25
Seeking Justice for It
However, what happened next left Xu Shi dumbfounded. Since she was sitting right beside Lin Qingran, she could clearly see what Lin Qingran had uncovered after lifting Madam Liang’s sleeve.
The arm was covered with bluish-purple bruises, crisscrossed with scabbed wounds—so many that “covered in scars” would not be an overstatement. There were also some old wounds that had already healed.
“Madam Liang, how did you get so many injuries? Were these… caused by someone?” Lin Qingran exclaimed in shock.
Madam Liang somewhat uncomfortably pulled down her sleeve. “It’s nothing, just some accidental injuries. There’s no need to worry, Miss Lin. You didn’t hurt me earlier.”
Lin Qingran was also deeply shocked. Even though she had mentally prepared herself earlier, she was still taken aback.
[Oh my god, how could she have so many injuries? Liang Peng is truly despicable! Just on this arm alone, I can see over twenty scars. Is this how he treats his lawfully wedded wife?]
[No wonder Minister Lu had such a strong reaction after finding out. If her arm alone is like this, I don’t even dare imagine what other parts of her body look like. This is utterly detestable!]
[Domestic abusers deserve to die horribly! Liang Peng is utterly disgusting. How can someone like him be fit to serve in Dali Temple? No wonder he’s about to face consequences—he better face them now, so that scumbag doesn’t get any ideas about dragging others down with him!]
Qin Yiyi stood up. “Madam Liang, from what I can see, these don’t appear to be accidental injuries. As Miss Lin said, they seem to be man-made.”
As soon as she spoke, the male guests’ section fell silent, while all the female guests turned their attention to Madam Liang.
Lin Qingran blinked. “Miss Qin, you believe me?”
“I believe what I see with my own eyes,” Qin Yiyi answered honestly.
[Wow, daughteru actually believes me! I’m so happy, she believes me!]
Qin Yiyi paused, suddenly feeling that it might not be better to agree with Lin Qingran after all.
But upon careful reflection, Lin Qingran wasn’t as annoying as she had imagined. Could it be that her usual behavior was just an act?
But why would she do that?
If it was because she liked Xiao Heng, then there was even less reason for it. Her previous behavior would only push Xiao Heng further away.
Lin Qingran had previously misunderstood that Xiao Heng liked her, but in reality, they had only met by chance at a banquet once and exchanged a single sentence.
However, when certain people witnessed this scene, they interpreted it as Xiao Heng being interested in her, and it was likely intentionally relayed to Lin Qingran.
From that day on, Lin Qingran began targeting her intentionally or unintentionally, as if she deeply disliked her.
Lin Qingran’s gaze remained on Madam Liang, but her attention was focused on Qin Yiyi. She wanted to know how the female lead currently felt about her.
Hearing Qin Yiyi’s words just now, it seemed the female lead didn’t dislike her as much as she had thought. This made Lin Qingran quite happy.
Not for any particular reason—as long as she maintained good relations with the male and female leads, even if the main antagonist ultimately failed, she could still protect herself and leave with the Lin family.
Meanwhile, Madam Liang, under the collective gaze of the women, grew increasingly uneasy. She didn’t dare let anyone know the truth of the matter.
“Everyone, there’s no need to worry. These really are just accidental injuries. Please don’t concern yourselves,” Madam Liang explained.
Lin Qingran deliberately had someone discover the injuries on Madam Liang, so she naturally wouldn’t let Madam Liang brush it off lightly. Her goal today was to expose Liang Peng’s true nature and escalate the conflict between him and Minister Lu.
“Does Madam Liang have some unavoidable hardship? Today may not be the most convenient occasion, but since we’ve all seen it, we must understand the situation. I’ve always believed that women already endure enough hardship within the inner quarters, but to suffer unjust harm is even more distressing.” Lin Qingran spoke with a stern expression. “No matter who inflicted these injuries, it is unacceptable. Do not fear, Madam Liang. With so many ladies present today, someone will surely help you seek justice.”
Old Madam Liang understood perfectly well who was responsible, but as an elderly woman of the inner quarters, she was naturally inclined to side with her son.
The principles of womanly virtue—three obediences and four virtues—were deeply ingrained in her: obeying her father before marriage, her husband after marriage, and her son after her husband’s death.
Having lived sixty years, Old Madam Liang had internalized these values since childhood and had always abided by them.
“Please forgive the embarrassment. Perhaps my daughter-in-law accidentally injured herself. Today is my sixtieth birthday—could we discuss other matters later?” Old Madam Liang smiled, trying to smooth things over.
A cold glint flashed in Lin Qingran’s eyes. “Old Madam Liang, I’m afraid that is not appropriate. Since we’ve discovered Madam Liang’s injuries, why not summon a female physician to examine her and determine the cause? I previously heard that Madam Liang lost a child—could this be related to that incident? If so, one must question how Lord Liang manages his household. If he cannot govern his own family strictly, how can he administer the Dali Temple?”
Lin Qingran’s words were deliberately sharp, and Liang Peng, overhearing from the neighboring room, could no longer remain seated.
“How dare you! As a woman, you dare to recklessly criticize an imperial official? What remarkable audacity!” Liang Peng sprang to his feet, disregarding the separation between men and women, and strode over with several attendants from the end of the courtyard wall. “I would like to know, young lady, on what grounds you accuse me of lax household governance?”
Lin Lang recognized his daughter’s voice and immediately followed Liang Peng, unwilling to stand by.
Hearing Liang Peng’s disrespectful tone—repeatedly emphasizing his official status to intimidate his precious daughter—Lin Lang grew furious.
“Lord Liang, you are mistaken. My daughter spoke out upon witnessing injustice toward a woman, seeking to uphold fairness—this is only right. Regardless of her impending role as Crown Princess, our Lin family background alone should grant her the right to speak, should it not?” Lin Lang retorted coldly.
In his eyes, his daughter could do no wrong. Even if she erred, it was surely due to someone else’s influence—she herself was never at fault!
Just as Liang Peng prepared to respond, a somewhat rugged-looking man stepped forward. He glanced subtly at Madam Liang, a flicker of pain in his eyes, and turned his gaze to Liang Peng.
“Lord Liang, Minister Lin and Miss Lin are not without reason. I, too, believe that if there is nothing to hide, it would be best to summon a female physician to examine Madam Liang. If you distrust others, the Capital Prefecture has female physicians who can be called upon for this purpose.”
“Lu Tian! Who gave you the right to speak here? Stop stirring up trouble!” Liang Peng roared in fury.
Lin Qingran froze for a moment before suddenly understanding.
【So this is Lu Tian? Madam Liang’s childhood sweetheart, the one Liang Peng stole her from?】
【I never expected him to come today. It seems this matter will be settled now. No matter what, Liang Peng’s true nature will be exposed. I won’t be needed anymore, which saves me from being discovered.】
What a coincidence—three people had already noticed her.