Sheng Yong woke up early and learned about what had happened outside. Furious, he knocked over the congee that Concubine Bai had painstakingly cooked for half an hour, stormed back to his study, and ordered a servant to request leave on his behalf for the day.
Soon, the rest of the Sheng family learned about the events that had transpired overnight. The sons, Sheng Mingjian and his brothers, did not go to the academy.
Seeing that the three legitimate brothers were not attending, Sheng Mingli and Sheng Mingshu had no choice but to send word to request leave as well.
Thus, the Sheng household was unusually complete that day, with everyone staying home.
Not long after, two guests arrived at the Sheng residence: Princess Fulin and Lin Zhijing.
——-
“Xiao Qi, is it true that Sheng Mingzhu abused her personal maid, and that maid is actually her own elder sister?”
Duanmu Rui’s eyes sparkled with gossip-fueled excitement.
“Xiazhi said she inflicted those injuries on herself…”
Huang Yaning replied somewhat amusedly. She had guessed yesterday that the Princess wouldn’t be able to resist coming over for the gossip, and she was right on the money.
Duanmu Rui’s beautiful eyes shifted to Huang Xianjing beside her.
“Xiao Xianjing, who do you think really hurt that maid?”
Huang Xianjing hadn’t expected the Princess to ask her. She hadn’t been present yesterday and hadn’t seen Xiazhi afterward either…
Therefore, she didn’t dare to make a rash judgment and shook her head.
“Princess, I don’t know…”
“Ah, I shouldn’t have asked you—”
Huang Yaning quickly interjected, “Xiazhi is in my courtyard. If Your Highness is truly curious, shall I have her summoned?”
Duanmu Rui nodded eagerly like a pecking chick.
And so, Xiazhi soon heard that the Princess wished to see her.
Xiazhi knew the Princess was at odds with the County Princess, and Sheng Mingzhu was considered part of the County Princess’s faction. She had also heard early that morning that the Sheng family affairs were now widespread gossip outside, significantly tarnishing Sheng Mingzhu’s reputation, which worked to her advantage. The Princess’s visit was likely to inquire about yesterday’s events…
After paying her respects, just as she expected, the Princess seated above asked about the previous day.
“You’re Xiazhi, right? How exactly did you get those injuries?”
“It… it was… this servant… who bit herself…”
Xiazhi’s eyes darted evasively, and she spoke hesitantly.
Her demeanor practically screamed, “I’m afraid for my life, I don’t dare tell the truth…”
“Might I take a look at your injuries?”
Xiazhi obediently rolled up her sleeves, exposing the wounds to everyone’s view.
Last night, Xiazhi had already applied the Jade Beauty Ointment sent by Sheng Mingzhu. The ointment was excellent; it felt cool on the skin and greatly reduced the pain. She had used it again this morning, and the wounds seemed far less gruesome than they had the day before.
However, to Duanmu Rui, who had never even broken the skin since childhood, the injuries still looked quite horrifying.
“You’ve really had it rough,” Duanmu Rui said with great sympathy.
A round-faced maid behind her immediately stepped forward, handing a small purse to Xiazhi, who then withdrew after accepting it.
——
On the other side, Lin Zhijing was also comforting Sheng Mingzhu.
Early that morning, the three legitimate sons of the Sheng family had come to Hibiscus Courtyard, but Sheng Mingzhu refused to see anyone.
Only when Lin Zhijing arrived did she agree to meet. The moment she saw him, she rushed over and threw herself into his arms, sobbing.
“Senior Brother, wuwuwu… I won’t be able to face anyone ever again…”
Lin Zhijing gently stroked the top of Sheng Mingzhu’s head.
“Don’t worry, Junior Sister. Your senior brother is here for you—”
In the past, whenever his junior sister was wronged and heard these words, she would look up at him with teary, worshipful eyes.
Lin Zhijing thoroughly enjoyed that look. So, he gazed intently at the person in his arms.
The petite figure in his embrace did indeed look up, but for a moment, Lin Zhijing was taken aback.
His junior sister of the past was delicate, fragile, and so beautiful it made him want to give her his heart and soul…
But today’s junior sister… was so ugly!
She wasn’t even as pretty as that fair-skinned, big-eyed maid in the room.
Lin Zhijing instantly wanted to push the person in his arms away. Thankfully, reason prevailed at the last moment, and he forcefully pressed Sheng Mingzhu’s head back against his chest.
That way, he wouldn’t have to see her face.
As long as he couldn’t see it, his junior sister remained the beautiful image in his memory.
“Senior Brother, they all misunderstand me…”
Unaware of Lin Zhijing’s strange reaction, Sheng Mingzhu continued to weep.
Sheng Mingzhu had cried for a long time yesterday and again this morning. Now her eyes were swollen like walnuts.
Her original features were merely average; only her pair of glistening, watery eyes were truly outstanding. Combined with makeup and exquisite attire, she became an elegant beauty.
Now, without makeup, her hair undone, and her entire appearance disheveled, even her best feature—her eyes—were swollen. Her face was left with only her other ordinary features, causing her appeal to plummet.
Sheng Mingzhu had no idea how “frightening” she looked. Still weeping, she tried to make Lin Zhijing understand her true meaning.
She was currently filled with the desire to kill every member of the Feng family. However, since they were connected by blood, directly expressing such intent would seem cold and cruel. Thus, she could only hint at it indirectly.
“Senior Brother, what if the Feng family members keep coming to make trouble at the Sheng residence’s entrance every other day in the future… The Sheng family will surely become the daily gossip of the common people… Father and Mother will blame me…
“And then there’s the matter of Xiazhi… What if everyone in the capital misunderstands me, thinking I’m vicious… What should I do…”
Lin Zhijing forced himself to concentrate and offered comfort.
“Don’t worry, Junior Sister. Your senior brother will definitely keep a close eye on the Feng family for you and ensure they don’t disturb you again—
“As for Xiazhi, you even gave her such precious medicine as the Jade Beauty Ointment. You’ve already treated her well enough!
“Once her wounds heal, take her out with you more often. Let everyone see that you two are on good terms, and the rumors will collapse on their own—
“Oh, right. Your maid mentioned you haven’t had breakfast yet. I specially bought your favorite pastries from outside. Have some; going hungry harms your health…”
Hearing this, Sheng Mingzhu’s mood finally improved slightly. She had lost some trust in her three brothers, finding her senior brother more reliable.
Seeing the maid bring in the pastries—there were over twenty boxes—Sheng Mingzhu ordered them to be distributed to each courtyard. After giving the instruction, she went to freshen up.
Lin Zhijing breathed a sigh of relief. If his junior sister hadn’t gone to wash up and dress, he would have wanted to leave.
At the same time, the pastries sent from Hibiscus Courtyard reached the maids in every other courtyard.
Unbeknownst to Sheng Mingzhu, she was soon to be accused of “attempted murder” because of these pastries. Instead of recovering, her reputation would plummet even faster.
