Chapter 147: Chapter 147: The Polo Match
Finally, including the concubine, everyone was taken away by the authorities.
Back in the Princely Heir’s courtyard, Prince An and the others were still in awe, "Miss Qu, you’re incredible, to have actually suspected the concubine."
Chu Jin also said, "Indeed, I didn’t even recall this person. How did you come to suspect her?"
Ge Yang said, "All the evidence we gathered pointed to the Second Madam. The concubine seemed to have appeared out of nowhere."
Only the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice’s son, Wei Xu, asked a key question, "Did you notice a clue during that midday incident of falling into the water?"
Pei Ji’an changed into a new robe and sat down gracefully, picking up a tea cup, "No, she suspected the concubine through the matter of the Madam’s illness."
Qu Fulan smiled and said, "That’s true."
When the maid mentioned the Madam’s illness, she suspected foul play, and it could only be done by someone close or once close. The Second Madam had been at the Pei Mansion for only a few years, without enough stability in her connections.
Then the concubine conveniently showed up with her son, which led Qu Fulan to suspect her.
She lied about seeing the incident with the water, as her angle didn’t allow for it, but she didn’t mind bluffing the concubine.
She claimed it was the Second Madam who pushed someone into the water, thus confirming the Second Madam’s guilt.
But since no one was harmed, the punishment for the Second Madam wouldn’t be severe, so the concubine had to fan the flames.
This flame needed to thoroughly eliminate future troubles.
That would be the evidence of setting fire to the study. Only by pinning this crime on the Second Madam as well, the crime of harming the young master and the little master of Jin Mansion could not be borne by the Second Madam.
Even if it wasn’t reported to the authorities in the end, the Jin Family wouldn’t keep such a malicious person.
The Second Madam’s witness was actually the concubine’s person.
The fire in the study was half the work of the concubine; the Second Madam had ordered to burn superior sandalwood in the study, the concubine’s people increased the quantity, causing everyone to faint.
The concubine’s reason for doing so was simple—she wanted to kill two birds with one stone.
A maid ambitious enough to climb into the master’s bed, yet continuing to play the humble servant, showing her deep scheming.
Otherwise, why was it that the Madam had been fine for years, but started falling ill after she became the concubine and gave birth to a child?
She drugged the Madam, intending to quietly eliminate her, then used the Second Madam to get rid of the young master, thus everything in the mansion would belong to her son.
Now that the plan had deviated and failed to eliminate the young master, she had to bring out the Second Madam as a shield, and in the future, she would still have plenty of opportunities to target the young master, with a ready excuse that it was caused by people left by the Second Madam.
After listening to Qu Fulan’s analysis, Prince An, Chu Jin, and Ge Yang couldn’t help but shiver a bit.
They were young masters from prestigious families, naturally having heard many inside secrets of the inner chambers, but it was an entirely different experience having it unfold before their eyes.
"These women are terrifying, harming this and that for their own gains." Prince An lamented.
"So, the fact that we’re alive today means those concubines at home spared us?" Chu Jin said.
"It’s more because of the skilled primary wives protecting us, otherwise..." Ge Yang added.
Only Wei Xu, who had seen much human nature in the Ministry of Justice, felt indifferent.
Heir Pei, having experienced the battlefield where countless bones lay beneath every victory, was even more unmoved.
Qu Fulan noticed how Prince An and the others attributed the problem to women, but silently she had a different thought.
These women causing trouble, wasn’t it fundamentally due to men’s infidelity?
Men indulging in concubines left and right still expect peace in the inner chambers?
Even though polygamy was common, it didn’t mean it was right; the men were taking things too much for granted, wanting both concubines in abundance and a harmonious family.
This reminded Qu Fulan of certain novels written from a male perspective where the male lead had numerous wives, yet the wives lived harmoniously...
If it were the other way around, with women having several husbands and not causing drama, wouldn’t women also hope for peace among the men?
But is that possible?
No.
So men expect women to achieve what they themselves cannot.
It’s ridiculous, pathetic, and lamentable.
Actually, there are good men who are faithful, but they are too rare.
Rather than gambling on such odds, one might as well focus on their career; only having money in hand is the most reliable.
With the Jin Family’s troubles over, Qu Fulan and the others were preparing to return to the capital. Before leaving, she left some medicine for the Madam to cure her.
Mr. Jin was deeply grateful, thanked them profusely, and saw them off at the gate.
Just as they left the Jin Mansion, the Heir Pei received a carrier pigeon communication. It seemed there was urgent business requiring his attention, and he had to part ways with them.
Before leaving, he entrusted her to Prince An and the others, instructing them to ensure she was safely escorted to the Pei Mansion.
Naturally, Prince An and the others pledged themselves to the task.
And so the two parties went their separate ways.
Returning with Prince An and the others wasn’t much of an issue for Qu Fulan; after spending time together and sharing some experiences, those young masters considered her a friend.
However, Qu Fulan didn’t expect that with Heir Pei’s departure, he wouldn’t return until the day of the polo match.
Early in the morning, everyone began to prepare for the polo match.
With Heir Pei away, Qu Fulan went with the Third Miss and others.
The elderly lady, given her age, couldn’t handle such excitement, worrying it might not be good for her health if she got overly enthusiastic.
Eventually, everyone sat in the tents set up around the polo field, temporary structures.
This area was reserved for nobility; the crowd outside had no seating, only standing room, yet even so, they were packed layers deep.
Qu Fulan had also arranged for a milk tea shop to temporarily rent a spot nearby, selling milk tea. With so many people, each buying a cup was a huge profit.
"It’s so lively," Cheng Ru couldn’t help but marvel.
"Indeed, it’s livelier than in previous years, and with reason," the Third Miss said with a smile.
"What’s the reason?" Cheng Ru asked.
"Because my second brother is participating this year," the Third Miss replied.
"Second cousin is participating, and there are so many people. What’s the reason for that?" Cheng Ru asked curiously.
"I know all about this," Fang Yuan cut in, "Before second brother went to the border, he participated once. That year, foreign emissaries visited, and we played in the spirit of friendly diplomacy. Initially, we were losing badly, and it was humiliating. But the Emperor wisely sent second brother and Heir Xiao to the field, and together they turned the tide, achieving a famous victory. After that, second brother went to the border and hasn’t participated in a polo match since, but that victory was so resounding that it left a lasting impression. Now that he’s participating again this year, naturally, there are more spectators than usual."
Cheng Ru imagined the scene, regretting that she hadn’t had the chance to witness Heir Pei’s imposing figure in action.