Chapter 17: Stealing a Chicken, Losing the Rice
When Tan Xiang presented the box in front of the two of them, Jiang Cheng's expression suddenly changed when he saw what was inside, and his face instantly turned gloomy.
Zhang also pretended to be horrified, but inwardly she was delighted. She then pretended to be heartbroken and accused Jiang Lan, "How dare you use this thing to harm others? The current emperor is most averse to witchcraft. If someone reports you, you will ruin our Shangshu Mansion, your father's official position, and the future of your brothers and sisters!"
"I didn't..." Jiang Lan lowered her head in grievance and defended herself in a low voice.
Zhang sneered in her heart, waiting for Jiang Cheng to lose his temper and slap Jiang Lan in the face. However, after waiting for two seconds, there was no movement. She felt a little surprised and turned her head to see that Jiang Cheng was still staring at the little wooden man in the box.
There was a name written on the yellow talisman on the little wooden man's chest, which was pierced with a needle.
Jiang Cheng stared at the name, his face becoming increasingly gloomy and his brows furrowed tighter and tighter.
Zhang was still proudly thinking that Jiang Lan was dead this time. However, when she followed Jiang Cheng's gaze to look at the wooden man, she was so scared that her whole body trembled and she couldn't speak. She was really shocked this time.
All I saw was Jiang Lan's name written on it, not the Duke's wife.
"Daddy, what is this?" Jiang Lan was frightened when she saw her name being pricked by a needle, and hid behind Jiang Cheng in fear.
Jiang Cheng's face turned pale as he asked where Tan Xiang had found the box. Tan Xiang was so frightened at this time that she couldn't even speak clearly.
Gui'er was the bravest and immediately replied, "This was found in a box. It contains calligraphy that the young lady used to practice. It was previously kept by Sister Bi'er. No one has opened it since Sister Bi'er left." At this point, Gui'er suddenly raised her hand to cover her mouth in surprise. "Could it be that Sister Bi'er has been using this thing to curse the young lady behind her back? No wonder the young lady's health has not improved all these years."
"What nonsense are you talking about? Shut up!" Zhang scolded, and Gui'er lowered her head and stopped talking.
Zhang panicked when Jiang Cheng looked at her. She immediately put the blame on Bier, scolding her for being ungrateful and daring to curse her master in such a vicious way. She deserved to die!
Jiang Cheng looked at her again. Zhang felt uneasy and her neck shrank.
"Isn't Bi'er your dowry maid? You asked her to serve Lan'er, and this is how she served you?" Jiang Cheng snorted coldly, his face horrifying.
Zhang quickly swore that she really had no idea. If she had known, she would have beaten Bier to death long ago. Then she directed the conflict to Jiang Lan, implying that perhaps it was Jiang Lan's harsh treatment of Bier that caused Bier to bear a grudge and wait for an opportunity to take revenge.
Jiang Lan swore that she didn't, and she started coughing anxiously and almost fainted. Jiang Cheng scolded Zhang to shut up, and his anger was directed at Qing'er.
"And you, for gossiping about the master behind his back, will be sent back to the manor tomorrow."
Qing'er cried and kowtowed for mercy, and Jiang Lan also pleaded for her, and because she had always served wholeheartedly, she was spared this time.
"A servant who likes to gossip like this will be a disaster if he stays in the mansion." Jiang Cheng has made up his mind.
"Father, calm down first," Jiang Lan advised. "My daughter has already lost a personal maid. If another one leaves, it might arouse suspicion." Seeing her father's expression soften, she only needed a step to calm down. "Father, please forgive her this time. From now on, I will control the servants well and prevent them from causing trouble again."
In consideration of Jiang Lan's plea, Jiang Cheng temporarily did not punish Qing'er and warned her that if she caused trouble again in the future, she would be kicked out of the house.
Qing'er kowtowed in gratitude, and together with Gui'er, she helped Jiang Lan back to the house to rest.
At this moment, Zhang didn't have the extra thoughts to wonder why Jiang Lan saved Qing'er. What she was most worried about was that if Jiang Cheng wanted to get to the bottom of Bi'er's affair, how could she clear herself?
While she was thinking about countermeasures, Jiang Cheng said coldly, "If anything goes wrong with Lan'er in the future, I will find my wife." After that, he turned away.
Zhang staggered and almost collapsed to the ground, and was supported by Tan Xiang and left.
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