Chapter Forty-One: Humiliation

Lingran carefully analyzed the situation. The nine of them had entered the mansion together; Mohan, Biqing, Wu Yunxian, Li Tangmei, and Yuan’er had all gone to Prince Xiang’s residence. Now, with Xu Shanquan unable to do anything, the remaining two, Shen Zhu and Luo Xianghong, had pledged themselves to her. Who else would they seek out but the unlucky one?

Since the outcome of accusation or resistance was much the same, why take the role of the villain? Steeling herself, Lingran spent half the day arguing with Xu and Shen, hoping to persuade them. But their resolve was as firm as iron, and at last Xu Shanquan’s patience wore thin. She swept the teacups to the floor, her anger exploding as she demanded, “You’ve been prattling on for ages—will you do it or not?”

Lingran could no longer avoid it. She retreated two steps and replied calmly, “I truly didn’t see Mohan push anyone to harm Miss Shen that day. I don’t know what to say, and if I slip up, I’ll implicate you both. Please, think it over.”

The meaning in her words was clear: if forced, she might reveal the truth and say it was under their pressure. It would be better to keep their distance.

Shen Zhu sneered and said to Xu Shanquan, “It seems this girl doesn’t take you, the new mistress, seriously at all.”

A blatant attempt to sow discord, but Xu Shanquan took it to heart. She wouldn’t let Lingran speak further; instead, she shouted toward the door, “Someone! Bring rope and tie this girl up to take her to the Prime Minister! Daring to play tricks before him—she must have a death wish!”

“Hey, hey, don’t do anything rash!” Lingran panicked and dashed for the door.

Luo Xianghong, prompted by Xu Shanquan, moved to seize her, and the maids outside, heeding their mistress’s call, all charged in. Lingran was not one to submit meekly; she darted about the room, struggling for some time, knocking over the antique shelf and smashing porcelain everywhere, enraging Xu Shanquan to tears and screams, vowing never to let her off.

But two fists couldn’t prevail against many hands—especially with two robust maids among them. At last, Lingran was pinned to the ground, and Xu Shanquan rushed over to kick her twice. Though she had small feet, the blows hurt terribly; one landed on Lingran’s face, burning fiercely.

“Tie her up, tight! Take her to see the Prime Minister immediately!” Xu Shanquan shouted.

Luo Xianghong fetched a piece of cloth, tearing it swiftly into strips, and several maids twisted Lingran’s arms behind her back and bound her firmly. The force was so great her arms nearly broke.

Lingran had never suffered such humiliation, even in this ancient era. Her face flushed with rage as she glared at Xu Shanquan, knowing nothing she said would matter now. She thought, If you don’t let me escape this time, and I emerge unscathed, I’ll torment you until you beg for mercy!

She had thought Xu Shanquan, as the new mistress, might simply beat her and be done with it, but instead, not only did she slap Lingran several times, she even ordered someone to inquire about the Prime Minister’s whereabouts and told Shen Zhu to wait in the room, marching Lingran off.

Everyone they passed stared at Lingran in astonishment, as if she were a monkey in a zoo. Her hair, already pulled loose by Xu Shanquan and the others, hung over her face as she tried desperately to hide. But every so often, Xu Shanquan ordered the maids to yank her hair up and shame her anew, nearly infuriating her to death.

How could a young lady of noble birth be so vicious? During their time together at the Xun Yun Villa, Lingran had never seen her so unreasonable. She bit her lips until they bled, keeping silent and refusing to beg for mercy. Some people get more excited the more you cry out—Xu Shanquan was certainly one of them.

Lingran hated nothing more than being bullied for no reason; vengeance was a matter of honor.

It took great effort to reach Shende Hall, where armed guards blocked their path. Xu Shanquan flashed Lingran a cold smile and straightened her attire, standing gracefully to the side.

Under her oppressive presence, Luo Xianghong had become a compliant henchwoman. She stepped forward and said, “This is Mistress Xu from Jianbi Pavilion. Please inform the Prime Minister; she has urgent business.”

The lead guard bowed slightly to Xu Shanquan. “Mistress Xu, the Prime Minister is currently meeting important guests and cannot receive domestic visitors. Please wait. Once the guests depart, we’ll announce you.”

Xu Shanquan pondered briefly and asked, “Is Young Lord Hongxiao inside as well?”

The guard replied, “No, Young Lord Hongxiao should be in the East Wing handling affairs.”

Luo Xianghong glanced at Xu Shanquan. Impatient by nature, Xu Shanquan said, “Take her to the East Wing—let the young lord deal with her!”

Hearing they would take her to Hongxiao, Lingran breathed a quiet sigh of relief. She thought, Hongxiao already knew she was feigning a squint that day and hadn’t pressed the matter, so he likely wouldn’t punish her harshly.

Just as the maids were about to turn, the guard suddenly announced, “The Prime Minister is coming out to see his guests.”

Lingran looked inside and saw the Prime Minister standing at the main hall doors, bidding farewell, while two men stood outside, returning his courtesy. Xu Shanquan quickly ordered the maids to pull Lingran aside.

As the two men emerged, the first was Liu Ju, and the second, dressed in plain clothes, was Peng Lun. Without thinking, Lingran cried out, “Help!”

No sooner had she shouted than a maid covered her mouth.

Nevertheless, Liu Ju and Peng Lun heard her. They stopped in surprise and looked over.

Lingran tried desperately to break free, and the maids could barely hold her back. Peng Lun spotted her, startled, his thick brows furrowing deeply.

Now that Xu Shanquan had seen them, she had nothing to hide. She stepped forward and said with a smile, “A family matter in the Prime Minister’s residence—please forgive the disturbance.”

She gave Luo Xianghong a subtle nod, and Luo Xianghong bowed her head. “This is Mistress Xu, newly admitted to the household, greeting Lord Liu and General Peng.”

Liu Ju immediately smiled and bowed. “So it’s Mistress Xu. Congratulations! Today General Peng is leaving the capital for his new post, and I brought him to bid farewell to the Prime Minister. Since this is a family matter, we won’t intrude. Farewell.”

Peng Lun stared at Lingran, his face twitching as if lost in thought.

Liu Ju briskly pulled him away. “Lun’er, let’s go!”

Peng Lun gritted his teeth, bowed to Xu Shanquan, and followed Liu Ju away.

Lingran was stunned. If she’d known it would end like this, she might as well have kept silent.

Apparently, the commotion had been reported inside, for soon someone ran out and said, “The Prime Minister orders you all to enter.”

Xu Shanquan and her party immediately shed their haughty airs and ordered the maids to drag Lingran in.

Luo Xianghong flung Lingran onto the blue-tiled floor of the hall, her knees aching with pain.

Xu Shanquan gracefully bowed to the seat of honor and approached.

Compared to other halls, Shende Hall was larger and deeper. Lingran felt the distance between herself and the others was considerable, their expressions barely discernible. Tiger pelts and wood banners inlaid with gold and jade hung on the walls. All the furniture was deep brown, whether elegant or vulgar, but the aura of authority was overwhelming, making her feel as though she’d stepped into a courtroom.