Chapter 7 I've come to repay a debt of gratitude, not to cause trouble.

When Madam Song saw Si Niannian come out, she tried to pull her away: "Niannian, you..."

Si Niannian took half a step back to dodge it.

Madam Song's smile froze for a moment, and Granny Xi spoke up to ease her embarrassment: "Madam, please proceed."

Madam Song's eyes were slightly red as she sighed and said, "Children are all debts from a past life. I have failed to discipline them properly, and I apologize for making you laugh, Granny."

Granny Xi smiled without saying a word, and simply reached out to support Si Niannian, whose body was burning hot.

When they returned to the flower hall, the distinguished guests and Lord Song, who had been in the outer courtyard, had also arrived.

Lord Song, the host, dared not sit in the main seat at the top.

Song Wen could only stand.

Lord Song, seated on the lower right, addressed the person in the honored seat on the left, saying, "If it weren't for the Marquis speaking up, I wouldn't have known that my daughter and the ladies of your household had such a connection."

"This girl grew up in the countryside and doesn't know any manners. I wonder if she has offended the old lady in any way?"

Compared to Lord Song's awkwardness, Jie Ge sat comfortably, his long arm resting on the armrest of the round chair, the silver eagle on the cuff of his wide robe ferocious yet silent, a refined elegance that seemed to drift by in an instant.

Her head was not bound with a crown, but simply tied up with a white jade hairpin, revealing a pair of deep, cold eyes and a thin, sharp jaw.

Upon hearing this, Jie Ge'an raised his eyebrows slightly and chuckled, "Since he is my benefactor, how could I be so offensive?"

Two months ago, the old lady of the Duke's mansion returned to her hometown to visit relatives, but unexpectedly almost fell into a bandit's den.

Thanks to Si Niannian, who happened to be passing by, who risked her life to warn them, the group managed to cleverly avoid the bandits' ambush area and stay safe.

When the old lady learned that Si Niannian was going to Beijing to recognize her relatives, she specially arranged to meet her in Yujing.

As soon as the wings of a startled white dove took flight by the lake, the people Si Niannian had arranged immediately delivered the token to the Duke's mansion.

The old lady was overjoyed to learn that her benefactor had arrived, so she sent Jie Ge'an with Granny Xi to come first.

Little did they know they would stumble upon a dramatic scene of disciplining a daughter.

Jie Ge'an noticed the person who came in, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

Madam Song was the first to curtsy, spitting out a warning through gritted teeth: "Why aren't you paying your respects to the Marquis?!"

Si Niannian stood up straight and nodded to Jie Ge'an: "Greetings, Lord Marquis."

Jie Ge'an nodded in good spirits.

Madam Song was so angry she almost fainted.

Even if you don't know the rules, kneeling down and kowtowing would be fine!

It's so hard and stiff, what kind of shape is that!

Lord Song was also embarrassed: "She doesn't know the rules, she didn't mean to offend the Marquis."

Jie Ge'an twirled the teacup between his fingers, speaking slowly and deliberately: "Your daughter was separated from her parents at a young age and was never raised by her biological parents. How could she possibly understand the Song family's etiquette for entertaining guests?"

Without anyone teaching her, how could Si Niannian possibly know how?

Si Niannian nodded in deep agreement and turned to find herself a seat.

Before Madam Song could stop her, she managed a few forced laughs: "It's good that the Marquis doesn't take her seriously."

"Why do you say that?" Jie Ge'an asked, seemingly puzzled. "I've come to express my gratitude, not to cause trouble."

"Does Madam perhaps see me as an ungrateful wretch who tries to intimidate others with worldly customs?"

Madam Song choked up again.

Si Niannian's eyes lit up, and she uttered a startling statement: "I heard from the old nanny that the Marquis is in charge of criminal justice and adjudicating cases?"

Jie Ge'an nodded with a smile: "Yes."

"The old lady once promised me three things, and today is one of them. Could you help me solve a case, Lord Marquis?"

The Song couple's expressions changed instantly.

Before she could be stopped, Si Niannian spoke up: "I'm embroiled in a murder case today. All the witnesses here are blind, and no one will believe me."

"My lord, could you please ask these blind and deaf people to tell the truth?"

A hint of amusement flashed in Jie Ge'an's eyes, and his smile was gentle: "Of course."

Jie Ge'an, given his status, shouldn't have needed to concern himself with such trivial matters.

Domestic matters should not be blown out of proportion to the point of criminal charges.

Lord Song glared at Si Niannian, his face stiff: "This girl was just speaking in a moment of anger, it was just some silly play between sisters, how dare she disturb the Marquis?"

“It’s not a big deal,” Jie Ge’an said slowly, his temper quite mild. “Since the young lady has spoken, I will do my best.”

Jie Ge'an smiled and said, "Bring out the witnesses. There's no need to go through all seventy-two tortures in the prison. At most, half an hour will be enough to bring the truth to light."

Under severe punishment, there will be no wrongful convictions or miscarriages of justice.

Ling Shuang, who was standing in the corner, collapsed to the ground with a thud upon hearing these words.

Unfortunately, Si Niannian was oblivious to the situation and blurted out, "It's her."

Jie Ge'an waved his hand behind him: "Take him away."

"lady……"

After being lifted up, Ling Shuang cried out in despair, "Madam, save me!"

"I am utterly loyal to the Second Miss, I really didn't... mmm!"

Lord Song quickly gave Madam Song a wink.

Today's events were already suspicious, and Si Niannian was so certain of it.

If this is really investigated thoroughly and things get out of hand, I'm afraid it might be...

Madam Song forced a kind smile: "It's just a small misunderstanding between sisters, not worth making a fuss about."

"I was just a little anxious today and I made you feel bad. Please don't be angry with me. I'll apologize to you, okay?"

Jie Ge'an is, after all, an outsider. No matter how noble his status is, he cannot forcefully interfere in other people's family conflicts.

The blame lies with Si Niannian.

All eyes were on Si Niannian. After a moment of silence, Si Niannian slowly said, "Do I still have to kneel as punishment?"

"Need not!"

Without a second thought, Madam Song said, "If it wasn't your fault, why should I punish you?"

Si Niannian twitched the corner of her mouth, then suddenly asked Ling Shuang, "Did you really hear me yelling that I was going to jump into the lake?"

Ling Shuang was being carried so tightly by the Duke's men that her feet barely touched the ground. Tears streaming down her face, she nearly bit her tongue: "I...I only vaguely heard..."

"presumptuous!"

Granny Xi coldly rebuked, "In front of the master, what are you talking about? Don't you know any manners?!"

"This servant...this servant is only vaguely aware..."

"So you still heard it?" Si Niannian shrugged regretfully. "I'm sure I didn't shout. Maybe we should take her away for questioning."

Just as Ling Shuang was being gagged and dragged out the door, a weak voice called out from outside: "Stop!"

The three members of the Song family had drastic changes in expression.

Song Wen cried out in alarm, "Han'er?!"

When did Song Qinghan wake up?!

Song Qinghan was dressed in plain clothes, and a gray squirrel fur cloak almost weighed her down. Her small face was pale and sickly, which only made her look more pitiful and delicate.

Song Qinghan pushed away Qian's mother's hand that was helping her, and stepped into the room while holding onto the door frame.

Unlike Si Niannian's impulsiveness, she bowed gracefully to Jie Ge'an, like a willow swaying in the breeze: "Greetings, Lord Marquis."

Jie Ge'an gave a curt "hmm" that couldn't be discerned as either pleased or angry.

Madam Song quickly helped Song Qinghan up: "You're frail, how could you get up like that..."

"mother."

Song Qinghan coughed a few times, covering her mouth, and said softly, "I'm fine."

Madam Song was taken aback: "You..."

"I slipped and fell into the water because of my own carelessness," Song Qinghan mustered up her courage to glance at Si Niannian, then quickly lowered her head in fear and said softly, "It has nothing to do with you, sister. Nobody pushed me."

Madam Song: "But you..."

"It was all because Han'er was careless that this happened."

Song Qinghan squeezed Madam Song's hand tightly and said firmly, "It really has nothing to do with my sister."

Master Jie is clearly biased towards Si Niannian, and Ling Shuang is unlikely to withstand the life-threatening methods of torture and imprisonment.

Rather than letting Ling Shuang's mouth be pried open, it's better to take the opportunity to show magnanimity.

Ling Shuang must not be put on trial!

Madam Song looked at Song Qinghan, who was defending Si Niannian, and wished she could chop off Si Niannian's hands!

Despite suffering such a great injustice, Song Qinghan still thought about prioritizing the family's reputation.

Si Niannian, however, only wanted to air her family's dirty laundry in public!

With such a stark contrast, how could she not dote on Han'er?!

Madam Song took a deep breath to suppress her anger.

Song Qinghan walked up to Si Niannian, curtsied, and said, "Sister, Ling Shuang is my maid. She almost wronged you today because she was too anxious to protect me and got confused."

"I apologize to my sister on Ling Shuang's behalf. Please forgive her this time, okay?"

Song Qinghan's plea was sincere and earnest, and her willingness to apologize on behalf of the slave was also evident.

The next step should be for the sisters to reconcile, and everyone to be happy.

Lord Song had already prepared a conciliatory explanation, but Si Niannian unexpectedly said, "No."

Song Qinghan's eyelashes fluttered in surprise: "Sister?"

Si Niannian clicked her tongue and said with a hint of exasperation, "Has the water in your brain soaked into your ears?"

I said, no.