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In fact, Lan Qingwei was somewhat aware of her daughter Xie Wan’ning’s actions.
In the past, any young ladies who had dealings with Lan Xun or had come close to him were often harmed by Xie Wan’ning. Some had their reputations ruined, some had their lives forever changed—their fates were miserable. Every time, Lan Qingwei had to step in afterward to resolve the situation and suppress the fallout.
That day, after Xie Wan’ning was confined and in a fit of anger secretly sent the wet nurse to arrange a plot, it had all occurred under Lan Qingwei’s eyes. She had some knowledge of it.
But she did not intervene. Thinking it would be like before, she could deal with the aftermath later. After all, the sickly girl would die sooner or later, and leaving her alive only prolonged worry.
Unexpectedly, unlike the previous times, that night the events unfolded, and before Lan Qingwei could even clean up Xie Wan’ning’s mess, Lan Xun had already captured both the doctor and the wet nurse Chen Mama. Their confessions had already been presented to the Empress Dowager.
His speed was terrifying; Lan Qingwei barely had time to react. This man’s capability far exceeded her imagination.
The Empress Dowager, furious, no longer sided with Lan Qingwei and questioned her alongside Lan Xun: “Su Ning, you let Zhaoyang act recklessly—how outrageous! And I still spoke on behalf of you and your daughter. Are you trying to anger me to death?”
Lan Qingwei hurriedly bowed. “Your Majesty, Zhaoyang is indeed a bit foolish, but she acted out of emotion. I beg Your Majesty and the Regency Prince to show mercy. Please do not send her to the remote Zhaoyang fief. She has been pampered since childhood—how could she survive in such a harsh, impoverished place?”
Lan Xun snorted coldly. “How many have been harmed by her? I have turned a blind eye countless times, yet she never restrains herself, repeating her offenses! Today I have considered past appearances and old ties; otherwise, I would have stripped her title, demoted her to commoner, and exiled her a thousand miles!”
Lan Qingwei’s face grew paler at the mention of exile, yet she still argued, “Zhaoyang’s father died protecting Your Majesty during the palace chaos. Now she is all Su Ning has left. How could she survive if separated? Even if the Regency Prince does not consider Su Ning’s feelings, what of my husband—”
Lan Xun interrupted sharply: “If it weren’t for the First Chancellor’s righteousness and the honor your household enjoyed, if he were still alive, he would never allow you and your daughter to act so recklessly!”
Hearing this, even invoking her husband’s memory could not sway him. Lan Qingwei nearly collapsed, unable to speak further.
Lan Xun continued, “Does the matriarch wish to send her off gracefully, or shall I personally dispatch guards?”
If Lan Xun handled it, it would mean a formal escort.
Lan Qingwei closed her eyes, seeming to deflate. After a long pause, her voice grew heavy and weak. “No need to trouble the Regency Prince. I, Su Ning, failed in raising my daughter properly. I shall send Zhaoyang to her fief as you see fit, to learn hardship and lesson, in hopes she may reform.”
“Within one day.”
Hearing that Lan Xun would leave no delay, Lan Qingwei clenched her fists so tightly her nails almost drew blood.
She said, “Zhaoyang still needs to pack her things. I have much to explain to her. Is one day too soon?”
Lan Xun replied, “One day is sufficient. If the matriarch lacks manpower, I shall provide assistance.”
The journey to Zhaoyang fief was long, and the weather was growing colder. Illness along the way could prove fatal. If escorted by Lan Xun’s men, who knew what measures he might take? Xie Wan’ning could fall ill and die before reaching her destination.
Lan Qingwei had no choice but to agree. “Very well. Su Ning will ensure Zhaoyang is sent out of the city before nightfall tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, in the Su Ning residence, Xie Wan’ning paced anxiously inside her room.
Yesterday, the poison was supposedly administered to the sickly girl, yet after a whole night, no news had come. Her wet nurse Chen Mama had been missing since early morning.
Xie Wan’ning felt an uneasy premonition. Could Lan Xun have discovered the poisoning plot?
But then she thought, she had powerful backing: the father of her late fiancé was a hero, her mother the matriarch, her grandmother the Empress Dowager, and even the Emperor addressed her as “Aunt.” What did she have to fear? Even if the plot was discovered and traced back to her, at most she would be confined for a few days, and her mother would surely find a way to save her.
Just then, bang! The door was pushed open.
Xie Wan’ning looked toward the doorway. Though the figure was backlit, the silhouette was unmistakably Lan Qingwei, matriarch of the Su Ning household.
Seeing her mother arrive, Xie Wan’ning’s eyes lit up. Perhaps her mother’s anger had already passed. Maybe, after a few words, her confinement would be lifted early.
She hurried forward, grabbing her mother’s hand. “Mother, what a surprise! How do you have time to visit me today?”
But Lan Qingwei entered with a furrowed brow and, raising her sleeve, slapped Xie Wan’ning across the face.
Though appearing gentle, Lan Qingwei had martial training and had led troops in battle. Years ago, during palace chaos, she was severely injured and could no longer wield a blade.
Yet this slap sent Xie Wan’ning staggering back, almost toppling over. Her cheek swelled red instantly, and blood appeared at the corner of her mouth.
Xie Wan’ning was stunned, tears streaming as she gasped, “Mother, why do you strike me?”
In her twenty years of life, her mother had never struck her. The shock and injustice overwhelmed her.
Lan Qingwei pointed at her, fury erupting. “Ungrateful child! How dare you ask? Look at what you’ve done! Did I not warn you to stay away from that sickly girl, and not to provoke Lan Xun? Yet you dared reach into the Regency Prince’s residence to poison someone! You are utterly reckless!
“Now Lan Xun has discovered your misdeed. You are to be demoted to your fief, forbidden from returning to the capital forever. And immediately—you depart today!”
Lan Qingwei was nearly enraged to death by this defiant child! She had suffered to bear her, unable to conceive again after her injuries. Ten years ago, she finally carried a second child, whom doctors said might be a boy.
Yet the previous emperor passed, Prince Qin rebelled, and during the fight with the rebels, she was injured, lost the child, and could no longer exert herself in combat. This single daughter, and she had turned out to be a waste!