If she confesses to the crime, not only will Concubine Shen be in trouble, but the reputation of the Marquis of Anning's mansion, the Madam's reputation, and the Young Madam's own reputation will also be affected.
What should she do?
If she admits it, the lady will not let her off the hook.
But if she didn't acknowledge it, she couldn't refuse to be loyal since she had received so many benefits from the young mistress.
Hanrong's face was pale, and her mind was racing.
But before she could even think of the outcome, she heard the woman beside her say, "Madam Huo, did you come here suddenly to play riddles? Why don't you just say what you want to say? We are all from military families, shouldn't we be straightforward and frank? Is the Marquis of Xuanping's mansion trying to be like those civil officials, beating around the bush?"
Jiang Yinjin's expression froze—a civil official? Was Shen Mianmian mocking her?
Zhou Miaoyin sneered, "Is Aunt Shen blind today? Can't she even recognize her own handkerchief?"
Everyone was astonished—Aunt Shen's handkerchief?
Zhou Miaoyin pointed to the handkerchief on the ground, "When I visited your residence last time, Aunt Shen used this handkerchief. Don't you recognize the black embroidered symbol in the corner?"
Everyone was surprised again.
Ding hadn't noticed any special symbols on Aunt Shen's handkerchief before. The reason was simple—she used to look down on sluts and wouldn't even glance at them, let alone their handkerchiefs.
Later, because of mahjong, their relationship improved, and she didn't see her again, because Aunt Shen rarely used a handkerchief.
Chen Mianmian—yes, she didn't have the habit of using handkerchiefs because before she entered the book, everyone used tissues, throwing them away one after another.
Granny Li hurriedly stepped forward, picked up the handkerchief from the ground, and handed it to the lady.
Ding examined the handkerchief and, sure enough, found a black symbol in the corner. Her face turned ashen as she looked at Shen Mianmian. "Shen, is this your handkerchief?"
Shen Mianmian replied, "No, Madam."
As he spoke, he pulled out a handkerchief—also light green, but without any patterns.
Hanrong took the handkerchief and quickly presented it to the lady, saying, "Madam."
Ding took the handkerchief and examined it carefully. Seeing that there were no black marks, she breathed a sigh of relief. Then, her face showed displeasure. "From the Marquis of Xuanping's residence, how can you be so sure that this handkerchief belongs to Shen?"
Zhou Miaoyin was stunned. "Of course I saw it! Last time we visited your residence, in the garden, Aunt Shen was holding this handkerchief with the black mark."
Chen Mianmian feigned doubt, "Could Madam Huo be mistaken? I have never used a handkerchief with such a mark before."
"Impossible, this is yours!" Zhou Miaoyin asserted.
Shen Mianmian chuckled, "Madam Huo, please calm down. I understand your feelings, but I can't just admit that something isn't mine. Besides, I rarely leave the house, at most I keep you company. How could my handkerchief end up in your esteemed residence?"
Zhou Miaoyin vaguely sensed something was wrong, but she was still certain that the handkerchief belonged to Aunt Shen. "Could it be that Aunt Shen knew the truth had come out and hastily grabbed a handkerchief without any markings?"
Shen Mianmian had been waiting for these words. She smiled and said, "How about this, I'll invite Madam Huo to Mingyue Courtyard. Madam Huo can search freely and see if we can find any more handkerchiefs with this mark?"
Seeing the other party's certain tone, Zhou Miaoyin also began to feel guilty. "Could it be that you got wind of this and deliberately replaced the handkerchief?"
Chen Mianmian sighed, "I am merely a concubine in the Anning Marquis's residence, with no relatives or friends in the capital. Where can I possibly hear rumors, let alone rumors about your Xuanping Marquis's residence? May I ask, Madam Huo, when did this handkerchief arrive at the Xuanping Marquis's residence?"
Zhou Miaoyin pursed her lips. "Last night, someone sealed a handkerchief in an envelope and delivered it to the Second Young Master through the gatekeeper."
Hanrong's face paled—last night? The handkerchief was just lost yesterday, and it arrived at the Marquis of Xuanping's residence that same day, used to frame Consort Shen?
Jiang Yinjin's expression was also not good—judging from Aunt Shen's tone, she had already made arrangements? But how did she know Zhou Miaoyin would come today? Could it be that Han Rong leaked the news? But she hadn't gone through Han Rong's hands in the whole matter, and she was afraid that Han Rong would betray her.
Shen Mianmian nodded and asked calmly, "Has Madam Huo found the messenger?"
"Not found."
“That might really be a misunderstanding,” Shen Mianmian said, not intending to argue with Madam Huo. It was obvious that Madam Huo was also a cannon fodder female supporting character with low intelligence. Why make things difficult for another cannon fodder?
"How about this? It's better to resolve conflicts than to let them fester. If Madam Huo doesn't mind, may I invite you to sit for a while at Mingyue Courtyard? Take a look at my handkerchief. I also have a set of fun playing cards that I can teach you to pass the time."
Everyone was shocked—having suffered such an injustice, Aunt Shen remained unfazed and even invited Madam Huo? What magnanimity! What composure!
However, it was at this moment.
A gatekeeper rushed in through the hall entrance, looking flustered. "Madam, young mistress, the second young master of the Marquis of Xuanping's mansion is requesting an audience. He is currently outside the courtyard gate."
"What? This..." Ding also felt that the situation was awkward and difficult to handle.
Chen Mianmian—well, these men only cause trouble! Couldn't Huo Rang have come a little later? If he came a little later, she could have invited Zhou Shi over, coaxed her a bit, and then said that Zhou Shi was just visiting. Wouldn't that have resolved the matter quietly?
The current predicament hasn't been resolved yet, and Huo Rang has come running over in a rage; it can't be anything good!
Jiang Yinjin's lips curled into a mocking smile—"Alright, come on over, the more people, the more lively it will be."
What about the dignity and reputation of the Marquis's mansion? Where's the excitement and spectacle?
Just as Jiang Yinjin was about to suggest inviting the second young master of the Xuanping Marquis's mansion in, she heard Shen Mianmian say, "Madam Huo, may we speak in private?"
Jiang Yinjin's face turned cold. "Sister Chen, don't be rude."
Shen Mianmian wasn't in a hurry at first, but when she heard Jiang Yinjin speak, she immediately became anxious because she knew that the girl was definitely going to do something bad.
She jumped off her seat, rushed to Zhou, grabbed Zhou's hand, and pulled her outside, saying, "Come, come, let me tell you a secret."
Zhou was pulled away like that, and the two left the hall.
Ding stood up anxiously and looked at Jiang Yinjin with concern, "What are they doing? Should we pull them apart?"
Jiang Yinjin's face also turned ugly—how could Shen Mianmian just pull someone away like that? Has she no manners at all? Shouldn't she have kept her distance and argued her case? Why did she do this? Is this what they call a boorish person?
Jiang Yinjin finally understood what it meant to be unable to reason with a scholar when encountering a soldier.
On the other side.
Shen Mianmian dragged Zhou Shi out, and then, ignoring the other party's complex emotions such as contempt, ridicule, anger, and confusion, she quickly said, "Madam Huo, listen carefully, we may have all been framed! Otherwise, why would you know about the handkerchief delivered to your Marquis's residence yesterday, and only today?"
Furthermore, my young master rarely leaves the inner quarters and has not been in contact with the second young master for some time. Why did the second young master suddenly have the idea to frame our young master?
Madam Huo, you must remain calm upon returning home and conduct a thorough investigation, leaving no detail overlooked. Before the facts are clear, do not quarrel with the Second Young Master, and absolutely do not damage your marital harmony.
Also, when you see the Second Young Master later, say you're just dropping by. If you don't get along with Jiang Yin... the Young Madam, say you're here to see me. Trust me, hurry out and go home with the Second Young Master. Under no circumstances should you let him in, lest something unpleasant happen.”
Sleepy ...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com