Alas, the Shen clan was not someone she could control.
Since she had arrived and the Bai family was so displeasing to her, she naturally had plenty of ways to cause them trouble.
Every day, she would either visit cosmetic shops or buy gold and jade, her expenses so exorbitant they were astonishing.
The most terrifying thing was that she spread rumors everywhere, claiming that the Bai family's son actually belonged to the third branch, and the eldest branch had stolen him, so they could only compensate them with money.
Therefore, the bills were sent to the Bai family.
When Madam Lin received those inexplicable invoices, her anger was uncontainable!
"Does this madwoman want to drag us all down with her?"
"Madam, please calm yourself. Since the eldest young master said he would handle it, he will surely do so properly. Please don't overthink it, lest you harm yourself. It's not worth it for such a person."
Though these words were spoken, Madam Lin harbored immense disgust for Madam Shen.
She was condescending to the humble and fawning to the powerful, greedy and snobbish, and her mind was a muddle. The principle of shared prosperity and shared ruin was right before her eyes, yet she insisted on tarnishing the Bai family's reputation.
How long had it been since the affairs of the Duke of Wei's mansion? So many eyes were on the Bai family.
While she had ordered the entire household to be cautious and avoid giving outsiders any handle, Madam Shen had spread this matter everywhere. If Bai Shanwei had not come to her earlier to say he would handle it, she would have already sent someone to apprehend Madam Shen.
Whether she was beaten was a secondary matter, but her mouth would definitely be sealed, and then she would be confined at home, never to be let out again!
The common folk always loved to gossip, and Madam Shen's careless accusations provided them with ample opportunity to spread rumors.
Soon, rumors began to spread throughout the Eastern Capital.
Every piece of gossip was directed at Bai Shanwei, with some even claiming fantastical tales.
"What divine child reincarnation? It's nothing but a trick the Bai family uses to deceive people. The young master of the Bai family originally had the surname Qiao and lived in that old residence on Shuanggui Lane. I used to deliver rice and grain to his family; I've seen him."
"Indeed, indeed. He even drank at my sweet soup stall before. How can he be a divine child from the southwest?"
"The Bai family says so much, isn't it just to pave the way for him? Do they have to deceive everyone like this?"
"Who says not? Perhaps his background isn't very good, so they need to use some methods to give him face. You know how those prominent families are, isn't this what they value most?"
These days, the most prevalent topic on the streets and alleys was this matter.
Even the maids and servants who went out to procure goods for the Bai family were subjected to gossip.
The Bai family members had never endured such grievances. They all rushed to Madam Lin to complain.
"This is rebellion, rebellion! I don't know what madness has seized her to debase our family like this. If we are blamed, can she escape responsibility? What an idiot!"
"Madam, what should we do now? Why not report it to the Prime Minister? He has seen much of the world; this third madam's little tricks would likely be insignificant in his eyes."
"I want to, but I fear my father-in-law will think I failed to control the household and blame me instead."
It was not easy to manage a household, especially that of a prominent aristocratic family. Thus, her concerns were many.
"But this concerns the eldest young master's future. If outsiders continue to speculate wildly, won't that cause trouble?"
Hearing her mother's words, Madam Lin also became flustered.
After finally having a son, he might be ruined by that madwoman Madam Shen. She immediately put on her shoes and intended to go to Prime Minister Bai's study to discuss the matter.
Unexpectedly, as she reached the courtyard, she heard a commotion outside.
"This servant is ordered by the Emperor to invite the third madam of the Bai family to the palace. His Majesty has matters to inquire about."
Someone from the palace had arrived?
Madam Lin panicked and hurried forward to inquire, only to see Madam Shen emerge from the courtyard with a smug look. She was tidily dressed, but the pearl hairpins adorning her head were truly repulsive.
"Esteemed eunuch, I am the third madam of the Bai family. Is it about Bai Shanwei that His Majesty has also learned of this?"
Her face was filled with surprise, eager for everyone to know now that the Emperor had summoned her, that Bai Shanwei's Madam Shen was about to be exposed.
"Eunuch, may I have a word in private?"
Madam Lin rushed forward. She couldn't stop Madam Shen, but she hoped to hear the Emperor's intentions from the eunuch, so they could devise a strategy.
Madam Shen looked at Madam Lin's anxious expression with delight, as if to say, "Now you know the consequences of angering me!"
She wanted to make the Bai family miserable, to show everyone who had looked down on her that she had the Emperor's backing.
Bai Sihan hid in her room, watching the scene outside with great anxiety, unsure how to resolve the predicament.
Madam Shen left, escorted by the eunuch from the palace.
Madam Lin, flustered, rushed to Prime Minister Bai's study, only to find he was also not in the mansion.
Forcing herself to calm down, she instructed the maids below.
"Send someone to the Ministry of Works to inform Master that there is an urgent family matter and he should return immediately. Also, please invite Miss Feng San to come, and make it quick."
"Yes."
Feng Jinyao was happily playing with her niece in Madam Wen's courtyard when a maid reported that something had happened at the Bai family's residence.
Madam Wen quickly brought the child over and said to Feng Jinyao,
"Ayao, hurry and go see. My eldest sister-in-law must be anxious to seek you out."
"Alright, I'll go now."
The carriage that came to pick her up sped along, as if afraid of causing any delay. Feng Jinyao, on the way, overheard snippets from the maid and roughly understood what was happening.
This shouldn't be the case. With Bai Shanwei's abilities and her grandfather's presence, how could they allow the situation to develop to an irreversible point without intervening?
Madam Shen, a woman from out of town, had neither roots nor backing. With just a few words spoken outside, could she stir up such a situation?
She didn't believe it.
Unless, someone was guiding her behind the scenes! Or perhaps fanning the flames!
But who else harbored enmity towards the Bai family?
For a moment, she couldn't quite figure it out.
As she hurried to the Bai family's residence, she happened to encounter her maternal uncle, who was preparing to enter the palace.
Bai Chaoan was swamped with work at the Ministry of Works. When he suddenly heard that his wife had sent a messenger about this matter, he was astonished.
He felt it was too late to say anything about this ignorant woman, and the most important thing was to quickly enter the palace and resolve the issue.
Seeing Feng Jinyao, he immediately stepped forward and asked,
"Ayao, do you know what happened?"
"Yes, the maid told me on the way. Where are Grandfather and my cousin?"
"They are both not at home. I am heading to the palace now. If Madam Shen is allowed to slander me before His Majesty, the bright future of my Bai family will be ruined."
Hearing this, Feng Jinyao suddenly had a bold guess.
Her grandfather and Bai Shanwei were both absent from home. Could it be that they did this intentionally?
She had once heard the Prince say that the Wei family's roots ran deep. Many people in the court, although already dealt with, had hidden followers whose traces were elusive.