Chapter 383: Complete Victory
Looking at the moved expression on Old Master Liu's face, Hu Xiner knew that she had won this battle completely.
On the surface, she finally rejected Old Master Liu's request.
But in fact, although Old Master Liu did not say it explicitly, he must have been touched in his heart.
Otherwise, he would not have remained silent in the face of her strong statement.
Sometimes silence already represents surrender.
Of course, she couldn't make Old Master Liu listen to her completely, but she could already have an equal conversation with him, which was a victory to some extent.
Naturally, the eldest wife also contributed a lot to this.
If they had not been so aggressive from the beginning and had not framed her so clumsily, Hu Xin'er might not have been so embarrassed, and she would not have taken the initiative to win everyone's sympathy and understanding.
And after being wronged, she behaved so kindly and sensibly. This gentle exterior and strong interior approach would not damage Old Master Liu's dignity, but it would shock him.
After this, Old Master Liu might not let her return to her former pampered state so quickly.
But deep down, he would no longer have any defenses against this genuine granddaughter.
Under this premise, it is much easier to obtain the key.
Just then, a servant from the outer courtyard hurried in. Seeing the strange atmosphere, he was stunned for a moment.
Old Master Liu came back to his senses and returned to his usual serious demeanor: "Is there anything wrong?"
The servant replied respectfully, "Old Master, the Yongyi Marquis family and their young master have arrived!"
Old Master Liu nodded.
The eldest old lady suddenly came to her senses. Today was a birthday party. While the old man was still in his state, it would be better to let him take care of the birthday party.
Once Old Master Liu is coaxed into happiness, wouldn't the matter of Master Wang stealing the painting be covered up?
She quickly pretended to be remorseful and said, "Yeah, how could I forget? Come on, let's get busy with the birthday party."
Liu Zhi reacted very quickly and also put on a smiling face: "Yes, old man, you are our birthday star today!"
Old Master Liu ignored them with a cold face: "Come here, lock Master Wang in the woodshed and deal with him after the birthday banquet is over!"
Liu Zhi quickly changed his expression and pleaded, "Grandpa, if others see our son-in-law not showing up, they will definitely talk about him behind his back. This will not be good for the reputation of the Liu family!"
"Hmph, if it weren't for today's birthday banquet, he would have been punished by the family law right away!" Old Master Liu flicked his sleeves. Although he didn't use much force, Liu Zhi deliberately fell to the ground.
Liu Zhi looked at him with great grievance and sadness, tears falling from her eyes: "Dad! If we go out later, people will see that the uncle didn't show up, and who knows how they will poke us in the back. Even if you don't feel sorry for me, you should think about Yi'er!"
Old Master Liu said angrily, "When he did this shameful thing, did he ever think about his daughter?"
The eldest old lady also wanted to go up and dissuade him, but was glared at by Old Master Liu.
Liu Zhi's long nails almost dug into her flesh. She suddenly pulled Liu Qingyi and cried, "My Yi'er, poor Yi'er, it's all your father's fault. Your marriage was not going well to begin with. If you embarrass yourself in front of everyone today, what will you do?"
Liu Qingyi was still immersed in the confusion and resentment that his father was suddenly going to be punished.
In fact, she originally felt disdain and disgust towards her good-for-nothing father who was caught stealing paintings.
But after Liu Zhi said this, she came to her senses. It didn't matter if Prince Wang was punished, but if he was punished on the day of the birthday banquet, it would be a disgrace to her.
She tried to hold back her tears, but she couldn't, and her face was full of anxiety.
Liu Zhi pinched her thigh hard, and she burst into tears: "Grandfather, I am your own granddaughter, please forgive Daddy!"
Ever since being exposed by Hu Xiner, Master Wang has been limp on the ground. When he heard his daughter crying, he somehow regained some of his sanity.
He shuddered all over: "No, I am innocent. I didn't steal the painting. I don't want to be punished by the family!"
He grabbed the skirt of the oldest lady closest to him and yelled, "Mother-in-law, it was Liu Zhi who asked me to steal the painting!"
"What nonsense are you talking about?" The old lady's face suddenly changed. "How could Zhi'er let you steal the painting? You are so bold! Zhi'er and her daughter pleaded for you so much, but you just casually raped them. You are such a grown man!"
She was afraid that the prince would reveal the truth again, so she kicked him away and kept wiping her eyes: "Zhi'er, my poor daughter, if it weren't for the expansion of the Liu family, you would never have married such a loser!"
This statement not only blamed Master Wang, but more importantly, it reminded Old Master Liu that Liu Zhi had made great sacrifices for the Liu family, so regardless of whether she had made any mistakes or not, she should not be punished.
Old Master Liu looked at the farce in front of him and listened to the cryptic words of the three generations of the eldest family, and he felt even more angry and wanted to beat these three people to death with his crutch.
But they happen to be his closest relatives.
A hint of helplessness flashed in his old eyes, but he quickly regained his dignity: "No need to say more, butler, do it!"
Mr. Wang was immediately captured by two servants.
He kept kicking his legs, and it was obvious that he wanted to struggle, but he was so scared that he had no strength left in his body and could only move his body in ridiculously small movements.
He cried out in fear, "No! I really didn't steal the painting. Believe me, I backed off when I reached the study door yesterday, and was then knocked unconscious!"
Unfortunately, because of the lie he just told, no one believed him anymore.
Mr. Wang looked at Hu Xiner pleadingly, but Hu Xiner avoided his gaze.
If he had not framed her just now, Hu Xiner might have chosen to help him clear the matter, but now, it was impossible.
Liu Zhi wanted to plead again, but was glared at fiercely. He was so scared that he choked on his own saliva and started coughing violently.
Before the eldest old lady opened her mouth to speak, Old Master Liu scolded her, "If you keep talking nonsense, I'll divorce you! If anything else goes wrong at the birthday banquet today, you won't be able to hold on to your position as head of the academy anymore."
After hearing the old man's warning, the eldest old lady also fell silent.
She didn't dare say anything else. After all, the only power she had now was that of the head of the dean. If the pair of keys were taken away by the second branch, how could she make money from the Liu family?
Old Master Liu was about to turn around and leave, but he stopped.
He gave Hu Xin'er the kindest smile he had shown in recent days. "Xin'er, you're a good child. You must read that poem aloud in public at the birthday banquet later. And show your uncles and aunts how filial a granddaughter I am!"
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