Chapter 115: Deliverance
Qiao’er’s body was retrieved by a servant and laid on a straw mat. She was covered in dirt, and the bruised and swollen wound on her forehead had turned pale from soaking, exposing rotten skin. She looked exceptionally conspicuous and utterly desolate.
As soon as the person died, the separate villa erupted, and rumors began to spread.
Some said that while the Prince was interrogating her at night, Qiao’er revealed all the wicked deeds committed by Young Madam Gu. Young Madam Gu found out and subjected her to humiliation and scolding…
This maid, unable to bear it, threw herself into the water and committed suicide.
There were also rumors that Young Madam Gu, fearing her wicked deeds would be exposed, secretly sent someone to silence her.
With Qiao’er’s death, her crimes would die with her, leaving no evidence…
People always prefer to believe in conspiracies.
The servants, including the maids and young servants, pitied Qiao’er and despised Xue Yueying immensely.
Those scholars and literati, learned and upright individuals, stopped their poetry contests. Each one was filled with righteous indignation, denouncing Young Madam Gu as having a viper’s heart and disregarding human life.
Conversely, the matter of Xue Yueying meeting with Prince Wei in secret at night, due to Prince Duan’s immediate silencing of the issue, did not spread widely…
Xue Sui tidied her emotions and went to discuss with Xue Yuechen about arranging a coffin and grave for Qiao’er.
“There are many scholars and literati in the separate villa. This action will greatly benefit the reputation of the Princess Consort and the Prince.”
Xue Yuechen pondered for a moment and nodded, “I will handle this matter. She will be buried properly and at peace…”
Xue Sui said, “We and Xue Si are from the same family, all daughters of the Xue family. Her misdeeds and the karma and karmic obstacles they bring will likely implicate us. Pu Ji Temple is not far from here. Why don’t we invite the eminent monks from the temple to perform a Buddhist rite for Qiao’er, to guide her departed soul and also accumulate some merit, ensuring our Xue family’s prosperity.”
As she spoke, she asked Xiao Zhao to get the silver,
“Qiao’er’s death is also partly my fault. I should contribute my share.”
“How can I let my sister pay?” Xue Yuechen pushed it back and sighed softly, “It is we Xue family members who have wronged her. It is only right that I arrange this…”
Xue Yuechen immediately sent someone up the mountain to invite eminent monks.
After speaking, she pulled Xue Sui to sit down and had Fei Cui present the handkerchief that Zhang Pozi had sent on a tray.
“Sister, Zhang Pozi brought the handkerchief from the rainy night and spread rumors. I did not believe her and immediately had her locked in the woodshed. However, the handkerchief was soiled, so I did not return it to you immediately…”
Xue Sui knew that her actions were not entirely to help her, but also to protect the family’s reputation. Nevertheless, she looked at her with immense gratitude.
“Fortunately, this matter was handled by my sister. Otherwise, even with a thousand mouths, I could not have cleared my name…”
Xue Yuechen smiled and held Xue Sui’s hand, saying gently, “Silly sister, we share the same blood. We are like gourds on the same vine; we should naturally help each other.”
She sighed again, “It’s a pity that Fourth Sister couldn’t think straight and chose such a foolish path. Alas, I don’t know how she will resolve her current predicament. Father and Grandmother will likely be furious when they hear the news.”
Xue Sui said, “We can only accumulate more merit for her.”
Xue Yuechen nodded, “I’ve had someone wash and iron this handkerchief. Sixth Sister, please take it back.”
Xue Sui thanked her softly, then smiled and turned. She asked Fei Cui for a pair of scissors and, in front of Xue Yuechen, cut the handkerchief to shreds.
“Sixth Sister!” Xue Yuechen exclaimed, astonished, “What are you doing? Why are you cutting a perfectly good handkerchief?”
Xue Sui looked up, “No matter how beautifully twin lotuses bloom, their roots are still buried in the mud.”
She placed the shredded handkerchief back on the tray.
“It’s tainted with bad luck, so let’s discard it. Please, Aunt Fei Cui, dispose of it for me.”
Xue Yuechen opened her mouth, as if to say something, but swallowed her words.
“As you wish.”
–
People soon arrived from the mountain.
Accompanying the monks from Pu Ji Temple was Princess Wen Jia.
Princess Wen Jia held her five-year-old daughter’s hand. The little girl obediently hid behind her mother, her large, watery eyes gazing curiously.
She looked like Wen Jia, which was a happy occasion.
Xue Sui smiled and went to greet her, “Is the Princess well recently?”
Wen Jia nodded and looked at Xue Sui’s face, her brow furrowing, “Madam has become thinner.”
Xue Sui said, “The Princess has also lost weight.”
The two looked at each other and let out a bitter laugh.
Xue Sui invited Li Fuyin into the room and ordered fresh tea and snacks to be served.
“How are you finding your stay on the mountain? Has that scoundrel bothered you again?”
When Imperial Son-in-law Fan Bing was mentioned, a complex emotion surged within Wen Jia.
She had Ru Yi take her daughter to play in the outer room, then took a sip of tea before sighing slowly.
“He is that persistent evil dog. Knowing I am here, how could he not come? However, Pu Ji Temple is a place of Buddhist cultivation. He isn’t so brazen. He merely makes a fuss outside the gate, spewing unpleasant words, but he dares not lay hands on me again.”
“Beast!”
Xue Sui rarely cursed.
Wen Jia was startled, as if sensing something.
“I see Madam looks listless. Have you encountered any troublesome matters?”
Xue Sui rubbed her forehead, “It’s nothing major. I haven’t adapted to the mountain climate these past two days, and I’m feeling a bit unwell.”
Wen Jia knew she didn’t want to elaborate, so she could only comfort her, “Madam, please cherish yourself and take good care.”
“Thank you for your concern, Princess.” Xue Sui feigned lightness and forced a smile.
Xiao Zhao, however, could see that she was deeply saddened by Qiao’er’s death and hated Fan Bing to the bone, wishing she could kill him.
Therefore, as soon as she placed the freshly brewed tea on the desk, her face was filled with righteous indignation.
“Young Lady, why don’t you let me handle it? Find an opportunity and kill him!”
Xue Sui quickly glared at Xiao Zhao, then smiled at Princess Wen Jia and said, “This maid is just outspoken. I’ve spoiled her, and she often says foolish things. Please don’t take offense, Princess.”
Princess Wen Jia’s eyes reddened slightly, “If heaven’s thunder were to strike him down, or if heaven opened its eyes and took him away, it would not only be a blessing for my daughter and me, but it would also be ridding the world of a menace.”
Xue Sui and Xiao Zhao exchanged glances.
“Heaven will open its eyes.”
“Evil people will always meet their match. Princess, just wait and see.”
The previous incident involving Fan Bing and Princess Ping Le, to preserve the imperial family’s honor, concluded with Princess Wen Jia entering Pu Ji Temple for spiritual cultivation and Princess Ping Le suffering a relapse of her old illness and remaining confined to her residence. This allowed the scoundrel Fan Bing to escape punishment.
However, the Fan family was not a prominent lineage, and this Imperial Son-in-law held little sway with the Emperor…
Even if Fan Bing “suffered retribution,” no one would pursue the matter.
Perhaps the Emperor would even heave a sigh of relief.
But if he were to die, his death should have some value; a life should not be wasted so easily.
When Wen Jia came to the separate villa, Xue Yuechen hospitably entertained her.
At noon, a meal was served in Ting Yu Xuan, far from the lotus pond. Speaking of Wen Jia and Imperial Son-in-law Fan Bing, Xue Yuechen sighed for a moment before asking Wen Jia when she would return to the capital.
Wen Jia shook her head and simply said, “Having lived in the mountains for so long, I’ve grown accustomed to this peaceful life and find myself less suited to the clamor of the mortal world.”
Xue Sui glanced at her.
She mused inwardly, once the Imperial Son-in-law meets his retribution, the mortal world will hold peaceful days for her…
–
That morning, Crown Prince Li Zhao was scheduled to depart for the capital.
Before leaving, he did not seek out Xue Sui but deliberately inquired about the poetry gathering’s prize.
Because the scholars and literati despised Xue Yueying, Xue Sui’s poem mocking her at the poetry gathering was hailed as a masterpiece.
After the lotus pond murder case, the poetry contest was interrupted. With the Crown Prince’s intervention, scholars led by Zhao Hong stepped forward to declare that the prize for the poetry gathering should go to Madam Ping’an.
Li Zhao’s lips curved upwards, “Congratulations, Madam.”
Everyone’s gaze fell upon the two of them.
Towards Xue Sui, their expressions held a degree of complex emotion.
A woman writing a poem of insult, yet gaining the Crown Prince’s favor – they didn’t know whether to be jealous or envious.
Some were genuinely impressed, like Zhao Hong.
He was the first to cup his hands in congratulation, “Madam’s talent is swift and agile; we are greatly impressed.”
“It was merely a fortunate coincidence, happening at the right time. I was merely showing off in front of a master craftsman, making everyone laugh.”
Xue Sui thanked everyone one by one, as if not noticing Crown Prince Li Zhao’s increasingly furrowed brow. After completing her bows, she returned and looked at the Crown Prince, who stood with his hands behind his back, exuding an elegant demeanor, and offered a graceful smile.
“Thank you for your appreciation, Your Highness.”
She stepped forward and presented the fan with both hands.
The craftsmanship was exquisite, with a gold-inlaid handle and an apricot-yellow fan surface; it was a rare and fine item.
Valuable!
Worth a lot of money.
As if sensing her greedy gaze, Li Zhao’s lips involuntarily curled upwards.
However, upon seeing Li Huan and Xue Yuechen approaching, his eyes turned cold, and his face stiffened.
“There’s no need for politeness. This is what Madam Ping’an deserves.”
Their eyes met, then they tacitly looked away.
Li Zhao no longer lingered for pleasantries. He mounted his horse and, with a shout of “Giddy up,” galloped away. Only after his horse’s hooves faded into the warm summer sun did a hint of a smile appear on his face.
Li Huan left the separate villa with a group of scholars that afternoon.
The talented scholars, grateful for the kindness of Prince Duan and Princess Consort Duan, and their compassionate hearts even for a maid who had drowned herself, wrote more poems and essays praising them.
Xue Yuechen gained a good reputation from this incident and was naturally delighted.
Therefore, she did not leave with Li Huan but, along with Xue Sui, made proper arrangements for Qiao’er’s funeral before preparing to return.
Of course, that was a story for another time.
At this moment, in Shangjing City, the situation was already treacherous and unpredictable, and a storm was quietly brewing—
