The three chatted for a while until dusk began to fall. Unwilling to linger any longer, the two guests took their leave.
The night was as dark as ink, and the moon tonight seemed even rounder than the previous one.
Four or five days later, a new rumor quietly spread through the marketplace. It was said that a few men who had gone out for entertainment had a falling out and started fighting. Two of them loudly claimed to have powerful backing, that they were protected by the Wen family, and advised the other to beg for forgiveness, otherwise, the Wen family's wrath would be unbearable.
However, their opponent was the local bully of the neighborhood, and he was in a fit of rage. He wouldn't back down even for royalty, let alone the Wen family.
After a round of fists, the news that Miss Wen's people had spread rumors quickly swept through the streets and alleys.
The next morning, while Wen Yuwei was still asleep, Liang Luo, accompanied by her people, stormed into the residence. Wen Yuwei's father and brother, Wen Xinglu, were not at home, and the household servants and maids were no match for them.
Kicking open the door to her room, Liang Luo's sudden appearance startled Wen Yuwei awake. In her confusion, she saw Liang Luo and was filled with surprise.
"Why are you here?"
Liang Luo had no intention of wasting words with her. The individuals bribed by Xia Lu to spread rumors had already been apprehended by the Liang family. Under interrogation, they confessed everything, even describing Xia Lu's appearance in detail.
If it weren't for their scheme, how could an outsider have known the appearance of a young lady's maid so clearly?
This was the reason for the early morning confrontation.
"Good, so that's why it spread so quickly! It was you, you slut, causing trouble behind my back!"
She lunged forward and grabbed Wen Yuwei, pulling her off the bed. Her knees and elbows hit the floor with a painful thud. Before she could react, Liang Luo's slaps rained down on her.
It was true that Wen Yuwei's uncle was an official in the Ministry of Personnel, but he was merely an uncle, not her father.
Therefore, in terms of status, Wen Yuwei could not compare to Liang Luo.
The pent-up anger of the past few days finally found an outlet. The slaps were delivered swiftly, and the delicate, jade-like face before her quickly swelled into a pig's head, covered in bloody marks.
"Miss, Miss..."
Xia Lu cried out, trying to shield her mistress, but was held firmly by Liang Luo's people.
Jinxiu, like her mistress, glared fiercely at Xia Lu. "Don't worry, it will be your turn soon."
After delivering more than a dozen slaps, Liang Luo's anger finally subsided. She threw Wen Yuwei to the ground like a rag and turned to face Xia Lu, her expression like a demon crawling out of hell, come to claim a life.
As expected, a sinister voice soon rang out, "Jinxiu, not only did this hussy ruin my reputation outside, but she also disrespected Sister Wei. Teach her a lesson today."
"Yes."
Jinxiu nodded to the people beside her upon receiving the order.
The seasoned servants brought along this time were skilled. They pulled out some objects from their pockets, put them on their hands, and began to beat Xia Lu with fists and kicks.
Xia Lu's screams filled the room. In less than the time it takes for a cup of tea to brew, she had fainted from the pain.
But Jinxiu and the others did not stop. It seemed they intended to beat her to death.
Wen Yuwei knew her scheme had been exposed, but she never expected Liang Luo to dare to barge in so brazenly and beat her and her maid so severely.
Her cheeks ached, and speaking was painful, but seeing her loyal Xia Lu being beaten, she could no longer stand it. "You... you disregard the law like this. Aren't you afraid the Censorate will impeach your father for failing to discipline his children?"
Her eyes met Liang Luo's without fear. Her heart was filled with extreme grievance, but she still tried to maintain her last shred of dignity.
Liang Luo sneered at her. "Wen Yuwei, do you think I came here today just to vent my anger? I already reported your bribing of thugs to spread rumors everywhere to Duke Weiguo and Sister Wei. How much slander did you cast upon the Wei family? Do you think your uncle would risk a falling out with the Wei family for you?"
The word "uncle" was emphasized heavily. Wen Yuwei suddenly panicked. After a moment, she realized.
"How much did you embellish the story!"
Liang Luo looked at her as if she were a dying person. "Not much. It's just that someone has to take the blame for the previous gossip. Coincidentally, I thought you or your maid were quite suitable, so I helped you out."
Hearing this, Wen Yuwei's heart sank considerably.
Looking at Xia Lu, who was barely breathing, she gritted her teeth.
"Enough, I've had my fill of anger. We'll leave the rest to Master Wen when he returns. I believe he, having served as an official for many years, will naturally give Duke Weiguo and Sister Wei an explanation."
With that, she shot Wen Yuwei a fierce glare and left majestically with her retinue of maids and servants.
None of the Wen family's servants dared to stop them; they all retreated to the sides.
"Liang Luo! Wei Lanxuan!"
Wen Yuwei now felt more than ever that her past efforts were no match for birth and status. If she were the legitimate daughter of an official in the Ministry of Personnel today, would that Liang woman dare to bully and frame her like this?
She wouldn't dare.
Her eyes, once filled with the gentle moisture of autumn, were now full of hatred and a yearning for power.
Liang Luo, you will definitely pay for what you did today!
That evening, when Wen Jingsong returned to his residence, he flew into a rage at Wen Yuwei. If he hadn't seen her already covered in bruises, he would have beaten her to death.
Poor Xia Lu, before she had even regained consciousness, was ordered to be beaten to death. Wen Yuwei was also confined to her courtyard for self-reflection. If her brother, Wen Xinglu, hadn't pleaded for her, Wen Jingsong might have even abandoned his niece.
"Brother, save me, save me. I don't want to be locked up here forever."
Wen Yuwei and Wen Xinglu were siblings, so they were naturally closer. Seeing his sister suffer, he felt distressed, but unfortunately, he was only a scholar who had not yet passed the imperial examinations. No matter how angry he was, he was helpless.
"Don't worry. Brother is determined to pass the Spring Imperial Examination next year. Once I enter officialdom and establish my own residence, it will be natural for me to bring you out. I will never leave you here to suffer!"
Wen Yuwei tightly grasped his hand, unwilling to let go.
In the study of the Wen residence, Wen Jingsong and his son were discussing countermeasures.
"Yuwei is utterly useless, always messing things up. Who else could she provoke but that mad dog from the Liang family? She made me lose face in front of Duke Weiguo."
As Wen Jingsong spoke, there was no trace of pity for his niece's injuries, only dissatisfaction that a pawn had been wasted.
"Father, don't worry. She's just a woman in the inner chambers, destined to be married off. The Duke will eventually need to win over some court officials and princes. I heard the Duke intends to forge ties with Prince Yu. Why don't we send Yuwei to Prince Yu's mansion? This way, we can show our loyalty to the Wei family and also vent Sister Wei's anger."