Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1658: Chapter 1658: Which One to Ask For

The first version says that the Grand Princess was dissatisfied with the Duke of Zheng’s lack of prowess in the bedroom and hooked up with the young man, Du Zhongshu. When the Duke of Zheng discovered it, the two conspired to kill him. Fearing evidence that could be used against her, the Grand Princess used the Duke’s death as a pretext to set fire to Xianle Residence, but the blaze spread and caused a great disaster.

The second version is that the Duke of Zheng was too flirtatious, having gathered a heap of concubines in his residence and maintaining mistresses outside, which enraged the Grand Princess. Unable to withstand her wrath, the Duke resorted to foul tactics and secretly brought Du Zhongshu and the Grand Princess together, thereby getting himself cuckolded. Now that everyone had someone outside, the Grand Princess couldn’t accuse him of anything. However, unexpectedly, she became pregnant. Unhappy about this, the Duke drowned his sorrows in alcohol and ended up foolishly jumping into a well.

The third version claims that the child the Grand Princess carried was the Duke of Zheng’s, and after his death, she couldn’t bear solitude and took up with Du Zhongshu. As seen by servants in the residence, was it not odd for a princess to remarry once her consort had died?

Of course, the third version is the least damaging, yet it also shows the Grand Princess’s coldness and her wanton behavior in setting the fire out of anger.

There are also a fourth and fifth version of the story, which are quite bizarre. Some even say that the Grand Princess had many demands in that regard, requiring the Duke of Zheng and Du Zhongshu to serve her together, with the Duke’s servants having witnessed it—turning it into a spicy tale.

Bai Ruozhu laughed until her stomach hurt listening to the news Jianqi reported, thinking how the common people could let their imaginations run wild; perhaps a small pamphlet would appear in a few days.

Most of these rumors centered on the Grand Princess and Du Zhongshu, as the ancient people revered ghosts and gods, wishing to speak no more of the deceased Duke of Zheng.

”Let’s see how they keep focusing on me now,” Bai Ruozhu chuckled to herself, then said to Jianqi, ”Go send a message to Fan Li, urge him about the defamation case at the Bai Residence, it should have reached a conclusion by now.”

”Yes, I’ll handle it right away,” Jianqi replied.

...

The matters of the Duke of Zheng’s residence spread furiously. The steward who spoke wrongly was secretly apprehended by a Shadow Guard and, after severe interrogation, confessed everything.

He indeed wasn’t coerced by anyone and only spoke the truth, but now he surely couldn’t return to the Duke’s residence.

The Emperor was in a foul mood due to this matter, ordered the man confined, and then went to the Cining Palace.

”Mother, what am I to do about your sister? Wrongdoings one after another have disgraced the royal name and harmed so many common people,” the Emperor complained like a child, seeing no one else around.

The Empress Dowager shook her head, ”The Grand Princess is closely connected to the generals of North Pass; you should act with caution, no?”

Tang Yin, seeing the Empress Dowager’s tenderness and concern, became more resolute; perhaps the time had come to remove this poisonous thorn, the Grand Princess.

Just then, an announcement was made from outside that Magistrate Fan was seeking an audience.

”Let him in,” the Emperor reverted to his cold demeanor.

Fan Li entered the main hall, saluted the Emperor and Empress Dowager, then explained his purpose.

”Lord Bai urges for the outcome of the defamation case. Your Majesty, I am here to seek your opinion...” Fan Li cautiously asked.

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager immediately inquired, ”Have you found out who it is?”

”It was Elder Wang Chengen, who is competing with Lord Bai in the Commerce Association, along with his disciple Du Zhongshu. Du Zhongshu had previously stayed in Lord Bai’s hometown and partnered with her in the toothpaste business. Hence, he knew something about the Bai family’s matters and concocted half-truths.” Fan Li replied.

”That Du Zhongshu again!” The Empress Dowager’s voice was full of displeasure. Though she rarely left the palace and knew little of external affairs, she was aware of the scandal between Du Zhongshu and the Grand Princess.

The Emperor’s face darkened, ”Punish them severely.”

With just those four words, Fan Li understood the Emperor’s intent to handle the matter harshly, especially regarding Du Zhongshu, considering the scandal involving the Grand Princess. It was understandable that the Emperor was angry.

”Wang Chengen is an accessory and should receive twenty strokes. As for Du Zhongshu, who used his knowledge of the Bai family’s private affairs for malicious purposes, he is the mastermind. Such denigration of imperial officials, along with his improper conduct, warrants twenty strokes and should be sent to the border for penal labor,” Fan Li stated.

”Execute him directly!” Tang Yin coldly uttered these four words.

”This...” Fan Li hesitated, as by law, Du Zhongshu’s crime wasn’t decapitation-worthy, but his illicit relationship with the Grand Princess would be enough for him to lose his head. However, how could such matters be publicly judged?

The Empress Dowager commented, ”We should punish according to the law to avoid claims of favoritism by the Emperor.”

Tang Yin took a deep breath, ”Alright, follow the law then.”

As soon as Fan Li left the palace, he sent someone to inform Bai Ruozhu of the verdict. At that time, Bai Ruozhu was discussing plans of returning to their hometown with her parents, Bai Yihong and Lin Springer, who were exceptionally pleased after hearing it.

”This is karma for his unscrupulous actions,” Lin Springer remarked.

”Yes, sending him to the border will give him time to cleanse his mind of crooked ideas and allow him to be a good person in the future,” Bai Yihong agreed.

Bai Ruozhu chuckled, ”I fear things aren’t so simple—someone will surely try to intervene, and I need to enter the palace to see.”

Lin Springer, realizing, asked worriedly, ”Could he manage to escape?”

”That’s why I need to keep a watch, otherwise, he might indeed escape,” Bai Ruozhu said as she walked outside, instructing Jianqi, ”Let’s go straight to Yangxin Hall.”

Bai Ruozhu was right. The Grand Princess also got wind of the news. She had planned to use the steward’s drunken incident to further soil Bai Ruozhu’s name and deny any connection with Du Zhongshu, but now she could only concede.

If she didn’t own up, how could she plead for him?

The Grand Princess rushed to Yangxin Hall to seek an audience, kneeling and crying before the Emperor.

”Your Majesty, I have never asked you for anything. My consort is dead, do you wish for me to end my days in loneliness? I beg you to spare Du Zhongshu’s life; even if he’s guilty of spreading rumors, death is a harsh penalty.”

”When did I say I wanted to kill him?” Tang Yin asked, face stern.

The Grand Princess wiped her tears, ”We all grew up within the Royal Family. How could I not understand those secrets? He’s exiled to the frontier, and he’ll likely perish en route. I know you dislike these rumors, but after all, Zhongshu is a scholar, and it’s reasonable for him to become my consort.”

Tang Yin squinted, mockery glimmering in his eyes, ”You claim you haven’t asked anything of me. Are you asking me to seek justice for the Duke of Zheng or to show mercy to Du Zhongshu?”

---

Today, I went to see the movie ”Hundreds of Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix,” and I’ve been feeling quite emotional. I gave away five movie tickets to the VIP group, and I’m also recommending it here. I hope everyone supports traditional arts and goes to see the movie.

Moreover, I will strive to update four more Chapters today~