Chapter 23: The Consort of the Offering Prince Demands Justice

The Princess Consort of Xian had come to visit in person, and at such a pitch-black hour; it must be for an urgent matter, and an unspeakable one at that.

Could it be that the Princess Consort already knew about Lu Xuanheng and Jiang You'an?

Sweat beaded on Lady Zhao’s forehead. She had the Princess Consort escorted to the main hall, quickly tidied herself up, and hurried to receive her guest.

"Your Highness, forgive my lack of a proper welcome for your grand arrival."

Lady Zhao approached with a flawless smile and curtsied before the Princess Consort.

The Princess Consort sat upright in a circular chair, her expression impassive. She had not touched the hot tea beside her, nor did she utter a word.

A chill crept down Lady Zhao’s spine as she sat in a chair next to her. "What wind has blown Your Highness here today?"

The Princess Consort shot her a sidelong glance, her eyes filled with icy fury. "If I hadn't come, that little hussy surnamed Jiang in your household would be riding roughshod over my daughter's face!"

Lady Zhao’s heart skipped a beat.

So it was this. Damn it, how did it reach the Princess Consort’s ears so quickly? Who could have leaked it?

Lady Zhao forced herself to remain calm, pretending not to understand. "What does Your Highness mean? Are you referring to Jiang You'an? Has she offended the Princess somewhere?"

The Princess Consort sneered. "Since you wish to play dumb, I don't mind laying out your family's scandal clearly. That fine son of yours and that Jiang You'an who is lodging in your home have long been carrying on a secret affair, haven't they!"

Lady Zhao feigned shock and sprang up from her chair. "That is absolutely not the case! Your Highness must be mistaken. Those two children are under my watchful eye every day; how could they possibly have a secret affair?"

The Princess Consort’s voice was deep with rage. "You cover for them like this—are you intentionally trying to trample on the Princess? Do you intend to take that woman as a concubine, and once the Princess marries in, allow your family to favor the concubine and neglect the wife? Do you think our Prince’s Estate is easy to bully?"

"Your Highness, please examine the facts. The Lu family has always held the Prince’s Estate in high regard and would never show the Princess any disrespect. But what you speak of truly does not exist!"

Lady Zhao spoke with ironclad conviction, her expression one of deep grievance, her eyes even turning slightly red.

The Princess Consort laughed in extreme anger. "Very well, very well. I am here in person, yet you still wish to deceive me. Since that is the case, call your second daughter here; I shall question her myself."

Lady Zhao was stunned, her mind reeling with fury.

It was that idiot Lu Yunzhu!

The Princess Consort gave the order, not waiting for Lady Zhao’s consent, and sent someone to summon her immediately.

Had Lady Zhao tried to stop it, she would have appeared guilty. She stood there stiffly, her mind in chaos.

Before long, Lu Yunzhu was brought over, her face slightly pale.

The Princess Consort sat above, filled with wrath, and the look Lady Zhao shot at her from the side seemed as if she wished to tear her apart alive.

She had told Li Lianzhu what she heard that day, and for the past few days, she had been waiting to see how Li Lianzhu would deal with Jiang You'an. She had never expected the Princess Consort to come to the Lu residence herself and expose her—now everyone knew she was the informant!

She walked over and, in a timid voice, said, "Greetings, Your Highness."

The Princess Consort asked, "Did you tell the Princess that Jiang You'an and Lu Xuanheng were secretly dallying? Yes or no?"

Lady Zhao suppressed her rage and said, "Yunzhu, how can you speak such nonsense? Quickly, clarify this to the Princess!"

Lu Yunzhu looked at Lady Zhao with a pale, timid face.

The Princess Consort commanded sharply, "I am here; speak the truth. If I find out later that you have lied, no one will be able to protect you!"

At this point, she could not afford to offend both sides. Lu Yunzhu steeled her heart and said loudly, "It is… it is true. I heard it with my own ears!"

"Lu Yunzhu!" Lady Zhao was nearly fainting with rage. She glared fiercely at Lu Yunzhu and quickly said to the Princess Consort, "This child is used to babbling nonsense. Your Highness need not take her words to heart; I will certainly discipline her later."

Lu Yunzhu, however, grew emboldened. She raised her chin and said, "What I said is true. You can call Jiang You'an over; I will confront her face-to-face!"

Lady Zhao wished she could strangle Lu Yunzhu on the spot, but the Princess Consort said, "Very well. I have been here for a long time and have yet to see the main character. Bring her here; I want to see what kind of person has bewitched the young master of the Lu family."

Meanwhile, Jiang You'an had just finished her meal and was walking in her small courtyard to aid digestion.

She had been confined to the courtyard for three days, but since she was well-fed, she was not particularly anxious. The only thing weighing on her mind was her deal with the Taoist Priest Chongxu.

She wondered how that priest was faring with the task.

Suddenly, the courtyard gate opened. Jiang You'an looked over to see two matrons leading the way—though they were not from the Lu household.

Jiang You'an felt a surge of doubt, but before she could ask, the two women seized her and dragged her away.

Seeing this, Jiang You'an figured out the situation immediately, so she offered no futile resistance. When she reached the main hall and saw the furious Princess Consort, she understood.

The Prince’s Estate had learned of it so quickly…

She looked at Lu Yunzhu nearby and realized instantly that no one else could have done this.

Jiang You'an did not panic; instead, she glanced at the ashen-faced Lady Zhao.

The Princess Consort eyed Jiang You'an with a cold, sharp gaze. "Indeed a beauty; otherwise, you wouldn't have the skill to seduce a man. Do you think that because you are born beautiful, you dare to snatch a husband from the Princess?"

Lady Zhao’s heart hung in her throat, staring fixedly at Jiang You'an. This wretched girl had threatened to expose everything just a few days ago. If she truly spoke now…

"Your Highness, what are you talking about? This young woman does not understand."

Jiang You'an looked startled. "I am snatching a husband from the Princess? Where does this come from?"

Lady Zhao suddenly felt a sense of relief—the girl knew how to behave!

The Princess Consort pointed at Jiang You'an, scolding, "Stop putting on this innocent, pitiful act in front of me! Lu Xuanheng is already betrothed to the Princess, yet you still dare to crawl into his bed, you base thing!"

Jiang You'an immediately cried out in grievance, "I have never done what Your Highness claims!"

Lu Yunzhu, standing to the side, shouted, "You lie! You are always sneaking off to Big Brother's Lanyue Pavilion; your undergarments and accessories have been left there. No wonder Big Brother always protects you—it turns out you’ve been serving him well in bed. How shameless!"

Tears fell instantly from Jiang You'an’s eyes. Her voice trembling, she said, "Sister Yunzhu, I know you have always disliked me, but this concerns a woman's reputation. How can you speak such baseless lies? Are you trying to force me to my death?"

"I am not lying! You clearly hooked up with Big Brother long ago; heaven knows how many times you have slept together in secret. And you have the nerve to talk about reputation? It's laughable! Today, I am going to expose you!"

Jiang You'an wept, her entire body trembling, and she nodded blankly. "Very well, then I have no choice but to die to prove my innocence."

With those words, she lunged violently toward a nearby pillar.