Everyone was stunned by Princess Jia Hua's imposing presence. Yuan Fuling was very flustered and knelt on the ground: "Princess, it was my mismanagement and the reckless subsidies I made to the manor that caused the huge losses. A large part of it was also used to subsidize Chuan Ge'er's betrothal gifts, so I didn't keep track of it."
"This money isn't being spent on outsiders, Princess, please calm down," the Grand Madam said with a smile, trying to smooth things over.
Princess Jia Hua's lips curled into a mocking smile: "Go and bring Shen Ru Yun to me."
"Princess!" The Grand Madam was anxious. The princess had caused such a commotion on her second day in the household. How were they supposed to live together in the future?
Isn't this blatant bullying of Shen Ruyun?
But no one could stop Princess Jia Hua.
Soon, the group of people reunited at Ninghui Hall.
“Mother.” Shen Ruyun curtsied to Princess Jiahua.
Princess Jiahua glanced at Yuan Fuling, who forced herself to say, "Ruyun, it's like this. When the princess left the mansion, I kept some of the dowry and used some to make up for the betrothal gifts."
Shen Ruyun's eyelids twitched.
“The accounts don’t match up now. You’re also part of this family. Since the princess insists on getting it back, why not just give it to her?” Yuan Fuling advised.
This was said very skillfully, making it sound like Princess Jia Hua was being aggressive.
Shen Ruyun's face was tense. She had only been married for two days and was already being asked for a betrothal gift. Wasn't this blatant bullying?
“Mrs. Yuan is mistaken. My mother wants the bad debt, not the dowry that is openly given to Miss Shen. The two should not be confused,” Song Yue said promptly.
She disliked both Shen Ruyun and Yuan Fuling.
She just didn't want to see Yuan Fuling taking advantage of the situation.
Shen Ruyun immediately looked at Yuan Fuling, her eyes filled with resentment. Yuan Fuling silently glared at Song Yue in her heart, but dared not contradict her, saying, "The betrothal gifts were changed a few days ago..."
As soon as the words left her mouth, the old lady felt something was amiss. She had a feeling that the princess had come today to settle scores, and that demanding the dowry was just an excuse.
"The betrothal gifts were switched. Has the Duke's mansion found any clues about it?" Princess Jiahua asked, following up on the conversation.
Everyone fell silent.
Princess Jiahua then looked at Duke Jingguo: "How come I heard that someone is questioning whether Yue'er was so audacious as to switch the betrothal gifts?"
Duke Jingguo stammered, his guilty conscience prompting him to avert his eyes.
A group of people were so questioned that they couldn't even lift their heads.
Princess Jia Hua's eyes instantly reddened: "If you don't give me an explanation today, no one will leave this room unscathed!"
Tao, who had just stepped inside, was so frightened by these words that she quickly withdrew and ran away when no one was looking.
That's terrifying.
Some of the excitement is not worth watching.
Princess Jia Hua casually pointed: "Drag him away for questioning. If he doesn't confess, beat him to death!"
The maid was Danruo, who was by Yuan Fuling's side. She was so frightened that she didn't even have time to ask for help before she was dragged away by two strong maids and publicly executed.
Screams echoed in my ears.
Yuan Fuling's face was deathly pale, and her body swayed precariously.
"Yue'er, your mother is very angry. You should try to persuade her." The Grand Madam looked at Song Yue.
Now only Song Yue can stop Princess Jia Hua.
Song Yue looked at the Grand Madam with a blank expression, blinking innocently: "What does Grandmother want me to say?"
"Why must the Grand Madam make things difficult for a child? If it weren't for me, she would have had to bear some of the blame. You are all family, yet you just watch this heartless person slander Yue'er without any justice!" Princess Jiahua coldly snorted, wishing she could tear everyone present to pieces.
That's infuriating.
The old lady was speechless after being rebuked, and finally closed her eyes and remained silent.
Duke Jingguo glanced at Shen Ruyun.
Shen Ruyun frowned, hesitated for a long time, and then stepped forward: "Mother..."
"You've called the wrong person. I don't have a daughter-in-law like you!" Princess Jiahua said bluntly.
Shen Ruyun's face flushed red, both angry and ashamed, wishing she could disappear into the ground. Duke Jingguo said, "Ruyun is innocent, why are you taking your anger out on her?"
"Innocent?" Princess Jiahua glanced at the seemingly harmless, gentle and dignified Shen Ruyun: "The Shen family held a banquet, a maid named Juhong died, and why did Song Yao fall into the water? Don't tell me it was just a coincidence?"
These words instantly turned Shen Ruyun's face ashen, and she stared at Princess Jiahua in disbelief.
Unexpectedly, even after so much time had passed, the news had reached the princess's ears. Her face turned embarrassed, and she quickly looked at Song Yue.
The Dowager Lady realized that if Princess Jia Hua didn't vent her anger today, the matter wouldn't be over. Princess Jia Hua might even go to the Shen family to hold them accountable.
"How do you plan to resolve this?" the Dowager asked.
Princess Jia Hua: "I demand justice."
The Dowager Lady took a deep breath and pointed at Yuan Fuling: "Drag her out and give her thirty strokes of the cane! From this day forward, Yuan is no longer the wife of the Duke's mansion, but Yuan the concubine. No one can call her 'wife'. Second Miss Song Yao is no longer the legitimate daughter of the Duke's mansion. Starting tomorrow, Second Miss will have to go to Yuehua Pavilion every morning and evening to pay her respects. In addition, Second Miss's future dowry will be given to Third Miss."
"Mother!" Yuan Fuling screamed.
She knelt on the ground and kowtowed to the Grand Madam: "Mother, no, you can punish me however you want, but Yao'er is innocent, she's still so young."
"Younger?" the Grand Madam roared. "Yue'er is even younger than Yao'er. Why didn't you think more about Yue'er back then?"
Yuan Fuling choked on her words.
She wished Song Yue would die, so why would she pity her?
Yuan Fuling placed all her hopes on the Duke of Jingguo: "Husband... say something!"
Duke Jingguo looked away, not daring to look at Yuan Fuling's expression.
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