Why wouldn't it work?
The reason these members of the Chen family dared to stand here today and even stage such a farce was simply because they relied on her and her elder sister being mere women in an era that prized reputation above all...
Little did they know that above worldly ethics stood the hierarchy of power and status.
When those in authority declare a deer to be a horse, it's never an empty claim.
While they were speaking, officers from the Shuntian Prefecture had already arrived.
The approaching guard spoke with utmost respect:
"Reporting to the Commandery Princess, the prisoners have confessed. It seems this rabble somehow learned of Your Highness's origins and conceived these preposterous delusions, attempting to climb to wealth through such despicable means."
"Truthfully, these dogs who dared offend Your Highness should pay with their lives nine times over. However, as this concerns Your Highness, my superior specially sent me to inquire - does the Commandery Princess have any instructions?"
An Ning responded politely:
Her meaning was clear - not only these people, but the mastermind behind them wouldn't be spared either.
As a seasoned official, the messenger understood instantly. Squinting with a smile, he promptly assured:
"Indeed! Without some 'clever person' behind it, how would these country bumpkins dare commit such lese-majesty? Rest assured, Commandery Princess, our Shuntian Prefecture will certainly not let the mastermind escape..."
Before Eldest Ya and the others could recover from their shock after seeing off the obsequious old official, news reached the suburban palace. The retired emperor, upon hearing of the incident, immediately sent rewards via Chief Eunuch Dai Quan.
"His Majesty heard the Commandery Princess suffered a fright earlier and specially ordered this old servant to convey his regards. Before departing, the retired emperor emphasized that as a Commandery Princess personally appointed by His Majesty, and this being right under the Son of Heaven's nose, there's no tolerance for such insolence from lowlifes..."
As he spoke, Chief Eunuch Dai signaled for his attendants to set down the multiple chests they carried.
Having paraded these gifts openly through the capital, the entire city surely knew by now.
After this, Shuntian Prefecture dared show no negligence. Not only were those arrested that day each caned for offending nobility, but Chen Dalang, who had proposed the scheme, had his xiucai degree revoked in court.
Imagine working hard for over a decade only to lose everything overnight - when they removed his scholar's scarf, Chen Dalang nearly went mad...
Yet even madder were the elder Chens. To fund their precious grandson's education, they'd sold not just Eldest Ya and An Ning, but also Second Ya from the third branch. Were it not for fear of damaging their reputation, even Dalang's own sister might not have escaped.
What's most terrifying? Sunk costs and the complete collapse of long-held hopes. Old Master Chen fainted dead away upon hearing the verdict...
Chen Laoer, who indirectly caused this outcome, became the family scapegoat, enduring daily blame and mockery from the remaining Chens.
But this no longer concerned An Ning or Eldest Ya. No matter their rage or resentment, these people would never approach the Commandery Princess's mansion again in their lifetimes...
The gap between commoners and nobility, especially in ancient society, might as well be an impassable chasm.
This was precisely why An Ning had schemed to obtain status and protection in this life.
A maid without backing would forever be at others' mercy in this world.
Though the Chen incident seemed significant, it barely caused a ripple in the vast capital.
Seeing the Commandery Princess unaffected, even joking as if nothing had happened, people outwardly remained calm but inwardly elevated their estimation of her.
Even the Jia family's precious heir, who'd wanted to meet her due to his cousin's connection, was sternly forbidden by Lady Wang and other elders, who warned their maids:
"That newly appointed Commandery Princess clearly isn't someone to trifle with. You girls must keep close watch - if you accidentally encounter her anywhere, don't let his temper run wild!"
If she could be so ruthless to blood relatives, imagine her treatment of others!
"I actually think the Commandery Princess is remarkable," Tanchun voiced admiration during the sisters' garden gathering. "Those people sold her off long ago - that should have ended matters. Now seeing her wealthy, they try to force kinship? What logic is that?"
"Thank goodness the Commandery Princess was decisive. Being pestered by such shameless people would be utterly disgusting!"
Even usually magnanimous Baochai remained silent, smiling at Daiyu who'd been quiet:
"Among us, Sister Lin knows the Commandery Princess best, no? You frequently visit her mansion that others can't even enter. Why so reticent now?"
"With such an impressive acquaintance, why keep her from us? Had this incident not occurred, we'd never have known you knew someone so formidable!"
The sharp-tongued Daiyu retorted:
"Look at you all, carrying on like gossiping nuns over some fraudulent rabble! Is this worth multiple rounds of debate?"
"You're right, Sister Lin," Tanchun quickly agreed, noticing Daiyu's reluctance to discuss the princess and smoothly changing the subject.
Regardless of outside gossip, after receiving comforting gifts from both imperial figures, An Ning continued her quiet life, occasionally accepting invitations to take her sisters out. Though people whispered privately, no rumors ever reached her ears.
Eldest Ya, seeing how effortlessly her younger sister handled the Chens, seemed to shed a burden, becoming noticeably more relaxed.
Lying on a gently rocking pleasure boat, gazing at the endless emerald lake and her sister casually feeding fish beside her, Eldest Ya finally felt the restlessness that had plagued her since being sold melt away.
How wonderful this was!