Ding Wanyue finally understood why she was summoned to the main hall even though she was bedridden and claiming to be ill; it turned out that they were waiting for her here.
She did not personally intervene in what happened back then.
Even if Zeng Huiniang accused her in front of everyone, as long as she denied it, no one could pin the blame on her.
After making up her mind, Ding Wanyue secretly cheered herself up.
When questioned by Chen Ziye, Zeng Huiniang recounted in detail how she and Chen Wenjun had managed to escape back then.
"Since the young lady had an injury to her leg, I settled her in a farmer's house."
The assassins who tried to kidnap the bride were stopped by the guards and watched as my mistress and I escaped.
Therefore, I dared not take the official road, fearing that assassins would not give up and would ambush me halfway.
I walked back to the Marquis of Lin'an's residence, but was stopped at the gate by the gatekeeper.
Even when I presented the young lady's jade token, the gatekeeper still refused to let me into the mansion.
Then I met the second wife's maid, Zhujuan.
After Zhujuan returned to the manor, she told me to let the young lady return to the Marquis of Anyang's manor, so as not to tarnish the reputation of the young ladies of the Marquis of Lin'an's manor in the future.
Immediately afterwards, the young lady and I were pursued by the Marquis of Lin'an's mansion.
During my escape, I was thrown into the water, and from then on, I lost contact with Miss.
After hearing Zeng Huiniang's words, Chen Ziye, before Ding Wanyue could even speak, loudly rebuked, "Nonsense!"
"The Marquis of Lin'an has been searching for Wenjun for many years. When has he ever sent anyone to hunt her down?"
You said Zhujuan wanted you to return to the Marquis of Anyang's residence, so why haven't you returned all these years to expose Zhujuan's true colors from back then?
At this point, Zeng Huiniang's tears began to fall, but she did not sob at all; instead, her voice remained very calm.
"The people who chased after me and Miss back then deliberately said that the Marquis of Lin'an's mansion wanted to silence us."
Having experienced such a situation, may I ask, Second Young Master, how dare this servant return to the manor?
Chen Ziye was a little dazed. On one hand, he felt that Zeng Huiniang's words made some sense, but on the other hand, he couldn't believe what she said.
But if what she said is true, then Zhujuan must have been instructed by someone to say those words.
He couldn't think of anyone else who could make Zhujuan lie through her teeth, except for Ding Wanyue, who held her indenture in her hands.
The woman who had been his bedmate for many years was Wenjun's close friend from her time in Huating Mansion.
Otherwise, Chen Ziye would not have met Ding Wanyue through Chen Wenjun's matchmaking, nor would he have married Ding Wanyue.
At this moment, Lu Qiqi stepped forward and said, "Since Second Uncle thinks Zeng Shi is lying, do you believe Zhu Juan's words?"
No sooner had she finished speaking than Nineteen came in carrying a woman who was bound hand and foot, and threw her directly on the ground.
Zhujuan had been locked up in the dark prison all night without getting any sleep, and was already on the verge of collapse.
She knew Lu Qiqi wanted to know the truth, so she didn't hesitate to tell her what happened back then.
“Young master, it was the second young mistress who had me stop Hui Niang from entering the mansion back then.”
Even while still in her maiden home, the second young mistress was already jealous of the third young lady in every way.
Back then, in order to marry you, she used every trick in the book to get close to the Third Miss, and even injured herself to gain the Third Miss's trust.
When the third young lady got married, her husband collected many fine items to add to her dowry. You gave her a set of kingfisher feather and pearl headdress.
The second young mistress originally thought this was for her, but she never expected it to be someone else's.
When Hui Niang returned to the mansion that day, the second young mistress heard the news and, wanting to teach the third young lady a lesson, had her maid embarrass the third young lady.
Given the Third Miss's proud and arrogant nature, even if she were to return to her parents' home in the future, she would not reveal the matter in front of everyone.
"Every word I have said is true. If even half a word is a lie, may I be struck by lightning."
Upon hearing this, everyone turned their attention to Ding Wanyue.
Madam Chen slammed her right hand heavily on the table, but showed no sign of pain on her face.
Her brows were furrowed, and her face displayed an unapproachable majesty.
"Wenjun thinks of you because you have no parents and were raised in your aunt's house. You have a pitiful background and no one to rely on. She always thinks of you when she has something good."
I never imagined you'd be such an ingrate!
Hui Niang had nowhere to turn for help, and Wen Jun must have been heartbroken to hear that she was not allowed to enter the mansion.
How dare you conceal this matter for so many years for your own selfish reasons, preventing me from ever seeing Wenjun again in this lifetime!
Ding Wanyue knew there was no way to argue about what had happened today, and her eyes began to redden.
Thoughts that had been hidden in my heart for many years suddenly burst forth at this moment.
After laughing a few times, she said, "You all think Chen Wenjun is good, but you don't know that she is the real villain!"
"She was born into a wealthy and noble family, with two older brothers who doted on her and parents who always put her first."
Her biggest mistake was showing off in front of me every single day!
As Ding Wanyue spoke her deepest truths, her expression became ferocious.
"I lost both my parents when I was young and have lived my life at the mercy of my aunt's family."
Chen Wenjun was just playing the hero, helping me out of a predicament in front of various noble ladies once, and then she suppressed me in every way afterward.
She is exceptionally talented and is considered a gifted woman by many.
And I followed her around like her servant.
On what grounds?
Seeing Ding Wanyue going crazy, Chen Siqi wanted to step forward and stop her from continuing, otherwise no one could stop her from punishing her grandmother.
She had barely taken a step when she saw her mother's eyes, which were filled with tears, turning bloodshot.
In an instant, her newly mustered courage was dispelled.
Everyone watched coldly as Ding Wanyue went mad.
Ding Wanyue continued, "Everyone says that Chen Wenjun has good things, and they all want to give me a share."
Those things were nothing but junk she didn't want!
I should be grateful to her for picking up her trash?
I just wanted to embarrass her, but I never expected her to be so stupid as to lose her life.
After hearing her words, Chen Ziye realized that the person beside him was actually living with him in sheep's clothing.
After her outburst, Ding Wanyue became so emotionally agitated that she closed her eyes and collapsed to the ground.
Upon hearing Ding Wanyue's outburst, Chen Xianming felt a surge of anger rising from his chest to his head.
He tried to suppress his anger and save face for his son.
He looked at Chen Ziye and said, "Ding is the wife you brought into the household. You can decide what to do with her!"
After saying that, Chen Xianming got up and helped his wife walk into their courtyard.
After the two elderly people left the main hall, the others also left one after another.
Lu Qiqi then instructed Nineteen to send Zeng Huiniang back to the Prince of Libei's residence.
As for what will become of Zhujuan, she plans to leave that to Chen Ziye.
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