Chapter 11: Great! Caught Red-Handed! Men are all like this after all…
Qiao Shi and Jiang Qiaonian were stunned by Jiang Xianian’s bold idea. Niannian, you…
Jiang Xunnian and Jiang Danian, however, were somewhat pleased. Their sister truly had great aspirations—it was best not to marry. What man in the world was worthy of their adorable and clever sister?
Xiao Bingxi was puzzled: What did Mianshou mean? How come he had never heard of this official position?
Huimin Princess, on the other hand, felt nothing unusual. Her keeping of Mianshou was semi-public knowledge. Her consort had passed away several years ago, and it was perfectly normal for her to keep a few people around for amusement. However, hearing Jiang Xianian say she also wanted to keep Mianshou struck her as amusing. Such a young child—did she even understand what Mianshou were for?
【But… this Mianshou, Hong Yumin, seems a bit off…】 Just as Jiang Xianian muttered this to herself, a woman wearing a Sajin skirt approached, interrupting her thoughts. “Greetings, Mother. Mother, I have already escorted several Guogong Furen and Gongzhu to the entrance. They all praised today’s birthday banquet extravagantly and asked me to convey their compliments to you.”
Upon hearing this, Huimin Princess was delighted. “Good, good. There are many guests today, and all of you sisters-in-law must be tired. Take turns seeing off the guests. Go and rest for a while; later, you can relieve your elder and younger sisters-in-law.”
“Very well, thank you, Mother! I shall take my leave now.” The woman bowed respectfully and tactfully withdrew.
【Huh? Their eyes are practically entangled! How dare they act so brazenly in front of the Princess?!】 Jiang Xianian noticed Hong Yumin’s peach-blossom eyes gazing deeply at the Princess’s daughter-in-law. That daughter-in-law secretly cast two flirtatious glances at Hong Yumin and even threw a seductive look before leaving. Something was definitely wrong!
Huimin Princess couldn’t help but glance at Hong Yumin and indeed saw him quickly lower his head.
Sensing the scent of scandal, Jiang Xianian immediately checked the System: 【Let me see… Wow! Just as I thought! Hong Yumin and the Princess’s second daughter-in-law have been involved for several years! The one just now must be the Princess’s second daughter-in-law, right? Oh my! The two of them even produced a pair of Longfengtai, which made the Princess extremely happy. That’s why the Princess favors this daughter-in-law so much, even showing bias in minor matters?!】
These words struck Huimin Princess like a thunderbolt: Her beloved Longfengtai grandchildren were actually born from her second daughter-in-law’s adultery?! How could this be?!
Qiao Shi and her four children were also stunned by this revelation. The famously celebrated Longfengtai of the Princess Manor—even the Emperor had specially issued an edict to reward them—were actually not of royal blood?
Xiao Bingxi didn’t quite understand, but he pricked up his ears and tried to listen carefully, memorizing what he didn’t comprehend to ask others later.
【This is too dramatic! And in this matter, not only is the second daughter-in-law aware, but Hong Yumin also knows because the Princess’s second son is… lacking in bed?! The second son still believes the Longfengtai are his own biological children and has always been proud of it, even acting more arrogantly than his elder brother when out and about?】 Jiang Xianian was already cringing so hard she could dig a hole with her toes. The second son truly lived up to his foolish reputation—flaunting that glittering green hat everywhere!
Princess Huimin also felt her face burn with shame, for she had frequently boasted about her Longfengtai grandson and granddaughter to other Gongzhu, Junzhu, and noble ladies. This was truly a slap in the face!
Now, looking at Hong Yumin’s meek and submissive demeanor, she felt nothing but disgust and revulsion. Unable to restrain herself, she kicked him.
Hong Yumin knelt in terror. “This humble servant has erred. Please punish me, Gongzhu.”
The thought that this pitiful act was merely a facade—while behind her back, he had committed such treachery—made Princess Huimin find his appearance utterly vile and detestable. She spat out in disgust, “Get out of my sight!”
Hong Yumin hastily kowtowed, then hunched his shoulders and scurried away.
The others glanced at Hong Yumin’s frantic departure but, assuming he had offended the Gongzhu by massaging her legs improperly, thought little of it and continued enjoying the spectacle.
[Oh my! These two are really something! They’ll do it anytime, anywhere! So scandalous! Should I find a way to warn the Gongzhu? She didn’t even scold me for wetting her skirt—returning the favor by tipping her off would be fair, right? But I can’t speak! Ah! This is so frustrating!] Jiang Xianian fretted inwardly.
Princess Huimin felt a warmth in her heart. This little one, so young, was still thinking of sending her a warning! Those two wretched individuals weren’t even as virtuous as a one-month-old baby! She had never treated them poorly—often showing them favoritism—and this was how they repaid her, daring to taint her bloodline!
Qiao Shi and her four children also pondered: How could they alert the Gongzhu without exposing themselves?
Jiang Xunnian and Jiang Danian exchanged glances but only saw each other’s eyes twitching helplessly.
To their surprise, Jiang Xianian immediately continued her internal monologue: [Huh? Hong Yumin got scolded by the Gongzhu and feels wronged, so he’s gone to confide in the Gongzhu’s second daughter-in-law? They’ve already met up, and sparks are flying! They didn’t even bother finding a proper place—just ducked into a corner and started going at it! How can I tell the Gongzhu they’re about to… you know? Maybe… maybe I’ll just pee again, so my mother will take me to the courtyard to change clothes, and then we can subtly lead people over? But would that put my mother in danger?]
Jiang Xianian was torn. She wanted to help a good person like Princess Huimin, but protecting her mother was her top priority.
Qiao Shi and her three children were equally conflicted. The affair was happening right now! If only they could witness the two being caught red-handed—nothing beats watching drama unfold live!
As Jiang Xianian wrestled with her thoughts, she furrowed her tiny brows, her face flushed with effort. Qiao Shi, mistaking this for her daughter needing to relieve herself, hurriedly apologized to the Gongzhu, “Your Highness, my daughter needs a change of clothes.”
Princess Huimin’s heart stirred. So this little one had resolved to help her after all—such rare sincerity.
“Go ahead,” Princess Huimin said kindly.
Jiang Qiaonian’s curiosity was piqued; she wanted to see the gossip unfold and, more importantly, protect her mother! No—protecting her mother came first; spectating was secondary.
“Your Highness, may I assist my mother?” Jiang Qiaonian asked.
Princess Huimin nodded in agreement.
As Qiao Shi left with her two daughters, she took several people’s attention with her. Jiang Xunnian and Jiang Danian racked their brains, trying to devise an excuse to follow, but the inner quarters were off-limits to unrelated men, leaving them scratching their heads in frustration.
Xiao Bingxi was equally anxious: I need to protect my sister! And maybe catch a glimpse of the excitement too!
The three of them sat on pins and needles for quite some time until a Mammy leaned close to Huimin Princess’s ear and whispered something. Huimin Princess then stood up and said to the three of them, “Please enjoy the opera here at ease. I’ll be back shortly.”
After saying this, Huimin Princess left, leaning on the Mammy’s arm.
Once the Princess was gone, the two brothers could no longer sit still. They immediately made excuses: “I need to use the restroom!”
“Me too!”
Xiao Bingxi promptly stood up, scurrying after them with his short legs: “Brothers Jiang, wait for me! I also need to use the restroom! Let’s go together!”
Meanwhile, Qiao Shi was already in the courtyard, unwrapping Jiang Xianian’s swaddling clothes. She found Jiang Xianian’s bottom clean and dry—after all, the diaper had been changed not long ago, so of course it wasn’t dirty.
Jiang Qiaonian paced back and forth anxiously: “Mother, what should we do next?”
She nearly blurted out how to tip off the Princess but managed to hold her tongue in time.
Qiao Shi, however, remained calm: “Don’t rush. Let’s wait and see.”
Jiang Xianian popped up a question mark in his mind: [What riddle are Mother and Sister talking about?]
Hearing the inner voice, the two tacitly stopped discussing the matter.
Jiang Qiaonian had no choice but to patiently wait for Qiao Shi to figure things out.
Just as Qiao Shi was beginning to form some ideas, a commotion arose outside. Jiang Qiaonian hurriedly opened the door to check and, after inquiring, returned to report to Qiao Shi: “Mother! The Princess has taken people over there. I heard a servant reported some illicit affair!”
Jiang Xianian immediately pricked up his ears: [Could it be that couple from the gossip earlier? A servant reported it in time? Great! I don’t have to rack my brains to put Mother in danger anymore! Let’s go, let’s go, hurry and take a look!]
Jiang Qiaonian also asked eagerly, “Mother, should we go and see?”
Qiao Shi understood Jiang Qiaonian’s feelings because she herself was very curious!
So she picked up Jiang Xianian and said, “Then let’s go take a look. But you’re a young lady—don’t get too close, lest you see something you shouldn’t.”
Jiang Qiaonian agreed verbally, but her heart had already flown to the next courtyard over.
The mother and daughter stepped out, maintaining a dignified appearance, but their footsteps were anything but slow.
The place where Hong Yumin and the Princess’s second daughter-in-law were conducting their affair was just two courtyards away. It was precisely because of the proximity that Jiang Xianian had thought of catching them in the act.
Arriving at the entrance, they found quite a few people, though no outsiders—only servants from the Princess Manor were stationed there.
In the courtyard, the Princess stood in the center, with a man whose face was flushed red from drinking swaying unsteadily beside her.
Jiang Qiaonian whispered, “Mother, is that Huimin Princess’s second son?”
Qiao Shi replied softly, “That’s right.”
Remembering her sister’s description of the glowing green hat on his head, Jiang Qiaonian couldn’t help but imagine it and nearly laughed, though it seemed inappropriate.
Additionally, kneeling before Huimin Princess were two disheveled individuals—Hong Yumin and the Princess’s second daughter-in-law.
Huimin Princess appeared expressionless but was on the verge of fury: “Caught in the act! What do you have to say for yourselves?!”
Hong Yumin immediately threw himself at Huimin Princess’s feet: “Your Highness, I was wrong! I beg for your mercy! It was this woman who seduced me! My heart belongs only to you, Princess!”
After hearing this, Jiang Xianian flew into a rage and couldn’t help but spit in contempt: “Men are all the same! The moment their mistakes are discovered, they shift the blame onto women! Shameless! It was clearly you who deliberately seduced her! Not only did you seduce the second daughter-in-law, but you also made advances toward the first and third daughters-in-law. It’s just that they had principles and ignored you!”