Phoenix Cries Return to Court

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Tao Qingqing wearing a lake-blue peacock feather-patterned long dress with wide sleeves, her hair styled in a high peony bun, with a kingfisher feather-decorated blue phoenix hairpin in her hair. She walked slowly with light, lotus-like steps.

Tao Qingqing's gaze swept over the crowd of onlookers, stopping beside Granny Li. She carefully examined her injuries, her face showing a hint of pity, and said softly, "Granny, you've suffered."

Upon hearing this, Granny Li choked, tears welling up in her eyes, looking utterly aggrieved. "Princess, it's alright for me to suffer a little, but this Wen family is going too far."

"Don't worry, Granny." Tao Qingqing patted Granny Li's shoulder and comforted her, "With me here, I will definitely not let you suffer this injustice for nothing, nor will I allow some people to act lawlessly in the Minister's mansion."

After speaking, she glanced at Lin Xihe, waved her hand, and said coldly, "Tie him up!"

In a short while, several stern-faced, sturdy old women stepped forward, holding rough hemp ropes in their hands, clearly having come prepared.

"Who dares!" Lin Xihe roared, "I am the mistress of the Minister's residence!"

The old women were about to make a move when they heard the sound and trembled, looking at Tao Qingqing to the side.

"I am a princess, and also the secondary wife of the Minister of War." Tao Qingqing looked at Lin Xihe, her tone suddenly rising. "In terms of status and position, I have the right to deal with those in the household who break the rules. Wen Shi, how dare you be so insolent before me?"

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the onlookers, and said slowly, "Madam Wen, last night the servants searched the entire mansion for you, but to no avail. Everyone in the entire Minister's residence knows you were already gone by dawn. You keep demanding that Granny Li produce evidence that you didn't return home last night, but can you yourself produce any evidence that you stayed in the mansion last night?"

"You say you went to the market, then tell me, when did you leave the manor? Did the gatekeeper see you? And who in the manor did you inform? You've caused panic throughout the entire manor, and even I was worried sick about you all night."

As she spoke, she walked step by step toward Lin Xihe, a ruthless glint in her eyes. "Or has Sister informed Master? Why don't we wait for Master to finish court and ask him together?"

Lin Xi met Tao Qingqing's provocative gaze, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes. "Madam Tao and Master are newlyweds, deeply in love. How could they possibly care about me? Why should I invite trouble?"

"Since that's the case," Tao Qingqing's face flushed, and she snapped, "Stop trying to deny it! Your staying out all night is a done deal, and you should be punished according to family rules as a warning to others!"

After saying that, she nodded to the old women, who understood and quickly tied Lin Xi up.

Lin Xihe wanted to struggle, as it was not difficult for her to break free from the control of these old women.

But just as she raised her hand, she saw the uncontrollable joy on Tao Qingqing's face, so she quickly withdrew her hand, wanting to see what she was up to.

But her face remained calm and expressionless as she coldly watched the farce unfold, and she spoke in a deep voice to the old women.

"You will all pay the price for what you have done today. I only hope you will not regret it!"

Upon hearing this, the old women trembled again. They looked at the dignified woman in front of them, and then at Tao Qingqing, who was adorned with jewels, on the other side. For a moment, they didn't know what to do.

Seeing this, Tao Qingqing's face darkened, and she said sternly, "What are you standing there for? Tie them up now! Whatever happens, I'll take responsibility. Are you afraid of a wife who doesn't follow the rules?"

Seeing this, the old women looked embarrassed and said, "Madam Wen, please forgive us."

Still, they gritted their teeth and tied the person up tightly.

The rough hemp rope was tightly bound around her wrists and waist, and the barbs scratched her skin, causing a sharp pain.

Seeing Lin Xihe's obedience, Tao Qingqing assumed that Lin Xihe was hiding something and was afraid. She was overjoyed.

He shouted, "Drag him in and give him a taste of his own medicine!"

But this joy did not last long before they heard that familiar, clear, cold female voice in their ears.

"Madam Tao, it is against the rules for you to treat the Minister's wife like this without any evidence."

Lin Xihe’s voice was not loud, but every word was clear: “Last night I suddenly had an upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea, and felt weak all over. I couldn’t sleep, so I thought of going to the market to buy some medicine to regulate my stomach. All the servants in my courtyard can testify to this.”

"I was afraid of disturbing everyone in the manor, and I was also afraid of disturbing your and Master's rest, so I didn't inform them in advance. I never thought that this would become the evidence for you to frame me. I left the manor at the end of Yin hour yesterday. Since there was no carriage, I arrived at the market at Mao hour and bought some medicine at Jishetang. Then I walked back and arrived at the manor gate at Chen hour."

"You keep saying you're worried, but why don't you reflect on why you had to buy medicine yourself when the mistress of the Minister's mansion was unwell? Where are the physician and the carriages?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd erupted again.

"Judging from Madam Wen's appearance, she really doesn't seem to have done anything wrong."

"Yes, although Lady Tao is a princess, isn't it a bit too much to kidnap the principal wife without any evidence?"

"Madam Wen is so pitiful. Princess Ding'an is far too spoiled and domineering."

Tao Qingqing looked at Lin Xihe's composed face, her face instantly turned pale, and her heart skipped a beat.

She quickly concealed her guilty conscience and said sternly, "Stop with your sweet talk! This is just your side of the story. Who knows if you're in cahoots with the people from Jishetang! You're deliberately trying to smear me to cover up your own misconduct; it's truly despicable!"

Even so, her voice trembled slightly.

She glanced at the crowd, then abruptly turned and shouted at the women around her, "Take her inside! Don't let her embarrass herself here any longer!"

Having said that, he strode quickly toward the inner courtyard.

Seeing this, the old women quickly responded and, with Lin Xihe still bound, hurried after them.

Lin Xihe raised her eyes and looked at Tao Qingqing's slightly flustered back, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes.

The crowd watching the two figures from behind grew increasingly vocal in their discussion.

Anyone with eyes can see clearly that Madam Wen of the Minister's Mansion has been wronged.

……

In the main courtyard.

Tao Qingqing leaned back in the rosewood chair, stroking the steaming jade teacup in her hand, her face full of determination.

Lin Xihe stood calmly in the hall.

Beside him were several solemn-looking, strong old women and a servant holding a rattan cane.

"Sister, in my opinion, you should just accept it. That way, you'll suffer less physical pain, won't you?"

Tao Qingqing smoothed her long hair at her temples and said leisurely.

Lin Xihe scoffed coldly.

Just as the situation was at a stalemate, a servant rushed in to report.

"The master is back!"