Chapter 89

Chapter 89

The next day, on the second day of the winter month, the women of the Song family took their carriages to the Marquis of Anyuan's residence for a banquet.

The Marquis of Anyuan's residence was also on East Hua Street, right next to the Marquis of Jinxiang's residence, with only a wide alley separating the two estates.

The family of the Marquis of Anyuan, the Luo family, was from the natal family of Consort Jing, the birth mother of Crown Prince Li Xunhang. The Song family, being the natal family of Crown Prince's Consort Song Shi Yu, could be considered to be on the same side.

However, the Marquis of Anyuan's family was much more fortunate than the Song family. Since their ancestor was a capable general of the Great Zhou's founding emperor, they were granted a hereditary marquis title and even received an imperial token of immunity from execution.

With the immunity token in hand, the current emperor could not do anything to the Marquis of Anyuan's family unless they committed the crime of treason.

The old emperor had only placed the then-Crown Prince, King Yan, under house arrest at the imperial mausoleum's annex for the crime of "defying" his father, without charging him with treason.

The old emperor was a cunning strategist. He indeed intended to pass the throne to the fifth prince, but the fifth prince was only three years old, and the emperor was unsure if he would live to see the prince grow up.

If he were to pass away, Consort Liu was not a wise person, and forcing the young fifth prince onto the throne would create instability. It would not be a good situation for either the Great Zhou dynasty or the fifth prince himself.

Thus, he left a way out for the widely supported crown prince candidate, the second prince, King Yan.

As a result, the Marquis of Anyuan's household was not greatly affected by the political turmoil. The family suffered minimal impact, apart from a few family members who were demoted from their official positions.

The Song family arrived relatively early. In the Jiqing Hall where the elder lady of the Marquis of Anyuan's residence, Madam Jiang, resided, only the women from two families were present, and they were all relatives by marriage of the Marquis of Anyuan's household.

On such occasions, unless they were particularly close relatives, people would not arrive too early to avoid awkward situations.

Madam He, the wife of the Marquis of Anyuan, exchanged a glance with her mother-in-law, Madam Jiang, and then stepped forward with a smile to greet the Song family.

Madam Zhuang said with a smile, "Our two daughters-in-law and three girls are somewhat useful. If Sister He needs their help, feel free to give them orders."

Madam He's lips twitched slightly.

Whether Song Erlang's wife and the three Song girls were useful or not, she did not know. However, she had heard much about the capabilities of Song Dalang's wife, Jiang Chun.

If the Marquis of Anyuan's household ever found itself short-handed, Madam He would prefer to call for reinforcements from her own family rather than trouble Jiang Chun.

Thinking of the Crown Prince’s instructions, Madam He felt increasingly troubled.

She knew that Song Shian, also known as Song Qingzhi, was a highly sought-after bachelor. Many young ladies dreamed of marrying him. Even her own late-born daughter, Luo Shuning, was no exception.

But that was in the past.

Now, he is not only married but also a man who has married into his wife’s family, and his wife, Jiang Niangzi, is not someone to be trifled with. She had thought that those young ladies should have given up by now.

At least her daughter, Luo Shuning, had given up.

However, not only did Eldest Miss Cheng not give up, but she also devised a vicious scheme, attempting to tarnish Jiang Niangzi's reputation to clear the way for herself.

This was no longer a simple case of young ladies’ admiration; there must have been the involvement of the Cheng family.

The goal was simple: to use the Song family as a connection through marriage to climb the social ladder and gain favor with the Crown Prince, thereby elevating their family's status.

But they overlooked something important: Song Shian was an extraordinary person and not someone to be manipulated.

Not to mention whether they could actually scheme against Jiang Niangzi, even if they did tarnish Jiang Niangzi’s reputation, given Song Shian’s cold and proud nature, he would never consider Eldest Miss Cheng a viable option.

It’s not as if all the young ladies in the Imperial City are dead. How could a former fiancée, who had been rejected, be taken back?

Swallowing and then regurgitating—Song Shian was not a cow.

If Song Shian wanted to strike back and humiliate the Cheng family, why did he choose their Marquis of Anyuan’s household?

The Crown Prince was also to blame. Instead of restraining Song Shian, he even sent a message, requesting their household to fully cooperate with him.

Early that morning, she had secretly complained to her mother-in-law that the Crown Prince clearly favored the Song family, his in-laws, over their own family.

As a result, she was scolded by her mother-in-law, who said that the Crown Prince trusted their household and didn't treat them as outsiders, which was why he had agreed to Song Shian's request.

Her mother-in-law also mentioned that this incident wasn't entirely bad for the Marquis of Anyuan's household.

With his exceptional talent, Song Shian was destined for greater things, and with the Crown Prince, his brother-in-law, appreciating and cherishing him, once the Crown Prince ascended the throne, Song Shian would soar.

By helping him this time, when they needed to ask for his help in the future, he wouldn't be able to refuse easily.

Moreover, if one day the Marquis of Anyuan's household were to fall out with the Song family, having this favor in hand would make Song Shian hesitate to act against them.

After her mother-in-law's explanation, Madam He’s frustration eased considerably, and she was now in the mood to exchange pleasantries with Madam Zhuang.

She smiled and said, "What Madam Zhuang says isn't quite right. They are here as guests; having fun and enjoying good food is the main priority. If I dared to order them around, our own matriarch would be the first to hold me accountable."

Madam Jiang smiled and said, “Exactly, this old woman of mine can’t bear to order them around, so don’t put on airs of a Marquis’s wife in front of me. I won’t stand for it.”

All the people present laughed.

Except for Jiang Chun and Zhong Wenjin.

As modern people, they truly didn’t understand the humor of these ancient folks. It was just a few polite remarks, so why did it warrant a collective laugh?

But for the sake of appearances, the two of them lifted their sleeves to cover their lips and pretended to be demure ladies.

Fortunately for them, they didn’t have to stay long before they were led to another courtyard by Lady Liu, Lady Jiang’s daughter-in-law.

The younger ladies like Song Shichu were led to a different courtyard by Lady Jiang’s youngest daughter, Luo Shuning.

Before the two groups parted at the entrance of the Jiqing Hall, Song Shiying winked at Jiang Chun and said, “Big Sis, if Jin’er comes to invite you later, you must come and find me right away.”

Jiang Chun’s mouth twitched. This girl was still thinking about the whole “make an example of one to warn the others” thing.

After the scene she had caused at the Marquis of Jinxiang’s residence, unless someone had a broken brain, which young lady would dare to provoke her?

If they provoked her sister-in-law, would she, as the elder sister-in-law, not stand up for her and teach them a lesson?

But since she had promised, Jiang Chun definitely wouldn’t go back on her word. She nodded and said, “I got it.”

Lady Liu, the Eldest Mistress, immediately became alert.

Her mother-in-law had specifically instructed her to closely monitor Jiang Niangzi. If anyone got into an argument with her, she was to step in right away to smooth things over and change the subject.

She had to prevent Jiang Niangzi from getting so angry that she might beat up one of the other ladies.

From the tone of Third Miss Song’s words, it seemed she was hinting that if she were to be bullied, she would send a maid to invite Elder Sister-in-law Jiang to come to her aid.

Lady Liu, the Eldest Mistress, felt that she needed to stay close to Jiang Niangzi today and keep an eye on her. If she wasn’t careful and Jiang Niangzi went to the Tinghe Courtyard where the younger ladies were, and beat up one or several of them, it could cause a scandal.

As it turned out, her worries were in vain.

After the arrival of Lady Xiao, the wife of the Marquis of Jinxiang’s heir, and her sister-in-law, Lady Lu the Second Mistress, Jiang Niangzi was having a pleasant and harmonious conversation with them.

With a bit of cheek, Jiang Chun said to Lady Xiao, “The five-spice melon seeds from your estate were really delicious. I’ve been thinking about them ever since I returned.”

The day of the chrysanthemum feast at the Marquis of Jinxiang's residence, she had originally intended to ask Lady Xiao for some. However, she forgot.

Lady Xiao, having understood the subtle hint, immediately smiled and said, "It’s not a problem. Since Sister Jiang enjoys them, I'll send some over to you later."

Jiang Chun beamed with delight. "Thank you, Sister Xiao!"

A moment later, she proudly added, "I won't just eat yours for nothing. In a few days, I'll send some braised meat over to you and Second Mistress Lu for you to taste my cooking."

Fearing that Jiang Chun might misunderstand and think she found the return gift too informal, Lady Xiao didn’t decline. She simply smiled and said, "Sister Jiang's cooking must be excellent. I feel so lucky."

However, Second Mistress Lu gave Jiang Chun a disapproving look and said, "It's too formal to call Big Sister Xiao 'Sister Xiao,' but call me 'Second Mistress Lu.' We're from the same hometown, after all."

Jiang Chun quickly went along. "Sister Lu."

Second Mistress Lu was finally satisfied and smiled. "Sister Jiang."

She then turned to Lady Xiao and said, "Big Sister, I heard from my family that Sister Jiang's braised meat is a local specialty back home. Every time it's available, it's snatched up by wealthy families in the town. We're really in for a treat!"

Jiang Chun felt a little embarrassed by the compliment and laughed while scratching her head. "Sister Lu, please don't praise me so much. People from our small place have limited experience. They think my braised meat is the best, but all I do is use more spices than restaurants.

In a place like the Imperial City, where hidden dragons and crouching tigers abound, century-old establishments and former imperial chefs are everywhere. My mediocre cooking skills can't compare.

It's because we're familiar with each other that I dare to send them over. Even if my braised meat doesn't taste good, you won't laugh at me.

If it were someone else, I wouldn't dare to send it for fear of being ridiculed."

The three chatted enthusiastically, and Lady Liu, the eldest granddaughter-in-law, felt relieved.

Talking about food was good. Everyone present was a respectable person, and no one's family was so poor that they couldn't afford food. Hopefully, there wouldn't be any physical confrontation over food.

＊

The procedure of the chrysanthemum feast at the Marquis of Anyuan's household was different from that at the Marquis of Jinxiang's residence. The chrysanthemum viewing was scheduled after the lunch banquet.

Before lunch, two entertainment activities were arranged.

In the main rooms of the guest quarters, female storytellers were recounting tales, and in the garden's theater, a troupe was performing plays.

The female guests could choose to either stay in the courtyards to listen to the storytelling or go to the theater to watch the performances.

Jiang Chun was an impatient person and couldn't stand listening to those melodious operas, so she decided to stay in the courtyard to listen to stories.

Zhong Wenjin actually enjoyed operas and was quite interested in ancient operas. After some hesitation, she ultimately decided to stay and keep the elder sister-in-law company.

She had a feeling that if she left the elder sister-in-law, something bad might happen.

Seeing Zhong Wenjin sitting next to her as steady as a mountain, Jiang Chun asked in surprise, "They're performing a big opera in the back. Why aren’t you joining the fun, Second Sister-in-law?"

According to the original story, Zhong Wenjin was a die-hard opera fan in modern times, able to recite various opera knowledge backwards and forwards.

In the early days, when she was short on money, she actively attended banquets and listened to operas wherever she could.

After she made a fortune as a cross-border trader, she personally funded an opera troupe, writing scripts for them to perform for her.

Her opera troupe gained fame throughout the Imperial City. Whenever the Song family held banquets, invitations were in high demand. Opera enthusiasts went to great lengths to attend, all wanting to hear her troupe perform.

Zhong Wenjin smiled and said, "This is my first time attending a banquet. Mother told me to stay close to the elder sister-in-law. If the elder sister-in-law isn’t going to the opera, then I won’t go either."

Jiang Chun raised her eyebrows.

Though Zhong Wenjin appeared obedient and well-behaved in front of Madame Zhuang, as the author, she knew her own daughter too well.

This one was not someone to stay out of trouble.

In the original story, the original owner also chose to stay in the courtyard to listen to the stories, while Zhong Wenjin took her maid Liu Ya to the opera building.

Because she was somewhat socially anxious, she avoided the main thoroughfares with heavy crowds and instead took a shortcut.

But as the saying goes, "looking at mountains can tire out a horse," they wandered around and somehow ended up lost, ending up in the rock garden of the Marquis of Anyuan’s estate.

Accidentally, they stumbled upon Anhe County Princess and the Anping Commandery Prince having a secret rendezvous.

At that moment, the two were hiding deep inside a cave in the rock garden, their clothes half-removed, limbs entangled, moving passionately.

After a brief moment of surprise, Zhong Wenjin quickly led Liu Ya to retreat quietly.

They could have slipped away unnoticed, but as fate would have it, Liu Ya, in her nervousness, stepped on Zhong Wenjin’s skirt just as they were about to leave the cave.

Zhong Wenjin fell to the ground with a loud thud, immediately alerting the couple inside the cave.

Although Zhong Wenjin immediately got up, ignoring the pain in her body, and pulled Liu Ya to run out with all her might, she accidentally left behind a jade pendant gifted by Song Shirui, which bore the Song family's emblem.

The hastily chasing Anping County Prince picked up the jade pendant and handed it to Anhe County Princess, asking her to find out the exact identities of the two people.

It would then be his responsibility to silence them.

After all, in this world, the dead keep the best secrets.

This incident also sparked a bloody scandal within the Great Zhou royal family.

At this moment, Zhong Wenjin decided to heed Madame Zhuang’s advice and remain by her side.

If that were the case, how could she uncover the scandalous affair between Anhe County Princess and Anping County Prince? In the future, when Anhe County Princess and Anping County Prince conspired to kill Anping Princess, wouldn't there be no one to testify against them?

However, how does this concern Jiang Chun?

Anhe County Princess and Anping County Prince were indeed despicable, but Anping Princess wasn't a good person either.

Initially, she set her sights on the already married Anping County Prince and forced him to divorce his wife and marry her.

The divorced former wife of Anping County Prince ended her life with a white silk on the night she returned to her family's home at the age of eighteen.

As the saying goes, those who commit adultery will face their own downfall. Anping Princess got her wish and married Anping County Prince, only for him to soon begin an affair with her cousin, Anhe County Princess.

The two conspired together and ultimately murdered her.

If Zhong Wenjin hadn’t accidentally discovered their scandal and they hadn’t repeatedly tried to silence her, she might not have exposed the matter.

In this light, it might be better for Zhong Wenjin to avoid this incident, sparing her from their constant schemes and several near-death experiences.

Jiang Chun patted Zhong Wenjin's hand and smiled. "Alright, then you can stay here and listen to the story with me. This new book, 'A Dream of South Ko,' is quite good."

Just as Jiang Chun thought the matter had temporarily come to an end, they were in the middle of listening to the story at its climax when a young maid suddenly rushed in.

She shouted, "Something terrible! Anping Princess has stormed into Marquis of Anyuan's household with a hundred guards to catch adulterers."

All the ladies immediately lit up with excitement, calling out to the maid and peppering her with questions about the situation.

Jiang Chun, seeing that they didn’t even know how to eat melon properly, stood up at once and gestured for them to be quiet.

Everyone immediately shut their mouths and fell silent.

They didn’t want to be so "obedient," but this woman was truly someone they couldn’t afford to offend.

With gleaming eyes, Jiang Chun asked the young maid, “Where is the Anping Commandery Prince right now?”

The young maid immediately replied, “In the cave over by the rockery.”

Jiang Chun’s eyes flickered slightly. This maid seemed a bit too sharp, which made her suspect the girl had been instructed by someone to deliberately come and deliver the message.

The purpose, obviously, was to lead everyone to watch the spectacle.

If it were someone else, upon seeing the trickery, they would surely keep their distance and avoid getting involved, for fear of being implicated.

But Jiang Chun was different.

She was someone who enjoyed spectacles and never shied away from drama. Hearing this, she immediately turned to the crowd and said, “Stop questioning this little maid. You’re all making her cry. What could a little maid like her possibly know?

I suggest we go take a look. If the Anping Commandery Princess is truly making a scene with the Anping Commandery Prince, we can help mediate, right?”

Naturally, all the ladies wanted to see the spectacle, but no one had taken the lead. Now that Jiang Chun, the bold one, had stepped up, they eagerly followed suit.

Thus, a group of more than a dozen ladies, along with their maids and servants, totaling about three to four dozen people, set off in a grand procession toward the rockery at the Marquis of Anyuan's household.

Once they reached the rockery, led by the young maid, they headed directly to the cave deep within the rock formation.

As soon as they entered the cave, the sound of something slicing through the air reached their ears, followed by the painful cries of a man and a woman.

“Ah... it hurts...”

“Ah... stop, Your Highness, please stop!”

Jiang Chun’s eyes lit up, and she strode forward.

After turning down a dark, narrow passage, the cave widened.

Dozens of guards holding torches stood in two rows. In the middle stood an elegantly dressed noblewoman, wielding a long whip, vigorously whipping something.

Jiang Chun followed the direction of the whip with her eyes.

A soft "oh no" escaped her mind.

On the ground lay a young couple, half-dressed, with their lower bodies exposed.

They were desperately trying to avoid the lashes while crying out in misery, their hair a mess, their faces covered in tears and dirt, and their exposed legs marked with intersecting welts.

Even without thinking, Jiang Chun could easily guess the identities of the three.

The one wielding the whip must be Princess Anping, and the disgraced couple rolling on the ground were undoubtedly Anhe County Princess and Anping Commandery Prince.

Since Princess Anping had made such a grand spectacle of bringing people to catch them in adultery, she didn’t care about being watched and continued to vigorously swing her whip, each strike harder than the last.

She seemed intent on beating them to death.

Frightened and desperate, Anhe County Princess, after her pleas for mercy went unheeded, began to threaten Princess Anping: "If you harm me, my grandmother won’t rest until she has her revenge."

Princess Anping, whose own mother was Princess Xiangyang, coldly snorted in response: "You don’t need to use your grandmother to scare me. It’s your own shamelessness that brought this upon you. You seduced my Commandery Prince, and you deserve to be beaten to death."

Even if you go to the emperor to accuse me, I’m not afraid. No matter how you spin it, you were the one who seduced my Commandery Prince first. I’m just returning the favor."

Anhe County Princess, lacking confidence, shouted back: "Did I seduce Commandery Prince Ji first? He agreed to marry me after divorcing his wife. He was supposed to propose to my family once he divorced.

But you barged in halfway, drove his wife to her death, ruined his reputation, and forcefully made him your Commandery Prince.

Do you think he desires the wealth and status of the Anping Manor? No, he detests you. He wishes he could tear you into pieces and scatter your ashes!"

Princess Anping’s expression stiffened, and she looked at Anping Commandery Prince in disbelief, coldly demanding: "Is what she said true?"

Facing certain death, Anping Commandery Prince no longer bothered to maintain the facade he had kept up before. He coldly replied: "Yes, I detest you. Do you think you’re so special?

My wife and I were living a good life, but you, a princess from the imperial clan, suddenly appeared, saying you had a fancy for me and forcing me to divorce my wife to become your Commandery Prince.

When I refused, you threatened my brothers’ careers and even orchestrated a censor to impeach my father."

I had no choice but to pretend to go along with you for the sake of my father and brother's futures, enduring the pain of a temporary separation from my wife. Who would have thought that my wife would be so strong-willed that she hung herself the very night of the divorce...

I regret my cowardice, lacking the courage to kill you and avenge my wife. I could only depend on Anhe County Princess, who has a grudge against you and feelings for me, to bring about your demise.

It's just a pity that our fate was not favorable, and before the plan could be put into action, you discovered the clues.

Had I known it would turn out this way, I shouldn't have hesitated and should have acted against you sooner. Then I wouldn't have ended up in this situation.

After this long string of emotionally intense words, not only was Anping County Princess shocked, but Anhe County Princess was also astonished.

After a long while, Anhe County Princess finally said in disbelief, "You actually used me, Ji Lang. You really used me. I opened my heart to you, considered everything for you, but you actually used me..."

The three found themselves entangled in this melodramatic situation, and none of them were winners. Jiang Chun was enjoying the spectacle when suddenly, a commotion erupted outside.

The little maid who had been guiding them heard the noise and immediately ran out.

After a short while, she came running back, out of breath, and reported, "It’s bad! Eldest Miss Cheng has been given an aphrodisiac and is sleeping with a butcher named Fan. Everything’s in chaos outside, total chaos!"

Jiang Chun: "???"

What's going on?

Is it really that spicy?

Did the Marquis of Anyuan’s household not consult the almanac before deciding to host a chrysanthemum viewing banquet?

Otherwise, why would one thing happen right after another?

After this incident, I doubt many ladies would dare to attend any future banquets hosted by the Marquis of Anyuan's household. It's too eerie!

But that's not the point.

The point is, how did Eldest Miss Cheng end up sleeping with Fan the Butcher?

Wasn't Fan the Butcher chosen by the Cheng family to seduce me?

How did Eldest Miss Cheng end up using him herself?