Chapter 87: Cleansing the Stain of Slander

Early the next morning, Tan Qingjiu was attending to patients in the front yard when she saw Tan Yun stride in from outside, his face grim.

“Lord Tan?”

The patient receiving her consultation raised her brows slightly at the sight of Tan Yun. “What’s the matter, Lord Tan?”

Tan Yun paused in his steps, bowing to the noblewoman before him. “Ah, it is Madam Ran.”

“What brings you here, Madam?” Madam Ran’s lips curved into a gentle smile. “I’ve suffered from insomnia and restless dreams lately. I heard Second Miss Tan is a skilled physician, so I came for a consultation—and to see the famed Doctor Tan, as well.”

Tan Qingjiu arched her eyebrows slightly. To see her? For what purpose?

She had reviewed the patient records from Qing Dai and knew this Madam Ran was the wife of the former Prime Minister of Qingning. But that esteemed Lord Ran had resigned nearly ten years ago, so she hadn’t much thought of it.

Tan Yun seemed to grasp the implication of Madam Ran’s words and smiled. “Yes, Qingjiu’s medical skills are quite good. His Highness Prince Duan has had her treat him often of late.”

Prince Duan? Shen Yingjue?

Why did Tan Yun mention him so abruptly?

Madam Ran’s gaze swept over Tan Qingjiu, her face warm with a smile. “Indeed, your skills are admirable, your appearance pleasing, and your temperament excellent. Lord Tan, you are truly blessed.”

Madam Ran then rose. “I’ve finished my consultation and received my prescription. Judging from Lord Tan’s demeanor, you must have matters to discuss with Miss Tan. I shall take my leave.”

“Allow me to see Madam out,” Tan Yun hastily escorted Madam Ran to the door, returning after a while.

He fixed his gaze on Tan Qingjiu. “You don’t know Madam Ran?”

Tan Qingjiu shook her head in confusion. “I only know her surname is Ran. I spent most of the past six years in the Valley of Skilled Hands, only recently returning to the capital. I’m not very familiar with the people here. Besides, I am merely a doctor; regardless of their status, they are simply my patients. My sole duty is treating their ailments. Surely I needn’t concern myself with more?”

“You must, in fact. The capital is full of influential figures. Knowing more will only be to your advantage. And even if you learn nothing else, you must remember Madam Ran.”

“Oh?”

Tan Yun took a deep breath, his mood evidently improved after seeing Madam Ran. “Madam Ran is the wife of the former Prime Minister Ran Yungui, and also the maternal grandmother of Prince Duan.”

Tan Qingjiu narrowed her eyes. “Prince Duan’s grandmother?”

That explained much. No wonder Tan Yun said what he did, and no wonder Madam Ran scrutinized her so intently before.

Tan Yun lowered his voice. “Madam Ran came today likely because she heard the rumors outside—she knows Prince Duan wishes to marry you as his consort, so she came specifically to see her prospective granddaughter-in-law.”

“It’s said that Madam Ran and Prince Duan share a good relationship. She visits his residence often.”

Granddaughter-in-law?

Tan Qingjiu frowned, just as Tan Yun continued, “Judging by Madam Ran’s words, she is very pleased with you.”

“Remember her well; next time you see her, comport yourself admirably. If you win her favor, your chances of marrying into Prince Duan’s household will increase.”

“Furthermore, though Prime Minister Ran has retired, at least half of the officials in court were promoted by him. Even now, they hold him in high esteem.”

“That is why, despite Prince Duan’s illness, many in the court remain wary of him.”

“If you gain the favor of both Elder Ran and Madam Ran, the benefits for you are boundless.”

Tan Qingjiu glanced at Tan Yun, her eyes narrowed. Boundless benefits for her? Surely, he meant for himself and the Tan family.

She lowered her gaze. “Father, you know well that this is impossible. Six years ago, my reputation was utterly ruined. Though Prince Duan is ill, he is still a prince. How could the royal family permit someone with a tainted name to become a princess consort?”

Tan Yun seemed unbothered, waving his hand dismissively. “A minor matter. The royal family indeed would not accept a consort with a blemished reputation. But your disgrace stems only from what happened six years ago—your supposed lack of virtue and the fact that you bore a child before marriage.”

“The rumor of your pregnancy before marriage is true, but we can ensure it is no longer a stain upon you.”

Tan Qingjiu looked up, surprised. “Ensure it is no longer a stain?”

She blinked, not quite understanding. “But that’s what everyone says. How can I make it no longer a blemish?”

“We’ll say that what happened six years ago was not your doing—that you were abducted by bandits and forced, which led to your pregnancy.”

“As long as you are seen as a victim, the incident will cease to be a disgrace. Instead, you will win everyone’s sympathy.”

Tan Qingjiu laughed coldly in her heart. How amusing.

Six years ago, she knelt on the ground, sobbing until her voice was hoarse, begging Tan Yun to believe her. He responded with a cold face, accusing her of lying, insisting the Tan family would never have such a shameless daughter, and demanding she be drowned.

Six years later, Tan Yun himself proposed that she claim the incident was not her fault, that she was the victim?

All for the sake of wiping away her disgrace and allowing her to marry into Prince Duan’s household?

Sadly, the real Tan Qingjiu never lived to see this day.

Her gaze was indifferent, but she feigned joy on her face. “Is that really possible? But it’s been six years. Suddenly raising the matter to clarify it seems rather odd.”

“Moreover, if I alone claim I was a victim, that I was harmed, no one would believe me, would they?”

Tan Yun had already made up his mind. “Of course you won’t clarify it yourself.”

He glanced at Tan Qingjiu. “I have a plan. There’s a band of robbers not far outside the city, in Mount Forget-Sorrow. They frequently commit outrageous acts, robbing and assaulting women. I’ll arrange for a close friend of mine to be attacked by these bandits, then have the authorities suppress them. Afterwards, I’ll have someone infiltrate the group, pretending to be one of the robbers, and boast about having assaulted you six years ago.”

“Then, I’ll spread the story far and wide. Your reputation will be thoroughly cleansed.”