Chapter 37: Degraded to Concubine
Seeing this, Old Madam Zheng naturally would not miss this opportunity, and added fuel to the fire, "That's right, you are not the only son in our Zheng family. Without you, we still have Cheng Yuan and the baby in your aunt's belly. If you can't take on the responsibility of being the crown prince, you'd better not take up the position!"
Guo suddenly raised her head in the crowd with an extremely ugly expression. She was usually calm, but at this moment she could hardly hide her inner turmoil. Cold sweat had seeped out of her palms under her tightly clenched handkerchief.
Facing the criticisms that followed, Zheng Chengyan was completely panicked. He fell to his knees with a thud, and his voice was filled with unprecedented panic. "Father, I know I was wrong. I was obsessed with women and believed in slander, which disturbed the peace in the backyard! From now on, I will never set foot in Yaxuan Courtyard again until the imperial examination is over!"
Lord Zheng stroked his heaving chest, and his emotions gradually calmed down. "Okay, you must remember the promise today!"
"Someone come!" He called out loudly, and the order followed, "Go, dispose of the body, everyone in the mansion listen up, from now on, no one is allowed to mention this matter again! Otherwise, you will be punished by family law!"
The crowd of onlookers saluted and responded in unison, with a low, “Yes, sir.”
The servants took the opportunity to quickly and carefully carry Tao Xing's body away. As they left, the spacious hall fell into silence again, as if nothing had happened. Tao Xing's existence and disappearance were silently swallowed up by the shadow of this deep courtyard.
Su Wanyu watched all this coldly. In the huge mansion, no one expressed mourning for Tao Xing's death. In their eyes, there was only the reputation and interests of the Zheng family.
Lord Zheng's rage today was so fierce because he was afraid that the woman's blood would tarnish the plaque that he regarded as a symbol of his family's glory.
This plaque carries a rich history. It was inscribed with calligraphy by the emperor himself when our ancestor was conferred the title of Marquis of Changping. The four characters "德泽桑梓" (Virtue and Benevolence for the Native Place) have profound meaning.
The four words "德泽桑梓" shine brightly in the sun.
Does this family really deserve this honor?
She sneered secretly, turned around and whispered to Siqi, her personal maid beside her. Although her voice was soft, it was firm: "Go, follow them closely, and don't let them make any small moves."
Siqi nodded slightly and blended quickly into the bustling crowd silently.
As the situation gradually calmed down, Old Lady Zheng spoke again, "Jiang framed Tao Xing. Such evil deeds must not be forgiven lightly and must be severely punished."
This sudden turn of events was undoubtedly a heavy blow to the Jiang family.
At this moment, Jiang Yingying was like a frightened little animal, curled up in the corner, fear following her like a shadow, almost swallowing her.
Her only hope is the unborn baby in her belly, which is her last support.
"Old lady, please forgive me this time for the sake of the unborn child!" She begged with almost all her strength.
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Zheng narrowed her eyes slightly, looked directly at Jiang Yingying, and announced coldly: "You are the blood of the Zheng family, so you cannot be severely punished, but from now on, your status will be reduced to that of a lowly concubine, and your monthly salary will be reduced by half for a period of three months."
In the Zheng family, the treatment of noble concubines, good concubines and lowly concubines was very different. Lowly concubines had a lowly status, almost the same as slaves, and their life and death were at the mercy of others.
For Jiang Yingying, who came from a family of officials, this was undoubtedly a huge humiliation. Not to mention becoming the principal wife one day, even holding her head up in front of others became a luxury.
Although she was unwilling, she did not dare to resist at all. She could only protect her still flat belly tightly and agreed with gritted teeth: "Yes, old lady."
The moment she lowered her head, her eyes accidentally met Su Wanyu's.
Jiang Yingying's defenses collapsed again. Humiliation, unwillingness and hatred intertwined in her heart, but she could only struggle helplessly and could only look up at the high-ranking Su Wanyu, who had a meaningful smile on her lips.
Today, Old Madam Zheng and Marquis Zheng did not raise any questions about Su Wanyu.
However, they all knew in their hearts that if Su Wanyu had not revealed the truth, Tao Xing's death would probably be classified as suicide out of fear of punishment and would have nothing to do with the Zheng family. After all, it was just the life and death of a little concubine.
But now, if the outside world knew that the second young master of the Zheng family had forced a good concubine to death, even if the truth was a mutual frame-up among the concubines, it would be enough to bring shame and criticism to the Zheng family.
Feelings of dissatisfaction were surging in their hearts, but no one dared to speak out.
The crowd gradually dispersed, leaving only Su Wanyu and Yun Yi.
After returning to Jiaoyang Courtyard, Su Wanyu arranged a new residence for Jiang Yingying according to the rules for a concubine.
The conditions in the west wing of Yaxuan Courtyard were simple and everything was done according to the standards of servants.
When everything was arranged, Siqi came to report: "Miss, Aunt Tao's funeral has been handled according to your instructions."
"Okay, make sure he's buried properly," Su Wanyu responded calmly.
"Yes, Miss." Siqi bowed respectfully and stepped back.
At this time, a maid slowly approached. It was Chunzhi who was beside Taoxing.
She fell to her knees, sobbing, "Thank you, Second Young Madam, for treating my aunt so well."
Chunzhi and Taoxing are like sisters, and have a deep affection for master and servant. A night of tears left her eyes red and swollen.
Su Wanyu comforted softly: "Get up, and don't mention this matter again."
"Yes, Second Young Madam." Chunzhi wiped the tears from her face, her voice still choked.
"From now on, you will stay in my courtyard and be a second-class maid." Su Wanyu continued.
Hearing this, Chunzhi knelt down again, tears of gratitude: "Yes, Second Young Madam, I will serve you wholeheartedly in the future, and thank you for your great kindness."
"There's no need to express gratitude. Just remember your master's kindness in your heart." Su Wanyu said as she motioned Siqi to take Chunzhi downstairs to rest.
Last night, when everyone was immersed in sleep, Chunzhi quietly knocked on Su Wanyu's door.
She cried and told Su Wanyu that Tao Xing had hanged herself in the room.
Su Wanyu sat up suddenly and asked anxiously, "Have you asked a doctor to see it?"
Chunzhi was already sobbing: "When I...when I arrived, my aunt had already...had no breath..."
Su Wanyu never expected that Tao Xing would completely lose the will to live because of Zheng Chengyan's push.
"Your aunt only has the second young master in her heart, but the second young master has never really cared about her. After the second young mistress left yesterday, the aunt had a stomachache and wanted to call the second young master, but the second young master said coldly to let her die on her own."
"My aunt was heartbroken. After hearing what Second Master said, she was completely hopeless. She no longer wanted to stay in this world and only wanted to be free."
Chunzhi cried bitterly, her red and swollen eyes blurred her vision.
After hearing this, Su Wanyu was silent for a long time. She did not rush to deal with Tao Xing's funeral, but asked Chunzhi: "Your master left quietly like this, and no one avenged her after her death. Are you willing to seek justice for her?"
Chunzhi nodded with tears in her eyes: "I came here late at night just to ask the Second Young Madam to make the decision for the master! She can't die in vain like this!"