Chapter 45: Everyone Shows Their True Colors

Chapter 45: Everyone Shows Their True Colors

The wind howled past his legs, like a snake slithering across his skin, sending shivers down his spine.

Cui Han's face twisted in agony.

When the first pellet hit his tailbone, he tumbled off his horse in a humiliating heap. Immediately after, another pellet struck his waist, triggering an unbearable, maddening itch. He instinctively tugged at it, only for the belt to come undone, his robe suddenly billowing open. His hand hung frozen in mid-air, and by the time he realized what had happened, it was already too late.

It felt like he was on a public execution ground, undergoing a humiliating spectacle. The once-admiring gazes turned to scorn.

In that moment, he didn't even have time to feel anger. In a flash, he rolled his eyes and collapsed to the ground.

The Cui household servants sprang into action, grabbing the cloak he had brought and rushing over. They swiftly bundled their young master and carried him straight to the parking area, removing him from the scene.

The polo field was plunged into an eerie silence, no one daring to speak.

The horses halted, aimlessly grazing the field, while the riders on their backs were still in shock.

Cheng Yiqiao rubbed her eyes, unable to believe what she had just witnessed.

The once-composed man had now made a ridiculous exit.

Cui Han's disgrace was so profound it obliterated any prior admiration.

Like a celestial being plummeting from a pedestal, landing face-first in the mud, utterly destroying any semblance of dignity.

She had no time for regret, having already written him off.

But who had done this?

It was obvious to anyone watching that Cui Han had been sabotaged.

Cheng Yiqiao thought back to the original purpose of today's polo match and couldn't help but glance at Meng Ruchuan and Wei Shuting.

Meng Ruchuan looked utterly baffled, feeling utterly embarrassed for Cui Han. At just eighteen, he was even younger than her. Though shy and prone to stuttering under pressure, once on the field, he was like a sharp blade unsheathed, exuding a fierce aura. He was the only one who had managed to outplay Cui Han.

Why could he outplay Cui Han?

His martial prowess far outclassed Cui Han's, while Cui Han relied on teamwork and technique to score a goal under his pressure.

Meng Ruchuan didn't strike her as the type for underhanded tricks, so she shifted her gaze to Wei Shuting.

Wei Shuting, however, was staring at Meng Ruchuan. If it wasn't him, then it had to be Meng Ruchuan.

The ambush bore the hallmarks of military strategy, and Meng Ruchuan was from a military family. If it wasn't him, who else could it be?

Though Meng Ruchuan seemed upright, it was possible that his parents or someone close to him had orchestrated this scheme.

But it was undeniably satisfying.

With Cui Han, the strongest competitor, out of the way, his chance had come.

He knew full well that Cheng Yiqiao wouldn't marry far away to Yizhou; she wanted to stay in the capital.

The usually silent man let out a quiet sigh. Knowing that his opportunity had arrived, he felt a sudden wave of nervousness.

He discreetly sought Cheng Yiqiao, only to lock eyes with her icy stare.

Wei Shuting's mind went blank.

Is she suspecting him of something?

Just as he was about to defend himself, Cheng Yiqiao had already shifted her gaze away, asking Shi Feiyan, who was still in shock,

"Are we still playing?"

Shi Feiyan was too shocked to respond, still unsettled and instead asked her, "Yiqiao, what exactly happened just now? Was someone framing Cui Han? What should Cui Han do now? How will he ever face people again, oh my..."

Just imagining herself in Cui Han's position, Shi Feiyan felt as if the sky was falling.

Having an obscure reputation is one thing, which could be brushed off as a joke over time, but Cui Han is a standout among the younger generation, carrying high expectations. For such an undignified incident to happen in front of everyone today, forget about getting married, even becoming an official would be a lifelong joke.

Cheng Yiqiao shook her head in helplessness, "I don't know either..."

Meanwhile, Shi Feiyue, too anxious about Cui Han to continue playing, hurriedly chased after them, but Shi Feiyan, thinking that Cui Han definitely wouldn't want to see anyone right now, cried out to call her brother back,

"Brother, come back!"

Shi Feiyue, who usually dotes on his sister to the point of following her every command, known in the neighborhood as being completely devoted to his sister, immediately stopped upon hearing her voice. He looked towards the direction where Cui Han had disappeared and sighed heavily.

The polo match couldn't go on.

Meng Ruchuan dismounted, his face stern as he strode towards his sister's seat. As soon as he sat down, he whispered to his sister, "Did father have a hand in this secretly?"

"How could that be!" Meng Runing also found it extremely strange. When questioned by her brother, she naturally thought of their unrestrained father, who, for the sake of his son, might have instructed his subordinates to teach Cui Han a lesson, which wasn't impossible.

So her defense lacked conviction.

Seeing this, Meng Ruchuan stood up angrily, exclaiming, "A gentleman would never do such things!"

If he were to marry a woman from the Cheng family through such means, he would rather not have this marriage.

Meng Ruchuan left his sister behind and walked away.

Meng Runing knew her brother's temperament well; he was a man of principle and uprightness. His departure effectively meant abandoning Cheng Yiqiao, and she hurriedly chased after him.

Cheng Yiqiao, seeing how the siblings acted, was once again puzzled.

However, she had no mind to pursue the matter, for Cheng Yian was missing.

"Where is my sister?" she asked the matron beside her.

The matron replied, "The third young lady said she went to use the restroom."

"How long has she been gone?"

The matron, caught up in the commotion, was momentarily stumped by the question and replied shamefacedly, "To answer the young lady, it seems she has been gone for a while..."

Another head maid, who had been paying attention earlier, had gone to the backyard to look for Cheng Yian when she did not return after a long wait. She had just returned with news,

"The third young lady has a stomachache and is resting in the carriage..."

Cheng Yiqiao grew worried,

"Quick, help me change. I need to go check on her..."

After saying this, she apologized to Zheng Ying and others who had just alighted from their horses, and went first to the pavilion. When she came out of the pavilion, ready to descend the steps and follow the stone path in the courtyard to the carriage area, a figure emerged from the withered bamboo grove. It was Wei Shuting, who had not had time to change.

Still in his dark blue riding suit, he waited on the path she had to take, cupping his hands in salute as he said,

"Miss Cheng, it wasn't me, don’t get the wrong idea!"

He was desperate to clear his name; if Cheng Yiqiao blamed him for it, it would be worse than being outshone by Cui Han.

Cheng Yiqiao, bundled in a cloak and clutching a hand warmer, gave him a cool glance. "Whether it was you or not, why should I care?"

Two maids and four matrons stood protectively around her, all glaring daggers at Wei Shuting.

Wei Shuting was struck dumb by her sharp reply.

At this juncture, it seemed fortune was on his side; holding back now could mean losing his opportunity.

So he stepped back two paces, bowed low to Cheng Yiqiao, and said earnestly,

"Miss Cheng, three years ago at the Yanshan Palace polo match, you won the championship. I have admired you as one does the radiant sun and moon. Though I may be unworthy, I've secretly held you in high esteem and wish to propose marriage to you. I vow to honor, treasure, and safeguard you. Please give me a chance."

As Wei Shuting spoke, sweat beaded on his brow.

He had practiced these words countless times in the stillness of the night, hoping one day to speak them aloud. Today, he finally did, taking a deep breath.

Cheng Yiqiao was momentarily stunned.

She had interacted with Wei Shuting a few times and knew him to be a quiet man, not particularly notable among the young gentlemen, nor one to seek the limelight, but steady and reliable. His bold confession today caught her off guard.

He was honest.

She felt no need to conceal her thoughts either.

"Wei Shuting, I'll be frank with you. Because of Yao Yuzhuang, I want nothing to do with your Wei family."

Wei Shuting smiled bitterly, "The Yao family is the Yao family, and my Wei family is the Wei family. Though we're connected by marriage, we're distinct families. Among the officials in the capital, it's easy to find connections between any few families. You can't write me off just because of that."

Wei Shuting felt unjustly accused.

Cheng Yiqiao scoffed lightly, "I've noticed you often tagging along with Yao Yuzhuang; you two seem quite close."

This only added to Wei Shuting's frustration. He looked at Cheng Yiqiao awkwardly,

"Miss Cheng, if I told you I only used my cousin's connections to catch a glimpse of you, would you believe me?"

Cheng Yiqiao often played polo with Shi Feiyan, who in turn often called on Yao Yuzhuang, who liked to summon Wei Shuting...

Cheng Yiqiao was momentarily speechless.

His straightforwardness left her at a loss.

After a moment of silence, she said expressionlessly,

"So what? Just because you want to marry me, I should say yes? Enough, Mr. Wei, I need to find my sister. Please step aside and don’t block my way."

Cheng Yiqiao, usually full of confidence and a lazy arrogance, spoke with a cold tone that made Wei Shuting hesitate not a moment. He instinctively obeyed, stepping aside without a word and watching her walk away.

When Cheng Yiqiao arrived at the parking area, she was informed by Cheng Yian's attendants that she had left early due to discomfort and asked Cheng Yiqiao not to worry.

"How long has she been gone?"

"It's been a while..."

It wasn’t appropriate to chase after her, especially since the family matriarch was waiting for the results of today’s polo match. Cheng Yiqiao had no choice but to return home. Before stepping into her carriage, she beckoned one of her matrons over. "Go to the Lu residence and inquire about the lady’s condition. Is it serious? What are the symptoms, understand?"

The matron immediately obeyed the command and left.

Cheng Yian did not return to the Lu residence; she was confronted by Fan Yulin in a corner alley.

After beating Fan Yulin earlier, she left him behind and headed to the parking area, but Fan Yulin unexpectedly followed her.

Fan Yulin, propped up by two servants, blocked the carriage, panting as he asked her,

"An An, why did you attack Cui Han? Did he bully you? Or do you not want to see him marry your second sister, so you sabotaged him?"

Cheng Yian, of course, saw through his motives. She lifted the carriage curtain and looked at the bruised man, laughing,

"Are you trying to threaten me, thinking I'm afraid you'll expose this, and then I'll be forced to deal with you?"

"Let me tell you, I couldn't care less. Even if Cui Han finds out, what can he do?"

"Get out of my way, now!"

Seeing this, Qiu Qing's face turned very grim, "Young Master Fan, I'll count to three. If you don't move, I'll run you down."

Having witnessed Qiu Qing's skills, Fan Yulin didn't dare risk his life. Limping to the side, he waited until Cheng Yian's carriage curtain passed by him, then suddenly spoke,

"Cui Han is like a rare orchid in a noble garden. Did you fall for him, and out of love and hate, deliberately ruin his future?"

Cheng Yian thought Fan Yulin must have gone mad and ignored him.

As the carriage moved away, Fan Yulin's expression darkened, and he glanced at the wall behind the alley.

Cui Han sat in a carriage not far from the wall.

Cui Han was, of course, furious. From the moment he was carried into the carriage, his inner rage was uncontrollable, etched across his face, looking ferocious.

The person behind this was utterly vicious, not only ruining his marriage prospects but also destroying his career.

Upon his return to the capital, the emperor had planned to assign him to a position in one of the six ministries. Given his political track record during his tenure outside, he was sure to be chosen for one of the top three ministries: the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Revenue, or the Ministry of Personnel. He had his eye on the position of Director of the Bureau of Evaluations in the Ministry of Personnel, which would place him on par with Cheng Yiyan.

But now, with this incident, for the sake of the reputation of the official district, the emperor might transfer him to another position outside the capital to avoid scandal.

And that was only the start.

More importantly, the Cheng family would utterly exclude him.

How could he carry out his mother's wishes?

Despicable, detestable, maddening.

If he found the mastermind behind this, he would personally tear them to shreds.

His first thought was also of Meng Ruchuan. Governor Meng, coming from a military background, had risen to prominence through military achievements. He married a noblewoman from Yizhou, shedding his rough soldierly ways, but perhaps his inherent bad nature hadn't changed. Today, for his son's sake, he had pulled a vicious stunt on him.

But thinking about it, that didn't seem right.

Governor Meng was a frontier general, and the Cui family had many members serving in the court. Governor Meng wouldn't risk offending the Cui family by doing something so absurd.

By doing this, he had taken himself out of the game, but would the Cheng family necessarily favor his son?

Cui Han thought Governor Meng wasn't that foolish.

Wei Shuting's family was upright, and the Marquis of the South City was also an open-minded individual, unlikely to devise such a malicious plan.

So who could it be?

Somehow, Cheng Yian's face crossed his mind.

That icy, snow-like girl harbored an inexplicable hostility toward him.

He immediately sent people to investigate the direction from which the shot had come.

His men saw Fan Yulin hunched over, leaning against the wall as he came out. The Cui family's guards didn’t dare act recklessly and followed Fan Yulin to this spot, overhearing the earlier conversation.

The guard knelt before Cui Han and reported his findings,

"It is indeed the third young lady of the Cheng family."

Cui Han's expression shifted oddly, "I’ve never wronged her. Why would she want to harm me? My marriage to Cheng Yiqiao has nothing to do with her. Why would she hold such hatred for me?"

No, he suddenly remembered his mother's secret motives.

Since childhood, he had been forced to imitate Cheng Mingyu. Whenever he made a mistake, his mother would beat him with a whip. With such obsession, how could he, her son, not have guessed her thoughts?

Could it be that Cheng Yian somehow learned about this?

But no, if she knew, wouldn’t she have told Cheng Mingyu directly?

If she had told Cheng Mingyu, he wouldn’t have even gotten the chance to come to the polo field today.

Very few people knew about the hidden chamber in the Cui residence. Moreover, it was common for young masters in the capital to be pushed by their elders to learn from Cheng Mingyu. He didn't believe Cheng Yian knew about this.

He couldn't figure out a reason for Cheng Yian to harm him.

At that moment, the guard trembled as he answered,

"The third young lady of the Cheng family... perhaps she loves you but can’t have you, so she wants to ruin you." He relayed Fan Yulin's exact words to Cui Han.

Cui Han was visibly stunned, his lips twitching uncontrollably.

Normally, he wouldn't have believed such a thing.

But after experiencing his mother's warped actions, he suddenly felt that this possibility couldn't be ruled out.

A cold light flashed in Cui Han's eyes, "Investigate. I want to know everything about Cheng Yian."

The polo field was close to the Cheng family estate, so it wasn’t long before Cheng Yiqiao returned home.

In fact, many of the Cheng family's servants were serving at the polo field today, and the news had already been reported to the family matriarch.

By the time Cheng Yiqiao returned, the matriarch had already voiced her disappointment and asked about the details of the incident, curious about who was behind it.

"It must be either the Meng family or the Wei family."

The matriarch shook her head, "No, although the Meng governor is somewhat unruly, he is straightforward and wouldn't do something to ruin someone's future. He wouldn't risk offending the Cui family over a marriage."

"The Wei family is even less likely. The Marquis of the Southern City is a prudent man with an excellent reputation in the court. As for Wei Shuting... unless he had a deep-seated grudge against Cui Han, he wouldn't resort to such underhanded tactics. I suspect it must be a hidden enemy of the Cui family who doesn't want to see him marry into the Cheng family, using this to ruin him."

"Regardless, Cui Han has brought this misfortune upon himself, which shows he is not a flawless gentleman. It's better to let him go." Thinking of how difficult Cheng Yiqiao's marriage prospects had become, the matriarch's heart ached, and she hugged her tightly,

"Don't worry, child. Look, the world is full of deceitful people, so your marriage must be even more carefully considered. Take heart, your grandmother and your father love you dearly."

Cheng Yiqiao didn’t pay much attention to this matter. She was more worried about her sister’s health than anything else.

"Since she took the medicine that day, she has been falling ill frequently. Grandmother should still send a matron to the Lu family to reprimand her a few times, to stop her from acting recklessly again, and then invite the retired court physician to her residence to check on her, so as not to leave any lasting illness."

The grandmother and granddaughter quickly forgot about the polo match and arranged for the matron and servants to escort the physician to the Lu residence.

Cheng Yian’s background was not hard to find out. By early afternoon, the Cui family’s guards had informed Cui Han about Cheng Yian’s background and her past issues with Fan Yulin.

Cui Han hadn’t returned home yet. He wasn’t sure what was waiting for him there. He was at a private residence in the southern city.

The pain in his tailbone and lower back was sharp and constant. He tossed aside his white robe and carelessly wrapped himself in a black cloak, lying motionless on the soft couch.

It was as if his facade had been shattered, and he no longer needed to conceal anything. He lay sprawled out, his eyes dark pools filled with malice.

"Fan Yulin?"

"Yes," the shadow guard knelt before him, looking at the young master who had dropped his gentle facade, and replied in a low voice, "Fan Yulin and Miss Cheng Yian grew up together. The Fan family had once proposed marriage to the fourth branch of the Cheng family, but the old lady of the fourth branch had rejected it."

Cui Han sneered, his thin lips forming a sharp, blade-like curve. His pale fingers grasped at something, reaching up towards a beam of light coming through the skylight.

He was like a man stuck in an abyss, trying to catch that beam of light. "A toad lusting after a swan... how could he be worthy?"

But what did it matter to him?

They were both daughters of Cheng Mingyu. Even if she married, he could still have her.

He suddenly took an interest in Cheng Yian.

Since she had ruined his chances of marriage, she should face the consequences.

"Find a way to reveal Fan Yulin’s feelings for Cheng Yian and spread the news throughout the city. Given Lu Xusheng’s pride, he would surely divorce her."

"By then, her reputation would be ruined, and I would have lost face. Aren’t we a perfect match? Cheng Mingyu will have no choice but to marry his daughter to me."

Cui Han laughed self-deprecatingly, patted the table, and ordered the shadow guard to carry out the plan.

The toad Cui Han spoke of, Fan Yulin, was currently in his study writing poetry.

He was writing the line, "Do you not see, the rain is vast, with nowhere to send my longing; do you not see, the flowing water, like my heart’s uncontainable affection."

By drawing Cui Han into the scheme, with Cui Han’s methods and temperament, he would surely make Fan Yulin’s admiration for Cheng Yian widely known. What kind of man was Lu Xusheng? How could he tolerate his wife having feelings for another? By then, rumors would spread like wildfire, and Lu Xusheng would have no choice but to divorce Cheng Yian.

Once he used Cui Han’s hand to force their divorce.

He could then propose to Cheng Yian. It wasn’t impossible.

He and Cheng Yian knew each other well, having grown up together. His devotion to Cheng Yian was second only to He Qingyun. He firmly believed that between him and Cui Han, Cheng Mingyu would surely choose him.

Using others’ strength to achieve his goals, seeking wealth amidst danger, was his usual tactic.

After finishing, he handed it to his trusted servant.

"Find a way to leak this to the Cui family."

It was early afternoon again, and Cheng Mingyu returned to his residence at the usual time.

The government office was, of course, very busy, but today he had declined some less urgent tasks to return early, all for the sake of his daughter’s marriage. Just as he stepped into his room, the head of the household guards followed closely behind, kneeling before him.

"Sir, there was an incident at the polo field today."

Under the high walls of the Cheng family estate, guard posts were built, where many Cheng family guards were stationed. There were guards below and hidden guards in the treetops. Today, the hidden guards observed everything Cheng Yian and her servants did. Any movement within or outside the Cheng family was reported to Cheng Mingyu.

After hearing the details, Cheng Mingyu was silent for a moment.

"She had someone humiliate Cui Han in public and beat up Fan Yulin?"

What are these two up to now?

He could picture Cheng Yian's bold and reckless behavior.

Cheng Mingyu understood and even supported beating up Fan Yulin.

Mr. Fan knew his third brother, and thanks to his brother, his son had studied at the Cheng family school for a few years. The Fan family lived next to the South Mansion, and Cheng Mingyu knew Fan Yulin had helped An An at school a few times. He had noticed Fan Yulin had feelings for An An, so he later found an excuse to send Fan Yulin away.

He had thought the boy was gentle and refined, just a young man in love. But now it seems he's just a scoundrel. Beating him up was justified.

But Cheng Yian's actions against Cui Han baffled Cheng Mingyu.

Why does the child dislike Cui Han now?

Cui Han had been in office for years, and Cheng Yian probably never met him.

Regardless, when a child causes trouble, the father must handle it.

"Send the Ding division to secretly watch Cui Han and the Fan family to protect the third young lady."

"As you command."

The Cheng family guards were split into four divisions: Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding. The Jia division was nominally composed of servants, stationed at various guard posts around the Cheng estate, though their numbers were not large. The Yi division was responsible for intelligence gathering, naturally concerning the family's fortunes and court politics. The Bing division operated in the martial world, protecting and managing the Cheng family's various business interests. The Ding division was the secret guard, with the most personnel, including people from all walks of life, spread throughout the capital and the surrounding regions.

They were Cheng Mingyu's eyes, ears, and enforcers.

A gentleman knows right from wrong. As the head of the Cheng family, Cheng Mingyu could not be without some means.

His daughter had provoked these people, and there was no guarantee that Cui Han and Fan Yulin would not resort to extreme measures.

He had to take precautions.

"Also, has Lu Xusheng returned to the capital?"

Cheng Mingyu was aware that Lu Xusheng had gone to Xuanfu yesterday.

The guard leader replied, "When I entered the room, I had just received news that the son-in-law had entered through the West Gate."

Cheng Mingyu rubbed his temples. "Send him a message to bring An An back to the estate when he has time. I have some questions for them."

What exactly is their conflict with Cui Han?