Madam Jiang's already pale face became even more embarrassed.

Who benefits the most right now?

With Lin Ge'er losing both parents, it was naturally most advantageous for her, who had always wanted to adopt Lin Ge'er!

"Azi, you can't generalize like that! Even if I desperately wanted to adopt your brother, I would never do something as heinous as murder!"

Besides, as I said before, if I killed your mother, it would be a miracle if your brother didn't kill me; why would he acknowledge me as his mother?

"But what if no one knows? You arranged for Lin Mama to act on the eve of my eldest sister's entry into the palace, precisely because you were certain that Grandfather wouldn't allow anyone to expose this matter at that time. In that case, once Lin Mama enters the palace with my eldest sister, she won't be able to reach her!"

Madam Jiang was speechless, but she still shook her head, "Whether you believe it or not, I really didn't order your mother to be killed!"

Who is that?

"yes……"

Madam Jiang almost blurted out, "How would I know who it is! Now that you have something on me, I certainly wouldn't dare to lie."

Jiang Segu stared at Madam Jiang for a while before standing up and saying, "Since Aunt is unwilling to tell me the truth, I suppose I should talk to Uncle about my feelings! Qinghong, tie him up and take him away!"

In her panic and fear, Madam Jiang felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar. She stood up and grabbed Jiang Segu, "It really wasn't me! I didn't kill your mother, and I never even imagined it! You have to believe me!"

"How can I trust you, Auntie?"

As Jiang Segu coldly questioned her, Madam Jiang felt as if her heart was about to jump out of her chest. She gradually tightened her grip on Jiang Segu's hand, and finally, as if all her strength had left her, she released Jiang Segu.

Jiang Segu stood there for a while, and seeing that Madam Jiang had no intention of speaking again, he turned and left.

As she reached the courtyard gate, Madam Jiang's voice, as soft as falling snowflakes, came from behind her.

"Your fifth sister isn't your eldest uncle's daughter... she's the child of that person in the house!"

Jiang Segu suddenly turned around and looked at the swaying Madam Jiang in disbelief.

Madam Jiang trembled slightly, beads of sweat dripping from her forehead, and she continued speaking seemingly unconsciously.

"Because I didn't have a son, I had some inappropriate thoughts. I thought that if I changed my partner, I could have a son. But it seems like God was punishing me and gave me a daughter instead!"

That's why I was blackmailed by this person for over ten years!

For over a decade, I lived in constant fear, yet I never entertained the thought of killing anyone. How could I possibly harbor such a thought of killing your mother?

"That's why my aunt disliked my fifth sister so much!"

Madam Jiang said without any hesitation, "Whenever I see her, I am reminded of my own foolishness, and also of this insatiably greedy man!"

Jiang Segu felt a lump in his throat.

"Now that I can even tell you this, do you think I still have anything to hide from you!"

"Sixth Miss, please believe our Madam just this once! Third Madam really wasn't killed by Madam!"

With a sob in her voice, Zi Jin knelt before Jiang Segu and swore, "If the death of Third Mistress has anything to do with the First Madam, may I die a horrible death, may I be struck by lightning, and may I never be reincarnated! Even if I am reincarnated, may I only be reborn as an animal!"

In the end, Jiang Segu believed what Madam Jiang and Zijin said and returned to the Marquis's residence by carriage.

On the way, Qiaohe asked, puzzled, "Miss, didn't Aunt Lan say that Mama Lin went out with the eldest young lady? Why do you suspect the First Madam?"

She just didn't want to miss any possibility!

I never expected that today's events would reveal my fifth sister's background.

Jiang Segu sighed, and Qiaohe pursed her lips, saying nothing more...

***

At lunchtime, Wen Dong hurriedly arrived at Lan Yue Courtyard.

"Sixth Miss, someone has been following the young master and sixth miss today!"

Jiang Segu put down his chopsticks. "Do you know whose people they are?"

"He is a servant boy serving the Second Master of the manor."

What did my second uncle ask my brother to do?

Wen Dong continued, "Miss previously ordered Yin Mo to investigate the matter of the Second Master's attendants. Yin Mo sent a message back saying that Shou Hua, who was by the Second Master's side, went to Youzhou. As for the young master's fall from his horse, I'm afraid it has something to do with him."

A chill ran through Jiang Segu's heart.

My second uncle's ambition is truly chilling.

Qiaolian then spoke up: "Second Madam went out yesterday and left early this morning as well!"

My second aunt usually stays at home and rarely goes out, but she has gone out for two consecutive days, which seems a bit unusual!

"From today onwards, Qingying will follow Second Madam and see where she has gone!"

"yes!"

"Wen Dong, continue to protect your brother and don't let anyone take advantage of the situation!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Alright, you may all go and have your meal first!"

After everyone had left, Jiang Segu stopped using chopsticks and just stared blankly at the dishes on the table.

A moment later, she smelled the fresh aroma of mixed mushrooms and meat.

Looking up, she saw Gu Songhan, who hadn't shown up for three days, sitting beside her with a bamboo tube in his hand.

"I know you're upset, but not eating won't solve the problem!"

"Are your injuries healed?"

Jiang Segu herself didn't realize that her voice was choked with sobs.

Gu Songhan nodded, "Actually, I wasn't seriously injured. I just needed to show His Majesty my loyalty, so I stayed in the military camp for two days!"

Jiang Segu didn't believe this. If the injury wasn't serious, why was Doctor Li often nowhere to be seen?

Gu Songhan poured the porridge from the bamboo tube into a bowl and handed it to Jiang Segu, saying, "I'll watch you finish eating before I leave!"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!