Chapter 104 Dirty Water

The Xiao family in the capital.

Chunwen knelt in the hall, her cheeks red and swollen from being slapped. But since her master hadn't given any orders, the old woman standing in front of her didn't dare stop. She rubbed her sore wrists and continued to slap her again and again.

"You traitorous wretch! Who authorized you to slander your master and commit such insubordination? You're a criminal and still show no remorse. I think you're going to rebel!"

Butler Xiao sat in the hall, slowly sipped his tea, and then pointed at her and started cursing.

"Who does Fourth Miss think she is? Does she allow a despicable person like you to throw mud at her?!"

Chunwen felt utterly hopeless, her eyes filled with hatred as she stared at Butler Xiao.

She had already inquired and learned that the testimony from the Censorate was given to Madam Li and then brought out when Madam Xiao needed it.

It is clear that even if Li's mother was not bribed by Xiao Yuyao, she was guilty of negligence in safeguarding the property. She dared not risk walking into a trap, so after thinking it over, she went to Steward Xiao to explain the matter.

However, the usually fair and impartial Steward Xiao, upon hearing that she was going to accuse the Fourth Miss, immediately reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, shrieking and threatening to punish her.

"Steward Xiao, everything I've said is true, not a single word is false. Xiao Yuyao is vicious and has done so many wrong things. Isn't she afraid of retribution?!"

In the brief intervals between the slaps, Chunwen continued to defend herself, though her voice sounded somewhat weak.

She was already injured, and now she was filled with grief and anger. In addition, the old woman in front of her had been slapped at the behest of Steward Xiao, and the little bit of vitality she had managed to muster was about to dissipate.

"Still dare to talk back?! Keep hitting me!"

Butler Xiao was also furious.

The masters didn't want anyone to die in the manor, as it would damage their reputation, so they didn't give Caihe and Chunwen a quick death. They didn't expect Chunwen to be so stubborn and unyielding. She was lucky to have a worthless life, but instead of being grateful, she dared to come here and go crazy, trying to frame the Fourth Miss!

"Butler Xiao, even if you kill me today, I'll still say the same thing: Xiao Yuyao changed my testimony! This is the real one..."

Chunwen could no longer hold on. As soon as she finished speaking, her body went limp and she collapsed.

The old woman who slapped her was startled and quickly squatted down to check her breathing with her finger.

Fortunately, he was still breathing.

The flimsy testimony, no longer held by anyone, drifted to the ground, and by sheer coincidence, landed right at Butler Xiao's feet.

The words were clearly written in black and white, but Butler Xiao only felt annoyed.

Things haven't been peaceful in the manor lately. If he were to bother the master or mistress with something now, he would definitely get into trouble.

But I can't go. This stubborn girl is so obstinate; she's not even afraid of death.

He couldn't possibly kill anyone. If he didn't deal with this today, and she found another way to go directly to the master and madam tomorrow, he would be in even more trouble.

"Find a room and lock her up first. While you're at it, find out what's wrong with her. Why has her personality changed so drastically? Has someone instigated her...?"

Steward Xiao picked up the testimony and gave instructions to his servants.

When she first came out of the Censorate, she looked lifeless and listless. How come after a few days, with Caihe gone, she suddenly became energetic and lively!

If someone had secretly instigated her to rebel, he could then clarify the cause and effect before reporting back to the master and mistress.

The servant received the order but didn't leave. He hesitated for a moment, looking troubled, before finally speaking:

"Actually... there's no need to investigate this. I just heard from the younger sister who serves at Lanting Pavilion that the Fifth Miss, being kind-hearted, asked Bihui to take care of Chunwen these past two days. She originally wanted to ask the Madam for permission to take her to Jiangnan to serve her after she recovered from her injuries. That's why she was allowed to go home to visit. But as soon as Chunwen arrived home, she learned that there was a huge fire seven days ago, and her whole family was wiped out..."

As soon as the servant finished speaking, Steward Xiao's brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly, and his middle-aged face looked utterly pale.

Having just learned that her family had all died, Chunwen ran back to the mansion to complain about the Fourth Miss. Anyone with eyes could see that Chunwen definitely felt that the family's misfortune was related to the Fourth Miss.

Therefore, this testimony is most likely not entirely slanderous...

Butler Xiao slammed the testimony on the table in anger, muttering curses under his breath:

"What a load of rubbish every day!"

In previous years, shortly after the start of summer, the exotic flowers and rare plants in Baozhen Courtyard would be in full bloom, everything was vibrant and thriving, a sight that would bring joy to anyone who saw it.

This year, whether it was due to the servants in the flower room being negligent or the Baozhen Courtyard being short-handed, most of the flowers and plants I saw along the way were wilted and looked nothing like their lushness in previous years.

As Xinrui walked among them, she was still pondering what she had just heard: Chunwen had used her death as proof that everything she had done to harm the Fifth Miss was instigated by the Fourth Miss.

The lady has been feeling unwell for the past two days, the master is out socializing and has not yet returned home, the eldest son is recuperating from his injuries, the second son is at the academy, and the third son has decided not to disturb the lady, saying that he will handle the matter himself.

Right now, we need to invite the Fourth Sister over for a confrontation.

"They're eyeing Fourth Miss Meng. How dare they send flowers like this to Baozhen Courtyard?!"

Before they even got close to the bedroom, they heard a series of shouting and cursing sounds coming from inside. Judging from the voices, it sounded like the maidservants of the Fourth Miss.

Wasn't Fourth Sister a gentle and kind person before? How could she tolerate such harsh and sharp-tongued servants?

With no one guarding the door, Xinrui could only walk to the bedroom door. Just as she was about to call out loudly, she heard someone inside say—

"I don't believe it. Is this the same when you sent it to Lanting Pavilion? Do you think that since Fifth Miss has lost her status and is about to go to Jiangnan, you're just using this kind of shoddy goods to appease our Baozhen Courtyard?"

Before he could finish speaking, a loud slap followed.

"You lowly servant! How dare you mock me!" The Fourth Miss's voice rang out immediately.

The sharp-tongued maidservant said in a wronged voice, "Fourth Miss, I didn't, I was just speaking up for you..."

Xinrui's brows were furrowed deeply.

She had already figured out that the fourth young lady was dissatisfied with the flowers and plants delivered by the flower shop and had instructed the maid to scold her. However, the silly little maid unintentionally touched a sore spot, making her angry and embarrassed.

This is truly... she doesn't even know what to say about being a master to this extent.

She clearly remembered that the Fourth Sister was a smart and gentle girl in her memory, but now she was completely different.

"Fourth Miss, this servant is Xinrui, who serves in the main courtyard. The Third Young Master requests your presence, saying he has important matters to discuss."

The sounds inside quickly subsided.

Soon, the gate opened, and two maids from the flower room came out with their heads down, followed by a little maid who covered her face.

"Understood, I'll go right away."

Xiao Yuyao's voice returned to its usual soft and gentle tone, as if what Xinrui had just heard was an illusion.

A moment later, Xiao Jin saw Xiao Yuyao, whom he hadn't seen in a long time. This time, he didn't miss her reaction when she saw Chunwen; the subconscious reaction in her eyes couldn't lie.

She has something to hide.