That night, Shopkeeper Du and Hongxiu climbed over the wall to get in, only to be sternly scolded by the old divine doctor and chased back out.
Chu Ruoyan had no mind to deal with it. She was busy by lamplight, making preparations for the Bathing the Buddha festival the day after tomorrow.
As far as she knew, the imperial family was quite devout in such rituals.
When the time came, not only would the Dowager Noble Consort attend, but likely several imperial concubines from the palace, as well as many noblewomen and ladies from prominent families in the capital would also go.
With so many people and prying eyes, she still needed to bribe people at the temple first to get Yun Lang inside...
"Young Mistress, it's getting late. You should rest," Nanny Zhou said, coming over to check on her with concern. Chu Ruoyan looked up and smiled, "It's alright..."
"How is it alright? These past days, I haven't seen you relax for a moment. If only the young master were here..." Her words cut off abruptly. Nanny Zhou clearly saw Chu Ruoyan's expression darken further at the mention of Yan Zheng.
"My apologies, Young Mistress. This old servant didn't mean to bring up the young master and make you worry..."
Chu Ruoyan mustered her spirits and smiled, "You're too serious, Nanny. I'm not that fragile. By the way, has there been any letter from Yan Zheng recently?"
Before he left, he had promised to write her letters home often.
She had received the first two, which were merely about where he had traveled that day or what local customs he had seen the next, never mentioning a word about the battlefield, afraid she would worry.
Nanny Zhou counted the days, "It should be within a day or two. Don't worry, Young Mistress. As soon as this old servant receives it, I'll bring it to you immediately!"
Sure enough, the next day, Yan Zheng's letter arrived.
The content was no different from before, only adding one line at the end: The Mei father and son have returned to camp safely.
The same message was also delivered before the Emperor. After reading it, the Emperor slapped the table in praise, "Excellent! Truly worthy of being Our Chief Minister. Winning a great victory in the first engagement and even capturing the Mei father and son alive! However..."
He hesitated, looking at the latter part of the military dispatch. Yin Shun seized the opportunity to say, "Does Your Majesty find it inappropriate that the Chief Minister is pleading for leniency on their behalf?"
"Not exactly. The Chief Minister says they were under some kind of puppet spell and wishes for them to atone for their crimes with merit. We just feel this move is somewhat..." The Emperor's eyes flickered, not finishing his sentence, but Yin Shun guessed the Emperor's suspicion had been aroused.
After all, pleading for defeated generals inevitably gives the appearance of trying to win over hearts.
But it was only a fleeting thought. The Emperor wrote his vermilion endorsement: "Approved. We grant the Chief Minister's request, allowing them to atone for their crimes with merit! Also, release the Mei family members imprisoned in the capital."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Released from the prison cells and seeing the light of day again, the Mei family members wept for joy.
Old Madam Mei's eyes were moist. Just as she was about to say some encouraging words, her daughter, Madame Mei, saw the carriage from the Jian'an Count's estate arriving. Without a word to her family, she rushed over.
The Jian'an Count seemed to want to come over and greet them, but Madame Mei stopped him, pulling him directly onto the carriage and leaving.
Old Madam Mei frowned. Mei Fangru said, "Grandmother, Aunt is married after all. Her heart is no longer solely with our family. Please don't dwell on it."
Old Madam Mei sighed, "Ah, this old woman understands. This time, our Mei family implicated her as well... Enough, let's not speak of this. Have you found out who helped us?"
Mei Fangru replied, "There's no need to inquire. Who else could make the Emperor change his mind but the Chief Minister? Don't worry, Grandmother. After seeing you home, your granddaughter will personally visit to thank the Chief Minister's wife for her great kindness!"
"Yes, yes, yes. A life-saving grace must be thanked, thanked heavily. You go and make the arrangements!"
"Yes."
Just past noon, Mei Fangru arrived with several large chests of gifts.
Chu Ruoyan had known she would come. This eldest Miss Mei was completely different from her aunt, Madame Mei. Though unmarried, she possessed the bearing of a matriarch!
"Fangru, on behalf of the entire Mei household, thanks the Chief Minister and the County Lady of Changle for your life-saving grace!"
Mei Fangru knelt, preparing to kowtow respectfully. Chu Ruoyan reached out to stop her, "Miss Mei, if you truly wish to repay this kindness, then help this County Lady with one matter."
Mei Fangru looked up, "Please give your orders, County Lady."
Chu Ruoyan said, "Tomorrow is the Bathing the Buddha festival. I would like to invite Miss Mei to go together. The Dowager Noble Consort will also be attending with Princess Roumin. If you feel it should be told, I ask that you inform the Dowager Consort of what happened back then."
Mei Fangru looked shocked and was about to speak when Chu Ruoyan continued, "Rest assured. If you feel it should not be told, this County Lady will absolutely not force you."
With things put this way, Mei Fangru had no choice but to agree.
The third day, at the Guardian Nation Temple.
As expected, the Dowager Noble Consort brought Roumin, along with Concubine Yan, Concubine Rong, Concubine Shu, and others, as well as nearly all the noblewomen and ladies from the capital's prominent families.
This grand procession first witnessed the Buddha bathing ceremony in the main hall. After the vegetarian feast, they participated in the sutra chanting service.
When free to move about, Chu Ruoyan took Mei Fangru to a secluded courtyard but had her stop at the courtyard gate. "Princess Roumin, two days apart. Have you been sleeping peacefully?"
Hearing her voice, Roumin's face changed, "I don't know what the County Lady is talking about..."
"Is that so? What about Piaoxu? Did you collect her body?"
Roumin could no longer maintain her calm composure. She hissed in alarm, "Are you mad? If you dare expose this, we'll both die!"
Seeing that even now, Roumin hadn't asked once about Yun Lang's fate, Chu Ruoyan felt extreme fury, yet her smile grew even more serene. "Don't worry, Princess. Dying alongside someone like you would be an ill omen in my book. There's no one around here. You can speak freely."
Unable to see, Roumin turned to ask Huarui.
Unbeknownst to her, Huarui had a sword at her throat, held by a shadowy figure, and could only say, "Yes... Princess, there's only an old nanny here."
Roumin relaxed slightly, "What do you want?"
Chu Ruoyan said calmly, "Simple. Confess to the Xue family murder case yourself."
Hearing this outside the gate, Mei Fangru stared in horror.
The Xue family? That family burned alive... it was actually done by Princess Roumin?
Hearing this, Roumin sneered coldly, "Have you lost your mind? That Xue Gui nearly caused your aunt to die with her unborn child. You're standing up for them?"
"It's fine if you don't confess. Telling the Court of Judicial Review is the same."
"You wouldn't dare! If you dare speak, I'll expose Yun Lang's true origins. Do you think he can still live?" Roumin threatened. Chu Ruoyan shook her head and stood up to leave.
Just then, voices from the Dowager Noble Consort and several imperial concubines came from outside...
A dark glint flashed in Roumin's eyes. She slammed her head fiercely against the stone table—
"Ah!"
Blood instantly appeared on her temple. The Dowager Noble Consort rushed in with the crowd and saw her clutching her forehead, tears welling up, "County Lady of Changle, it was my fault, I... I shouldn't have offended you with my words..."
The Dowager Noble Consort's face changed, "Did she push you?"
Roumin quickly shook her head, "N-no, I fell myself!"
But her appearance made it impossible for outsiders to believe. Concubine Yan directly shouted, "Chu Changle! You won't even spare the blind Princess Roumin? Are you even human?"
Chu Ruoyan raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at the Dowager Noble Consort, "Does the Dowager Consort think so as well?"
The Dowager Noble Consort looked at that face so reminiscent of a person from the past, choked for a moment, and then slowly said, "The day before yesterday, when Roumin returned from your Chu Duke's estate, there was an extra wound on her neck. Added to today's incident, County Lady of Changle, I'm afraid you must give this Dowager Consort an explanation."
A smile curved at the corner of Chu Ruoyan's lips. Mei Fangru could no longer bear it and stepped forward. "No! This matter has nothing to do with the County Lady! Fangru can testify, it was Princess Roumin who threw herself against the stone stool!"
Dowager Noble Consort was startled to see her. "It's you..."
Back then, she had been exceedingly fond of this child and had originally wanted to take her under her wing as well, but because of Roumin, she ultimately had to send her away...
Hearing Mei Fangru's voice, Roumin was filled with terror. "Mei Fangru, don't you dare talk nonsense!"
Mei Fangru said coldly, "What nonsense am I talking? Princess Roumin, back then you did exactly this. To force the Dowager Noble Consort to send me away, you deliberately killed your favorite white rabbit and blamed it on me. Now you want to use the same old trick to frame the Chief Minister's wife?"
Her words caused a huge stir.
Everyone had heard about the incident from years ago, but no one knew the inside story was actually like this!
Countless gazes shot towards Roumin like sharp arrows. Even Dowager Noble Consort asked in shock, "Is it true? But that day, the rabbits that were killed were all raised by Roumin's own hand, and there were seven or eight of them!"
Mei Fangru replied calmly, "Yes. That's precisely why no one would have believed me if I had spoken out, which is why Fangru has remained silent all these years."
Everyone fell into a stunned silence. Looking at that pitiful, blind young girl, a chill ran down their spines.
How old was she back then? To be capable of such a thing!
Roumin was filled with despair, knowing that after today, her reputation in the capital would be completely ruined.
"It's you! Why are you trying to harm me? Why?" She looked at Chu Ruoyan with a hoarse, desperate cry. Chu Ruoyan found it laughable and didn't speak, merely looking at the Dowager Noble Consort.
The latter's voice turned stern. "Silence, Roumin." Then she said, "It is my fault for failing to discipline her properly, making a spectacle before you all. Miss Mei, you may return now. I will personally apologize to you later."
Mei Fangru hurriedly said she dared not accept such an apology. Dowager Noble Consort then swept her gaze over the others.
Concubine Yan and the others tactfully took their leave. In a moment, only Roumin, Dowager Noble Consort, and Chu Ruoyan remained in the place.
Dowager Noble Consort looked at Chu Ruoyan, her expression cold and stern. "What a well-calculated scheme. County Lady Changle, you went to such lengths today to ruin Roumin's reputation. For what purpose?"
Chu Ruoyan's lips curved into a smile. From behind her, Chu Huaishan's voice rang out. "It was me!"
