The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 637 - 600: Identity Exposed (Part 2)

"I..."

Wen Wan’s response was too calm, entirely different from what was expected, making the common woman begin to prevaricate.

Seeing the discussions around getting out of hand, Mrs. Xiao Liu could no longer remain indifferent and stepped forward, saying, "It’s just a small misunderstanding, ladies, please disperse. The banquet is about to begin."

At such a critical moment, with everyone’s curiosity piqued, how could they possibly leave? Thus, most people ignored Mrs. Xiao Liu’s words. Those who heard them saw others not leaving, so they also stood firmly, clearly wanting to know from the woman who exactly Wen Wan was and whether she had any connection to the former Princess.

Seeing the woman unwilling to speak, Wen Wan curved her lips and said loudly, "Indeed, my biological parents had me before they were officially married. My background is somewhat disgraceful, but who here doesn’t already know I’m just a country person? My disgrace exposed on such an occasion doesn’t affect anyone’s interests. If there’s any influence, it’s probably just reducing the ladies’ appetite. So here, I apologize to all the ladies in advance."

Mrs. Xiao Liu said, "Heroes don’t ask about origins. Mrs. Song, you are too detached. Anyone invited by the Duke Mansion is a person of standing; who would have the leisure to dig into others’ parents’ origins? It must be this gossiping woman stirring trouble to ruin Mrs. Song’s reputation. You needn’t bicker with her. I’ll have her sent to see an official. Once in court, we’ll see if she dares to spout nonsense and slander!"

As soon as Mrs. Xiao Liu finished speaking, the scene went completely silent, and the previous murmurs and accusations vanished.

Everyone loves gossip, but Mrs. Xiao Liu’s words shut it down instantly. Anyone still harping on Wen Wan’s rural background would be no different from the gossiping woman stirring trouble everywhere.

So, to prove themselves respectable, everyone began to speak for Wen Wan, collectively blaming the woman kneeling on the ground, clamoring to send her to see an official for punishment.

The woman, pushed to the brink, lifted her head abruptly, sweeping a scornful look at the crowd with bloodshot eyes full of spite. "No, it’s not like that. Don’t listen to her nonsense. She’s not a rural woman at all. She’s, she’s..."

"Think carefully before you speak," Mrs. Xiao Liu said sternly, her expression cold, "This is the Lu Family. All the ladies present are from prominent families. I needn’t elaborate on Mrs. Song’s identity. Once you slander her with any falsehood, the repercussions will be more than just a beating."

The woman suddenly sneered, "Mrs. Song’s identity? Just her face alone, isn’t it enough to explain everything?"

Without giving Mrs. Xiao Liu a chance to speak, the woman continued, "Back then, when Mrs. Lu, married to Lower River Village in Pingjiang County, was brought back, who didn’t see she was heavily pregnant? Can anyone say for sure if it was Wen Guangping’s child?

When the child was three, Mrs. Lu disappeared. Wen Guangping falsely claimed his wife was swept away by river currents, with no body found, even building an empty tomb on the back hill for her.

Logically, so many years have passed, Mrs. Lu should be nothing but bones, yet someone recently spotted her again in Ningzhou. No, she doesn’t go by Lu anymore; she’s Zhao now, serving penance in Ningzhou due to a coal mine case. You tell me, is it mere coincidence there’s someone identical out there, or is there a truth being concealed?"

The mention of "Princess Changping" erupted like thunder, silently confirming the speculations in everyone’s heart.

Without needing to look up, Wen Wan could feel the gazes on her turning into sharp blades, slashing layer by layer, trying to expose her secrets and then mock and trample them.

In that moment, Wen Wan deeply felt that the "illegitimate child" status she never cared about could hurt, even kill.

If she had been a bit more fragile or proud, would she have been unable to bear the shame and ended her life against a pillar at the banquet?

Or, if she were angrier, would she have beaten the woman publicly, ruining her reputation along with her husband’s?

Wen Wan knew the woman was desperate, trying to provoke a response from her.

Whether she ended it all or punished the woman in anger, the other would have succeeded.

Her mind racing, Wen Wan remained unaffected, choosing silence.

Pandora’s box could not remain shut; one day her origins would be known. Denying it now would backfire later. Admitting it would make her a joke in others’ eyes.

Wen Wan pressed her lips slightly, feeling her mind was not in turmoil, but cold and rational.

Reason told her silence was the best response right now.

Fuelled by the woman’s words, no one cared about Wang Xiaolang anymore; all attention was on Wen Wan and the former Princess.

"No wonder she was absent from the Capital for three years, officially said to be recovering in a villa. It seems there’s much hidden!"

Everyone was aware of who "she" referred to.

After all, the title "former Princess" indicated she was no longer of the Imperial Family, just an ordinary person, so her affairs were free for others to discuss, her disgrace easy for others to trample on for their amusement.

Mrs. Xiao Liu frowned deeply, looking to the Duchess for help, "Old Madam, what shall we do?"

Disciplining was out of the question; any move would appear as covering up with violence.

Suppressing a heavy breath, Old Mrs. Lu addressed the woman, "Come with me."

Supported by servants, the woman rose and approached Old Mrs. Lu.

"Disperse everyone, let the banquet proceed, don’t disrupt the Duke’s birthday celebration," Old Mrs. Lu instructed Mrs. Xiao Liu.

Mrs. Xiao Liu quietly marveled at the Old Madam’s composure, feeling relieved as she prepared to dissolve the crowd.

At that moment, Su Yi finally arrived, her face full of confusion as she looked at Old Mrs. Lu and others encircled, especially scrutinizing the common woman and Wen Wan, then turning to Mrs. Xiao Liu, "What happened? Isn’t this the Duke’s birthday banquet? Why aren’t you bringing them to the table and remaining here instead?"

Mrs. Xiao Liu didn’t know how to explain, simply bowing slightly, "Mother is here, please be seated first, the banquet is starting."

Seeing Mrs. Xiao Liu remaining silent, Su Yi inquired of a nearby woman, and upon hearing the answer, let out a cold laugh, "I just saw Mrs. Song and mistook it for my younger sister-in-law; this one here directly slanders without a care. What are the servants standing around for? She infiltrated my Lu Family with malice, slandering a noblewoman indiscriminately; send her to see the officials!"

Old Mrs. Lu’s face changed, about to intervene, but it was too late. In desperation, the woman shouted, "Young Madam, Heir’s wife, Duchess, have mercy, I’m not lying. To save my husband, I brought witnesses from Ningzhou. They can testify everything I said is true, not a word false."

Su Yi squinted, "Witnesses?"

"Yes, and I ask for a chance to prove my innocence."

Bringing witnesses all the way from Ningzhou, it was clear this scheme had been meticulously planned.

For the first time, Wen Wan realized her background was so crucial it warranted such lengths to ruin her in public.

And Su Yi’s few words, seemingly defending Wen Wan, in reality, escalated the matter to the boiling point.

Mrs. Xiao Liu wasn’t foolish; she pursed her lips, giving her mother-in-law a complicated look.

Su Yi saw everyone standing still, her gaze shifted to Wen Wan, "Clearly, this person is targeting Mrs. Song; how do you intend to handle it?"

No sooner had she finished than other guests stood up for fairness, "This matter involves the former Princess, no small issue. Since she claims to have witnesses, let them speak and clarify whether it’s slander against Mrs. Song and the former Princess or if there’s truth. Evidence is most convincing."

As one stepped up, more followed suit, the situation escalating further, placing Wen Wan in an untenable position, her fate decided by others, unable but to endure.

Su Yi said, "Though it appears so, the matters involve the former Princess and Mrs. Song. Mrs. Song is not of the Lu Family, and the former Princess, having been expelled, is no longer part of it either. Since the former Princess isn’t present, Mrs. Song must decide her course of action."

Wen Wan barely hesitated, nodding, "In that case, bring forth the witness. I too wish to know what significant background I have."