"I … sister-in-law, that's not what I meant. The Han Family is your maternal family, you …"
Murong Wanru was about to explain, but Han Yunxi didn't give her a chance. "Little sister Wanru's right. The Han Family is my maternal family, so these matters count as my family's affairs. But the Duke of Qin's estate is my husband's family. How could I favor my maternal family and harm my husband's family? Little sister Wanru, don't you think so? "
Murong Wanru quickly nodded. "Of course, but …"
Han Yunxi cut her off again. "I'm not even planning to side with my maternal family, so there's no need for little sister Wanru to give me face and plead leniency for my maternal family?"
Murong Wanru's face turned green at these words!
She wanted to pretend to be kind and say that she was thinking for Han Yunxi's sake and pleading leniency for her maternal family!
But before she could speak, Han Yunxi rejected her.
Murong Wanru glanced down and saw Lady Xu sitting there without moving. It wasn't clear whether she'd lost her wits or was listening to their conversation.
This Lady Xu really is troublesome!
While Murong Wanru was at a loss, Han Yunxi continued. "Of course, if little sister Wanru is pleading leniency for the sake of someone else instead of me, then I won't stop you."
"I'm not!" Murong Wanru blurted out in a panic.
Grand Concubine Yi wasn't an idiot. She didn't need to think too much to pick up on the clues. She knitted her brows as she looked towards Murong Wanru, who grew alarmed and sat back down. How would she dare to persuade her again? She hastened to explain. "Since sister-in-law is so fair and impartial, then I won't say any more. As for how to handle things, it'll be up to mufei to decide."
Grand Concubine Yi had complete trust in Murong Wanru, so she didn't think much of it. One hand rested on the table while the other knitted her brows.
Unexpectedly, Madam Xu's eyes suddenly lit up. They were so bright that they seemed to be able to penetrate one's eyes and look into one's heart. At this moment, the person she was looking at was none other than Murong Wanru!
Seeing this, the guilty Murong Wanru's heart skipped a beat as all the pores on her body stood on end. This Lady Xu, what did she mean? What was she trying to do?
Han Yunxi witnessed the entire scene. Today, she was going to kill three birds with one stone. Not only was she going to prove to the entire capital that she had no intention of coveting the Han family's fortune, but she was also going to get rid of Madam Xu and her son for Yi 'er. Of course, more importantly, she was going to uncover the true culprit who instigated Madam Xu to cause trouble!
Murong Wanru, this time, you've finally fallen into my hands!
Han Yunxi's lips curved into a crafty smile as she asked, "Little sister Wanru, I can see that mufei is vexed. Why don't you help mufei think of a way to severely punish Lady Xu as a warning to others?"
Severely punish Madam Xu as a warning to others?
Murong Wanru's inability to intercede for Madam Xu had already made her feel guilty enough. Now, Han Yunxi had actually thrown such a question at her.
This was the rhythm of pushing her into the fire pit!
Madam Xu's sharp gaze was as sharp as a knife. Murong Wanru didn't dare to look straight at her. She couldn't care less and hurriedly tried to persuade her. "Sister-in-law, Mother is a Buddhist and forgives people wherever possible. I think this matter is ultimately your maternal family's matter, and it's also a misunderstanding. Why don't …"
"Sister Wanru, didn't I say that you don't need to give me face?" Han Yunxi kindly reminded her.
"Sister-in-law, I know that you're a fair person, and I also know that your heart is with our family. It's not good for you to beg for mercy on behalf of your maternal family. How about this, today's matter …"
Before Murong Wanru could finish speaking, Han Yunxi laughed. "Sister Wanru, how can you face Mother when you're so partial to the Han family? It doesn't matter if Madam Xu slanders me, but how can she cause a ruckus in front of the Duke of Qin's gate? This has caused an uproar in the city. Those who don't know might think that something happened to Mother … "
As Han Yunxi spoke, she pretended to ponder. "What did those rumors say before? Oh, that's right, they're all suspecting that someone bribed the justice courts and coveted the Han family's assets! How could I have the skills to bribe the justice courts? They're obviously suspecting Mother. They even said something about the Han family's storehouses. Those are truly rare items. "
At these words, Grand Concubine Yi, who'd been knitting her brows, immediately raised her head to shoot Han Yunxi a sharp look.
Still, Han Yunxi wasn't afraid. "Mufei, now that the truth is out, you don't have to give chenqie face. Lady Xu's crimes are heinous, so she needs to be severely punished as a warning to others. Otherwise, who knows what kind of rumors will spread outside?"
Grand Concubine Yi had a belly full of fire for failing to catch Han Yunxi today. She was unreconciled, but she had to admit that Han Yunxi's words were very reasonable. She'd been pondering the same thing all this time.
This matter had already caused an uproar in the city. How could she clean up the mess beautifully without leaving any evidence behind?
She'd let Han Yunxi go because she had no choice. As for Madam Xu, even if Han Yunxi didn't say anything, Grand Concubine Yi wouldn't let her off easily!
She was trying to figure out how to deal with this matter so she could save her own face and convince the people waiting by the justice courts.
After all, those people were just like her in the past. They all believed that Han Yunxi wanted to seize the Han family's assets.
If she didn't figure out how to deal with this matter and threw out the results of her interrogation, it'd be hard to convince outsiders even if the matter was over.
Those who didn't know better might even think that she and the Duke of Qin's men had tortured the Han family members in the justice courts.
After all, Grand Concubine Yi had been in charge for years. Although her heart was unreconciled, she still had to calm down and consider all aspects at a time like this.
Grand Concubine Yi stared at Han Yunxi for a long time without replying. If she did, it'd be admitting her failure to Han Yunxi. She hated this feeling too much.
She looked towards Official Ouyang and said, "Official Ouyang, now that the truth has been revealed, how should Madam Xu be judged for slandering Qin Wangfei and insulting the Duke of Qin's reputation?"
In a flash, everyone looked towards Official Ouyang. Even Madam Xu stared at him without a word. Cold eyes.
On one side, Han Ruoxue's palms were covered in sweat. At this point, she knew that things were set in stone and there was no turning back. Once they cleared things up outside, wouldn't Mu Liuyue be disappointed when she saw this?
No, she had to think carefully about what to say later.
"What's wrong, why are your hands so sweaty?" Madame Li asked in a low voice.
"It's … it's nothing, I'm just angry. Father really shouldn't have," Han Ruoxue quickly replied.
She didn't dare tell her mother that Mu Liuyue was outside, much less the bet between Han Yunxi and Mu Liuyue. After delivering the tea leaves, her mother had told her to stop interacting with Mu Liuyue. After all, Han Yunxi and Mu Liuyue weren't on good terms. She was still Han Yunxi's little sister, so she had to avoid her.
In the room, Madam Xu was the most taciturn. Murong Wanru couldn't help but feel her hairs stand on end. She only felt that Madam Xu was waiting for a result before exploding and taking her down with her.
Murong Wanru clenched her fists, her back drenched in cold sweat. What should she do? Was there anything she could do to stop Madam Xu?
Official Ouyang didn't dare to look at Madam Xu, but turned his head away and said awkwardly, "According to the law … she should be beheaded!"
As soon as he said this, Madam Xu, who had been kneeling all this time, suddenly stood up.
Seeing this, Murong Wanru's entire body trembled. She couldn't hold it in anymore and stood up, crying out in alarm, "Madam Xu, what do you want to do?"
"Second Madam, spreading rumors doesn't warrant death. I didn't expect that not only did you spread rumors, but you also caused a ruckus at the Duke of Qin's gate and incited the people. Have you gone senile? You actually did this kind of thing! "Han Yunxi said Coldly.
These words sounded like a reprimand, but they were reminding Madam Xu that spreading rumors didn't warrant death. She had been instigated and used by others to end up like this!
Even a cornered dog would jump over a wall, let alone a person.
Her son had already been imprisoned for three years, and she herself was facing the death penalty. There was no hope of becoming the head of the Han family. Madam Xu had already reached the point where she had nothing left to lose.
When a person was in a situation where they had nothing left to lose, what else would she care about? She was like a person who had fallen into water, pulling anyone down with her!
As soon as Han Yunxi finished speaking, Madam Xu looked Coldly at Murong Wanru and suddenly stepped forward.
Frightened, Murong Wanru shot forward to block Madam Xu's way, looking like she wanted to protect Grand Concubine Yi. She said angrily, "What do you want to do? You're impudent! If you disturb esteemed imperial concubine, your crimes are unforgivable!"
Madam Xu backed up a step so she could see Murong Wanru's face more clearly. Gradually, she broke into a cold smile, her lips full of ridicule.
This Murong Wanru had promised her in the past that even if Grand Concubine Yi got angry, she'd have ways to deal with it. Otherwise, how could she not know that causing trouble at the Duke of Qin's estate was the same as causing trouble at the imperial palace? That was a capital offense!
Murong Wanru's back was to Grand Concubine Yi, her face filled with panic. She'd planned everything so well. Once she toppled Han Yunxi, mufei would be in a good mood. Then she'd just have to say a few words of persuasion. Madam Xu would have some merit as well, so she'd be fine! How could she know that Han Yunxi could reverse the situation and gain Han Congan's support?!
"Wanru, hurry over here. Someone come, seize Madam Xu for me!" Grand Concubine Yi was anxious, worried about Murong Wanru's safety.
Han Yunxi watched coldly from the sidelines, waiting for Murong Wanru to sit back down obediently and for Madam Xu to reveal everything.
But as soon as the yamen runners stepped forward, Madam Xu suddenly drew close to Murong Wanru and grabbed her by the arm. She was about to curse when Murong Wanru said in a low voice, "Madam Xu, don't forget that you still have father! If you dare to expose me without any proof, my mufei will never believe you. Moreover, I promise that your entire Xu Clan won't have a good ending! "
Madam Xu gave a start at these words. That's right, she still had father and her brothers and sisters from her maternal family. Without any proof, if Grand Concubine Yi didn't believe her and Murong Wanru held a grudge, then the Xu Clan's future days would be miserable!
Madam Xu's hands stiffened before she immediately let go. Murong Wanru retreated like she was fleeing, her face pale with fright. She patted her chest a few times and took deep breaths.
Outsiders all thought she'd been frightened by Madam Xu, but she was rejoicing over the fact that she'd found a chance to warn Madam Xu in time. Otherwise, she wouldn't know how to deal with the situation today.
Although she had no proof, mufei would definitely have her own thoughts. After all, she'd used mufei's reputation as a stake this time!
Just based on this point alone, Imperial Concubine Mother would definitely not forgive her. No matter what, she was still an adopted daughter.
Seeing the yamen runners take Madam Xu into custody, Grand Concubine Yi exhaled in relief and stood up to wave at Murong Wanru. "Wanru, come here, quick! Let mufei take a look and see if you're hurt. Are you frightened? "
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