The next morning, at the Northern Garrison General's residence.
Little Dai rushed in breathlessly: "Miss, I spent a fortune to get news from the Bai Xiao Pavilion—County Princess Changle is meeting their master at Lucky Restaurant at noon today!"
Feng Ying immediately sat up straight: "Is the information reliable?"
"It should be. The Earl of Pingxi's Manor also bribed a servant from Yan Mansion, who said County Princess Changle was so terrified last night she couldn’t sleep half the night. She’s probably panicking and running to her lover for help!"
"Good!" Feng Ying clapped her hands in delight. "She’s finally cracking! Quick, send the news to Yan Zheng—no, wait, let me think again!"
Last night, her father had returned and told her how Yan Zheng had fiercely defended her in court, even making Old Censor Yu faint from rage.
What if he was so deeply in love that he refused to see reason and even tried to cover for her? Wouldn’t that ruin all her efforts?
"Send the news to Minister Xu of the Ministry of Rites and Old Censor Yu, the one he made faint. I’m sure these two would be more than happy to act on our behalf!"
Little Dai’s eyes lit up: "Yes! They’ll surely find a way to expose County Princess Changle’s infidelity—maybe even personally catch her in the act. That way, we don’t have to lift a finger, and our rival is dealt with. Brilliant, Miss!"
Feng Ying smirked proudly.
What was Prince Qin, anyway? Just an empty title, constantly restrained by the Empress Dowager!
How could he compare to Yan Zheng, who held real power? And once she married him, she wouldn’t even have to serve in-laws—she’d be the mistress of the household from day one. Wasn’t that a dream life?
Little Dai promptly delivered the news to the Yu and Xu households.
As expected, the two men conferred and immediately took leave from the Ministry of Personnel.
They brought their wives along and even invited a few fellow censors, forming a sizable group that booked an entire floor of Lucky Restaurant.
At three quarters past the hour of Si (around 9:45 AM), just as predicted, the Yan family carriage arrived.
Chu Ruoyan, veiled, stepped down with the support of her maid. A waiter at the door eagerly greeted them, exchanging a few familiar words before leading them inside.
The way they moved with such ease suggested they were regulars.
Old Censor Yu slammed his hand on the table. "Shameless! How could the Duke of Chu raise such a daughter?"
Minister Xu scoffed. "Yesterday, the Chief Minister called me a meddling fool. I wonder what expression he’ll wear today when he learns his wife is meeting another man!"
As they fumed, the woman entered a private room on the third floor.
The room was tucked deep in the corridor, concealed by potted plants and paintings—exceptionally discreet.
The censors exchanged glances, their eyes filled with pity.
The Yan family truly had the worst luck!
First, the general was pursued by the Princess, leading to his family’s ruin. Then the heir was betrayed by an orphan girl, resulting in his death during a siege.
Now, the Chief Minister—still alive—had a wife who dared to cheat on him.
Was the Yan family doomed to be destroyed by women?
Once Chu Ruoyan entered, her maids and nannies retreated to an adjacent room.
But they left the door ajar—likely to keep watch for their mistress!
After waiting for the time it took two incense sticks to burn, Old Censor Yu and Minister Xu nodded to their wives.
Catching adulterers wasn’t something high-ranking officials could do personally, so their wives would handle it.
Old Madam Yu and Madam Xu stood, accompanied by their own servants, and marched toward the third-floor room.
Before they could get close, Yulu and Nanny Zhou rushed out to block them. "No outsiders allowed here! Leave at once!"
The two noblewomen exchanged glances. Old Madam Yu declared, "We are wives of imperial officials. There’s nowhere in this restaurant we can’t go. Step aside!"
Yulu stubbornly spread her arms, refusing to budge. Madam Xu ordered, "Drag them away!"
Seeing this, Nanny Zhou immediately shouted, "Intruders! Intrud—mmph!"
Madam Xu’s servants gagged her, but the outburst had already drawn attention. Patrons downstairs crowded the stairwell, craning their necks to see.
Old Censor Yu frowned. "This won’t do. The Chief Minister’s scandal mustn’t become public gossip!"
But Minister Xu countered, "Rumors have already spread across the capital. Besides, this isn’t the Chief Minister’s fault—the people will only pity him." Without giving Old Censor Yu a chance to object, he descended to the third floor and announced loudly, "Madam, let’s invite the Chief Minister’s wife out. It’s time to clarify whether these rumors are true!"
At the mention of the Chief Minister’s wife, the crowd grew even more excited. Soon, the restaurant’s lower floors were packed. Those who couldn’t squeeze inside spilled onto the street, watching eagerly.
Old Censor Yu, sensing disaster, had no choice but to follow.
Madam Xu approached the private room and declared, "Chief Minister’s wife, there’s no escape now. The entire restaurant is watching. You and your lover might as well come out and explain yourselves."
Gasps erupted. The spectators hadn’t expected such a scandal—adultery in broad daylight!
"I thought it was just gossip yesterday, but it’s real!"
"How disgraceful! The Chief Minister treats her so well—their grand wedding procession was the envy of every woman!"
"Exactly! And he hasn’t taken a single concubine or even a maidservant. She’s practically his sole focus!"
"Minister Xu is doing the right thing—upholding propriety and justice for the Chief Minister!"
Though they spoke of justice, everyone was far more interested in the spectacle.
When no response came, Madam Xu banged on the door. "Chief Minister’s wife, will you come out, or shall we break in? The latter will only humiliate you further!"
After a tense silence, the door creaked open.
Chu Ruoyan stepped out, her robes tidy but her hair slightly disheveled.
Madam Xu grew even more convinced of her guilt. "Finally! Now, call out your lover too!"
Chu Ruoyan frowned. "What lover? There’s no one else inside."
Madam Xu sneered. Someone below shouted, "Liar! I saw a hooded figure enter—must be the scoundrel!"
"Me too!"
"Yes, definitely a man!"
The crowd roared. Minister Xu said smoothly, "Why keep denying it? The truth is obvious."
Old Censor Yu stamped his foot. "Disgraceful! Utterly disgraceful! Bring the man out at once—let the law deal with them!"
Madam Xu tried to push past, but Chu Ruoyan gripped her arm tightly. "You can’t go in—you mustn’t—"
Seizing the chance, Minister Xu barged in—only to freeze at the sight of a pair of cold, pitch-black eyes.
He stumbled back in terror, tripping over the threshold and landing hard on the floor.
Old Censor Yu scowled. "Minister Xu! How can a mere lecher frighten the head of the Ministry of Rites?"
Minister Xu’s lips trembled. Then, a chillingly familiar voice spoke from within:
"Oh? Since when has this Chief Minister become a 'lecher'?"
At the Feng residence, Feng Ying was playing chess with Prince Qin.
In the past, he had always let her win, but today, his restless mind led him to take several of her pieces, pushing her toward a dead end.
Feng Ying’s eyes darkened for a moment, but then she shrugged it off.
What did Prince Qin matter? Once she became the Chief Grand Secretary’s wife, she would have everything she desired.
“Miss! Miss!”
Little Dai rushed in, breathless. Feng Ying stood up eagerly. “Did it work?”
Little Dai’s face had gone pale. She pointed outside, shaking her head frantically. The next moment, officers stormed in and declared sternly, “By order of the Chief Grand Secretary, Miss Feng Ying and her maid are to be taken to the Shuntian Prefecture for questioning!”
Feng Ying’s mind went blank. Murong Jin knocked over the chess box in shock.
Clatter—black and white pieces scattered across the floor.
Murong Jin rose abruptly. “What is the meaning of this? Why is Ah Ying being taken for questioning?”
