Yet, her utter disregard for her own life completely stunned everyone present. Liu Chang's mother, especially, screamed and rushed forward, clutching He Weifang's waist tightly, as if genuinely fearing she would leap into the lake.
"Mudanya! Mudanya!..." Liu's mother cried out while desperately clinging to He Weifang. She wasn't afraid that He Weifang would actually drown in the lake. Rather, the Liu family was now facing such a disgrace, and if another crime of condoning their son's affair with an old servant leading to their daughter-in-law's death was added, they would truly be finished.
"Mother, don't stop me..." He Weifang, pitifully feigning a suicidal demeanor, made Wei Tingyu's index finger twitch. Good heavens! If there weren't so many people present, I almost wouldn't have been able to resist rushing forward to embrace this young lady and comfort her properly.
"Mother knows you've been wronged!" Liu's mother, seeing that the current situation was difficult to resolve, quickly grabbed He Weifang and comforted her, "Right now, outsiders are here. Later, I'll definitely have Zishu apologize to you!"
The onlookers secretly nodded at this scene. Liu's mother's handling of the situation was basically the standard practice after such an incident occurred in a large household! However, what He Weifang wanted was not just this apology! She wanted to completely escape the hellhole that was the Liu family! Thinking this, she even squeezed out a line of clear tears from the corner of her eye, while speaking with an expression of having nothing left to live for, "Mother! I have been married into the Liu family for a year, and no matter how my husband treated me, I never had a single complaint!"
"I have always retreated step by step, and what I gained was today's monstrous humiliation!"
"Now... now am I not even allowed to cry?"
He Weifang's statement was not entirely an act, as the life she had lived for the past year was indeed worse than death. Meanwhile, Dou Zhao, Miao Ansu, and Zhao Zhangru exchanged glances, finding the situation truly astonishing. Fortunately, we married into the Marquis's residence, and Wei Tingyu is especially doting on the three of us! Look at He Weifang's tragic situation now; if she hadn't met the Marquis, who knows how long she would have had to endure such a life. Truly pitiful! And the other noble ladies and young misses from official families present were all secretly saddened, as such matters were, to varying degrees, experienced in every household.
"I didn't mean that..." Liu's mother saw He Weifang getting more and more into her act, and became even more anxious. However, before she could finish her sentence, she was interrupted by He Weifang once again.
"I am a merchant's daughter! My words carry little weight!" He Weifang, while covering the lower half of her face with her sleeve, trying hard to prevent anyone from seeing the smile on her face, still spoke with a crying voice, "I beg all noble lords... I beg all noble lords to preside over this matter for me!" After saying this, He Weifang knelt down towards Wei Tingyu's direction with a plop. After all, to appear pitifully helpless now, she could only try her best to humble herself. But to make her kneel to these other unrelated people, He Weifang was unwilling! So she could only kneel to Wei Tingyu; after all, he was her future husband!
"Oh my! The Liu residence today is truly an eye-opener!"
"To have such a virtuous wife at home and still not be satisfied, truly, greed knows no bounds!"
"Princess Jian, how noble! She specially traveled to Dongdu for him, yet he actually hooked up with that old servant..."
"With such a character, he actually presumes to cling to the Princess!"
"I think the Liu family should explain themselves not to the He family, but to Prince Ning!"
...Among the onlookers, some had long disliked the Liu family's arrogant demeanor of the past two days, and now they seized the opportunity to add insult to injury. These words, upon reaching Liu Shen's ears, directly caused cold sweat to stream down his forehead. He abruptly turned to look at Princess Jian beside him, only to see her with a cold face, remaining silent, her eyes fixed on the kneeling He Weifang, who was pleading, but he didn't know what she was thinking. If the Princess were to rage over this matter, then not to mention clinging to Prince Ning in the future, it might even be uncertain if they could keep their lives! Thinking this, Liu Shen trembled with fear all over! Back then, Prince Ning could casually drive his entire family out of the capital and throw them into this distant Dongdu. If he were to target them again now, there would definitely be no way out.
"Everyone, you speak too harshly!" At this moment, Li Youzhen also spoke quietly. She slowly opened her red lips and said, "Zishu and I are old acquaintances. It's nothing more than a remembrance of past friendship; I merely visited him on my way back to the capital!" After saying this, Li Youzhen secretly glanced at Wei Tingyu and, seeing no mocking expression on his face, immediately felt relieved. Her words were also a way of expressing her feelings to Wei Tingyu; at this moment, there was truly no longer any "idealized love" sentiment between her and Liu Chang!
"However, since Zishu and this old servant are so deeply in love, why doesn't the Liu family complete their union?" Li Youzhen's eyes darted around, and she spoke again. He Weifang's eyes immediately lit up upon hearing this. The Princess truly was a good助攻 (assistant)! In helping her escape the hellhole that was the Liu family, she had truly helped a lot!
"Just like this... I'm afraid it would be unfair to the He family!" Wei Tingyu also saw that He Weifang was so agitated at this moment that she could barely suppress the smile at the corner of her mouth, so he quickly said, "If the husband takes in such an experienced concubine... the He family might not be able to manage the household well in the future!"
"My husband and Xiangfu are deeply in love!" He Weifang immediately understood what she should say after hearing the exchange between the Princess and Wei Tingyu. She slowly straightened up and, looking at the two with a sorrowful expression, said, "Why should I remain in the residence and be an eyesore?"
"Mudanya, what do you mean?" Liu Shen was stunned, his eyelid twitching, as he had an ominous premonition!
"I beg everyone to bear witness for me!" He Weifang tearfully finally stated her ultimate goal: "I hope the two elders will grant me a divorce!"
"I just asked Master Yuan!" As night fell, in the Liu family residence, Liu Shen spoke mysteriously to his wife, "Master Yuan is very certain that Mudanya is no longer the Liu family's lucky star and may instead bring disaster to the Liu family!"
"I knew it!" Liu's mother nodded repeatedly, "Ever since Marquis Jining and the Princess moved into the Liu residence, we haven't gained anything at all. Instead, we've had a bunch of terrible things happen... Now that I think about it carefully, aren't all these things related to Mudanya?"
"Besides, this Mudanya doesn't uphold a woman's virtues; she stayed overnight in Marquis Jining's courtyard, completely disregarding the reputation of our entire Liu family!"
"Now that this has happened, since she wants a divorce, then let her have it!"
Liu's mother was furious, blaming all the family's troubles on He Weifang. Anyway, it definitely had nothing to do with her precious son.
"Are you crazy? How can you speak such nonsense?" Liu Shen, who was obsessed with officialdom, immediately frowned upon hearing his wife's words and quickly reached out to cover her mouth. Although everyone was well aware that their daughter-in-law had stayed in Marquis Jining's small courtyard for several nights, it couldn't be said openly.
"Given the circumstances, we can't fight Marquis Jining over a person anymore!" Liu Shen thought for a moment and said, "However, we cannot divorce her!"
"We will send her away, but we must find a way to keep that storeroom full of dowry!"
"We need it for official expenses and household management!"
"I think we should find a way to divorce her!"
Liu Shen had already thought this through very clearly. He truly couldn't bear to part with the gold, jade, and antiques that He Weifang had brought. The thought of returning them to the He family made his heart bleed.
"Divorce her?" Liu's mother was startled upon hearing this and said, "How will we explain that to Marquis Jining? Will he really marry a divorced woman into his household in the future?"
"Besides! Divorcing a wife isn't good for our Liu family's reputation either. What about Zishu and the Princess's matter in the future..."
"Alright, alright, you're still dreaming!" Liu Shen immediately frowned and angrily shouted at his wife, "Haven't you realized yet? The Princess herself was involved in this scheme today!"
"It's absolutely impossible for her and Zishu!"
"If we continue to cling to the Princess, and Prince Ning blames us, no one will be able to protect our Liu family!"
Liu's mother nodded upon hearing her husband's words. Indeed, the head of the household thought things through more clearly. However, divorcing He Weifang was easier said than done. What excuse could they use? Adultery was a possibility, but unfortunately, the object of her alleged adultery was Marquis Jining, Wei Tingyu! Did they dare to say that? For a time, both of them fell silent, trying to think of a solution, but at the moment, it seemed like a dead end no matter how they looked at it!
Meanwhile, in Wei Tingyu's small courtyard, the atmosphere was lively, and everyone was happily drinking and chatting.
"Congratulations, Sister He! You'll soon be free from the Liu family's hellhole!" Miao Ansu personally poured He Weifang a cup of wine and congratulated her.
"Thank you, Sister Miao!" He Weifang was also so excited that she had several more drinks. Her cheeks were flushed red, making her look like a porcelain doll, very cute.
"Have you heard? That Liu Chang has been locked in his room and refuses to come out ever since he was caught in the Shuiyu Pavilion this afternoon!" Zhao Zhangru, ever one to enjoy a spectacle, said happily.
"That's natural!" Dou Zhao smiled faintly in response, "If I were him, I'd be too ashamed to face anyone and would only have suicide as an option!"
"Hmph!" He Weifang, upon hearing Liu Chang's current situation, felt no sympathy whatsoever. Instead, she snorted coldly and said, "This Liu Chang pretends to be a pure and scholarly gentleman all day long, acting very high-minded! Yet, after this incident, he doesn't even have the courage to prove his innocence with death. He truly is accustomed to pretense!"
"Marquis!" Just then, Yu Lu cautiously stepped forward and bowed to Wei Tingyu, "The Princess's maid came to relay a message: she will be leaving Dongdu early tomorrow morning to return to the capital and wishes to speak with you..." After speaking, Yu Lu did not leave but nervously looked at Wei Tingyu, wanting to know his decision. After all, from Yu Lu's perspective, Princess Jian was currently the greatest rival to her own young lady! Would the Marquis abandon his own young lady and go to talk to the Princess instead? Her little heart pounded like a drum, beating violently. Of course, Yu Lu wasn't the only one thinking this; He Weifang was also slightly nervous. Now that today's events were over, her escape from the Liu family could be said to be a certainty! She just needed to wait patiently for a few days! The Princess wanting to invite Wei Tingyu away at this time was clearly trying to assert her own presence!
"It's late today, so it's inconvenient for me to disturb the Princess!" However, Wei Tingyu thought for a moment and then made a decision: "Just say that I will personally see her off early tomorrow morning!"
"Yes!" Yu Lu, after receiving Wei Tingyu's answer, turned around satisfied and left happily! Looking at her back, it seemed that the young lady's footsteps were light, as if she was almost skipping! Of course, facing the simultaneous gazes of Dou Zhao and the other four women, Wei Tingyu smiled faintly, his heart as clear as a mirror. After all, the women in front of him were his true wives and concubines. Although the Princess also had a good impression of him, their formal status was yet to be determined. How could he abandon his four wives at home and go to accompany other women?
"Did he really say that?" In the Princess's small courtyard, she had already prepared several small dishes and warmed a pot of wine, waiting for Wei Tingyu's arrival. However, upon hearing the maid's reply, her delicate face immediately showed anger. After all, she had provided great help today! Yet Wei Tingyu actually refused such a simple request as coming to chat with her; it was truly too much! Could it be that this fellow intended to discard her after using her? As for Wei Tingyu's excuse about it being too late and inconvenient to disturb her, Li Youzhen certainly didn't believe a single word of it! Is Wei Tingyu such a stickler for rules? If so, then how did Liu family's daughter-in-law, He Weifang, end up staying in your courtyard? You even steal official's married women; rules mean nothing to you!
"But the Marquis also said that he will personally see the Princess off when she departs tomorrow morning!" The maid then finally spoke Wei Tingyu's latter sentence. At this, Li Youzhen, who was so angry that she was about to throw her chopsticks, instantly froze her hands in mid-air.
"At least he has some conscience!" For Li Youzhen, this was a great comfort. Moreover, if he truly saw her off personally tomorrow, it would be a response to her feelings, and then her efforts today would not have been in vain.
"Quickly find my most beautiful clothes and jewelry!" Thinking this, Li Youzhen stopped eating and drinking, quickly stood up, and said to the maids around her.
"Princess, it's so late, do you still need to dress up so formally?" The maid was completely bewildered upon hearing this. What kind of situation was this?
"Who said I'm wearing them now? Just get them out and prepare them so I don't get flustered tomorrow and can't find them in a hurry!" Li Youzhen shook her head, then revealed a determined expression and said, "Tomorrow morning, I must make sure Marquis Wei's eyes cannot leave me!"
Alas! A woman in love! Her maid was speechless upon hearing this but could only obediently follow her mistress's instructions and quickly search for clothes and jewelry.
Early the next morning, the long street in front of the Liu residence was already filled with the Princess's lengthy carriage procession. And when Princess Jian, dressed in magnificent attire, walked out of the main gate, she immediately saw Wei Tingyu standing there. Of course, Dou Zhao, Miao Ansu, Zhao Zhangru, and He Weifang also stood quietly behind him. Liu Shen and his wife stood on the other side, their heads lowered, not daring to look at Li Youzhen. As for Liu Chang, he was probably too ashamed to appear, so he was nowhere to be seen at this moment.
On this occasion, Princess Li Youzhen carried herself with great dignity, directly stepping out the door with her head held high and walking straight towards her carriage. However, as she passed by Wei Tingyu, she actually reached out and gently grasped his large hand. This scene immediately caused everyone present to lower their eyes, not daring to look directly! Since the young lady was so proactive, Wei Tingyu, as a man, naturally wouldn't be coy! Seeing this, he simply generously took the Princess's hand and led her all the way to the front of the carriage.
The Princess was overjoyed by Wei Tingyu's proactive response! However, at the front of the carriage, she slowly turned to look at Wei Tingyu, staring for a long time before slowly asking, "Marquis, are you truly not returning to the capital with me?"
"Princess, my matters here are not yet finished!" Wei Tingyu smiled faintly and said, "How about I come to the Princess to drink and reminisce after I return to the capital?"
Li Youzhen was startled, then tilted her small head slightly, her gaze passing over Wei Tingyu's shoulder to look directly at Dou Zhao and the other four women standing behind him. Especially He Weifang! Because she knew that the unfinished business Wei Tingyu spoke of referred to her!
"Since that is the case, I shall await the Marquis's esteemed presence at Prince Ning's residence!" Princess Jian blinked, then withdrew her gaze and said again.
"Princess, please!" Wei Tingyu smiled faintly, then proactively reached out to help Li Youzhen into the carriage.