"Yes, how could you drive a servant to death... spread malicious rumors to tarnish the County Princess's reputation... and even arrange for someone to push Ruoyin—push Ruoyin into the water... How could you be such a person?!" Murong Jin clutched his head, let out a pained roar, and sprinted away.
"Ninth Brother, Ninth Brother—" Feng Ying chased after him a few steps but failed to catch up.
Chu Ruoyan and Yan Zheng exchanged a glance, and the latter chuckled lightly, "The show's over. Shall this Chief Minister take his leave now?"
The Prefect of Shuntian was still trembling, wondering what he should do if the Chief Minister insisted on holding the Feng family accountable. Hearing these words, he nearly wept with gratitude. "Thank you, Chief Minister, thank you! This humble official will escort you out at once!"
Yan Zheng gave a faint hum and, holding his wife's hand, paused slightly as he passed Minister Xu. "As for today's matter, the Emperor...?"
He cast a meaningful glance at Xu Xian, who bowed deeply. "Rest assured, Chief Minister. This official will report everything truthfully to His Majesty!"
Old Censor Yu, however, disagreed. "Chief Minister, since you already know who the true culprit is, why allow her to harm others and even let her walk out of the court unscathed?"
Yan Zheng raised an eyebrow but remained silent. His wife spoke instead, "Old Censor Yu, you are so righteous. Why didn’t you say this earlier in court?"
Old Censor Yu choked on his words. How could a man past his fifties take it upon himself to discipline a young girl?
Chu Ruoyan gave a soft snort and pulled Yan Zheng away.
Only after leaving Shuntian Prefecture did she say, "These cunning foxes don’t want to offend the Feng family themselves, yet they blame you for not stepping forward. How shameless!"
The woman puffed her cheeks in anger, but Yan Zheng found her utterly charming.
He leaned down to steal a kiss on her cheek and whispered, "Are you truly not angry that I let her go?"
She countered, "Will you really let her go?"
A glint of amusement flashed in Yan Zheng's eyes. How could he?
When the news reached the palace, the Emperor was savoring the newly-tributed wine with the Empress.
Upon hearing the report, the blue-and-white porcelain cup slipped from his hand and shattered on the floor. "What? The Feng family dares to spread slander about my Chief Minister? How many heads do they think they have?!"
Empress Pei hurriedly soothed him, "Your Majesty, calm yourself. Don’t let anger harm your health..."
"How can I not be furious? First, the Feng family produced that unfilial disgrace of a daughter, earning the scorn of the entire capital. And now, within days, they dare to spread rumors and stir up strife among the court officials! Do they think a decree of immunity from the ancestors makes them untouchable?!"
The murderous intent in his voice even stunned Empress Pei.
After a moment, she gently advised, "Your Majesty, the Feng family may be insolent, but you are the sovereign of the realm. You mustn’t stoop to their level. The decree of immunity was granted by the late Emperor. If you act against them now, it may tarnish your filial reputation..."
The Emperor clenched his fists and slammed them onto the table.
How could he not know?
That decree left by his father had truly become a thorn in his side!
"If I can’t kill them, I can at least make their lives miserable! Yin Shun, issue my decree: The Feng family has repeatedly caused disturbances, even implicating the Chief Minister. From today, the General of the Northern Garrison is suspended without pay and confined to his residence. All other members of the Feng household are forbidden to leave their estate without my express permission!"
Let them be locked up for ten days to half a month, barred from purchasing supplies. See if they don’t starve!
Still seething, he added, "Empress, select a few palace matrons to teach the Feng women what proper decorum means!"
Those sent from the palace were experts at interpreting the Emperor’s will.
Previously, Consort Xue had dispatched a matron who nearly took half of Chu Ruoyin’s life. Now, with the Emperor and Empress’s tacit approval, Feng Ying and the Feng women would lose at least two layers of skin!
Meanwhile, on Vermilion Bird Street.
Prince Qin wandered aimlessly, having dismissed all his attendants.
He bumped into several people and nearly collided with a carriage. The coachman lashed him across the hand with a whip. "If you want to die, do it elsewhere! Don’t drag others down with you!"
The whip left a bloody gash, yet the pain brought him some relief.
Earlier, Little Dai had revealed that during the Qujiang Banquet, it was Feng Ying who schemed to push Ruoyin into the water.
Yet at that time, he had only cared for Feng Ying’s weak heart and failed to save Ruoyin, watching helplessly as she drowned...
The agony in her heart then must have been a hundred, a thousand times worse than what he felt now.
What had possessed him to discard a pearl for a fish’s eye, to push away the one who loved him deeply and protect a... a viper instead?
The thought drove him to slap himself hard across the face.
"Cousin Ruoyin, slow down. I’ve already paid a hefty sum to reserve Shi Jinnian’s rare masterpiece. It won’t be sold to anyone else..."
A gentle, doting voice drifted over with the wind.
Prince Qin froze as if struck by lightning and turned stiffly.
There, he saw a graceful figure in a veil, her eyes alight with joy as she gazed at the man beside her. "Thank you, Cousin Huaian. I’ve long wanted to visit the Great Bamboo Study to admire that piece, but my purse was too light. Today, I’m fortunate to have your help."
Then, with concern, she added, "But you didn’t overspend, did you? That painting is exorbitantly priced. Please don’t waste money on my account..."
Jiang Huaian smiled warmly. "You flatter me, Cousin. To me, your happiness is worth more than gold. If you truly love this painting, I’ll buy it for you—"
Before he could finish, he spotted Murong Jin in the crowd and his expression darkened.
Chu Ruoyin followed his gaze. "What’s wrong, Cousin Huaian? Oh... it’s him!"
The man stood not far away, staring at them in despair. Blood dripped from his hand, but Chu Ruoyin only glanced at him before turning away. "Let’s go, Cousin. We shouldn’t delay our visit."
Jiang Huaian exhaled in relief, fearing she might soften, and quickly hailed a carriage.
As she stepped onto the carriage, Prince Qin called out desperately, "Ruoyin!"
The woman’s figure stiffened slightly.
Had it been before—even a few days ago—that single call would have made her forgive everything.
But it was too late. Far too late.
Her feelings had long been ground to dust by repeated disappointments, scattered by the wind.
Without hesitation, Chu Ruoyin entered the carriage. Prince Qin clenched his fists until his nails drew blood.
Drops of crimson fell between his fingers. Regret tore at his heart, yet he could neither catch up nor dare to.
What right did he have?
All he could do was watch helplessly as the carriage vanished from sight...
Inside the carriage, the woman’s face was pale. Jiang Huaian’s heart ached, and before he knew it, he blurted out, "Cousin Ruoyin... would you be willing to come with me to the Jiang family in Yangzhou?"
Chu Ruoyin was taken aback and shook her head slightly. "Cousin Huaian, I’m not ready to leave the capital yet..."
She misunderstood...
Jiang Huaian gritted his teeth and spoke plainly. "Cousin, our business in the capital is nearly concluded. My sister and I will soon depart. So—" He abruptly stood to emphasize his sincerity, only to hit his head on the carriage roof with a painful thud.
"Cousin!"
Chu Ruoyin gasped, but he waved it off, rubbing his head. "It’s nothing, I’m fine!"
The sight was so comical that she couldn’t help but laugh. "You’re always so composed, Cousin. I never imagined you could be this clumsy..."
Her smile left Jiang Huaian spellbound. Without thinking, he said, "Cousin, if I said I wish to marry you... would you agree?"
Chu Ruoyin froze as she watched him raise a finger and declare, "I, Jiang Huaian, swear to heaven that after you enter my household, I will never take a concubine. If you fear my mother might trouble you, we can even live separately—I will never let you suffer the slightest grievance!"
The man's gaze was unwavering, yet Chu Ruoyin slowly lowered her head.
