“Heh.”
A cold laugh escaped Jiang Xingyan’s throat.
It was devoid of any emotion, any warmth whatsoever.
Old Madam Huo, still seething with anger, felt as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over her head, causing her to shiver violently.
“Hanging yourself?
I wonder, Mother, is the white silk you’ve prepared long enough?
The gates of the General’s mansion are rather high, you know.
If it’s not long enough, your son can contribute a new piece for you?”
It wasn’t just Old Madam Huo; even Li Yishu stared at “Huo Ci” in disbelief.
Where had her formerly filial and obedient cousin gone?
How come the “him” before her now resembled a vengeful ghost crawling out from the depths of hell?
Old Madam Huo, pointing at “Huo Ci,” was so angry she couldn’t utter a single word.
“You, you unfilial wretch!
How dare you wish for your own mother’s death?
This old woman will go to strike the petition drum and beg His Majesty to punish you!
Let’s see if the laws of the Western Zhou Dynasty can tolerate a scoundrel like you!”
Jiang Xingyan looked down at her, eyes indifferent, tone icy cold:
“Oh? So, does that mean Mother no longer plans to hang yourself?
Whatever Mother says, your son will do.
I am merely being obedient.
But with such rapid changes of mind, you make it very difficult for me.”
“I am your mother!
Are you saying I can’t even reprimand you now?!
If you truly took your mother’s words to heart, you should have helped your cousin.
Not stand here before me, speaking with such gross irreverence!”
Jiang Xingyan’s gaze sharpened:
“You can speak, of course you can.
Since Mother dares to claim that my father and grandfather secretly supported the current Emperor, you must have irrefutable evidence.
This concerns the honor and innocence of the Huo family; it must be clarified.
It just so happens that morning court is soon. Your son will take Mother and Cousin into the palace to face His Majesty, and we can reason this out before the Emperor himself.
We can clarify exactly how much our Huo family has helped His Majesty.
And also, whether my grandfather was truly responsible for the death of your Li family member. How does that sound?”
Even though Huo Ci was utterly despicable, Jiang Xingyan still held a measure of respect for his father and grandfather.
They were heroes who had died for their country.
How could they be slandered and humiliated time and again by this rat hiding in the gutter!
Hearing this, Old Madam Huo’s rage completely dissipated, replaced by cold sweat.
She truly hadn’t expected “Huo Ci” to be this unyielding now, refusing to listen to a single word she said.
In the past, if she so much as slightly darkened her expression, he would kneel before her, bow his head in admission of fault, and go along with her every whim.
What had happened to him now?
Could it be just because he discovered she had slandered that merchant’s daughter?
This ungrateful wretch!
Truly Huo family stock, not showing her an ounce of loyalty!
“Summon the servants. Escort the Old Madam out of the residence. We’re going to the palace to see the Emperor.”
“No, this old woman won’t go!”
Her accusations were baseless fabrications; how could she dare to prattle on before the Emperor?
Wasn’t that asking for a premature death?
Seeing two guards approaching her, Old Madam Huo, in her desperation, completely abandoned any pretense of being the dignified matriarch. She desperately clung to a tree in the side courtyard.
“Ci’er, it was your mother wanting you to help Yishu, I just spoke recklessly without thinking, it was just idle talk.
How can we bother His Majesty with such family matters?
Would that not be our crime?”
“Oh? You slander the very backbone of my Huo family, and you dismiss it as reckless talk, claiming ignorance absolves you of guilt.
Since when are there such cheap deals in this world?
If no one demands accountability, then today, even if I have to risk my own skin, I will prove my father and grandfather’s innocence!
Take the Old Madam away!”
The guards were strong and burly. They forcefully pried the Old Madam’s hands from the tree, lifted her between them, and prepared to leave.
The fear of death instantly washed over her.
It seemed she was the one now being escorted to the execution block, awaiting the blade.
“…Slap my mouth!
Your mother spoke carelessly, slandering my husband’s family. I deserve to slap my own mouth twenty times!”
Jiang Xingyan raised a hand, and the guards stopped instantly.
“Those are Mother’s own words.
Don’t let it be said that your son is unfilial.”
Old Madam Huo was set back on the ground, her legs too weak to stand, forcing her to kneel.
She raised her wrinkled hand and began to strike her own face.
“Your mother will set an example. I will no longer recklessly slander others. From now on, I will be cautious in word and deed.
Your mother was wrong. I deserve to slap my own mouth.”
Jiang Xingyan said nothing more.
The surrounding crowd dared not even breathe loudly; the only sound was the slap of Old Madam Huo’s palm against her face.
Slap! Slap! Slap!
Yinzhu, kneeling to the side, felt immense satisfaction in her heart.
Big Sister, look, she’s finally getting what she deserves!
Your spirit in heaven…
She suddenly remembered, Jinzhu had been ordered by the Old Madam to be killed, obliterated from existence. No spirit in heaven, no reincarnation, nothing at all.
No, she wasn’t hitting hard enough!
After twenty slaps, Old Madam Huo’s aged face was flushed red, and she dared not utter another word.
“Mother leading by example is a blessing to our General’s mansion.
Baozhu, Yuzhu, why haven’t you taken the Old Madam back to rest yet?”
The two maids hurriedly agreed and helped Old Madam Huo up, preparing to return to the wood shed.
“Wait a moment.”
The three of them instantly froze.
Jiang Xingyan’s gaze fell upon Old Madam Huo’s new clothes.
She turned her head, looking at Li Yishu, who was kowtowing, trying her best to make herself inconspicuous, and said calmly:
“Our General’s mansion cannot bear the heavy burden of such a generous gift from the First Prince’s esteemed concubine.
Guards, return the gifts.”
The new clothes Old Madam Huo had just put on moments ago were roughly stripped off by two serving women.
Her hat was also yanked off.
Sss!
A lock of Old Madam Huo’s graying hair was painfully pulled out, making her grimace in pain.
Her neatly coiled bun instantly fell into disarray, making her look even more like a madwoman.
“Li Yishu, since you have married the First Prince, know your place. Do not leave the palace again to recklessly cling to and falsely accuse relatives.
Today, this General is merciful and will not pursue the crime of sowing discord.
From this moment on, she is forbidden from ever setting foot in the General’s mansion again.
In the future, if this General hears even a whisper of baseless rumors, I will show no mercy!
See the guest out.”
Bang!
The clothes and hat Li Yishu had gifted Old Madam Huo were thrown outside the gate.
Immediately after, she was also thrown out.
Taohong and Liulü fared slightly better, only receiving a hard shove.
“No, Cousin, how can you be so cruel?
Yishu is your own cousin! Please, save Yishu!”
The gates of the General’s mansion closed slowly and relentlessly, just like the door to Li Yishu’s chance of survival.
She had failed. She couldn’t imagine the inhuman torture awaiting her back at the palace.
Li Yishu shuddered.
Taohong and Liulü tried to help her up, but she pushed them away.
“I’m not going back!”
Li Yishu scrambled up from the ground and tried to flee.
She had only run a few steps when two stout figures emerged from a nearby dark alley.
“Oh my, wasn’t it you who tried so hard to climb into our First Prince’s bed?”
“So why are you running away now?”
“Do you think our palace is just any ordinary place?
You come and go as you please?”
Matrons Rong and Gui from the palace blocked Li Yishu’s escape route on either side.
Without giving her a chance to speak, they stepped forward and delivered two sharp slaps to her face.
“Failed to complete your task, and now you want to run?”
“Take her back to the palace for punishment!”
The several young eunuchs behind them stepped forward, firmly covered Li Yishu’s mouth, tied her up with ropes, and carried her back to the palace.