Chapter 17: Clarification
In another courtyard, the Duke of Anguo had arrived at Canglan Courtyard. The Dowager Lady Yan seemed to have been waiting for a long time. Without even letting the Duke speak first, she said to him, "I already know about the matter with the Marquis of Yongchang. Now, just tell me what you plan to do."
The Duke of Anguo paused before replying, "The innocent need no defense. I will never admit to something I didn’t do. If the Marquis of Yongchang wants to take this to court, I will face him. But this will drag on for a long time, and during that period, Shu'er will likely suffer much slander..."
The Dowager Lady Yan frowned and shook her head disapprovingly. "The Marquis of Yongchang is a shameless rogue who won’t stop until he gets his way. I fear this was deliberately orchestrated by him to force a marriage alliance with our household. If so, he likely has other tricks up his sleeve. Don’t forget, the Marquis’ eldest daughter is married to the second son of the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, while the Chief Minister’s own eldest daughter is now Consort Li, currently highly favored in the palace. If she starts whispering in the Emperor’s ear, we’ll have no way to counter it from outside the palace."
As a man, the Duke of Anguo was less familiar than the Dowager Lady with the intricate marital and familial connections among the noble households of the capital. But her explanation made things immediately clear to him. Shocked, he said, "Mother, are you saying the Marquis of Yongchang might persuade Consort Li to interfere in this matter?"
"Quite possible. After all, forming ties with our household would benefit both Consort Li and the Chief Minister." The Dowager Lady’s tone was grave. "So this matter must be resolved quickly. Otherwise, delays will only breed more trouble."
The Duke of Anguo frowned deeply, pondering for a moment before saying, "In that case, the only solution is to ask General Kou to step forward and clarify the matter."
The Dowager Lady could see his hesitation and said, "I know what worries you, but right now, we must take things step by step. Look on the bright side, the General’s household would never act as disgracefully as the Marquis of Yongchang’s."
The Duke of Anguo replied, "General Kou is nothing like that scoundrel the Marquis of Yongchang. It’s just that Shu’er will suffer unfairly..."
"...Perhaps this is a tribulation fate has destined for Shu’er—one that can’t be avoided. Fortunately, Shu’er is a blessed child and will have great fortune in the future." Knowing Yan Jingshu’s true feelings, the Dowager Lady could only console the Duke this way.
Time was of the essence, and fearing further complications, the Duke of Anguo wasted no time. He immediately set out for the General’s residence.
At the General’s residence, Kou Shijun happened to be at home. The Duke of Anguo cut straight to the point, explaining his purpose for coming. Besides the Marquis of Yongchang’s provocation and unreasonable demands, he also detailed the connections between the Marquis, the Chief Minister, and Consort Li, as he had learned from the Dowager Lady.
If Kou Shijun helped him clarify the matter, he might offend the Marquis of Yongchang and his allies—the Chief Minister and Consort Li. If Kou Shijun found this troublesome, the Duke wouldn't press further.
As for the mastermind behind the incident involving Yan Jingshu and Jiang Chenghan, the Duke of Anguo couldn’t bring himself to admit his own failure in disciplining his children, which had led to sibling strife. Instead, he claimed it was the work of someone he had offended in the past. This person had sneaked into the estate during the Dowager Lady’s birthday banquet and bribed servants to harm Yan Jingshu as revenge.
He had already captured the culprit the day before, but in his rage, he had executed the man on the spot without bringing him for Kou Shijun to see. He had intended to inform Kou Shijun after court that day, but the Marquis of Yongchang’s sudden visit had delayed him.
Kou Shijun couldn’t verify the truth of the Duke’s words, but he could sense the Duke’s desire to settle the matter once and for all. So he didn’t press further and accepted the explanation.
However, regarding the Duke’s request for clarification, since it involved Jiang Chenghan, Kou Shijun couldn’t agree immediately despite having no fear of offending the Marquis of Yongchang. He bluntly stated he would first discuss it with Jiang Chenghan and seek his opinion.
The Duke of Anguo understood completely—after all, Jiang Chenghan was the primary party involved. Once Kou Shijun helped resolve the issue with the Marquis of Yongchang, Jiang Chenghan would also face repercussions, so his consent was necessary.
Knowing the Duke’s urgency, Kou Shijun immediately sent a servant to summon Jiang Chenghan.
In the guest courtyard, Jiang Chenghan was practicing martial arts. He had fully recovered two days prior, but since Kou Shijun had been home and didn’t require his escort, he hadn’t gone out.
When summoned, he asked no questions and followed the servant to the main hall, only to be surprised at the sight of the Duke of Anguo.
The matter of the Duke’s household had long slipped his mind after Yan Jingshu’s awakening proved his innocence in the drugging incident, allowing him to leave the estate. Though the Duke had promised an explanation, Jiang Chenghan knew his own status—whatever explanation came would be for the General’s household, not him. So he had left it entirely to Kou Shijun to handle.
Kou Shijun was aware of this, yet he had still summoned Jiang Chenghan today. Seeing the Duke’s troubled expression, Jiang Chenghan guessed this visit wasn’t just about explaining the past incident.
Sure enough, Kou Shijun’s summary confirmed his suspicions. In just a few days, the Duke’s household had faced another major upheaval. Yan Jingshu, nearly harmed by vile schemes, now had his reputation tarnished and was being forced into marriage. Jiang Chenghan didn’t know what to say.
As for the Duke’s request, Jiang Chenghan himself had no objections. Even if the Marquis of Yongchang sought revenge, Kou Shijun would shield him. As for gossip, he cared little—he would soon return to Ningcheng, far from the capital’s rumors.
Seeing Jiang Chenghan agree readily, the Duke of Anguo sighed in relief, his impression of Jiang Chenghan greatly improved. He repeatedly expressed gratitude and praise.
With Jiang Chenghan’s consent, Kou Shijun naturally agreed as well. The arrangements for the clarification were now between Kou Shijun and the Duke, requiring no further involvement from Jiang Chenghan, who excused himself and left.
On his way back to the guest courtyard, Jiang Chenghan thought of Yan Jingshu, whom he had met only once—a refined and noble figure now suffering so much misfortune. He couldn’t help but feel deep sympathy, sincerely hoping this ordeal would end soon and Yan Jingshu’s life would return to peace.
Meanwhile, in the main hall, Kou Shijun and the Duke of Anguo rose to visit the Marquis of Yongchang’s residence together and settle the matter.
At the Marquis of Yongchang’s residence, Yang Shi was complaining to the Marquis: "Husband, that second son of the Yan family is a shuang’er, his reputation already ruined—who knows if his body is even clean? He’s not fit to be Xian’er’s wife, not even a concubine! Yet you insist on having Xian’er bear this disgrace and marry him. Isn’t this just adding to Xian’er’s troubles?"
The Duke of Anguo had guessed correctly—the Marquis of Yongchang had long known the rumors were false. Nothing had happened between Yan Jingshu and his son, but he saw an opportunity and decided to exploit it, hence his provocation.
If the Duke could prove his son’s innocence, the Marquis would back down. But if the Duke hesitated, the Marquis would seize the chance to force a marriage alliance, binding the Duke’s household to his own ambitions.
"Ignorant woman, what do you know?" the Marquis snapped impatiently. "You only see the Yan family’s second son as a disgraced shuang’er, but his father is a high-ranking official in the Emperor’s favor. If Xian’er gains such a father-in-law, even for Yan Jingshu’s sake, the Duke will have to secure Xian’er’s future. And besides..."
He lowered his voice. "This marriage alliance was approved by our in-laws and... the one in the palace. Otherwise, would I risk enmity with the Duke’s household for this?"
Mention of their in-laws and the palace made Yang Shi’s expression shift. She hadn’t realized her son’s marriage involved such high stakes. As an inner-household woman, she knew better than to interfere further.
Still, she couldn’t help feeling her son was wronged. The Marquis dismissed her concerns: "If you pity Xian’er, just buy him a few pretty maids. He only cares about such things anyway."
Yang Shi could only comply.
As the Marquis pondered whether to pressure the Duke further, a servant announced the Duke’s arrival.
The Marquis jumped up, thrilled—had the Duke relented? But when the servant added another name, his heart sank with foreboding.
Sure enough, the Duke stormed in with Kou Shijun, not waiting for an invitation. The Duke spoke bluntly: "You said my word alone wasn’t proof? Now I’ve brought a witness. Let’s see what you have to say!"
Kou Shijun added, "Marquis Zhao, I’ve heard the details from Lord Yan. You’ve accused the wrong man. Lord Yan did not harm your son. As for the rumors, they’re completely baseless."
"I can confirm that on that day, The Second Young Master Yan merely fell ill suddenly and was assisted back to his room by my subordinate. With no servants present, my subordinate helped him change his soiled outer garments. A maid mistook this for an assault and raised an alarm."
"Your son had nothing to do with this incident, and Lord Yan certainly didn’t harm him in revenge. If you continue harassing the Duke, you’ll only help the true culprit escape."
Stunned that the Duke had brought Kou Shijun as a witness, the Marquis of Yongchang was left speechless.
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