Everyone in the room was engrossed in Wen's analysis of the pros and cons.

Just as she said, even if they were not selected, the Marquis's family could not be completely absolved of their guilt and would still arouse the Emperor's suspicion.

At that time, the Marquis's mansion may fall into an abyss.

Ultimately, a scholar's rebellion will fail after ten years; a military officer is like a knife—either used or broken.

Even a noble family with meritorious achievements like the Marquis's Mansion loses its power once the hilt of its sword is broken. Even if it retains its title, it is nothing more than a stray dog. Like the Duke of Liu, it is only superficially glorious, but in reality, it has no dignity left.

So after hearing what Wen said, everyone was speechless.

Even the fourth wife, who had just managed a smile after hearing Jiang Shuwan's words, felt as if she had lost her parents, as if she were in utter darkness and had nowhere to go.

"Does Heaven really want Shushu to die?"

"God, are you really not going to give us a single way to live?"

The fourth wife muttered to herself, her soul seemingly gone, and her vision gradually blurred.

Just as she was about to faint, a clear voice, like heavenly music, rang out in the room.

"Your wife is confused."

"What does Fourth Sister's inclusion on the selection list have to do with the Marquis's mansion? It's clearly Fourth Uncle who's jealous of our old Marquis and has resorted to underhanded means to get rich and powerful. He sent Fourth Sister to the selection behind the backs of the Marquis's mansion and the old lady."

"This matter was entirely the Fourth Master's doing; it has nothing to do with us."

Madam Pei: "..."

Third wife: "..."

Fourth wife: "..."

Wen Shi: "..."

What is that?

Is the Fourth Master jealous of the Marquis?

Did the Fourth Master send Pei Shushu to the talent show?

Everyone stared blankly at Jiang Shuwan, as if she had said something unbelievable.

Jiang Shuwan patted her chest in fear.

Why are you elders looking at me like that?

She spoke as if she were terrified by the murderous glares of her elders, as panicked as a lost fawn, her face innocent and pure, uttering shameless lies without even blushing.

"I didn't say anything wrong. It was the Fourth Master who was jealous of the Marquis."

"After all, the Fourth Master and the Marquis are both sons of concubines. Logically speaking, they should share the same fate and live the same life."

"But who knew that the Marquis was so lucky? Not only was he adopted by the old lady and became her legitimate son to inherit the title, but he is also the commander of the Imperial Guards now. He is so glorious and impressive."

"The Fourth Master is no good; he's just a commoner, worlds apart from the Marquis."

"Although the Fourth Master had always lived with the First Wife, he was always very resentful and angry. It just so happened that this year's election was held, and the Fourth Sister was also very beautiful. The Fourth Master had a thought and wanted to try his luck for a bright future and immense wealth. So he bypassed the Old Madam, the Madam, and the Marquis and put the Fourth Sister on the election list."

"By the time we realized it, it was too late."

"The selection of imperial concubines is not something to be taken lightly. What's done is done, so we can only send our fourth sister to compete."

As Jiang Shuwan spoke, she shook her head and sighed, appearing completely helpless.

The others were stunned and dumbfounded.

God……

What kind of words are these...?

This is even bolder than the previous act of deceiving the emperor...

Who knows?

How could a young woman say such a thing!

Who gave her the guts?!

What a brilliant mind she has!

Everyone was stunned for a long time, not knowing what to say. Finally, it was Mrs. Chang, who was guarding the door, who spoke weakly.

“Young mistress, the list of candidates for the imperial concubine selection was finalized a few days ago. Although it is still in the hands of the local government according to the procedure and will be sent to the nobles in the palace after a period of time, our Marquis’s mansion can indeed add the fourth young lady to the list, but you say that the fourth young lady’s name was written by the fourth master, and there is no one to witness it!”

"..."

Jiang Shuwan remained silent, only glancing at the fourth wife.

The two women locked eyes, and the fourth wife was startled by the icy chill in her gaze.

What a cold and emotionless gaze! For a moment, the fourth wife felt that Jiang Shuwan was not a little girl, but a ruthless and cold-blooded queen.

She was so cold-blooded, so ruthless.

But like a savior from outer space, they threw her a piece of driftwood.

Perhaps it was truly out of love for her daughter, for at that moment the fourth wife understood the look in her eyes.

He bit his lower lip hard, and the bloody taste instantly filled his mouth.

She felt a little pain, but felt it wasn't painful enough, so she bit down hard again, and more blood gushed out.

She lowered her head, her eyes filled with endless struggle and entanglement, as if a long time had passed, yet also as if only a breath had elapsed.

When she looked up again, her eyes were cold and resolute like never before.

"I am the witness!"

"I saw it!"

"It was my master who added Shushu's name to the list of candidates for the imperial concubines."

"I can testify!"

"..."

Silence fell again. Madam Pei and the third wife looked at the fourth wife with disbelief, who had a resolute expression on her face.

For a moment, they seemed not to recognize her.

Madam Wen gasped, pointing at the fourth wife and yelling, "Are you crazy! You've ruined the Fourth Master by doing this! He's your husband, your everything! Your everything! Your lifelong support!"

"Rely on? Rely on like this?"

The fourth wife sneered. She rolled up her arm, which she never dared to expose, revealing a thin body covered in bruises and welts, new and old, layer upon layer, a truly gruesome sight.

"He hit you?" Old Madam Pei was stunned and even more furious. "That beast!"

"Grandma, he doesn't actually beat me every day. It's just that when he's drunk and loses money gambling, he takes it out on me."

“I didn’t give him money, so he hit me.”

“I know you have pity, and I know you will stand up for me. But the children are all grown up now. If even a whisper of this gets out, it will be a huge disgrace for me and the children.”

"Moreover, the fourth branch of the family is useless to begin with. They will only feel more ashamed in the future. Their reputation will be ruined and they will not be able to get it back. Their children's marriages will also be affected."

Seeing the fourth wife laughing miserably as she said this, Old Madam Pei slammed her fist on the table in anger.

"Idiot! Idiot!"

"You're in this state yourself, and you're still thinking about the children..."

The third wife also had tears in her eyes. She helped the fourth wife cover the wound on her arm with her sleeve. "You're too foolish. Why do you always have to shoulder everything by yourself? He's a man. He hit you. You couldn't beat him, so why didn't you run away? Look at all these injuries you've sustained."

"I dare not run, for fear the children will see."

"Oh, what a miserable life!"

The third wife sadly wiped away the tears of the fourth wife. Under the same roof, the two sisters-in-law were not without conflicts, but at this moment, all that remained was heartache.

Madam Pei was also heartbroken.

On the other side, the fourth wife crawled on her knees directly to Madam Pei.