She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 480 - Four Hundred and Seventy-Eight: What Was Done to Him

Chapter 480: Chapter Four Hundred and Seventy-Eight: What Was Done to Him

Hong Wu ordered two kinds of fruit and, as usual, paid thirty large coins. Gritting his teeth, he tossed the boy a piece of silver, "Do your job well, off you go."

Oh, this errand had proved to be not only taxing on the mind but also on the wallet. To make this meal appear as a coincidence, he had mobilized all his underlings to deceive the subordinates of the Protectorate General. In the private room next door, he had arranged this casual drinking session for Shen Yongzhen.

The silver needed for official business could, of course, be withdrawn from Uncle Wan, but the money to reward the boys... that had to come out of his own pocket. Earning money was not easy.

Bearing the heartache of financial loss, Hong Wu instructed one of his servants, "Withdraw the people keeping an eye on Hongen Pavilion; there’s no need to watch it anymore."

Everyone was in place, and the outcome now depended solely on Bai Jingtang and the others’ performance. Having too many people around was useless. Old acquaintances around the head were of no use either.

In this matter, not only was Shen Yongzhen inexperienced, but even General Zhenyuan, Prince Fu, Shen Qixiang, and even Bai Jingtang and Xiao Cheng were not to be underestimated as they were all insightful individuals. Withdrawing the people earlier meant that, should anyone investigate afterwards, there would be fewer traces left behind.

The people from Prince Yu’s Mansion feared no one, yet there was no need to ask for trouble, was there? Moreover, carrying out a task flawlessly showcased the doer’s capability. It’s embarrassing to set up a scheme only to have it traced back to you afterward.

Hong Wu’s seat was on the route Shen Yongzhen would take to go home. If the trap succeeded, Prince Yu’s Mansion would not need to deploy anyone for this matter. He had to stay here and see the outcome and then report back to Sixth Master.

He slowly sipped a cup of liquor while watching the street view below.

Almost a Shichen later, he saw Bai Jingtang, Xiao Cheng, and several others escorting a stretcher, hurrying past the street below the tavern.

Shen Yongzhen’s two servants looked terrified, one with half of his face swollen and the other limping severely and struggling to keep up with the stretcher.

Considering the crowd’s behavior, the person on the stretcher must be Shen Yongzhen. Hong Wu, sitting in the tavern, was too far away from the street to see clearly how Shen Yongzhen looked on the stretcher, but judging from the people’s faces and expressions, it was clear that Shen Yongzhen was injured, and severely so.

Hong Wu silently watched the group depart below, his eyebrows creeping higher and higher.

What was happening here? Could it be that the Protectorate General had made a move? That seemed unlikely!

According to the plan, Bai Jingtang and Xiao Cheng would entice Shen Yongzhen into revealing that the Shen Family sought to marry Miss Ye for no other reason than to work for Prince Fu and, by relying on Miss Ye, to get closer to Prince Fu and become one of his close courtiers.

Upon hearing these words, the Protectorate General would naturally be averse to having his niece embroiled in the imperial court’s struggles, and the marriage proposal would surely fall through.

But what was happening now? The Protectorate General had actually attacked someone who had come to the capital to take the imperial exam, and this person was also the son of the Prefect of Liaoyuan.

Although the Protectorate General was of military general stock, he was not a violent man. What kind of outrageous statement had Shen Yongzhen made to provoke the general to this extent?

It’s better to go back and report to Sixth Master, let him rack his brains over this—his own mind was not particularly adept in such matters.

......

Yin Xiaocheng, although he had moved against Shen Yongzhen, still felt gloomy and deeply unsatisfied in his heart. His niece had already changed her ways and was no longer the person she used to be; couldn’t she shake off that disgraceful past and start anew?

A few days earlier, he had reserved a space at the restaurant to dine with friends. As dishes were served one after another and they began to eat amidst laughter, they overheard the scholars in the next booth discussing literary works and subtly mentioning Miss Ye.

Those sitting with him were either his former subordinates or close friends who, upon hearing Miss Ye’s name, knew they should not listen to what followed. A few friends glanced at him and discreetly withdrew, also helping to clear the room for him.

This was providence showing favor to the Yin family and his niece Xinyan, allowing him to hear the true thoughts of Shen Yongzhen. Otherwise, after his wholehearted endorsement and marrying his niece off to the Shen family, if she ended up like his little sister, how could he face her? And how would he be fair to Xinyan?

What’s worse, to infer from that bastard Shen Yongzhen’s words, his niece’s fate might even be worse than his little sister’s. Xinyan might not even have the chance to bear a daughter. If that were to happen, how miserable would the child’s later years be? Thinking this, Yin Xiaocheng almost wished he could go back and take Shen Yongzhen’s life right then and there.

As Yin Xiaocheng walked back, his heart ached as he thought of his little sister and his niece. Was it true, as his niece had said, that she would spend her whole life supporting her brothers and the family between her natal home and the Qi family, and remain alone forever?

Upon returning to Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion, Yin Xiaocheng was conscious of his unsightly expression and did not wish to add to his parents’ worries. After entering the Second Gate, he headed straight to Madam Sun’s courtyard.

Madam Sun had just finished lunch and was sitting on the couch in the outer room, chatting with her daughter-in-law Lady Yuan while watching her grandson Yin Lanxu and two playmates run around to aid digestion.

Seeing Yin Xiaocheng return, both mother-in-law and daughter-in-law promptly got up to greet him.

Yin Lanxu also put down the labyrinth game he was holding and rushed towards Yin Xiaocheng. Yin Xiaocheng lifted his grandson into his arms, finally revealing a slight smile on his face.

Lady Yuan, noticing Yin Xiaocheng’s poor complexion, quickly stepped forward with a smile, coaxed Yin Lanxu down, bowed, and excused herself.

Madam Sun helped Yin Xiaocheng off with his coat and shoes, seated him on the heated kang bed, served him tea, and then dismissed the servants. She sat opposite Yin Xiaocheng and asked, "Weren’t you supposed to be drinking with friends, General? Why have you come back so early? Did something troubling happen?"

Yin Xiaocheng fell silent for a moment, suppressed his anger, and then slowly recounted the day’s events to Madam Sun.

Madam Sun was also livid, "That Shen Yongzhen is too despicable! Despite his appearance of a dignified man, he harbors such filthy thoughts! What did you do to him, General? He must not be let off lightly."

Yin Xiaocheng let out a bitter laugh, "If Shen Yongzhen wants to recover, it will probably take him three to four months at least. That is a minor issue; what’s crucial is, what do we do about Xinyan? Should a young and ignorant mistake really be irreparable? If Xinyan weren’t a divorcee burdened by her past reputation, I bet the Shen family wouldn’t dare to insult her like this."

"Alas," sighed Madam Sun. Isn’t that the truth? Women simply cannot afford to make mistakes.

Putting herself in their shoes, if her own dear son had to choose between two girls, one with a tainted past and one pure as water, she too would pick the latter for her son.

But she couldn’t forgive the Shen family’s approach. If they did not find Xinyan suitable, they could have simply refrained from discussing marriage. It was utterly contemptible and base for them to look down on Xinyan, yet take the initiative to enter into a marriage alliance.

Madam Sun fell silent for a long while, then said, "Although she is our own child, right is right and wrong is wrong. Let’s put Xinyan’s marital affairs on hold for now. She fled the capital due to her mistakes, and even though she has changed, not everyone may believe that. Let some time pass, and as days go on, people will naturally recognize Xinyan’s virtues. Then we can consider marriage again, when the circumstances will likely be better. It’s better than acting hastily now and ruining Xinyan’s entire life."