Chapter 112 : Frantic (Part II)
Trigger Warning: mentions of abortion, disturbing remains of a dead body, placenta.Xia
Yan knitted her brows, sensing that something was amiss. However,
spoken words were like spilled water, and there was no other option at
this point.
Jiang Su Su walked to stand before Xuan Li, bestowing
him a full curtsey, “Begging that Your Highness would preside over this
matter.”
Xuan Li reached out to support Jiang Su Su up.
In the past he had never paid her any attention but at this moment a
beauty was right before his eyes, her every movement captivating and
mesmerising, and her natural features evoked feelings of pity. Xuan Li
could not help revealing a sliver of surprise. His voice gentled in
reply, “This prince will not be remiss in doing his honor bound duty.”
After saying this, he gave orders to his chief guard, “All of you go
investigate, be thorough in your search.”
Looking at those two
people standing together, Jiang Ruan couldn’t help the disgust that
arose in her heart, “In order to show impartiality, please take both
Mother’s and my personal maids along. Furthermore, we shouldn’t restrict
the search to Mother’s courtyard but search all the courtyards in the
fu– what do you think?”
Xuan Li was taken aback but smiled, “Naturally that’s for the best.”
Very
quickly the guards began their search, while the atmosphere within the
hall grew frantic. Xia Jiao Jiao hid behind Shen Rou, her eyes revealing
her delight in the others’ misfortune. At the mere thought of Jiang
Ruan being dragged off to court, her reputation destroyed, Xia Jiao Jiao
could not resist smiling in delight. Jiang Su Su stood beside Xuan Li,
intermittently lifting her head to gaze at him. Xuan Li smiled back at
her in consolation, the two of them together depicting a picture of a
concerned loving couple.
Jiang Li gnashed her teeth as
she silently cursed Jiang Su Su for being a vixen. Her own mother had
just lost a child and yet she still had the heart to seduce a man.
Jiang
Quan softly consoled Xia Yan who was nestled in his arms and neglected
to notice the aggrieved look in Hong Ying’s eyes. Second Yiniang looked
at Hong Ying’s abdomen and thought that if her baby were to be lost too,
that would indeed be the best outcome.
Xia Cheng’s attention was
transfixed on Jiang Ruan. The more Jiang Ruan was calm and collected,
the more his heart felt an increasing sense of unease. He was a stately
Marquis and in all his years he couldn’t believe that he would feel an
impending sense of fear all because of a mere girl. If this was known to
others, that would indeed be the joke of the day. However, back then at
the Xia family’s ancestral hall, Xia Cheng had personally experienced
Jiang Ruan’s strategic manipulation. And now, moving forward three
years, Jiang Ruan’s schemes and machinations could only have become more
profound and intricate when compared to before. So how could he not be
afraid?
Time seemed to pass by quietly but it wasn’t long before
one of Xuan Li’s guards returned to the hall after completing his
search, followed by Lin Lang, and Tian Zhu in the rear.
Xuan Li asked, “Did you find any medication?”
“To answer Your Highness, there was none.” The chief guard answered.
Hearing this, tears streamed down Xia Yan’s face, “Ruan’er, what more can you say for yourself?”
“What
more is there to say, obviously it’s to have her dragged off to court.”
Xia Jiao Jiao immediately responded, “This kind of poisonous heart.
Your Highness will need to do right by my aunt and my dead cousin!”
“Evil daughter, aren’t you going to admit your sins now? Jiang Quan bellowed.
At
the very same time that he saw Jiang Ruan smile, Xia Cheng noticed that
the blood had drained from Lin Lang’s face, and he felt as though he
heard a “kaboom’ drop in his heart. Before he could utter a word, he
heard Tian Zhu coldly state, “Master, while we didn’t discover any
abortion medication in Furen’s courtyard, we managed to find this.
Please take a look.” Then, she presented something with both hands. Xia
Yan was stricken with horror once she saw the items. It was an article
of clothing and a pair of light green boots.
At a
glance, there was nothing particularly wrong with discovering an article
of clothing and a pair of boots but as Jiang Quan unraveled the
article, immediately his face turned ashen. That’s because the clothing
was very large and the pair of boots were much larger than Jiang Quan’s
size. The Jiang family men were of the literary aristocracy and were of a
smaller stature but this article of clothing was obviously prepared for
someone both robust and sturdy. It wouldn’t even fit Jiang Chao or
Jiang Xin Zhi; moreover there weren’t any other men within the fu. On
top of that, in a hidden part of the collar of the outfit was an
embroidery of twin lotus on one stalk*,
並蒂同心* 并蒂莲(bìngdìlián) – lit. twin lotus flowers on one stalk / fig. a symbol of a devoted married couple.
Since
the symbol was in a hidden spot, it would not be seen when worn but for
this piece of clothing to appear now, it caused Jiang Quan to feel a
great deal of humiliation and shame. Absolutely livid, he threw the
items into Xia Yan’s face, “Slut!”
Xia Yan was stupefied, and upon
closer inspection, her face paled in fright. Harriedly she beseeched,
“Master, this concubine has never done such a thing. Master, this is all
slander and defamation from Ruan’er!”
“Mother surely knows how to
jest,” Jiang Ruan placidly responded, “Since Mother was found to be
pregnant, you have insisted on not being disturbed, so Ruan niang had
not taken a single step into Yan Hua Yuan. What’s more, I have been
standing right here along with Father, so how can Mother say I slandered
and framed you. Furthermore, I’d like to ask Mother, what type of
method could I have employed to be able to hide something like this in
your personal chambers under your watchful eyes?” Then as if she thought
of something else, she smiled and added, “Moreover, in regards to
Mother’s distinctive embroidery work, I’m sure Father is most
knowledgeable and should be able to distinguish it at a glance. Unless
Father is not able to recognise it?”By now, Jiang Quan was fuming so
much his whole body was trembling. His own wife’s handiwork, obviously
he was most familiar with it. From the moment he laid eyes on that
article of clothing and boots, he was able to ascertain that it was
indeed the handiwork of Xia Yan! No matter how much he usually was
partial towards Xia Yan, generally overlooking her meager treatment of
Jiang Ruan, no man could remain indifferent when he was made aware of
how his wife had cuckolded him. Jiang Quan was totally resentful and
enraged towards Xia Yan. Where could there be any of his usual
tenderness towards her anymore?
Upon seeing the spectacle, Xia Cheng glowered at Jiang Ruan, “What kind of underhanded actions have you done?”
Jiang
Su Su also fell to her knees in tears, “Father, you should be clear on
what kind of a person Mother is, so how can you suspect her?”
Jiang
Quan looked down at his most beloved daughter. For three years she had
lived a spartan and destitute life at the ancestral temple, and he felt
some remorse towards her. Also, since Jiang Su Su’s return, she had
become more sensible, obedient and well behaved. Watching her pitiful
cries caused his heart to soften.
However, once Jiang
Ruan had undertaken a task, she would not leave anyone any leeway. She
cast a look towards Tian Zhu, and Tian Zhu continued indifferently,
“Second Miss, the servants have also uncovered some suspicious items
from your courtyard.”
Lin Lang’s face became even more white,
almost as if she would faint right away. Jiang Su Su knitted her brows,
as Tian Zhu took a cloth bag from the guards and threw it before
everyone.
The thing in the cloth bag seemed to be stained with
blood and a heavy fishy scent arose. Since Tian Zhu had thrown down the
bag, the cloth bag had unraveled and whatever was in it fell out. It was
a blood coated clump of flesh and the sight was quite nauseating for
those watching.
“What is this?” Xia Yan was startled, somehow finding that piece of cloth somewhat familiar.
“A
dead fetus.” Tian Zhu was by virtue a killer so she answered with an
air of icy detachment. Additionally, once she spoke such eerie words, a
cold silence descended upon the room and a chill entered everyone’s
heart.
Jiang Ruan smiled, “Mother, at this point are you still
going to persist in saying that Ruan niang deliberately pushed you?
Isn’t it obvious that you took a medication for abortion awhile ago,
then hid our little brother in Second Sister’s courtyard, and have now
turned around to incriminate me.”
“What nonsense are you
spouting!” Xia Yan began to get frantic, as she had no idea how this
thing had come to be? Impatiently she questioned, “Su’er, what in the
world is this? What’s happening here?”
A hint of agitation flashed
past Jiang Su Su’s eyes. She had not expected Jiang Ruan to repeatedly
torment and vex her, even to the point of discovering this matter. Yet,
in front of Xuan Li, Jiang Su Su could only delicately reply, “Mother,
this is a placenta. Su niang learned that partaking of an infant’s
placenta was beneficial in maintaining a youthful appearance, moreover,
you also know how I fell off the cliff…. However, this is definitely not
our little brother as Su niang bought it from a medical store.”
“A
placenta?” Shen Rou covered her mouth, her expression shifting as she
looked upon Jiang Su Su. A placenta was such a bloody item, it was
unthinkable that this weak and feeble niece could stomach ingesting such
a nauseating thing.Jiang Quan was also quite disappointed. The
Jiang Su Su in his heart was like a pure and honest fairy, seated high
above all others. She was his pride and joy but right now, she had
utterly trampled and discredited his reputation. Xuan Li’s expression
was also slightly disfavorable, whereas Jiang Su Su became aggravated
but could only pretend to be aggrieved.
“Master, you’ve heard it
right, this is a placenta but not my stillborn.” Xia Yan quickly tried
to explain, while catching a glimpse of Lin Lang’s sheet white
appearance. Why was Lin Lang so frightened, as if she was going to
collapse from severe oppression? Xia Yan suspiciously paused, as a
terrifying notion flashed through her mind.
No…. That’s
impossible. She once again perused that cloth bag, that familiar looking
brown material- it was almost identical to the material used by Lin
Lang to remove the fetus after she had miscarried…
“Ahhhhh —-” Xia
Yan let out a blood curdling screech, causing everyone in the house to
startle in fright. She collapsed and imploded within as she tugged on
her hair, “It can’t be, it can’t be, it can’t be….”
“Mother,
what’s wrong?” Jiang Su Su became overwrought as she took in the
situation, and rushed to support Xia Yan up. Xia Yan had not known where
she found the strength to shove aside Jiang Su Su while retreating a
few steps, looking as if she had seen the devil himself.
“Mother,
what’s wrong? It’s me, Su Su.” Jiang Su Su was rather upset with Xia
Yan for behaving in such a manner in front of Xuan Li.
Xia Yan yet
again collapsed and started tugging on her hair in anguish. Jiang Su Su
ate infant placenta; a sister had eaten the placenta that belonged to
her brother! If this matter were to be spoken aloud, it would be the
pinnacle of absurdity and cause people’s blood to run cold, yet, against
all odds, it had happened!
Jiang Ruan’s lips slightly lifted at
the corners. This was her goal. Xia Yan had spent her life lavishing
Jiang Su Su with her love, but to come to the realization that the child
of her womb had become the placenta that her daughter had purchased
from the medical store, it would become her very own nightmare.
There is retribution for good and evil; it’s the way of the Heavens.
Suddenly
Xia Yan went berserk and while everyone was trying to make heads or
tails of the proceedings, a middle aged man ran in. On his back was a
medicine sachet, and as he rushed in enraged, even the servants at the
door were not able to hold him back. When he spotted Xia Yan, he began
to rain curses, “You black-hearted woman, you thought you could make a
fool out of me! Attempting to hoodwink me with those lead coated fake
pieces of silver! Out of the question! You will have to accompany me to
see the magistrate!”
Lu Zhu blinked and immediately went up to restrain the person asking, “Excuse me Mister, why are you tugging at our furen?”
“Pei!”
The man was in a towering rage, “This person miscarried a few days ago
and it was I who came to help her deliver. She told me not to divulge a
single word about what had transpired, and had even given me a huge sum
of silver for my silence. However when I was on my way home, I stopped
over at a shop to buy some things only to realise that the silver was
actually fake!”
“Utter drivel!” Jiang Su Su raged, “Who bribed you
to slander my mother? Be careful or else I’ll drag you before the
magistrate for a hearing.”
“Humph!” The man was not that easily
handled as he continued with a sneer, “You still won’t believe me, then
you can head into the capital’s Bao Zhi Hall. At that time, it was I who
prescribed medication for this woman, and there are some particular
herbs that are only available at Bao Zhi Hall. Bao Zhi Hall also keeps a
record of all the sales and purchases made, you can go verify that
there. Then we will know who is actually a liar!”
Bao Zhi Hall was
the largest medical store in the capital, and their business ethos was
based on honesty and integrity, otherwise it was synonymous with
destroying the business reputation, thus there was no subtlefelge or
dishonesty. If Xia Yan had indeed obtained a prescription for medication
required after suffering a miscarriage, then this would definitely be
found in Bao Zhi Hall’s record.
That man, still unable to vent his
anger, was about to drag Xia Yan who was sitting on the ground, “You
woman, hurry and go with me to the magistrate!”
However, currently, Xia Yan was in a state of insanity and dazed, thus there was no way to even have an argument with her.
“That’s
enough!” Jiang Quan finally bellowed out furiously, his eyes bloodshot,
and both his cheeks trembling. Obviously he was overwrought. This had
confirmed the fact that Xia Yan had already lost the baby some time
back. Moreover, in his heart he could bet that the baby belonged to the
owner of that piece of clothing. However, he would not be able to get an
answer out of Xia Yan in her current state of mind. In a frosty tone he
instructed, “Support and escort Furen back into the room and keep a
tight watch over her!”
This was ultimately a house arrest for Xia
Yan. Xia Cheng could not have imagined this outcome of today’s visit and
looked askance at Xuan Li before trailing after Jiang Quan,
“Son-in-law, regarding this….”
Now that the show had come to a
close, Shen Rou and Xia Jiao Jiao had no reason to stay any longer. Xia
Jiao Jiao was totally disappointed to not be able to see the fall of
Jiang Ruan. However, Jiang Li and Second Yiniang were still rather
pleased at the outcome. They had been with Jiang Quan for so many years
and were well aware that this time it was almost impossible for Xia Yan
to turn the tide and return to her former position.
Hong Ying
wanted to comfort and console Jiang Quan, so naturally she would no
longer remain in the hall. For a moment, all who remained in the hall
were Jiang Ruan and Jiang Su Su. Jiang Su Su stepped towards Jiang Ruan
with a somber expression, “Today, this was yet another one of your
brilliant works. Da Jiejie’s machinations are indeed ingenious.”
“Second
Sister, aren’t you even a tad bit curious as to why Mother has suddenly
lost her mind?” Suddenly Jiang Ruan’s quiet gaze fell upon her asking.
Jiang Su Su was taken aback, “What?”
Jiang
Ruan smiled slightly, and there was a strange vibe that Jiang Su Su
beheld in that smile, only to see Jiang Ruan looking towards that
bloodied clump of flesh and softly say, “Because, that placenta was in
actual fact the very same one that Mother personally discarded.”
