Chapter 34: The Heiress is Impure

Chapter 34: The Heiress is Impure

"Indeed, I'm not lying to you. The Heiress grew up with her cousin, they were childhood sweethearts, and could have been married in bliss. But then, a marriage decree... she ended up marrying the Heir." After their prayers at the temple, some noble ladies gathered together to discuss recent gossip in the capital.

"Marrying into the Duke's household, she climbed so high she wouldn't even know how far. She doesn't deserve this blessing in a thousand lifetimes." Another lady rolled her eyes, her gaze filled with mockery.

"I also heard that she and her cousin were together since they were young, growing up in the same courtyard. It's highly possible that she's not pure."

"Really?" Everyone quickly huddled closer.

"Yes, this matter has spread throughout the Northern City. They say she and her cousin had already been calling each other husband and wife, having marital relations. My cousin was recently appointed as the Governor of the Northern City, he visited it and heard about this." The daughter of Minister Yu glanced at the corner of the temple where the Duchess had stopped, deliberately raising her voice.

Li Feiluan had instructed them.

As long as they followed her lead, their fathers' and brothers' official positions would be promoted.

Moreover, they were Li Feiluan's close friends. If Li Feiluan could marry into the Duke's household, there would certainly be benefits for them.

Miss Ruan, the daughter of an official, hurriedly agreed, "Yes, her cousin left to travel around after she married into the Duke's household. What else could that be but leaving the place of heartbreak?"

"If she's impure, it would have been revealed on their wedding night."

Miss Ruan: "But on their wedding night, didn't the Heir go to a brothel? As for what happened after... who knows? Faking a maiden's proof is not uncommon. Poor our Heir, marrying a courtesan without even knowing it."

Jian Zuihuan, heavy-hearted, turned the corner.

She knew that the Heiress had a cousin, they grew up together, deeply affectionate towards each other. She also knew that the cousin had traveled away after the Heiress's marriage.

But she didn't know there were so many secrets.

Among those discussing were several daughters of prestigious officials, and she had met the daughter of Minister Yu. She was definitely not someone who would slander others behind their back without reason.

There's no smoke without fire. These people dared to gossip behind her back, there must be something fishy.

Moreover, the wedding day was too rushed, she hadn't had time to check if the Heiress was still a maiden.

On their wedding night, she didn't see any proof of maidenhood, nor did she see it in the following nights.

She came from a prestigious family, and in her upbringing, noble ladies must preserve their purity. Even though the Duke Bai's household had fallen on hard times, they were still nobility.

So these days, she had let her guard down regarding Bai Yu. But she never expected that Bai Yu would have been involved with a man?

This matter was known by everyone in the Northern City?

It must be investigated thoroughly.

She would not allow her daughter-in-law to be impure.

Jian Zuihuan was distracted all day while admiring chrysanthemums and dining on vegetarian dishes with the ladies.

She had been devout for so many years, always believing that sincerity leads to blessings. But now, in front of the gods, she couldn't help but think about whether the Heiress was impure or not.

This state continued until she returned to the Duke's household in the evening.

Upon entering the household, she asked the guards, "Has the Heiress returned?"

The guard respectfully replied, "The Heiress said she was playing with the Heir at the hunting grounds, picking osmanthus flowers to make honey. She'll return later."

If it were before, Jian Zuihuan would have smiled and agreed happily.

A good relationship between the Heir and the Heiress meant harmony in the household in the future.

But now, thinking about Bai Yu possibly being impure, she felt extremely annoyed.

A woman's virtue was paramount, how could she tolerate such an unchaste daughter-in-law.

Yet, apart from her family background, Bai Yu basically met her criteria for a daughter-in-law.

Jian Zuihuan, troubled and agitated, walked towards the Drunken Wind Pavilion, her steps quickening. The maids and nannies behind her followed nervously, trying to keep up with her pace.

Deep in the garden, two little maids were trimming branches, their laughter echoing.

"The Duchess took the Heiress to Zhongming Temple. They say the Child-Bearing Guanyin there is very effective. Many ladies go to pray, even the Second and Third Madams went."

"What's the use of going? The Heir hasn't consummated his marriage with the Heiress."

The other pulled her to hide in a corner, looking around anxiously, "Shh, speak softly. You can't say things like that randomly."

Maid No.1 looked around cautiously, seeing no one nearby, she said, "It's true. Last time when I served in the Heiress's room at Sinking Fish Pavilion, I overheard it myself. The Heiress refused to consummate the marriage with the Heir, saying she wasn't ready."

Maid No.2: "How could that be? How could the Heir..."

Maid No.1: "The Heir agreed. It seems they made a promise that he wouldn't force her until she was ready..."

She looked around, creating suspense, "I heard that the Heiress has someone outside, she's thinking of that person, that's why she refused to consummate the marriage with the Heir. The Heir pitied her, so he agreed... I heard that the person in the Heiress's heart is her cousin!"

"Where did this lowly servant get such malicious rumors." Nanny Su coldly reprimanded.

The Duchess, accompanied by Nanny Su, emerged from behind a rockery, her gaze icy as she glared at the two maids on the ground.

Seeing the Duchess, the two maids fell to their knees with a thud, "Please spare us, Your Grace." Jian Zuihuan sat down on a stone bench nearby, "What you just said, is it the truth?"

Maid No.1 kept her head bowed low, trembling in fear, "Everything your servant said is true. If there's even a word of falsehood, may your servant die a terrible death, struck by lightning."

Jian Zuihuan coldly questioned, "Repeat what you said just now."

Maid No.1 could only repeat her words shakily.

Nanny Su wrote down her words verbatim, "If there's even a word of falsehood, you will surely die a terrible death."

Maid No. 1 nodded repeatedly. "Not a single word of falsehood."

Jian Zuihuan stood up, looking coldly at the kneeling maid on the ground. "Take her away."

Two elderly maids stepped forward to lead the maid away.

Jian Zuihuan, weighed down with concerns, rose and headed for the Drunken Wind Pavilion.

"Sister, you really made me chase after you." Consort Liu entered from the side door, smiling as she called out to Jian Zuihuan.

Jian Zuihuan looked at her coldly. "You should be praying for the king's well-being. Why are you chasing after me?"

Consort Liu feigned a smile. "What else could it be? I just noticed that Sister was distracted during her prayers at Zhongming Temple. I was merely concerned."

Jian Zuihuan, her mind in turmoil, spoke without any politeness. "I can't bear your concern, Sister."

Consort Liu: "We've served the king together for so many years; there's still sisterhood between us. Oh, didn't the Heir's Consort return with you?"

"Mother may not know this, but I just saw the Heir's Consort leave with the Third Prince for the back mountain," Su Xi said, covering her mouth with a smile.

Jian Zuihuan frowned.

After being unclear with her cousin, how is she now involved with the Third Prince?

This daughter-in-law of mine is indeed no ordinary woman.

Consort Liu pretended to scold her. "Don't speak nonsense."

Su Xi pretended to be agitated. "I'm not speaking nonsense; I saw it with my own eyes. You can ask my younger sister from our family; she saw it too. There were many people on the mountain then, all witnessing the Third Prince picking a handful of dogwood for the Heir's Consort. And she also knows about the Heir's Consort's cousin; they grew up together, sharing a deep bond. The cousin left North City after the Heir's Consort's marriage..."

Seeing Jian Zuihuan's poor expression, Liu Xuemo felt even happier inside, but her face showed concern and reproach. "The Emperor truly, why did he bestow a marriage to someone who isn't from a good family?"

Jian Zuihuan looked at her coldly. "How do you know the Heir's Consort isn't from a good family?"

Liu Xuemo smiled. "During the days of the king's birthday, Sister must have met Duke Bai, right? Allowing their family's dirty affairs to reach the palace, can that be considered a decent family? I can't imagine what kind of daughter such a family would raise..."

Jian Zuihuan had nothing to say.

Su Xi continued to add fuel to the fire. "Of course, these matters, Your Highness shouldn't blame yourself too much. After all... the wedding was rushed, and it's understandable that some things couldn't be checked beforehand."

Jian Zuihuan scoffed coldly. "This marriage was arranged by the Emperor. Are you blaming him now?"

Su Xi begged for mercy repeatedly, a smile playing on her lips. "How dare I blame the Emperor? I'm just suggesting that Your Highness be more cautious. It's understandable that you couldn't check if the bride was a virgin on the wedding night, but in the future, you should be more vigilant, ensuring that no unclear person disrupts the imperial lineage."

Her words clearly implied an affair between the Heir's Consort and the Third Prince.

And she fully exposed the fact—the Heir's Consort was not pure.

Liu Xuemo scolded her. "Xi'er, how dare you comment on the Heir's Consort's affairs?"

Su Xi hurriedly acknowledged her mistake, lowering her head.

Liu Xuemo apologized with a smile. "Sister, Xi'er is still young and speaks without thinking. Please don't hold it against her."

Jian Zuihuan said indifferently. "Young ladies should refrain from being gossips."

Su Xi bowed. "Yes."

Jian Zuihuan, accompanied by Lady Su, walked toward the Drunken Wind Pavilion.

Liu Xuemo and Su Xi watched Jian Zuihuan's retreating figure with a cold smile.

What would the scene be like if a proper and educated queen, who had always followed the rules, found out that her favored daughter-in-law was involved with another man?

Back at the Drunken Wind Pavilion, Jian Zuihuan felt increasingly uneasy. "Find Chun'er."

Lady Su: "Yes."

When Chun'er arrived at the Drunken Wind Pavilion, she saw the queen's face clouded with anger.

Having been with the queen since childhood, she rarely saw her in such a bad mood.

Jian Zuihuan: "Chun'er, tell me, has the Heir's Consort consummated her marriage with the Heir?"

Chun'er, unsure why she was asked this, answered truthfully. "They spend every night together, so perhaps..."

Jian Zuihuan snapped, enunciating each word. "Perhaps?"

Lady Su scolded sternly. "The queen sent you to serve the Heir's Consort, not to give 'perhaps' as an answer!"

Chun'er, frightened, immediately knelt down. "Chun'er dares not. But when the Heir and the Heir's Consort retire for the night, it's inappropriate for me to watch. Such private matters..."

Jian Zuihuan looked at her coldly. "So, you haven't personally witnessed the Heir and the Heir's Consort consummating their marriage?"

How would they let them watch something like consummation?

Chun'er was in a difficult position, but with the queen currently enraged, she dared not speak up for the Heir's Consort, so she said, "Yes."

Jian Zuihuan said coldly. "Withdraw."

Chun'er stood up. "Yes."

Jian Zuihuan felt a surge of blood rushing to her head.

When did her son ever agree to such unreasonable demands?

Waiting for Bai Yu to be ready before consummating their marriage?

Wasn't it the Heir's Consort's duty to serve the Heir, bear children, and educate them? Wasn't that what she was born to do?

Nanny Su muttered softly, "Your Highness, if this is the case, the Heir's Consort hasn't consummated her marriage with the Heir yet. Whether the Heir's Consort is... pure... we can test it out."

Jian Zuihuan turned to look at Nanny Su. "This..."

A woman's reputation was paramount. Wouldn't this test embarrass Bai Yu?

Nanny Su had been serving Jian Zuihuan since she was young and understood her personality well.

Jian Zuihuan appeared furious on the surface but didn't tear through this veil. She also considered the Heir's Consort's feelings.

However, if they didn't test it out, this matter would become a thorn in Jian Zuihuan's heart, causing her sleepless nights in the future. Every time she thought about it, her misunderstanding of the Heir's Consort would deepen.

It was better to seek clarity than to ponder endlessly.

If the Heir's Consort was truly innocent, they could apologize for their mistake. They believed that the Heir's Consort, being magnanimous, would understand the sincere intentions of a mother.

If the Heir's Consort had indeed done something shameful, they could think of countermeasures early.

In the evening, before Ran Qinggu returned to the Sinking Fish Pavilion, the Princess sent someone to summon him to the Drunken Wind Pavilion.

He handed the cornus fruits and osmanthus flowers he had collected to Chun'er and headed towards the Drunken Wind Pavilion.

Several nannies and maidservants from the Drunken Wind Pavilion came to invite Ran Qinggu. Chun'er dared not reveal the truth to Ran Qinggu, fearing Nanny Su's reprimand. Instead, she said, "The Princess returned home today in a bad mood. You must do your best to cheer her up."

Ran Qinggu nodded with a frown. "Alright."

He followed the nannies to the Drunken Wind Pavilion.

The Princess lay on the reclining couch, with a maid gently massaging her head behind her. Her brows were furrowed, and her exquisite face was filled with worry.

Ran Qinggu entered and stood by the side, respectfully calling out, "Mother, you summoned Yu'er?"

The Princess opened her phoenix eyes. "There's nothing much."

Her eyes were beautiful, almond-shaped, with willow-leaf eyebrows, as if containing a vast galaxy.

Shang Rongyu's eyes were inherited from the Princess.

Identical eyes, exuding nobility.

She looked at Ran Qinggu indifferently. "How have I treated you since you entered the residence?"

Ran Qinggu humbly replied, "Mother has never looked down on Yu'er for coming from a humble background. You've treated Yu'er like a birth mother, teaching me how to be a person and how to handle affairs. Yu'er is immensely grateful."

The Princess nodded. "I have something to ask you, answer honestly."

Ran Qinggu nodded. "Please ask, Mother."

The Princess got straight to the point. "Have you consummated your marriage with the Heir?"

Ran Qinggu was speechless.

He couldn't say no; if he did, the Princess would undoubtedly be furious.

He couldn't say yes either. He didn't know if Shang Rongyu had told the Princess the truth. If the Heir had told the Princess the truth, then saying yes would mean lying to her face.

Lies were more terrifying than the truth!

Thus, he was caught between a rock and a hard place, hesitating.

It seemed like there hadn't been any consummation. Seeing his hesitation, the Princess angrily asked, "Fine, let me ask you this. Did you grow up together with your cousin?"

Ran Qinggu nodded. "Yes."

Princess: "So you two have a good relationship?"

Ran Qinggu nodded again. "Yes."

The Princess sighed. "Yu'er, it's not that I'm making things difficult for you, but as the Princess, I must ensure the purity of the women in the residence. When you become the Prince's Consort one day, you'll understand me."

Two nannies approached and took hold of Ran Qinggu's hands, respectfully saying, "Heir's Consort, please follow us."

Though respectful, these two almost restrained him as they led him into an inner room.

Only then did Ran Qinggu realize what the Princess meant by her words.

She suspected that he wasn't a virgin.

She suspected that he had an affair with his "cousin."

How did the Princess know that he hadn't consummated his marriage with the Heir?

They had clearly lain together?

Such matters of the boudoir were known only to him and Shang Rongyu.

After being pulled into the inner room, the two nannies pressed him onto a slanted couch, and several maids immediately bound him to the couch with white cloth.

After securing him, the maids quickly retreated and closed the door.

One of the nannies turned around and took out a cotton pad and a slender green jade rod from the medical kit.

Only then did Ran Qinggu realize what these people intended to do.

They wanted to examine whether he was still a virgin.

The Princess now believed that he hadn't consummated his marriage with Shang Rongyu. If he was a virgin, there would certainly be blood.

But he was a man.

Where could he find proof of his maidenhood?

Moreover, if these people discovered he was male, death would be inevitable.

He struggled hard. "What are you doing? Let me go."

The cloth was bound tightly around him, as if to prevent any struggle by tying it in a knot that couldn't be undone.

An elderly nanny held down his upper body, forbidding any movement.

Another nanny smiled. "This old servant is merely following orders, Heir's Consort. Don't be afraid; it won't hurt much."

Ran Qinggu watched as the nanny heated the jadeite over the fire.

His hand involuntarily clenched.

The ring on his finger and several concealed weapons were within reach; killing these two old nannies would be as easy as snapping his fingers.

But while eliminating them would be simple, pinning the blame on an assassin for absolution would not suffice. The Empress wouldn't rest until she verified his virginity. With no choice but to plead, he cried out to the Empress with a quivering voice. "Empress, what have I done wrong to deserve such humiliation?"

He could only pray that the Empress possessed some semblance of empathy, for being inspected by one's mother-in-law for proof of virginity was already a grave indignity for a woman.

The nanny removed the jadeite from the fire, its lustrous green glow shimmering under the candlelight.

She lifted the hem of Ran Qinggu's cloak and raised his skirt. "Heir's Consort, don't struggle. It might harm you."

Ran Qinggu's grip tightened even more.

He had no choice but to eliminate this old nanny.

Facing future disdain from the Empress was far better than being exposed and reduced to a pile of bones.

The old nanny placed a white cloth beneath Ran Qinggu and began to untie his sash, about to remove his undergarments.

Shang Rongyu burst through the door just as he saw Ran Qinggu tied to the bed, with the old nanny holding a slender jadeite rod and placing a white silk cloth under the Heir's Consort.

And that old nanny was in the process of untying the Heir's Consort's sash.

Something he had never done.

With a swift kick, he sent the old nanny flying and drew his dagger to cut the cloth binding Ran Qinggu.

Seeing Ran Qinggu's stunned expression, he embraced him and soothed, "It's alright, everything's fine. I'm here, don't be afraid."

All Ran Qinggu could cling to now was Shang Rongyu.

He clutched onto Shang Rongyu, his voice trembling. "I'm not scared..."

Shang Rongyu chuckled. "You're scared stiff, yet you say you're not afraid?"

The Empress entered, calling out, "Rongyu."

Shang Rongyu questioned, "Mother, what are you doing?"

Empress: "Your mother did this for your own good. Before marrying into the Prince's Manor, the Heir's Consort was inseparable from her cousin."

Shang Rongyu: "So what? Before I married her, I had my fair share of beauties surrounding me."

Empress: "How can that compare? You're a man, and she's a woman."

Shang Rongyu countered, "Mother, don't you think this is unfair to women? Men can have multiple wives and concubines, yet women are expected to adhere to strict virtues. You're also a woman; why make things difficult for other women? Besides, I've already consummated my marriage with the Heir's Consort. No matter how you inspect, there will be no proof of maidenhood."

He knew Bai Yu liked her cousin, Ran Qinggu.

But he was certain Bai Yu hadn't engaged in relations with her cousin.

Those who had experienced intimacy were different from those who hadn't.

Every time he kissed Bai Yu, her face would flush all the way to her neck.

When they kissed, Bai Yu was like a wooden statue, awkward and incredibly shy.

Bai Yu handled other matters with ease, but when it came to this, she was as innocent as a blank sheet of paper.

Mentioning the consummation only fueled the Empress' fury.

"How dare you deceive me? The servants heard you promise the Heir's Consort that you wouldn't force yourself on her until she was ready. Do you take your mother for a fool?"

"Mother, you'd rather believe the servants than your own son and daughter-in-law? Then see for yourself."

Shang Rongyu undid Ran Qinggu's cloak.

Underneath, the neck and collarbone, hidden by the cloak, were covered in mottled kiss marks.

Some were faint, others still dark and swollen.

"Mother, do you think your son is incapable or a saint?"

Just seeing those marks, the Empress felt the decadence and excessiveness, let alone the two who had experienced it firsthand.

Ran Qinggu immediately knelt before the Empress, his voice filled with grievance. "Empress, although Yu'er grew up with Cousin, it was merely a sibling-like affection. We would never engage in inappropriate behavior. If Mother doesn't believe me, send someone to North City to inquire. If Yu'er has ever done anything to tarnish a woman's reputation, may Yu'er suffer a terrible fate."

Shang Rongyu echoed, "Mother, do you think your son would be bewitched to tolerate another possessing what belongs to him?"

He looked at Ran Qinggu. "My person can only belong to me alone. No one else shall touch a single hair."

Ran Qinggu met Shang Rongyu's gaze.

Shang Rongyu spoke with such earnestness that he almost believed it was true?

He wondered why Shang Rongyu was helping him now?

Could it be that Shang Rongyu also didn't want to consummate the marriage, in order to escape the Princess Consort's questioning?

It made sense; on their wedding night, Shang Rongyu had solemnly declared that he would only consummate the marriage with a woman he truly loved.

Now that he didn't want to consummate the marriage and neither did Shang Rongyu, they were in the same boat. Shang Rongyu could only help him, lest the Princess Consort force him into it later.

The Princess Consort's indecision crumbled at these words.

She knew her son well.

Shang Rongyu was born to have the best of everything.

The Heir's Consort's background was indeed lacking, which led Shang Rongyu to repeatedly ask the Emperor to annul the engagement, even causing the Emperor embarrassment on their wedding night in front of everyone.

What Shang Rongyu possessed was always the finest.

Whatever he wanted, he got.

If Bai Yu were truly impure, her son would have caused a ruckus long ago, without waiting for her to take action?

Jian Zuihuan, feeling ashamed, helped Ran Qinggu up: "Mother was wrong to jump to conclusions based on idle gossip today. Yu'er, don't blame mother. When you become a mother yourself, you'll understand."

Ran Qinggu nodded, feigning hurt: "Yu'er doesn't blame mother."

Jian Zuihuan said coldly: "Guards, bring those two maids in."

The two maids were dragged in by the guards.

Upon seeing Ran Qinggu, they trembled and fell to their knees: "Princess Consort, spare our lives."

Jian Zuihuan roared: "Two wretched servants, daring to slander the Heir's Consort within this residence, causing unrest. Execute them as an example."

The two maids begged for mercy: "Princess Consort, please, spare us. It's true that while tending to the flowers, I heard the Heir say he was waiting for the Heir's Consort to be ready... and..."

Jian Zuihuan fumed: "Impudence! Still trying to wriggle out of it. Hearing idle talk in Zhongming Temple was one thing, but returning home to hear gossip from you two little maids? How could it be mere coincidence that you were discussing this where I would pass?"

Her mind had been preoccupied with thoughts of the Heir's Consort and her cousin all day in Zhongming Temple, and she had spent the day in a daze. Upon returning home in the evening and hearing the maids gossip, she hadn't given it much thought.

But now, upon reflection, it seemed as if everything had been arranged.

These two maids just happened to discuss the matter where she would pass, and the timing was perfect, allowing her to overhear.

She didn't believe it was a coincidence.

Ran Qinggu watched expressionlessly.

Though the maid's words were true, how could a coarse servant from the outer residence, who tended to flowers and trees, dare to discuss matters of the master?

It was one thing to talk, but for her to let idle gossip reach the Princess Consort's ears as she was praying, only for it to be heard by her again, was another.

To say that no one was pulling the strings behind this, he didn't believe it.

Fortunately, they had passed this hurdle with a scare but no real danger.

The Heir: Phew, lucky I ran fast, or I would've been caught red-handed.

The Heir's Consort: Lucky the Heir ran fast, or his cover would've been blown.

The two old maids: Lucky the Heir ran fast, or we would've lost our lives! Thank you to the little angels who cast their tyrannical votes or watered nutrient fluids for me during the period from August 14, 2020, 22:44:47 to August 15, 2020, 23:40:19.

Thank you to the little angel who launched a rocket: Zai (1);

Thank you to the little angel who threw a grenade: Ling5222 (1);

Thank you to the little angels who planted landmines: Hehe, Fluffy, and Xiqian (1 each);

Thank you to the little angels who watered nutrient fluids: Chouji, Hehe, Sass Drinking Milk Tea, Mu Liuchen (20 bottles each); (@Wei@) (10 bottles); Jiu Li'er, Aling (5 bottles each); De Xue, Shenqing You Ran (2 bottles each); Cuigeng's Leaves Xu, Mumu, Just Love Zhai Zhai, QQ, Sakura Fuki Shiting (1 bottle each);

I am very grateful for everyone's support, and I will continue to work hard!