The cousin is beautiful but ruthless.

Chapter 137 Xiao Ran's Punishment

Shen Hanyu and the others watched from behind, and Xiao Ran's fate should be similar to that of her previous life.

Zhou Yurong did not believe what Xiao Ran said.

“They all saw it. You were very harsh on Yue’er when you were in the manor, and now you’ve even harmed my first child. How can you expect me to trust you?”

Xiao Ran walked closer to him: "As soon as Lu Lingyue pretends to be pitiful, you question me. This time I said I didn't do it, so I didn't. She deliberately tripped while trying to pour me tea. Why don't you go ask your little darling if she's deliberately putting on an act, trying to use this trick to make you divorce me so she can become the proper Lady of Guangning!"

If it were Zhou Yurong in normal circumstances, she would have thought about Xiao Ran's words carefully. Unfortunately, Zhou Yurong had lost her first child and was now emotionally unstable.

"I have already informed Her Majesty the Empress about this matter. Xiao Ran, I don't want to argue with you. Lü Qi is loyal to you, and your maids won't tell the truth either. Let Her Majesty the Empress handle this matter."

Upon hearing the name "Empress," Xiao Ran's face darkened.

This was the first time Zhou Yurong had taken the initiative to seek Empress Wang's help in handling their family matters.

Knowing full well that she was most afraid of being summoned to the palace, she still chose to do it. Did Lu Lingyue really think that she could make Zhou Yurong divorce her by using this method?

Innocent!

Watching this drama unfold, Shen Hanyu thought, "Lu Lingyue is quite ruthless. Given how much Zhou Yurong values ​​her, it's no wonder she took the initiative to seek out Empress Wang."

However, it's still impossible for Zhou Yurong to divorce Xiao Ran. Next, Lu Lingyue will face even more frenzied revenge from Xiao Ran. It's unknown how long Lu Lingyue can hold out.

Shen Hanyu lost interest in watching any further, and after informing Wei Ming, she left.

Just then, Empress Wang's people arrived at the scene. Seeing the chaos at the polo field, the palace maid rubbed her temples.

"Please, Princess Xiao."

Xiao Ran flicked her sleeve and turned to get into the carriage.

"Wait a minute, leave Lüqi here."

Lu Qi looked up and met Zhou Yurong's cold gaze, sensing something was wrong.

"what are you up to?"

Lüqi was her confidante, so naturally she was unwilling to hand Lüqi over to Zhou Yurong.

Zhou Yurong simply said, "Yue'er was injured just now mainly because of this maid. Leave her here for me to deal with."

Xiao Ran was about to say something more when Lü Qi stopped her.

"No, Your Highness, I admit my mistake and I will accept whatever punishment I am given."

Lü Qi walked over and gestured for Xiao Ran to get into the carriage. Xiao Ran wouldn't be punished much if she went to the palace. If she could take full responsibility, she could accept it, since Lu Lingyue had indeed bumped into her.

Xiao Ran was taken to the palace by a palace maid. Zhou Yurong looked at Lü Qi. He couldn't do anything to Xiao Ran, but could he not do anything to Lü Qi?

Yang Yueying looked on and felt utterly disgusted; what kind of mess was this?

When Xiao Ran arrived at Empress Wang's place, she immediately became as timid as a quail and dared not utter a word.

“I’ve heard about what happened today, Xiao Ran. Even if your father came, I would still punish you.”

Because of her guilty conscience, Xiao Ran never dared to refute her previous mistakes, but since she hadn't done anything wrong today, she immediately said, "Your Majesty, it really has nothing to do with me. That lowly maid framed me!"

Empress Wang came down and pressed down on Xiao Ran's shoulder.

"You don't need to say anything more. You've done so much already. Even if you shout yourself hoarse, no one will believe you. You'll be confined to the manor for three months, copying Buddhist scriptures and sending them to the Buddhist hall every day to apologize to the unborn child of the Earl of Guangning. As for the rest, your father will be punished."

Xiao Ran's knees suddenly buckled and she knelt on the ground.

“Father…”

Empress Wang's gaze turned cold.

"Your father suffered this calamity because of the foolish things you did."

Xiao Ran lowered her head, but she really didn't do it, so why doesn't anyone believe her?

“Xiao Ran, I’ve told you many times, think about the consequences before you do things. Don’t be so willful. If there’s a next time, I will strip you of your title as county princess.”

Empress Wang finished speaking and ordered that Xiao Ran be sent back to the Guangning Marquis's residence.

Xiao Ran lowered her eyes: "Xiao Ran obeys."

Whether she listened or not, she should think it over carefully over the next three months.

That was Zhou Yurong's first child; no matter what, something should not have happened.

When Xiao Ran returned to the Guangning Marquis's residence, her maidservant rushed over in a panic.

"Madam, something terrible has happened! Sister Lüqi has been beaten to death by the lord, and he forbids us from telling anyone."

Xiao Ran's eyelids twitched.

"And what about Lu Lingyue?"

"She has been settled back at the manor, and the master is with her."

Xiao Ran sneered repeatedly. What a Lu Lingyue! It's just a three-month house arrest.

Once she is released from confinement, it will be the day of Lu Lingyue's death.

The maid found Xiao Ran's smile terrifying, sending chills down her spine.

"After arranging Luqi's funeral, I've been confined to my quarters by the Empress, so I'll no longer concern myself with matters within the manor."

After Xiao Ran finished speaking, she went back to her room.

Shen Hanyu was having dinner when she received the message.

"A three-month house arrest as punishment for copying Buddhist scriptures—that's a pretty light punishment."

Even with such a light punishment, Xiao Ran must still hold a grudge against Lu Lingyue.

"Not only that, Princess Xiao's father was also implicated in this matter. He was not only fined, but the Emperor also reprimanded him, leaving him utterly humiliated."

Jin Chui poured a glass of wine for Shen Hanyu.

Shen Hanyu held a wine cup.

"Our men saw a servant from the Guangning Marquis's mansion dragging a corpse out after dark, and they confirmed it was Luqi, the maidservant of County Princess Xiao."

With Lü Qi taking the blame, the matter was easily dropped.

After downing a glass of wine, Shen Hanyu squinted her eyes contentedly.

"Things should be quiet for the next few months. Let's leave the Guangning Marquis's affairs aside for now. Didn't the princess say she had some news recently? Let's check the situation here first."

Shen Hanyu is currently overwhelmed with other matters. Shen Yanzhi's situation has finally shown some promise, but the person behind it is someone she cannot touch.

She knew very well how good Li Jing's reputation was.

This concerns the royal family, so we must be extremely careful.

The letter has been sent to Pei Du, but it's unclear what Pei Du thinks.

"By the way, keep a close eye on the affairs of the Marquis of Anping's residence and the Duke of the County's residence."

If these two families were to join forces, it would be quite troublesome for both her and Pei Du, so this marriage proposal could not go through.

Liang Chengxuan was a great help in this.

Shen Hanyu guessed correctly; as soon as Xu Ying mentioned this to Liang Chengxuan, Liang Chengxuan objected.

“We all know Pei Xingzhi’s true identity. He’s an illegitimate child, to put it bluntly, he’s a nobody. And Han Yueru and Pei Mingjian had an affair without any matchmaker. Neither of them can be brought into the open. Otherwise, why didn’t anyone mention marriage to Pei Xingzhi after he returned to Chang’an? You’re acting so rashly. What do you take Yan’er for?”

Xu Ying sighed, knowing Liang Chengxuan would react this way, but this matter required Liang Chengxuan's approval.

The parents' orders and the matchmaker's words were both indispensable.

"Don't even think about it. Since you're not confident about Yan'er's marriage, I'll make the decision."