Do You Know?: Rule the World.

Chapter 123 Yuqing Temple Hotel, Sheng Hong in horror

Inside the side room of Shou'an Hall.

The old lady sat on the bed, her brows slightly furrowed, unable to understand why Minglan would act so unusually.

This child has always been low-key and cautious, and has never had any intention of marrying into the Liang family.

When the old lady brought over the calming soup, she noticed that the old lady looked unhappy and said in a low voice, "Old lady, why do you have to think so much? Perhaps the young lady just wants to vent her anger."

“In the past, no matter what good things she got, the fourth and fifth young ladies would always try to compete with her.”

"If Danju hadn't hidden the jewelry so well, how much of the headdress and ornaments given to you by the eldest son would you have had left after returning from Youyang this time?"

"Linxi Pavilion and Weirui Pavilion always clamor for fairness, yet when they receive the best things, the Sixth Miss doesn't say a word."

The old lady took the calming soup and gently stirred the medicine in the bowl with a silver spoon.

"Ming'er is just like her stepmother, she doesn't fight or compete, it's heartbreaking to see her like that."

Madam Fang nodded and said, "Yes, Sixth Miss is all grown up now and knows how to plan for herself."

"He must have made a plan for today."

"It's common for girls in ordinary families to bicker and quarrel, so please don't worry, old lady."

After glancing at her, the old lady drank the bitter calming soup in one gulp.

I just feel that Minglan has really grown up. Even I, her grandmother, can't see through her thoughts anymore.

Over the next two weeks, Madam Wu's fondness for Minglan only increased.

Every two or three days, he would send her invitations to enjoy opera, tea, and flowers, and gifts would be sent over in a continuous stream.

After learning of Madam Wu's intentions, Sheng Hong did not object to the marriage.

Although Liang Liulang did not have any official title, among the sons of noble families in Bianjing, those who could steadily enter officialdom through the imperial examinations could be counted on one hand.

Almost all of them are just holding a sinecure by virtue of their family's wealth; it's considered good if they don't cause trouble.

Although Liang Liulang was not particularly talented, he also had no bad reputation. Besides, Minglan's marriage was to be decided by the old lady, so he had no say in the matter.

As long as the old lady and Madam Wei don't object, that's fine.

Minglan specifically instructed the maids around her to dress up more smartly these days.

And let Xiao Tao show off a lot, preferably letting the whole mansion know how many good things the Liang family sent.

Xiao Tao was always called a silly girl by the people of Linxi Pavilion, and her words were the most believable.

Inside Tingxue Residence, the candlelight flickered. Since it concerned Minglan's marriage, Wei Xiaoniang naturally invited her over to inquire.

However, when Minglan revealed her plan, her expression suddenly changed.

"Nonsense!" Wei Xiaoniang raised her voice, but then lowered it again warily.

"You're gambling with your reputation, do you realize that..."

As he was about to speak, he saw that Minglan's eyes were slightly red and tears were welling up, so he couldn't help but soften and pulled her into his arms.

“Silly child, once the truth comes out, given your father’s temperament, not to mention me, even the old lady can’t protect you.”

Minglan leaned on Wei Xiaoniang's shoulder, her voice muffled, "I know everything, but if we hadn't taken this gamble, Father would never have been so ruthless towards Lin Qinshuang."

"Only if she is gone can my daughter marry in peace and my brother grow up without worries."

"The eldest sister-in-law is not scheming or calculating, while the second sister-in-law acts fairly and impartially."

“When she takes charge of the household in the future, I can rest easy with my younger brother.”

"Don't worry, your daughter has made all the plans. She's just waiting for Lin Qinshuang to walk right into the trap. His Highness the Crown Prince has also promised to help me."

"What? When did you start having dealings with the Crown Prince?" Wei Xiaoniang asked in surprise.

After a moment, looking at Minglan's resolute eyes, she sighed and said, "It's all my fault for being so indecisive and hesitant, causing you so much worry and trouble at such a young age."

Minglan wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and shook her head, saying, "Parents who love their children plan far ahead for them. I understand your worries, Mother."

“Ming’er, your father has acquired some land and shops for me over the past few years. Your younger brother is still young and doesn’t need these right now.”

"I'll take them all with me when you get married."

Wei Xiaoniang said softly that this was all she could do for Minglan in the future.

"My lady, how can this be? These are all your personal funds, I don't want them."

Wei Xiaoniang looked at her with eyes full of heartache, "Brother Liu has his own share of the Sheng family's property."

“If a woman doesn’t have a dowry to rely on when she gets married, how can she hold her head high in the future? It will cost money to take care of everyone in the household.”

“Little Mother…” Minglan pursed her lips and nestled in her arms. The two mother and daughter were very affectionate.

Meanwhile, Lin Qinshuang and Mo Lan grew increasingly anxious, fearing that the Liang family would come to propose marriage the very next day at daybreak.

Over the course of several days, they also learned that Yuqing Temple was very popular, and the Three Pure Ones worshipped there were particularly efficacious.

Many high-ranking officials and dignitaries often bring their families to burn incense and pray for blessings, and to donate money for incense oil.

Madam Wu was a frequent visitor to Yuqing Temple, and she would always bring Liang Liulang with her on the first and fifteenth of each lunar month.

"Young lady, will this really work?" Mo Lan sat in front of the bronze mirror, nervously tugging at her sleeve.

Her figure was very similar to that of the maid Yunzai; if viewed from behind, they were indistinguishable.

At this moment, she had changed into Yunzai's clothes, and her hair was styled in the style of a maid, with only a plain silver hairpin on her head.

She planned to use the excuse of buying rouge to sneak out of the mansion through the side gate later.

"Why not? Just keep your head down and walk with your head down. Don't put on airs like you usually do."

Lin Qinshuang carefully straightened her clothes and said softly, "There are many worshippers at Yuqing Temple, who would pay attention to a maid?"

"When you see Liang Liulang, first tell him how you are mistreated at home, and how your sixth sister uses sweet words to please Madam Wu."

“As long as you can soften his heart, he will do whatever you want. Your father has always been like that.”

After saying that, Lin Qinshuang asked Lu Zhong to come over and stand with Mo Lan. She squinted her eyes and admired her masterpiece with satisfaction.

"Once the deed is done, let's see how arrogant that brat Minglan can be!"

“My daughter has figured it out now. The Sheng family’s reputation doesn’t matter at all. Only when we ourselves benefit does it matter.”

"Once our daughter has established herself in the Liang family, we'll bring you here to enjoy a comfortable life."

"Then we won't have to live at her mercy anymore, and we'll enjoy endless wealth and luxury."

Mo Lan said bitterly.

From the moment Sheng Hong suggested she marry someone of lower status, she completely forgot about his past favoritism and affection.

"My dear Mo'er, go ahead." Lin Qinshuang's lips curled up, her eyes filled with calculation and anticipation.

-

At Yuqing Temple, Madam Wu was kneeling on a prayer mat with Liang Liulang, praying for blessings.

All that could be heard was her muttering, "May the Three Pure Ones protect this wretched Chun Ke from a difficult childbirth, and may she not block my Sixth Master's path..."

Liang Liulang glanced at her helplessly.

After making her wish, Madam Wu led a group of maids and servants to Luqing Spring, west of Yuqing Temple, to enjoy the scenery.

Liang Liulang was upset and didn't want to go through all that trouble with her, so he took his servant and went for a stroll in the backyard on the east side.

When Mo Lan arrived at Yuqing Temple, she happened to see the Liang family's carriage, and she was overjoyed.

Within half an incense stick's time, the master and servant indeed found Liang Liulang's figure.

“Girl…” Lu Zhong held her hand, feeling a pang of fear in his heart.

"Don't stop me. After it's done, my mistress will give you a contract of indenture and money so you can go far away and live a carefree life."

After saying that, Mo Lan shook off her hand, hid behind the artificial hill, and deliberately tripped and fell, crying out in pain.

Hearing the commotion, Liang Liulang curiously went forward to investigate. Upon seeing Mo Lan, he was shocked and completely stunned.

The beautiful woman I've been longing for day and night has actually appeared here, dressed as a maid!
Did she come out to see me on purpose?! The Three Pure Ones are truly effective!
Liang Liulang took a deep breath, grasped Mo Lan's hand tightly, and helped her up.

"Miss, your dress is dirty. Why don't you go to the front room to tidy it up?"

Mo Lan lowered her head, revealing a section of her snow-white neck, and said softly, "Alright, I hope you will lead the way, young master."

The two went into the side room, hugged and kissed, and whispered sweet nothings to each other.

Liang Liulang boarded the carriage with satisfaction and followed Madam Wu back to the Liang residence, a smile involuntarily creeping onto his lips.

"You've changed completely in less than an hour. Could it be that that little bitch Chun Ke has come too?"

Upon hearing this, Liang Liulang's smile froze, and he straightened his clothes with feigned ease.

"Why is Mother asking so many questions? It's just that I gained some insights while admiring the flowers in the backyard earlier."

Madam Wu snorted coldly and said nothing more.

In her opinion, Minglan had already accepted so many gifts, so she was probably happy to marry into the Liang family.

Right now, only his own Liu Lang is still not agreeing, and he doesn't know what kind of bewitching potion he's been given!

-

Half a month later, Mo Lan had secretly left the mansion four or five times and had consummated her relationship with Liang Liulang.

During this time, she couldn't resist coming to provoke them.

Seeing her like this, Minglan knew that her plan had already succeeded more than halfway.

So he kept claiming to be sick and stopped contacting Madam Wu.

They also carefully organized all the gifts they had received over the past few days, intending to send them to the Liang family at a later opportunity.

She then told Wang Ruofu through Rulan that there was a true man at Yuqing Temple who was most accurate in asking for divination slips and could also help one's marriage go smoothly.

Rulan's marriage has become the most important thing on Wang Ruofu's mind, but Rulan herself doesn't seem to care.

She couldn't sit still, so she immediately decided to pick a day to go to Yuqing Temple to meet this master.

Zhao Han also sent his trusted confidants to keep a close eye on the Sheng family's every move.

Today is the fifteenth of the month. Upon learning that Wang Ruofu's carriage has already departed, Minglan sat on the soft couch, her heart pounding. At Yuqing Temple, a light rain was falling.

As Wang Ruofu and Liu Mama walked up the stone steps, she spotted two maids holding oil-paper umbrellas in the distance, looking around furtively.

She was very familiar with the styles of clothing worn by the maids in each of the Sheng family's courtyards.

"Aren't those Lu Zhong and Yun Zai? What are those two little huss doing here?"

"That vile woman from Belinqige sent this to curse me!"

Before he could finish speaking, he grabbed Liu's mother's hand and said, "Quick, come with me to take a look!"

Liu's mother glanced at them and shook her head, saying, "Madam, you should just worship the Three Pure Ones and see the real people. I'll go and take a look for you. Our group of people is just making a fuss and alerting the enemy."

"Fine, if they're really trying to harm me, just tie them up and take them home!"

Mrs. Liu nodded repeatedly, picked up the hem of her clothes, and followed.

An hour later, inside the carriage on the way back to the mansion, Wang Ruofu's heart was pounding like a drum, and she was panting heavily.

Due to her mother's objections, she did not catch the adulterers in the act herself.

Seeing is believing when you see it.

If she excitedly kidnapped the person and took her home, the mother and daughter would surely wail and turn around and accuse her, and in the end, she would be the one making a false accusation.

She held it in until after dinner. Sheng Hong happened to be staying in her room tonight, and was currently soaking his feet to relieve his fatigue.

"Give me some hot water." Sheng Hong squinted his eyes and leaned back comfortably in the armchair.

Wang Ruofu personally picked up the copper kettle and, while adding hot water to the wooden basin, said, "I went to Yuqing Temple today and saw with my own eyes Mo Lan having an affair with a man, being all lovey-dovey with Liang's sixth son."

"Huh?!" Sheng Hong exclaimed, standing up abruptly, splashing hot water all over the floor.

He grimaced as he sat back in his chair, resting his scalded red feet on the edge of the tub, shaking his head repeatedly.

"Impossible, you must be mistaken."

"How could Mo'er do something so disgraceful to the family?"

Wang Ruofu snorted softly; she knew Sheng Hong wouldn't believe her.

So he slowly said, "Mother Liu saw it with her own eyes. After they all left, I went in to take a look. It was in the last room on the east side of the backyard, a room filled with miscellaneous items."

"The bed inside is huge!"

Sheng Hong still didn't believe it. "You must be slandering me, making baseless accusations! Mo'er is the most obedient child; there's absolutely no way she could do that!"

Wang Ruofu held up three fingers and said solemnly, "My lord, I swear to heaven that if I utter even the slightest lie, may my Hua'er's position be unstable, my Bai'er's career be unsuccessful, and my Ru'er be unable to get married!"

“You…” Sheng Hong’s eyes widened, his heart pounding violently. She could actually utter such a vicious oath!

"If you still don't believe me, sir, you can choose a time and go catch them in the act yourself."

Upon hearing this, Sheng Hong grabbed the corner of the table, feeling as if he had been struck by a heavy hammer. "My God..."

He doted on Lin Qinshuang and Molan for many years, regarding them as his childhood self and his stepmother, and cherished them in every way.

I never expected him to do such a disgraceful thing!

Once the news gets out, his carefully cultivated reputation and the Sheng family's honor will be ruined, and the future of his children will be destroyed.

Especially for Hua Lan, her position as Crown Princess is definitely in jeopardy!

Sheng Hong struggled internally, feeling as if the sky had fallen. He turned his head and stared blankly at Wang Ruofu, tears streaming down his face.

"Official..."

Wang Ruofu called out softly; she truly hadn't expected that this matter would be such a blow to Sheng Hong.

Just a few days later, Mo Lan couldn't resist and once again disguised herself as Yun Zai and secretly went out.

Wang Ruofu immediately sent someone to inform Sheng Hong, and led a group of servants who had signed a death contract with the Sheng family to go there together.

Minglan knew everything about their every move.

In the back room of Yuqing Temple, Mo Lan was lying in Liang Liulang's arms, her cheeks flushed with an unusual redness.

Both of them had taken off their outer garments, and a glance was enough to tell what they had just done.

"Sixth Brother, we can't keep living like this forever. When will you come to my house to propose marriage?"

Mo Lan asked softly, her tone and expression exactly the same as Lin Qinshuang's.

Liang Liulang sighed softly, raised his hand and frowned. No matter how much he pleaded and begged, his mother would not agree to let Mo Lan into the family.

Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly heard a series of hurried footsteps outside.

Before they could even react, the door was kicked open with a bang.

Sheng Hong's face turned ashen as he strode forward, yelling, "Ah—"

“Uncle Sheng…” Liang Han quickly got up, stood barefoot on the ground, and wanted to explain something to Sheng Hong.

Mo Lan frantically grabbed at the clothes scattered to the side, "Father..."

"You shameful thing, tie you up right now!"

Several old women, trembling with fear, took hemp rope and bound Mo Lan's hands tightly.

To avoid being seen by others, it was specially covered with a burlap sack and thrown into the carriage.

While Sheng Changfeng was out mingling with a group of young masters from prominent families, he learned about this matter from a servant.

Startled, he dropped his wine glass and scrambled back home.

Lin Qinshuang never expected that this matter would be exposed.

Before going to plead for Mo Lan, he immediately instructed the maids of Linxi Pavilion to spread the word about the matter.

And it can only be said that Mo Lan fell down and was helped up by the young master of the Liang family.

Unfortunately, they had barely slipped out through the side gate and hadn't gone far when they were knocked unconscious and captured by Zhao Han's trusted men.

-

Inside the Ciqing Hall of the East Palace.

It was already getting late when Hua Lan smiled gently, "Why did Your Highness arrive so early today?"

Zhao Han sat down directly next to her and said quietly, "Something happened to the Sheng family."

"What?! Who's in trouble? Grandmother, or Father and Mother?"

Upon hearing this, Hua Lan immediately considered every possible possibility.

"No, it's not that. Your fourth sister and Liang Jia Liulang were having an affair at Yuqing Temple, and my men saw them."

"Huh?" Hua Lan exclaimed in disbelief, "An affair?! My God! Is it true?"

“That’s right. I was worried that the news would get out, so I sent people to guard around the Sheng family’s residence. They even caught two wicked servants who wanted to go out and spread the news.” Zhao Han picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and looked at her with a smile.

"Lin...Lin Xiaoniang did it?" Hua Lan's voice trembled slightly.

Zhao Han nodded and said, "Yes, I could tell back then that this Lin Xiaoniang was no good person. I never expected her to do such a shameful thing as allowing her daughter to have an affair."

"Your Highness, I am also at fault in this matter; I failed to discipline my younger sister properly."

After Hua Lan finished speaking, she lifted the hem of her skirt and knelt down in front of him.

“If I wanted to punish someone, I wouldn’t be telling you now.” Zhao Han reached out to help her up. “But if this matter isn’t dealt with severely…”

At this point, Hua Lan understood. She frowned and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, I wish to go home."

"Go, and take those two unruly servants with you."

Hua Lan nodded repeatedly.

At the Sheng residence, Mo Lan had already been taken into the ancestral hall, while Chang Feng, after returning, had been kneeling outside, begging Sheng Hong for mercy.

Sheng Hong was struggling with how to deal with them, while Wang Ruofu sat to one side, secretly pleased with herself.

She wished she could warm up a pot of wine right now, so she could eat it and be very happy.

This time, Lin Qinshuang will never be able to turn things around!

"My lord, Madam, Her Majesty has returned." Liu Mama came to deliver the message with a furrowed brow and a worried expression.

"Huh? What is Hua'er doing back now?" Wang Ruofu didn't react for a moment.

Sheng Hong's expression changed drastically, and his legs even went weak when he stood up.

If Dong Rong hadn't been supporting him, he would have almost fallen to the ground.

"Officer, what's wrong with you?"

Sheng Hong waved his hand, "Quickly, quickly welcome the Empress!"

Inside the main hall, Hua Lan ordered the guards to throw the wicked servants from Linxi Pavilion in front of Sheng Hong, her expression more solemn than ever before.

"What does Father intend to do with the Lin family?"

Seeing this, Wang Ruofu finally understood that the Crown Prince already knew about this matter!

With such a scandalous affair occurring in the family, can Hua'er still maintain her position?
Thinking of this, she felt a sudden darkness before her eyes and fell straight to the ground.

"Mother!" Hai Chaoyun and Liu's mother rushed forward to support her when they saw this.

Hua Lan sighed softly, "Send Mother back to rest, and then invite a doctor."

Then, she looked at Sheng Hong and said, "Over the years, how many mistakes has the Lin family made? From the time my daughter could remember until she got married, I can't even count them on my fingers."

"The Lin family is now trying to drag our whole family into this mess!"

Sheng Hong, his face ashen, looked at Hua Lan and asked in a trembling voice, "Your Highness, do you have...?"

"His Highness only said that Father should punish him severely, but I think it would be best for Father to personally apologize to His Highness tomorrow."

"Alright... I understand." With that, Sheng Hong called Dong Rong and staggered toward Linxi Pavilion.

Hua Lan watched his figure, then turned and went to Wei Rui Xuan to guard Wang Ruofu.

(End of this chapter)