First Phoenix Lady - chapter 9

Chapter 9

After confirming that her father had unconsciously memorized everything and could repeat it accurately, Shi Anxia concluded, “Father, your daughter has prepared a gift today to thank Miss Wei, and it just so happened that Lord Jiang was also present. I thought, since you often mention Lord Jiang, I had someone bring you here so we could all have a chat.”

Her voice was clear and melodious, her words articulate.

Except for Jiang Youshen and Shi Chengxuan, the others exchanged glances, but soon caught on to what was happening.

So, it turned out all these people had been arranged by Shi Anxia…

Tears had been welling up in Wei Cailing’s eyes, and only now did she truly realize that reality was indeed the opposite of her dreams.

She quietly walked over to Shi Anxia, one hand stroking her younger sister’s hair, the other reaching out to hold Shi Anxia’s hand.

Shi Anxia’s gaze was calm, yet she gave Wei Cailing the most reassuring and brilliant colors.

Taking advantage of Shi Anxia’s words, Shi Chengxuan praised his daughter’s sensibility and gratitude, saying it was a tradition of the Shi family.

Jiang Youshen finally burst into hearty laughter. “Lord Shi, you have raised a wonderful daughter! Such good fortune! Such good fortune! Lord Shi, you have held your current position for many years, haven’t you? It’s about time for a promotion.”

Shi Chengxuan was overjoyed. He quickly stood up, cupped his hands, and bowed. “Thank you, Lord Jiang, for your appreciation!”

Jiang Youshen smiled mysteriously. “Not at all! For Lord Shi to raise such a sensible and clever daughter, you must have balanced both your household and official duties very well. The court needs such wise talents.”

“You flatter me!” Shi Chengxuan was brimming with pride, and his gaze toward his daughter grew even more affectionate.

Just as everyone was enjoying the harmonious atmosphere, the gatekeeper came running in, flustered. “Something’s wrong! Something’s wrong! Master, something has happened!”

Lord Wei’s eyelid twitched.

Wei Cailing’s eyelid also twitched violently. Ignoring propriety, she spoke before her father, “What happened?”

The gatekeeper wiped his sweat, glancing at the two noble guests from the Marquis Mansion seated inside, and stammered, “It’s the Jian’an Marquis Mansion. People from the Marquis Mansion have brought a group and are making a scene at the gate, demanding justice from our Wei Mansion…”

Shi Anxia could clearly sense Wei Cailing’s terror. She patted her hand and comforted her in a low voice, “Don’t be afraid, I’m here.”

Wei Cailing clung to her like a drowning person grasping a piece of driftwood, trembling but still nodding.

Shi Anxia led her forward and said unhurriedly to Shi Chengxuan, “Since people from our Marquis Mansion have come, shouldn’t Father go and take a look?”

Shi Chengxuan, still immersed in the joy of a potential promotion, immediately stood up and brushed his robe when he heard there was trouble from the Marquis Mansion. “Let me see who is causing trouble!”

Shi Anxia stepped aside slightly. “Father, after you!”

Shi Chengxuan, with his two attendants, walked at the front with head held high and chest out. Shi Anxia followed closely behind, holding the hands of the Wei sisters.

Nanny Zheng and Nanny Zeng, along with Nan Yan and Hong Que, surrounded their young ladies. At the very end of the procession were Wei Zhongshi, Jiang Youshen, Madam Wei, and Wei Yuzhi.

The group moved in grand procession toward the main gate of the Wei Mansion.

By now, dusk was falling, and people were coming and going. A crowd of onlookers had already gathered at the gate of the Wei Mansion.

Concubine Wen had received word from Aunt Gui that Shi Anxia was bringing people to the Wei Mansion.

Normally, she would not have come in person, but having been angered by Shi Anxia in recent days, she needed to vent her frustration.

So she brought a group led by Nanny Liu, along with maids and young servants from the Marquis Mansion, and blocked the entrance of the Wei Mansion.

Nanny Liu stood on the stone steps, weeping and sniffling as she told the onlookers about the earth-shattering romance between the legitimate eldest grandson of the Jian’an Marquis Mansion and the legitimate eldest daughter of the Wei family, Wei Cailing-speaking of secret exchanges and uncontrollable passion, making it sound like bawdy tales from a brothel.

The crowd blushed at her words, yet still wanted to hear more.

When Shi Chengxuan strode out, he saw one of his young servants holding a long white silk ribbon, preparing to climb a ladder and hang it over the Wei family’s door lintel.
Two white lanterns were still scattered on the ground, not yet hung up.

Nanny Liu was still wiping her tears, crying and complaining, “Our Young Master Xing’er jumped into the water with all his strength to save Miss Wei, who had fallen in. In the end, after finally carrying her ashore, he himself was too exhausted! Just like that, he was gone… just like that, our Young Master Xing’er is gone… He’s been gone for several days, but Miss Wei hasn’t even come to see him once! I just want to ask, does your Wei family have any conscience left? Any conscience at all! How could you treat our Young Master Xing’er like this!”

This time, it was Shi Chengxuan’s eyelid that twitched fiercely.

He rushed forward, kicked the white lantern aside furiously, and roared in anger, “What nonsense are you spouting? Who let you come here! Who let you come!”

Standing to the side, Concubine Wen suddenly turned pale, blurting out in disbelief, “Old-Old Master…”

It would have been better if she hadn’t called out. As soon as she spoke, Shi Chengxuan found the culprit, “Wen Huiyi, what are you doing!”

Concubine Wen stammered, “I-I…” No matter what, this act had to go on. Her eyes reddened, and tears burst forth, “Old Master, Young Master Xing’er is gone, and the Wei family hasn’t given any explanation. I-I just… came to ask… ask…”

Jiang Youshen gave a timely “hmph,” his contempt and disappointment clear on his face.

Shi Chengxuan’s heart sank, knowing that his excellent situation had been ruined by this ignorant woman. Instantly, he flew into a rage and slapped Concubine Wen across the face, “Wretch! Look at what you’ve done!”

Concubine Wen had been pampered in the Marquis Mansion for years as the housekeeper, never having been struck in front of the servants.

Especially with so many onlookers present, her face flushed red with embarrassment.

She shouted regardless, “What did I say wrong? Your son has been dead for days, has Miss Wei come to pay her respects even once?”

Shi Anxia frowned in confusion and asked, “Why should Miss Wei come to pay respects to my brother? She is only my close friend, what does she have to do with my brother?”

Shi Chengxuan, afraid his daughter would ruin his chance to shine, quickly interjected, “That’s right. Sister Xia fell into the water, and Miss Wei, as her close friend, had her Maids jump in to save her. That was already very kind of her. Miss Wei and Xing’er weren’t close, why should she come to pay respects?”

Concubine Wen was driven mad, shaking her head vigorously, “No, that’s not it! Old Master, that’s not it! It was Miss Wei who fell into the water…”

“Nonsense!” Shi Chengxuan stood with his hands behind his back, exuding authority. “Miss Wei caught a cold and has been staying in the carriage all along. Sister Xia can testify to that.”

His repeated words were not in vain; at this moment, Shi Anxia found her father a little more agreeable.

She nodded seriously, “Yes. When I was rescued, I even went to Miss Wei’s carriage, and she dried my hair for me. Not only can I testify, but all the common folk present can also confirm it. Eh… Fu Shun, why are you here too?”

She waved to a few people hiding at the back of the crowd, “Come over!”

Three young men walked over and knelt together, “Greetings, Second Master, greetings, Miss Anxia.”

Shi Anxia looked down at them, “You all served closely by my brother’s side. Tell everyone, how did my brother die?”

Fu Shun immediately raised his head, his eyes full of determination, and answered clearly, “That day, when you fell into the water, Young Master Xing’er was desperate to save his sister and jumped in without hesitation. In the end, you were rescued, but Young Master Xing’er’s leg cramped, and he was exhausted, so he… was gone… wu wu wu…”

Shi Anxia seemed moved by her brother’s heroic act, her eyes reddening and tears welling up.

The two beside Fu Shun also started crying, nodding vigorously, “Yes, yes, that’s exactly what happened!”

Concubine Wen’s eyes were filled with shock and anger…