Chen winked at Madam Ji, trying to stop her from speaking.
But the latter didn't notice Chen's strangeness and slammed the table. "What's so hard to say? Just say it directly. I want to see how hard it is to say!"
Having said this, Shen Ningyuan spoke up, "To be honest, Chen Mo'er's behavior was inappropriate and violated the rules of the Marquis' Mansion. For the future of the Marquis' Mansion, my grandson's wife naturally couldn't sit idly by. That's why she was locked up as a minor punishment, and also to protect the reputation of the Marquis' Mansion."
"Misbehavior?" Chen's face suddenly became ugly, and she slammed the table. "Chen Ningyuan, what nonsense are you talking about? When did Mo'er behave misbehavior?"
Shen Ningyuan calmly retorted, "Madam Ji, I know you care about Chen Mo'er and don't want everyone to know that she has done such a shameful thing, but for the sake of the reputation of the Marquis' Mansion, I think it's better to lock up my cousin first and wait until the storm has died down."
These words were said in such a serious manner that Chen couldn't find any words to refute them.
At this time, the second aunt from the Ji family's side branch suddenly spoke up, "I've watched Mo'er grow up. Although she's not a daughter of the Ji family, she's always been well-behaved and sensible. How could she possibly behave inappropriately? In my opinion, it's clearly you, as her sister-in-law, who can't tolerate her and is deliberately making things difficult for her!"
There was an imperceptible cold light in Shen Ningyuan's eyes, but she still maintained a polite smile.
"Second Aunt, you say that as if I've gone too far and am deliberately making things difficult for Chen Mo'er."
"She is just a cousin fostered in the Ji family. Why would I deliberately embarrass her and even make things difficult for her?"
"You said Mo'er behaved improperly, but how come I didn't know anything about it?" Second Aunt continued to question.
Hearing this, Shen Ningyuan smiled faintly, "Second Aunt, as the saying goes, family disgrace should not be made public. Don't you even understand this simplest truth?"
No one spoke, so Shen Ningyuan spoke to herself, "Although my cousin and I are of the same generation, there is no reason for me to interfere in Mo'er's affairs. But even though Mo'er is just a cousin in the mansion, if this matter gets out, outsiders will only say that our Ji family has poor upbringing!"
"For the reputation of the Marquis' Mansion, I have no choice but to do this!" Shen Ningyuan emphasized, "I was so willing to be the villain for the Marquis' Mansion, but I didn't expect you to look at me like this!"
Shen Ningyuan pretended to be sad, with an expression that said, "You are all ungrateful people."
For a moment, everyone spoke up to refute.
When Chen saw her pretending, she was so angry that she almost tore her handkerchief into pieces.
Shen Ningyuan tilted her head and happened to notice Chen's appearance.
The corners of his lips curled up, and he continued to pretend, "I did all this for the future of the Marquis' Mansion. I didn't expect that my painstaking efforts would only lead to misunderstandings from everyone."
"In that case, I won't care about this matter anymore."
Shen Ningyuan became more and more sad as she spoke.
"Anyway, I've already said this. If you don't believe me, I'll release Chen Mo'er right now so you can confront her face to face!"
Seeing Shen Ningyuan like this, Chen's anger grew even stronger.
Although she knew better than anyone that Chen Moer had not done anything out of line.
But Shen Ningyuan's words were very concise, and even if she tried to defend herself, no one would believe her.
At this time, the aunt who had been silent all this time and held some weight in the Ji family suddenly started to accuse, "Ning Yuan, let's not discuss whether Mo'er has behaved improperly, but your actions are indeed inappropriate."
Shen Ningyuan raised her eyebrows and asked, "Oh? Grandma, do you think there's something wrong?"
Upon hearing this, the aunt said, "Even if Mo'er is truly at fault, it should be handled by Chen, the aunt. You are acting on your own and imprisoning Mo'er. It will inevitably make people think that you are acting too arbitrarily, or even that you are resorting to lynching."
He emphasized, "Whatever it is, it will affect your reputation if it gets out!"
Shen Ningyuan directly retorted: "I am a widow, what reputation do I need?"
"Why? Grandma, you're so concerned about my reputation. Do you want me to take good care of it so it will be easier for me to remarry in the future?"
"Nonsense!" The old lady's face flushed instantly, and she snarled angrily, "How could I have meant that?"
"I'm just talking, why are you so excited?" Shen Ningyuan asked calmly.
"you--"
This lady pointed at Shen Ningyuan and was so angry that she couldn't say a word.
Chen had never expected that Shen Ningyuan could render everyone present speechless with just one word.
At this time, Madam Ji, who had been silent for a long time, slowly calmed down.
Youyou said, "You girl, you speak without any care."
Hearing this, Shen Ningyuan looked at Madam Ji and bowed slightly, "Thank you for your teachings, Madam Ji."
"My granddaughter-in-law's words were indeed a bit irresponsible."
After hearing this, everyone's expressions eased a little.
It seems that Shen Ningyuan still cares about reputation.
Unexpectedly, the next second, Shen Ningyuan continued to speak, "I was too tactful just now. I should have advised my aunt directly that since you are already married, you should know your status and should be clear that you have no right to interfere in the affairs of the Ji family."
Everyone: “…”
After a moment of silence, everyone stared at Shen Ningyuan in a daze.
Old Madam Ji said that she was being impartial and wanted her to respect this young lady.
She deliberately misinterpreted Madam Ji's meaning and pointed out in public that I have no right to interfere in the affairs of the Ji family!
“You, you, you…”
The aunt was so angry that she couldn't speak. She pointed at Shen Ningyuan's nose and almost couldn't breathe.
"What are you still standing there for? Can't you see that I'm almost out of breath? Hurry up and help me down to have a good rest."
Chen hurriedly ordered the servants to help the young lady down.
After the nearly unconscious aunt was helped away by the servants, the atmosphere around her immediately became tense.
Chen gritted her teeth, her gaze towards Chen Ningyuan growing darker. "Well done, Chen Ningyuan, you're doing very well! You're becoming even more adept at making excuses. You dare to be so sharp-tongued in front of the old lady! Let me ask you, when do you plan to release Mo'er?"
Hearing this, Shen Ningyuan looked firm and looked directly into Chen's eyes without flinching.
"Madam Ji, this person made a mistake and should be punished, right? Once Chen Moer realizes her mistake and promises not to make it again, I will naturally let her go. Otherwise, if I easily forgive her today, I'm afraid it will be difficult to convince others. How will the rules of the Marquisate be maintained in the future?"
"you--"
Shen Ningyuan kept saying "rules", which made Chen unable to refute.
He could only tremble with anger, pointing at Shen Ningyuan with trembling hands, but he could not speak.
Just then, footsteps were suddenly heard outside the front hall.
Then, a clear voice rang out: "Grandma, Mother, Sister-in-law, what are you arguing about so fiercely?"
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Ji Yunnuo striding into the front hall.
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