Chapter 139 - 138: Unlucky (Xinqing He Shi Bi+)
Huo Ruyi’s words were full of sarcasm, like fuel to the fire in Princess An Ran’s ears.
Princess An Ran knew that Huo Ruyi was slightly closer to Princess Hui, and thus, after the incident of her stopping Mu Lianxiao in the street, Huo Ruyi followed Princess Hui in mocking and laughing at her behind her back.
Now that the Elder Master had decided on her marriage to the Enrong Bo Mansion, Princess An Ran was extremely dissatisfied, but she could not resist.
Both families had already reported to the palace, just waiting for the decree after the New Year.
Princess An Ran’s outbursts were in vain, as the situation was already set in stone.
Marriage was one thing, her feelings were another; she would marry into the Enrong Bo Mansion, but she did not like Huo Ziming at all.
When she came in earlier, she couldn’t even be bothered to glance at Huo Ziming.
However, Huo Ruyi’s words were particularly unpleasant. Just as she was about to explode with fury, she saw Shi Lian’er sobbing on the couch, and her anger suddenly redirected: "Oh? Truly shameless? Ruyi, tell me, what is it like?"
Huo Ruyi opened her mouth.
They were not close enough to address each other by name, but thinking about the messy situation at hand and considering Princess An Ran as her future sister-in-law, it seemed not improper, so she held back her dissatisfaction and said, "What is it like? Well, look at what’s in front of you. This is still tidied up, I heard that initially, she was only left with a bellyband."
Princess An Ran’s eyes flashed with a severe glare.
A proper young lady, stripping down to only a bellyband in the host’s courtyard during a banquet?
Unheard of!
Shi Lian’er, teary-eyed, looked up at Huo Ruyi: "I...I stained my clothes, and the maid told me to wait here while she went to get me clean clothes, I..."
Huo Ruyi’s gaze stopped on the small jacket, stained in many places, draped over Shi Lian’er and scoffed: "Where’s the maid? Has she come? The maid hasn’t even shown up, and you couldn’t wait to undress. Who are you trying to show?"
"I didn’t!" Shi Lian’er said anxiously, tears slipping as she kept wiping with her hands, "It was all an accident!"
"An accident, indeed!" Princess An Ran walked up to Shi Lian’er and pinched her chin, forcing that tear-stained face to look at her, "It’s about a quarter of an hour’s walk from here to the Flower Hall where we admire the plum blossoms; tell me, how did you come here when you went to wash your hands? Which gentleman are you seeking? Prince Rui? Huo Ziming? Or someone else? Shi Lian’er, this is Wangmei Garden, not your hometown square, you can’t wander around at will."
Princess An Ran’s fingertips applied force, causing Shi Lian’er pain. She tried to break free but failed, anxiously reaching out to pry, saying, "You are Princess, is this how Princess bullies people?"
"Bully you?" Princess An Ran seemed to hear a joke; she didn’t let go or bother with Shi Lian’er, just quietly looking at Mu Lianhui, said word by word, "With such a matter occurring in Wangmei Garden, how does Lady intend to handle it?"
Mu Lianhui pursed her lips, glanced towards the main room, and said, "Involving Prince Rui and Mr. Huo, does Princess think this is something I can handle?"
"Lady means to report the matter of a common woman, who was left with only a bellyband, crashing into Prince Rui and Mr. Huo to the Empress Dowager and Imperial Consort?" Princess An Ran exhaled slowly, "You think, how will Imperial Consort feel knowing she lent you Wangmei Garden for kind purposes, only to end up with this situation?"
Mu Lianhui slowly shook her head, "It’s my fault for not taking good care of the guests, I will plead guilty to the Empress Dowager and Imperial Consort myself."
Princess An Ran was filled with frustration; she felt if she kept playing Tai Chi with Mu Lianhui like this, she would be unable to hold back her outburst.
Watching the people in the room who were either crying, angry, or persuading, Du Yunluo understood more and more.
No matter who Shi Lian’er’s target was, how many times Mu Lianhui had made things convenient for her, in the end, it was Princess An Ran who would suffer in silence.
For a young lady, reputation is important. Although Shi Lian’er had no background or status, she appeared in Wangmei Garden; she also had a scholar brother and a scholar father.
Such an identity meant nothing to these noble and official families, but Shi Lian’er had indeed revealed herself, and if they ignore it, Shi Lian’er would later stage a suicide drama for the disgrace, Shi Shiren and his father causing trouble, even Li Luan, the young prince, would face a lawsuit.
The Shi Family had perfected the art of bare-foot troublemaking, having nothing to lose, naturally daring to cause trouble.
While everyone else here dared not let them cause trouble.
This matter had to be addressed.
Shi Lian’er happened to be seen by both Li Luan and Huo Ziming, but with Li Luan’s status, having suffered such a big loss, would he honestly bring Shi Lian’er into the mansion?
The hot potato certainly landed in Huo Ziming’s hands.
With new and old hatred combined, it’s no wonder Princess An Ran seemed ready to eat someone alive; no matter her dissatisfaction with Huo Ziming, she was set to marry in a grand sedan, and now, here came a mess, distressing beyond relief.
Everyone’s hearts were clear, and those in the main room were clear too.
Mu Liancheng coughed lightly and called Mu Lianhui out, glanced at Li Luan, and asked in a low voice, "Have you come to a conclusion?"
"As if what I say matters." Mu Lianhui finished speaking and looked towards Li Luan, "Prince Rui, what do you think?"
Li Luan’s hand on the armrest of the Eight Immortals Chair slowly applied pressure, his distinct knuckles showing, peach blossom eyes devoid of any humor, gazing directly at Mu Lianhui, "Regarding Grand Empress Dowager, I will speak of it, as for that woman, you may handle her as you see fit."
Mu Lianhui was slightly taken aback.
"Her scheme wasn’t for me," Li Luan chuckled coldly, "just me and Ziming being unfortunate."
Huo Ziming held his forehead, eyes closed, saying nothing.
It was more than misfortune, it was utter bad luck.
While drinking in the pavilion, he accidentally overturned a cup and stained Li Luan’s clothes, Li Luan, familiar with Wangmei Garden, thought to tidy up in the nearby courtyard.
Huo Ziming, knowing he troubled Li Luan, was uneasy and followed apologetically, only to open the door to those bare arms and bare back, nearly staggering back.
Had he known, he would rather not have apologized to Li Luan and not gotten involved in this troublesome situation.
Li Luan’s status is prominent, this mess could only be cleaned up by him, just thinking about it gave him a headache.
Not sure who the woman intended to scheme against, but the result was...
"Unfortunate, but it must be dealt with." Mu Lianhui sighed, glanced at Huo Ziming, and gestured toward the east room, "Princess is inside."
The mention of Princess An Ran’s name almost made Huo Ziming’s head explode with pain.
Du Yunluo peeked out quietly, catching Li Luan’s conversation with Mu Lianhui, a notion flashed in her mind, causing her surprise.
If Huo Ziming was the unfortunate one, what about Li Luan?
Was he merely unlucky?
The Empress Dowager was already considering Li Luan and Mu Lianhui’s marriage; this incident, although there was a scapegoat in Huo Ziming, would Li Luan and Mu Lianhui’s marriage proceed smoothly?