First Phoenix Lady - chapter 10

Chapter 10

Given how things had developed, what was there left for Concubine Wen not to understand?

She had been schemed against!

Suddenly, she recalled that the deed contracts for Xing’er and the other close servant boys had always been in Madam Tang’s hands.

She had chosen these people herself, but to allay Madam Tang’s concerns, she had handed over their deed contracts.

Now, as long as someone held those contracts and threatened to sell them off, these servant boys would immediately change sides and turn against her.

But that was not the main point now. What mattered most was that she still didn’t understand why the Master would appear here, and why he would inexplicably stand on the same side as Shi Anxia.

What on earth had happened here?

Concubine Wen was seething with hatred, but there was nothing she could do. She could only glare fiercely at Shi Anxia.

Shi Anxia dabbed her eyes lightly with a handkerchief before pressing her, “It is said that the dead should be respected, yet Concubine Wen, even after my brother’s death, still seeks to tarnish his name, slander him, and make him infamous, making others believe he was an immoral libertine. Tell me, Concubine Wen, what is your true intention?”

With this prompt, the onlookers suddenly understood.

So today’s commotion was actually the concubine trying to smear the legitimate son. There was clearly something fishy going on here.

“That concubine must have a son of her own, trying to step over the dead to rise in status.”

“Isn’t that so? Otherwise, what would she gain from this?”

“But dragging Miss Wei into this is just shameless. She’s trying to force someone to their death! Luckily, there are sensible people in their family to testify for Miss Wei.”

“Miss Wei didn’t even get off the carriage at the time, yet they insist she fell into the water! Is ruining someone’s reputation as easy as running your mouth?”

“Miss Wei was clearly righteous, even sending her own Maid to save someone. This concubine of the Marquis Mansion is truly black-hearted and rotten to the core-she deserves a bad end!”

The crowd’s opinion quickly shifted elsewhere.

Nanny Liu, hearing the surging discussions around her, felt her vision go black. She knew that only by stepping forward and admitting fault could she possibly shield her mistress.

Suddenly, she prostrated herself on the ground, crying even more earnestly than before. “Second Master, it was this old servant’s fault. I mistakenly thought Young Master Xing’er and…”

Shi Anxia looked down from above and coldly interrupted, “Nanny Liu, mind your words! You are but a servant-spouting nonsense with nothing but your mouth is one thing, but Miss Wei has not yet married. To so carelessly sully her reputation would bring my father the blame of failing to manage his household.”

Shi Chengxuan, reminded by these words, jolted as he recalled how Lord Jiang had just praised him.

The words still echoed in his ears: “Lord Shi, to have raised such a sensible and clever daughter, you must surely balance both your household and official duties well. The court needs wise talents like you.”

His ears buzzed. He shifted slightly, sneaking a glance at Lord Jiang out of the corner of his eye.

At that glance, his mind nearly exploded. Lord Jiang’s face was as dark as could be!

Seeing Shi Chengxuan looking over, Lord Jiang returned a heavy look, then turned to Wei Zhongshi and said, “Let’s go in!”

Everyone turned and stepped over the threshold into the Wei Mansion, Shi Anxia following as well, leaving Shi Chengxuan standing awkwardly at the gate.

Before turning away, Shi Anxia quietly reminded, “Father, it’s up to you now.” Then she slipped away.

With a loud bang, the main gates of the Wei Mansion slammed shut, shaking the servant boy who was hanging white mourning ribbons on the door so much that his legs gave out and he tumbled down the ladder.

Shi Chengxuan snapped out of his daze and said to the attendants he had brought, “Write down the names of everyone who caused trouble today-I want them all sold off!”

The servants of the Marquis Mansion exchanged glances, their faces filled with terror, and all knelt down together. “Second Master, spare us! We had no idea why we were leaving the mansion. We only followed Concubine Wen’s orders and went with our mistress.”

Shi Chengxuan was furious and had no concern for Concubine Wen’s reputation. He snorted coldly, “She’s just a concubine-what kind of mistress does she think she is?”
Concubine Wen’s face turned deathly pale, her body swaying as if she might collapse at any moment.

Once again, Shi Chengxuan spoke words that were even more piercing, “In this lord’s household, there are nine wives and concubines. Apart from the principal wife, who is your mistress, which one among them should not be regarded as a servant?”

It was true that Shi Chengxuan was not especially capable, but he was exceedingly slippery in conduct.

His words appeared to spill out casually, but in reality, he had rehearsed them in his mind countless times.

He wanted to let Lord Jiang know that he was still a man of wisdom, worthy of praise.

Within his words, he revealed several key points.

First, he was not a man who would Favor Concubine Over Wife.

Second, although he had eight other concubines, all of their statuses were that of servants. How could the words and deeds of mere servants carry any weight?

As for his numerous concubines, it merely proved his family was wealthy enough to support them, and it also suggested he was a refined, attractive gentleman of good character.

In short, whether or not Lord Jiang could hear him at the moment, Shi Chengxuan was determined to ensure that these words would reach Lord Jiang’s ears one way or another.

Inside the room, a look of relief finally appeared on Jiang Youshen’s face. He looked at Shi Anxia with a gaze that grew even softer.

Though Shi Chengxuan himself was not promising, he had raised a daughter who was upright and endearing.

He chuckled softly, “Your father is truly a remarkable man.”

A teasing smile spread across Shi Anxia’s youthful face. She ignored Jiang Youshen and instead said to Wei Zhongshi, “Lord Wei, please have rods and a bench prepared. I suspect my father will soon need to borrow them from you.”

Wei Zhongshi was taken aback and had no time to reply before the sound of banging on the door came.

Outside, one of Shi Chengxuan’s attendants called out loudly, “Lord Wei, please lend us a rod and a bench. My master intends to punish the servants right here on the street to return justice to the Wei family!”

These words were shouted three times in succession.

At last, with a creak, the main gate of the Wei Mansion swung open. The gatekeeper tossed out a bench and two rods, then slammed the door shut with a loud bang.

Soon, the sound of rods striking flesh echoed from outside, accompanied by cries of pain that carried far into the distance, mingled with the whimpers of men and women alike.

Inside, Xiao Pingting gazed at Shi Anxia with stars in her eyes, admiration clear on her face. In a small voice, she said, “Wow, Sister, you’re amazing-you predicted everything!”

Shi Anxia laughed, patted the little girl’s soft hair, and smiled broadly, “Oh my, Pingping Tingting is quite something, too-she even knows what it means to foresee things!”

“I read books, you know!” Xiao Pingting tugged at the corner of Shi Anxia’s robe as she spoke.

Once again, Jiang Youshen caught a strange sense of peace and prosperity, as if the nation were safe and the people at ease, in that smile.

Wei Yuzhi, however, was so dazzled by that smile that his heart went into utter chaos. Thump! Thump! Thump-thump-thump! His mind was a total mess.

Miss Shi is not only beautiful but also kind-hearted. Could he possibly take first place in next year’s Military Examination? If he became the martial champion, would he be worthy of Miss Shi?

Suddenly, Wei Cailing knelt before Shi Anxia and gave her a deep kowtow. “Thank you, Miss, for saving me from peril. Otherwise…”

Otherwise, you would have died, your mother would have died as well, and then your clever little sister would come to settle scores with me, putting me in mortal danger.

Truly, I am the most wronged and pitiable one!

Shi Anxia personally helped the root of her past life’s misfortunes to her feet and said gently, “In the end, it was Shi Yunxing who troubled Miss Wei. However, Shi Yunxing is Shi Yunxing, and Shi Yunqi is Shi Yunqi-the two are as different as clouds and mud. Do not confuse them.”

After finishing, she bowed again. “Lord Jiang, Lord Wei, Madam Wei, this junior will take her leave!”

As she led her maids out of the Wei Mansion, night had fully fallen, and only the two dim lanterns hanging beneath the eaves cast a faint, warm yellow glow.

Inside, Jiang Youshen smiled as he handed the letter in his hand to Wei Zhongshi.