Chapter 153: Stubbornness

Chapter 153

Stubbornness

Chen Yuelan showed no sign of listening to Wen Furen’s attempts to calm her down and continued speaking:

"Everyone, I stand by what I have said. The rumor about an official’s wife getting pregnant while separated from her husband—yes, I was the one who said it. This information came directly from her natal family. You all know who I’m referring to. The evidence fits perfectly with my accusations."

All eyes shifted toward Nie Shuang, but she appeared entirely unfazed, her beautiful face wearing a distant, almost pleasant expression. When she realized she was the center of attention, she feigned surprise. Slowly standing up, she smiled at everyone.

"Oh! I only just realized that Young Miss Chen was referring to me. I must thank you for keeping such a close watch on my family matters for us at Yong An Hou Manor. It seems that neither the Hou nor Elder Furen are aware of this yet, but you need not worry, Young Miss Chen. I will be sure to report everything to them in full detail."

Laughter rippled through the audience. Chen Yuelan clenched her fists in rage.

"I’m telling the truth! Stop trying to play word games!"

Nie Shuang laughed and responded calmly:

"Young Miss Chen, if you want people to believe your words, you should first learn to separate fact from fiction. Right now, everyone is watching an opera, and no one thinks the story on stage reflects your real life. So, for you to claim someone is slandering you is pointless—unless, of course, the opera mirrors your life. If that’s the case, then it is rather fascinating."

Nie Shuang’s words made Chen Yuelan choke on her reply. Even Chen Furen, who had caught up by now, felt a deep sense of shame that she almost didn’t dare to face anyone. Just from this, she knew that the Young Furen of the Hou Manor was not someone to be trifled with.

"As for the rumors you’ve been spreading, I don’t really care. Just hearing them, it’s obvious they are fabricated. They can only deceive fools. It just so happens that I’m pregnant, and my husband is away at war, so someone concocted a tale and linked it to me. Let me ask you, Young Miss Chen, what kind of man is General Song, whom you’ve waited for all these years? I am fortunate to have such a capable and honorable man as my husband. Why would I ever let him slip away and have a child with another man?"

At the mention of this, everyone was reminded of the opera’s storyline. Could it be that Chen Yuelan had been in love with Song Qilin and intended harm toward Nie Shuang? And the story of her wanting to marry Song Ren—was that true as well? But if investigated, it could be uncovered. Judging from the previous incidents, it was clear that this wasn’t the first time Chen Yuelan had tried to target Nie Shuang. The weight of opinion began to tilt towards believing that the opera mirrored real events, and that Chen Yuelan had truly harbored malicious intent toward the Young Furen of the Hou Manor.

"And how will you explain the opera’s storyline? It can’t be that the writer just randomly came up with such lyrics,"

Chen Yuelan raised her voice as she glared at Nie Shuang with murderous intent.

"I wouldn’t know. You’d have to ask the host who selected the opera that you disliked,"

Nie Shuang retorted sarcastically, her words hitting the mark with everyone. What right did she have to interrupt the performance that others were enjoying? Since Wen Furen was being directly referenced, she had no choice but to step forward.

"Young Miss Chen, I’ve told you, please relax and enjoy the opera. It was a gift from Princess An Le for Elder Furen’s birthday. It has nothing to do with Young Song Furen."

By this time, the Elder Wen Furen, who had been listening quietly, was growing irritated. She slammed her cane to the ground with a loud thud and spoke up.

"Didn’t the Chen family teach you any manners? How dare you cause such a disturbance at my birthday celebration? People are here to enjoy the opera—what right do you have to stop it? Such low behavior—save it for your own home!"

Chen Furen was thoroughly embarrassed by the scolding from Elder Wen Furen. She was about to move to drag Chen Yuelan out, but the Hou had already entered the hall with the male guests, including Master Chen. The situation had escalated to the point where no one was paying attention to the opera anymore.

"Chen Yuelan! How dare you accuse my daughter-in-law and tarnish the reputation of the Hou Manor time and time again? If you don’t confess today, don’t expect me to let you get away with this."

Master Chen followed with a furious expression, casting angry glances at his wife and daughter. He had never felt such humiliation in his life. Earlier, when he just found the chance to speak privately with the Hou in the men’s reception area, one of the Hou’s confidants whispered in his ear, causing the Hou’s demeanor to change instantly.

"So it was your daughter’s doing? I must have been mad to ever consider making her my daughter-in-law!"

Master Chen had no idea what was going on. All the officials heard the gossip through their wives, but Chen Furen rarely went out, so he had remained unaware of the rumors. Seeing the Hou’s anger, Master Chen was at a loss.

"The Hou, what has happened?"

The Hou surveyed the room, noting that everyone was now focused on them.

"Everyone here likely knows by now that there has been a rumor circulating throughout the capital. It doesn’t name names, but it clearly targets my daughter-in-law, accusing her of being unfaithful to Song Qilin. Such a vile and slanderous story—and the person responsible for spreading this filth is none other than your daughter! Chen Yifang!"

Master Chen’s heart sank upon hearing this. An accusation like this, impugning someone’s honor, was as serious as murder—perhaps even worse. Judging from the crowd’s reactions, the rumor was likely true, and knowing his daughter’s temperament, it seemed very possible. Feeling utterly defeated, Chen Yifang knelt before the Hou, pleading for justice.

"The Hou, no matter what the truth may be, please allow Yuelan the chance to explain herself. If she is truly at fault, I will accept whatever judgment you pass without protest."

Seeing his close friend humbled and on his knees, the Hou was moved with pity. He helped him to his feet but still spoke firmly.

"I will demand justice for my daughter-in-law in front of everyone. If your daughter has truly wronged her, she will have to apologize publicly, with everyone here as witnesses."

Master Chen could only agree, feeling bitterness rise in his throat. He knew all too well what kind of stubbornness his daughter possessed. There was little hope that the matter would end smoothly. He feared that she would only make things worse. As he followed the Hou to the opera house, his legs felt as heavy as if they were shackled with iron chains.

Chen Yuelan, realizing things were not going as planned and seeing the elders criticize her, began to tremble with fear. Tears welled in her eyes. But when she looked over and saw Nie Shuang standing calmly with a smile, she lifted her chin defiantly, pretending not to care.

"Twice now you’ve recklessly slandered the Hou Manor. The first time, I let it go, but this time you’ve gone as far as to defame my daughter-in-law, causing her to be ridiculed and insulted by others. Out of respect for the relationship between our families, she has never once spoken to me about it. And yet, you still don’t repent?"

In the eyes of the audience, Chen Yuelan’s haughty and unrepentant demeanor only made it clearer who was in the wrong. Seeing that letting the situation drag on would only further harm his daughter, Master Chen gave a stern order,

"Yuelan! Kneel and apologize to the Young Furen this instant!"

Chen Yuelan looked at her father in disbelief. How could he expect her to perform such a humiliating act in front of so many people?

"Father! I’ve done nothing wrong! I only spoke the truth!"

This time, neither her father nor her mother came to her defense. The eyes of the onlookers were filled with pity, and she had never faced such a situation before. Everyone who once adored her now seemed eager to see her kneel before this woman of low birth.

"Nie Shuang, come here,"

The Hou called gently to his daughter-in-law. She walked forward with grace, showing no arrogance, and stopped beside the elder.

"Young Miss Chen, you’ve wronged her. Take this opportunity to apologize and let this be the end of it,"

The Hou spoke coldly to the young woman he once cared for as if she were family and had almost brought into his home. Chen Yuelan looked at her parents, but neither of them objected. She stood still, biting her lip hard, as the crowd grew impatient, their shouts urging her on.

"What are you waiting for? Many here have heard what you said. What more proof do you need?"

"Hurry up, Young Miss Chen, don’t spoil today’s celebration with this mess. Let us get back to enjoying the opera."Chen Yuelan did not want to comply, but she didn’t know how to resist either. All eyes were on her, pressuring her to kneel and admit her wrongdoing to the person she hated most—the one who had taken everything from her.