Zhou Heng glanced at the book on the table and couldn't help but make a perplexed expression. Was this woman really from a noble family? How could she sell and read such books?
Li Xia put down the book and poured a cup of tea for Zhou Heng. As Zhou Heng sat down to drink the tea, before Li Xia could speak, he detailed the course of events. The story began with Li Xia encountering Luo Shan's group on a cliff deep in the mountains, ten miles away. Li Xia had demanded that Luo Shan return to investigate who wanted to buy Lu XuanNing's death.
Upon returning to the capital, Luo Shan traced the source of the task, which led him to Prince Yun's Mansion. At first, they suspected Prince Yun, but further investigation revealed it was actually his wife. Why would a prince's wife want to harm Lu XuanNing?
Under Li Xia's threat, Zhou Heng, who had successfully taken over the Tian Yi Pavilion, led people to unravel the mystery. They uncovered a shocking scandal: the Prince Yun's wife, whom the royal family praised as virtuous and moral, was having an affair with Prince YongKang, who was hiding in her country villa outside the capital.
Further investigation revealed that the Yuanxia County Princess was the love child of the Prince Consort and Prince YongKang. Lu XuanNing had caused Prince YongKang to become a fugitive, which filled the Prince Consort with hatred. She naturally disagreed when the Yuanxia County Princess suggested marrying into the Lu family to bring good fortune.
She went to the Tian Yi Pavilion to issue a task to kill Xiao Changyou, who could cure Lu XuanNing. Little did she know that the Tian Yi Pavilion had already become Li Xia's territory. Zhou Heng, having uncovered all of this, secretly leaked the information to the righteous hero and gambling master in the imperial prison.
The two imposters used this information to negotiate with the court, gaining their freedom. The original plan for faking their deaths was no longer necessary.
Li Xia sighed, "I never thought Lu XuanNing would end up being the cause of such trouble."
Zhou Heng, who was drinking tea to moisten his throat, choked upon hearing this. "If you don't know how to use idioms properly, don't use them at all."
Prince YongKang and his entire family were sentenced to immediate execution. This time, no one dared to intervene. Everyone couldn't wait for the sentence to be carried out, given the chaos his rebellion had caused.
On the day of the execution, Li Hui specially took a day off to bring his family to watch. The citizens of the capital had prepared rotten leaves and rotten eggs to throw at the prison cart. How many families had lost loved ones during last year's Lantern Festival because of Prince YongKang's escape?
The guards didn't stop the citizens, allowing them to vent their anger. Li Guang watched and wanted to join in, but Li Chou held him back firmly, fearing Li Guang might accidentally kill someone with his strength.
At the execution ground, Prince YongKang's family, filthy from head to toe, were dragged onto the platform by guards and forced to kneel. The executioner was ready, and when the time came, he raised his sword and struck.
The crowd below cheered. The traitorous prince and his family were finally dead. Their loved ones could now rest in peace.
Cao Fugui was promoted and heavily rewarded for his role in this affair. Lady Luo could finally hold her head high; her younger son was no longer just a good-for-nothing. Lady Luo decided to host a chrysanthemum viewing party to celebrate.
She first sent an invitation to the Li Manor, insisting they must attend. On the day of the banquet, Mrs. Lu led her family to the Chengen Marquis Residence.
How many people had once laughed at the Li family for picking up a nobody as a son-in-law? Now, just as many envied them. When Li Xin arrived, she drew many appraising looks.
Li Xin, having mentally prepared herself, calmly followed behind Mrs. Lu and greeted Lady Cao.
"Good child, please rise," Lady Cao said, now finding Li Xin more and more satisfactory. She felt Li Xin brought good fortune to Cao Fugui. Before their engagement, Cao Fugui had been idle all day. Since the engagement, he had become ambitious and even accomplished two major feats.
"Aunt, thank you for the jewelry you sent. I love it," Li Xin said, wearing the hair ornaments Lady Cao had sent.
"Among the rewards my son received, I thought this set would suit you perfectly," Lady Cao said with a beaming smile.
Mrs. Feng approached, smiling. "No need to show off. Everyone knows how capable your son is now."
"I'm not showing off," Lady Cao protested, though her pride was undeniable.
"Look at you, learning to be hypocritical after just a few days apart," Mrs. Feng teased. She and Lady Cao had been close friends since before marriage, and their relationship hadn't changed after wedding. Later, Mrs. Feng's sister-in-law became Lady Cao's daughter-in-law, making the two families even closer.
Lady Cao didn't take offense at Mrs. Feng's teasing, instead laughing more heartily. "Your sharp tongue hasn't changed a bit in all these years."
"I'm only speaking the truth. Who in the capital doesn't know how capable the Cao family's second son is now?" Mrs. Feng's words prompted the surrounding ladies to nod and praise Cao Fugui. Lady Cao's face grew even more pleased with all the compliments.
"The Yuanxia County Princess has arrived," someone announced, causing the smiles to fade slightly.
"What is she doing here?"
"How does she have the nerve to show her face in public?"
People whispered. Although there was a gag order on the royal scandal of Prince YongKang's affair with his sister-in-law, Prince Yun's wife, those who should know already did. The Prince Consort claimed to have contracted a severe illness. The fact that the Yuanxia County Princess was attending a banquet in full regalia instead of staying home to care for her sick mother disgusted many present.
The Yuanxia County Princess was well aware of the scrutiny, but staying at home meant enduring even more abuse. Prince Yun now knew she wasn't his biological daughter. His previous doting had turned to hatred. In just a few days, she had been tortured to the point where not an inch of her skin was unbruised.
She approached Lady Cao and bowed. "Congratulations, Aunt."
The Yuanxia County Princess, who used to look down her nose at Lady Cao, now greeted her with utmost humility. Lady Cao inwardly sighed at the change but outwardly smiled. "You're too kind, Princess."
Not wishing to speak with her further, Lady Cao exchanged a few pleasantries before other distinguished guests arrived. She took Lady Feng and Li Xin to greet them, introducing Li Xin to everyone.
Li Xin, aware of Lady Cao's good intentions, stood beside her and listened attentively. Her grace and poise earned her praise from the guests.
"As daughters of the Li family, does it not vex you to see Li Xin receive such praise?" The Yuanxia County Princess approached Li Xia. Ever since encountering Li Xia, nothing had gone right for her. Despite her careful grooming, she still paled in comparison to the radiant Li Xia, fueling her hatred.
Li Xia responded to the Princess's obvious provocation with an exasperated smile. "Princess, perhaps you should worry about yourself." Though the Yuanxia County Princess tried to conceal it, Li Xia could still glimpse severe bruises on her arms beneath the multiple bracelets she wore.
Noticing Li Xia's gaze, the Yuanxia County Princess pulled her sleeves tighter and stared directly at Li Xia. "We'll see what becomes of you," she said before turning away haughtily. However, her trembling shoulders betrayed her true state.
"Sister Xia, are you alright?" Feng Zhenzhen approached, looking Li Xia up and down with concern.
"It's nothing," Li Xia didn't mention her conversation with Yuanxia County Princess, and Feng Zhenzhen didn't ask further. She talked about the various flowers and plants in the Cao residence. Having visited many times, she was familiar with all the flora there.
After returning from the Cao family, Li Xia summoned Qiu Ling and inquired about Yuanxia County Princess's situation.
When Prince Yun discovered that his wife had an affair with Prince YongKang and gave birth to Yuanxia County Princess, he immediately kicked his wife to death. This wasn't enough to satisfy his anger, so he sent an old palace maid, known for torturing young maids in the palace, to torment Yuanxia County Princess as a means of venting his fury.
