Chapter 73 Gossip Again (1/2)
Lengmei was never so tactful. Even though Tang Xia suspected Zui Linglong's involvement in this plot, she had no evidence for the moment. If she went for Zui Linglong now, it was bound to be herself who was going to suffer losses.
Should it happen, she would be countercharged by Zui Linglong and got embarrassed. Worse still, it would confirm the accusation that she was a devilish woman, and even Chu Tiankuo would be unable to save her under the pressure from the officials.
”Let's go and pay Lengmei a visit. Let's see what tricks they are playing.”
”Zui Linglong is a calculating person and is not to be trifled with, but she made use of Lengmei, the greatest troublemaker. Now that they have called my bluff, I must get hold of some evidence to my advantage.”
When she arrived at Lengmei's chamber, Lengmei was having lunch with maids serving at her side. One of the maids accidentally dropped a cabbage leaf on her clothes. With her face stiffened, Lengmei picked up her handkerchief and wiped her lips as if she didn't care.
”What else can I expect you to do if you even fail at such an easy job?” It was the first sentence Tang Xia heard as she entered the room. After seeing Tang Xia's arrival, Lengmei said in surprise,
”Your Grace, to what do I owe this pleasure?”
Tang Xia made a sniff, but she pretended to be calm despite her disgust at Lengmei's affectation. She said,
”Sister Lengmei, how is everything going these days? I heard you were confined to your chamber on the order of His Majesty, so I come to pay you a visit!”
Tang Xia's words hit a raw nerve, but Lengmei was not someone to be trifled with. She kicked the maid who made the mistake just now and coldly ordered, ”Take her away!”
The other maids dared not say another word. Lengmei didn't play into Tang Xia's hands easily this time. She bowed and said in a gentle manner,
”Your Grace, thank you for your consideration. I'm fine these days, but with respect, you seem to be in a bad mood!”
”Well, perhaps my presence displeased some small people recently, and I kept getting pestered by some nobodies. I feel quite bored these days, so I come to ask you this. What have you got against me? Why can't you stop smearing me?”
At these words, Lengmei's eyes gleamed with a bit of gloating complacence. She retorted immediately.
”My dear sister, what are you saying? I have been staying indoors for the last few days, and why should I smear you? If you insist on your accusation, please show me the evidence.”
An explosive atmosphere filled the chamber. Tang Xia somehow failed to retain her composure and rushed to question Lengmei. ”Lengmei, I don't want to waste my time arguing with you. You'd better tell me right away why you smeared me. Is it someone else's idea?”
Tang Xia had no choice but to coax the information out. She had to make Lengmei to confess if Zui Linglong was the mastermind of this scheme.
”My dear sister, you wronged me. How could I spread any rumor while I was confined to my room? Besides, it was you who always found faults with me.”
Lengmei squinted at Tang Xia while wearing grievances on her face, as if Tang Xia smeared her on purpose.
Tang Xia, however, didn't believe a word. She was too familiar with Lengmei's tricks after her repeated smear tactics.
But she didn't believe it was all Lengmei's own idea. First of all, her falling into the pond was too weird to be a coincidence. Hardly had she stepped out of the bridal chamber did Lengmei appear in front of her. It was too unnatural!
”Hmmpf, you have always been framing me, Lengmei, and now you accuse me of treating you unjustly. You do excel yourself in terms of intelligence!” Tang Xia cast aside all politeness and said coldly, her eyes full of disgust.
Lengmei retorted immediately despite her gentle tone, ”My dear sister, please don't go around blaming others whenever something unpleasant happens to you. If you really think you are so important, why don't you go ask His Majesty to protect you?”
Lengmei knew Tang Xia was at her wits' end and came here to coax information, but Lengmei was always discreet and left no chances for anyone to take.
”Alright, Lengmei, that's all for today. But you'd better remember this. 'There is no secret from the god, and you sow what you reap.' One day you will pay for what you did, and I will find out the truth. Don't regret until it's too late!”
After saying those words, Tang Xia left angrily with Lyuyou and walked back to her own chamber. Watching Tang Xia leaving, Lengmei was no longer able to keep her temper. She kicked the table upside down at one stroke.
The noise of bowls and dishes smashing filled the room, and Lengmei's face turned extremely horrible. After a while, her fury half faded. ”If it was not Tang Xia the bitch, I would not be confined to my room by His Majesty,” she thought.
”She suspected me to be involved in the accident of her falling into the pond, but she will never find any clue no matter how hard she investigates.”
”Hmmpf, Tang Xia, you blocked my path, and I will make you disappear forever!”