The Lu Clan moved quickly, taking measures as soon as they realized things were turning against them.
Lu Yanzhi’s injuries were serious, and he had been rendered unconscious, so Madam Lu took her elder daughter-in-law to the Princess Manor, hoping to persuade the Princess first.
The Princess Manor’s staff didn’t stop them from entering, but as soon as they did, they saw thick smoke billowing in the distance.
“That’s the direction of the Second Young Master’s residence.”
They didn't often come to the Princess Manor, but they did know where Lu Yanzhi lived.
Madam Lu’s heart lurched, and she hurried over with her entourage, seeing a group of people carrying things away from a distance, throwing them one by one onto a central bonfire.
The books were still indistinguishable, but the clothes were clearly her son’s.
“What are you doing?”
She walked quickly, scanning the area and seeing Xiao Li sitting in the corridor, and immediately realized this was her instruction.
“Princess,” she strode forward, bowing quickly. “Princess, shouldn't we discuss things properly? Why resort to such extremes?”
Xiao Li lay languidly on the chair, lifting her eyelids to glance at her when she spoke, then slowly lowering them again.
“You can’t teach your own son properly, and now you come to lecture me?”
Madam Lu, like her son, didn’t like this Princess whom the Emperor had forced upon them, but she was a Princess after all, and she had to suppress her anger.
“It is my fault for failing to raise him well and causing you distress, Princess. Please forgive me.”
Xiao Li kept her eyes closed, without much emotion. “Since you know in your heart, I am relieved. I originally intended to burn these dirty things, but since you’ve come, I’ll give you a bit of face. Take them away. In the future, no member of the Lu Clan is permitted to set foot in the Princess Manor.”
“Surely the Princess wouldn't resort to spiteful hatred just because she didn’t get what she wanted?”
Madam Lu’s daughter-in-law, Gao Lan, looked at Xiao Li with mockery in her eyes. “You knew the Second Young Master didn't like you, yet you still convinced His Majesty to arrange a marriage. Now that you’ve gotten your wish, you can't handle it and are using such despicable methods to ruin him. This is simply outrageous!”
“Gao Lan!” Madam Lu scolded her daughter-in-law ‘displeasedly’. “What nonsense are you talking about? Apologize to the Princess immediately!”
“Don't put on an act in front of me.” Xiao Li opened her eyes to look at them, and her dark eyes were full of ridicule.
“You think Lu Yanzhi was wronged by marrying me? I will release him now. Shouldn’t you be happy about that?”
She slowly got up, smiling like a venomous viper. “This is his only chance to escape me. You must seize it, or I can show you what it means to be truly outrageous!”
The Lu Clan’s mother and daughter-in-law were driven away, carrying the charred remains, and left in disgrace.
The Lu Clan knew very well this was Lu Yanzhi's opportunity to escape the Princess, and Lu Yanzhi always wanted to escape. They did feel sorry for their son, but this wasn't the time, nor should it be done in this way.
Not to mention that the Lu Clan now bore the blame, even if they accepted punishment and broke off the engagement, Lu Yanzhi’s life would be ruined.
However, before the Lu Clan could make a decision, other prominent families, sensing an opportunity, swarmed towards the Lu Clan.
Memorials flew like snowflakes to the Imperial Study, condemning the Lu Clan’s family tradition. Some even accused members of the Lu Clan of bullying the people and harming the common people, with solid evidence.
Those families who viewed the Lu Clan as thorns in their sides instantly became like wolves smelling blood, frantically trying to tear a piece of flesh from the Lu Clan.
Within two days, thirteen members of the Lu Clan were imprisoned, though they were all from branch families, it was still a major threat to the Lu Clan’s reputation.
And no matter how anyone explained it, people believed that Lu Yanzhi was impotent, and remained a virgin for three years after marrying the Princess.
Rumors spread like wildfire, and the accusation of deceiving the Imperial Family grew more and more rampant.
At this point, it wasn’t a question of whether the Emperor believed them, but rather their reputation among the common people and scholars had collapsed.
Watching the prestigious threshold of the influential families collapse, Chief Minister Lu finally lowered his head.
Old Madam Lu personally brought gifts to the Princess Manor to mediate the situation, but was refused entry.
“The Princess said she does not wish to see anyone from the Lu Clan.”
Old Madam Lu had seen her share of storms and wasn’t angry at all, simply standing at the gate and saying, “I will wait here until the Princess calms down and agrees to see me.”
The gatekeeper went to report back, and soon Hong Yue came out angrily. “What is Old Madam Lu doing? Is she trying to use her age to intimidate the Princess?”
“Wait, are you going to faint, letting the world know the Princess is so cruel as to abuse an elderly woman?”
“The Consort has been bullying the Princess, and you all turned a blind eye, even thinking the Princess deserved it. Now that the Princess can't take it anymore and speaks the truth, you're all coming to threaten her.”
“You are pretentious, caring about both appearances and substance, yet you can be so shameless?”
Old Madam Lu was truly on the verge of fainting. Her calm expression turned to anger, and her whole body trembled. “You girl, your words are too rude! I merely wish to see the Princess. How dare you be so aggressive?”
Hong Yue’s face was full of mockery, exhibiting the face of a malicious servant girl. “You want to see the Princess? You avoided her during festivals, feigning illness and dizziness, fearful of having to see her. Why aren’t you sick or dizzy now?"
“The Princess said your Lu Clan’s status is too high for her, and she doesn’t want to associate with you anymore.”
Old Madam Lu felt a sharp pain in her heart and could no longer stay. She turned to leave, and as she was helped out of the carriage and into the Lu Manor, she heard a servant report that rumors were spreading everywhere that the Princess had been treated coldly by the Lu Clan for three years.
The Lu Clan believed Lu Yanzhi had been wronged by marrying the Princess, and the Lu men wouldn’t be close to the Princess, merely polite and courteous. But the Lu women all felt sorry for their precious son, and none of them would treat the Princess warmly.
The Princess did deliberately try to please the Lu family for Lu Yanzhi’s sake, and her servile attitude made the Lu women feel she was too easy to control.
So, the Old Madam truly feigned illness to avoid her, Madam Lu truly made the Princess establish rules, and the Lu Clan’s eldest daughter-in-law truly looked down on the Princess and spoke disparagingly of her.
Chief Minister Lu watched his wife with disappointment. Old Madam Lu couldn't take it anymore and fainted on the spot.
Rumors emerge with a single word, while refuting them requires immense effort.
Moreover, this wasn’t fabricated out of thin air; every detail was true.
The Lu Clan’s reputation plummeted, and the court was filled with a carnival of enjoyment.
The Emperor “reluctantly” and “necessarily” punished several members of the Lu Clan, and revoked some rights associated with the Lu Clan.
After taking the benefits, he pretended to advise Xiao Li.
After all, a lean camel remains larger than a horse, and besides, the Lu Clan had only suffered minor damage and still needed to be restrained.
Seeking support, v3v