Ning Yuan clenched his teeth, the veins at his temples throbbing faintly.
This was Xiangguo Temple!
The imperial temple!
The Wang family was being utterly audacious, acting as though they were above the law!
Ning Yuan turned and walked away. Wang Yuyan called for Jade and followed after him.
The two had just reached the entrance to the courtyard when Yan Tongshu arrived and came straight toward them. Ning Yuan’s expression darkened even further.
If it had been anyone else—even someone from the Ministry of Justice—it would have been manageable.
But it was Yan Tongshu, the most renowned upright official in the entire capital.
Yan Liangrong happened to be coming out of the room with the others. When she saw Yan Tongshu, she hurried over and quietly told her what had happened.
Ning Yuan braced himself and cupped his hands in salute. “Lord Yan, this is all a misunderstanding.”
Wang Quan'an also hurried out to intervene. He bowed and pleaded, “Lord Yan, this is merely a family matter. Please show us some leniency.”
“A family matter?” Yan Tongshu reprimanded him sharply. “Drugging someone, violating her, and framing her—can all of that be brushed aside with the words ‘family matter’? If we do not investigate this thoroughly today and punish the guilty, then before long everyone in Bianjing will imitate them. Anyone will dare destroy another person’s reputation under the excuse of a family dispute. Will there be any law or justice left?”
From Gao Shengmei and Wang Chuning’s reactions, Wang Quan'an could roughly guess what had happened. He did not want the matter exposed. Once it came to light, given the Kaifeng Prefecture’s usual methods, his Chuning would certainly be imprisoned.
He absolutely did not want to see that happen.
Wang Quan'an bowed even lower, his voice nearly pleading. “Lord Yan, there was no drugging, and no violation. It was Chuning… Chuning…”
Forcing down the pain in his heart, he said, “She had been secretly involved with a man. Please… spare my daughter.”
“No!” Wang Chuning suddenly rushed out, wrapped in a robe and looking disheveled. “I refuse to accept this fate!”
She dropped to her knees in front of Yan Tongshu and stubbornly raised her pale face. “Lord Yan, I did not meet a man in secret!”
She pointed at Wang Yuyan and cried, “It was her! My sister drugged me unconscious and had someone violate me. I beg Lord Yan to seek justice for me!”
What an idiot!
Wang Quan'an was both heartbroken and furious. Did she have any idea who Yan Tongshu was? Once the case fell into Yan Tongshu’s hands, even if they managed to uncover Wang Yuyan’s wrongdoing, Chuning would not escape either.
He was only a third-rank official. He could not protect this foolish girl!
Yan Tongshu narrowed her eyes, taking in everyone’s expressions. “In that case, all unrelated persons are to leave. Do not tamper with the scene. We will conduct the inquiry here.”
After everyone else had left, Wang Quan'an grabbed Wang Chuning and pulled her behind him. “No, we are not conducting any inquiry. This is not the Kaifeng Prefecture, and there are no Kaifeng Prefecture constables here. You cannot…”
Wang Chuning struggled desperately and cried, “Father, you have always doted on me, but now you’re protecting Sister and forcing your own daughter to swallow this humiliation. Are you still my father?”
Gao Shengmei quickly covered Wang Chuning’s mouth. “You foolish girl, your father is doing this for your own good.”
Wang Yuyan stood at Ning Yuan’s side, the corners of her lips curling into a sorrowful yet mocking smile. “Prince Ning, look. This is my own father. For an adopted daughter, he is willing to set aside his dignity and everything else, yet he wishes I were dead.”
Ning Yuan raised a hand to his forehead. “You still have the mood to lament here? Do you think that now the case is in Lord Yan’s hands, I can protect you? Or that your grandfather, who obtained the title of Marquis Rongyao by donating military provisions to the imperial court, can protect you?”
Wang Yuyan’s expression stiffened. “What do you mean?”
Ning Yuan said angrily, “Do you know who Meng Yi is? A third-rank commander of the Divine Might Guard! He even once saved His Majesty’s life! Even someone like him would not survive if he fell into Lord Yan’s hands. Do you think you can escape?”
She really was going to be the death of him!
Wang Yuyan remained unconcerned. “There’s no evidence. No matter how upright she is, what can she do?”
Ning Yuan closed his eyes and turned his head away.
Yan Tongshu had come to offer incense as a member of the Yan family this time. She had not brought any constables from the Kaifeng Prefecture, and in her haste she had not brought any household guards either. As a result, Wang Quan'an kept shamelessly stalling for time.
Yan Tongshu gave Yan Liangrong a look and motioned for her to summon reinforcements. Just as Yan Liangrong was about to leave, ten soldiers of the Divine Might Guard suddenly surrounded the entire courtyard.
All ten were clad in black armor. Each stood seven feet tall, with a standard imperial guard sword hanging at his waist. The murderous air around them was as bitterly cold as the northern wind in deep winter—far beyond that of ordinary soldiers.
The Divine Might Guard guarded the inner palace and protected His Majesty’s safety.
For the Divine Might Guard to appear meant that His Majesty was nearby.
Wang Quan'an realized this, and his legs went weak. He nearly collapsed.
It was over. He could no longer protect Chuning.
Once the ten men had formed ranks, a burly, middle-aged commander strode inside. He did not announce his official position, merely clasped his fists toward Yan Tongshu and said in a steady voice, “Lord Yan, I am here and await your orders.”
Yan Tongshu spoke calmly. “Clear out a room, then remove everyone near it.”
Since the matter concerned a woman’s reputation, it could not be investigated publicly.
Yan Tongshu continued, “Protect the scene of the incident.”
The man’s voice was deep and resonant. “Yes.”
After issuing her orders, Yan Tongshu quietly said a few words to Yan Liangrong, who slipped away.
Ning Yuan, the Wang family, and the man who had violated Wang Chuning—Niu Er—were all taken to the empty room that had been cleared.
Yan Tongshu sat in the seat of honor, her cool gaze sweeping over everyone. “Who will speak first?”
Only moments ago, Wang Chuning had been righteous and determined to press charges. But after Wang Quan'an and Gao Shengmei had lectured her and explained the consequences, she shrank back like a frightened quail, not daring to say a word.
Since no one spoke, Yan Tongshu pointed to someone. “Second Miss Wang, you are the victim. You will speak first.”
Wang Chuning took a step forward. Under the intimidating authority of the official seated above her, her knees buckled and she fell to the floor.
“I…” She moistened her dry, cracked lips. “I…”
Seeing that she did not know how to begin, Yan Tongshu prompted her. “When were you rendered unconscious, and who drugged you?”
Wang Chuning glanced at Wang Quan'an and Gao Shengmei. She had originally intended to deny everything and reduce the matter to something minor. But then she turned her head and saw the unconcerned look on Wang Yuyan’s face.
Why?
Why should she be the one to endure this humiliation after losing so much face today, while Wang Yuyan walked away completely unscathed?
Things had already come this far. Even if she had to die, she would drag Wang Yuyan down with her!
Wang Chuning raised her head, a vicious glint in her eyes. “In answer to Lord Yan, earlier today Sister Wang Yuyan and I had a disagreement over the prayer ribbon. Mother cursed at Sister in my defense. Afterward, I reflected on my actions and felt that I had been in the wrong, so at a quarter past the hour of Wei, I went to the plum garden behind the Puxian Pavilion to apologize to Sister and reconcile with her. I never expected her to be so vicious. She took the opportunity to drug me unconscious. After that, I knew nothing. When I woke up, I had already been violated, and a crowd of people was gathered around me.”
“What a joke.” Wang Yuyan sneered. “It was Mother who brought Father along to catch someone in the act. It was your maid, Qiaoxin, who brought Prince Ning there. And the man caught fooling around with you in that room was the coachman who drove Mother’s carriage today. Now that you have been caught in bed with a man, you’re trying to dump the blame on me?”
Wang Chuning was enraged. She shouted, “It was you! I love Prince Ning with all my heart. How could I possibly have anything to do with some lowly carriage driver…?”
Crying, she turned to Lord Yan. “Lord Yan, I really was drugged unconscious. At the time, I was speaking with my elder sister alone. There wasn’t a single person in sight in the Plum Garden. Her maid, Jade, suddenly appeared from behind and drugged me with a handkerchief. After that… after that, I remember nothing.”
Yan Tongshu seized upon the key detail. “What kind of handkerchief?”
Wang Chuning replied, “It—it was a white handkerchief embroidered with butterflies.”
As though she had expected Wang Chuning to say this, Jade immediately held up her own handkerchief and unfolded it. It was embroidered only with orchids—there wasn’t a butterfly in sight.
Wang Yuyan lifted her chin slightly and gave a contemptuous laugh. “Little sister, if you committed adultery and want to escape punishment, at least come up with a better excuse.”
“No, that’s not true.” Wang Chuning felt utterly helpless. She clearly remembered that it had been a butterfly handkerchief.
She clearly remembered being drugged unconscious near the Plum Garden.
It had not been long since they had finished their vegetarian meal, and it was still time for the chanting of sutras. Most people were either chanting or resting, so hardly anyone had been in such a remote place as the Plum Garden.
Tears streamed down Wang Chuning’s face. “I’m telling the truth, Lord Yan. It’s the truth… Please believe me.”
“I believe you,” Yan Tongshu said quietly.
What?
Wang Chuning was momentarily stunned. She looked up at Yan Tongshu, tears clinging to her chin, on the verge of falling.
Wang Yuyan was stunned as well. “Lord Yan, there isn’t a single piece of evidence. How can you draw a conclusion so easily?”
Yan Tongshu calmly countered, “Who says there is no evidence?”
Wang Yuyan pressed her lips together. “Yuyan humbly asks Lord Yan to enlighten me.”
Yan Tongshu lowered his gaze. “Wang Chuning, stand up.”
Wang Chuning looked uncertainly at Wang Quan’an and Gao Shengmei. When Wang Quan’an nodded at her, she finally rose to her feet.
Yan Tongshu shifted his gaze to Jade. “Jade, stand beside her as well.”
Jade did as she was told and walked over to stand beside Wang Chuning.
Yan Tongshu spoke in an even tone. “When the Wang family came to Mount Jixiang to offer incense, you got out of your carriage at the foot of the mountain and walked up to Xiangguo Temple. Is that correct?”
Wang Quan’an answered, “Yes. All worshippers who come to pray sincerely do the same.”
Yan Tongshu asked, “Did the Wang family intend to stay overnight at Xiangguo Temple?”
Wang Quan’an shook his head.
“Not just the Wang family,” Yan Tongshu continued. “Most people who travel by carriage from Kaifeng to Xiangguo Temple to offer incense have no intention of staying overnight. They return to Kaifeng before nightfall. Therefore, everyone travels light and brings no change of clothes. Since they walk up the mountain and do not stay the night, bringing a change of clothes would be far too conspicuous. Jade did not bring any either, which means the clothes she is wearing now are the same ones she wore when the crime was committed.”
Yan Tongshu lowered his gaze. “Take a look at the second Miss Wang’s skirt.”
Wang Chuning wore a red jacket over a thick white cloth skirt. On her feet were white embroidered shoes decorated with little lions.
After entering the temple grounds, everyone removed their cloaks out of respect for the Buddha and handed them to their servants for safekeeping. Thus, she had no cloak on her.
Jade was dressed in a maid’s uniform, pale green on top and a somewhat darker green below.
Yan Tongshu explained, “The second Miss Wang’s skirt below the waist and the heels of her shoes show varying degrees of wear. This indicates that after she lost consciousness, she was dragged to the eldest Miss Wang’s room. I took a look at the entrance just now. The threshold, the floor, and the bed in the eldest Miss Wang’s room all bore traces of mud, showing that she had been dragged all the way to the bed.
“The second Miss Wang is a woman, and so is Jade. She is even a head taller than Jade. Given Jade’s small stature, it would have been difficult for her to carry the second Miss Wang such a long distance. There is a secluded path from the Plum Garden to the guest rooms. Few people use it, but it is even more winding. In addition, it snowed last night, making the path wet and slippery. Even if Jade could carry the second Miss Wang, she would have been likely to fall. Dragging her was the quickest method.”
Wang Yuyan clenched her teeth. “Even if her clothes are dirty, that doesn’t prove it was Jade…”
Yan Tongshu’s clear gaze turned to Jade. “What do you say, Jade?”
By this point, Jade was completely panicked.
Aiding in the rape of the daughter of a third-rank official was punishable by death.
She trembled violently. “I—I don’t know…”
She still harbored a sliver of hope, but Yan Tongshu gave her no chance to cling to it.
“You fell on the way.”
Jade instinctively glanced at her skirt and shoes.
Yan Tongshu continued, “That secluded path is very narrow, paved with only a thin strip of stone slabs. Once those slabs froze over, they became extremely slippery. You fell, which is why there are dirty marks on your skirt as well. Xiangguo Temple has many monks, and they keep the grounds very clean, so the stains are not obvious—but they are there. And then there are your shoes. I come to Xiangguo Temple with my mother to offer incense every year, so I know the temple grounds very well. That path is the only place in the entire temple where red soil can be found.”
Jade was so terrified that she collapsed limply to the ground.
Yan Tongshu added, “The person who planned all this deliberately chose this particular time. Only at this hour would the worshippers who wanted to rest be napping in the guest rooms, leaving very few people outside and making it convenient to act. Those who did not nap would be chanting and praying with everyone else. Very few people would wander around. Given the timing, hardly anyone would have gone to the Plum Garden, and even fewer would have taken that narrow path. Therefore, if everything went according to plan, traces of the crime should still remain.”
At that moment, Yan Liangrong returned. She bowed and said, “Lord Yan is correct. I took men to the area around the Plum Garden, and just as you predicted, we found drag marks. Beside those marks, we also found scraps of fabric matching the color and material of the second Miss Wang’s clothes, as well as Jade’s footprints.”
Yan Liangrong handed the imprints of the footprints to the Divine Might Army, who passed them on to Yan Tongshu.
Yan Tongshu held them up. “Jade, shall we compare them?”
How terrifying.
The blood drained from Wang Yuyan’s face, leaving it deathly pale, and her hands began to tremble uncontrollably.
Lord Yan had merely stood at the doorway, glanced inside a few times, listened to a few words, and looked at their clothes—and he had deduced everything.
“But—but…” Wang Yuyan struggled desperately. “It could still be a coincidence. Feet of this size are very common…”
Yan Tongshu said, “Then what about the injuries on Jade’s hands?”
What injuries?
Wang Yuyan anxiously looked toward Jade.
Jade immediately covered her palm. Wang Yuyan grabbed her hand and turned it over. Sure enough, several tiny wounds could be seen near the base of her palm, close to her wrist.
Yan Tongshu reminded them, “Take another look at the second Miss Wang’s clothes.”
Wang Chuning instinctively lowered her head to examine them, but she saw nothing.
“Wait.” Gao Shengmei suddenly seized the garment beside one of its buttons. Sewn there was a cloisonné butterfly, caught in which were several fine threads of blood.
The clothes of the sons and daughters of official families were lavishly adorned.
Especially on a day of prayer, everyone dressed in their finest clothes to show their reverence for the Buddha.
Given Jade’s strength, to drag away a woman taller than herself, she would inevitably have to reach both arms around her and pull. It was impossible for her not to come into contact with those ornaments, and it was only natural that she would be injured—especially since the two of them had also fallen on the icy road.
Gao Shengmei suddenly erupted. She rushed up to Jade and slapped her twice across the face. “You lowly servant! Speak! Who ordered you to do this? Was it Wang Yuyan?”
Gao Shengmei glared viciously at Jade.
Now that things had come to this, she had to pin all the blame on Wang Yuyan and bring the case to a swift conclusion. Otherwise, the truth about how she and Chuning had conspired to ruin Wang Yuyan’s reputation would be exposed.
“Madam Wang!” Yan Tongshu shouted coldly. “Return to your place. Do not act without my orders.”
Madam Wang gritted her teeth and resentfully returned to Wang Quan’an’s side.
Wang Quan’an’s expression was dark and tense.
With Yan Tongshu being so perceptive, there was no way she would fail to see through what had happened with Chuning.
Yan Tongshu’s sharp gaze pierced Jade. “Speak. Who ordered you to do this?”
Jade stammered, “This servant…”
She slumped to the ground and looked toward Wang Yuyan.
Wang Yuyan tugged at Ning Yuan, but Ning Yuan immediately yanked his sleeve free.
When they were running wild, they had forgotten about him.
When they were plotting, they had dragged him into it.
Now that everything had gone wrong and they could no longer clean up the mess, they remembered him?
He was genuinely being driven to death by the stupidity of these two women.
Wang Yuyan helplessly knelt down. “Lord Yan, it was Wang Chuning and Gao Shengmei who wanted to frame me. They had prepared everything long ago and even purchased the drug in advance. I discovered their plan, so I devised this scheme to repay them in kind. I had no other choice—I was forced into it.”
Wang Yuyan sobbed, “Lord Yan, my mother was Wang Quan’an’s legal wife. They were married for more than ten years, and she bore him two children—my younger brother and me. But he…”
Wang Yuyan angrily pointed at Wang Quan’an. “He is an ungrateful wretch. Less than a month after my mother died, he brought Gao Shengmei into the household. Less than six months after Gao Shengmei entered the family, my younger brother was harmed by her and lost the use of one leg, becoming a cripple. Then I was driven out of the house and exiled to the countryside.”
Seeing that the case had truly implicated Wang Chuning, Gao Shengmei shouted furiously, “Wang Yuyan, don’t make desperate accusations just to drag us down! Why would my daughter and I frame you? What evidence do you have?”
With tears in her eyes, Wang Yuyan sneered. “Then ask the coachman, Niu Er, who gave him money to sneak into my room. You’ll have your answer.”
The moment Niu Er heard this, he fell to his knees in terror and begged for mercy. “L-Lord, spare me! I… I was only carrying out orders!”
“Carrying out whose orders?” Wang Yuyan demanded.
Niu Er raised one trembling finger and pointed at Gao Shengmei.
Gao Shengmei shouted, “Niu Er! How dare you?! Do you know what crime it is to slander the mistress of the household?”
Niu Er wept. “Madam, I was acting on your orders. You gave me the wrong target—how can you blame me for that?”
Gao Shengmei panicked. “You—you shut up!”
Crying, Niu Er crawled forward on his knees. “Lord Yan, I have evidence. I still have the fifty-tael banknote Madam gave me. I also know that the second young miss had a drug on her, hidden in her handkerchief. She planned to use it on the eldest Miss Wang. The drug was purchased from the madam of Seductive Blossom House. She and Madam are old acquaintances. You’ll know the truth as soon as you question her. Lord Yan, this truly has nothing to do with me!”
Yan Tongshu’s face darkened—a rare sight. Her voice was filled with undisguised disgust. “Do you think saying ‘I was only carrying out orders’ means you won’t be held responsible?”
Niu Er opened and closed his mouth, speechless.
Sure enough, he had actually believed that.
What an ignorant, foolish, and vicious man.
From top to bottom, the Wang family was full of criminals who thought themselves above the law!
Yan Tongshu ordered her men to search Wang Chuning. As expected, they found the drug on her.
She turned to Niu Er, her voice icy. “You accepted payment and intended to violate the eldest Miss Wang. After discovering that the person you had entered was the second Miss Wang, you went ahead and violated her instead. Your crimes are utterly heinous!”
The crimes of the others could be investigated gradually. Niu Er was the most despicable person in the entire affair.
Niu Er continued to protest his innocence. “I’ve been wronged! Lord Yan, I was acting on orders. Every grievance has its source and every debt its debtor. No matter how you look at it, this shouldn’t be blamed on me. I truly mistook her for someone else. Madam told me to do it, so I did!”
“You mistook her?” Yan Tongshu clenched her fists. “It was broad daylight, and the room was filled with sunlight. How could you have mistaken her? You deliberately did it. You thought that by relying on Madam Wang’s orders, even if you violated the second Miss Wang, Madam Wang would be too afraid to report you to the authorities for fear of damaging her daughter’s reputation. You thought you could escape punishment.”
“You did it deliberately?” Gao Shengmei charged forward like a madwoman and clawed at Niu Er. “You wretched slave! You bastard! I’ll beat you to death! I’ll beat you to death!”
In front of so many people, Niu Er did not dare fight back. He could only dodge while shouting, “Bah! Do you really think you and your daughter are any better? One of you wanted to violate the eldest Miss Wang, while the other is an unfaithful whore—a woman who’s been used by countless men!”
The moment those words were spoken, everyone present was stunned.
“You’re about to die, and you still dare slander my daughter!” Wang Quan’an could no longer endure it. He kicked Niu Er and was about to vent his rage further, but then he noticed Gao Shengmei standing frozen in place, her face filled with guilt.
Wang Quan’an grabbed Gao Shengmei. “What is going on?”
Gao Shengmei dared not answer. He then turned to Wang Chuning in confusion.
Wang Chuning knelt on the ground and sobbed, “Father, I have belonged to Prince Ning for a long time.”
Upon hearing this, Wang Yuyan froze for a moment before suddenly laughing. “Hahaha, how funny. How truly funny. Wang Chuning, you really are just like your mother. Your mother was shameless and seduced men—a whore. And you seduced your own brother-in-law. The two of you are cut from the same cloth! It serves you right that Niu Er violated you. You and your mother both deserve to be thrown into a den of beggars, where you can be ridden by thousands of men and—”
Slap!
Wang Quan’an rushed over and struck Wang Yuyan hard across the face. The blow split the corner of her mouth, and her cheek swelled instantly.
Clutching her face, Wang Yuyan glared at Wang Quan’an with the hatred one reserved for an enemy. “Wang Quan’an, if I don’t make it through this, neither will you. My grandfather will never let you off.”
“Zhong Lu? Ha!” Wang Quan’an slapped Wang Yuyan across the face again. “The Zhong family can barely save themselves now, and you still expect him to stand up for you and your mother?”
Yan Tongshu was completely enraged. “Lord Wang, this is an official investigation. Who gave you permission to strike someone?”
Wang Quan’an turned around, raised his head, and stood proudly. His tone was resolute. “She is my daughter. What’s wrong with disciplining her? It is a father’s right. Besides, she insulted my wife and my daughter.”
“Your daughter? Wang Quan’an, I’m your biological daughter! Wang Chuning is nothing more than the bastard child Gao Shengmei brought with her!” Wang Yuyan screamed hysterically. She could not understand it—no matter how she thought about it, she simply could not understand.
“Why?” She rose from the ground and clenched both fists tightly at her sides, her body rigid. “Father, you’re so biased. You were so biased that I even wondered whether Wang Chuning was your daughter with Gao Shengmei. But she isn’t. She looks exactly like her biological father—the short-lived former husband of Gao Shengmei.”
“Father, wake up. Gao Shengmei is deceiving you. She has never loved you. She married you for your power and money—for the glory and wealth you could give her.”
Wang Yuyan had thought that saying this would at least move Wang Quan’an somewhat. Unexpectedly, his expression did not change in the slightest.
He looked at Wang Yuyan with near indifference. “I know Mei’er better than you do.”
