Chapter 201 The Truth Comes from the Living

Imperial Censor Cao was surprised that Lady Hou was so cunning, actually linking these maids to the bandits of Yongning Temple.

In this era, bandits roamed freely, posing a major threat to the Kingdom of Li.

The emperor has ordered that any bandits discovered again should be executed on the spot and severely punished without exception.

Lady Hou was able to act with impunity precisely because she grasped this point.

“Madam Hou, what you say makes sense. But Yao Qingling is only unconscious and still has a breath left. If all her maids are dead, and when she wakes up and investigates, they find that they are all innocent, it will not only create a miscarriage of justice, but Yao Qingling will also be heartbroken.”

“Her parents have long since passed away. In recent years, in addition to the Lady of the Marquis taking good care of her, her maids have been even more devoted to her. They have a deep bond with their mistress and servants, so it is unlikely that they would do anything to harm their mistress.”

"Madam, you should calm down and give these servants a chance to explain themselves. As for your claim of massacring the Marquis's residence, my husband and I are here now. Unless they kill us all, we won't believe you..."

The censor's wife became increasingly anxious as she listened to her husband pleading for the person in a flowery, literary manner.

Don't you know who the people in this Marquis's mansion are?

It's a classic case of the thief crying "stop thief!"

They tried to harm Yao Qingling several times but failed each time. Now that they have a chance, how could they possibly let it go?

The censor's wife wished she could step in and start cursing herself.

However, what He Yin wrote on the paper was: delay.

The censor's wife had no idea what they were up to, so she could only patiently let Censor Cao continue speaking.

Madam Ma was even more anxious and agitated than the Censor's wife.

What kind of reasoning does she want to hear?

What she wanted was for all those servants in the courtyard to die!

But with Imperial Censor Cao present, she couldn't just close her eyes and forcefully issue an order.

At this point, even if it ends, it won't be a pretty ending.

What are we waiting for Yao Qingling to wake up?

When has this brat ever obeyed her? If she knew, she would retaliate a thousandfold and seize control of the Marquis's mansion.

Her eyes flickered slightly.

It would be better to... let this couple surnamed Cao die by the knife as well, since they were so close to Yao Qingling.

They would then claim that Mulan Courtyard had committed treason and had the imperial censor and his wife, who had come to visit her in the hospital, killed.

Once a person is dead, there is no way to verify their identity.

The truth comes from living people!

However, Ma was not the only one who thought the same way; Yao Qingqi did as well.

Feeling guilty, she frantically tried to destroy all the evidence.

His eyes turned red with hatred.

We cannot give Yao Qingling a chance to wake up, nor can we let anyone in this courtyard go.

The servants of this courtyard should bear the responsibility for Yao Qingling's death!

With a sharp "snap," the sound of a knife piercing through a human body rang out, and the guard closest to her collapsed to the ground with only a cry of pain.

Everyone was shocked. Yao Qingqi's trembling hand gripped the knife, her bleeding lips parted as she stammered in fear, "This...this servant tried to attack me when I wasn't looking. Father, I...I'm scared..."

She threw herself into the arms of the Marquis of Zhongyong, her voice trembling with tears, and said, "Father, protect your daughter..."

The events unfolded too quickly to process; the flowing blood and the lives lost in an instant jolted everyone to their core.

Marquis Zhongyong could only imagine that he was going to be killed, just like the monks at Yongning Temple, and that his entire manor would be wiped out!

Marquis Zhongyong, holding Yao Qingqi, quickly took a few steps back and, with red eyes, ordered: "Kill them without mercy!"

Concubine Zhao immediately ran to his side, clinging to him in fear: "My lord..."

Nie Yun felt a lump in her throat. This Marquis was not only muddle-headed, but also cowardly. How could he have a brother like General Mingwei?

The situation changed again, and Nie Yun raised her sword and held it horizontally in front of her chest...

Chaos erupted in the courtyard once again.

The censor's wife was so angry she trembled.

She shouted, "This Marquis's mansion is filthy and chaotic! Madam Ma is all-powerful, and the Marquis of Zhongyong is utterly foolish! Husband, you must petition the Emperor and have them strip this mansion of its title!"

However, the voice of the Imperial Censor's wife was drowned out by the sounds of fighting, and no one paid any attention to her.

Yao Qingqi hid to the side and sneered.

"After you die, the Emperor will reward us for our meritorious service in killing the bandits."

"Stop it, all of you!" a sharp shout suddenly rang out.

Yao Qingqi's face stiffened.

A group of soldiers rushed in quickly, and torches illuminated the entire Mulan Courtyard.

Zhan Xingzhuo, dressed in a scarlet official robe, appeared from the end of the torchlight.

Peach Leaf came with him.

The censor's wife frowned. Why was he here?

Zhan Xingzhuo had just arrived in the capital that evening. As soon as he passed through the city gate, he heard someone shouting "Wait a minute!" from behind.

At that time, it was just about to close the city gates.

Zhan Xingzhuo initially ignored it, but when he clearly saw that the person on horseback was Tao Ye, he told the city gate guards to wait a moment.

Tao Ye said that there was something unusual happening at the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence, so he came along.

Zhan Xingzhuo placed his hands on his belt and stepped into the courtyard with a steady gait, his solemn gaze sweeping over everyone.

When Ma saw Zhan Xingzhuo, her pupils contracted sharply.

Isn't he in Los Angeles?

She struggled again and again, trying to turn the situation around. Was her plan... going to fail?

She clenched her fingers tightly, but when she saw the soldiers and then looked at Zhan Xingzhuo, she knew that she had failed again.

She was defeated before Yao Qingling even woke up.

Ma's face contorted with surprise and fear before she managed a weak smile as she stepped forward: "Nephew-in-law, you've returned to the capital? The journey must have been tiring. I'll have someone make you some late-night snacks."

Zhan Xingzhuo didn't even bother to look at her and went straight to Yao Qingling's room.

When he heard from Tao Ye that Yao Qingling was unconscious, all he could think about was seeing her.

Inside the room, Yao Qingling sat in front of the dressing table, looking calmly at herself in the mirror.

Zhan Xingzhuo stepped forward: "Qingling, they said you're sick, you..."

Yao Qingling turned around and saw Zhan Xingzhuo, her brows furrowing only slightly.

Lou Yue and Tao Ye rushed into the room: "Miss, you're finally awake!"

They seemed to hear the sound of a large stone falling to the ground.

Qingling nodded and looked at them: "You've worked hard tonight... Come here and help me up."

Lou Yue and Tao Ye, one on each side, helped Qing Ling out of the room.

When Marquis Zhongyong saw Yao Qingling, he blinked and asked, "Weren't you...weren't you unconscious?"

Ma and Yao Qingqi, among others, were terrified.

Yao Qingling actually woke up!

So, was all of this part of her plan?

Yao Qingling glanced at Madam Ma indifferently: "Aunt, you added something you shouldn't have to my incense, causing me to bleed uncontrollably. Your scheme is truly insidious."

"Qingling, are you dreaming? How can you spout such nonsense? What do you mean by adding something to the incense? What did you add?" Madam Ma looked completely bewildered. Of course, she wouldn't admit to something she hadn't done.

Yao Qingqi swallowed hard, her body trembling even more realistically than when she had just killed someone.

She was genuinely scared.

I quietly moved my feet backward.

Tao Ye stared at Madam Ma and said coldly, "So, Madam, did you bribe the midwife to try to kill Miss and her unborn child during childbirth?"

Before Madam Ma could speak, Taoye added, "Madam Hou, please think it over carefully before you speak. That Granny Sun is currently working the land at my estate."