mtl008 Chapter 144 The Wedding Robbery 2
Chapter 144 The Wedding Robbery 2
From the moment Sheng Junyao learned of this matter, he began to consider how to handle it.
After understanding the general situation, he decided to go to Muzhou in person to find out how much was involved with Prefect Xie and whether there was any room for maneuver.
He could plead with His Highness, but only if there was room for maneuver in the matter. If Prefect Xie was wronged and implicated, and within the bounds of leniency, he could try to find a way.
However, if Prefect Xie is indeed involved, he cannot use this matter to prioritize personal interests over public duty.
“Miss Xue, our marriage was arranged when we were young. I will not let your uncle’s case shake this marriage. I know you are worried about this matter and hope that there is still room for maneuver, but the law is impartial and the people of Muzhou are innocent.”
"Isn't my uncle innocent?" Xue Wanning's fingertips turned white, her eyes slightly red. "Was it him who wanted to collude with them? He has worked diligently in Muzhou for many years, and even if he hasn't achieved great things, he has still put in a lot of hard work. You know he knew about it but didn't report it, so how could you expect him to report it? Did you expect him to fight against the entire bureaucracy of Muzhou all by himself? He's not like you; he has no background or connections. Who would listen to him? If he had exposed this matter, he wouldn't be alive today! He has a whole family behind him; do you expect him to take his entire family with him to their deaths?"
"You make it sound so easy, only because you haven't been in that situation. You don't know the hardships local officials face, their bitterness and helplessness. Who doesn't want to be incorruptible and leave a lasting legacy? But do you know what price you have to pay?"
“Your Highness, I lost my mother at a young age and grew up in my uncle’s house. My uncle and aunt are like my parents. I cannot bear to watch them suffer and remain indifferent. Since Your Highness is unwilling to help, don’t pretend to be a virtuous person. I don’t need it! If Your Highness is not sincere about this marriage, then let it be called off. Wan Ning is not worthy of such a high position.”
After Xue Wanning finished speaking, she turned away coldly.
"Xue Wanning, stop pretending. Don't think I don't know that you and your cousin have been in love for a long time. If you don't want to get married, just say so. What are you pretending for? What do you mean by not being sincere and not worthy of me? If you really thought that way, where were you before?" Princess Liduan pushed aside the people blocking her way and stormed in.
She chased after him all the way here, originally thinking that Sheng Junyao was coming to pick up the bride, but when she caught up, she found out that Sheng Junyao had come directly to Xue Wanning's courtyard.
She rushed in as fast as she could, only to hear Xue Wanning say that Sheng Junyao wasn't sincere and that she was not good enough for him. This really infuriated her!
"My affairs should have nothing to do with the County Princess, right? Is the County Princess so concerned about my marriage because she has ulterior motives? I heard that the County Princess has been making a scene in the palace these past two days, insisting on marrying my cousin. Could it be that she has ulterior motives?" Xue Wanning said calmly.
"What do you mean by 'the drunkard's heart is not in the wine'? I think you're the one whose heart is not in the wine! You say Brother Sheng isn't sincere, but what about you? Are you sincere? Do you dare to swear that you truly want to marry Brother Sheng? If you're not, may you be struck by lightning and never receive true love in this lifetime! Do you dare?" Princess Li Duan was furious. How dare they turn the tables on her? Did they think she, Princess Li Duan, was someone to be trifled with?
At her call, the young ladies from the Xue family's relatives and friends who were waiting in the side hall all came over. Xue Wanning said softly...
"I just don't know where I offended the county magistrate, causing her to make such a big fuss about my wedding."
"You, you stop pretending with me..." Princess Li Duan was so angry that she wanted to jump up and scratch her, but Sheng Junyao helplessly pulled her back.
“Princess, please calm down,” Sheng Junyao pulled her behind him and apologized to Xue Wanning again, “I’m sorry for disturbing you today, Miss Xue. Please ask the others to leave so I can finish what I have to say.”
"What else is there to say about how the young master has humiliated me like this? The young master's indulgence of the county princess in disrupting my wedding shows that he is very dissatisfied with me. It is Wan Ning's bad luck. Young master, please leave. If you don't leave, the whole capital will probably come to laugh at you. Does the young master really want to force me to my death?" Xue Wan Ning looked at Sheng Junyao stubbornly, suddenly reached out and picked up the scissors on the table, stood up and took two steps back, and held the scissors to her neck.
"Miss! Miss, put the scissors down quickly!" The maid was terrified and rushed over, anxiously reaching out to snatch the scissors away.
The other girls, maids, and servants all gathered around, trying to persuade the woman.
Xue Wanning's maid knelt down, crying, "Young Master, no, Young Master, please have mercy! You can't treat our young lady like this! Today is supposed to be her wedding day with you, but she hasn't even entered the family yet, and you're already humiliating her like this?"
"What nonsense are you spouting? Who bullied her? I've had enough of you pretentious bastards!" Princess Liduan was so angry she was almost incoherent. She jumped out from behind Sheng Junyao, pointed at Xue Wanning, and shouted, "Trying to threaten me with suicide, huh? Making me take the blame for you, saying I'm the reason you can't get married? Fine, Xue Wanning, let me tell you, if you dare to stab me with those scissors, I'll announce to the world that you threatened to kill yourself to break off your engagement with Prince Sheng in order to compete with me for your cousin. Isn't that just nonsense? Let's see who's more shameful! My reputation is bad anyway, so I might as well never marry. My mother will take care of me!"
Zong Liduan isn't easily intimidated; there's no way she'll be made to take the blame!
Xue Wanning gripped the scissors tightly, her knuckles turning white. She had long heard that Princess Liduan was a reckless and unruly character, and seeing her today, she could confirm that the rumors were true.
If she continues to make a scene like this, even if she manages to annul the engagement, she'll still get herself into a lot of trouble.
Xue Wanning lowered her eyes to look at her maid. The maid met her gaze and immediately understood. She then gave a wink to the servant woman at the door.
The maidservant ran into the house crying, "Young Miss, Young Miss! Something terrible has happened! The Old Madam... the Old Madam... she's gone! My poor girl, oh dear..."
The maidservant cried for three minutes straight, her voice so loud that the whole courtyard could hear it.
Xue Wanning's eyelids, hidden behind the beaded curtain, trembled slightly. She let out a soft sigh, her hand quivered, and the scissors fell. She slumped into a chair, her voice trembling, "Grandmother, Grandmother..."
She slowly raised her hand to cover her face, her voice choked with sobs, "Why, why did this happen? It was my fault, it was my fault. I shouldn't have been so delusional. I'm the one who hurt Grandmother..."
"Miss, please don't be like this. Grandmother has been ill for a long time. The Taoist priest's rumors are not credible. He only said that it is not auspicious for the family to hold a wedding recently, as it would offend the old lady. But this marriage is not something you can decide!"
"Grandmother, Grandmother, I want to see Grandmother..." Xue Wanning struggled to get up, and the other Xue sisters also burst into tears.