Physician Fu's status was extraordinary, and he held considerable prestige within the Capital. With him speaking out, who would dare doubt that the one who had made a fool of herself that day was anyone other than Lu Zhaoling?
Immediately afterward, several people who had been jumping up and down spreading rumors were suddenly hauled out. It was discovered that these individuals were actually servants of the He Family.
Why was the He Family so concerned about this matter?
As soon as that question was raised, the events of that day were unearthed. On the day she visited the County Princess's Manor, Miss He had been carried out in a faint shortly after arriving. Word was that she had been driven into a fit of unconsciousness by the second Miss Lu!
Once the investigation began, more details naturally followed. According to a servant from a household near the County Princess's Manor, the second Miss Lu had been the first to leave. When she departed,
her expression was calm, and her gait was steady. She looked like a delicate lotus swaying in the breeze elegant, refined, and so captivating that one could hardly look away, even if her face wasn't clearly seen.
She had left before the Sutra Copying Gathering had even concluded. Furthermore, not long after leaving the assembly, she had been seen going to Prince Jin's Manor.
Had she truly suffered such a massive embarrassment at the County Princess's Manor, she surely would have rushed home immediately. How would she have dared to show her face at Prince Jin's Manor?
Therefore, that "Miss Pupu" was definitely not her. Lu Zhaoling's visit to Prince Jin's Manor at that specific time was the most powerful proof of her innocence.
Qingbao had also gone out to gather information. Upon hearing people reach this conclusion, she returned and looked at her young mistress, hesitant to speak.
"If you have something to say, say it," Lu Zhaoling remarked. She had harvested quite a bit of Prince Jin's fortune and had already drawn several talismans; her mood was excellent.
"Miss, did you go to the Prince's Manor the day before yesterday specifically because you knew it would turn out like this?" Qingbao asked suspiciously. She suspected that her mistress had gone there just to prove herself, knowing that Lu Zhaoyun would get into trouble after she left and would try to splash dirty water on her!
Lu Zhaoling began to laugh. "Qingbao, you are quite clever as well."
The young mistress had admitted it!
Lu Zhaoling hadn't needed to go to Prince Jin's Manor personally that day; she could have simply had Qingyin deliver the sutras. Instead, she made the trip herself and even stood at the manor's main entrance for a good while. Now, people outside were using that very fact to clear her name.
"To think Miss had thought so far ahead," Qingyin added, equally surprised.
Physician Fu, Madame Lin, and the others had all helped... but even without their assistance, the mistress could have extricated herself from the situation.
Lu Zhaoling hadn't actually expected someone to write about the incident in a report and circulate it throughout the Capital. If Madame Lu hadn't interfered, the heat of the matter would have died down in a couple of days. She hadn't originally intended to use such a thing to trample Lu Zhaoyun's reputation.
But who told Madame Lu to insist on throwing mud at her? Even the He Family had intervened. They had muddied the waters themselves, so they could hardly blame her.
In the end, Lu Zhaoyun was indeed exposed. Previously, she had maintained a persona of being elegant and gentle; after this incident, everyone's expression turned indescribable whenever her name was mentioned.
Then there was He Lianxin.
"That Miss He is truly arrogant and domineering. I heard she chased after the second Miss Lu that day, demanding she kneel and apologize!"
"Hiss! Did she not know that Miss Lu is Prince Jin's fiancée? It was a marriage bestowed by the Emperor himself!"
That meant Lu Zhaoling already had one foot in the Imperial Family. And yet, He Lianxin had demanded she kneel!
Consequently, during the early morning court session the next day, a Censor impeached Minister He.
"Minister He has spoiled his daughter to the point where she is utterly insolent, defying a future consort of the Imperial Family and showing no respect to Prince Jin. Is it because Minister He is the Minister of War? I doubt the discipline of Minister He's household and his loyalty to the Imperial Family!"
When Minister He heard those words, he nearly exploded with rage.
That wretched old fool!!!
It was a trivial matter between girls, yet he dared to question his loyalty to the Imperial Family! He had never seen this Censor be so vicious before. Was he trying to destroy the He Family?
Minister He wanted to jump in protest, but he immediately knelt to plead his innocence. "Your Majesty, I am utterly loyal and harbor no double-mindedness!
This was merely a misunderstanding between young girls. My daughter simply has a blunt temper and an unforgiving tongue. When she was bullied, she inevitably lost her cool, but her intentions are good!"
The Emperor listened to these accounts, his lips twitching. How was this matter still dragging on?
He did have his own designs regarding Prince Jin, but in this specific matter, he couldn't protect He Lianxin. After all, it was his own Imperial Marriage Edict; if the people outside didn't take it seriously, it made him look bad too.
Lu Zhaoling was certainly capable of stirring up trouble. Perhaps she would cause even more headaches for Prince Jin in the future which wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Let them cause a scene.
The Emperor's face darkened. "No matter how blunt her temper is, she should recognize her own status! After court, go and offer a formal apology to that Lu girl. Otherwise, even I will have no face before Prince Jin."
Minister He's heart sank. Once the Emperor's words spread, Lianxin's reputation and dignity would be completely annihilated. Having been evaluated as "unable to recognize her own status" by the Emperor, how could she ever hold her head up again?
But what did he dare to say? He could only bow his head, admit his fault, and shoulder the punishment.
Prince Jin was also present at court today. He had remained silent the entire time. Now, he merely cast a fleeting glance at Minister He. When he retracted his gaze, it met the sparkling eyes of the Censor.
Was that old Censor trying to claim credit from him?
Lu Ming was also given a stern scolding by the Emperor. This time, Prince Jin spoke up.
"Minister Lu, if your eldest daughter is still feeling unwell, perhaps you should have Physician Fu take a look? However, it's best if she doesn't leave the house for a while, lest... her 'fragrance' drifts for ten miles."
Pfft.
Snicker.
Someone couldn't hold back a laugh and quickly stifled it.
Lu Ming, standing at the very back of the ranks, felt his face turn a violent shade of red. In the past, he rarely had the status to step forward and was usually treated as a mere placeholder, practically invisible. This time, he had suddenly become the center of attention, but for such an embarrassing reason!
He was fuming. Prince Jin was a grown man did he have to have such a venomous and gossipy tongue?! He had actually mocked Zhaoyun for being stinky and unable to go out!
This news would surely spread! Zhaoyun's reputation was completely ruined. How could they possibly bring up her engagement to the Second Prince now? They would have to wait even longer!
"This official will certainly discipline my daughter..." Lu Ming could only force out that single sentence, feeling as though he were about to spit blood from suppressed rage.
After court adjourned, Minister He stopped Lu Ming, his eyes blazing with fury. "Lu Ming, look at the daughter you've raised!"
After hissing those words through gritted teeth, Minister He shoved Lu Ming aside and stormed off.
Lu Ming was pushed so hard that he slammed into a nearby pillar with a loud thud, his shoulder throbbing with pain. His surrounding colleagues saw him looking over and quickly looked away, dispersing in an instant.
Ashamed! He was truly ashamed!
Moreover, he had offended Minister He. He had always told Lu Zhaoyun to stay on good terms with He Lianxin so he could maintain a connection with the Minister of War. Now, all those efforts were wasted.
It was all because of that wretched creature, Lu Zhaoling!
Lu Ming fumed as he prepared to head back and settle the score with her.
Meanwhile, Censor Lin trotted over to Prince Jin's side. "Your Grace, you saved my son and me all those years ago. That debt is beyond repayment. My attack on Minister He today was merely a small token of my gratitude!"
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