With quick reflexes, Granny Jiang stepped forward and kicked him away, her voice filled with hatred: "Madam trusts you so much, entrusting you with all the household affairs, big and small, and this is how you repay her?"

Lady Hou looked deeply helpless and turned her head away: "Steward Wang, you can rest assured! If you are truly innocent, Lord Liu will clear your name... But if you really did this, I will not tolerate you!"

As if struck by lightning, Butler Wang suddenly collapsed to the ground.

The Marquis's expression was serious. He glanced coldly at Steward Wang on the ground, but softened when he looked at Lord Liu: "Lord Liu, I'm leaving this man to you to deal with."

Lord Liu readily agreed: "Rest assured, Your Excellency, I will do my utmost."

Everyone knew perfectly well that there was no turning back. For them, the truth was not important; only the outcome mattered. The only culprit could be Butler Wang.

The fact that the eldest princess personally intervened shows that things are really complicated here!

Lord Liu has been an official for many years and is well aware of the principle of self-preservation. There are some things that he is willing to do but powerless to do!

The only victim here is probably that Second Young Master Chi!

Marquis Ningyuan frowned and said in a low voice, "Could you please ask Lord Liu not to make this public? It is true that my manor's discipline has been lax, but if word gets out, it will be a loss of face..."

Lord Liu understood and smiled, "Don't worry, my lord, I've only come here today to ask for a cup of tea."

Marquis Ningyuan breathed a sigh of relief and personally saw the person off.

...

Upon returning, Marquis Ningyuan glanced at his wife, who seemed hesitant to speak, and coldly snorted without any politeness: "Is this how you manage the household, Madam?"

Lady Hou is meticulous in her work and has never caused him any trouble with matters concerning the inner quarters. However, she has been making mistakes repeatedly lately. Marquis Ningyuan has suffered humiliation outside, so it's hard for him not to take his anger out on her.

"I..." Lady Hou's face was pale, and she felt frustrated. "I really didn't know anything about this. Wang Fu has legs, how could I keep an eye on him all the time?"

Marquis Ningyuan said coldly, "But he's your man. What will outsiders think? I believe you're unaware, but do they believe that?"

Seeing that Lady Hou was speechless, he lost his patience. "Madam, you work hard managing the household, and it is inevitable that you are willing but unable to do so. Why not let your second sister-in-law help manage it, so that you can relieve some of the burden on your shoulders?"

Lady Hou stared wide-eyed in disbelief, as if struck by lightning.

What he meant was that she should relinquish half of her household management authority to that wretched woman from the second wife's family? What would the servants in the mansion think of her then!

Since she married into the family, there has never been such a situation. She has always been superior to the second wife in everything, but now she wants to share power with her.

Lady Hou felt deeply humiliated: "My lord, this is unacceptable..."

Marquis Ningyuan frowned, his tone sarcastic: "The second branch of the family has suffered a loss in silence this time, and Yan Ge'er's wife has been injured. Will you comfort them, or will I?"

"I," Lady Hou thought bitterly, "I have already dealt with Steward Wang, which is equivalent to cutting off my own arm. Isn't that enough?"

The second wife also wants her control of the household affairs. Isn't that too much to ask?

Marquis Ningyuan didn't give her a chance to refute: "It's settled then! If Madam could have saved me some trouble, things wouldn't have come to this!"

After he finished speaking, he turned and left, intending to stay overnight in his aunt's courtyard!

Lady Hou couldn't catch her breath and fainted from anger.

"Madam! Quickly, fetch a doctor!"