Yuan Fuling's heart skipped a beat; "The Third Miss visited the Rose Courtyard a few days ago with steamed buns, perhaps she remembered it then."
"Nonsense!" the old lady scolded irritably. Sixty-six loads of betrothal gifts, how could anyone remember that at a glance?
If this gets out, people will laugh their heads off.
Song Yue curtsied to the Grand Madam, appearing indifferent as if it were none of her business: "Grandmother, I still need to go with my teacher to learn accounting, so I'll take my leave first."
The old lady looked at Song Yue with suspicion, wondering why she was so calm. In the past, she would have made a huge fuss and demanded an explanation.
What's going on today?
"Don't go yet!" Yuan Fuling stopped Song Yue; "You must have bribed the people around me. Ever since the betrothal gifts were brought up, there have been snakes in the Rose Garden. You're the one causing all the trouble."
"Smack!"
Song Yue slapped Yuan Fuling across the face without hesitation: "I don't expect you to treat me like your own daughter, yet you keep slandering me. Yuan Fuling, do you really think I, Song Yue, am a pushover?"
Yuan Fuling covered her face, her eyes almost bulging out of their sockets in anger.
“I believe my mother isn’t that kind of person!” Song Hengchuan stepped forward, blocking the two of them. His tall figure stood in front of Song Yue, looking down at her: “As for you, you’ve been stirring up trouble time and time again. You haven’t necessarily been honest and upright all these years. You might have met some shady people outside and done these things.”
Upon hearing this, Yuan Fuling smiled smugly and gently touched Song Hengchuan's sleeve: "Brother Chuan, sigh, this child..."
Song Yue bypassed Song Hengchuan and grabbed Yuan Fuling by the collar: "Instead of guessing here, let's go to the Prefect of the Capital and ask him to investigate thoroughly. Let's go!"
She was incredibly strong and lifted Yuan Fuling up to walk out, startling Yuan Fuling who quickly stopped her: "Nonsense, how can you report this to the authorities?"
"Why aren't you reporting this to the authorities? Are you feeling guilty?" Song Yue said disdainfully. "The whole capital knows that the Duke of Jingguo's mansion brought counterfeit goods to our door. What's there to hide?"
Yuan Fuling was speechless and hurriedly looked to Song Hengchuan for help. Song Yue immediately looked at Song Hengchuan: "What, even you don't dare to report to the authorities, afraid of being found out that you were one of the participants?"
"What nonsense are you spouting! Who wouldn't dare report this to the authorities?" Song Hengchuan jumped up and down in anger, threatening to report it to the authorities.
The old lady roared, "Enough! Stop making such a scene! Aren't you ashamed enough already?"
Song Yue pouted: "Not only is Mother's dowry in the hands of the Madam, but she also owns so many shops. Now that the betrothal gifts are fake, I wonder if those shops are still there."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Fuling's heart sank. She wished she could sew Song Yue's mouth shut with a needle. She looked at the Grand Madam nervously.
The old lady shot her a sharp look: "Yuan, go and fetch the account books of the princess's dowry shop."
"Mother?" Yuan Fuling's heart sank.
"Go and get it!" The old lady was determined to investigate thoroughly today to find out who was causing trouble behind the scenes.
Unable to dissuade the matriarch, Yuan Fuling had no choice but to send someone to retrieve the account books. After managing them for ten years, the account books filled a thick box. The matriarch glanced at them briefly and saw that they were all profitable, which eased her expression slightly.
Yuan Fuling said aggrievedly, "Mother, your daughter-in-law has always been conscientious and dared not slack off in the slightest. Third Miss's words are too disheartening."
Song Yue clicked her tongue and said, "You schemed and plotted to rise to power, isn't that what you were after? Without you, there are plenty of people willing to work diligently."
"……you!"
The Third Sister's mouth was truly venomous; one sentence from her struck a nerve with Yuan Fuling, leaving her breathless for a long time.
Just then, the Duke of Jingguo returned. He had gone out on business yesterday and only returned this morning. As soon as he entered the city, he heard about yesterday's farce, which made him so angry that his face turned ashen. He rushed back to question him and find out the truth.
"Your Excellency," Yuan Fuling walked towards Duke Jingguo with a wronged expression, "You must do me justice! You were there when I was preparing the betrothal gifts. How could they have turned out to be fakes after they were taken out?"
Duke Jingguo nodded: "That's right, I've inspected most of those things."
Hearing this, Yuan Fuling cried even more aggrievedly.
The old lady frowned and subconsciously looked at Song Yue. The items had been seen by the Duke of Jingguo, and the Duke of Jingguo would never be so senile as to condone Yuan Fuling's actions and ruin the reputation of the entire Duke of Jingguo's mansion.
Therefore, only Song Yue could have this motive.
Song Yue lowered her eyes, pretending not to notice the suspicious gazes falling on her.
“Yue’er, the Duke’s Mansion owes you a debt for sending you to another residence in the past few years. Now, as long as you bring out the betrothal gifts, I promise to forgive and forget.” The Duke of Jing’s tone was gentle: “No one is without fault. Even your elder brother and second sister made mistakes when they were young. It is a great virtue to know one’s mistakes and correct them.”
“Father, this girl is just too wild and dares to do anything.” Song Hengchuan felt there was no need to waste time. He should just arrest Song Yue, torture her severely, and he would definitely be able to get the results out of her. Then he should send her to the manor to be imprisoned. Only in this way could the Duke of Jingguo’s manor return to peace.
Song Yue raised her head to look at the Duke of Jingguo, her eyes as calm as a still lake, undisturbed, and said indifferently, "If you want to condemn someone, you can always find a pretext."
Just then, a servant rushed over: "Your Excellency, someone from the palace has arrived to take the Third Miss into the palace."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone present changed their expressions.
Song Hengchuan, in particular, said urgently, "Father, we can't let Song Yue enter the palace anymore."
A murderous glint had already appeared in his eyes.
The Duke of Jingguo's eyes also flashed with murderous intent, but it disappeared in an instant. However, she still easily caught his extremely fast micro-expressions.
Song Yue narrowed her eyes.
The whole family was hoping for her death.
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