Chapter 86: Chapter 86: Reprimand

“If His Majesty and the Empress were to find out that Second Miss Fu suffered such injustice, faced with such vile slander, how distressed they would be. Where do these rumors place His Majesty who has rewarded Miss Fu so greatly? And where does it place the commoners of Ganning City whom Miss Fu saved?”

Mr. Chang shook his head and sighed.

These words were not meant for Lin Qingqing and her companions, but for the commoners outside to hear.

Upon hearing this, the commoners would naturally clear Fu Shinian of the rumors.

Mr. Chang turned his head and saw that Fu Shinian’s eyes were red.

“Oh dear! Second Miss, you mustn’t cry!” Mr. Chang quickly said.

“Mr. Chang, you are so kind.” Fu Shinian sniffed, “I, as your humble servant, thank you deeply.”

Fu Shinian gracefully bowed.

“Oh, Miss, you humble this servant.” Mr. Chang had never seen a noble young lady bow to an eunuch so easily.

Unexpectedly, Fu Mingzhu also bowed and said, “Thank you, Mr. Chang, for speaking up for Shinian, otherwise, my sister would have been buried by these filthy rumors today.”

Mr. Chang waved his hand, “This servant could not bear to see the young miss being bullied like this. Even a servant like me understands the truth; how can others not?”

“Both young ladies, please hold back your tears; this servant will return to the palace and report the truth.”

“No!” Xu Xiuyu turned pale with fright, “Mr. Chang, please spare my daughter this time! It was all my daughter’s nonsense, Mr. Chang…”

But Mr. Chang paid no heed and left with a flick of his sleeve.

Fu Mingzhu supported Fu Shinian to her feet and said, “Let’s also leave, lest we witness more unfortunate sights!”

“Alright.” Fu Shinian nodded.

Fu Mingzhu, of course, did not forget Yu Jingyun, “Thank you for your righteous words just now, Jingyun.”

“There’s no need for such politeness between us. I heard it firsthand, and if I did not speak up, how could I be worthy of being your friend?” Yu Jingyun said.

“Does Sister Yu have other plans later? We were about to visit a shop to look at some jewelry. If you are free, would you like to join us?” Fu Shinian asked.

“Sure.” Yu Jingyun nodded with a smile, “I came out today not only to buy incense, but also wanted to look at some jewelry. With the new year coming, I want to wear something fresh and festive.”

“Did you choose your incense already, Sister Yu?” Fu Shinian asked.

“I just chose two.” Yu Jingyun told the shop assistant who had been serving her, “Please pack the Jasmine Cedar and Pine Rose incense for me.”

“Yes.”

“Since we’re the hosts, how can we let Sister Yu pay?” Fu Shinian said.

Yu Jingyun stopped her and said, “Business is business.”

“If you have a mind to, you might leave one for me when you make some special incense not sold in the shop.” Yu Jingyun said with a smile.

“Of course, no problem.”

Yu Jingyun had the shop send the incense to Elder Yong’an’s mansion, while she herself went with Fu Shinian and Fu Mingzhu to the Jade Pavilion.

While the three were still at the Jade Pavilion, news already spread in the capital about Emperor Jiawen’s reward to Fu Shinian.

And all the rumors regarding Xiao Chengyu were unfounded lies.

In such circumstances, despite living in the same manor, it was enormous, and they did not share the same room.

Both were strictly adhering to the rules.

The commoners of the capital initially did not know the significant contributions Fu Shinian had made to Ganning.

Now that they knew, they began to curse those who spread the rumors.

Moreover, with Emperor Jiawen’s commendation, no one dared to speak ill anymore.

Mr. Chang returned to the palace and coincidentally found Emperor Jiawen in the Empress’s hall, so Mr. Chang went to Ciyuan Hall and reported the whole matter to the Emperor and Empress.

“Fu Shinian only returned to the capital yesterday, and today the rumor has spread all over the capital? That’s too quick!” Emperor Jiawen said.

Mr. Chang said, “After announcing the decree, this servant explained to the gathered commoners for Second Miss Fu. Now, with Your Majesty’s commendation, it seems unlikely the baseless rumors will persist in the capital.”

“Even so, I still find it strange that Second Miss Fu just returned to the capital yesterday, and today the rumors are rampant, too fast indeed.” The Empress said to Emperor Jiawen, “I don’t believe the rumors spread without some intentional force behind them.”

Emperor Jiawen nodded, “Undoubtedly so.”

The Emperor and Empress, how could they not be aware of these small schemes?

The Empress had encountered many ambitious concubines aiming for her position.

She still firmly holds her position as the Empress and has Emperor Jiawen’s respect, possessing exceptional means.

As for Emperor Jiawen, although he wasn’t schemed against by the former Emperor’s concubines during his childhood, the former Emperor himself often engaged in some disgraceful palace intrigues.

These wore out Emperor Jiawen but also made him well-versed in handling such petty schemes.

Emperor Jiawen was fortunate to have the guidance and support of the late Grand Tutor Shen Shilang in his youth and saw Lady Su Jinshi, the exemplary wife of the Grand Tutor, disdaining such tactics as those used by Xu Xiuyu.

Finding the culprits behind such rumors is challenging, especially when the whole city is involved.

Unless it becomes severe, Emperor Jiawen wouldn’t specifically order an investigation.

The Empress knew this and said, “Though it is difficult to find those who spread rumors, we can make an example.”

“It would be one thing if the commoners of the city were clueless, but Xu Xiuyu and Zhou Xiulin are both noble ladies; they should understand the harm such rumors bring to a woman, yet they were brazenly spreading nonsense in the shop, truly detestable!” The Empress said angrily, “They intended to ruin Second Miss Fu!”

The Empress raised her voice and proclaimed, “By the decree of this palace, Xu Xiuyu and Zhou Xiulin, for their poor character, are ordered to reflect on their actions at home for three months and thoroughly learn the virtues of womanhood. Since the new year approaches, they need not come to the palace anymore.”

When finished, the Empress lifted herself and said to Emperor Jiawen, “Your Majesty, please forgive my boldness.”

“The Empress has no need for forgiveness.” Emperor Jiawen helped the Empress up and said, “Proclaim my decree and let Xu Housen and Zhou Xiangyi return and properly teach their daughters. How is it that Fu Zhijin and his wife could raise such pure and virtuous children, while their daughters openly defame another woman’s reputation?”

The decree of the Emperor and Empress reached the Zhou Mansion and the Xu Mansion.

Mr. Zhou and Mr. Xu felt their world collapse.

With the Empress’s decree, all in the capital knew of Xu Xiuyu and Zhou Xiulin’s flawed character, making marriage prospects bleak.

But that was the least of their concerns; if needed, they could marry outside the capital.

However, Emperor Jiawen’s decree also criticized them.

Unable to educate their children properly, even compared unfavorably to Mr. Fu, left them infuriated!

They had hoped for advancement in the coming year, but now that is out of the question.

Because their daughters’ affairs affected their career prospects, Mr. Zhou and Mr. Xu couldn’t stand it.

Mr. Xu directly slapped Xu Xiuyu, “Ingrate! You’ve ruined my career! His Majesty probably won’t give me another chance in this lifetime!”

Xu Xiuyu had a younger brother as well.

Her brother felt equally wronged, “I clearly said nothing, did nothing, and yet you dragged me down with you!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep