Others discussed amongst themselves, but no one was quick to jump to conclusions.
It wasn't until Feng Xi Wu, under the gaze of everyone, carried Lu Qing Wan out of the carriage that the person felt their guess was correct.
However, the moment Feng Xi Wu stepped onto the first step of the Crown Prince's manor, a sharp voice rang out from the crowd.
"Prince Qin, stay your steps!"
A woman in opulent brocade, flanked by a throng of maids and servants, rushed over.
Seeing Feng Xi Wu walk towards the Crown Prince's manor as if he hadn't heard her, the woman quickened her pace.
Simultaneously, she shrilly questioned, "Prince Qin, my humble daughter merely paid a visit to the newly arrived Princess Qin out of consideration for the Crown Princess, and was instead by the Princess Qin had her leg broken and sent to the Jingzhao Prefecture.
Such arrogance and bullying, your humble servant implores Prince Qin to provide a reasonable explanation to my humble servant and the Yan family."
Though she spoke of herself as a humble servant, her demeanor suggested no awareness of her station.
She neither bowed to Feng Xi Wu nor Lu Qing Wan, instead shouting and behaving with utter disregard for propriety.
Yet, the onlookers paid no mind to whether the woman was adhering to etiquette.
The first thing they heard was that on her very first day in Zhong Zhou, the Princess Qin, who hailed from a small southern kingdom, had struck the niece of the Censor-in-Chief and sent her to the Jingzhao Prefecture.
The crowd instantly erupted.
"Striking someone on her first day after marriage, and it was the Crown Princess's cousin, this Princess Qin is too arrogant!"
"Exactly. Could it be that Zhong Zhou is also like that Qian Dynasty small country, where she can do whatever she pleases?"
…
People are like this; even though Lu Qing Wan had never offended them, the phrase "those not of our kind are bound to have different intentions" was enough for them to criticize Lu Qing Wan without reason.
The woman, hearing the discussions around her, felt she had the upper hand.
To Feng Xi Wu, who still had his back to her, she said, "Your Highness Prince Qin, your humble servant knows that the Princess is new to our land and does not yet understand the customs of our Great Qin.
However, women of the inner court must be disciplined. If Your Highness Prince Qin does not mind, your humble servant can reluctantly help..."
With a "snap," a steel whip struck the woman's knee, causing her to cry out and fall to the ground.
Already beaten and kneeling suddenly, the impact against the bluestone floor made her teeth chatter.
Lu Qing Wan, lying in Feng Xi Wu's embrace, calmly retracted her steel whip. "A daughter attempts to assassinate this Princess upon entering her home, severely wounding the Grand Secretary of the Prince's manor.
And the mother speaks of disciplining this Princess on behalf of the late Crown Prince and the Crown Princess. The second branch of the Yan family truly has a lot of nerve, wouldn't you agree?
Does the Grand Censor of the Censorate know that one day he might act on behalf of the late Crown Prince and lecture his daughter-in-law?"
Madam Yan the Second's voice was loud, and she didn't give much regard to Feng Xi Wu, a prince who had only recently returned.
During her noisy outburst, the onlookers had already understood that her fuss was all about her daughter.
But who else could she blame when she herself had given them cause?
As soon as Lu Qing Wan uttered these words, the onlookers immediately realized that regardless of how Feng Xi Wu had returned, as long as the royal family acknowledged him, he represented the Great Qin imperial family.
Madam Yan the Second's unrestrained behavior not only embarrassed Feng Xi Wu and Lu Qing Wan themselves, but it also offended the imperial dignity.
Madam Yan the Second also realized this. However, she dared to confront people at the Crown Prince's manor, so she naturally had some backing.
Therefore, after a moment of fear, she continued to clamor, "Stop trying to scare me. As Princess Qin, you should be a model for the noble ladies of the court, yet you acted violently upon arrival.
Even if the Censorate were to impeach someone, you would be before me!
I'll tell you this now: if Ruo Lan is unharmed, so be it. But if even a single hair on her head is harmed, your position as Princess will be over."
Her tone was so imperious that one might think she was the Empress, holding the fate of all noblewomen in Great Qin.
However, before she finished speaking, Feng Xi Wu, without waiting for Lu Qing Wan to speak, directly stated, "Like mother, like daughter. Madam Yan the Second, your ferocity explains why your daughter is so utterly devoid of virtue.
Guards, escort Madam Yan the Second to the Southern Courtyard Teaching House and have the supervisor teach Madam Yan the Second some manners.
When she finally understands her place, then the Grand Censor Yan can come to collect her."
After speaking, he carried Lu Qing Wan into the Crown Prince's manor. Si Lan, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, decisively waved his hand, "Guards, apprehend her."
Several maids quickly stepped forward. Madam Yan the Second was still shouting, "How dare you?
I am the aunt of the Crown Princess, how dare you lay hands on me?"
As she spoke, the attendants behind her tried to intervene. Si Lan said coldly, "Madam Yan the Second, if you obediently go to the Teaching House, this subordinate can ensure your safety.
But if these brothers of mine are forced to use force, you may not return to the Yan family safely."
The Southern Courtyard Teaching House was a place where the Great Qin imperial family confined women of high status. Once someone was taken there, the powerful figures of Zhong Zhou would know within half a day.
Madam Yan the Second cared about her reputation and naturally did not want to enter the Teaching House.
But she knew even better that if she merely went to the Teaching House, she would only suffer embarrassment. She would still be the main wife of the Yan family's second branch.
However, if these guards were to get close to her, her rigid and face-conscious husband would surely divorce her.
She had done all this for wealth and status. If she were to be cast out by her husband, it would be a loss far outweighing any gain.
While Madam Yan the Second was still weighing the pros and cons, Si Han had already intervened and repelled her attendants.
Seeing that the guards were about to reach her, Madam Yan the Second finally understood fear. She could no longer be arrogant and conceded, "Don't touch me, I'll go with you!"
With that, she consciously walked in the direction of the Teaching House. Before leaving, she couldn't resist taunting Si Lan and the others.
"The dignified commander of the Crown Prince's manor guards bowing and scraping to a barbarian woman like this is a complete disgrace to the people of Great Qin..."
Seeing that she was getting more and more outrageous, even dragging the Crown Prince's manor into it, a bold maid who was escorting her pulled out her handkerchief from her collar and stuffed it directly into Madam Yan the Second's mouth.
The world suddenly became quiet. Si Lan and his party ignored the onlookers at the entrance and returned to the Crown Prince's manor.
Meanwhile, after Lu Qing Wan was carried into the Crown Prince's manor by Feng Xi Wu, she patted his arm, "The audience has dispersed, Your Highness can put me down now."
"You have never been here before, and you might bump into things. I will carry you in."
As Feng Xi Wu spoke, his eyes quickly scanned the surroundings along the path.
As Li Qing had said, the entire Crown Prince's manor was draped in red.
If Lu Qing Wan did not have post-traumatic stress disorder triggered by the color red, this would undoubtedly be a very sincere environment for welcoming a newlywed couple.
But now, Feng Xi Wu was filled with rage.
He couldn't imagine what would have happened to Lu Qing Wan if Li Qing had not gone to the Crown Prince's manor ahead of them and she had seen the sea of blood-red.
"Don't be angry."
Lu Qing Wan, held in his arms, lightly pinched his arm. "Imperial sister-in-law, not knowing the reason, must have put a lot of thought into this. Since I can't see it, don't negate her heartfelt effort."