"Is this for real? Could noble ladies really be so vulgar?"
The capital was abuzz with gossip. Some were simply nosy, while others, who felt insecure about their own common status, suddenly felt a surge of self-righteousness upon reading such scandalous tidbits.
Aren't noble ladies supposed to be paragons of fragrance and etiquette, like ethereal fairies drifting among the clouds?
"What kind of sutra were they copying? I heard that when these ladies copy scriptures, they have to bathe, wash their hands, and burn incense first."
"Don't go painting them all with the same brush. It wasn't all of them who lost their decorum, just one!" Someone well-informed had already gone out to dig up the details.
"Just one? From which family?"
In the teahouses, several scholars and literati expressed their disdain for this edition of Capital News, launching into a series of condemnations.
"Human beings eat the grains of the earth; it is only natural to have moments when one's digestive system falters. None of us are immortals, so how can we be exempt from the mundane? For those behind Capital News to publicize such a thing where does that leave the lady's dignity?"
"Exactly! A woman's reputation is of utmost importance. If this cause her such grief and embarrassment that she dares not show her face in public, or worse, finds life unbearable, then this is nothing short of a murderous crime."
Of course, there were also playboys who loved nothing more than watching the world burn.
"Am I the only one wondering where those copied sutras were supposed to be sent? Was the one written by 'Miss Pupu' sent up as well?"
The one speaking was the heavyweight champion of the capital's fops Zhou Kui, the Heir Apparent of Prince Rong.
"It's been found out! Yesterday's sutra copying gathering was held at Princess Changning's Manor!"
In just a single day, the matter spread like wildfire.
The young ladies who had attended the gathering at Princess Changning's Manor were nearly driven to tears in their homes. Their parents and brothers had also heard the news, and their reactions varied wildly.
The He family acted immediately, spreading the word that He Lianxin had felt unwell the moment she arrived and had left shortly after. Only by doing so could they prevent others from suspecting she was "Miss Pupu."
Speaking of which, the nickname "Miss Pupu" was truly wicked.
Zhou Kui, the Heir Apparent of Prince Rong, had been tossing the name around constantly. Since no one knew which noble lady was the culprit, everyone simply adopted the codename.
Others flatly denied that anything of the sort had happened at the gathering.
The camp of Miss Shen went as far as to say they would seek legal retribution against Wuming Bookstore for spreading such baseless rumors.
Regardless, a copy of this latest edition of Capital News eventually found its way into Lu Ming's hands.
Capital News was quite selective about its clientele.
They only peddled their flyers at four specific teahouses and taverns all of which were the highest-ranking and most expensive establishments in the capital. In other words, these were places an ordinary citizen could never afford.
Furthermore, each edition had a very limited print run.
Currently, a copy cost five hundred wen. It was rumored that after six months, the price would double to a full tael of silver.
One tael of silver for a single sheet of paper was absurdly expensive.
Even at five hundred wen, the sales hadn't been spectacular, so how could they expect to sell it for a tael?
But this time, the content written in Capital News
It was being carried through the streets by the fops.
The copy in Lu Ming's hand had actually been shoved onto him by Zhou Kui himself.
In the past, Lu Ming wouldn't have been able to get anywhere near a playboy of Zhou Kui's stature. But this time, when they crossed paths on the road, Zhou Kui had actually called out to him.
"I heard you're about to become the father-in-law to Prince Jin? That daughter of yours from the countryside just how beautiful is she? Did she go to that sutra copying gathering mentioned in the paper?"
Lu Ming had never read Capital News and was a bit dazed.
Zhou Kui had stuffed a copy into his hand. "Lord Lu, take this back and have a look. I'll find some time to visit your manor and play; you should let me meet your second daughter."
He was curious.
He had seen every noble lady in the capital over the last twenty years until they all looked the same. Now that a newcomer had arrived, he was interested.
Lu Ming was irritated, feeling that Zhou Kui's tone was profoundly disrespectful. However, there was nothing he could do; the other man's status was simply too high.
Naturally, he redirected his anger toward Lu Zhaoling.
She had just returned to the capital and immediately entangled herself in a marriage contract with Prince Jin, drawing all this unwanted attention!
He had originally intended for her to stay low-profile and unnoticed, but who knew she could be such a troublemaker? Being raised in the countryside clearly hadn't changed her attention-seeking nature.
After finishing the report in Capital News, Lu Ming's face underwent a drastic transformation.
He knew Princess Changning had invited Lu Zhaoyun, and he knew Lu Zhaoyun had intended to bring Lu Zhaoling along.
The noble ladies of the capital were all well-bred and refined, and Zhaoyun had always maintained an elegant reputation. So, who else could the "embarrassed noble lady" in the report be?!
Even thinking with his toes, he knew it was highly likely to be that rebellious girl, Lu Zhaoling!
"That cursed creature! She's trying to make the Lu family the laughingstock of the capital!"
Lu Ming was fuming, unable to contain his rage. Gripping the copy of Capital News, he stormed back to the manor and headed straight for Tingnuan Pavilion.
"Lu Zhaoling!"
He kicked the courtyard gate open.
Qingyin and Qingbao were busy pruning the flowers and plants in the yard; Lu Zhaoling was currently napping.
As Lu Ming charged in with a face full of fury, the two maids exchanged a glance and immediately stepped forward to block his path.
"Lord Lu, please lower your voice," Qingyin said.
"Our miss is sleeping. You cannot disturb her," Qingbao added.
Hearing their words only made Lu Ming's blood boil even more.
"She can actually sleep? She's only been back in the capital for a few days, and look at the mess she's made! This time, she's completely thrown away her own face and the reputation of the Lu family!"
Although Capital News hadn't printed the name of the disgraced lady, Zhou Kui was a man who lived for gossip. He would surely dig until he found the truth, and it wouldn't be long before the trail led back to Lu Zhaoling.
In fact, perhaps he had already found out. Why else would he have shoved that paper into Lu Ming's hands for no reason?
Zhou Kui was undoubtedly waiting to see the Lu family become a joke!
"The miss hasn't even left the house today. Lord Lu, where is this coming from?" Qingyin's expression darkened.
They had been working in the yard and frequently went out to dispose of clippings, so the gate hadn't been bolted. They never expected Lu Ming to just barge in.
With a voice that loud, he was bound to wake the miss.
They really wanted to hit him.
Qingbao's hands were especially itchy; she wanted nothing more than to shove Lu Ming right back out.
"She made a fool of herself yesterday! Surely she knows she has no face left to show? Does she think she can hide from such a scandal just by sleeping?"
At the thought that everyone outside might be mocking him for having such a vulgar daughter, Lu Ming felt like he was going to vomit blood.
That was a sutra copying gathering meant to pray for the Retired Emperor!
How could she have done something so stupid?!
If her stomach was upset, she should have hurried to the latrine. Why did she have to do that in public?! And she even used the sutras to block...
"Being raised in the countryside really does mean one can't be presented in polite society! She's lost all my face! When word of this reaches the palace, the Emperor will definitely revoke the imperial marriage decree!"
Lu Ming reached this point in his rant and suddenly paused.
Wait? That was actually possible. Wouldn't that be a good thing? Although he had been greatly humiliated, if it resulted in the Emperor revoking the marriage, it would be a blessing in disguise.
Lu Zhaoling absolutely could not marry Prince Jin. She wasn't worthy of being a Princess Consort!
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