This remark sounded as though it were scolding the mulberry while pointing at the locust.
Zhou Wangfei grew increasingly restless, and Commandery Princess Luochuan likewise sensed that something was wrong. Her expression became somewhat unpleasant as she stood in place, feeling as though she had swallowed a mouse.
Qi Yuan had actually come out together with the Eldest Princess!
Living in the imperial household, Commandery Princess Luochuan could not possibly be foolish; she had always been skilled at observing expressions and reading the atmosphere.
So with Zhou Wangfei’s abnormal attitude, together with the Eldest Princess’s obviously suggestive words, she immediately realized that something had gone wrong again!
Something had actually gone wrong again!
What exactly was Qi Yuan? Why did she have to oppose people at every turn?
She had finally come up with this method. Knowing there was something wrong with the child in Zeng Wenxiu’s belly, she had hinted a few words to Zeng Wenxiu, allowing her to smoothly get rid of the child in her womb while at the same time framing Qi Yuan.
Such an exquisite and straightforward plan, yet in the end something still went wrong!
The Eldest Princess narrowed her eyes. At that moment the steward hurried in to report that the Zeng family had arrived.
She no longer paid attention to Commandery Princess Luochuan, turned to call Lu Jintang, and then looked at Qi Yuan. “Yuan Jie’er, come with me and listen.”
At this moment Third Madam Qi still felt as though she were stepping on cotton. Hearing this, she subconsciously looked at Qi Yuan.
Qi Yuan nodded, then turned to Third Madam. “Third Aunt, please take Ah Chan to sit in the reception hall for a while. Later we will return together.”
Third Madam Qi nodded repeatedly in agreement. After reacting, she could not help thinking that it was no wonder the Old Madam had repeatedly instructed her that once she came out, she only needed to listen to Qi Yuan in everything.
So it was true.
Whenever trouble arose, she didn’t need to ask for help or rely on others, Qi Yuan alone could handle it.
Since something had happened at home, Lu Mingan received the news and hurried back from the Five-City Military Command.
Upon seeing the Eldest Princess, he immediately asked, “Your Highness, what has happened?”
Seeing Lu Mingan, the Eldest Princess could no longer suppress her anger and coldly recounted the matter of Zeng Wenxiu taking miscarriage medicine and jumping into the lake.
Lu Mingan subconsciously glanced at Qi Yuan.
Zeng Wenxiu had dragged Qi Yuan into the lake and even falsely accused Qi Yuan of pushing her in?
Then…
For Zeng Wenxiu to still be alive was truly rather surprising.
Had Yuan Jie’er changed her temper?
Sensing Lu Mingan looking at her, Qi Yuan raised her head and happened to meet his gaze. She slowly curved her lips. “Does the Princess Consort have something to ask me?”
……
Lu Mingan shook his head, then walked to Qi Yuan’s side and suddenly raised his hand.
Immediately afterward, he slapped Lu Jintang hard across the face.
Lu Jintang had still been immersed in anger, unable to understand why Zeng Wenxiu would do such a thing. Caught completely off guard by the slap, he instantly covered his face and stared at Lu Mingan in shock.
Even the Eldest Princess was momentarily stunned.
But Lu Mingan kept a stern expression and said seriously, “What did I tell you before? Have you forgotten it all?”
Lu Jintang’s expression flickered. Thinking of something, he suddenly turned to look at Qi Yuan.
Lu Mingan kicked the back of Lu Jintang’s knee, forcing him to kneel, then looked at him coldly. “Have you forgotten how we struggled to survive all those years, how we escaped death time and again?”
The hostility in Lu Jintang’s eyes gradually faded.
Of course he would not forget.
The constant hiding, the uncertainty of meals, the terror and despair of being hunted at any moment, he still dreamed of it often.
He understood Lu Mingan’s meaning.
Lu Mingan’s expression grew even colder and more solemn. “The day we returned to the capital, I told you that in this lifetime, aside from heaven, earth, ruler, parents, and teachers, the person you must respect most is Miss Qi!”
He shouted sternly, “Did you treat my words as mere wind past your ears? Do you want to be an ungrateful and heartless villain?!”
Lu Jintang was so ashamed he wished he could disappear into the ground and hurriedly said, “Your son would not dare!”
Lu Mingan sneered. “What use is saying that to me?!”
Lu Jintang immediately turned and apologized to Qi Yuan. “Miss Qi, I’m sorry. I lost my composure. I failed to distinguish right from wrong…”
Qi Yuan naturally understood Lu Mingan’s intention.
He simply did not want her to grow distant from the Eldest Princess’s residence.
At the same time, he was also letting her vent her anger.
Parents truly plan far ahead for their children. She herself had not taken this matter seriously, so she raised her brows without hesitation. “Young Master Lu need not do this. People have closeness and distance; your reaction at that time was reasonable. Please rise.”
She looked at Lu Mingan and the Eldest Princess. “Why not first ask clearly about the situation with the Zeng family?”
Both Lu Mingan and the Eldest Princess immediately nodded. Lu Mingan reacted even more promptly. “Where are the female guests who came to attend the banquet today?”
Thinking of this made the Eldest Princess even more annoyed.
Originally the banquet had been held to return a favor to Zhou Wang.
Yet in the end it had become a joke.
And there were so many people watching the joke.
She snorted. “I had them all go to the reception hall.”
They could not possibly let people leave early; otherwise the gossip would spread even worse.
Lu Mingan said nothing further and pushed open the door to enter the main hall first.
Inside the main hall, Master Zeng and Madam Zeng were both sitting upright waiting. Hearing movement, they quickly stood.
Seeing Lu Mingan, Master Zeng stepped forward with small hurried steps, his face full of smiles as he bowed deeply.
Madam Zeng also quickly knelt to salute the Eldest Princess and Lu Mingan.
Ever since the marriage alliance, the Eldest Princess’s residence had treated them with great courtesy and care.
When the Eldest Princess suddenly summoned them this time, they had not thought too much of it.
They assumed it was because of Zeng Wenxiu’s pregnancy.
But this time, unlike before, Lu Mingan did not extend his hand to help them up. Instead, he stood indifferently and asked, “Do you know why you were called here this time?”
Master Zeng looked completely bewildered.
Lu Mingan sneered. “You really are capable, actually daring to deceive the Eldest Princess’s residence! Do you know what crime this is?!”
Master Zeng was immediately startled. Before he could raise his head, Madam Zeng had already loudly cried injustice.
Lu Mingan let out a cold laugh. “What injustice are you crying?! Do you dare say you don’t know why Zeng Wenxiu took the miscarriage medicine?!”
Miscarriage medicine?!
Master Zeng and Madam Zeng exchanged a glance, both seeing the uncontrollable terror in each other’s eyes.
Immediately afterward, Lu Mingan pressed harder: “Zeng Wenxiu has already confessed. Your Zeng family truly has enormous courage, actually daring to marry her into the Eldest Princess’s residence! Are you treating our Eldest Princess’s residence as if it has no one to stand for it?!”
Master Zeng’s body went limp, nearly fainting on the spot.
Madam Zeng was even more frightened, collapsing to the ground at once, unable to remain kneeling.
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