Chapter 46
She walked around the desk and instructed Chun Tao to bring her the fox fur cloak.
Chun Tao hurriedly wiped away her tears and draped the fox fur cloak over Bai Qingyan’s shoulders. Just outside the door, she hesitantly asked, “Miss, what should we do with Chun Yan?! Should we… send her away?”
Bai Qingyan took a deep breath, barely containing her anger. It wasn’t the right time yet; there was still use for Chun Yan.
She knew King Liang’s ruthlessness all too well, as well as the cunning strategies of Du Zhiwei, the counselor by King Liang’s side. If she were to send Chun Yan away now, Du Zhiwei and King Liang would immediately find someone else in the Duke’s residence to bribe. Human nature could not withstand such temptation. At this critical juncture, she couldn’t afford to gamble.
In her previous life, she prided herself on her wisdom. She was indeed blind to believe that Chun Yan, who sided with outsiders, was doing it for her benefit when she tirelessly praised King Liang in her presence.
Standing under the eaves, she tightly clutched the hand warmer in her hand. After thinking for a moment, she lifted her gaze, her eyes cold. “I won’t take her life. Bring her to the front yard.”
Chun Tao, hearing this, immediately burst into tears, thinking that her previous plea had made things difficult for Bai Qingyan. She sobbed, “Miss, I…”
Bai Qingyan had a splitting headache, overwhelmed by fatigue. She no longer wished to entangle herself with Chun Yan’s matter. Tightening the cloak around her, she braced herself and walked towards the front yard.
King Liang had already sent someone with a jade pendant, promising the position of the main consort. He even visited personally despite his severe injuries, showing his determination to use her for military exploits.
Given her frail condition, it was remarkable that King Liang was so “persistent.” However, she would rather die than allow herself to be his pawn again.
To prevent that heartless, shameless King Liang from forcing her into his residence using underhanded means if his display of affection failed, she needed to publicly expose King Liang’s bribing of their servants. This would make everyone aware of her disgust for his despicable tactics, extinguishing any further schemes he might have.
·
Outside the back gate of the Duke’s residence, an ordinary-looking carriage was parked by a tree, from which occasional coughing could be heard.
Tongji, hands tucked into his sleeves, pressed his head against the back gate, eagerly peeking inside. Seeing no sign of anyone coming, he stomped his feet in frustration and cold.
Another round of heart-wrenching coughing came from the carriage. Tongji hurried back, gently patting King Liang on the back, clearly displeased. “Miss Bai is truly ungrateful. You’ve offered her the position of main consort, even though she might not be able to bear children. And yet, she dares to refuse! If Your Highness truly desires her, you might as well ask the Empress Dowager for a decree to make her a side consort. Why torment yourself by coming here in person, given your serious injuries? She doesn’t know how fortunate she is!”
King Liang coughed a few times into his clenched fist, wrapped the quilt around himself, and extended his hand towards the fire, speaking in a low voice. “What do you know!”
Only when all options were exhausted would he forcefully bring Bai Qingyan into his residence. He needed her talents, so she had to submit willingly.
Yesterday, Bai Qingyan efficiently dealt with the illegitimate son who wasn’t recorded in the family’s genealogy. Her reputation as a strong and unyielding woman had become widely known. Therefore, he couldn’t afford to neglect her any longer.
Contemplating Bai Qingyan’s recent coldness towards him, King Liang sensed something was amiss. He couldn’t rest easy without seeing her personally.
As King Liang continued to wait in the carriage by the back gate, the Duke’s residence was in turmoil. Stewards, servants, old maids, and maids gathered in the front yard, where benches were prepared. They looked at each other in panic, unsure of what major event had transpired.
A steward stepped forward to ask Steward Hao, but Steward Hao remained silent, standing on the high steps.
Bai Qingyan didn’t hide the fact that King Liang had repeatedly bribed servants to meet with her at the back gate and gifted her the jade pendant. She told Mrs. Dong everything.
At first, Mrs. Dong felt pleasantly surprised, but on closer thought, she realized that if King Liang was truly sincere, he would formally visit the Duke’s residence, respect her elders, and inquire respectfully before proposing. However, his frequent secret invitations belittled her daughter. If the matter were to escalate, Bai Qingyan’s reputation would be ruined. Mrs. Dong broke out in a cold sweat.
Considering the importance of the family, Mrs. Dong, as the matriarch, understood the seriousness of the situation. Even though it was nearing the end of the year, necessary punishments had to be enforced.
Decisively, Mrs. Dong summoned a few ‘yazi’ (servants who dealt with domestic punishments) and accompanied Bai Qingyan to the front yard.
The vast front yard was filled with servants, old maids, and maids. When they saw Nanny Qin supporting Mrs. Dong, followed by Bai Qingyan, they hurriedly bowed.
Mrs. Dong’s sharp eyes swept over the crowd. She sat down on a chair under the eaves and asked, “Have the ‘yazi’ arrived?”
Steward Hao stepped forward and saluted Mrs. Dong. “Madam, they are waiting.”
Mrs. Dong nodded and instructed Steward Hao, “Bring them up!”
Soon, the servant who had reported to King Liang’s residence, the old maid who handed over the jade pendant to Chun Yan, and the old maid who was punched unconscious by Yingshuang that morning were all dragged up, bound tightly.
The servant, seeing the serious situation, knelt down with trembling legs, crying. “Spare me, Princely Heir’s wife! I only passed on a message for King Liang to Chun Yan and didn’t do anything to harm our Duke’s residence!”
The old maid who had been knocked out earlier that morning banged her head on the ground. “Old servant… I only took King Liang’s silver to pass on a message from his servant to Chun Yan!”
“I only called Chun Yan as King Liang’s servant ordered that one time!” The old maid who handed over the jade pendant crawled forward two steps. “Chun Yan! Chun Yan, say something!”
Chun Yan, standing beside Bai Qingyan, thought of what Chun Tao had said about Mingyu earlier. Her legs gave way, and she knelt down in a cold sweat. “Madam, Miss! I… I…”
Mrs. Dong picked up the tea handed by Nanny Qin, her eyes filled with rage. If it weren’t for her daughter’s earlier plea, she would have had Chun Yan beaten to death!
“Tell me what messages you passed to Chun Yan, and what Chun Yan conveyed to King Liang’s residence. Speak truthfully,” Bai Qingyan said. She showed no sign of anger, sat down elegantly, and asked slowly.