Such a big scandal had occurred in the Zhu family. Although Zhu Xinjie had done everything he could to suppress the matter in the manor, for some reason, in less than two days, everyone in Peng Zhou knew about the matter.
Zhu Xinjie didn't even have the face to leave the manor. He felt that as soon as he walked down the street, there was a group of people following behind him and jabbing at his spine. He regretted not killing all of the servants who knew about the matter. However, he was just a sixth-level official. His family didn't have that much power, nor did they have that much money to raise a large number of dead servants. As long as they were living servants, if they died in the manor, the government would pursue responsibility.
His heart was oppressed, and in a few days, he fell ill. He lay in bed for a few more days. Just as he regained a bit of energy and was able to get out of bed, the first thing he did was take a whip and rush to Liu shi's firewood room. He viciously beat Liu shi.
Liu shi's face bloomed from the beating, and she lost half of her life. However, she continued to complain that she was the aunt of an imperial prince and that the Zhu family would suffer retribution for treating her like this.
Zhu Xinjie was tired from the beating and was persuaded by the head wife to continue lying down. The head wife saw him sigh and said to him: "Husband, as I see it, it's good that this matter has spread." Seeing Zhu Xinjie widen his eyes at her, she quickly added: "Husband, don't be agitated. Listen to my analysis. If we keep suppressing the matter, there will be a day when the capital receives the news. When that time comes, the third girl will add oil and vinegar to the story to her imperial cousin and imperial concubine aunt. They will definitely support Liu shi. When that time comes, no matter how oppressed you feel, you will have to act as if nothing happened and let Liu shi out of the firewood room. However, based on the letter that came from the capital, the third girl doesn't think about our family at all. If you want to use them to get promoted, that is impossible. When the time comes, you won't be promoted, you won't be rich, and your family will have to support Liu shi. That would be truly oppressive. However, it is different now. Everyone knows about this matter. Even if they are members of the imperial family, they can't go against their conscience to cover it up. "
Zhu Xinjie sighed and said, "So what if I don't cover it up? Based on my understanding of the Liu family, they won't choose to put righteousness before family. Liu Shi still has to live well. "
"But we can negotiate with them! He could either divorce his wife or have the Liu family or the people in the capital show their sincerity. You know, once the Zhu family divorces her, the third girl's reputation will be ruined. Will the Eighth Prince want a princess whose birth mother was divorced? "
First Madam's words reminded Zhu Xinjie of something. He nodded repeatedly: "That's right, we can't suffer this loss for nothing. The capital also can't use our family's daughter for nothing. It's only right that we give the Zhu family some benefits. Madam, what do you think we should ask for as compensation? "
First Madam thought for a moment and said, "Of course it's Master's official position. Only when his official position is promoted will Master prosper. Only then will our Zhu family be able to follow the wind and water." She thought to herself that once the Zhu family rose in power, her maternal family's business would become even better. When that time came, she would become an imperial merchant and make a fortune. That would be a very profitable thing.
Zhu Kongshan also felt that this was reasonable. In this life, the thing that he was least successful in was this official position. Thinking back to when he had proposed to marry Liu shi, the Liu family had looked quite unhappy, saying that even if she was a daughter of a concubine, she would not marry a sixth rank official, much less a concubine. But later on, for some reason, they suddenly agreed. Even to this day, whenever he thought about this matter, he was still very puzzled.
Liu shi's matter could not be suppressed. After it spread through Peng Zhou, it very quickly reached the capital. But it did not spread widely in the capital. Others only talked about it in a small circle, adding another topic of conversation during tea breaks. But even if this was the case, Zhu Kongshan's reputation was still affected to a certain extent. Even if she was still in the northern part of the city handing out congee, people would point at her and talk about her with looks of disdain.
In the beginning, Zhu Kongshan did not understand what was going on. She was confused as to why she would be looked down upon for doing such a good thing. It was only after A-Huan and A-Ruo came back with information and told her about the rumors that had been spreading that she opened her eyes wide in disbelief; however, she did not say a single word to defend Liu shi.
Zhu Kongshan was very clear that having an affair with a housekeeper was true because she had seen it. She had even reminded and warned Liu shi. Liu shi had clearly promised that she would not do it again; however, who knew that not only would she do it again at this critical juncture, she would even be caught by her father. At this moment, Zhu Kongshan's heart was filled with hatred. She only thought that she had carefully handled matters for the Eighth Prince in the capital, completely focused on finding a way out. She wanted to protect Liu shi and her own position in the Zhu family. However, who knew that the one that would drag her down at this critical moment would be her own mother. Such a shameful thing had been done, and it had even reached the capital. Even if she wanted to help her get away with it, it was impossible!
A-Huan and A-Ruo looked at Zhu Kongshan's appearance and felt very happy. The grievances that had been suppressed over the past few days finally found an outlet, as they heard A-Huan say: "Who knew that concubine mother Liu would be this sort of person. Openly having an affair in the manor and being caught in bed by husband. If I were concubine mother Liu, I would just hang myself. How could I still have the face to continue living in this world?"
"That's right." A-Ruo also said: "What a girl values the most is chastity. Even someone that has been forcefully sullied needs to die to clear their chastity. Moreover, it's someone who has been caught in bed. But I heard that concubine mother Liu is still alive, and husband did not do anything to her. Thinking about it, husband is a merciful person and could not bear to do anything! "
A-Huan continued: "That's right! This is also husband and head madam being merciful. Otherwise, just based on a concubine's life and death, the manor would have the final say. "
These words caused Zhu Kongshan's heart to skip a beat. But of course! An existence like a concubine could not even compare to a maidservant. Life and death was just a matter of a word from the manor. With this sort of thing happening, her father, Zhu Xinjie, could have Liu shi killed in the blink of an eye, and the government would not even hold her accountable. But now, she had not been killed … She thought quickly and immediately understood what the Zhu family's intentions were. She could not help but grit her teeth and feel resentful. She just thought to herself that none of them were easy to deal with. They actually used this sort of thing to threaten her. But after thinking a bit, she could not blame the Zhu family. Who told this to be done by Liu shi herself?
Zhu Kongshan was no longer in the mood to continue giving out congee, especially when she saw the looks that the people coming and going were giving her. She hated that she could not find a hole to crawl into. A few days ago, people were still looking at her as if she were a Bodhisattva, but in the blink of an eye, she was like a monster that was standing here for people to admire.
She could not continue to stay here. Throwing away the spoon in her hand, she turned and ran. A-Huan, A-Ruo and the Sheng Palace's servant quickly followed behind her, following Zhu Kongshan into her carriage and returning to the Sheng Palace. They then saw Zhu Kongshan rush straight toward the Eighth Prince's courtyard.
The three servants followed behind her. When they arrived at the entrance, they stopped and did not follow her in. The Sheng Palace's servant glanced at A-Huan and asked with a bit of caution: "Is what you said true?"
A-Huan rolled her eyes and said: "Don't ask me if it's true or not! Go ask around on the streets. We also found out about it. As for the Zhu family! Look, after young miss heard about this matter, did she say anything about being framed or wrongly accused? She did not even say anything, which means that she has an understanding of concubine mother Liu's situation. "
The servant also felt that this was reasonable and did not ask any further; however, she began to think about it. If it really was as the rumors said, it would be very disadvantageous for Zhu Kongshan. Of course, she did not care about how disadvantageous it was for Zhu Kongshan. What she cared about was the effect it would have on the Eighth Prince. She had worked so hard to restore her reputation. She could not allow it to fall because of this matter. Also, if she had that sort of mother, Zhu Kongshan's life would be considered ruined. How could a daughter born from this sort of thing be allowed to marry into the Sheng Palace? Even if she was his cousin, that was no good.
What she could think of, Xuantian Mo could also think of. He had returned early from court today, and he had only just heard about the rumors; however, he had also begun to think about it. What he was thinking about the most was how to stabilize Zhu Kongshan and put in a bit more effort to squeeze out a bit more of Zhu Kongshan's value. When she was no longer in a space that could be used, he could just kick her away.
Of course, he also understood that something that had spread through the capital would be something that everyone in Peng Zhou knew about. That was why the Sheng Palace or the two members of the imperial harem definitely could not support Liu shi at this critical juncture. That would only cause people to talk, and they would be accused of helping the evildoer.
Just as he was thinking, Zhu Kongshan barged in. The servant outside the study was not able to stop her and was currently kneeling in front of the door to beg for forgiveness.
He waved his hand and had the servant leave first. Seeing the door close, he said to Zhu Kongshan: "You've always been a steady person. I admire your steady personality the most. Why are you so irritable today? Do you know that my study is not a place that anyone can enter without permission? "
Zhu Kongshan did not say another word and directly knelt before Xuantian Mo, saying: "I beg cousin to save my mother."
Xuantian Mo looked at her with a look of disappointment. He asked Zhu Kongshan: "How do you think she should be saved? Also, why should she be saved? Did the Zhu family say that they want her to die? "
Zhu Kongshan shook her head, "I still don't know what exactly is going on over there, but thinking about it, father should not want to execute mother. After all … she is the aunt of two princes. But even if she is not executed, having done this sort of thing, mother's days in the Zhu manor will take a nosedive! "
"You also know that she has done this sort of thing, yet you still want her to live a glorious life?" Xuantian Mo nearly laughed, "Kongshan, oh Kongshan, you've been smart all your life, but you've been foolish all your life. If we were to take action at this sort of time, the Zhu family would feel that they had lost even more face. They would feel that we were using our power to suppress them, causing them to suffer in silence. Think about it, the Zhu manor's secrets could be so easily leaked. If we were to get involved, who knows what sort of things would be spread. When that time comes, all of your hard work in the capital would be ruined because of a single Liu shi! "
"But …" Zhu Kongshan trembled slightly and said: "But, she is my mother! I can't just leave her be! "
"When she did that sort of thing, did she ever think about you? Did she ever think that once this matter came to pass, your future prospects would be over? " Xuantian Mo earnestly advised Zhu Kongshan, "Put away your impulsiveness and bring out your reason once more. No matter what, the Zhu family does not dare do anything to your mother. Suffering a bit for the time being is something that she deserves. As for you, the most important thing right now is to calm your emotions and do what you need to do. I will take care of the situation in the capital. Only by becoming stronger will you be able to truly turn things around in the future and save your mother from the fire and water. Do you understand? "
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