After sitting down, Madam Chen looked worried. Zheng Yuanyuan looked at her and said to Marquis Pingxi, "Uncle, I was chased in the city a few days ago. My third uncle from the Marquis of Yongning's mansion helped me interrogate those who were captured. They said that they brought people from the Marquis of Pingxi's mansion with them so that they could recognize me. Uncle, things have come to this. I don't ask for anything else, I only ask that you, Uncle, uphold justice for me."

Upon hearing this, Madam Chen did not immediately understand the meaning behind Zheng Yuanyuan's words. When she finally did, her expression changed drastically. She had sent a steward from her household to help, but the steward had not returned. Madam Chen had even gone to the silk shop to inquire, but no one could give her a clear answer. Madam Chen was worried that something might have happened to the steward, but she never expected that he would be taken away by the people from the Yongning Marquis's residence.

Madam Chen was filled with hatred. She hated the Yongning Marquis's mansion for meddling in other people's business, and she hated even more that the Seventh Prince's men were all incompetent. Such a good plan had been ruined by someone. But now, in front of Marquis Pingxi Zheng Yuanyuan, the matter was exposed, catching Madam Chen completely off guard.

Madam Chen said with a grim expression, "Eldest niece, you can't just say things like that. We can't just believe whatever people say, can we? I'm in charge of the inner quarters of this mansion. You're just demanding justice, but have you ever thought about how I, as the mistress of the house, am doing this?"

Marquis Pingxi had already been notified by the Yongning Marquis's residence, but he knew that Madam Chen was doing this for Zheng Yunyun's marriage. These past few days, Madam Chen had been acting like a madwoman, constantly bringing up the marriage of the two children to Marquis Pingxi. Marquis Pingxi was extremely troubled and had no time to care about these matters.

Zheng Yuanyuan cried and said, "Aunt, yes, you are the lady in charge of the inner quarters, and you have to handle many affairs of the mansion every day. I can understand that it is not easy for you to do your job. But that person is indeed a member of the mansion. He confessed to it himself. How could I be making things up?"

Madam Chen felt dizzy and lightheaded. She dared not look at the old lady and the Marquis's faces, and just wanted to find a chance to escape. Supporting her forehead with her hand, she gasped for breath and weakly said, "Young lady, I was careless in choosing my servants. I don't know how they were manipulated into causing this disaster. Young lady, just tell me what to do, and I'll do it. I only beg you to consider how hard it is for me to manage the household and to allow my subordinates to commit this terrible crime. I will definitely seek justice for you."

The reason why Lady Chen was able to keep the Marquis of Pingxi by her side for so many years was not only because she was willing to swallow her pride, but also because her eloquence was unmatched by ordinary people.

The old nanny behind Madam Chen was supporting her. Madam Chen secretly squeezed the nanny's hand. The nanny understood what was going on. Seeing Madam Chen leaning towards her side, the nanny quickly pulled Madam Chen into her arms and cried, "Madam, you've been so tired these past few days because of the New Year's preparations for the manor that you can't eat or sleep. You're so weak. You have to carry everything on your own. My dear Madam, you should apologize to our Marquis and ask him to take pity on you."

Marquis Pingxi was utterly bewildered to learn from this old servant that Madam Chen had treated him coldly because she refused to submit to him. Madam Chen wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, and they immediately reddened. She sobbed, "My lord, you are always busy with affairs outside. How could I possibly trouble you with matters of the inner quarters? My lord, that scoundrel went to the gambling den a few days ago and I heard he lost a lot of money. He hasn't been in the manor these days. Who knew he would do such a vile thing? My lord, it's all my fault for not properly disciplining the servants in the manor."

When Marquis Pingxi saw that Madam Chen had given in, he quickly said, "It's all that servant's fault for being so useless. How can you blame Madam? Yuanyuan, your uncle knows about the grievances you've suffered. Once we bring that servant back, your uncle will definitely deal with him properly and avenge you. What do you say?"

Zheng Yuanyuan was so angry at Xiao Chenshi's sweet talk and Pingxi Hou's attempt to appease her that her hands trembled. Thinking of her experiences these past few days and her uncertain future, her face turned pale. She stood up abruptly and said in a tearful voice, "I am a servant of your household. You think you can settle things by saying that your master doesn't know? There is really no place to reason in this Pingxi Hou's mansion. Fine, fine, I originally thought that we could handle our own family matters behind closed doors. Since you all want me to stop pursuing this, then I will not pursue it at home. I will go outside to pursue it. I will find someone who can stand up for me."

Zheng Yuanyuan was about to walk out when the nanny beside Madam Chen quickly stopped her. Madam Chen and Marquis Pingxi were both stunned by Zheng Yuanyuan's actions. No one expected that someone who had previously been inconspicuous would suddenly burst forth like this.

The old nanny beside Madam Chen stopped Zheng Yuanyuan and advised, "Young lady, this is a matter within our household. How can we let it escalate outside?"

Because the old woman was a trusted servant of Madam Chen, Zheng Yuanyuan gave her some face and cried, "How many people saw me that day? This matter has already been exposed. Since it has been exposed, why can't we investigate the matter thoroughly? If we investigate it thoroughly, people will say that the Marquis of Pingxi's family is a reasonable family. If we just let it go like this, who knows what outsiders will say about me? I'm a young lady who hasn't even been engaged yet, and I have to bear such a bad reputation. What good family would want to marry me? I might as well go to the nunnery outside the city, cut my hair, and become a nun."

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