Chapter 15: A Plea for Mercy

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Gongsun Yan seemed to have finally caught her in a trap and smiled, “Look, even that one item alone is quite valuable. That box looks exquisite and elegant; surely the contents inside must be worth a fortune. You’ve been playing mysterious all this time, but in the end, you still can’t produce anything!”

Unexpectedly, before Meng Yunshao could respond, Madam Hou’s face darkened as she sharply reprimanded, “Enough! Only the housekeeper and mistress of the estate are entitled to know the whereabouts of that last item. You don’t have that qualification yet!”

Gongsun Yan was frightened, her face flushing red and white in turns. Raised in a life of indulgence and adoration, never before had she been subjected to such stern rebuke. She bit her lip hard to hold back tears.

Yet, she also understood the intricate intrigues within noble households. Her mind raced swiftly, and she suddenly realized—the last item must be something the Hou family kept for secret purposes, unsuitable for public disclosure.

In her eagerness to belittle Meng Yunshao, she had overlooked this point.

Her guess was indeed correct.

The final item was a gift from someone the emperor suspected; it could neither be accepted nor returned. Meng Yunshao had already informed Lord and Lady Hou beforehand, and the Hou family had soon handed it over to the emperor.

Madam Hou’s voice was cold and sharp: “If I don’t put a stop to such slander, it would only encourage the corrupt atmosphere in this household. Gongsun Yan, I sentence you to kneel in the ancestral hall for three days and dock three months’ salary. Do you accept?”

Hearing this, He Zhiqi immediately grew anxious. “Mother, Yan’er was only concerned about household matters. This punishment seems too severe.”

Although lacking great ability, he was a man who cared deeply for his wife. This was precisely why the Gongsun family, after much consideration, had reluctantly agreed to marry their daughter to a lesser son of the He family.

Gongsun Yan, a young lady of noble birth, was proud and aloof. She restrained her tears and said, “Enough. Today I was at fault. Madam Hou, I accept your punishment.”

Meng Yunshao felt the penalty was a bit harsh and did not wish to completely alienate Gongsun Yan. She pleaded, “Madam Hou, it’s freezing cold outside. Kneeling in the ancestral hall for three days will surely injure her. As the aggrieved party, I ask you to lessen the punishment.”

Gongsun Yan was ungrateful, glaring at her with reddened eyes. “Meng Yunshao! Who asked you to be the good person? You, born of lowly origins, yet you became the mistress of the household. I just can’t accept it. Have all the good deeds your Meng family did been forgotten?”

Consort Liu, who had been watching like it was a play, sneered, “Oh, Third Brother’s wife, see? She looks down on people like us from humble beginnings. Don’t pretend to be such close sisters; it’s really tedious.” Suddenly recalling something, she added, “Third Brother’s wife, let me see the deed to your shop.”

Meng Yunshao instinctively hesitated. Consort Liu was known for stirring trouble. She deflected, “It’s nothing special, just a trivial matter. No need for you to worry.”

Consort Liu teased, “If it’s nothing special, why not show it? Could the deed be hiding some secret?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Meng Yunshao, holding the deed, knew it would seem suspicious if she refused. She handed it over.

Consort Liu quickly glanced at it and laughed, “I don’t understand most of it, but this looks like a bargain. Such a prosperous place sold so cheaply. Judging by the shop owner’s name, he’s probably a man who, having seen Third Brother’s wife’s lotus-like face, couldn’t resist and gave a discount! Don’t try to deny it.”

She then gave Meng Yunshao a sly, almost penetrating look, as if she could strip her bare.

Meng Yunshao was irritated but dismissed it as nonsense.

Although the shop was indeed handled by Jiang Shizhou, when he lured her into the deal, he knew that an excessively low price would arouse suspicion. So he only claimed it was urgent to sell and priced it slightly below market value, nothing as exaggerated as Consort Liu suggested.

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She was confident that none of them understood the shop’s true value. Praising it openly while actually denigrating it, Consort Liu’s tongue spun tales, not only insinuating Meng Yunshao had private relations with an outsider but also accusing them of some improper affair—truly venomous.

Just as Meng Yunshao was about to speak, the voice of Lord Hou rang out: “Yuan’er, what discount?”

It was the return of Marquis Yong’an.

He entered with an imposing aura, wearing a black fox fur cloak that swayed with his brisk stride, bringing the biting chill of winter inside.

Consort Liu flirted, “Nothing much, just marveling at Third Brother’s wife’s beauty. She wanted to buy a shop, and soon a man privately gave her a discount. Just found it amusing.”

Meng Yunshao felt uneasy. Everyone in the inner quarters could tell Consort Liu’s words were meant to provoke. A few retorts might suffice to end it, but Lord Hou, a man who valued the family’s reputation, might not be so easily convinced.

She hurried to explain, “Lord Hou, it’s not like that. The shop was originally—”

But Marquis Yong’an coldly interrupted, “Another shop again? Does the Yong’an Hou family lack food and clothing? Why such negligence?”

His tone was impatient and authoritative.

The hall fell into complete silence.

Meng Yunshao tried to clarify, “It’s not what you think—”

Consort Liu ignored her and approached Lord Hou, “My lord, don’t blame her. Third Brother’s wife is capable. Look at this deed, the price is very reasonable. For this, she personally negotiated with the male shop owner. Such eloquence and skill are rare.”

Yong’an Hou said nothing. His already stern expression darkened further as he ordered Meng Yunshao, “Kneel.”

His tone was calm but unequivocal.

Meng Yunshao was shocked and immediately kneeled.

Madam Hou tried to intervene, “My lord, Meng Shi only—”

The cold glare from Yong’an Hou swept across her, “You still have the nerve to speak? Is this the housekeeper you chose?”

Madam Hou dared not speak further.

Looking down on Meng Yunshao, Lord Hou said, “As the household mistress, your conduct is disgraceful. I don’t want to hear your excuses, nor am I unaware of what you want to say. You may feel wronged, but you represent the Hou family. Conducting business, corrupting Xian’er in public, and entanglements with a stranger in private—whether guilty or innocent, it is wrong. Today, family law must be enforced: twenty lashes.”

Everyone was stunned.

The family law of the He household involved physical punishment, but the humiliation was even greater.

Consort Liu’s mere words, without any proof, were enough to condemn Meng Yunshao so severely. This set a dangerous precedent—anyone could slander someone at will with just a few words.

Moreover, even if Meng Yunshao had indeed met the shop owner, it was hardly a major offense. A woman should avoid unnecessary contact with men, but seeking medical treatment, buying supplies, and going out were unavoidable.

In broad daylight, was she expected to hide inside and never leave? As the mistress managing the entire household, this was impossible.

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Yet Lord Hou’s words were so dignified that no one dared to argue.

Meng Yunshao had never anticipated this.

She pressed her dry lips together. At such a moment, although she knew explanations would be futile, she still wanted to defend herself.

If family law were enforced, not only would her body be harmed, but as the mistress, where would her dignity lie? How could she discipline the servants afterward?

She opened her mouth to speak when suddenly He Zhiyu’s deep, pleasant voice came from afar: “Father, it’s all a misunderstanding. Today I went with Meng Shi.”

He seemed to have hurried back from outside, chilled to the bone and without even a cloak. His back was straight, his steps steady. Madam Hou felt reassured just seeing him.

But Meng Yunshao’s heart was a storm of emotions—astonishment that He Zhiyu would lie in front of Lord and Lady Hou, and anxiety over the consequences. His casual defense would surely prompt further questions from Lord Hou, making things even harder to explain.

Lord Hou’s indifferent expression darkened as he frowned: “Why were you with her? Business?”

Everyone held their breath for the heir apparent. This matter was only growing more complicated and confusing.

He Zhiyu smiled calmly, “Not to buy a shop. Today I had an appointment with Master Jiang at a teahouse opposite the shop to discuss inviting him to lecture the He family’s younger generation. Since Meng Shi handles these family affairs, I asked her to come along.”

Only then did Meng Yunshao realize that He Zhiyu knew about her meetings with Second Young Master Jiang. She thought to herself that after passing this hurdle with Lord Hou, she would still have to explain everything about Jiang Shizhou to He Zhiyu—a never-ending wave of troubles.

Lord Hou’s expression softened somewhat. “And then?”

He Zhiyu continued, “Father, you don’t know this shop belongs to Master Jiang’s estate. During our talk, he mentioned wanting to give up running a small storefront and was looking to sell. I thought it might be a good way to strengthen ties, so I asked him to make a concession for the family’s tea ceremony training. Since it was rushed, no official transaction was made; it was initially purchased under Meng Shi’s name.”

Lord Hou’s expression eased but remained skeptical. “Master Jiang, from a scholarly family, why would he bother with shops?”

He Zhiyu replied, “Not just this shop. Most of the tea houses, bookstores, and academies in the capital are owned by the Jiang family. Though business, they are refined enterprises related to scholars and literati.”

Lord Hou recalled something. “I once heard someone say you didn’t get along with Master Jiang and seldom spoke. I wanted to ask what that was about. So why were you together today?”

He Zhiyu smiled faintly, “Not true. I have served at court for years and understand priorities. Master Jiang comes from a prestigious family and is a rising star. I know how to weigh things. As for rumors of discord, there was only once when I wanted to buy a rare spice from him and he wouldn’t part with it. That’s all gossip from busybodies.”

Lord Hou nodded. “A connection with a scholar of Master Jiang’s stature is fortunate. Even if not, relations shouldn’t be strained. That’s what I wanted to remind you about. So this matter today shows your concern for the family’s education.”

He Zhiyu bowed. “I’m not worthy of such praise. But this is not Meng Shi’s fault. I beg you, Father, to spare her.”

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