Seeing the ruthlessness that flashed in Mu Rou'er's eyes, Chu Shi's lips curled slightly.
The reason she didn't confront Mu Rou'er was because she knew that this jade pendant alone wouldn't be enough to punish Mu Rou'er.
As long as she says that she bought the jade pendant from Qingyun Temple and that she asked for it to protect Wanwan, no one can convict Mu Rou'er.
She might as well use this jade pendant to smear Qingyun Temple and let Mu Rou'er and Qingyun Temple, those two mad dogs, tear each other apart.
Regardless of who wins or loses, it's a good thing...
"Aunt Mu, I'm talking to you!"
Seeing Mu Rou'er's dazed expression, Madam Chu raised an eyebrow.
Upon hearing this, Mu Rou'er quickly smiled and said:
"This? I bought it! I bought it for a thousand taels of silver!"
As soon as Mu Rou'er uttered those words, a mocking smile appeared on Chu's lips.
"Oh? I had no idea that Aunt Mu was so rich! She just took out a jade pendant worth a thousand taels of silver and gave it away as a gift?"
If I remember correctly, the general said your family was from a minor county magistrate's household in Rongshui County. I had no idea that the daughter of such a lowly magistrate could be so wealthy! Could it be that you've done something you shouldn't have?"
As soon as Madam Chu finished speaking, the ladies and young women present immediately began to whisper among themselves.
"No wonder she's just the daughter of a county magistrate, yet she dresses more lavishly than any of us. It turns out..."
Hehehe..."
"That's right! The imperial court is currently cracking down on corrupt officials. This Aunt Mu is really brainless, flaunting her wealth like this. Is she afraid that others won't know that her family has problems?"
"Coming from a humble background, what kind of knowledge could she possibly have? She probably never imagined that giving a gift could cause such a big disaster. It seems that Aunt Mu's family is about to face a great calamity..."
"..."
"Chu, what nonsense are you spouting?" Mu Rou'er panicked when she heard that Chu wanted to drag the entire family of the magistrate of Rongshui County into this mess.
Her adoptive father was indeed involved in embezzlement; if an investigation were conducted, he would definitely be in trouble!
But what she feared wasn't that her adoptive family would get into trouble; what she feared was that her true identity would be discovered.
If anyone finds out who she is, she will not be rewarded with the glory of being a princess.
Instead, it was Prince Rui and Consort Jin who used their butcher's knives.
She knew Consort Jin all too well; years ago, she managed to get her out of the palace for power and status.
Now, she will also erase everything about herself and Rongshui County completely for those reasons...
"Hehehe... I was just wondering, why is Aunt Mu so nervous?"
Seeing Mu Rou'er's pale face, Madam Chu smiled and looked at Madam Fang.
"Madam Fang, the Grand Secretary has always been an honest and upright official, and he can't stand corrupt officials who exploit the people."
Please ask Madam to go back and speak with the Grand Secretary, and have the officials below him give a warning to those who are dishonest, so as not to let those corrupt officials get carried away.
"Even his own daughter has become arrogant and ignorant..."
Chu mocked Mu Rou'er without any mercy.
When she learned that Mu Rou'er was a princess, she initially intended to avoid her.
But later, she thought about it carefully.
After six months of getting to know Mu Rou'er, she realized that this woman would not become more restrained because of her tolerance and lack of competitiveness.
They might even think she's weak and easy to bully, and their methods will become increasingly cruel.
Instead, we should do the opposite and let her know that she is not someone to be trifled with. That way, she will have to think twice about the consequences next time she wants to do something, and whether she can bear them.
Furthermore, if she, as the principal wife, were to constantly yield to and fear a concubine, it would only make Mu Rou'er suspect that she already knew her identity. If that were the case, she would not only have to face the struggles within the inner quarters, but might directly confront Prince Rui or Consort Jin.
Therefore, the safest course of action now is to treat Mu Rou'er as an ordinary concubine. This way, at least until those people succeed, the four of them, including the mother and her children, will be safe.
"I will definitely explain what happened today to my husband. It seems that Concubine Mu has quite a background! No wonder she can cause trouble in the mansion as a concubine!"
Madam Fang and Madam Chu were related by marriage, and Madam Fang had long disliked Mu Rou'er. Naturally, she spoke up for Madam Chu at this moment.
Furthermore, the imperial court was currently cracking down on corrupt officials, and if Mu Rou'er's family was indeed guilty of embezzlement, they should be investigated and punished.
Therefore, Mrs. Fang readily agreed.
Mu Rou'er panicked even more upon seeing this...
"No! This money wasn't given to me by my father; it's my husband's personal savings!"
"Hehehe... Your husband gave you his private money? Zhucui, go and call the general over! I want to see if it was the general who gave Aunt Mu the money!"
Chu sneered and gave an order to Zhu Cui, who was standing to the side.
Zhu Cui responded and left.
Mu Rou'er was sweating profusely with anxiety, but could only stare helplessly. Sheng Lingtian naturally had no money to give her; this silver was all taken from Chu's dowry.
In the past six months, Chu's health has been poor, and she took advantage of this to get Old Madam Sheng to take away Chu's power to manage the household.
Using her advanced age and declining health as an excuse, Madam Sheng handed over the management of the household to Mu Rou'er.
Chu's dowry was kept in the storeroom of the General Zhenguo's Mansion, which provided Mu Rou'er with a lot of convenience.
In the past six months, she has misappropriated a significant portion of the Chu family's dowry.
A moment later, Sheng Lingtian walked over with a frown, accompanied by Chu's second and third brothers.
"Madam, is there something you need from me?"
Sheng Lingtian walked into the hall, first asked Chu Shi, and then his gaze fell on Mu Rou'er.
Mu Rou'er looked up and met Sheng Lingtian's gaze, her heart pounding.
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