Madam Lu hurried to fetch Grand Scholar Lu, who happened to be on leave that day, composing poems and couplets in his concubine's courtyard. He was rather displeased to hear that the Princess of Qin County wished to see him. In his opinion, Madam Lu should have been sufficient to receive the female guest.
However, Madam Lu couldn't handle it, and after his concubine said a few words, Grand Scholar Lu was almost provoked into an outburst against Madam Lu. Fortunately, he retained his reason and knew not to keep the Princess of Qin County waiting too long.
"Your Highness, I apologize for not extending a proper welcome. Please forgive my oversight," Grand Scholar Lu said, cupping his hands.
"Let's dispense with pleasantries. I am here today to demand an explanation," the Princess of Qin County said unceremoniously.
"Your Highness, what do you mean? Our two households are close allies. How can we use such words as 'demand an explanation'?" Grand Scholar Lu spoke learnedly.
The Princess of Qin County, with a stern face, spoke of Lu Jingning's matter. Upon hearing it, both Grand Scholar Lu and Madam Lu were stunned.
Madam Lu spoke in disbelief, "How could Ah Ning do such a thing?"
"Madam Lu, are you implying that Lu Jingning did not cause trouble? Are you suggesting that I, the Princess of Qin County, have nothing better to do than to come to your residence and slander her? I believe that since she entered our household, everyone has treated her impeccably. Is this how she repays us? My daughter-in-law is simple-minded, and I dote on her like my own daughter. And what is the result? She took her own mother-in-law for a fool and played her for a fool," the Princess of Qin County said fiercely.
"Is there perhaps some misunderstanding in this matter?" Grand Scholar Lu inquired.
"Misunderstanding? My Prince has been summoned to the palace for a reprimand, and it was His Majesty who requested that we apologize to the Crown Princess of Nanchang. As for Lu Jingning's misdeeds, they were also informed by the Crown Princess of Nanchang. Lord Lu, are you suggesting that the Crown Princess of Nanchang slandered Lu Jingning? Ridiculous! Did the Crown Princess even know who Lu Jingning was before this?"
Without giving Grand Scholar Lu a chance to speak, the Princess of Qin County continued, "Now, the Crown Princess of Nanchang is still displeased. What do you propose we do? Our Prince's mansion has done all it can, and there is nothing more we can do. In any case, I will not stand by and watch Lu Jingning implicate our entire mansion. If the Crown Princess of Nanchang refuses to let this matter rest, and it escalates into a war between the two countries, let alone the Prince's mansion, your Grand Scholar's mansion will also suffer."
Grand Scholar Lu, being an official at court, naturally understood the gravity of the situation.
The Princess of Qin County's words were not entirely alarmist.
"Send that wicked girl to the Crown Princess of Nanchang and let her deal with her as she sees fit. I will go and confess to His Majesty," Grand Scholar Lu said decisively.
"My Lord, she is our daughter!" Madam Lu cried out in distress.
"I will settle accounts with you later for raising such a wicked creature who has caused such a great disaster. Do you wish for the entire family to be buried with her? Prepare a generous gift, take that wicked girl to the Prince's mansion, and have her apologize to the Crown Princess of Nanchang. If the Crown Princess does not relent, you need not return," Grand Scholar Lu said angrily.
"My Lord, you are so heartless," Madam Lu sobbed uncontrollably.
"But you are not as heartless as your good daughter, who has dragged both households into this. Have you considered that if this goes wrong, it could mean countless lives?" Grand Scholar Lu reprimanded. "Hurry and prepare the things, why are you crying?"
The Princess of Qin County was impatient to watch the couple argue. In any case, she had achieved her objective: everyone was unhappy. What happened next would depend on the capabilities of Madam Lu and her daughter. If they had them, all would be well. If not, the Prince's mansion would uphold justice by disowning its own, and she would not be implicated.