Since the sachet mentioned the box under the jujube tree, Hongli naturally led everyone to investigate.

Kim Min-jung was filled with anxiety and her legs felt weak. She couldn't figure out what exactly Song had incriminating evidence against her.

She was panicked inside, but she couldn't show it. She pretended to be calm and silently followed behind Hongli.

Su Yushan was equally on edge. She had always wanted to bring Jin Minjing to justice, but Jin Minjing was always lucky enough to escape punishment. Hongli had too many concerns and never truly punished Jin Minjing.

Is this truly a turning point? What exactly is the evidence inside the box? Can it prove that Kim Min-jung is the real culprit?

She had been disappointed too many times, and she was afraid that this time it would be another futile effort. But as long as there was a glimmer of hope, she couldn't help but yearn for it, hoping that God would open his eyes and reveal the long-overdue truth!

When everyone arrived at the back garden, they found the third jujube tree. The servants picked up shovels and began to dig. Every shovelful seemed to land on the soil, but in reality, it dug heavily into Jin Minjing's heart.

Her phoenix eyes were fixed intently on the shovel, silently praying that nothing would be unearthed. However, her fears were realized; soon someone exclaimed in surprise.

"Sir, we've found it! There's something there!"

The servant immediately knelt down and dug into the soil, uncovering a box. He then wiped the dust off the box with his sleeve and presented it to his master.

Li Yu took it, opened it, and was surprised to see, "Master, it's a hairpin."

Kim Min-jung took a closer look and realized something was wrong!

Upon catching sight of the amethyst hairpin, Xin'er secretly thanked her mother for leaving behind such excellent evidence. "Princess Jin, if the sachet is fake, then what about this hairpin? Isn't it yours?"

Hongli vaguely remembered the hairpin. After a moment's thought, he understood. His gaze, directed at Jin Minjing, was filled with a chilling aura.

"You wore this hairpin when you first entered the manor, but now it's in Madam Song's box. Is this Madam Song's payment for doing things for you?"

With a slight shift in her gaze, Kim Min-jung feigned ignorance, "I have so many pieces of jewelry, how could I remember them so clearly? Maybe the Song family stole them?"

Every time Su Yushan heard her sophistry, she felt nauseous. How could she lie so easily without batting an eye? "Is Pixia Pavilion a place anyone can just walk into? Jin Minjing, your excuses are too clumsy. The evidence is right here, stop trying to deny it!"

She glared at her hatefully, but ignored her. Instead, she turned to Hongli, her voice trembling with a hint of grievance and tears, "Fourth Master, I really don't know why this hairpin is here. It must be Su Gege and Xin'er who conspired to frame me!"

How could Su Yushan possibly harbor malicious intentions? Ignoring her rambling, Hongli retorted, "Do you think everyone is as vicious as you? If you don't believe it, then come on! Take Jin Minjing to the secret chamber for torture!"

Upon hearing this, Kim Min-kyung was terrified and cried to the Fujin (wife of the emperor) that she was innocent.

This was a major event in the household, and Lady Fucha was also present. She was unaware of the details and had remained silent until now, but she couldn't help but remind him, "Fourth Master, she is, after all, your maid. How can you use private torture?"

Previously, Hongli had some reservations, but now that the evidence is conclusive and she is just one confession away, Hongli will no longer show mercy. "You have no idea how many vicious things she has done. She will not confess honestly without torture."

Seeing that the Fujin's pleas were useless, Jin Minjing was afraid that Hongli would really torture her, so she immediately changed her tune, "Fourth Prince, I remember now, I gave that hairpin to Lizhi, and I didn't know how it ended up in Song's hands!"

Anxious, Jin Minjing glared at Lizhi, "Lizhi, tell me the truth, what's going on with this hairpin?"

Upon being mentioned, Lizhi hurriedly knelt down and said in a flustered voice, "This hairpin was indeed given to me by Princess Jin, but it was lost a long time ago, and I don't know who found it."

Here we go again! Enraged, Hongli kicked Lizhi's arm hard. "Stubborn to the end! Guards! Take Jin Minjing and Lizhi away and interrogate them separately!"

Seeing that Hongli was angry and seemed determined to pursue the matter to the end, Fucha stopped trying to dissuade him. After all, she was not clear about the conflict between the two maids and could not easily make a judgment. Moreover, since this matter concerned Su Yushan, Hongli would definitely take it very seriously. Fucha simply decided not to interfere and let Hongli handle it.

Jin Minjing and her servant have been taken away, while Xin'er has been left behind. Hongli will not let her leave until this matter is resolved.

Su Jiafeng brought the person, and in order to ensure Xin'er's safety, Su Jiafeng also had to stay here and wait for the results.

Even so, Su Yushan remained uneasy, her brows furrowed and unable to relax. Hongli, knowing her worries, tightened his grip on her shoulder slightly and gently advised:

"Don't worry! This time the evidence is conclusive, and I will not let Kim Min-jung off easily. I will settle all the old and new scores for you."

Xin'er has physical evidence, but Lizhi is the most crucial witness. "What if Lizhi refuses to confess? Can't you punish them?"

Some things have been dragging on for too long, and Hongli still owes Su Yushan an explanation. Now that Xin'er has brought evidence, he wants to resolve this matter as soon as possible and avenge Su Yushan.

With a slightly cold glint in his eyes, Hongli said solemnly, "Don't worry, I have plenty of ways to make her talk!"

Well then! Worrying now seems pointless, so Su Yushan went back to her room to wait for the results.

Kim Min-jung was, after all, a prince's maid, so the guards dared not use torture and could only interrogate her. But it was different with Ri-ji. She was just a maid, and they had plenty of ways to deal with her. They slapped her, whipped her, pinched her fingers, and used all kinds of tortures. They were determined to get her to talk!

Of course, there are rules to using torture. You can't kill someone, or if the Fourth Master blames them, they'll be in deep trouble.

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