Jiang Songyi glanced at Jiang Yuyao with disdain, a mocking smile curling up at the corner of his lips. "Uncle? Jiang Yuyao, you can just call him father. Your biological mother, Liao, has long been a lowly concubine in the Duke of Huguo's mansion. This fact is common knowledge throughout the capital. Liao was originally Hao Ren's mistress, who had been secretly kept for over twenty years. You and Liao Lingxi were both his mistresses. Why bother pretending to call him uncle?"
Jiang Yuyao's identity was ruthlessly revealed in public. Her face instantly turned pale and embarrassed. She pursed her lips tightly and whispered, "Sister Songyi, my childhood was not my choice. Regardless of my connection with the Duke of Huguo, I firmly believe that our Yongding Marquisate acts with integrity and should not be timid and implicate innocent people."
Jiang Songyi's eyes flashed with disdain, a sarcastic smile playing on the corners of his mouth. "Open and aboveboard? When has the Yongding Marquisate ever done anything so contrary to the laws of nature? Who will bear the responsibility for this crime that implicates all nine generations of the family? Jiang Yuyao, you are so eager to clear the Marquisate's name. Is this the responsibility that should be borne solely by you? Or did you plan all this for Hao Ren?"
Her imposing aura was like a violent storm, pressing forward step by step. Jiang Yuyao could only retreat step by step under the pressure, and she couldn't help but panic.
"Sister Songyi, why do you have to speak so rudely? I'm just a girl immersed in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. How could I be involved in those conspiracies and tricks?" Jiang Yuyao's voice was low but firm. She tried her best to maintain her last dignity.
As she spoke, her gaze involuntarily shifted towards Xu, and she spoke with deep meaning, "In my opinion, your suspicions about me are not as deep as your suspicions about mother. Don't forget, mother's sister is still imprisoned in the palace for allegedly raising poisonous insects and harming people, and is under strict scrutiny."
Upon hearing this, Madam Xu took a step forward without hesitation, raised her hand and delivered a resounding slap, pointing her finger and angrily scolding, "You ungrateful thing! The Marquis's Mansion has been so kind to you in raising you, yet in times of crisis, all you can do is spout nonsense and frame others. Why are you so eager to escape the Marquis' Mansion and return to the Duke's Mansion to become that illegitimate daughter who lives in disgrace?"
Jiang Yuyao was caught off guard and was knocked off balance by the slap, leaving a bright red mark on her face. Her eyes were filled with resentment as she glared at Xu, tears welling in her eyes, but she remained silent, cursing silently in her heart.
Jiang Baichuan watched this scene and couldn't help but feel a bit of pity in his heart. He stepped forward and tried to pull Xu away, trying to persuade her, "Mother, my sister was also impulsive and said something inappropriate..."
However, before he could finish his words, Xu's slap had already landed on his face.
"Get out of here! She's not worthy of being your sister! Even now, haven't you seen clearly? The reason the Marquisate suffered this disaster is all because of Jiang Yuyao and the Protectorate Mansion behind her!"
Jiang Baichuan muttered to himself, "This thing was clearly placed there by Jiang Songyi. He could even hear her inner voice. Why is it all being blamed on Yuyao now? How did she even know beforehand that she was the illegitimate daughter of the Protector of the Country?"
What intentions are hidden behind Jiang Songyi's mysterious actions remains a mystery.
At this moment, whether it was the elders in the family such as his grandmother, or his mother and aunt of the same generation, everyone's face was shrouded in seriousness and solemnity, which made him dare not speak carelessly anymore.
Old Madam Jiang seemed to be aware of Jiang Songyi's plan.
Although she had already known that Jiang Yuyao planned to plant a witch doctor in Rongxi Garden to frame others, she did not take any measures to stop it, nor did she reveal anything to others. Instead, she chose to wait and see until the day when the Jinyiwei launched a search.
At the same time, she cleverly planted the evil spell that stole the country's destiny in the side yard of Rongxi Garden, imitating Hao Ren's handwriting, but its content was obviously detrimental to the Marquis' Mansion.
With such a double layout, if people have full confidence in the Marquis' Mansion, they will definitely conduct an in-depth investigation after discovering any abnormality, clear the Marquis' Mansion of charges, and at the same time severely punish Hao Ren for framing Zhongliang.
If the emperor had any doubts, he would feel that this matter was too targeted, more like a deliberate frame-up, or that there were spies from an enemy country who intended to sow discord between the monarch and his subjects.
Regardless, in this fraught situation, the Emperor will not easily attack the Yongding Marquisate in anger. Hao Ren, intent on framing the Yongding Marquisate, has not considered the integrity of his own residence. Can he withstand a thorough investigation?
Jiang Shu stepped forward with light steps, facing Ji Cheng and speaking in a deep voice, "Commander-in-Chief, the handwriting on this paper is identical to Hao Ren's. Honestly, the old lady of our country's Protectorate Mansion once used a similar evil spell, intending to steal my daughters' lives to prolong her own. It was for this reason that I was forced to leave the Duke's Mansion with my daughters to avoid being corrupted by their evil. You only need to go to the Protectorate Mansion to investigate these old stories to determine the truth. Don't let loyal people be framed by scheming villains, and don't let the Marquis' Mansion suffer unjust accusations."
Ji Cheng's face was stern, and his tone was as firm as iron: "I will report this matter to the Emperor."
He gave the Imperial Guards a subtle look, signaling them to withdraw. Once the surroundings were quiet, he slowly addressed Jiang Songyi and the others, "Since the evidence is questionable, there's no need to imprison you in the gloomy Imperial Prison to await trial. However, please remain within the Marquis's residence and refrain from any unauthorized actions, lest you interfere with the Imperial Guards' duties."
Hearing these words, the women of the Marquis's residence finally felt relieved. Even a quick glance at the dark and gloomy Imperial Prison was enough to instill fear in one's heart. In comparison, staying in the warm and cozy Marquis's residence was undoubtedly the most ideal choice.
The Duke of Protectorate's Mansion.
At this moment, Hao Ren was lying leisurely in the courtyard, basking in the sun, enjoying the gentle shoulder massage from his newly hired maid.
Over the years, under Jiang Shu's coercion, he had never even had a personal maid. Even if he wanted to indulge himself a little, he had to sneak away to the remote Xinghua Village to find Liao Qianqian. Now, he had finally broken free from Jiang Shu's constraints, as if he had been reborn, and his masculine nature was released.
He was counting the silver notes sent by Mrs. Zou in his hand, feeling extremely happy. He secretly calculated in his heart that canceling the marriage with Hao Qingzhi had already earned him a full 20,000 taels of silver, so what about his two daughters?
The Yongding Marquis' Mansion was facing an unprecedented crisis, and he didn't believe that the other two families would not feel anxious.
The man betrothed to the second daughter, Hao Qinghe, was the son of the Marquis of Weiwu. This dignified prince's future wife was destined to wear an imperial decree, so it was naturally impossible for him to marry the daughter of a criminal. Although the Marquis of Weiwu's family was not a high-ranking noble, only an earl, they were wealthy. The Marquis of Weiwu also controlled the grain transport system, and the wealth he could obtain was a considerable amount of money.
Even a noble family like Censor Zou can easily come up with 20,000 taels of silver. In order to cancel the engagement, the Weiwu Marquis's Mansion should be willing to pay more compensation, right?
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