He spoke with immense passion. Lu Nianfu looked at the stranger before her. He was not bad-looking, possessing the popular scholar-like appearance of recent years. Clad in a long gown and a scholar's cap, he was fair-skinned, a look favored by young girls.
With a slight shift of thought, she understood his intentions.
"Who hired you to smear dirt on our lady? Do you know the penalty for slandering royalty? Believe me, I'll have you rotting in jail," Qingya spat.
The man looked hurt. "Qingya, you're pretending not to know me too?"
"Pah, there are many people I don't know, and you're just one of them."
"Heh, you don't recognize me? If you hadn't played matchmaker back then, how could 'Fu Mei' and I have had moonlit nights and sweet embraces under Master Lu's nose?"
Well, he had done his homework, even knowing Qingya and her father's names.
With so many people present, the spectacle unfolding drew most eyes. Ears perked up, eager not to miss a single word.
Unnoticed, a glint of excitement flashed in Zeng Weiyang's eyes. Here it comes.
This scholar was specifically found by her father. They said his studies were mediocre, but his tongue was sharper than any censor in court. Once this dirty water was thrown, Lu Nianfu would surely fall out of favor, even if not divorced. Then, her father would step in…
The thought of Lu Nianfu being brought back to the Marquis's mansion to replace her as the new blood slave made her feel a step further from death.
She walked to Lu Nianfu's side. "Sister, do you truly not recognize this person? I've seen this scholar before. He came to our manor to find you."
These words caused another stir among the crowd.
So, she was confirmed by her own sister?
Lu Nianfu's face grew cold. While she wasn't close to Zeng Weiyang, she felt she had never wronged her. What was the meaning of her sister trying to drag her through the mud the moment she opened her mouth?
She looked at Zeng Weiyang with a forced smile. "Are you sure he came to find this Princess Consort?"
"Of course. It happened less than half a month ago. I wouldn't mistake it."
A flicker of smugness crossed the man's eyes, followed by sorrow. "Fu Mei, I was only going to the capital to take the imperial examination. I never expected to return and find you remarried. I know our fate together has ended. I ask for nothing else, only that you tell me, what about our child? Did you have an abortion, or did you give birth and give him away?"
With all her might, Qingya kicked. The man was sent flying and struggled to get up. "What kind of dog-man is this, spewing nonsense in front of our lady? Miss, shall we send him to the authorities?"
It was likely too late.
Before Lu Nianfu could speak, someone in the crowd shouted, "Send him to the authorities? Everyone knows the Minister of Justice is Prince Rui himself. If this man is sent in, he'll be in grave danger. What man can tolerate being cuckolded? Especially a powerful Prince Rui."
"Tsk, scholar, why were you looking for a child? Don't you know she's already flown to a higher branch and become a phoenix? Would she ever admit to having a child with you?"
The scholar cried on the ground, "Gu has achieved success and has never sought office, only to find my child, who may or may not have had a chance to be born. Fu Mei, I beg you, tell me. I will accept even the worst outcome."
"You fool, you've walked right into a trap. Your life might not be saved, and you're still worried about a child?"
The onlookers' emotions were stirred, and their gazes towards Lu Nianfu were filled with condemnation. Some, remembering her status, couldn't hide their smug smiles.
The scholar cried even more pitifully.
Zeng Weiyang also spoke with feigned sadness, "Sister, look how pitiful he is. Just tell him."
She appeared frail, but her voice carried, reaching everyone nearby. Someone in the crowd began to steer the conversation, and the spectators, guided by unseen hands, had already labeled Lu Nianfu as promiscuous. Although no one acted, they all wished they could see Lu Nianfu branded with the shame of premarital pregnancy and abandoning her child for a new marriage.
As for Prince Rui, he must have been blinded to marry such a woman.
Prince Rui is truly pitiful.
Qingya grew anxious. "Miss."
"Don't panic," Lu Nianfu suddenly said. "Guards, arrest these troublemakers for this Princess Consort."
She pointed with her small hand, indicating those shouting the loudest in the crowd. Everyone looked bewildered. Where did the guards come from? Could the carriage driver be a martial artist? Zeng Weiyang's heart tightened. Had it gone wrong?
The crowd's confusion didn't last long. Four hidden guards leaped out from the shadows. The dense crowd couldn't block their path. In a blur, those pointed out by Lu Nianfu were apprehended and brought before her, thrown in with the scholar.
The scholar's scream nearly tore his throat. "Help! Are you trying to silence me?"