Chapter 35: The Matriarch of the State

"Her father and brother colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country, and she herself is an adulterous, wanton woman. There isn't a single decent soul in that entire household. Why should Officer Lu have any fears?"

"Take her to the Jingzhao Prefecture office, seize her dowry and assets, and interrogate her at leisure. I am willing to accompany you to assist with the investigation!"

Officer Lu nodded and was just about to issue the order when Jiang Li said faintly, "There is no need for such trouble."

All eyes turned toward him.

Officer Lu frowned and asked, "Young Master Jiang, what do you mean by this?"

Jiang Li did not answer. Instead, he turned to ask Danzhu, "How long has it been?"

Danzhu made a quick calculation and replied, "Two quarter-hours."

He nodded, musing, "It should be time."

The crowd was bewildered. The commoners whispered among themselves, and Nan Yan was also curious about what trick he had up his sleeve.

Officer Lu, growing impatient, was about to speak when a noisy commotion erupted in the distance.

He turned his head to look, and the crowd parted to make way.

A corpulent woman sat on a luxurious sedan chair, carried by eight sturdy men and followed by a group of guards. As it swayed toward them, the bright yellow silk curtains of the sedan fluttered, exuding an air of opulence.

While the onlookers watched with curiosity, Meng Boji’s face turned deathly pale, then a sickly shade of green.

When the sedan stopped before them and the heavy-set woman was helped down, Nan Yan could not help but reveal a smile—the smile of one settling in to watch a good show.

She cast a mocking glance at Meng Boji, then turned back to Jiang Li, her curiosity and astonishment deepening.

Nan Yan recognized this woman; she was the elder sister of the Imperial Noble Consort, the Lady of the State. During her three years in the Meng household, she had become well-acquainted with such noble ladies and mistresses, which proved to be a useful harvest.

But why had the Lady of the State come? And given Jiang Li’s reaction just now… could it be that he was the one who summoned her?

Indeed, as soon as the Lady of the State stepped off the sedan, she headed straight for Jiang Li.

Her massive frame swayed like a serpent. Only after she dismounted could one see that the powder on her face was so thick it seemed to shed with every step. She was adorned with layers of pink, yellow, and green, and her head was piled high with pearls, hairpins, and jade ornaments, looking like a miniature mountain of jewelry. As she hurried over, she looked for all the world like a giant, jumping gift box.

"Master Jiang—"

She called out with a long, drawn-out tone. Nan Yan was startled and gasped in disbelief.

This voice, deliberately pinched and saccharine, combined with her gift-box attire and the affected, dainty way she ran, caused several onlookers to stumble—all of them men.

Meng Boji’s face was ashen, and the corner of his mouth twitched violently; he looked as if he were about to vomit.

Her cries of "Master Jiang" and her lumbering dash toward him left the noblewomen watching in the crowd gnashing their teeth.

"Such a handsome young man, and he’s going to be ruined by her!"

"If she crashes into him with that bulk, won't the young master shatter?!"

"Look at that young master, he’s even more delicate than I am... yet why is he so much better looking than me!"

The ladies bit their handkerchiefs and glared, but none dared to voice their complaints. After all, she was the Lady of the State.

Jiang Li remained composed. Without even glancing at her, he precisely raised his slender arm the moment she was about to collide with him, holding his white jade flute horizontally. The Lady of the State skidded to a sudden halt before the flute.

Since he did not allow it, the Lady of the State dared not cross the line, though her infatuated gaze could not bear to leave him for a single moment.

"Master Jiang..."

That deliberately sweet and pinched voice once again gave everyone goosebumps.

Nan Yan gasped, shaking off the chill, feeling remarkably wide awake.

The Lady of the State stood an arm's length away, simpering, "You sent word for me to come; is there some urgent matter?"

Jiang Li glanced at her lightly. "I took the liberty of requesting your presence, Lady of the State, because I wish for you to identify someone."

Hearing this, Meng Boji shifted his feet, wanting to flee.

But the Lady of the State had eyes only for Jiang Li and did not notice him. She continued to gaze at Jiang Li with infatuation. "Identify whom? As long as you ask, Master Jiang, I will agree to anything!"

Jiang Li’s eyes shifted, and his flute pointed slowly toward Meng Boji: "Him."

The Lady of the State looked at Meng Boji with reluctance, frowned deeply, and wiggled her waist as she walked toward him.

Cold sweat broke out on Meng Boji’s temples, while Nan Yan smiled, waiting to see the show.

It was she who had tricked Meng Boji into going to Baohua Temple last night. Given the "Peach Blossom Array" the Lady of the State had been arranging, she would definitely be staying overnight at the temple. If Meng Boji went, he would have inevitably run into her. Looking at his injuries today—which were not present last night—they were likely sustained at the temple.

However... the Lady of the State had been summoned by Jiang Li, and Nan Yan had never mentioned to him that she had lured Meng Boji to the temple. How, then, did he know?

The Lady of the State stared at Meng Boji for a long time, looking quite repulsed. "Who is this?"

She turned to Jiang Li in confusion, while Meng Boji breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

Last night, he had sneaked into the room in the dead of night; he hadn't recognized the Lady of the State, and she likely hadn't recognized him either. But he recognized that massive silhouette now. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that the person who had called him a "lecherous thief" last night was the Lady of the State!

If this got out, offending the Lady of the State would be one thing, but having it known that he had molested such a gargantuan woman would be far worse. He would become the laughingstock of the entire city—a dignified, handsome top scholar and the idol of countless noblewomen, with no face left to meet the world.

He forced a smile. "You are the esteemed Lady of the State, and we have had no prior dealings. It is only natural that you do not recognize me."

"I am Meng Boji, a compiler at the Hanlin Academy. You may have heard of me."

"Compiler Meng?" The Lady of the State thought for a moment. "I know him! I know his wife; she is a stunningly beautiful woman!"

Turning to see Nan Yan, she smiled. "Isn't she right here!"

She looked up at the plaque of the Duke of Rong’s mansion and smiled even more brightly.

"Right! Compiler Meng’s wife is indeed the legitimate daughter of the Duke’s mansion!"

Nan Yan returned the smile and bowed slightly. "Greetings, my Lady."

The Lady of the State waved her hand dismissively. "No need for such formalities! As the legitimate daughter of a Duke’s mansion, your status is no less than mine!"

"My sister, the Imperial Noble Consort, often says that the Emperor values your Duke of Rong’s mansion most of all..."

Suddenly remembering something, her smile stiffened. "It's just... your family's recent... collusion with the enemy and betrayal of the country..."

She did not finish the sentence, but everyone understood. She even lowered her voice considerately.

"...That shouldn't be true, right? I know your father and brother; they have always been loyal and devoted. How could they betray the country?"

Hearing this, Nan Yan’s eyes reddened, and she looked down silently.

The Lady of the State panicked slightly. "Don't cry, don't cry! Such a beautiful young woman... seeing you cry like this breaks my heart!"

She loved beautiful people, regardless of their gender.

Nan Yan held back her tears and squeezed out a smile. "Regarding the matter of my father and brother, His Majesty will surely make a wise judgment. Nan Yan refuses to believe they would ever commit such an act of betrayal..."

Seeing her smile, the Lady of the State smiled too. "That's the spirit!"