Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 215 - 214: Caught in the Act

"This is sheer nonsense!" Upon hearing these words, Zhu Cheng immediately felt extremely embarrassed.

Although the "honored guest" he hid in Li Garden was also not meant to be discovered by the Pang Family mother and daughter or others in the household, having his daughter bring people to block him here mid-meal, talking about "hiding a beauty in the golden house," made him feel utterly humiliated.

He already felt like a very disrespected father-in-law, with his son-in-law not even bothering to pay him the slightest courtesy, yet he also lacked the nerve to openly break with him.

Now, with his legitimate daughter making such a fuss, it was even more disgraceful.

A noble Prince Shuo, not only had he never dared to favor any concubine in the house, but he was also openly checked, to the point that his daughter could run over to "catch him in the act" without needing the main wife to intervene. If word got out, he would be laughed at.

The more Zhu Cheng thought about it, the angrier he became. His chest heaved violently, and he pointed out the door with a darkened face: "Have I perhaps spoiled you too much, allowing you to forget the principles of hierarchy and order in this household!

Hurry up and get out, go back to your room to reflect! Come to me and apologize once you realize your mistake. Until then, no food for you, and don’t you dare leave your quarters!

If your mother continues to indulge you like this, you’ll be ruined!

And all of you, who allowed you to follow the eldest lady in such nonsense?! Her arrogance is inseparable from you ill-mannered servants!

Scatter at once! If I find out you’ve joined her in fooling around again, see how I deal with you!"

The family servants who followed Zhu Ning in originally aimed to intimidate the "unaware mistress" under the orders of the eldest lady, so they came with full confidence.

After all, whenever the Prince was in the courtyard of a concubine, if the Princess wasn’t pleased, she could call people to fetch the Prince, and each time, the Prince appeared extremely sheepish, afraid the Princess would be upset.

They thought this time the eldest lady’s grand display was sanctioned by the Princess, but now seeing the Prince this enraged, their initial confidence instantly crumbled.

The steward rushed in, hurriedly signaling the ignorant servants to leave, and quickly spoke to Zhu Cheng, "My Lord, it’s all my fault, I didn’t discipline them properly. I’ll take them away for punishment right away and won’t let them have another absurd chance like this!"

Upon hearing this, the servants quickly headed out, fearing that Zhu Cheng’s anger would lead him to confront them on the spot.

In the past, Zhu Ning had seen how her mother dealt with her father’s visits to concubines’ places; her father would always concede without exception.

This time, hearing her mother sigh about not seeing her father for several days, as he was always off to Li Garden, Zhu Ning thought to emulate her mother’s methods, aiming to catch the "little vixen" in Li Garden and send a warning to her increasingly bold father.

Especially since her mother doted on her and worried endlessly about her marriage prospects, Zhu Ning wanted to help alleviate her mother’s worries, thinking her father would feel guilty and promptly visit her mother, thus achieving her goal.

Unexpectedly, she got herself scolded.

She had never faced such grievance, having always been the most favored and least restricted at home. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she knelt with a thud, "Father, I was only worrying about Mother since she hasn’t seen you for days and misses you dearly, so I came here to find you, hoping you’d visit her.

If you’re upset with me for being unruly, then punish me as you wish!"

Zhu Cheng, seeing Zhu Ning kneel, couldn’t bear to reprimand her further. He momentarily forgot he was blocking someone behind him and bent down to help her up.

As he bent down, Zhu Ning quickly glanced behind him and swiftly stood up, showing an intention to take advantage and catch a glimpse of the "vixen" Zhu Cheng was hiding.

However, as she stood, she saw Zhu Yu behind Zhu Cheng, her swift movements halted, and she was struck with disbelief, "Zhu... Zhu Yu?!"

"Greetings, elder sister." Zhu Yu regretted removing her disguise out of fatigue from outside labor, but what’s done was done, and regret couldn’t fix it. She calmly smiled at Zhu Ning and spoke.

"What are you doing here?" Zhu Ning said, not relieved to find it wasn’t the vixen she suspected but another half-sister she disliked, her demeanor unchanged as she frowned and scrutinized Zhu Yu, "Did the Prince Xiaoyao discard you, sending you back?!"

"Nonsense!" Zhu Cheng quickly interrupted her, aware of Zhu Ning’s past unkindness to her half-sisters yet never intervened.

This situation, however, was different, as Prince Xiaoyao was present, and his partiality towards Zhu Yu was evident from their first meeting.

No matter her pampered status, Zhu Ning was just a Secondary Second Rank County Princess, while her offending half-sister was now a Secondary First Rank Princess. If Prince Xiaoyao wanted to pursue the matter, Zhu Ning would be at fault.

He had no choice but to reprimand her and turned to Lu Qing, "Son-in-law, you intended to keep a low profile, but my eldest daughter was careless... Since we are family, why not meet face-to-face?"

Realizing Zhu Yu wasn’t discarded back, Zhu Ning understood they were hidden from embarrassment, Prince Xiaoyao had returned with Zhu Yu.

She glanced at Lu Qing, seeing his tall and handsome demeanor, and was momentarily stunned; casting another look at Yan Daoxin, she found herself awestruck, unable to avert her eyes until Zhu Cheng’s heavy cough prompted her to lower her gaze.

"We’ll go by your arrangement, father-in-law." Seeing their predicament, Lu Qing complied.

Zhu Cheng had a plan, being caught by the abrupt, spoiled legitimate daughter meant he couldn’t tie her up and prevent exposure, so he decided to gather everyone together and address all at once.

Zhu Cheng frowned at the troublesome Zhu Ning and ordered the steward to notify the rest of the household to come to Li Garden.

"Since everyone hasn’t arrived, we’ll excuse ourselves momentarily." Lu Qing turned to Zhu Cheng, "Since my wife is visiting her maiden home for the first time since marriage, she shouldn’t be seen by her family in this attire; we’ll change and return before greeting everyone."

"Go ahead, that’s proper." Zhu Cheng nodded approvingly, signaling with a gesture.