Wen Yuanning's face instantly darkened.
He swallowed hard, and for the first time today, he looked squarely at Lan Miao. Then he stepped back and bowed solemnly to her.
"Regarding Yan Bo's matter, I, Yuanning, have wronged you, sister - in - law. I was too credulous of those around me. All the mistakes are mine. Please calm your anger, sister - in - law."
His voice was sincere. Seeing that Lan Miao's expression softened a bit, he continued earnestly,
"Last night we were all in the main hall. At that time, we didn't know it was Yan Bo's fault. It wasn't until Shuangxi came back that I went to find her and discovered that she had bitten her tongue and committed suicide. She didn't leave a single word."
As Wen Yuanning said this, his eyes grew cold.
His expression showed both hatred and disgust, as well as an unknown sense of desolation and a fleeting sadness.
After all, Yan Bo had accompanied him for many years.
But he never expected that such a close person would try to harm the person he loved the most. He couldn't accept it.
"She died suddenly and suspiciously. Let's see if Mrs. You can tell us more. Third brother, please make sure to thoroughly investigate all those involved."
Lan Miao thought that Yan Bo's decisive act of suicide was probably due in part to Mrs. You's intimidation. After Yan Bo learned that Lan Miao was safe and sound, she must have known in her heart that all her deeds would be exposed. By then, she would face consequences worse than death and would be unable to face Wen Yuanning. This was probably the most important reason for her death.
"Of course. I, Yuanning, will not let those people go."
Hearing Lan Miao call him "third brother", Wen Yuanning felt a pang in his heart. But then he thought that Lan Miao had almost died because of him, and he was heart - broken. Immediately, he made a promise.
"I won't get involved in the rest of the matter. Third brother, please don't let this matter spread. The fewer people who know, the better. I just want to recuperate in peace."
Lan Miao thought that with these words, the matter could come to an end.
She still treated Wen Yuanning politely.
She didn't deliberately distance herself because of Mrs. You's nonsense just now, nor did she act coy. In this way, when Han Bi returned to report to the emperor, she wouldn't suspect that Lan Miao was improper.
Wen Yuanning nodded solemnly.
Of course, he knew the importance of reputation to Lan Miao.
Thinking about what Mrs. You and Yan Bo had done, he felt disgusted. But it was also a good thing. With the trouble resolved, Lan Miao could stay in the mansion for a long time in the future.
Thinking of this, he even felt a little happy.
Lan Miao didn't know what was on Wen Yuanning's mind. Since the matter was settled, she didn't want to stay any longer. She turned around to bid farewell.
She maintained basic etiquette, bowed to the old lady, and then turned to leave.
But the old lady coughed heavily.
Her eyes were full of malice.
"Stop."
Lan Miao stopped, her face as cold as frost.
The old lady had been displeased when she saw Lan Miao talking to Wen Yuanning just now. She glared at Lan Miao, then shifted her gaze to Han Bi behind Lan Miao. Her expression softened slightly.
"This young lady from the palace, what Mrs. You said just now was all nonsense. She was just trying to frame others. Please don't take her words to heart, and don't repeat such nonsense to the Empress Dowager."
The old lady's voice was already hoarse, and now it was like there was a mouthful of phlegm in her throat. It was unpleasant to listen to.
Han Bi nodded gently.
"I know exactly what to say and what not to say. You don't need to worry, Mrs. Wen."
"Good. Take your time, young lady."
The old lady was clearly showing them the door.
Han Bi nodded and turned to help Lan Miao out. Lan Miao was a bit exhausted. When she stood up, her body swayed. Her white veil and simple skirt fluttered, like the broken wings of a butterfly.
Seeing this, Wen Yuanning immediately stepped forward to support Lan Miao, firmly holding her slender shoulders.
Before Lan Miao, who was dizzy, could push him away, the old lady sitting in the hall quickly came over and roared, "Let go of each other. What kind of behavior is this?"
"Lan Miao, isn't it enough for you to ruin one of my sons? Do you want to ruin another? From now on, you stay in Pinglan Courtyard and don't come out. Don't affect Yuanning's future."
The old lady was furious.
She had long had objections to Lan Miao. Today, because of Lan Miao, the mansion had been in a complete mess. She was extremely resentful. Out of respect for the Empress Dowager in the palace, she had endured for a long time.
Even with the support of the Empress Dowager, couldn't she, a titled noblewoman, discipline her own daughter - in - law?
In all dynasties, filial piety was the most important.
She didn't believe that anyone could really do anything to her.
Lan Miao raised her eyes in surprise. She lifted her arm to push away Wen Yuanning's hand on her shoulder, and then said seriously to the old lady,
"Old lady, please don't go too far. I respect you as an elder, so I've never said anything about you. Please don't act like an old tyrant."
"..."
Act like an old tyrant?
As if Lan Miao had hit a sore spot, the old lady immediately lost face. She raised her hand and was about to slap Lan Miao in the face.
How could Lan Miao not guess what she was going to do?
She immediately took a step back and stood right behind Wen Yuanning.
Immediately, Wen Yuanning received a solid slap on his face.
Half of his face swelled up badly.
"Madam."
"Miss Lan?"
Han Bi and Shuangle immediately came over and surrounded Lan Miao. Han Bi was secretly anxious. If Miss Lan got hurt under her nose, would she still have a chance to return to the palace alive?
Seeing that she had hit the wrong person, the old lady's face turned red.
Looking at Wen Yuanning with a heart - broken expression, she cried, "Yuanning, why do you keep going against me for this woman?"
Wen Yuanning was also stunned by the slap.
He had never been beaten before.
But this was to protect Lan Miao.
Suddenly, a nameless courage welled up in his heart. Anyway, Mrs. You had said so many dirty things today, and everyone was acting crazy. He might as well clear the air once and for all. Otherwise, after Mother saw the second Miss Han break off the engagement, she would go and make things difficult for Lan Miao again.
Thinking of this, Wen Yuanning stood up straight, puffed out his chest, and said clearly, "Mother, I've already discussed it with the family of the Duke of Wenguo. This engagement will be called off. For the sake of the second Miss Han's reputation, we'll say that I'm ill so that they can reject the engagement."
"What?!"
The old lady was extremely shocked.
She had been looking forward to seeing her third son get married, but now, it had turned out like this.
"You unfilial son! How dare you do such a thing behind my back?"
"I'm going to beat you to death..."
The old lady was so angry that she slapped Wen Yuanning several more times on the face. Her body trembled, and her breathing was rapid. It seemed that she was about to faint. Nanny Li quickly supported her.
"Old lady, beating the third master to death won't solve anything."
Wen Yuanning endured it silently.
But Lan Miao was protected by Han Bi and Shuangle. She was also shocked by what Wen Yuanning said. She didn't expect Wen Yuanning to be so stubborn and use such a method to reject the engagement with the Duke's family.
By now, she understood everything.
Yan Bo must have known about this. Seeing that Wen Yuanning wasn't going to get married or have children, she had no hope of rising in status. So she took out all her anger on Lan Miao.
And Mrs. You had added fuel to the fire to profit from the situation.
It turned out that this whole thing was really caused by him.
After hitting Wen Yuanning a few times, the old lady finally couldn't bear to hit him anymore. She really wanted to save this engagement and shouted repeatedly,
"Quick, quickly send someone to the Duke's mansion to deliver a message. They can't reject the engagement..."
"Mother, it's too late."
Wen Yuanning added fuel to the fire. He didn't care about anything anymore. He just wanted to make things clear.
He lowered his eyes and said, "It was Han Xi, the eldest son of the Duke of Wenguo, who sent Qingzhi into the palace. Do you think we can still hide this matter from them?"
What he meant was that no one could stay out of it.
Even if the family of the Duke of Wenguo didn't know the details of this matter, they knew the general situation. They wouldn't marry their daughter into such a troublesome family.
How could the old lady not understand?
She looked at Lan Miao resentfully again. "It's all because of you, you little slut... I'm going to beat you to death."
"Mrs. Wen, you can't beat Miss Lan. You don't have the right to do so." Han Bi, as a maid from the palace, timely interjected clearly.
The old lady couldn't bear this stimulation.
Her two cloudy old eyes rolled back, and she fainted.