Chapter 1970: Berating

Concubine Yan’s heart raced with panic, her face draining of color as she turned to First Madam Lu for guidance.

What should she say now? How could she possibly know how to navigate this situation?

First Madam Lu, equally flustered, offered a strained smile. “Madam Shao, I believe there must have been a misunderstanding on Concubine Yan’s part…”

“Yes, indeed! These rumors have been circulating outside. Why wouldn’t they be? Lord Shao’s actions during the Lantern Festival clearly indicated his protection of our Third Miss!” Concubine Yan interjected hastily, attempting to justify her previous statement.

Qiao Xuan’s anger simmered beneath the surface as she glanced at First Madam Lu. “What a fascinating family dynamic you have! Despite Lord’s refutation of the rumors, why would someone within the family entertain such absurd notions? And to think it’s the biological mother of Third Miss Lu! Like mother, like daughter, indeed! What sort of character does Third Miss Lu possess? How could you dare to propose such an alliance to our Lord? Are you attempting to demean his honor?”

First Madam Lu and Concubine Yan’s expressions shifted uneasily.

“Madam Shao, you have misunderstood–”

“That’s what the rumors allege! Even if we don’t voice it, others will. But it seems that it’s too late to halt the spread of gossip now! Has our Miss’s reputation been tarnished in vain?”

“That’s your concern,” Qiao Xuan retorted icily. “Lord has already dispelled these rumors. If anyone dares to utter falsehoods again, you have every right to take them to court, and Lord will mete out justice impartially! How can you claim her reputation is sullied? All of Anze’s inhabitants fall under Lord’s jurisdiction, and when he perceives injustice, he intervenes. Even if it hadn’t been your daughter that night, Lord would have acted the same!”

“Are you implying that our Lord should be held accountable for every baseless rumor? That’s preposterous! What regard does your Lu family have for our Lord? Do you think you have the authority to make decisions on his behalf? Should our Lord bear responsibility for the malicious machinations of those with dark, deceitful, and shameless intentions who fabricate rumors to besmirch his name?”

“B-but on that day–”

“Our Lord has already refuted the rumors, rendering any further discussion irrelevant!” Qiao Xuan cut off Concubine Yan’s attempted defense, unwilling to entertain further fruitless debate. Some individuals were simply beyond reasoning with, and she deemed it more prudent to set a firm example.

With a piercing gaze, Qiao Xuan turned her attention to First Madam Lu. “First Madam Lu, how do you propose to discipline a servant who disrespects their superior and slanders their master?”

Caught off guard, First Madam Lu sensed the weight of the question, recognizing it as a potential trap. Nevertheless, she had no choice but to respond. “If such a servant were to exist, we would have to expel them from the household. We might administer a punishment such as a beating or selling them away to a distant location.”

“Indeed, we cannot tolerate such insubordination within our ranks! Failure to address it would only lead to chaos within the family. As for Concubine Yan, not only did she disregard my authority, but she also propagated false rumors and besmirched our Lord’s reputation. While she may hold a higher position than a common servant, she is still a concubine. Shouldn’t she face appropriate consequences for her actions?”

First Madam Lu’s eyelids twitched nervously, sensing the gravity of the situation.

Concubine Yan’s panicked plea fell on deaf ears as Qiao Xuan continued to address First Madam Lu directly.

“Are you, First Madam Lu, the esteemed mistress of the Lu Family?”

Qiao Xuan’s tone carried a hint of sarcasm and disdain, causing First Madam Lu’s heart to sink. The implications of her response weighed heavily on her, realizing the potential consequences if word of this confrontation were to spread.