“By the way, Miss, what did you mean when you told Lord Huo about another group of people carrying your portrait?” Fengli asked.
Luo Chaoyan frowned. “After I got separated from you, Huo Rui and I encountered another group of men in black. They were clearly targeting me, and of course, it was also about the Huo Family marriage arrangement.”
“But what I really want to know is how they got hold of my portrait. Logically speaking, we haven’t been in Jingdu for long, and our family is of modest status—we shouldn’t have attracted such attention.”
Fengli suggested, “Could it be that one of the servants in the manor was bribed and described your appearance to someone?”
“That possibility can’t be ruled out,” Luo Chaoyan agreed.
“Miss!”
Yun Mo rushed in from outside, panting heavily.
“Miss, Old Madam Luo and the Second Madam are here!” She looked worried. Old Madam Luo didn’t seem to be in a good mood. She wondered if the madam would blame the young lady for going out.
Sure enough, when Old Madam Luo entered the room, her face was dark with anger.
“Grandmother! Second Aunt! What brings you here?” Luo Chaoyan quickly asked Fengli to help her up, but she accidentally moved her sprained ankle and hissed in pain.
Cao Shi hurriedly made her sit down. “How are you? Is the injury serious?”
“It’s nothing, Second Aunt. I just sprained my ankle. It’ll be fine in a few days,” Luo Chaoyan said with a smile.
“You’re still laughing!” Old Madam Luo scolded angrily. “Why couldn’t you just stay in the temple to pray? What were you doing running off to the back mountain?”
“Yes, A Yan, the Huo Family sent some medicinal herbs earlier, saying you were injured. It gave us quite a scare,” Cao Shi added.
Luo Chaoyan sheepishly rubbed her nose. Could she admit that she had grown tired of the temple’s vegetarian food and had gone to the back mountain for a barbecue?
“Grandmother, I heard that the forest behind Pu Guang Temple has wild ginseng that’s very nourishing and can prolong life. I thought I’d dig one up for you.”
“The less you trouble me, the longer I’ll live,” Old Madam Luo retorted angrily.
Cao Shi smiled. “Madam, A Yan meant well.”
Fengli lowered her head, pursed her lips, and tried hard to suppress her laughter. The young lady was really good at making up stories.
To divert the old madam’s anger, Luo Chaoyan said seriously, “Grandmother, I suppose you’ve realized that today’s incident happened because someone doesn’t want me to marry into the Huo Family.”
“Did you notice anything suspicious?” Old Madam Luo frowned. If something had happened to her granddaughter today, not only would the marriage be off, but her third son would likely resent her.
“One group came looking for me with a portrait of me.”
Cao Shi was shocked. “Third Uncle’s family has only been in Jingdu for a short while, and A Yan has only visited Su Manor once. Logically, no one should know what you look like.”
Old Madam Luo said, “It’s likely that someone in the manor leaked the information. Have someone pack our things immediately. We’ll return to the manor tomorrow.” Staying any longer might lead to more trouble.
Cao Shi nodded.
Early the next morning
Luo Chaoyan followed Old Madam Luo and the others back to Luo Manor.
After returning, Old Madam Luo informed her sons and daughters-in-law about how her granddaughter had nearly been kidnapped the previous day.
Luo Lao Da and his wife were astonished. They had been eagerly anticipating this marriage and couldn’t afford any mishaps.
Zhao Shi said, “Mother, I will have someone investigate the matter of the portrait immediately. If it was done by someone in the manor, they will be severely punished.”
“Things are already perilous even before the marriage takes place. If…” Luo Lao San said with some dissatisfaction, exchanging a glance with his wife Yin Shi, both showing concern in their eyes.
Old Madam Luo glared at him and said, “What? Are you thinking of backing out now?”
Luo Lao Da said, “Third Brother, the Huo Family is also investigating, which shows they care deeply about this matter. I believe they will soon give A Yan an explanation. Don’t worry too much!”
“Yes, Third Brother. The most important thing now is for A Yan to rest and recover properly,” Cao Shi said.
“Right! Right! I’ll have someone select some good medicinal herbs to send to A Yan,” Zhao Shi chimed in.
In the solemn and dignified Hall of Audience
Emperor Qing had just finished discussing state affairs with his ministers and was about to have the eunuch announce the end of the court session.
Grand Tutor Huo stepped out from the ranks of officials, bowed, and said, “Your Majesty, I impeach Marquis Gu for failing to discipline his son, who attempted to harm my future daughter-in-law.”
“Oh? Is there such a thing?” Emperor Qing, who had been somewhat weary, suddenly perked up with interest.
“I’ve heard that the woman Huo Jin is to marry is the daughter of Luo Guan Qing?”
Grand Tutor Huo replied, “Your Majesty, that is correct.”
“What exactly happened? How could the son of Minister Gu attempt to harm your future daughter-in-law, a young lady who rarely steps out of her home?”
Luo Guan Qing stepped forward from the crowd, bowed, and said, “Your Majesty, yesterday my daughter was praying for our family’s blessings at Baoguang Temple when she was unexpectedly targeted by villains who tried to abduct her. Fortunately, Lord Huo arrived in time, or else my daughter would have been left with no dignity to live on. I implore Your Majesty to uphold justice for my daughter.”
Huo Jin also stepped forward, took out a memorial from his sleeve, and respectfully presented it, saying, “Your Majesty, when I rushed to rescue her, I captured several villains. From their confessions, I learned they were from the Gu residence and were acting on the orders of the Second Young Master Gu to abduct my fiancée. This is their confession. Please review it, Your Majesty.”
The eunuch took the memorial from his hands and passed it to Emperor Qing. After reading it, the emperor looked up at Marquis Gu and said, “Minister Gu, do you have anything to say?”
Marquis Gu was inwardly furious—that unfilial son only knew how to cause trouble—and resentful that the Huo Family showed no regard for his dignity. However, he showed no sign of it on his face, instead wearing an expression of remorse as he said, “Your Majesty, I was unaware of the matters Grand Tutor Huo and the others have brought up today.”
“Lord Huo is young and accomplished, admired by many young ladies in Jingdu, including the young ladies in my household. My unfilial son likely acted out of such disrespectful motives for the sake of his sister.”
As he spoke, he wiped away a tear of sorrow, knelt on the ground, and said to Emperor Qing, “Your Majesty, I have failed in disciplining my son. I beg Your Majesty to punish me.”
This old scoundrel is indeed cunning, trying to pass it off as an act of brotherly protectiveness. Luo Guan Qing felt nothing but disdain. Acting? Who doesn’t know how? He pinched his thigh, blinked his eyes, and made his eyes visibly redden. With a pained expression, he said, “Your Majesty, since returning home yesterday, my daughter has been deeply frightened, suffering from nightmares throughout the night. If not for my wife’s diligent care, I fear…”
The officials present, who had initially felt sympathy for Marquis Gu’s tearful display and considered pleading for leniency on his behalf, now leaned toward the victim’s side after hearing Luo Guan Qing’s words.
Witnessing this scene, Luo Guan Mian, who had been keeping his head down in silence, couldn’t help but marvel at how his third brother’s talent for fabricating stories had grown. He distinctly remembered that his niece had merely sprained her ankle and was eating and drinking heartily.
After a moment of thought, Emperor Qing said, “In that case, Marquis Gu shall be fined half a year’s salary. As for Young Master Gu Er, he shall receive twenty strokes of the cane as a warning to others.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
“Your Majesty is wise and just!”