At that moment, the Marquis of Zhenbei happened to be passing by the front hall on his way back from court.

Seeing so many people, he was taken aback at first, and then asked, "What's going on?"

Ye Lanyin said calmly, "The Marquis is back. That's perfect. Come along with us. Mother is here too."

The old lady inside said displeasedly, "Lanyin, what are you up to now? Why did you summon me to punish the servants?"

Upon seeing this, the Marquis of Zhenbei didn't even have time to change out of his court robes before stepping inside.

“Master, I heard that someone in the maidservant's quarters has hanged herself. As you know, such behavior has been forbidden in the Marquis's mansion since I entered the household.”

“This has never happened in more than ten years. I never expected that a maid would actually hang herself. I am deeply worried. I am afraid that something is not done well enough. So I thought I would bring her to the front hall to ask her, so that Mother can be a witness and I can make changes.”

Then, she glanced at the unrelated people and said softly, "The rest of you can leave now. We'll announce the results to you later."

"In addition, summon all the concubines and teach them how to handle household chores in the future."

"Yes, madam."

The maids and servants acknowledged the order and withdrew.

The old lady snorted coldly. Since she was willing to teach, then they could learn. In the end, she was going to be kicked out anyway!

The noise around her finally woke Qiaoxiu up.

Qiaozhen picked up the ginseng soup and personally fed it to her.

Seeing that she had not died, Qiaoxiu cried bitterly, "Madam, I did not mean to die, I just couldn't bear it any longer. Please, Madam, have mercy."

"Qiaoxiu, the monthly allowance I give you is two or three taels more than that of other ordinary households. What else do you have to complain about?"

Qiaoxiu sniffed and quickly explained, "Madam, no, you are kind and benevolent to your servants, and we are extremely grateful. It is my own inner demons that are causing trouble, it has nothing to do with you."

"Inner demons?" Ye Lanyin retorted. "Qiaoxiu, what kind of inner demons have made you disregard the rules I have established for so many years? Tell me, and let's see if it is caused by my inadequate management."

Qiaoxiu shuddered at the thought of Lin Shiming, "Madam..."

"Qiaoxiu, you should know that I am the mistress of this Marquis's mansion. I have the ability to solve any problem. If you do not tell the truth, you will continue to suffer from the torment of your inner demons."

"Do you really have the heart to abandon your sister and try to kill yourself again?"

Upon hearing this, Qiaozhen cried and hugged Qiaoxiu.

"Little sister, you're my only family. You can't be so foolish. What will I do if something happens to you?"

"Does that mean I should come with you?"

Qiaoxiu burst into tears and shook her head, "No, don't do this..."

"Qiaoxiu, tell me what's wrong. Master and Madam are here, they will definitely stand up for you," Qiaozhen comforted her.

As if she had made a decision, Qiaoxiu gritted her teeth and met Ye Lanyin's gaze.

“Madam, I know I am a servant of lowly status, but I am also a person. I have served the Marquis’s mansion for many years and have always worked diligently for the mansion.”

“But one day, the fourth young master went to the main kitchen, saw me, and asked for me as his maid, saying that he needed someone to sweep and clean his courtyard.”

"Knowing that I could serve my master, I was excited, so I followed him."

"I had a good first two days, but on the third day, the Fourth Young Master told me that he could only leave after I warmed up his bed."

“When I refused, he said he would cut my monthly allowance.”

“I live off my monthly allowance, and I would feel bad if it was cut, so I listened to him.”

"I didn't expect this..."

"I didn't expect this..."

At this point, those present could more or less guess what was going on.

When the old lady heard the maid slander her own grandson, she scolded, "You wretched maid, knowing that you have been in the Marquis's mansion for many years, you still dare to slander your master."

"Guards! Drag this arrogant maid out and beat her to death!"

Qiaoxiu was terrified and panicked. "No, no, Madam, I didn't lie. Everything I said is true."

"I have evidence."

Upon hearing the old lady's reprimand, Qiaozhen quickly protected her younger sister, preventing anyone else from taking her out, and said anxiously:

"Madam, Madam, Lord Marquis, my sister says she has evidence. Please listen to it."

"There's nothing nice to hear," the old lady said angrily. "Take him away."

"No, no, Madam, please listen to my explanation."

With tears welling in her eyes and her hands clenched tightly, Qiaoxiu looked at the old lady almost pleadingly.

"My heart is as clear as day; I would never dare to have the slightest intention to slander the Fourth Young Master. Every word I have said is true, and I hope the Old Madam will understand."

Just as everyone was about to forcibly take Qiaoxiu away, that calm voice entered their ears, carrying an attitude that brooked no resistance:

"Wait a minute."

The old lady turned around and looked at Ye Lanyin with displeasure. "Lanyin, a mere maidservant who never speaks the truth, should be beaten to death as a warning to others!"

“Mother, killing someone requires evidence. How can we act recklessly when there is insufficient evidence? Besides, since she says she has evidence, why not listen to what she has to say?”

"Madam, please give me a chance," she said weakly, enduring the pain in her wrist.

"Qiaoxiu, please speak," she said gently.

Qiaoxiu remained silent, first pulling up the sleeves of both clothes to reveal the messy patterns on them.

The group gasped in surprise upon seeing this.

His thin body was covered with a complex network of vine whip marks and teeth marks that were deeply embedded in his flesh, each one deep and shocking.

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