Chapter 134.2: Everyone Has Gathered
The Ding Duchess was long prepared, and as soon as she received news, she just led along her people and casually strolled up to the Luo Manor. As for the Right Commander-in-Chief's madam, when she heard the news, she first blanked, then burned in anger, but then very quickly calmed down. How to preserve the Shen family's reputation to the greatest extent, and how to obtain the greatest benefit from within........"Quickly send someone to the yamen[1] to have this matter reported to the eldest master."
At this time, Luo Pei Shan had already received news. In reality, prior to coming out, Luo Old Madam had already sent someone to inform him, and the content of the message: 'There's a young lady at the gates, begging third miss to spare her life.' In reality, regardless whether it was the mama by Luo Old Madam's side, or the errand running servant boy, they all weren't too clear of Luo Old Madam's intentions. Directly look for the old master despite not understanding the whole situation at hand? However, after Luo Pei Shan heard these words, he understood everything.
Thus, the temporarily still having nothing to do Sir Luo just boldly left work early just like that.
From the moment he entered the palace this morning, Sun Yi Lin just strangely felt somewhat jittery. No matter what he did, he was all unable to calm down. As time passed, this feeling not only didn't improve, it even grew increasingly severe. He covered his heart. That place was full of terror, full of unease, always feeling as if something was going to happen, and even something very serious.
Seeing his mind repeatedly wandering, Le Cheng Emperor furrowed his brows, truly unable to keep watching, "Yi Lin, is your body unwell?"
Sun Yi Lin returned to his senses and hurriedly got up to beg for forgiveness, "Your Majesty, please forgive."
Le Cheng Emperor waved his hand, "If you're unwell, then just go back first today."
Sun Yi Lin thought for a moment. Leaving the palace to go see what's wrong was also good. Besides, in his current state, he wasn't able to do anything either. "Many thanks your Majesty." Sun Yi Lin tidied up, and then bowed in farewell to Le Cheng Emperor.
Sun Yi Lin returned home in the quickest speed. When the gatekeeper saw him returning at this time, he was also very surprised, but those eyes were further filled with another meaning. If this was nothing, then Sun Yi Lin will have his name written backwards, "What happened?"
The gatekeeper continuously stuttered, unable to say anything substantial.
"Quickly speak." Sun Yi Lin sternly spoke.
The gatekeeper was terribly frightened. All say, people who don't get angry, when angered, were the most terrifying. And like popping peas, he hastily had everything all explained clearly.
After Sun Yi Lin finished listening, everything went black before his eyes, nearly collapsing onto the ground. The first thing he thought of wasn't at what point did he sleep with a girl and even let the other party get pregnant, but rather he might lose Jing Wan.
His servant boy hurriedly reached out to support him, "Young master, are you alright?"
Sun Yi Lin pushed him aside, "My mother went to the Luo Manor?"
The gatekeeper quickly nodded, "Madam has left for quite some time already, and should've arrived by now."
Sun Yi Lin immediately turned to leave, but just as he stepped over the doorsteps, he turned back again, hastily heading towards Sun Old Madam's courtyard.
It was clear, Sun Old Madam also knew of this matter already, and was currently absentmindedly sitting under the corridor.
Sun Yi Lin walked over, lifting the hem of his clothes, directly kneeling down, "Grandmother............"
"No need to beg me, it's useless even if you beg, I can't help you. It's not like Luo third miss won't marry anyone but you, and your mother right now is nothing more than a soon-to-be mother-in-law, yet has repeatedly tried to make trouble for the girl, making her lose face. No matter who, probably all won't want to marry in. And probably only your mother would still be full of herself, feeling pleased, thinking no matter what she does, it all won't spoil this marriage."
Sun Yi Lin both hated and ached inside, "This grandson bids farewell." Getting up, he hurriedly rushed to the Luo Manor.
The Right Commander-in-Chief's madam and the Ding Duchess seemingly arrived at the Luo Manor at the same time.
The two of them were both skilled in maintaining face on the surface, however, that pair of intersecting gazes already battled countless rounds. The two of them weren't just people of different factions, they themselves were also sworn enemies to begin with.
The Ding Duchess's gaze landed on the girl still kneeling on the ground, "The Shen family sure know how to raise daughters." Not knowing shame, taking advantage of her son while he's drunk and climbing onto his bed, a slut.
"That still can't compare to Ding Duchess's ability in raising a son." Wantonly fooling around with a young lady of the boudoir, where's his upbringing? The number one gentleman of the capital, more like the number one fake gentleman of the capital.
"You..........." The Ding Duchess knew some of the actual situation, however she couldn't say it, and needed pretend that she just learned of this matter. Otherwise, it'll expose everything she's done.
"Respectfully inviting both madams into the Manor." A mama by Luo Old Madam's side appeared, this while also carrying a cold gaze, "Presumably Miss Shen this while is also willing to get up. The Luo family naturally wouldn't go as far as to forcibly feed an outsider abortion medicine."
The Right Commander-in-Chief's madam, at the moment, was more or less somewhat awkward. No matter what, this was someone from their Shen family. She really wanted to slap her to death, a lowly slut is just a lowly slut, to dare look for trouble. "Still not getting up, waiting for someone to help you?" Then, when she turned to that mama, knowing that she was in the wrong, she carried a smile on her face, "Troubling you to please lead the way."
Since that Miss Shen had been kneeling for that long, her legs have long gone numb, so when she got up, she staggered, but no one reached out to help her. After two three more times like this, she finally got up. Feeling a burst of faint dropping pain in her lower abdomen, she couldn't help but panic inside. Prior to coming, she was already afraid of something happening, so specially ate some fetus protecting medicine. If the child is gone, she'll be thoroughly done for. "Madam, my stomach hurts.............."
"Better if you die, it'll solve all troubles! Endure it!" The Right Commander-in-Chief's madam coldly spoke.
Miss Shen went pale, both resentful and angry. She couldn't help but look towards the Ding Duchess. Unfortunately, at this time, the Ding Duchess didn't even give her a spare glance. The reason why the Ding Duchess helped this Miss Shen was purely for the sake of making Jing Wan lose face. As for that child in her stomach, illegitimate and disgraceful, nothing more than a bastard. As for saying it might not be her son's, she rather didn't believe such a situation would appear.
Miss Shen couldn't help feeling resentful inside.
The two sides were led through the front gates. Just, before that gate closed, one heard the sound of urgent horse hooves, "Shh.........."
Hearing the voice, the Ding Duchess immediately turned her head. Seeing her own son jumping down from horseback, she felt both furious and guilty. Furious because as expected, he still has that fiancee of his viewed more importantly than anyone else, and guilty because if by chance someone were to find out what she did.............
"Yi Lin, shouldn't you be in the palace at this time? What are you doing here?"
Sun Yi Lin expressionlessly looked to the Ding Duchess. He actually very much wanted to ask her, do you take everyone for an idiot? This matter simply didn't need any evidence. As long as someone had a bit of brains, all will be able to think of who it was that did such a good thing. His line of sight shifted from the Ding Duchess, meeting with Miss Shen's fervent gaze, "This young master doesn't even know when one slept with a woman, let alone fathering a bastard?"
The killing intent in Sun Yi Lin's eyes, as well as that not at all courteous words, were just like a basin of ice water splashing onto that Miss Shen's heart, letting the fervent in her eyes rapidly fade, with tears pooling in its place. But she firmly bit her lips, and didn't cry out.
The Right Commander-in-Chief's madam originally wanted to mock Sun Yi Lin a few words, but in the end held back.
"Asking everyone to please come in and talk."
Seeing Sun Yi Lin also appearing, the Luo family was actually rather surprised. Good, everyone has all gathered.
Sun Yi Lin's gaze met with Jing Wan's. He was unable to see any feelings in her eyes. That heart rapidly sunk, yet seemingly unable to hit the bottom. "Jing Wan............"
[1] Government office in feudal China. I originally tried translating it, but it always felt out of place, then I found some translated historical documents that also just left it in pinyin so here we are now.
T/N: I'll just say this for now, the title of chapter 137 is called 'The Truth'. I should start selling popcorn lol. I have to say the moral of this arc really is, how one person can fuk things up for everyone, and I'm not just referring to the Ding Duchess, although she's the more obvious case in this. For some reason, this novel reminds me of aesop fables more than it should, minus the animals.
Edit: Forgot to add thanks to all my lovely patrons' support, starting February the release schedule will update to 10 posts a week.