After the Cold and Aloof Husband's Mask Falls - Chapter 18

Gu Lehuan’s arm was gripped tightly by the nanny.

Seeing the crowd rise to follow the Princess of Huai to witness the so-called “Perfected One’s” ritual, Lehuan gritted her teeth but didn’t dare speak. In the eyes of the guests, this was a scene of a harmonious family; if she tried to stop them now, she would only invite suspicion.

She forced herself to remain calm as she trailed behind the group, praying fervently that the Matron’s poison plot would not succeed.

Knowing the power of the Prince of Huai, she had once investigated his Heir and discovered a dark rumor: the Heir had a secret penchant for abuse. Her sister could not be forced into a marriage that would destroy her!

But just as they rounded a corner, the sounds of a man’s heavy, ragged gasps began to drift from the rockery.

In an instant, the color drained from Gu Lehuan’s face. No… no!

“What is that sound?! Is it some criminal?! Grandmother, I’m scared, let’s leave quickly!” Gu Lehuan didn’t need to fake her panic; she screamed out in a frantic attempt to divert them.

The guests also snapped to attention. These were women who had survived the schemes of inner courtyards; they immediately guessed that a scandal was unfolding. The Old Matron of the Marquis of Xuanping, who had been asked by Xiao Chen to look after Gu Wanlan, sensed something was wrong and clutched her chest.

“Oh my, my heart is pounding so hard. I don’t think I can go watch the ritual anymore.”

Just as several others began to agree and Lehuan felt a surge of relief, a strange voice rang out.

“Strange. Why have so many faithful gathered here? Have you also followed the trail of this ‘Malice’?”

The newcomer had a long beard, wore Taoist robes, and held a white jade compass. It was the Perfected One of Wuliang!

The Old Matron of the Gu family was inwardly delighted. The timing was perfect. She hurried forward, feigning worry. “What does the Perfected One mean by this?!”

The priest stroked his beard, his brow furrowed. “When I was about to pray for your granddaughter, I discovered she possesses a rare ‘Heavenly Calamity’ fate. Coincidentally, this location is overflowing with Malice, so I followed the trail to see if it could be neutralized.”

“Does the Master mean that Wanlan not only bears the fate of a Calamity Star, but she is also inside that rockery right now?!” The Princess of Huai cried out in feigned shock.

“Indeed.”

“But… but the person in there…” The Princess didn’t finish, but everyone understood the implication. The person in that rockery was currently engaged in a shameful, illicit act!

The Princess looked horrified, taking three steps back. “Could there be a mistake? How could Wanlan be such a person?”

“Enough!” The Old Matron barked, silencing the Princess. She turned to the guests with an apologetic face. “I am sorry. My granddaughter has only just returned to Xijing and doesn’t know our rules. She has committed such an ugly act; I have made a laughingstock of our house before you all.”

The Old Matron of the Duke of Xun raised her eyelids and looked thoughtfully at the Princess of Huai. “It is nothing. Children are but debts we owe. We shall not stay here any longer.”

Since the highest-ranking guest had spoken, the others couldn’t say much, though they all felt a wave of pity for Gu Wanlan. Their husbands had told them to observe the girl who had single-handedly humiliated the Cui family, and some had even considered her as a potential match for their sons.

But with this scandal, regardless of whether she was willing, the girl’s future was likely ruined.

“Men! Drag that brat out of the rockery! Since she has done such a disgusting thing, I shall punish her today in her father’s stead!” The Old Matron shouted. She even cast a pitying glance at the Matron of the Marquis of Xuanping.

Didn’t that brat rely on her beauty to get Xiao Chen as her backer? Once this scandal is exposed and she loses her support, she’ll be mine to manipulate!

“Oh? What ‘ugly act’ are we talking about?”

A lazy, slightly hoarse voice suddenly rang out from behind the crowd.

The Old Matron jumped in shock. She turned around to find Gu Wanlan leaning against a tree, watching them with a mocking, smiling gaze.

How?! She’s not in the cave!

“Sister! You’re here!” Gu Lehuan cried out with joy, rushing forward to hug her.

Before Lehuan could collide with her, Gu Wanlan quickly braced her. Her legs were still a bit weak, and she couldn’t handle the impact.

Thinking of the scene in the cave just now, she wanted to curse. She had only intended for Cui Jue to make a “tiny” mistake, but she hadn’t expected the incense—or whatever was going on with him—to be so overpowering. Once he started, he became a completely different person. His aura was domineering and fierce, catching her off guard.

But she, Gu Wanlan, was not one to admit defeat! So she had fought back, blow for blow! The “battle” had been so intense they had nearly lost track of time.

Gu Wanlan cleared her throat awkwardly. “Yes, I had some business and stepped away for a moment. It’s so lively here, and Grandmother keeps mentioning ‘ugly acts.’ Did something happen?”

Being so close, Gu Lehuan noticed the signs immediately. Her sister’s hair had been rearranged. Her lip rouge was gone. There was even a faint, lingering scent of ink and brushwood on her.

Lehuan’s scalp tingled as an image of a certain man flashed in her mind, but she knew now wasn’t the time. She suppressed her thoughts and pointed at the priest. “This Taoist says you have a Calamity fate and insisted you were inside the cave!”

Gu Wanlan raised an eyebrow. “Since he followed the ‘Malice’ to the cave, shouldn’t we just see what’s inside?”

The Old Matron’s heart leaped. “No! It is—”

Before she could finish, the nannies she had sent in earlier let out a piercing shriek from within the cave.

“What happened?!” The Princess of Huai panicked. Forgetting her poise, she rushed toward the cave. If her stepson was dragged out and injured, the Prince would never forgive her!

As the Princess moved, the guests followed, and everyone witnessed a sight that nearly made their eyes pop out.

In broad daylight, the Prince of Huai’s Heir was half-naked, performing a certain act against a hole in the rockery wall!

“No wonder the Master said the Malice was overflowing here. How innocent those stone walls are…” someone murmured, followed by a wave of suppressed snickering from the other ladies.

This incident would become the laughingstock of Xijing for a long time to come.

The Princess of Huai felt she had lost all face, but she knew she had to swallow this bitter pill. She forced a smile. “The Heir drank a few too many cups and apparently got lost and fell asleep in the cave. I will take him back now.”

“Auntie, don’t let the Heir get lost next time.” Gu Wanlan stepped close, supporting the Princess with a gentle smile.

The Princess was fuming and about to snap at her, but then—CRACK! The thick tree branch Gu Wanlan was holding snapped in two with a single hand.

“Auntie, did you know? A person’s neck is much more fragile than a tree branch. If my hand used just a bit more force…”

The girl’s voice was soft and her eyes were smiling, but the Princess felt a bone-chilling shiver. She finally understood what the Old Matron meant by a “difficult girl.” If this unbridled “daughter-in-law” really entered her palace, her life would be in constant danger!

The Princess of Huai abandoned all etiquette and fled with her son.

“So it was all the Heir’s rudeness and had nothing to do with you, Sister. You’re so unlucky.”

“It’s fine, I’m used to it…” Gu Wanlan lowered her lashes. “I was almost led to that cave today myself. If that had happened, I truly wouldn’t have been able to explain myself…”

Gu Lehuan gasped, covering her mouth. “You mean someone deliberately tried to frame you?! Who could be so malicious!”

Gu Wanlan gave the Old Matron a brief, fleeting glance before shaking her head. Her expression was one of endurance and resilience, like a small white flower standing tall after a storm. “Forget it. It’s over.”

But every guest present saw that glance. Everything became clear to them.

The Old Matron, in her greed to cling to the Prince of Huai, was willing to sacrifice her newly returned granddaughter. They were bullying the girl because the Protector Duke was dying and there was no one left to protect her!

“Wanlan, I liked you the moment I saw you. If you have time, come visit us at the Marquis of Xuanping’s manor,” the Old Matron of the Marquis’s house said, holding Gu Wanlan’s hands affectionately.

“Yes! And don’t worry about those ridiculous prophecies. If you were a ‘Calamity,’ how did we win the Battle of Changping? How did you make it back? To me, you’re a little lucky star!”

“Exactly! My husband fought with the Duke back then and almost died. The Duke dragged him back personally. If you ever need anything, come find your Aunt at the General Weiyuan’s manor!”

Seeing this, the Old Matron of the Gu family was so angry she wanted to vomit blood and faint on the spot. But she couldn’t. She had to force a smile while watching these powerful women shower the “brat” with kindness.

When the last guest finally left, the Old Matron prepared to take a nap to recover. She never expected her courtyard gate to be kicked open with a thunderous crash.

The noise was so loud the Old Matron nearly rolled off her bed. Before she could fix her hair, she saw Gu Wanlan strolling in leisurely—ignoring the fact that she was dragging the heavy, unhinged door panel in her right hand.

“Grandmother, let’s settle the score.”

Seeing this, the only thought that flashed through the Old Matron’s mind was:

I’ve been wronged! You people, come back and look! She’s not some bullied little white flower—she’s a man-eating piranha!