"What other family's house? This is my maiden home!"
As soon as Madame Mei's words escaped her lips, they drew a scornful laugh from the Fourth Mei Young Lady. "Maiden home? Didn't you just say my eldest sister was putting on airs as the legitimate daughter of a general, and laugh at us all for being old maids who can't get married? And now you have the gall to call it your maiden home?"
Madame Mei's face flushed crimson with anger. She shot a fierce glare at her before saying, "Regardless, I am still someone married out from the Mei family. County Princess Changle, as an outsider, there's no need for you to interfere in our family affairs, is there?"
Chu Ruoyan had anticipated this. Raising a delicate hand, she pointed at Qin Yiru. "No one is meddling in your family affairs. But Old Divine Doctor Qin was invited by this County Princess. Laying a hand on him is a slap to this County Princess's face!"
"Nanny Zhou, slap her face!"
At the command, Nanny Zhou strode forward, raising a large hand.
Madame Mei shivered in fear. "Y-you wouldn't dare! I am the wife of Jian'an Count!"
Chu Ruoyan couldn't be bothered with further argument. "Slap her!"
The figure on the roof beam gave a start and turned his face away.
Slap! Slap! Slap!—
Nanny Zhou's technique was extremely practiced. A dozen or so slaps later, Madame Mei's face was swollen like a pig's head.
Trembling with rage, she spat out, "You... you bully others with your power! I will go to the Empress Dowager and denounce you!"
Chu Ruoyan didn't even bat an eyelid. Mei Fangru spoke up, "Do not fret, Countess Jian'an. Even if there is to be a denouncement, our Mei family will lodge the first complaint—you angered your birth mother to the point of collapse and obstructed her rescue. We believe Her Majesty the Empress Dowager will judge fairly!"
Chu Ruoyan glanced at her in surprise, finding this young lady truly quite commendable.
She knew how to repay a kindness and wasn't the type to just stand there and take a beating...
"You... all of you!!"
Madame Mei was furious and flustered, yet dared not curse further—that old hag's slaps were truly painful!
She swept a hateful gaze around the room before turning and storming off.
Mei Fangru stepped forward and curtsied. "Thank you, County Princess, for resolving the Mei family's predicament."
Chu Ruoyan waved a hand dismissively. "No need for pleasantries. Seeing to your grandmother's illness is what matters."
Mei Fangru assented and hurriedly led Qin Yiru inside.
Chu Ruoyan swept a glance at the roof beam. "Come down."
The shadow landed, shamefacedly writing a sentence in his little notebook—I'm sorry.
Chu Ruoyan found it amusing. "What do you have to be sorry for? Having a mother like that is not your fault."
Before the shadow could respond, Heiya, overhearing, exclaimed in shock, "What? That madwoman is your mother?"
The shadow frowned deeply and glared at him, adopting a posture ready for a fight.
Unexpectedly, Heiya let out a long sigh, patted his shoulder with a grave expression, and said, "My apologies for earlier. I didn't know you were saddled with such a miserable fate, having a mad mother. I won't fight with you anymore in the future!"
The shadow gritted his teeth, shing! drawing his sword. Heiya took off running. "Hey, I sympathize with you and you still want to hit me? If you hit me again, I'll fight back, I swear... I really will fight back..."
The two chased each other into the distance. Chu Ruoyan pinched the bridge of her nose, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
The next day, Mei Fangru indeed entered the palace, but not to see the Empress Dowager. Instead, she met with the Noble Consort Dowager.
As soon as the Noble Consort Dowager heard that Madame Mei had run back to her maiden home and angered her own mother into collapse, she went straight to the Emperor without another word.
Although the Mei father and son were still at the frontier redeeming themselves through meritorious service, the Great Xia revered filial piety! The incident of Old Lady Feng dying at the Guardian Temple hadn't faded from memory. If another scandal erupted, who knew if those old censors would turn the world upside down!
The Emperor immediately summoned Jian'an Count to the palace and gave him a scathing reprimand.
Jian'an Count was utterly baffled. Upon returning and making inquiries, he learned that his wife had caused trouble at her maiden home, and it had even reached the Emperor's ears. Enraged, he stripped her of her household management authority on the spot and confined her to the inner courtyard under house arrest.
"Young Lady, you have no idea. That Madame Mei's face was already swollen from the beating. In her fury, she became so agitated that she fell ill with a high fever that very night. I heard they still haven't managed to summon a physician for her even now..."
Yulu recounted this with immense satisfaction. Chu Ruoyan glanced at the shadow. Seeing his expression, though somber, was no longer as utterly dejected as before, she finally felt somewhat relieved.
In the evening, Yuetao, from Lady Jiang the Younger's side, came by. She asked a couple of questions concerning the Duke of the State, then left.
Hearing her foster father's name, Chu Ruoyan felt a pang of sorrow in her heart but didn't dare ask more. She retired early for the night.
The following day, Xue Ling paid a sudden visit.
Chu Ruoyan was delighted. "Cousin, are you not busy today? What brings you here to see me?"
Xue Ling smiled and tapped the tip of her nose. "I heard that after the Chief Grand Secretary left, he sent you back to the Duke of Chu's estate. I originally didn't believe it, but I never thought it was actually true. The Chief Grand Secretary truly cherishes you!"
It must be understood that a married woman may stay with her natal family for a short visit, but a prolonged stay would invite gossip.
Yan Zheng disregarded such concerns. Clearly, in his heart, her safety was more important.
Chu Ruoyan hugged her arm. "Cousin, what are you saying? Could it be that your husband doesn't cherish you?"
"Of course not, it's just..." A trace of something unspoken flashed in Xue Ling's eyes before she smiled again. "Let's not talk of that. I came today also to ask for your opinion on another matter. Yaozhi is almost of marriageable age. What do you think... of Lord Su from the Shuntian Prefecture?"
"Lord Su? Which Lord Su?"
She immediately realized. "You mean Su Tingyun? You and your husband are considering betrothing Sister Xie to him?"
Xue Ling hummed in affirmation. "That's my husband and father-in-law's intention. They both say Lord Su is loyal, upright, diligent, and of excellent character—a rare talent. Although he has no family left, that shouldn't be an obstacle. What do you think?"
Chu Ruoyan pursed her lips. "Lord Su is indeed commendable. But he is, after all, the Empress Dowager's nephew. Have you considered that?"
Xue Ling was taken aback. She had truly forgotten that detail!
Everyone only remembered his father, the Marquis Pingjing, was executed by Yan Zheng, and that the Su family was virtually wiped out except for him, forgetting he still had an Empress Dowager for an aunt!
"In short, the difficulty with this matter lies in getting past the Empress Dowager. You and your husband should think it over carefully again!"
The two cousins chatted for a while longer. Chu Ruoyan insisted she stay for dinner before seeing her off.
No sooner had her guest left than Lady Jiang the Younger arrived, asking anxiously, "Eldest Young Lady, has the Master come to your courtyard?"
Chu Ruoyan was taken aback. "No, not these past two days. Didn't Yuetao come to ask last night?"
Hearing this, Lady Jiang the Younger clenched her handkerchief tightly. "That's strange. For two days in a row now, the Master hasn't returned to the estate..."
Chu Ruoyan's heart skipped a beat. Nanny Zhou said, "Do not worry, Madam. The Duke of the State's official duties are heavy. It's not uncommon for him to be away from the estate for two or three days..."
"But this time is different! In the past, even if the Master didn't return, he would have Chu Zhongwang Tong, or someone else, send word home. But since yesterday's morning court session, I haven't received any news from him. I... I feel terribly uneasy in my heart!"
Chu Ruoyan's gaze also turned grave. "Have you asked my uncle?"
Lady Jiang the Younger shook her head. Chu Ruoyan immediately sent Heiya to the Cao residence to inquire.
Half an hour later, Heiya returned and reported, "The Cao family says Lord Cao hasn't returned since going to court yesterday. However, he is burdened with official business, and this has often happened before, so they didn't pay it much mind... They asked if something was wrong on our end?"
Everyone sensed something was amiss.
Both Chu Huaishan and Cao Yang losing contact simultaneously... It couldn't be an accident. That meant they were in the palace...
Chu Ruoyan's breath hitched. Guessing a certain possibility, her hands and feet turned icy cold.
Lady Jiang the Younger said urgently, "Has something really happened? Should I go to the palace?"
Chu Ruoyan hurriedly stopped her: "Aunt, please don't rush. It might be urgent military news from the border. Father might have simply forgotten to send word. Wait another couple of days, alright?"
Lady Jiang the Younger was half-convinced, half-doubting. However, as she held no official title herself, it was impossible for her to storm the palace gates at night. She had no choice but to leave, her heart heavy with worry.
Chu Ruoyan took a deep breath. When she turned around, her expression was as still and dark as deep water. "Heiya, go immediately and request the Pavilion Master to come here. Be quick!"
