Chapter 341: A New Understanding

Chapter 341: A New Understanding

A touch of emotion stirred in the heart of Princess Jianing, her face adorned with a smile as she spoke to Xiao Yuchen, "Thank you, my lord."

"You needn't be so formal with me," Xiao Yuchen hastened to say.

The smile on Princess Jianing's face broadened, "Alright, I won't stand on ceremony with you."

Mrs. Cao, kneeling on the ground, thought: "..."

Are these two exchanging sweet nothings?

Both were mindful of their duties, yet Xiao Yuchen, fearing complications, remained seated by Princess Jianing's side.

Princess Jianing turned back, her gaze settling on Mrs. Cao as she declared, "I told you to sever ties with my father, and it wasn't a suggestion. Whether you wish to or not, it must be done. As for my father's side, leave that to me."

Mrs. Cao knelt silently, her head bowed. She didn't believe Princess Jianing could control Duke Duan, nor did she want to sever ties. But being coerced by a girl barely in her teens left her feeling aggrieved and resistant.

"As I said before, it takes two hands to clap," Mrs. Cao now spoke defiantly, doubting that Princess Jianing could truly harm her. A public scandal would only bring shame to herself.

Glancing at Xiao Yuchen, Mrs. Cao added, "Surely the princess wouldn't want the Duke of Dingguo and his wife to find out, would she?"

If her biological father's affair with a married woman became known to the Duke and Duchess of Dingguo, even if the marriage couldn't be annulled, they would certainly think less of Princess Jianing as their daughter-in-law.

But then, the handsome, almost ethereal Heir of Dingguo spoke up, "Why bother explaining so much? Just find a pretext to drag her out and execute her."

For a royal princess, dealing with the relative of a fifth-ranked official was trivial, and a single act of disrespect to the royal family could cost them their life.

Princess Jianing, initially startled by his remark, then smiled and said, "The heir speaks the truth."

Mrs. Cao, terrified, hadn't expected the picture-perfect Heir of Dingguo to be so ruthless, suggesting execution so casually.

"You can't!" Mrs. Cao cried in panic. "Duke Duan won't allow it."

"Even if my father disapproves, what can he do to me if I execute you now?" Princess Jianing retorted.

"This..."

Mrs. Cao prostrated herself on the ground, bowing respectfully to Princess Jianing, "I beg the princess to spare my life."

Princess Jianing sneered, "Why did you arrange to meet my father on the first day of the lunar month? Didn't you know that was the day the heir was to pay his respects to my father?"

Mrs. Cao trembled all over, "I...I didn't think too much, it just so happened that I could go out and meet His Highness that day, so I... I arranged to meet him."

Princess Jianing sneered, "You think I would believe that?"

Mrs. Cao knelt there in silence, and Princess Jianing became even more certain that there was someone else behind her. She said, "Seeing blood during the New Year is an ill omen, I will not take your life."

She turned her head to Chunxi and said, "Go to the Ren residence and tell them I would like to meet with Old Madam Ren tomorrow."

"Yes." Chunxi turned to leave, but Mrs. Cao hastily grabbed the hem of her trousers, preventing Chunxi from leaving, and kept saying, "I'll tell, I'll tell."

"Then speak," said Princess Jianing.

"It was... Meng Xiuzhen... she told me to do it," said Mrs. Cao.

"Meng Xiuzhen."

Princess Jianing mulled over this name, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't recall who this person was. It took Xiao Yuchen a while before he remembered that Meng Xiuzhen was the wife of Liang Jian'an, the uncle of the Second Prince, or rather, the former wife. Meng Xiuzhen divorced Liang Jian'an before he was executed.

Leaning forward slightly, Xiao Yuchen whispered to Princess Jianing about who Meng Xiuzhen was, then his face became somewhat unnatural. Liang Jian'an's death had a significant connection with their Duke Dingguo's residence. The feud between them and Liang Jian'an stemmed from Liang Jian'an's search in Plum Blossom Alley for Liu Biqin.

That incident was known by almost everyone in the capital, and Princess Jianing must have heard about it after her arrival. So, what would she think about his relationship with Liu Biqin?

Hearing his words, Princess Jianing's face showed a dawning realization. Seeing the awkwardness on Xiao Yuchen's face, she guessed the reason but pretended not to see it. Looking at Mrs. Cao, she asked, "So Meng Xiuzhen knew about your affair with my father?"

Such a matter required others to know, which could only mean they were too reckless.

"I...I was introduced to His Highness by Meng Xiuzhen," said Mrs. Cao.

Princess Jianing: "..."

Xiao Yuchen: "..."

One could only say they were too young, understanding too little of the world and its people. The matters they heard today truly refreshed their previous understanding of things.

"How... how did she introduce you?" asked Princess Jianing, truly dying of curiosity. Although Meng Xiuzhen lived alone, she was not short of wealth, so why would she do such a thing?

Mrs. Cao's face flushed red, and she lowered her head, unwilling to speak. Suddenly, with a 'clack', Princess Jianing placed her teacup on the table with some force. Mrs. Cao tensed up, clenched her teeth, and recounted the whole incident.

Now, her destiny was in someone else's hands.

Although there was an age difference between Lady Cao and Meng Xiuzhen, they had a good relationship during their time in the women's quarters. Even after both were married, they kept in touch. Later, as Meng Xiuzhen moved away and Lady Cao's life faced difficulties, the bond between these two women, who were going through tough times, grew even stronger.

Meng Xiuzhen lived alone, her dowry substantial. Self-centered to the core, caring little for others, she gradually moved on from past events. Then, she became involved with Pan Bin, the second master of Pingyang Marquis's household.

Though Pan Bin was in his forties, he was a wastrel at heart, much in tune with the Duke of Duan. The two often kept each other's company.

It didn't take long for the Duke of Duan to notice the affair between Pan Bin and Meng Xiuzhen. He didn't care; to him, it was merely a man's romantic escapade.

One day, Pan Bin met Mrs. Cao and thought she resembled the late wife of the Duke of Duan, whom the Duke had once mentioned in a moment of remorse, showing a hint of longing for his late wife.

Knowing that Mrs. Cao was discontented at home, he saw an opportunity and introduced her to the Duke of Duan. Pan Bin shared his idea with Meng Xiuzhen, who, ever pursuing her own happiness without concern for others, felt Mrs. Cao was justified in seeking comfort elsewhere since her husband, Ren Jianshu, had wronged her.

She then arranged for the Duke of Duan to encounter Mrs. Cao, and soon after, they began an affair. Meng Xiuzhen, harboring resentment towards Tang Shuyi and aiming to disrupt the newly arranged marriage between Princess Jianing and Xiao Yuchen, sought to make Tang Shuyi's life miserable.

On New Year's Day, she had Mrs. Cao invite the Duke of Duan out, intending to slight the Duke's household. It was her initial foray into meddling, but she did not anticipate not only would it fail but also be exposed.

PS: Although ancient times were governed by strict social etiquette, affairs of married women were not unheard of, especially in relatively open dynasties.