Ling Rui’er had gone insane!
King Chu’s birthday banquet was also ruined. In less than an hour, under someone’s deliberate propaganda, everyone knew the whole story of the matter. Consort Chu’s body was seen by another man in the palace and she had a secret hatred of Consort Xuan, so she deliberately took this opportunity to plot against Consort Xuan. Unexpectedly, she racked her brains in scheming, but she lost her personal maidservant and descended into madness because of the maidservant’s death!
She was King Chu’s official consort. But, not only had she lost her reputation and integrity, but she had also gone mad!
After what happened, there was no way King Chu’s Manor could continue with the banquet. Everyone stood up and took their leave. After such a big incident had happened to the host, next they had to deal with it, and would not have the mood to do anything else. Furthermore, the culprit was the mistress of King Chu’s Manor.
Not long after, the Emperor in the palace learned about this matter. He felt a mixture of hatred and anger towards Ling Rui’er and wanted to sentence her to death. This time, not only the Empress, but even the Empress Dowager and Consort Su pleaded for Ling Rui’er. Even Feng Yuxuan immediately entered the palace and knelt in the imperial study to also plead for her. In the end, the Emperor did not sentence Ling Rui’er to death, or even punish her for the sake of her being mad. Only the brothers of Ding General Manor were fined one year’s salary.
The Empress Dowager and the Empress helped her because in their heart, the daughters of the Ling family could die of madness, fall to death, or be beaten to death, but could not be sentenced to death by the Emperor.
It represented the attitude of the royal family. It meant that Ding General Manor’s daughters were not recognized by the royal family. How could the Empress Dowager and Empress allow the Emperor to decree the edict?
Feng Yuxuan and Consort Su represented another attitude—they thought highly of Ling Rui’er. It was a hint to Ding General Manor, as well as Feng Yuxuan’s generous attitude towards people. As for the maidservant who had been killed, no one paid any attention to her. She was just an unimportant person who had lost her virginity. She was rolled up in a mat and thrown into a mass grave outside the city.
Of course, no one would blame King Chu for being too vicious. He was still the gentle and gracious King Chu. Even though something like this had happened to his consort and she had gone mad, he did not blame her. Instead, he was willing to keep her position as Consort Chu. He would not pursue her loss of reputation and integrity, nor would he pursue what had happened later. Furthermore, he personally came to apologize to Consort Xuan!
Who wouldn’t praise such a decent, magnanimous and virtuous prince?
In every way, it was Ding General Manor bringing King Chu into trouble in this matter. However, King Chu had even generously spare Ling Rui’er’s life and even kept her as Consort Chu so as to avoid the biggest scandal and defeat of the noble family over several centuries. How could Duke Ding and his brother not be moved to tears?
They had prepared gifts and had come to seek forgiveness from King Chu!
In the palace, the Empress’ attitude towards Consort Su also grew friendly. Even though the Empress was still in the Buddhist Temple, she had prepared a gift for Consort Su as a token of her gratitude. Even the Empress Dowager had rewarded Consort Su. Consort Su’s status was immediately higher than that of Imperial Noble Consort Wen.
With the scandal caused by Ling Rui’er, the capital slowly became quiet. Everyone thought that Consort Chu had gone mad and there was no need to blame her. Anyway, she had been a victim before, and she had done it because she could not bear the knot in her heart.
Inside the study of King Chu’s Manor.
Duke Ding and his brother sat together in the guest seats. Looking at King Chu, Feng Yuxuan, who was obviously a little tired, they felt guilty and uneasy.
“Father-in-law, Uncle, you don’t have to be so polite. Please have some tea.” Feng Yuxuan’s voice was slightly hoarse. He waved his hand and the eunuch beside him brought them tea and then backed out respectfully.
“Your Highness, you do not have to address me like that. I, alas… I do not deserve it!” Ling Hai, the second master of Ding General Manor, stood up with embarrassment and guilt and shook his head at Feng Yuxuan. He was too ashamed to be King Chu’s father-in-law after what happened to his daughter.
“Father-in-law, you don’t have to be so polite. No one would want that to happen. Rui’er is usually obedient. I didn’t expect that she would be so confused and cause so much trouble. Alas, my heart, now…” Feng Yuxuan frowned. A hint of pain flashed in his eyes. “Father-in-law, your two beautiful daughters have married me, but they all come to no good end. I can’t even protect my wife. My heart really hurts!”
“Your Highness, how can you say that? It is just that Yan’er and Rui’er are not lucky. One of them was killed by someone and the other is in such a state. I… Your Highness, my heart is in pain.” Hearing Feng Yuxuan’s words, Ling Hai thought of his eldest daughter who had died a terrible death, and his little daughter who had gone mad when he just saw her. He felt as if a knife were being twisted in his heart. He only had two daughters. How could he not feel bad for them?
His eyes immediately became red and were full of tears.
“Your Highness, it’s all Rui’er’s fault. Thank you for your kindness and not abandoning Rui’er. It’s good enough that she was still alive. Your Highness, let us take Rui’er back!” Duke Ding sighed and explained the purpose of their visit. A crazy daughter who had caused such a big trouble could only die if they took her back.
Ling Rui’er had to die in order to ensure that the reputation of girls in Ding General Manor would not be damaged in the future. When Ling Hai thought that his little daughter would not have a way out even if she went mad, he could not stand any longer. He fell onto the chair beside him, tears streaming down his face.
His eldest daughter was dead, and his youngest daughter would not be able to live for long. The fact that he had to bury his children made him feel quite painful.
“Your Highness, it is all my daughter’s fault… Thank you for begging for Rui’er’s mercy, I…” He sobbed and could not speak for a moment. Actually, he wanted Feng Yuxuan to keep Ling Rui’er. In that case, Rui’er would not have to die at least and would have a way out. However, he could not say that out loud. The Emperor had not sentenced Ling Rui’er to death after what happened to her, and he was already taking care of Ding General Manor’s reputation.
He did not dare to ask too much again. However, Ling Hai felt as if his heart had been gouged if he didn’t do anything and saw his daughter killed before his eyes. He looked up at Feng Yuxuan, pleading in his eyes.
“Your Highness, you don’t have to be hard on yourself. This is all Rui’er’s fault.” Compared to Ling Hai whose eyes glistened with tears, Duke Ding Ling Zhen seemed much calmer. He looked at Feng Yuxuan and said in a grave voice. It was obvious that Ding General Manor could not keep a daughter whose reputation had been ruined.
Ling Hai did not dare to say anything when he saw how determined his eldest brother was to take his daughter’s life, but there was a hint of hatred in his eyes. However, he had always lived under Ling Zhen, so he did not dare to say anything else. He just pleaded with Feng Yuxuan with his eyes. The only person who could save Rui’er was King Chu.
“Father-in-law, Uncle, no matter how many things Rui’er has done, the cause is not her fault. I… I really can’t bear to leave Rui’er. Just leave her in the manor. I will take good care of her and never let anything happen to her. If she gives birth to children in the future, they will be under Fengyan’s name, and will also be the legitimate children of King Chu’s Manor.”
Feng Yuxuan looked up and stated affectionately, tears welling up in his eyes.
Upon hearing that, Duke Ding was shocked. He looked at Feng Yuxuan incredulously. Ling Hai was so surprised that he almost smiled.
“Your Highness, do you know what you are talking about?” Duke Ding suddenly stood up and stared at Feng Yuxuan. The look in his eyes seemed to be something solid, not missing the slightest expression on Feng Yuxuan’s face.
“Uncle, don’t worry. These words came straight from my heart. Fengyan is my first wife and Rui’er is my legal wife. I love both of them. However, God makes fools of me to this point. How could I bear to see Rui’er die? Uncle, if Rui’er goes back with you, it will really be a dead end. But there is still a chance for her to live in my manor. I will definitely try my best to cure her illness. If she gets well in the future and gives birth to children, they will be under Fengyan’s name, and will also be my successors.”
Feng Yuxuan answered directly. Then, he stood up and curtsied to Duke Ding and his brother. “Father-in-law, Uncle, please grant my wish!”
“Good, great, that’s great!” Ling Hai did not know what to say. He kept on saying while wiping his tears. How could he not be so touched that he could not complete his speech when he had such a loyal son-in-law? At the thought of his little daughter, Ling Hai felt that he would thank King Chu even if he had to die.
He was not only saving Ling Rui’er’s life, but also bringing hope to the entire Ding General Manor!
Rui’er was frightened out of her mind, not born mad. The possibility of her being cured was very high. However, with her status, even if she gave birth to children in the future, they would not be recognized. At most, they would be treated as a concubine’s children. However, it would be different if they were under Ling Fengyan’s name.
Ling Fengyan was King Chu’s first wife, who had a good reputation and had been killed by others. The son under her name would be even more decent than under Ling Rui’er’s name. It could be said that he would definitely be King Chu’s successor. If King Chu ascended the throne, the boy would become the legal son of the East Palace. So Duke Ding Ling Zhen also stood up excitedly.
Both of them didn’t even dare to think about such big grace!
They had thought that their relationship with King Chu would be broken after Ling Rui’er’s death. Who would have thought that such a good thing would happen so suddenly! If Ling Zhen had not been very calm, he would have grinned from ear to ear. This was big grace King Chu had given to Ding General Manor.
Pulling his younger brother who was so happy that he did not know what to do, Duke Ding knelt down in front of Feng Yuxuan with a plop and kowtowed heavily. “Your Highness… I won’t say superfluous words. Your Highness, just tell us if you want us to do something in the future,” he said in a low voice with tears in his eyes.
This was not simply a word of gratitude, but a clear attitude of Duke Ding and his brother. They really stood on Feng Yuxuan’s side and had abandoned their previous ambiguous attitude. As long as there was a Crown Prince who had the bloodline of Ding General Manor, it meant that Ding General Manor could maintain at least 50 to 60 years’ glory and wealth.
Given King Chu’s generous and gracious character, he would not kick down the ladder when he became the Emperor. Even though there was a saying that trusted aides are eliminated when they have outlived their usefulness, Duke Ding believed that King Chu was not that kind of person!
“Uncle, Father-in-law, please get up. You overwhelm me with more than what I deserve. No matter what, I’m still your junior. Please get up.” Feng Yuxuan came over and helped them up, one with each hand. Then, he respectfully asked them to sit down.
“Your Highness, the reason why Rui’er made such a scene is that Consort Xuan splashed watermelon juice all over her body in the palace. Otherwise, how could there be such an unnecessary disaster? Your Highness, do we need to deal with them?” Since everyone was of one mind, Duke Ding, Ling Zhen did not hide his plan anymore and came straight to the point.
The incident at King Chu’s Manor was a continuation of the incident in the palace. It was of course Rui’er’s fault that she had come to this, but what about Mo Xuetong, who had splashed watermelon juice all over her? Did she not have any responsibility at all?
Duke Ding and his brother chose to forget that it was Ling Rui’er who almost splashed the watermelon juice on Mo Xuetong. If Mo Xuetong had not dodged quickly, the watermelon juice would have fallen on her. Then the one who had lost her reputation would have been Mo Xuetong.
Feng Yuxuan thought for a while and replied implicitly, “Eighth Brother is protecting Consort Xuan, so we can’t deal with her for the time being.”
Ling Hai slammed the table and stood up. He gritted his teeth and said, “Since we can’t deal with King Xuan’s Manor, then we have to choose Mo Manor!” His eyes were as vicious as if he were going to swallow someone. His daughter could not be destroyed for nothing at the hands of others…
