BDSMST -Chapter 56 Unconditional Support from the Marquis’s Household

The carriages of the Marquis of Anyuan’s residence returned to the capital reeking of stench and brimming with humiliation.

The news spread like wildfire, sweeping through the upper circles of the capital at an unbelievable speed.

At first, the version people heard was mild—Madam Li of the Marquis of Anyuan’s household and several others had gone to Woniu Village to “visit” the new Marchioness of Yongning. A dispute arose, and the meeting ended unhappily.

But very soon, more detailed, more bizarre, and far more jaw-dropping accounts began to circulate—leaked quietly from servants of the Anyuan household who had been ordered to keep silent.

“Have you heard? Madam Li and the others were doused in manure and driven out!”

“What manure? I heard it was aged compost fermented for months. They say you could smell it ten miles away!”

“Who did it? The young heir of the Marquis of Yongning himself! He led that gang of little tyrants from the Duke of Zhenguo’s and Marquis of Dingbei’s households! More than a dozen of them, holding ladles, poured it over the ladies from head to toe!”

“My heavens! This isn’t just juniors contradicting elders—this is outright rebellion!”

The entire aristocratic circle of the capital exploded.

Tea houses, taverns, inner courtyards of noble estates—everywhere people were discussing it. Everyone believed the Marquis of Yongning’s household had committed a colossal blunder.

Gu Xuan, as the main culprit, had “assaulted” elders (even if only with manure ladles), an act of grave disrespect and unfilial conduct. Jiang Suisui, as the “mastermind,” had indulged her stepson’s violence and failed in moral guidance.

Any one of these accusations alone was enough to make them unable to show their faces in the capital.

The Marquis of Anyuan was so enraged that he smashed an entire set of official kiln porcelain tea ware in his home. His wife being drenched in filth was equivalent to the honor of his entire household being trampled into the dirt. He immediately donned his court robes, drafted a memorial, and prepared to attend court the next morning with several friendly censors to impeach the Marquis of Yongning for failing to discipline his family and corrupting household morals.

Everyone waited eagerly to see the Yongning household’s downfall.

They expected to witness the old Marquis flying into a rage, dragging his troublemaking grandson and that incomprehensible daughter-in-law back to the capital to plead guilty with thorns on their backs.

Yet events unfolded far beyond anyone’s expectations.

The news reached the Marquis of Yongning’s residence that very afternoon.

Old Marquis Gu Yuan was in his study, listening to Steward Fu vividly recount the “battle report” from Woniu Village.

Steward Fu spoke until his mouth went dry, his heart pounding. He had assumed the old Marquis would be furious.

Instead, after listening, Gu Yuan fell silent for a long while.

Then, slowly, a smile appeared on his usually stern face. The smile widened—and finally, he slapped the table and burst into hearty laughter.

“Ha! Good! That boy has my style from back in the day!”

Steward Fu stood dumbfounded.

The old Marquis laughed for the length of half a cup of tea before stopping. He lifted his teacup, took a sip, and his eyes gleamed sharply.

“That Madam Li, relying on her status as the wife of the Marquis of Anyuan, has long enjoyed belittling our household among the noblewomen of the capital. I never bothered to argue with a mere woman. But this time, she dared set her sights on my daughter-in-law—and even ran to my territory to cause trouble. Xuan handled it well! Though perhaps… he could have been even harsher.”

Steward Fu was left utterly speechless.

The old Marquis rose and paced the study.

“Prepare the carriage. I’m going to the Duke of Anguo’s residence.”

By evening, another piece of news spread through the capital.

The old Marquis of Yongning had personally visited the Duke of Anguo. The two men spoke privately in the study for an entire hour. No one knew what was discussed—only that when the Duke emerged, his expression was grave.

The next morning, at court—

As expected, the Marquis of Anyuan stepped forward with several censors to present a memorial. With tears and indignation, they accused the Yongning household of lax discipline. Gu Xuan, they claimed, had no respect for elders, behaved outrageously, and undermined the dignity of the court. They implored His Majesty to mete out severe punishment.

The court fell into silence. Civil and military officials alike perked up their ears, ready for a spectacle.

Marquis Gu Yuan of Yongning stepped forward.

He did not refute. He did not defend.

He simply bowed toward the emperor seated upon the dragon throne and said in a clear voice:

“Your Majesty, regarding the matter presented by the Marquis of Anyuan, I have but one sentence.”

He straightened slowly, his gaze sweeping over the Marquis of Anyuan, over the impassioned censors, and finally across the entire court.

His voice rang clearly within the grand hall.

“The estate at Woniu Village belongs to the Marquis of Yongning’s household. The people there are under my protection. Whoever goes there to cause trouble makes himself my enemy—and the enemy of the entire Yongning household.”

“Marquis of Anyuan, your wife was frightened. My household will, according to propriety, send gifts. But if you believe that the descendants of the Gu family can be bullied in their own home without striking back…”

He let out a cold laugh.

“Then you are welcome to try.”

His words struck the ground with force—openly domineering and fiercely protective.

The entire court was silent.

This was no apology. It was a declaration of sovereignty.

The Marquis of Anyuan’s face flushed a deep purple-red. He had not expected Gu Yuan to shield that woman and those boys so resolutely.

On the dragon throne, the emperor tapped lightly on the armrest, observing the tension below.

He did not take sides. He merely said calmly, “Since it is a family matter, settle it privately among yourselves.”

Then he dismissed the court.

The emperor’s stance was the final verdict.

An impeachment that everyone thought would stir towering waves was suppressed with overwhelming firmness by the old Marquis.

When the news spread, the capital erupted.

Everyone understood.

That estate in Woniu Village—that woman named Jiang Suisui—was now under the protection of the Marquis of Yongning’s household. No one could touch her.

The Marquis of Anyuan’s household had become the laughingstock of the capital. Not only had they failed to reclaim dignity, they had been publicly slapped in the face by the Yongning household—losing both reputation and pride entirely.

Meanwhile, at the Woniu Village estate—

After hearing the news delivered at breakneck speed by Steward Fu’s messenger, Jiang Suisui merely took a calm sip of tea.

Everything was under control.