Jiang Liyang could be said to have been raised by Princess Shao’an. He was impulsive and reckless, but if one claimed he had struck a defenseless young lady, Princess Shao’an would never believe it.
The princess summoned Yunxiu, who had no choice but to repeat what she had told Ming Yuhe earlier.
“Miss was curious about Grand Tutor Chang’s retirement. She asked about it several times, perhaps dwelling too much on the matter and failing to respond to Young Master in time. He grew angry and lashed out…”
Princess Shao’an frowned. “So, according to you, Liyang really did insult her and push her?”
“He certainly cursed her, and he did raise his hand. But whether he truly shoved her with force, this servant cannot say…”
The princess knit her brows in silence. Her nanny, seeing this, quietly reminded her: “Your Highness must not let these years of peace make you forget the old tricks of framing and false accusation.”
Everyone present understood the implication—that “Ming Niansheng” had deliberately let herself fall, feigned weakness and grievance, and maneuvered others into defending her, thereby incriminating Jiang Liyang.
The princess’s frown deepened. Only Yunxiu had been serving at Yunshang Pavilion. Through these days of contact, she had found something odd about “Ming Niansheng,” but she did not seem the sort to employ such schemes.
Still, when the princess remained silent, Yunxiu added softly: “Young Master not only cursed Miss, but also insulted her mother…”
Everyone could imagine the kind of abuse Jiang Liyang would hurl at Ming Niansheng’s birth mother.
The nanny immediately declared: “Then surely she bore a grudge and plotted to frame him! It must be an act! If Your Highness does not punish her now, that girl will only grow more lawless in the future!”
Princess Shao’an knew both Jiang Liyang and the nanny were speaking out of loyalty to her. No matter how many times she told them it was unnecessary, their prejudice remained. And indeed, it was possible Jiang Liyang had spoken cruel words that provoked “Ming Niansheng” into resorting to such tactics. If that were the case, she could not blindly shield Jiang Liyang. But that girl was not truly Ming Niansheng at all. How could she even be provoked?
By the princess’s reasoning, the simplest solution was to deal with her directly and be done with it. Yet Ming Yuhe had other ideas.
Feeling a headache coming on, she pressed her forehead and asked, “Where is the young marquis?”
“In the study,” Yunxiu replied. “He doesn’t seem to be in good spirits.”
At first, Princess Shao’an did not take Yunxiu’s words to heart. Her son was always deep in thought, full of schemes, never one to suffer indignities. Even if his mood soured, he would quickly find a way to vent it. So when she saw Ming Yuhe’s cold, shadowed eyes, she was utterly taken aback.
“You nearly lost your life in the wilderness years ago, and even then you weren’t this angry. Surely it isn’t because of Liyang?”
Ming Yuhe said, “No.” His tone was clipped and frosty, betraying his emotions yet offering no explanation.
The princess knew that if he did not wish to speak, no amount of questioning would draw it out. She let the matter drop and turned to today’s incident. But before she could speak, Ming Yuhe asked first: “Mother, do you believe today’s affair was Liyang’s fault, or was it ‘Niansheng’ setting a trap to frame him?”
Princess Shao’an answered, “I know Liyang’s character well. He would never do such a thing.”
Ming Yuhe laughed.
“What is it?” The princess felt his laughter was edged with menace.
“Nothing. Just reminded me of certain things.”
At first, Ming Yuhe had thought the same. But then he pieced together Yunxiu’s account with the guards’ testimony.
The Luo family of Linzhou had suffered repeated misfortunes: Luo Shang’s lingering illness, three family members trampled by horses, Luo Yizhou unjustly imprisoned. Each “accident” echoed the very method Luo Xinci had once devised to kill Marquis Wuling on the day they first met. This was the first time Luo Xinci had ever treated him like a fool and toyed with him. But it also confirmed her true purpose: she sought to use the Marquis’s household power to avenge old grievances. Her enemy bore the surname Wang, was a native of Linzhou, and now held high office in the capital, with children all under sixteen.
What happened today—Luo Xinci’s loss of composure before others—was not caused by Jiang Liyang, nor was it the result of some careful scheme. It was nothing more than a coincidence, triggered by Grand Tutor Chang’s retirement and return to his hometown.
Why should Grand Tutor Chang’s departure for Jiangzhou have shaken Luo Xinci so deeply?
Ming Yuhe gathered all the reports and, after careful thought, arrived at three possibilities:
Perhaps members of the Luo family had committed some unforgivable crime that might reach the Grand Tutor Chang’s ears. Yet his inquiries showed the Luo family lived lawfully and kindly; this seemed unlikely.
Perhaps the true culprit behind the Luo family’s misfortunes had some connection to the Grand Tutor Chang. But Grand Tutor Chang had lived an upright life, befriending only honorable men; this too seemed improbable.
Or else Luo Xinci, upon hearing of Grand Tutor Chang’s retirement, had suddenly pieced together some hidden riddle—so much so that she was struck as if by a heavy blow, and in her daze stumbled and fell.
Whatever the truth, those who defended her out of indignation, like Fan Ning, or those who accused her of scheming, like Princess Shao’an, were all deceived by appearances.
And the thought that he himself had seriously considered whether this was Luo Xinci’s plot made Ming Yuhe feel he had once again been played for a fool. Worse still, she had toyed with him without even realizing it.
Since the hunting expedition years ago, Ming Yuhe had never suffered such a loss.
“Mother need not interfere,” he said. “From now on, all matters concerning Niansheng are for me alone.”
Princess Shao’an asked, “Which Niansheng?”
“Both,” Ming Yuhe replied. Then he pressed further: “Mother, what impression do you have of Niansheng—the true Ming Niansheng?”
Princess Shao’an had never made things difficult for that mother and daughter, yet whenever she thought of Ming Niansheng, she could not help but be reminded of Marquis Wuling—and that inevitably soured her mood. She said lightly, “Just a timid, fearful girl.”
“I used to think the same,” Ming Yuhe replied.
For so many years, Linzhou and the capital had scarcely interfered with one another. The exchange of gifts at festivals or birthdays was all arranged by the stewards, mere formality. So when a letter arrived from Linzhou, saying the old madam had sent Ming Niansheng to the capital to visit the Marquis, the image that rose in Ming Yuhe’s mind was of that small, shrinking figure from long ago, cowering behind others.
He had read past correspondence between Linzhou and the capital. Most were penned by the stewards, but occasionally there were letters signed in Ming Niansheng’s own hand—delicate script, earnest words, each line expressing blessings for the Marquis, Princess Shao’an, and himself as her elder brother. Not a single flaw could be found.
Those few pages of family letters were perfect, fit to serve as models for the civil examinations—yet they betrayed not the slightest trace of genuine feeling.
Ming Yuhe had sent men to Linzhou to investigate her temperament, and confirmed she held no affection for the Marquis’s household. Her so-called visit to the capital was, beyond doubt, meant to display the deep bond between the Marquis and the old madam.
After more than ten years without seeing her father or stepmother, she had heard of her father’s illness and came to pay respects. It was reasonable enough, and so Ming Yuhe granted the old madam’s request.
In his expectation, Ming Niansheng would quietly reside at Yunshang Residence for a month, then obediently return to Linzhou, marry as arranged, and thereafter her ties to the Marquis’s household would be severed like a flower from its branch.
But what he had not foreseen was that the one who entered the capital was not Ming Niansheng at all, but Luo Xinci, masquerading in her place.
Ming Yuhe did not expose Luo Xinci—not only because he wished to uncover her purpose, but also out of concern for Ming Niansheng. He felt little affection for this half-sister, only pity, unwilling that she should be coerced because of her status as the Marquis’s daughter.
“My men infiltrated the Luo household for two days and heard with their own ears the family calling ‘Luo Xinci’ by the name ‘Miss Niansheng.’ And Luo Xinci was free to go out, though always veiled in gauze…”
If she could move about freely, then she was not being forced.
Whatever their motives, the fact remained: Ming Niansheng and Luo Xinci had joined hands, sending her into the capital under Niansheng’s name, hoping to seek vengeance under the Marquis’s protection.
Neither Ming Yuhe nor Princess Shao’an had ever wronged Ming Niansheng and her mother. Yet this sister had conspired with outsiders to deceive and use him. A fine sister indeed.
Ming Yuhe rose, sweeping his robe aside, and said to Princess Shao’an: “Mother need not trouble herself over today’s matter. Let everything take its natural course.” He repeated with emphasis: “As for Niansheng—whichever Niansheng it may be—Mother need not concern herself. Leave it all to me.”
Seeing the blade-like chill in his eyes, Princess Shao’an shook her head and sighed. “I will not interfere. But Niansheng, whatever else she may be, is still of this household. You must at least tell me, as her stepmother, where she is now and whether she is safe.”
Ming Yuhe arched a brow and smiled. “Rest assured, Mother. Within half a month at most, she will come to the capital of her own accord.”
At Yunshang Pavilion, Luo Xinci washed up and steadied her emotions, waiting expectantly for Ming Yuhe’s arrival. She sat stiffly for a long while, but he did not come. Anxiety gnawed at her heart.
“Did I go too far? Or has he already decided it was my scheme, and won’t bother to confirm with me?”
Even Lianxing, who understood Ming Yuhe less than she did, could only shake her head in silence.
It was no use sitting idly. Luo Xinci excused herself to rest, dismissed the maids, and hid behind the bed curtains to ask Lianxing about her progress.
“At the Yunxiao Inn and Fuyun Inn in the west of the city, as well as two teahouses, the servers gave me several names of men who once passed the exams—Wang Huaixiang, Wang Fuchun, Wang Sheng…” Lianxing rattled off more than a dozen names, none of them matching.
“Should we just ask directly using your father’s real name?”
Luo Xinci wanted to, but hesitated. “Those who still remember his true name must have been close to him. If they try to curry favor, they might report it straight to him.”
If he found out, it would be no small matter—they feared he might send assassins to Linzhou.
Lianxing sighed, troubled. “Miss, our silver is running low…”
Every inquiry cost money. Luo Xinci had brought all her savings to the capital, but the endless expenses were draining them fast. Without silver, things would only grow harder. Her emotions rose and fell throughout the day, leaving her exhausted. She leaned against the bedframe with a weary sigh. “Let me think…”
Before she could gather her thoughts, a maid announced that Ming Yuhe had come to see her.