Yu Tang was kidnapped, and it was Pei Yan who saved her. Before Li Duan came, he had discussed carefully with the guests left by his father at home. The kidnapping could not be erased, and it was easy to cause complications. The most urgent thing was to deny the killing of Wei Xiaoshan no matter what. Otherwise, even if the Li family was a family of officials, they might be asked to kill someone to pay for the crime. Who would take the blame then?
Li Duan thought about it and felt that there was nothing wrong with what Yu Tang said, so he smiled and said, "Ms. Yu, our family was wrong in this matter, but 'there are no parents who are not wrong', so please don't hold it against my mother. If Miss Yu still feels angry, I am willing to compensate the Yu family and Miss Yu on behalf of my mother."
At this point, Yu Tang could guess what he would say.
"No need for compensation." She said calmly, "My family just didn't accept your proposal, but your mother can ruin my reputation. Before, your mother invited Mr. Tang's wife to my house to act as a matchmaker, but was rejected by my family. I think your mother must be very angry. I just don't know what your mother thought when she knew that my family was interested in arranging a marriage with the Wei family? What did you do?"
The conversation finally came to the matter of Wei Xiaoshan.
Everyone present was moved, and then they began to whisper in twos and threes.
Originally, I thought that the Li family had no motive to kill Wei Xiaoshan, but now after hearing what Yu Tang said, it is really possible that it was Mrs. Li who did it.
Before Yu Tang finished speaking, Li Duan's heart skipped a beat, knowing that Yu Tang had caught him this time. He glanced at the country gentlemen who all had expressions of sudden enlightenment on their faces, and said hurriedly, "Miss Yu, you are wrong. Although my mother has a quick temper, she is not capable of murder. Miss Yu, you must provide evidence when you speak, so don't talk nonsense."
After saying this, he looked towards Pei Yan.
Pei Yan had been sitting upright before, but he didn't know when he had his left elbow resting on the armrest of the armchair. He sat there with a leisurely look on his face, playing with a Hetian jade Pi Xiu, and it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry.
Li Duan was a little anxious, but he didn't dare show it on his face.
Yu Tang said coldly, "I'm afraid that Master Li is too concerned. Doesn't Madam Li know how important her daughter's family's reputation is? She allowed those hooligans to kidnap me for her own selfish interests. How is this different from murder? How can Master Li guarantee that your mother will not be angry and do something similar to kidnapping me when she knows that our family is planning to recruit the second son of the Wei family as a son-in-law?"
Li Duan argued: "How can murder and kidnapping be compared?"
Yu Tang said aggressively, "What's the difference? They both ordered people to do things, and they both used whatever means to achieve their goals. For women who live in the inner house, they can usually hear people talking about a woman's innocence, but they may not see someone being killed. I'm afraid that for Madam Li, the innocence of a bad guy is more shocking than murder! Am I wrong? Or does Madam Li think that a woman's innocence is not important?"
Her words were like water dropped into a frying pan, exploding with crackling sounds.
The country gentlemen began to discuss: "A woman's innocence is naturally more important than life and death!"
"Even if Madam Li is angry for a moment, she can't do this!"
"That's right. That's right. This is too much."
Li Duan's forehead was sweating, and he said hurriedly: "Ms. Yu, my mother definitely didn't mean that..."
"You didn't mean to do that?" Yu Tang insisted. If the Li family dared to do this, she would put such a big hat on Madam Li today to let everyone know that Madam Li is not a good person. "You dare to kidnap me without any intention. If you did mean to, wouldn't you also want to kill people?"
Li Duan was forced into a corner by Yu Tang and had no choice but to ask Pei Yan for help.
"Master Pei San," he bowed to Pei Yan, "please help me say something. It was wrong for our family to kidnap Miss Yu, but today we are here to talk about the murder of the second son of the Wei family. If Miss Yu is dissatisfied, after this matter is over, I will go to the Yu family alone to compensate Miss Yu."
"Forget about the gift alone." Yu Tang said without waiting for Pei Yan to speak, "I didn't expect that the eldest son of the Li family has learned the art of rhetoric so well. We talk about one thing, and you talk about another. Well, we will talk about my kidnapping later. Now, let's talk about the murder of the second son of the Wei family."
As she spoke, she pointed at the two refugees and said, "We produced witnesses, and you said we were slandering you, saying that you had no need to kill the second son of the Wei family. I pointed out the reasons why you killed the second son of the Wei family, and you asked me to produce evidence. You are right no matter what you say. I would like to ask, if we caught a murder at the scene, would you also say that it had nothing to do with you. Mr. Li, I would like to ask, in the eyes of you, the Li family, what can be considered as a witness recognized by you? What can be considered as physical evidence recognized by you? We can also look for it according to Mr. Li's wishes, so that he won't be so arrogant and refuse to admit it no matter what."
Pei Yan touched the Pi Xiu that he had just taken off his waist.
He knew that Miss Yu was eloquent, but he didn't expect her to be so eloquent and bold.
Isn’t she afraid that she won’t be able to get married?
Pei Yan looked at Li Duan.
Li Duan was anxious and said, "Ms. Yu, these two people can do anything as long as they are paid. How can they be witnesses..."
Yu Tang interrupted him and asked, "Master Li, have you ever dealt with these two people? Otherwise, how do you know that they can do anything as long as they are paid? Why did Master Li just say that these two people have nothing to do with your family after they escaped from the farm?"
Li Duan said, "Miss Yu, please stop slandering others. It's obvious that these two people are not good people, so their words cannot be used as evidence. Miss Yu, don't say anything just to let our Li family take the blame."
Yu Tang said, "According to what you said, I made this up completely out of thin air? It's strange, why didn't I say it was done by the Wang family or the Sun family, but instead said it was done by your Li family?"
Li Duan said: "That's because Miss Yu misunderstood that there is a rift between our Li family and your Yu family..."
"Is there no gap?" Yu Tang stepped forward and asked sharply again, "Your Li family has been trying to influence my marriage. The Wei family has never had any personal grudges against anyone. Our family has been doing good to others in Lin'an these years. Who would not praise our Yu family for being kind? How could such a disaster happen? If not your family, who else could be blamed?"
Li Duan was a little overwhelmed by Yu Tang's questioning and said, "Miss Yu, you can't assume that this was done by our Li family!"
Yu Tang said in a disapproving tone, "I am certain that it was your Li family who did it. Since Master Li said that it was not your family who did it, then please show us the evidence. We can't just let this matter go just because of your words, right? How can you ask others to do something without asking yourself?"
Should the Li family produce evidence to prove their innocence?
Li Duan looked at Pei Yan again.
Pei Yan didn't know when he had switched to supporting his elbow with his right arm.
He said in a deep voice, "Okay! Since Master Li said this matter has nothing to do with your family, then show us the evidence."
Is Pei Yan going to side with the Yu family?
Li Duan's heart sank, and he could only say, "Miss Yu, on the night when Wei Xiaoshan got into trouble, no one in the Li family went out, nor did they go to the farm. Especially my mother, I was in charge of the dowry shop, not to mention the household chores. There is a difference between men and women, and it is impossible for her to know these two refugees."
Yu Tang couldn't hold it in any longer. She couldn't help but sarcastically said, "Filial piety comes first among all virtues. I didn't know that Master Li would drag your mother into such a big matter. Isn't it Master Li who is in charge of the general affairs of the Li family?"
Li Duan's face turned pale.
As a son, he should not only say that Lin did not do it, but even if Lin did it, he should admit it.
Just now he only thought about making excuses for the Li family, but forgot the most basic filial piety.
Li Duan felt very regretful and glanced quickly around.
Sure enough, everyone looked at him with something a little strange.
Li Duan cursed secretly in his heart.
Most of the important people in Lin'an City today are here. If he doesn't perform well, his reputation will be ruined. Not to mention being an official, it will be difficult for him to live a decent life in Lin'an City.
"Miss Yu," he said carefully, "please don't argue. I am just answering you. You keep saying that this matter is related to my mother. If I just keep silent, wouldn't I be allowing you to slander my mother's reputation? Speaking of evidence, since Miss Yu thinks these two refugees are witnesses, I would like to ask, these two refugees said that they were instructed by my family, so let these two people point out the person who instructed them."
Who would personally order someone to commit murder?
Yu Tang knew this would happen, so he was unwilling to report to the authorities.
She glanced at the gentry sitting around.
Although no one said anything, everyone looked at Li Duan with a bit of scrutiny.
The seeds of doubt have been planted.
That's enough.
As for revenge, it would be too easy for the Li family to just let them go.
Yu Tang sneered in his heart.
The two refugees were fierce in nature, and after being dragged out, they wanted to directly identify Li Duan in a desperate attempt. However, when they raised their heads, they saw Yu Tang's cold eyes and shuddered.
Before coming here, Yu Tang had repeatedly told them to tell the truth no matter what, not to exaggerate or be self-righteous. If Li Duan found anything wrong with their testimony, and the Li family wanted them to take the blame, the Yu family would definitely stand by and not do anything. If they could tell the truth, the Yu family would save their lives.
When the two brothers were standing in the hall, they didn't take it seriously. But when they saw Yu Tang arguing with Li Duan and trapping Li Duan, they couldn't help but gain confidence in Yu Tang and decided to stand on Yu Tang's side.
The two exchanged glances and confessed that the person who ordered them was the chief steward of the Li family.
Li Duan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and felt vaguely disappointed.
It would be nice if these two people admitted that he was the one who ordered it.
He could have questioned the two people until they were speechless, making everyone suspect that these two people were hired by the Yu family to frame the Li family.
What a pity.
Seeing these two tough guys act so foolishly.
"Miss Yu." After the two of them finished talking, Li Duan immediately put on a guilty look and said, "This is the first time I've heard of this. I'll call the chief steward to ask him about it."
In a family like the Li family, the chief steward is usually a family son or a hereditary servant. Several generations have lived in the Li family, and their children and in-laws are all in the same mansion. It is impossible for them to make decisions on their own. And even if they call someone, the chief steward of the Li family is unlikely to reveal the master of the Li family.
Everyone has their own account in their heart.
Wei Xiaoshan was killed by the Li family.
Although the real murderer cannot be punished now, the truth has been revealed.
Mr. Wei burst into tears.
All the country gentlemen looked on, and none of them did not feel uncomfortable.
After raising a son for so long, and finally expecting him to start a family and a career, he is gone just like that, and there is no way to seek justice. No one can bear this.
Mr. Wu stood up, patted Mr. Wei on the shoulder, and said, "My condolences."
Other village gentlemen also came forward to comfort Mr. Wei.
With red eyes, Mr. Wei thanked everyone: "Thank you so much for coming today!"
Master Wu had been looking for an opportunity to strike up a conversation with Pei Yan. Upon hearing this, he immediately said, "We are nothing. We have to thank Master Pei San. If it weren't for him, we wouldn't be able to get together."
Elderly people...
Yu Tang couldn't help but curl his lips slightly.
Pei Yan glanced at Yu Tang.
What does she mean?
Shouldn't we be grateful to him for this?
If he doesn't show up, will the Yu family be able to make things clear?
Thinking of this, Pei Yan simply called on the twelfth uncle of the Li family, who had remained silent the whole time, and asked, "Now that things have come to this, do you have anything to say?"