Chapter 8: Visiting the Marquis's Mansion to Investigate the Truth

At the hour of Yin, Li Yanshang boarded the soft sedan chair specially prepared by the Prince of Jin's Mansion. She was accompanied by Baoping and Jinzhi, as well as two steady old maids, one named Mama Qiao and the other Mama Yu, both of whom had served by Lady Tong's side.

The streets were silent, save for the occasional rustling of the wind brushing against the ground and the footsteps of the sedan bearers, which were hurried yet not frantic.

Sitting inside the sedan, Li Yanshang connected the events from beginning to end, thinking them over carefully. She felt little certainty about this trip; after all, it was merely armchair strategy. To know the true state of the Marquis of Weiyuan's Mansion, she would have to be physically present to prescribe the right remedy, so she would have to improvise as the situation dictated.

Lady Tong was right about one thing: he was merely a minor lord from a branch of the Fan family. Why was the Marquis of Weiyuan's Mansion so hell-bent on clinging to the Prince of Jin's Mansion? The Prince of Jin's Mansion was, after all, the Imperial Family; to lose face was to damage the prestige of the Imperial Family itself. Was the Marquis of Weiyuan's Mansion acting so fearlessly solely to seek justice for a widow and her orphaned child?

The two manors were not far apart. In a short while, the sedan came to a halt before the main gates of the Marquis of Weiyuan's Mansion. Mama Qiao stepped forward to knock and handed in a calling card.

A moment later, the gates were opened. Under the transparent glow of the lanterns, a group of people emerged from the main entrance. Leading them was the Marchioness of Weiyuan, followed closely by Yuwen Qingshuang.

Both women looked somewhat surprised and hurried forward to greet her.

Beside her, Jinzhi lifted the sedan curtain and helped Li Yanshang out of the chair. The people of the Marquis of Weiyuan's Mansion stepped forward one by one to pay their respects, but Li Yanshang hurriedly waved them off. Her expression was anxious, and the moment she opened her mouth, she asked, "Marchioness, how is the Second Master now? What is his condition?"

The Marchioness of Weiyuan was approximately forty years old, with a hint of shrewdness in her features. She had never expected that in the middle of the night, the Consort of the Heir would personally come to her door, and with such a look of genuine anxiety and concern. She couldn't help but wonder inwardly; while secretly observing Li Yanshang, she replied cautiously, "We are grateful for the Consort's concern, but there is no need for you to have come in person."

Li Yanshang bowed slightly, her face clouded with worry and sincerity. "Marchioness, this was originally a trouble we brought upon your household. The Princess intended to come and see the Second Master herself, but upon hearing during the day that Third Brother had caused such a disaster, she was so angered that she fell ill. She is still lying in bed. The Princess specifically instructed me to visit the Second Master and to personally offer her apologies to the Marquis and the Marchioness."

The Marchioness of Weiyuan dared not accept Li Yanshang's gesture and hurriedly stepped aside to avoid it. "Consort, you truly overwhelm this old woman with such respect. Please, come in."

As the Marchioness led Li Yanshang through the gates, her confidence gradually waned. She had originally thought the Consort had come to demand accountability, but who knew she had come personally to apologize, and in front of everyone, with such heartfelt words? It left her at a loss for how to respond.

It was Yuwen Qingshuang who stepped in to speak. "Sister-in-law, the night is deep and the dew is heavy. Your health has only just recovered, so you should be more careful. Second Brother's condition was critical just now, and he has not yet woken up. Father was so anxious and helpless that he had to go to the palace to seek the imperial physicians, which has once again disturbed the Emperor. Father has not returned yet."

Yuwen Qingshuang was also quite surprised by Li Yanshang's sudden visit. Beyond her shock, she couldn't help but worry that Li Yanshang might say something inappropriate. She was well aware of the Consort's temperament—deep down, she was insecure, yet she carried an air of haughtiness. Seeing her being so approachable and polite now, Yuwen Qingshuang felt some doubt, though she showed none on her face.

Li Yanshang naturally understood the implication: the Marquis of Weiyuan had gone to the palace to seek justice from the Emperor. However, she spoke with understanding, "With such a major incident, it is only natural that the Marquis is worried. If people from the palace hadn't come, we wouldn't even know the Second Master's condition. It is all because of those who spread false rumors. Had they known the Second Master was in such danger, the Heir would have certainly come to keep watch."

The group entered the main reception hall of the Marquis's mansion. Just as Li Yanshang had settled into her seat, a woman dressed in lotus-purple clothing rushed in. Several silver hairpins were tucked sloppily into her hair, which was slightly disheveled, and her face was filled with anguish. She ran toward the Marchioness of Weiyuan in a few large strides and cried out, "Sister-in-law, I'm afraid Shuqi won't make it!"

Shuqi was the given name of that Second Master of the Fan family. Li Yanshang's heart sank, and she was instantly struck by an ominous premonition.

The Marchioness of Weiyuan, however, remained very calm. She glanced at the woman and turned to Li Yanshang. "Please do not take offense, Consort. She is Shuqi's mother; she does not understand the rules." She then glared at the woman. "Quickly, pay your respects to the Consort of the Prince of Jin's Mansion. The Consort has come personally to see Shuqi."

The woman, her face stained with tears, froze for a moment before taking two steps back. When she remembered that these were the people who had caused her son's death, a flash of rage erupted in her eyes. She suddenly raised her head and stared straight at Li Yanshang, only to see that Li Yanshang's eyes were full of worry and concern, laced with a sternness that commanded respect without anger. This frightened her so much that she retreated another two steps.

Seeing her lose her composure, the Marchioness of Weiyuan hurriedly stood up and walked over, grabbing the woman's sleeve. "Quickly, pay your respects to the Consort."

Madam Fan snapped back to her senses. Receiving the Marchioness's cold gaze, her face flushed crimson. She hurriedly straightened her clothes and was about to kneel when Li Yanshang reached out and caught her first. "Madam Fan, there is no need for such formality. She is grieving; why bother with such worldly etiquette? Tell me, what happened to the Second Master? Have the imperial physicians not arrived yet?"

Madam Fan came from a minor family and rarely went out; even at the Marquis of Weiyuan's mansion, she only visited the Marchioness occasionally. She had never encountered a great figure like the Consort of the Heir. Combined with her recent loss of composure and the resentment in her heart, she became momentarily lost.

The Marchioness of Weiyuan knew she was narrow-minded and feared she might say something wrong, but she had no choice but to ask anxiously, "Quickly, tell us, how is Shuqi?"

Madam Fan's body trembled slightly as she sobbed, "Shuqi is barely clinging to life. The physicians have just arrived and are currently treating him."

Seeing that her explanation was vague and only added to the group's anxiety, Yuwen Qingshuang stood up. "Mother, I will go and see what is happening." She then turned to Li Yanshang. "Sister-in-law, please rest here. It is cold outside; do not let the chill affect your health. I will be back shortly."

Li Yanshang knew she could not go personally to see the Second Master, as he was a stranger and had suffered external injuries. She nodded. "Then I shall trouble you, sister."

Madam Fan, her face pale, muttered blankly, "I'll go see too," and turned to follow Yuwen Qingshuang.

Li Yanshang remained where she was, watching their hurried figures depart, lost in thought.

The Marchioness of Weiyuan stood to the side, stamping her foot in anger. She whispered indignantly, "That woman has no sense of decorum. Consort, please, for the sake of her devotion to her son, do not hold it against her."

"The Marchioness overstates it. As a mother, such is her heart. What mother could endure the pain of losing a child?" Li Yanshang's voice was low, light as a sigh, sounding particularly desolate in the cold, silent night.

The Marchioness of Weiyuan suddenly remembered Li Yanshang's miscarriage and the recent rumors, and a wave of pity washed over her. She hurriedly commanded, "Quickly, bring my mink-fur brocade cushion for the Consort to sit on."

Immediately, a maid brought a brocade cushion and placed it on the carved wooden chair where Li Yanshang had just been sitting. Baoping hurried to support the Consort, and only then did Li Yanshang slowly regain her composure, saying to the Marchioness, "Thank you, Marchioness."

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Yuwen Qingshuang finally returned. Her face was pale, but she carried a hint of joy. "Mother, Second Brother has taken the medicine prescribed by the imperial physician and has finally managed to hold onto his breath. The physician said that as long as he wakes up today, he will be out of danger."