyan froze for a moment as Yan Zheng succinctly explained, "…The news reached Cining Palace so quickly. It’s likely not just the Feng family—your father’s political adversaries at court must have had a hand in this."
Her father, having served as an official for years, was upright and incorruptible. Though he oversaw the Ministry of Personnel, he had also made many enemies.
If this matter escalated, at best, it would be seen as lax household discipline. At worst, it could be interpreted as deliberately obscuring the royal bloodline!
The fact that Empress Dowager Su had forcibly taken someone away made it clear she intended to assign blame…
Steadying herself, Chu Ruoyan asked, "Aunt, Third Sister, what happened to the midwife who caused the scene today?"
Lady Jiang the Younger and Chu Ruolan exchanged glances before the latter replied, "Father had her sent away from the estate. I assume Chu Zhong gave her some silver to keep her quiet…"
"What?"
Chu Ruoyan gasped and turned to Yan Zheng, whose expression darkened instantly. "Meng Yang, have our men—no, go yourself. You must find her!"
"Yes, sir!"
As Meng Yang hurried off, Chu Ruolan still looked confused, while Lady Jiang the Younger paled. "Surely… surely it’s not that serious?"
Chu Ruoyan frowned. "If it weren’t, why would Empress Dowager Su be involved?"
Lady Jiang the Younger fell silent, clenching her fists. Chu Ruolan pressed, "What are you all talking about?"
Just as Chu Ruoyan sighed and prepared to explain, a hand steadied her arm. Yan Zheng spoke for her, his tone measured. "At a time like this, if something happens to that midwife—or if she dies—who do you think people will blame?"
"Of course, it’ll be us—" Chu Ruolan’s eyes widened as realization struck. "So this is a deliberate smear! Not only will outsiders think we silenced her, but they’ll also believe the midwife’s claims—that Second Sister’s origins are truly in question… How vile!"
Chu Ruoyan remained silent.
Truthfully, someone of Lady Jiang the Younger’s shrewdness should have seen this coming.
But when personal stakes were high, few could remain calm. She could only hope it wasn’t too late.
After a pause, she looked up at Yan Zheng.
Their eyes met, and he understood her thoughts instantly. "Ruoyan, you’ve just recovered from your illness. You shouldn’t exert yourself. Let me go instead."
"No. As an outer court official and a man, there are things you can’t say to Empress Dowager Su." Her gaze was resolute. "Don’t worry, I’m fine. The Butterfly Dream of Zhuangzi has cured my cold ailment. Aside from some fatigue, I’m well enough. Father’s situation is urgent."
Yan Zheng recognized that stubborn look—the same one she’d worn when fighting for the Yan family.
His heart ached. "Fine. Then I’ll accompany you."
Chu Ruoyan nodded before turning to Lady Jiang the Younger and Chu Ruolan. "Aunt, Third Sister, return home and wait for news. Remember—above all else, take good care of Second Sister."
In this ordeal, she had suffered the most.
Lady Jiang the Younger and Chu Ruolan quickly agreed, and the group parted ways.
Cining Palace.
Crash!
A priceless blue-and-white porcelain vase shattered on the floor.
“Chu Huaishan, out of respect for your standing as a pillar of the state, this widow has been patient with you. Must you truly shield a bastard child and defy the dignity of the royal family?”
Empress Dowager Su’s voice was sharp as a blade. The elderly minister kneeling before her remained unmoved. "Your Majesty, this old servant has already stated that if you wish to annul my daughter’s betrothal to Prince Qin, the Chu family will not protest. But to strip her name from our ancestral records under accusations of 'moral corruption' and 'wanton behavior'—this, I cannot allow!"
"You are being unreasonable!" the Empress Dowager snapped. "That girl’s engagement to Prince Qin was publicly announced. If we dissolve it abruptly, how will the realm accept it without justification? Or do you truly intend to air your family’s disgrace—to admit that the great Duke of Chu was cuckolded, raising another man’s child?"
Chu Huaishan’s brow darkened. "If the royal family insists on a pretext, then so be it!"
"You—!" Empress Dowager Su seethed until Eunuch Xu rushed forward to soothe her. "Duke Chu, Her Majesty only has your reputation at heart. Must you truly ruin yourself for a daughter who shares no blood with you?"
For a noble house to unknowingly raise an imposter—wouldn’t the world laugh itself hoarse?
But Chu Huaishan stood firm. He saw through the pretense.
The royal family cared nothing for an old minister’s honor.
Their concern was solely for the imperial family’s face!
Even a mere consort’s scandal would tarnish the crown, hence their scheme to taint Ruoyin’s virtue.
Seeing him as immovable as a rock, Empress Dowager Su abandoned persuasion. Coldly, she prepared to issue an edict—
Just then, a commotion erupted outside.
"Prince Qin, you cannot enter—"
"Out of my way!"
A figure stormed in, kicking aside the eunuch. "Mother, is it true? About the Chu family?"
Empress Dowager Su pointed at Chu Huaishan. "Ask him."
Prince Qin—Murong Jin—turned to the old minister, who bowed his head. "I dare not deceive Your Highness. It is true."
Murong Jin’s face drained of color. "And Ruoyin… is she well?"
Chu Huaishan blinked, surprised the prince’s first thought was for her welfare rather than outrage.
"Your Highness need not worry. My daughter is under her mother and sister’s care. She is safe."
Murong Jin exhaled before facing his mother. "I will not break the engagement."
"What?" Empress Dowager Su shot to her feet, her chest tightening anew. "You would wed a woman of dubious origins?"
"Mother!" Murong Jin dropped to his knees. "I wronged her once already. To abandon her now would make me dishonorable!"
Empress Dowager Su laughed bitterly. "You speak of honor to her—what of the royal family’s dignity?" Before he could reply, she added softly, "Besides, Jin’er, I always thought your heart belonged to the Feng girl."
A-Ying.
Murong Jin stiffened. Had his mother not mentioned her, he might have forgotten entirely.
"Jin’er, think carefully. Making that girl your consort was a compromise. Now that her lineage is in question, the imperial house cannot accept her. This is your chance to dissolve the match and unite with A-Ying. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?"
Conflict flickered in Murong Jin’s eyes before resolve settled in. "Mother, having already ruined Ruoyin’s reputation, how can I shirk responsibility now? If A-Ying understands, I will be grateful. If not… then it was never meant to be."
Empress Dowager Su had not expected such obstinacy. After a long, icy stare, she suddenly smiled. "Very well. This empress dowager will permit the marriage. She may enter your household as your consort…”
Murong Jin brightened. "Thank you, Mother—"
"But," the Empress Dowager cut in, her voice frigid, "the imperial bloodline must remain pure. A woman of unknown origins may be kept as a plaything—but she shall never bear a child."
