The Murong family finally concluded their investigation into the incidents involving Dong Bing and Murong Dan.
It turned out that two Murong estate stewards had schemed against them.
One was a steward from the outer court. Once, when he was out, the drunk Dong Bing had humiliated him. Holding a grudge, he had drugged Dong Bing today, originally intending to make him disgrace himself in public…
The other was the Third Princess’s attendant, Auntie Ping.
Auntie Ping resented Murong Dan for past disrespect. Accidentally spotting the drugged Dong Bing, and coincidentally seeing Murong Dan near Xia’an Pavilion, she decided on revenge—
After the Third Princess uncovered the truth, one of them poisoned herself, and the other hanged herself…
To compensate the Dong family, the Murong family offered a large sum of silver, along with two shops in the capital.
Minister Dong and his wife seemed quite satisfied with this compensation. They mentioned the two children were fated and requested their son’s marriage to Murong Dan.
The Murong family naturally had no objections, so the two families immediately set the wedding date for one month later.
The Dowager also stated that Murong Dan’s dowry would be doubled from the original plan.
At this point, Concubine Yao jumped out again, weeping as she looked at the Third Princess. Everyone knew Auntie Ping was the Third Princess’s person.
Dong Bing also looked at the Third Princess with hopeful eyes.
Finally, the Third Princess also declared she would give two shops to Murong Dan—
Concubine Yao’s tears stopped instantly. She bowed in gratitude.
With the matter settled, the guests dispersed.
The Sheng family returned to their residence. For everyone except Sheng Minmin, today had been far too “draining.”
Sheng Mingjian and his two brothers, along with Sheng Mingzhu, felt like they’d been on a rollercoaster, each time thinking Huang Yaning was doomed, only to have their hopes dashed repeatedly.
Meanwhile, Huang Xianjing, Sheng Mingshu, and Sheng Mingli were constantly worried for Huang Yaning, then repeatedly relieved—
Sheng Yong was also terribly worried, not for his youngest daughter, but for his own future and the Sheng family’s prospects…
Fortunately, the final outcome was good. His little daughter had triumphed spectacularly, not losing any face for the Sheng family.
In the end, the Murong family even gave his little daughter a chest of jewelry to “settle her nerves”—
After such a tumultuous journey, Sheng Yong was also somewhat weary upon returning home. He dismissed everyone to their own courtyards to rest.
“Miss, this chest of jewelry is quite valuable.”
Back at Haitang Courtyard, Qingtian excitedly opened the jewelry box.
Every piece inside was exquisitely crafted, sparkling and radiant.
Her young lady had truly overcome all obstacles today, invincible!
Qingtian recalled how, in the end, even the Third Princess’s household had to apologize to her young lady politely. Her heart swelled with satisfaction!
Just as she was excitedly about to offer praise, she saw her young lady’s expression darken, growing more and more somber, like a storm was about to break. A sense of dread made Qingtian quickly close her mouth.
At that moment, Huang Yaning’s mind was filled with plans for revenge.
Because, as far as she was concerned, this matter was not over!
Murong Yan and Lin Zhijing had wanted to ruin her purity! Or rather, force her to death!
Their malice was utterly despicable. Huang Yaning absolutely could not let it go!
She knew that after such a huge disgrace for the Murong family today, Murong Yan certainly wouldn’t have it easy and likely wouldn’t appear in public for a while. She would note the debt for now.
As for Lin Zhijing, Huang Yaning wasn’t confident she could deal with him directly yet.
But, she could deal with Sheng Mingzhu!
Wasn’t Lin Zhijing targeting her to vent anger for Sheng Mingzhu?
She would make Lin Zhijing understand: if she lost so much as a hair, Sheng Mingzhu wouldn’t have any hair left!
And Liang Mingcheng. Although she didn’t know who had brought him there to disgust her, she wouldn’t let off a scumbag who harbored ill intentions toward her.
Her face grim, she spoke to Qingtian.
“I have tasks for you!”
——-
Murong Residence, Ancestral Hall.
The hall housed many ancestral tablets. Many lamps were lit around, making it quite bright.
“Princess, the Dowager says that since a mistake occurred under your management of the household, you are to reflect upon it alone before the ancestral tablets for one day.”
An elderly, very dignified-looking matron with graying hair announced.
“This princess understands.”
Zhu Helan replied calmly, kneeling down before the prayer cushion, her back remaining ramrod straight even on her knees.
The servants left, and the hall doors slowly closed from the outside.
This was the first time the Third Princess had ever been “punished.” The atmosphere in the Murong residence was extremely oppressive; even mice dared not scurry about.
If the Princess was treated thus, Murong Yan fared even worse.
The same elderly matron had someone deliver ten sharp slaps to Murong Yan’s face. After the beating, Murong Yan was ordered to kneel in the room.
Only when the Princess emerged could Murong Yan rise.
Murong Yan’s face burned fiercely, but she dared not cry out in pain or weep.
She knew this was her grandmother’s “instruction.” Any hint of complaint would double the punishment.
She didn’t dare make the slightest mistake now, because once her mother was out, she still had another trial to face.
She had caused her mother to lose a large sum of money and two capable aides.
Most importantly, she had made her mother lose face, and in front of the Eldest Princess at that!
Murong Yan could hardly imagine how her mother would punish her once she was free…
Meanwhile, Murong Dan continued weeping bitterly in her room.
“Auntie, I don’t want to marry that good-for-nothing Dong Bing—”
Murong Dan sobbed in Concubine Yao’s embrace. She had been crying since the incident; her eyes were already swollen.
“My Fourth Young Lady, you must never say such things again—”
“In the future, he will be your husband, your master. No matter what you think in your heart, you must keep up appearances. If he hears you look down on him, your life will be very difficult—”
“But, Auntie… I don’t want to marry him. Can’t you beg Father? Ask Father to marry me off far away. I don’t want to marry into a high-ranking family anymore—”
“Just find a wealthy merchant, someone handsome and of good character…”
Concubine Yao’s heart was breaking. She stroked her daughter’s soft hair.
Her daughter used to be so ambitious, determined only to marry into a powerful family, become the mistress of a household, receive an honorary title someday, and live a glorious life.
But now… her daughter only begged to marry a merchant…
Even so, she couldn’t fulfill this wish for her daughter…
“Fourth Young Lady, it’s your auntie who is incapable—”
“The Dowager and the Princess have already finalized your marriage to Dong Bing. You’ve also… been with him…”
“You can only marry him—”
The more Concubine Yao spoke, the sadder she became. How could she not know that Dong Bing was untalented in both literary and martial pursuits, unloved by his father and mother—
What could her daughter expect from such a man in the latter half of her life?
But her daughter had no other choice.
Since this was the only path forward, she must muster all her strength to walk it.
Back when the Imperial Son-in-Law took a fancy to her, she too had been terrified, afraid she would die on the birthing bed like previous concubines…
But she also had no choice. She could only brace herself and move forward.
Later, she collaborated with another concubine and finally had the Dowager intervene, carving out a path for herself and her daughter.
She had endured all these years! Her daughter would surely be fine too.
She wiped her tears. “Fourth Young Lady, listen to your auntie.”
“In this life, things like glory, face, status, men… these are not the most important!”
“The most important thing for a person is to treat yourself well, to live well.”
“Now, the Dowager and the Princess have given you generous compensation as your dowry. Those are your private assets. In the future, only your own children can inherit them—”
“So you will never go hungry. You won’t lack for ice in summer, nor charcoal and cotton in winter—”
“Every day, you will have the means to eat well, drink well, and sleep well. And you must do so.”
“Don’t let irrelevant people or matters affect you.”
“Dong Bing may be useless, but today’s matter was handled well. For the Murong family’s sake, he likely won’t act too outrageously in the future.”
“If you can manage him, do so. If you can’t, just think of him as dead in your heart.”
“If he truly becomes troublesome, go straight to his legal mother and his elder brother’s wife to weep…”
“Those in charge of the Dong household’s inner quarters, for their own peace, will also advise Dong Bing.”
“In short, remember: nothing is more important than your own comfortable life…”
