Fukang'an stepped forward and picked up the flowerpot-shaped shoes that Rongxi was holding. Because Xiang'er was pregnant, her shoes were mostly narrow at the top and wide at the bottom, flat in the front and round in the back, so that she could walk steadily.

The shoes were made of Xiang'er's favorite lake blue satin, embroidered with clusters of flowers in gold thread. The stitching was extremely dense where the upper met the sole, but it wasn't connected to the sole; the upper and sole were glued together.

The flowerpot shoes in Fukang'an's hands had already broken off from the sole, leaving a large opening.

The image of his son's bruised face surfaced in his memory, and his grip on the shoes tightened.

Dropping the shoes in his hand, Fukang'an ordered Zhao Xing to bring everyone from the Embroidery Courtyard involved in the matter to the Jian Gong Zhai for interrogation. Seated in the main seat, Fukang'an's brows were furrowed, his white belt adorned with jade radiating a chilling aura. His face was expressionless.

In the courtyard of Jian Gong Zhai, weapons and stone blocks were laid out; long arrows, short knives, and swords were displayed on vermilion racks. The stone blocks, cold and chilling in the autumn, were covered in frost. The gleaming swords and blades, polished to a shine, reflected the fear of the people kneeling in the courtyard.

Four seamstresses, two carpenters, two errand boys, and four maids serving the seamstresses knelt on the ground, trembling.

The normally imposing courtyard now resembled an execution ground. Yan Ning sat beside Fukang'an, intently watching his expression. Perhaps one of the people kneeling before him was the one who had harmed his son. Fukang'an remained expressionless; Yan Ning couldn't fathom his thoughts.

The flowerpot shoes had wooden soles wrapped in white cloth, while the ones that Xiang'er fell on were simply coated with white powder. The four seamstresses carefully examined the stitches on the shoes, then shook their heads.

"General! This was not sewn by me! The floral patterns on it are chain stitch, chrysanthemum stitch, and pine needle stitch!"

Each seamstress has been wielding a needle for decades. Over time, her needlework skills have become highly proficient, and she has naturally developed her own unique craft. Where to insert the needle, where to pull it out, how many stitches to sew, and where to backstitch are all things she has become accustomed to doing with her hands.

When you get an embroidered piece, you can tell at a glance whether it was embroidered by yourself.

Fukang'an didn't understand any of this, but he nodded to Rongxi. The needlework department in the manor personally delivered the necessary items to each courtyard, so that if the masters were not satisfied, they could immediately bring them back for alterations.

Rongxi looked around and realized that none of these people were the ones who had delivered the shoes that day. The four seamstresses and two carpenters all lived in the embroidery courtyard and rarely left. The ones who often ran errands for the other courtyards were two young servants and four young maids. They were about twelve or thirteen years old, and their faces still had a youthful innocence.

Small braids hung down their backs, and coarse cloth clothes wrapped their thin, skeletal bodies. Both of the little servants were so thin and frail.

The four maids were also about twelve or thirteen years old, with two buns on their heads, thin faces, and shifty eyes.

Kneeling in the courtyard, the six of them stood in a row. Even their trembling was continuous, a heartbreaking sight. Although the Fucha family had always treated their servants well, this was the age when they should be nestled in their parents' arms.

Yan Ning felt a pang of pity.

Zhu Xiang told her that these were newly purchased servants in the mansion, who had only been in the Fucha mansion for less than half a year. Perhaps because it was their first time seeing Fukang'an, the six of them were trembling violently.

Rongxi looked at them and shook her head.

The Fucha household alone had over a hundred servants, and the servants were all familiar with each other within their respective courtyards. If they weren't from the Embroidery Courtyard, they were from another courtyard. However, outsiders were never allowed to interfere in the affairs of the Embroidery Courtyard. This kind of handicraft work was different from others; if any other courtyard made a mistake, the needlework nannies would have to work day and night to fix it.

Fukang'an ordered Rongxi to go back first, and handed the shoe with the broken mouth to Zhao Xing to look for clues outside the mansion.

Two begonias, also known as August Spring Begonias, have been newly transplanted to Changting Garden. They have brightly colored and beautifully shaped flowers, and their leaves are tender, delicate, and lush green.

Xi Ying sat gracefully beneath the begonia tree, dressed in a light-colored cheongsam. Several months of leisure had left her slightly plump. Her face was serene, devoid of any other emotion.

When Meixiang ran over, she was drinking chrysanthemum tea. Seeing that Meixiang's makeup was damp with sweat, she poured her a cup of tea. The chrysanthemum tea had a light fragrance and was good for cooling down. Meixiang had no appetite for the tea. She wiped her face haphazardly with the embroidered handkerchief in her hand and then spoke.

"Do you know that the general is interrogating someone from the Embroidery Department? You were the one who ordered me to tamper with her shoes!"

"Smack!"

The sound of the teacup being slammed down startled Xi Ying, who stood up immediately. "What are you talking about? When did I tell you to touch anyone's shoes?" she asked calmly, as if she were discussing someone else's business.

Beneath the begonias, her cheongsam clung to her plump figure, and Xi Ying's silhouette resembled a budding abalone, leaving one puzzled.

Even the slow-witted Meixiang began to understand Xiying's intentions. In times of crisis, she knew she had to sacrifice the pawn to save the king, in order to ensure her own safety.

"Ha ha······"

"Xi Ying, don't forget! I tampered with these flowerpot shoes, but it was you who cruelly caused Xiang'er's hemorrhage!"

Meixiang's face was contorted with despair. She and Fukang'an were not husband and wife, and if this were to be exposed, Fukang'an would show her no mercy!

She could only protect herself by clinging tightly to Xi Ying, but now Xi Ying intended to abandon her and make her take the blame.

Xi Ying looked at Qiu'er with a cold glint in her eyes. This matter was known only to her and Qiu'er. It must have been Qiu'er who let it slip, which is why Mei Xiang found out about it.

Qiu'er lowered her head. Her poor handling of the situation allowed Meixiang to see the ginseng slices hidden in the embroidered handkerchief.

"You go back first, I'll find a way to save you!"

One sentence calmed Mei Xiang's panic somewhat. She and Xi Ying were connected by blood; if something happened to her, Xi Ying would also be implicated.

Yan Ning knew in her heart that this was definitely done by Xi Ying, Zhu Xiang, or Wu Chun. But finding evidence was very difficult. The flowerpot shoes had been sent several months ago, and because Xiang'er didn't go out, they hadn't been worn yet.

The person who delivered the flowerpot shoes must have known that Xiang'er couldn't wear them right away, so when would she wear them? Xiang'er only started leaving the courtyard after she returned on her own. That day, she also went out to accompany me to admire the flowers.

In this way, the person who devised the next scheme would also know that they are the key to the shoes' effectiveness.

Yan Ning's face began to contort with pain. It was she who had caused Xiang'er's death. If she hadn't returned, perhaps Xiang'er could have given birth smoothly.

She had always thought that being the general's wife would make her and Xiang'er's life in the mansion more comfortable, but she never expected that it was her help that made Xiang'er befriend her and that made Xiang'er wear these tampered flowerpot shoes.

She was indifferent. Only Xi Ying could be so cunning, so unhurried in seeking results, and so focused on watching others fall into the trap she had set.