Chapter 200: Evil Men Have Their Own Punishers

"Mrs. Lin really loves to joke; to bring up TOEFL, I truly was grateful back then that the young master only wanted my son's pair of legs rather than his life." Chu Ke this time intends to completely break with the Lin family and ruin the marriage, so she speaks especially bluntly: "Since the young master is enamored with Prince Qi's concubine and is willing to break someone's legs and ruin someone's future for her, then let him continue to guard her. My daughter will never marry such a shameless scoundrel."

Mrs. Lin, suddenly dizzy with anger, trembled and pointed at Chu Ke, shouting, "That's sheer nonsense! My son has no connection at all with Prince Qi's concubine; don't slander!"

"Hey, no connection? Then why did the young master originally scheme to cripple my son?" Chu Ke pressed on step by step, her eyes seeming ready to spit fire, tearing at Mrs. Lin's hypocritical mask.

"It was just an accident!"

"Accident? That's a nice way to put it. Back then we didn't even know who admitted fault and compensated, and even for our son's future we were told not to spread the matter. In good faith we took a step back, only to have you bite us today?" Chu Ke trampled the Lin family's honor onto the ground, "Mrs. Lin, you are also a woman; would you have your daughter marry a ruthless man who already has his heart set elsewhere? Speaking of it, the young master is truly devoted to Prince Qi's concubine; for her he would even pinch his nose to marry my daughter, even though he clearly knows my mother and I despise that concubine, an extramarital woman."

Mrs. Lin's face turned pale; she hadn't expected Chu Ke to completely lose face and broadcast the matter, does she not fear that the Protector Duke will completely turn against her?

"Duchess Who Guards the State, do you have any evidence? If you have none, it's slander, you should think carefully before speaking." Lady Lin gritted her teeth, "Moreover, you keep saying my son wants to marry my daughter; our Lin family never sent a marriage proposal. Are you trying to deliberately marry your daughter to my son?"

I've seen shameless people, but never a Lady Lin this shameless. Chu Ke's face turned black with anger, she laughed furiously, staring at Lady Lin: "I have noted your words, but please never come to my house to propose marriage, or I'll strike each time you do. A son‑in‑law like that young master is beyond our family's means."

People around murmured, hearing the two's words there was a lot of hidden truth here—what exactly is going on? Who is telling the truth?

Is the Lin family's young master truly enamored with Prince Qi's concubine?

What a big news! If that's the case, wouldn't Prince Qi's head be all green?

Come to think of it, Chu's family has a daughter; how could a mother spread rumors that ruin her own daughter's reputation? Moreover, the Protector Duke's Heir Apparent did indeed have his leg broken back then.

Mrs. Lin listened to the surrounding whispers and gossip; suddenly darkness fell before her eyes. She has always been proud and haughty, never having been disgraced like this, and she fainted on the spot.

Chu Ke immediately said, "Mrs. Lin has fainted; quickly ask Madam Tai to summon a physician. The marriage between the two families cannot proceed, but I cannot just stand by while Mrs. Lin's fate is uncertain."

The crowd: …

Well, when did the Duchess Who Guards the State seem to become a different person? No one matches her poisonous tongue.

Rong Luoge, delighted after hearing from Chu Ke at the Grand Madam's tea banquet that Mrs. Lin had fainted, said to Rong Xin, "Truly, evil men have their own punishers."

"Your Majesty is right; that Lin family's young master is indeed overly sentimental. His actions may satisfy his own infatuation, but he doesn't consider how it drags Miss Ling Shan's lifelong happiness. In my view, the Lin family deserves it; it seems the two families cannot form a marriage alliance." Rong Xin said with a smile.

Rong Luoge said, "Hope so."

In the end, this matter still depends on whether Lin Gao Xuan is willing to force the disgraced Lady Lin to continue proposing for Rong Dai, and whether the Protector Duke will force Chu Ke to marry off his daughter for Rong Dai; it's too early to draw a conclusion now.

However, as long as Chu Ke does not back down, does not loosen her words, and has her own backing, this matter cannot be resolved, but it remains disgusting.

Moreover, after this incident, Ling Shan's marriage prospects are likely ruined, which is what makes Rong Luoge angry.

Little Miss Ling Shan truly has terrible luck; she cannot be left unattended, yet finding a good match for her is indeed difficult.

A marriage alliance should be based on mutual willingness, not on fostering enmity; it requires careful consideration.

"Your Majesty, Aunt Yan Yin, who is by the Empress Dowager's side, has arrived," Que Cai lifted the silk curtain and reported.

Rong Luoge slightly frowned, "Let her in."

Rong Luoge despises the Empress Dowager, but feels differently toward Yan Yin; when she entered Dong Gong, Yan Yin showed her kindness, a sentiment she has always remembered.

But now Yan Yin constantly speaks for the Empress Dowager, which truly troubles and infuriates her.

"I, your servant, salute the Noble Consort," Yan Yin said, crouching and bowing as Que Cai entered.

"Aunt Yan Yin, no need for formalities, please rise," Rong Luoge said slowly, "We haven't seen each other for many days; your complexion seems better than before."

Yan Yin looked up at Noble Consort Rong, her heart slightly heavy with purpose, and after steadying herself said, "Your Majesty, I worry for you; you are carrying the dragon heir, and you have lost a lot recently, so you must prioritize your health."

Rong Luoge, hearing this, realized Yan Yin was sincere; her smile softened a bit. She glanced at Rong Xin and a few others, and Rong Xin immediately led the others away to stand guard at the doorway.

"Aunt, just speak plainly; I must also thank you for looking after me back then, a kindness I have always remembered," Rong Luoge said softly.

Yan Yin's voice turned sour; hearing the Noble Consort speak so, her heart softened a bit, and after a moment she said, "Your Majesty, protecting the fetus is paramount; everything else is trivial."

Rong Luoge looked at Yan Yin suspiciously, waiting for her to continue.

Yan Yin pursed her lips, "The Late Emperor's great mourning period has ended, and the Empress Dowager intends to hold a banquet to welcome Miss Su."

Rong Luoge stared at Yan Yin with a puzzled expression, truly thinking she had misheard.

Since the new emperor's enthronement, he naturally cannot observe the three‑year mourning like ordinary subjects do for close relatives; instead, months replace years, but the Empress Dowager's words sound somewhat absurd.

Rong Luoge chuckled lightly, "His Majesty, as the ruler of a nation, bears the weight of all his subjects, which is why months replace years. Even so, he still must report to Heaven and the imperial ancestors to demonstrate filial piety. His Majesty's great filial devotion, though excessive, still keeps him vegetarian and chaste. His filial sentiment moves heaven and earth, yet the Empress Dowager is not pleased for His Majesty and insists on holding a welcome banquet at this time. If this spreads, how will the court view His Majesty? Has the Empress Dowager considered that? Aunt Yan Yin, when I first entered the palace I was frightened; His Majesty told me that you were a trustworthy person, and you indeed cared for me. Now, why are you aiding the tiger and putting His Majesty behind your back?"