Chapter 012
Chapter 12: Someone from the Marquis Manor Has Come
Duan Yi Chen was right. Marquis Xuan Ping had never liked the Huo Family Army.
At morning court, Xia Ping Yuan submitted a memorial accusing Marshal Huo of indulging his kin in bullying men and preying on women in the Capital Suburbs, then covering it up and threatening the victims, conduct no better than beasts. He followed by savaging two Huo lords at court, ripping into their morals, their behavior, and even the cases they had handled. If a flaw could be exaggerated, he exaggerated it. If there wasn’t one, he picked bones from eggs. In his mouth, everything was wrong.
Marquis Xuan Ping knew his son and the Xia Family’s legitimate daughter were close. Both in public and in private, he should stand with Xia Ping Yuan. So on the great hall’s jade floor, one voice of outrage became two in harmony, then rose into a chorus from Marquis Xuan Ping’s whole faction, denouncing the Huo Family until a century of their service sounded worthless.
On the Dragon Throne, Emperor Xuan Ming’s face went from curious to dark as soot. He hadn’t expected the Huo Family to grow so arrogant. Did they think him blind?
The result shocked everyone. The two Huo lords were demoted three ranks and expelled from the Capital. Marshal Huo was faulted for poor discipline, demoted one rank, and fined a year’s salary. The Dali Court and the Ministry of Revenue were ordered to audit the Frontier Garrison’s accounts jointly, and any obstruction would be punished by death without mercy.
When the news left the Imperial Palace, the Huo clan in the Capital went mad. At the Marquis Manor, clouds hung black.
Grand Madam Lin thumped her cane and snapped: “Didn’t I say it? With a father like Xia Ping Yuan who peddles slander, what good could Xia Meng Yan be? You wouldn’t listen. Now look—over a trivial matter she’s stirred up the whole city and even the emperor. Today it’s the Huo Family. Next it will be our Marquis Manor.”
The Lin Family had not belonged to a noble house. Only the younger son’s success had brought them into the circle of power. She had barely gotten used to holding her head high as the manor’s old madam when this blew up. If they got dragged down with the Huo Family and lost their title, they wouldn’t even know where to cry.
She turned on the eldest couple and demanded: “What are you standing there for? Think of a way. Do you want to wait for His Majesty to punish the Marquis Manor?”
Eldest Master Lin Hong’s face was ugly. He hadn’t expected one trip to the Northern Fortress Pass to end like this. And his second brother—if he couldn’t control his own wife, how could he command three armies?
He gritted his teeth and said: “What way is there? The one who tied the knot must untie it. Have our younger sister-in-law come out and explain that nothing happened.”
Grand Madam Lin sneered: “Do you think I don’t know? If she could come back, would I still be worrying here?” She cursed Huo Ying Zi as a shameless hussy and complained that Xia Meng Yan did not know the big picture. With rumors flying everywhere, the manor’s hard-won reputation was crumbling.
“Write to your brother at once,” she ordered sharply, “and tell him to keep away from Huo Ying Zi.”
Madam Jiang, the First Madam, added coolly: “Write the letter, and also bring her back. Xia Meng Yan is still the Ping An Marchioness. You are her mother-in-law. She won’t dare treat you badly.”
Grand Madam Lin knitted her brows. The matter could not wait. The Marquis Manor still had other young men whose futures must not be ruined. She made up her mind and said: “Enough. For the manor’s sake, I will go myself. That will at least shut people up.”
When Grand Madam Lin swept toward the Xia Manor with great fanfare, Xia Meng Yan had just eaten a bowl of bird’s nest. The physician had checked her pulse and prescribed medicine to steady the fetus, telling her to rest well.
Roses climbed the walls of Autumn Lotus Court. The green vines were vivid and pleasing to the eye. Li Hua and Wang Yue’er sat nearby counting petals while Chun Yue directed several maids to set up trellises.
Leaning on her arm, Xia Meng Yan watched Yue’er run through the courtyard with a flower in hand. Her father had already sent a letter to Divine Physician Luo. He would arrive in the Capital before long.
Carrying a tray of pastries, Nanny Song followed her gaze and smiled: “Miss Yue’er doesn’t look sick.” She set the plate down and said warmly: “She is blessed to have met you, Eldest Miss.”
Xia Meng Yan tasted a piece. It was soft and fragrant, and her mood lifted: “She has a good older brother. For her sake he would even offend the imperial servants.”
[I am blessed too, to have parents who shield me.]
Nanny Song, happy to see her smile at last, shared the newest talk: “At morning court, our master cut down enemies like a scythe. Many are envious of our Eldest Miss. With the Imperial Decree issued, the Huo Family people didn’t even have time to drink a mouthful of water before the guards hauled them onto carriages.”
“They deserved it,” Xia Meng Yan said evenly. “If they want to blame someone, blame Huo Ying Zi.” The name hadn’t been spoken at the manor gate that day, but anyone who asked around could learn who that woman was.
Her good mood stacked like blocks. By the time Lin Ye Lan and Huo Ying Zi returned to the Capital, their names would already stink.
Just then someone hurried in and whispered to Nanny Song. Nanny Song’s face fell as she turned to report: “Eldest Miss, people from the Marquis Manor have come.”
Xia Meng Yan’s smile froze. Father had already told the gate not to admit anyone from the Ping An Marquis, yet they had gotten in: “Is it Grand Madam Lin?”
“Grand Madam Lin brought a physician and demands to see our old madam,” Nanny Song said. “The gatekeeper blocked them.”
How filthy the Marquis Manor was. Not one word of comfort since the incident, and now they wanted to complain to Old Madam Xia. A nest of snakes and rats indeed.
Xia Meng Yan understood that Grand Madam Lin was forcing a meeting. No matter what, she had not yet divorced. Staying in the Xia Family could affect other girls’ marriages. Her grandmother already disliked her. With the old lady coming to their door, who knew what stories she would spin?
Nanny Song bit her lip and said anxiously: “Old madam doesn’t know any of this. People from the Marquis Manor must not see her now. Why not let Madam go instead?”
Xia Meng Yan shook her head gently: “We have to meet sooner or later. There’s no need to let Mother be wronged.”
“But you—” Nanny Song began.
“It’s all right,” Xia Meng Yan said, patting her hand with a small smile. “Invite them to the front hall. I’ll change clothes and come.”
Left with no choice—Master was out and the old madam could not appear—Nanny Song went to make the arrangements. Worried that the Eldest Miss might suffer, she quietly sent a message to Marquis Xuan Ping’s residence.
“Chun Yue,” Xia Meng Yan called. When the girl turned, she said, “Bring me the medicine from the compartment.”
Chun Yue startled and blurted: “Eldest Miss, what do you need that for? The physician said to rest and not—”
“I know what I’m doing,” Xia Meng Yan said calmly. “Help me with a pale, worn-out look.”
Chun Yue blinked and seemed to understand.
As soon as the Xia Manor invited them in, First Madam Lin, Madam Jiang, curled her lip in scorn and whispered to Grand Madam Lin: “Mother’s method is best. The moment we asked to see Old Madam Xia, our dear sister-in-law wilted.”
Grand Madam Lin, led by a maid, entered and was startled at every step. She had heard people say the Xia Manor hid marvels within its walls. She had thought it was bragging. Now she saw how precious everything truly was. These things should have belonged to the Marquis Manor. Because she had not been ruthless enough, Xia Meng Yan must think she is easy to pinch.
When this is over, she vowed, she would make Xia Meng Yan repair the Marquis Manor properly.
To be fair, she now looked at Xia Ping Yuan with new respect. Dragging down the Huo Family like this was no small feat. With such in-laws, Lin Ye Lan’s standing in court would be secure.
Madam Jiang had simpler thoughts. She only saw how rich the girl’s family was and grew more and more jealous. Why weren’t these fine things in the Marquis Manor?
When they reached the front hall, Madam Jiang could not help herself and snapped: “Where is Xia Meng Yan? Her mother-in-law came in person. She didn’t come out to greet me and isn’t even waiting in the hall. Is this the Xia Family’s rule?”
Nanny Song, face cold, set down the tea and said: “First Madam Lin, our Eldest Miss fled back to the Capital and almost lost the child. The whole household is so worried we can’t sleep. You came in without asking after her and started complaining. Is that the Marquis Manor’s rule?”
“You—you are just a maid,” Madam Jiang sputtered, guilty yet unwilling to admit it. She raised her hand to strike.
A voice cut across the air: “Stop.”