Bai Yujing ignored her and turned to the two children, saying, "Feng Yun, Hui Yi, you two go out first."
After the two children left, Bai Yujing spoke up to explain, "Mother, Wenyin grew up by your side. You doted on her and protected her with utmost care, and no one has ever dared to utter a single word of complaint about it. Because of you, when she made that mistake last time, Huaiyu and I didn't hold it against her. Instead, we were considerate of her in every way. However, do you know what she did this time?"
What exactly did she do?
As Bai Qi asked questions, she turned her inquisitive gaze toward Xie Wenyin.
When Xie Wenying met her gaze, her face showed an evasive expression.
Bai Yujing said coldly, "Huaiyu's misfortune last time was not accidental, but rather Wenyin colluded with criminals to deliberately set a trap for Huaiyu. Moreover, she was also involved in those rumors that were spread around."
"This...this is impossible..."
Bai Qishi and Yang Shi were shocked and couldn't believe it.
Jiang Huaiyu recalled Chao Wei's words and glanced thoughtfully at Xie Wenying. Chao Wei had mentioned that his interest in her stemmed from rumors. However, mere street gossip was unlikely to be enough to compel him to break the law and harm her. Someone must have deliberately embellished the story, spreading far more sensational information.
Xie Wenying's face was as pale as paper, but she still shook her head resolutely, "It wasn't me..."
"At this point, are you still trying to lie?"
Bai Yujing's eyes seemed to be frozen, extremely cold.
Xie Wenying involuntarily took two steps back, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, her voice trembling slightly: "Brother Yujing, I'm really confused by what you're saying..."
"Do you believe that after Chao Wei's death, no one will be able to expose your actions?"
Bai Yujing's gaze was like a sharp sword, fixed on her: "Let me tell you, ever since the case was closed, Constable Liu whispered something to me. I had already sensed that something was amiss. Although I had suspicions about you, I had no concrete evidence. Until that day, at the entrance of the ancestral hall, that outsider inexplicably splashed dirty water on Huaiyu, behaving abnormally. I intended to capture him on the spot and interrogate him carefully, but he escaped."
"Fortunately, the old village chief came to see me just now and told me that the person has been apprehended. Do you know who was behind this?"
"Who is it...?"
Under Bai Yujing's cold and unfeeling gaze, Xie Wenying's thoughts seemed to be mercilessly torn out.
She took a deep breath, her voice tinged with helplessness: "Even if it was me, so what? It was just spreading some rumors; it didn't really harm her!"
Is that really all there is to it?
Bai Yujing's eyes were deep and dark, reflecting a complex mix of emotions including disappointment, anger, and even disgust.
disgust?
Xie Wenyin was startled when she saw the expression on his face.
No, how could he possibly hate himself?
They had known each other since childhood and shared a deep bond; even last time, he only expressed disappointment in himself…
Bai Yujing pressed on, "That outsider claimed that he met you at the teahouse in town, and that you paid him to spread rumors and create trouble. I remember during the time Huaiyu had her accident, you spent almost every day at the teahouse, so I went there specifically to investigate. Guess what I found?"
Xie Wenyin's lips trembled slightly, wanting to argue, but she found herself speechless.
Bai Yujing's gaze was piercing, and his tone was firm: "That teahouse is owned by the Chao family. Chao Wei personally goes to the teahouse twice a month to check the accounts. According to the teahouse staff, Chao Wei once tried to strike up a conversation with you, but you scolded him severely. However, for some reason, you two suddenly became very friendly and chatty, and you even became a regular customer in his private room. What is the reason for this?"
He bombarded him with questions one after another.
Xie Wenying was swaying precariously, her face was pale, and she could barely stand.
Jiang Huaiyu added in a deep voice, "Chao Wei is a dashing and womanizing man. The reason he took the initiative to talk to you is simply because he desires you. However, he did not do anything excessive to you. On the contrary, he had a pleasant conversation with you. This shows that you have successfully diverted his attention and made him more interested in someone else. That person is me, isn't it?"
"How...how could you possibly know?"
Xie Wenyin's face was as pale as paper, without a trace of color.
That day, she was in a teahouse, listening to a storyteller's gentle narration, when unfortunately she encountered Chao Wei's harassment and indecent advances. Strong-willed and unyielding, she fiercely rebuked him. Chao Wei initially refused to let it go, but then he overheard someone in the teahouse mentioning Jiang Huaiyu, and his attention was immediately drawn to her.
Everyone praised her, saying that Jiang Huaiyu was born into a scholarly family in the capital, had an exceptionally beautiful appearance, an elegant and dignified temperament, and was also very knowledgeable. Therefore, she became the first female teacher in Fushun Town.
Whenever people talk about her, they are filled with admiration and their words reveal their heartfelt respect.
However, Chao Wei scoffed at this, believing that everyone was exaggerating and that he absolutely did not believe a woman could be anything extraordinary. He originally intended to continue harassing Xie Wenyin, but Xie Wenyin's gaze gave him a new idea.
She deliberately praised Jiang Huaiyu as an unparalleled beauty, unmatched in appearance, talent, and temperament. Chao Wei was captivated, but hesitated because Jiang Huaiyu already had a scholar as her husband. So she deliberately provoked him, calling him a coward who only dared to bully ordinary women like them, but cowered in the face of a true beauty and dared not make a move.
This was the first time Chao Wei, at such a young age, had encountered such a direct rebuke from a woman.
How could he possibly tolerate such humiliation?
So, without hesitation, he made a bold statement, vowing to conquer Jiang Huaiyu in order to prove his ability.
Sure enough, he put it into action soon after.
Xie Wenying was both nervous and excited, eagerly anticipating Jiang Huaiyu's downfall at Chao Wei's hands. She believed that once Jiang Huaiyu disappeared, no one would be able to compete with her for her cousin Yujing. However, she never expected that Jiang Huaiyu would escape from Chao Wei and even bring him to justice.
At first, she was terrified, but she soon learned that Chao Wei had died in prison.
She finally felt relieved, after all, everything she had done was extremely secretive, and with Chao Wei dead, she believed her secret would not be exposed.
But Jiang Huaiyu still exists. She not only successfully escaped the clutches of evil, but also maintained her innocence. Her cousin Yujing not only did not feel disgusted by her, but cared for her even more, and guarded her almost constantly.
Xie Wenyin was almost driven mad with jealousy.
Unable to accept failure again, she went to great lengths to spread rumors, attempting to destroy Jiang Huaiyu's reputation and make it impossible for her cousin Yujing to accept her again.
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