Although they were still some distance away from the gates, they could clearly hear the ruckus outside. Lady Xu seemed to have said something that attracted the attention of the surrounding crowd, creating a ruckus outside.
Han Yunxi heard it, so did Grand Concubine Yi and Murong Wanru.
Although she was anxious, Han Yunxi still pursed her lips and bowed in greeting. "Good luck to mufei."
Grand Concubine Yi had no idea what was going on outside. Steward Xia was going to report to her, but as soon as he saw His Highness Duke of Qin and wangfei return, he reported to them first. He didn't have time to tell Grand Concubine Yi.
Seeing Han Yunxi hurry over, Grand Concubine Yi was about to ask when Murong Wanru spoke up. "Sister-in-law, did you go on a long trip these past few days? Why haven't I seen you around? I've looked for you a few times, but I couldn't find you. "
"Went on a long trip?" Grand Concubine Yi was surprised. For better or worse, Han Yunxi was part of the Duke of Qin's estate. Why didn't she report to her when she went on a long trip?
She couldn't have gone to the empress dowager's palace, right?
Ever since Han Yunxi came back from the empress dowager's palace, Grand Concubine Yi had always been on guard. She'd secretly told Murong Wanru to keep an eye on her.
Murong Wanru had been keeping tabs on Han Yunxi's movements the entire time. She hadn't come back after leaving with Mu Qingwu that day. Murong Wanru couldn't find out much about the major general's estate, nor did she dare. But she'd been keeping tabs on the Han Family and had long sent people there to ask around.
Han Yunxi had agreed to take the Han Family's madams and young misses to see Han Congan in the prisons of the justice courts. They should've gone yesterday, but Han Yunxi hadn't been at home. Lady Xu had come to find her last night and she'd been the one to receive her.
The kidnapping incident involved a traitor, so it was hard for Han Yunxi to say. She simply made up a lie. "I caught a cold these past few days and didn't get out of bed. It's only gotten better today."
Upon hearing this, Murong Wanru hurried over, her face full of concern. "You haven't gotten out of bed for so many days. It must be the wind and cold, right? Then why doesn't Sister-in-law rest more?"
Han Yunxi was in a hurry to deal with the situation at the door. She didn't have time to pretend with Murong Wanru here.
She ignored Murong Wanru and said mildly, "Mufei, there's something outside the door. I'll go take care of it."
So speaking, she strode off, but Grand Concubine Yi only said coldly, "Han Yunxi, you weren't at home these past few days. Where did you go? Could it be that the commotion at the door is directed at you? "
Hearing this, Han Yunxi was surprised. Grand Concubine Yi still didn't know what was going on outside? It seemed that the person behind Madam Xu was unlikely to be Murong Wanru.
Although Han Yunxi was suspicious, she admitted honestly, "Yes, it's just a misunderstanding. Don't worry, Mufei. Chenqie will definitely handle it properly."
"Sister-in-law, the noise isn't small. It seems like someone's cursing someone? Since they dared to cause trouble at our Duke of Qin's gates, they must have a powerful background. Who did you provoke? Can you go out by yourself? "
Murong Wanru, this white lotus, really had a formidable mouth. Her words sounded like concern, but they easily provoked Grand Concubine Yi's curiosity and anger.
Before Han Yunxi could speak, Grand Concubine Yi said Coldly, "Han Yunxi, I'd like to see who you've provoked to have the guts to cause a ruckus at my gates."
So speaking, she flicked her sleeves and strode towards the doors.
This damned Murong Wanru. Would she die if she didn't disgust and sow discord every time they met?
Han Yunxi's eyes flashed with anger as she chased after her.
If it's a blessing, it's not a calamity. If it's a calamity, it can't be avoided. Even if Lady Xu had the guts to cause a ruckus at the Duke of Qin's gates, that should be her limit. It's just asking for a storehouse key, so she wouldn't really cause a ruckus, right?
In any case, she wanted to see her and fulfill her promise of ten days ago. She could just go out and bring the Han Family to see Han Congan right away!
But by the time Han Yunxi reached the gates and heard the voices outside, she realized she'd underestimated the severity of the situation.
Lady Xu hadn't come alone, but had brought with her a bunch of loud, gossipy old women. They were all shouting at the gates.
"Everyone, tell us, what kind of good intentions does a married daughter have to come back and interfere with her family's affairs?"
"Our Han Family's storehouse key is the symbol of the head of house. Our Han Family's young masters are all there, so why should Han Yunxi hog the key?"
"What's she saying? My old master gave her the storehouse key for safekeeping until one of the young masters is chosen as the head of house? Everyone, think about it. Is that possible? Can you believe it? Han Yunxi isn't even the mother of the Han Family. Has my old master gone senile? "
"As I see it, my old master isn't senile, but had no other choice! Otherwise, why would he give such an important thing to a married daughter? "
… …
Lady Xu and the gossipy old women muttered amongst the crowd, attracting many questions and support.
"That doesn't make sense. Even if Eldest Young Miss Han is Qin Wangfei, she has no right to interfere with her family's affairs. This is too absurd!"
"A married daughter, heheh. Is she going back to her family to fight for the family fortune?"
"That can't be. Would the Duke of Qin care about the Han Family's meager fortune?"
"Then what's going on? Aiya, so it's Grand Concubine Yi who embezzled Han Yunxi's allowance. This esteemed wangfei doesn't have any silver to spend, right? "
… …
Murong Wanru supported Grand Concubine Yi by the arm as they stood by the door. The more she listened, the uglier her expression turned.
Han Yunxi sucked in a cold breath. She didn't expect things to develop to this point. She assumed that Lady Xu had only come to ask for the storehouse key. If she was a little more impudent, she'd just accuse her of coveting the Han Family's property. Who knew that she'd implicate Grand Concubine Yi in the matter?
Wasn't this slandering Grand Concubine Yi?
Esteemed Imperial Concubine Yi couldn't afford to lose face!
"Mufei, it's all a misunderstanding. I'll go out and clear things up right now," Han Yunxi said, rushing to open the door.
But Grand Concubine Yi stopped her, so angry that her teeth chattered. "Listen, keep listening!"
"Mufei, it's better …" Han Yunxi wanted to explain, but Grand Concubine Yi suddenly said sternly, "Han Yunxi, you shut up!"
Han Yunxi gave a start before she resentfully shut her mouth. Things had already gotten to this point, so she could only continue.
But more outrageous words came from outside the door.
"Aiya, although the Duke of Qin's estate is rich and overbearing and doesn't care for the Han Family's fart property, the Han Family's storehouse has rare medicinal ingredients. What they want isn't silver, but medicinal ingredients! These days, you can't buy good ingredients even if you have silver. "
"Heheh, that's possible. I heard that esteemed wangfei went to the Han Family's storehouse that day. Who knows what treasures she took away?"
"Tsk tsk, what right does a married daughter have to enter her maternal family's storehouse? The Duke of Qin's estate is going too far! I think someone from the Duke of Qin's estate must have bribed the justice courts. Otherwise, Old Master Han wouldn't be so muddle-headed! "
"Madam Xu, wasn't the new Chancellor of the Supreme Court promoted by your father? Don't you know what happened in the Supreme Court?"
Lady Xu immediately choked with sobs. "Ever since the old master was sent to prison, no one from our Han Family has been allowed to visit him. So what if my father promoted the justice court official? There's an expert behind him that won't let us see the old master!"
Boos rose at her words. No one knew that Han Yunxi was the one who saved the crown prince, so they didn't believe that Han Yunxi had any special privileges in the justice courts. Most of them were certain that the expert behind the scenes was Grand Concubine Yi.
But someone spoke up on purpose. "Who's behind the scenes? Qin Wangfei can't command the justice courts, right? I heard that she's never been favored even now! "
"Aiya, now that you mention it, could it be that someone instigated Qin Wangfei to go back to her maternal family to fight for the family fortune?" someone shouted on purpose.
… …
Even an idiot could tell that all these mocking and ridiculing words were directed at Grand Concubine Yi.
Grand Concubine Yi's body trembled as her vision turned black and white. She almost fainted, but Murong Wanru caught her in time.
Grand Concubine Yi had lived a life of luxury and luxury ever since she was young. She was such a noble and virtuous person that she'd never been shabby. The previous emperor had left her with so many gifts, but she'd left them all in the palace.
Leaving aside the Han Family's possessions, she hadn't even coveted the imperial family's possessions.
But now someone was slandering her like this!
After living for so long, this was the first time she'd lost so much face. Moreover, it was in front of the citizens of the capital city. How was she supposed to show her face in the future?
If news of this reached the palace and the empress dowager's ears, then the noblewomen's ears, how was she supposed to face anyone in the future?
How could she tolerate this?
With one hand supported by Murong Wanru, Grand Concubine Yi rubbed her forehead with the other to calm herself down. Her phoenix eyes glared at Han Yunxi as if she wanted to cut Han Yunxi into pieces.
Han Yunxi had never seen Grand Concubine Yi so ruthless before and couldn't help but give a start. She couldn't care less as she turned to open the door.
But Grand Concubine Yi only roared, "Someone come, drag her out for me!"
Grand Concubine Yi could very well issue orders to chase away everyone at the gates. Anyone who dared to criticize would be punished as a crime against their superiors. But if she did that, her reputation would be ruined. Heaven knows what kind of rumors would spread next?
Since the target was Han Yunxi and the group of shrews wanted the storehouse key, of course she had to hand over Han Yunxi and the key.
The doors slowly opened and the noisy crowd outside quieted down. It had to be said that there were truly a lot of onlookers. Three circles inside and three circles outside weren't enough to describe it.
Lady Xu and a few old matrons stood in the middle of the crowd, not facing the Duke of Qin's gates, but the common people. It was obvious that they were inciting the crowd to cause trouble.
Still, in a society ruled by imperial power, imperial power was enough of a deterrent. As soon as the doors opened, everyone fell silent. Lady Xu and the old matrons quickly turned around as well.
Mu Liuyue had been hiding in the crowd to watch the show. As soon as she saw Han Yunxi emerge, her lips curved into a cold, disdainful smile. As the date of the bet drew closer, of course she was concerned about the progress of the case. Unfortunately, she couldn't get any news from her father or big brother. However, she'd learned from Murong Wanru that Han Yunxi hadn't been home recently. As it turned out, she'd been too busy with the case. There were only three days left until the appointed time, so of course she had to find a way to delay Han Yunxi's investigation.
It was only three days. She'd wait until Han Yunxi's notoriety reached its peak and everyone was cursing her. Then she'd add a layer of frost to the snow and have her take off her outer robes to run around the streets. She'd definitely attract more onlookers.
This time, Han Yunxi was dead for sure!
Seeing Han Yunxi emerge, Lady Xu was surprised. She'd been waiting this entire time to see Han Yunxi, but who knew that Han Yunxi still hadn't shown up even after 10 days had passed?
Of course she'd planned to spread the news all over the city and ruin Han Yunxi's reputation. Then she'd be unable to sit still.
But Han Ruoxue had helped her thread the needle and hooked up with Mu Liuyue and Murong Wanru to give her this idea. She even promised that if she wanted to get the storehouse key immediately, she'd have to make a scene at the gates. Moreover, she'd have to splash dirty water on Grand Concubine Yi to be more effective.
Lady Xu didn't dare to do such a thing, but Murong Wanru and Mu Liuyue both swore to keep her safe.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
