Chapter 429: What a Chain Scheme

"Mom is right!"

Lu Yuxiu, like grabbing a life-saving straw, hastily agreed, "Jianming is the most compassionate and considerate person. He has always had the best temper and never forces anyone. There must be something wrong with this matter."

Lu Yuxiu nodded repeatedly: "That's right, this matter is not Jianming's fault at all."

Zhou Fang frowned, looked at Yuan Wanru, and then at Old Madam Lu. She didn't understand why Yuan Wanru wanted to give the other party an excuse when the situation was obviously good.

Madam Lu also said very confidently: "Yes, Jianming is a good child and would not do such a thing."

Yuan Wanru was not in a hurry, but chuckled instead.

The laughter was clear and pleasant, but it made Zhou Jianming shudder inexplicably, as if he heard a life-threatening melody: "It is indeed a blood relationship."

"Since the old lady has determined that Cousin Zhou is a gentleman..."

"How about we make a bet? Let's bet on whether Zhou Jianming is a good person or not."

Madam Lu narrowed her eyes: "How do we bet?"

Yuan Wanru's voice was clear and every word was powerful: "Let's put aside what happened today - if I can produce solid evidence before the evening of tomorrow to prove that Zhou Jianming is an unforgivable beast who deserves to be cut into pieces, then I win."

"On the other hand, if there is insufficient evidence, I lose."

"If you win the bet—"

Yuan Wanru's fingertips gently stroked the teacup on the table, the green porcelain reflecting the whiteness of her knuckles, "We will not blame Zhou Jianming for Liang Yuhua's death."

She looked up at Lu Jiangnian, and a meaningful smile appeared on the corner of her lips, "My husband will go and plead guilty to the emperor."

This sudden turn of events made Lu Yuxiu overjoyed.

She rushed to the old lady and dug her nails deep into her sleeves: "Mother! Promise her!"

The voice was shrill with excitement, "Jianming is saved!"

Old Madam Lu narrowed her eyes and looked at Yuan Wanru carefully.

Yuanshi has always been as cunning as a fox. Could she be so kind?

"What if I lose?"

Yuan Wanru said calmly: "Pack up your belongings and return home, and never set foot in the capital again in your life."

"It is clearly written in black and white, and everyone present is a witness. If you violate this agreement, I have the right to take all your property for myself."

"Mother! What are you still hesitating about?"

Lu Yuxiu stamped her feet anxiously, "Jianming has been well-behaved and sensible since childhood, how could she have any evidence of his crime?"

She tugged at the old lady's sleeve, her voice sharp and piercing, "Hurry up and agree to her! Do you really want to watch Jianming being sent to the authorities?"

Zhou Jianming also rolled and crawled to the old lady's feet. His crushed palm was still bleeding, but he didn't care about the pain. He looked up and cried, "Grandma! I am innocent! Please look at me, grandma, help me!"

Old Madam Lu frowned and looked back and forth between Yuan Wanru and Lu Jiangnian - the couple, one with his head down drinking tea, and the other eating snacks casually, seemed not to care about her choice at all.

"Unforgivable crimes?"

Zhou Fang suddenly interrupted, pretending to be surprised, "This crime is not light, sir, does it have to be a serious crime like treason, murder, and adultery to be considered unforgivable?"

She glanced at Zhou Jianming meaningfully, "Jianming has only been in the capital for a few days, how could he commit such a serious crime? Wanru, are you soft-hearted?"

Wang Min advised worriedly: "Since the old lady doesn't want to, forget about the bet."

"I don't know how the emperor will deal with it. If he vents his anger on Jiang Nian, it will be disastrous."

"No matter what, this incident was caused by Zhou Jianming, and he should bear the full responsibility."

"fart!"

Lu Yuxiu interrupted sharply, "Sister-in-law, you are so cruel. Mother just said that Aunt Liang committed suicide because she was ignored by Jiang Nian and couldn't bear it."

"Don't blame my son for this."

"My son Jianming is a very well-educated and well-mannered man. He wouldn't even step on an ant to death!"

She turned to the old lady, her voice suddenly filled with tears, "Mother! Can you bear to watch your own grandson die?"

"Okay, the noise is giving me a headache!"

The old lady suddenly shouted, staring at Yuan Wanru: "Yuan, what on earth are you planning?"

Yuan Wanru chuckled and said, "I don't have any plans. Just now you swore that Zhou Jianming was so kind and tried your best to deny the blame. I am kind enough to give you a chance."

"Now it seems that what you said before was not sincere."

Her red lips curled up in a meaningful arc, "Are you scared, old lady? So, you actually know in your heart that your good grandson is not a good person at all, and he deserves to die."

Madam Lu was irritated by her attitude: "Okay! I'll bet with you, but I want to add one more clause - if you lose, not only must you let Jianming go, but you must also return all the money you extorted from me!"

Yuan Wanru smiled with great pleasure when she heard this: "Forget it then."

"My bet is Zhou Jianming's life, and your bet is to retire from Beijing. This is fair."

"You want to raise the stakes? I won't play along. I'm not stupid."

Lu Yuxiu hurriedly said: "Mom, look, she is scared, she is scared!"

Zhou Jianming also shouted excitedly: "Grandma, she can't have any evidence. I have been in Beijing for the past few days and have never left the house. I have not made any mistakes at all."

"Mom, please agree to it."

"Grandma, just agree to it."

The mother and son bombarded her in turns, and the old lady was already confused and said, "Stop shaking, isn't it enough that I promised?"

Lu Jiangnian pinched Yuan Wanru's fingertips imperceptibly, his thin lips moved slightly, and he said silently: "Little fox."

Today's series of schemes, from angering the old lady to forcing her to join the game, were all part of this lady's plan.

Why are you so sneaky?

Yuan Wanru flirted with him, turned around and said, "Bring me some paper and pen."

"My second uncle is a talented writer, and the old lady trusts him the most. I'll trouble you to write this document."

Lu Bai didn't know what expression to make. The day had been full of ups and downs, and he was simply overwhelmed.

"Write clearly!"

The old lady suddenly said in a stern voice, "It must be murder with one's own hands, or treason! Other things like bullying men and women, and seizing land and property by force do not count!"

She glanced at Yuan Wanru triumphantly, and a rare smile of confidence appeared on her face, which had been gloomy recently.

The Zhou family is far away in Jiangnan. Even if Yuan Wanru had wings, she would not be able to obtain such evidence tomorrow!

She is sure to win.

Before the ink on the document had dried, Lu Yuxiu impatiently grabbed the old lady's hand and forcibly pressed a bright red handprint on the paper.

The ink spread out, looking like solidified blood.

"alright!"

Lu Yuxiu let out a long sigh, a smile of relief appeared on her face, "Jianming is fine now!"

She glanced at Yuan Wanru triumphantly, only to see that she was carefully folding the document and putting it into a secret pocket in her sleeve - her movements were so gentle as if she was treating some rare treasure.

A glimmer of relief flashed across Yuan Wanru's eyes.

This old woman is finally leaving the capital. Storms are coming, and if such a fool stays in the Lu family, it will only become a fatal weakness.

The people in the hall have already stood up in twos and threes, preparing to leave.

"Everyone please wait a moment."

Yuan Wanru's clear voice suddenly sounded, and Zhou Jianming's heart skipped a beat. What else was this woman going to do?

The old lady also said impatiently: "It's so late, can't we talk about it tomorrow?"

Yuan Wanru smiled sweetly and said, "Today's business is done today. Just wait for another half a quarter of an hour and listen to what I have to say."

She said to Quartz, "Take out the things and show them to everyone."