Наn Yan cоntinuеd tо аsk, "Dаozhang, I don't quitе undеrstand what уou're sауing. Аrе уоu implying thаt someone bribed yоu tо saу thesе things? Вut whо еxасtlу wеrе yоu trying to harm?"
Jingхu Dаozhаng hurriedly kowtоwed. "This humblе one did ассерt sоmеone's silvеr. Тhat реrsоn wantеd me tо frаme Miss Zhuаng, сlaiming shе summoned an еvil deity, which саusеd the сoncubine in thе mаnоr to misсаrrу."
"Оh dеаr," Hаn Yаn eхclаimed in alаrm. "Who соuld bе so mаliсiоus аs to devise suсh a scheme to hаrm me? Such a рerson trulу desеrvеs to bе cast into the eighteenth layer of hell, tormented by flames day after day, never to rise again."
The Zhou sisters twitched at the corners of their eyes simultaneously, gritting their teeth in hatred, yet unable to speak out, they could only suppress their anger within.
Han Yan asked, "Daozhang, do you know who that person is?"
Jingxu Daozhang hesitated, troubled. The person behind this had not met with him directly but had sent a young maid to discuss the arrangement. Thus, he had no idea who the mastermind was. Han Yan's question left him at a loss for how to respond.
Han Yan had no intention of letting this go. Slowly and gravely, she said, "Daozhang, you were brought here by Concubine Zhou and Madam Zhou. Did Concubine Zhou and Madam Zhou know about this beforehand?"
Jingxu Daozhang was taken aback, then suddenly jolted to realization. Immediately raising his voice, he declared, "In reply to the young miss, this humble one was indeed instructed by these two madams to frame you."
Jingxu Daozhang had made a clever calculation. At this point, anyone with eyes could see this was the result of internal strife among the concubines in a wealthy household. Presumably, Miss Zhuang had offended these two madams. Though he didn't know who had truly hired him, if he failed to grasp the hint Miss Zhuang was giving, wouldn't he be a fool? The most important thing now wasn't who the mastermind was, but who Miss Zhuang wanted the mastermind to be. Having spent years observing people's expressions and skilled in smooth talk, Jingxu Daozhang promptly said, "The maid at the time said it was these two madams surnamed Zhou."
"You're lying! You're lying!" Madam Zhou cried out, both furious and anxious. "This is utter nonsense! Master, don't believe this Taoist!"
"Concubine Zhou!" Han Yan suddenly raised her voice, startling Madam Zhou into temporary silence. Han Yan turned to her, her gaze clear and bright. "It was you who said Jingxu Daozhang was virtuous and respected, and it is also you who now calls him a deceitful liar. Are you so agitated because you're trying to hide something?"
Before Madam Zhou could speak, Han Yan took two steps back, covering her chest as if overwhelmed by sorrow. "May I ask what wrong I have done that you would treat me this way, Aunt? Since this Jingxu Daozhang is a fraud you brought here to frame me—accusing me of bringing misfortune to father and husband, summoning evil spirits, and causing your miscarriage—any one of these charges would ruin my reputation forever. How could you be so malicious?" With that, she covered her face and began to sob softly.
Ji Lan suddenly stepped forward. "Miss, you are now the Xuan Qing Prince Consort, yet these people still treat you so harshly. When the Prince finds out, he will not let this go lightly. Where are those guards? Xiao Li, come here quickly."
From the crowd, the leader of the guards Fu Yunxi had assigned to Han Yan stepped forward. "Here."
"Our young miss has been wronged. Report this matter swiftly to the Prince and let him be the judge," Ji Lan said without hesitation.Han Yan buried her face in her palms, her voice choked with sobs, yet the corners of her mouth were lifted high. Hearing Ji Lan's words, she almost couldn't hold back a laugh. Ji Lan had become increasingly skilled at acting lately, but those words were truly well said—she deserved a good reward upon returning.
The guard hurried off at the command, while the others paled at once. Who would dare joke about this? Everyone knew how dearly the Xuan Qing Prince cherished his young wife. Even if Han Yan were at fault, it would be one thing, but now she was the one being wronged. If the prince found out, would anyone involved escape unscathed?
Han Yan’s gaze swept over the tightly shut door of Concubine Mei’s room, a cold sneer tugging at her lips. She had said it before: none of those involved today would escape. So how could she let Concubine Mei, the mastermind behind this farce, off so easily?
"Father, how could Concubine Mei... suddenly miscarry? The prince once said that Imperial Physician Wu from the palace is the most skilled at restoring health. Concubine Mei must have suffered greatly from this ordeal."
She fixed her eyes on Zhuang Shiyang. "Why not invite Imperial Physician Wu to examine her?"
In an instant, all eyes fell upon Han Yan. No one had expected her to make such a request at this moment.
Zhuang Shiyang abruptly raised his head and glared fiercely at Han Yan. A physician had just attended to her, yet she insisted on summoning an imperial physician. Wasn’t this an open challenge to the competence of the Zhuang family’s own doctors? Regardless, to publicly undermine the Zhuang family’s reputation in front of everyone was something Zhuang Shiyang could hardly bear.
Unfortunately, Han Yan had no intention of paying him any heed. What did disgrace matter? Her mother had once been betrayed by those she trusted. Now, it was Zhuang Shiyang’s turn to taste the bitterness of betrayal—to be deceived and implicated by someone he cherished. Perhaps he, too, should experience that feeling.
Upon hearing Han Yan’s words, Madam Da Zhou cast a suspicious glance her way. While others might not catch it, she could not miss the implication: Han Yan clearly doubted the authenticity of Concubine Mei’s miscarriage. In truth, it wasn’t just Han Yan who harbored doubts; Madam Da Zhou herself felt something was amiss. Their original plan with Concubine Mei hadn’t involved this—Concubine Mei was only supposed to claim she felt unwell. After all, no one would truly risk the life of their unborn child as a joke. Yet today, Concubine Mei had miscarried. Even to bring down Han Yan, was it worth sacrificing her own child’s life? Moreover, Madam Da Zhou knew all too well what this child meant to Concubine Mei. With it, Zhuang Shiyang might grant her the status of a wife, and the child could become the legitimate heir of the Zhuang family. How could Concubine Mei easily let go of such an opportunity? Madam Da Zhou had sensed Concubine Mei’s reservations earlier, and when news of the miscarriage arrived, she couldn’t help but feel shocked.
Han Yan’s suspicions, in a way, confirmed Madam Da Zhou’s own doubts. Now, only two possibilities remained. One: Concubine Mei’s miscarriage was entirely feigned—the child in her womb was perfectly safe, and today’s events were merely a play she orchestrated herself. But if the act had gone this far, how would she explain the child’s existence later? Considering this, only one possibility seemed plausible: Concubine Mei had never been pregnant at all.
But was it truly possible that Concubine Mei had never been with child?"Miss Zhuang," the Seventh Prince spoke slowly. "Imperial Physician Wu is occupied with numerous affairs in the palace. Summoning him now would be rather inappropriate."
Han Yan turned to look at the Seventh Prince and smiled. "Your Highness is too modest. Since Your Highness could send a servant with an invitation to request Jingxu Daozhang for the Zhuang residence, as a member of the Zhuang family, I naturally ought to do my utmost as well. Moreover, the prince once said that whenever I have any matter, I may seek Imperial Physician Wu's assistance at any time."
OpenNovel