Song Anxin stood up, her eyes filled with coldness. This little Su family really had a good way of sacrificing a pawn to save the king.
She said, "Isn't it a bit too hasty of Master Liu to decide this matter so easily?"
Master Liu looked puzzled and said, "With so many servants testifying, the matter seems quite clear, so..."
“This servant has no excuse.” Song Anxin interrupted him, her sharp gaze sweeping over Madam Su as she questioned, “Madam Liu, you keep saying that Granny Yan framed you, deceiving your superiors and doing this on her own. I would like to ask, what was Granny Yan’s purpose in doing this? As a first-class servant in your household, she holds a high position. If she hadn’t given you orders, why would she have taken such a risk?”
Song Anxin's words are all precious.
"You said you did your best for Aunt Lin, and even ordered someone to stew ginseng soup for her, but Granny Fang said that there was no ginseng at all in the kitchen! This life-saving ginseng was brought by me, and the remaining half is still here. You saw it, Master Liu."
Therefore, Granny Yan had absolutely no reason to frame Concubine Lin!
Master Liu frowned in thought. The half-ginseng was indeed still by Consort Lin's bedside, and it wasn't the one from his own household. He spoke up:
“What Madam Hui says is true. Granny Yan is the one you trust most. Why would she do something like this, deceiving her master and harming others? What benefit would it bring her? Also, that ginseng was specially found for Concubine Lin to use during childbirth. You said you ordered someone to make soup for her, but the kitchen says there wasn't any.” Master Liu’s face returned to its stern expression. “Little Madam Su, don’t try to play any womanly tricks on me!”
A look of panic crossed Madam Su's eyes. She lowered her head and immediately said, "Master, I am truly innocent. I did give the ginseng to Granny Yan and asked her to instruct the kitchen to stew it. As for why Granny Yan did this, I really don't know."
At this moment, a young maid kneeling beside Granny Yan suddenly trembled.
Granny Qi immediately said, "You are the girl Granny Yan trusts the most. Do you know something? Tell the truth quickly, or you will be sold off too!"
Upon hearing this, the young maid immediately trembled and said, "Master, spare me! Madam, spare me! I saw Granny Yan hide that ginseng away."
"Someone! Go and search Granny Yan's residence thoroughly!" Master Liu immediately ordered.
"Tell me everything you know!"
The maidservant continued, trembling, "Granny Yan used to have a niece working in the kitchen. Because Granny Yan was someone close to the Madam, everyone in the kitchen gave in to her, and she was usually very careless in her work. Once, she mistakenly put peanuts in the Second Miss's meal. The Second Miss is allergic to peanuts, and everyone in the kitchen knows that."
Fortunately, the second young lady was discovered eating by Consort Lin, who then reprimanded her. Later, when you, sir, found out about this, you sent that girl to the laundry room. The laundry room was a tough place, and Granny Yan's niece went to Granny Yan every day crying and complaining. Granny Yan told me, said, said that Consort Lin must pay the price. I... I really didn't expect Granny Yan to do such a thing while Consort Lin was giving birth. I... I really didn't know anything about this! Please, sir and madam, spare my life!"
Upon reflection, Master Liu realized that he had indeed sent a young maid to the laundry room.
At this moment, the servant who went to search returned and reported: "Master, the century-old ginseng was found in Granny Yan's room."
Granny Yan stared wide-eyed in disbelief, making muffled noises.
At this moment, Madam Su jumped out and accused, "Well, Granny Yan, you actually framed Aunt Lin for this! I already said that your niece deserved what she got. I trusted you so much, and you actually did this and even tried to frame me. You even dared to keep this century-old ginseng!"
Taking advantage of the moment, she whispered in Granny Yan's ear, "Granny Yan, you'd better accept it. I will find a good family for your niece to marry into so that she can live a worry-free life."
Granny Yan looked at her in horror. So, the Madam had already planned to make her take the blame. Thinking of her niece, she finally lowered her head, her face ashen.
Master Liu said, "Now that we have both witnesses and physical evidence, remove the gag from this lackey's mouth and see what she has to say."
Granny Yan had stopped struggling fiercely and was completely dejected. She lowered her eyes and said woodenly, "It was because this old servant held a grudge against Concubine Lin that I harmed her like this while she was giving birth. This old servant begged Madam to release my niece from the laundry room, but Madam refused. I held a grudge and that's why I framed Madam for this. All of this was done on my orders and has nothing to do with Madam."
Master Liu said angrily, "You dog of a servant, you're finally telling the truth now! So you've been holding a grudge against Aunt Lin because of this, and you even framed Madam for framing Aunt Lin. You're truly narrow-minded and vicious! Guards! Drag him away, beat him up first, and then sell him off."
Song Anxin stood to the side with a cold face and her eyes growing increasingly dark. She had really underestimated this little Su Shi. She had arranged this matter extremely meticulously. Now that Granny Yan had confessed to her crimes, there was no way she could overturn anything.
After Granny Yan was taken away, Master Liu turned around, cupped his hands, and said to Song Anxin:
“Madam Hui, I am truly ashamed that the servants in my household have been so poorly disciplined that they have committed such a framing and slanderous act. Rest assured, I guarantee that this will never happen again, and I will protect Aunt Lin and my child. I also thank Madam Hui for saving Aunt Lin and my child; I will always remember this kindness.”
Before Song Anxin could speak, the kneeling Madam Su wiped away her tears with a handkerchief and said mournfully:
“Madam Hui, this Granny Yan has committed such heinous and deceitful acts. It is my fault for not teaching her properly, which almost harmed Concubine Lin. I am also ashamed of my relationship with you, sir, and for making you, Madam Hui, go on this journey in fear. Sir, I am willing to go to the temple to copy scriptures, chant Buddhist prayers, and observe a vegetarian diet for a month, firstly to atone for my sins, and secondly to pray for Concubine Lin and the newborn young master. I hope you will grant my request.”
Looking at Madam Su's appearance, Master Liu sighed and said, "This matter was caused by someone close to you, so you are naturally responsible. You are too kind-hearted, which is why you have such a servant who dares to frame and slander his master. A mistress of the house must be both kind and authoritative."
"You don't need to go to the temple. Just stay in the Buddhist hall in the backyard, copying scriptures and praying for blessings. Also, thoroughly reorganize the servants in the mansion to prevent the emergence of any more servants with such malicious intentions."
Madam Su, with a gentle and virtuous demeanor, replied, "Yes, sir."
Song Anxin, standing to the side, had deep eyes. This little Su was truly cunning and put on a good act. No wonder Master Liu always thought she was a virtuous and kind lady.
Since things had come to this, she could say nothing more. Although she was Lady Hui, she could not convict someone without evidence, especially since this was a matter within someone else's home.
After the matter was settled, Master Liu compensated Song Anxin with the century-old ginseng and also gave her the money from the silver ear fungus he had taken out to sell, totaling more than four hundred taels.
“Master Liu, you’ve gone to great lengths to sell this white fungus. This is the commission that my sister-in-law and I agreed to give you.”
Song Anxin pushed one of the silver notes over.
Master Liu dared not accept it. He hurriedly pushed it back, saying, "Madam Hui, I certainly cannot accept this commission. The incident involving Aunt Lin in my household has caused you and Aunt Lin's elder brother and sister-in-law great worry. Moreover, you have saved my son. Please do not stand on ceremony with me."
Master Liu firmly refused to accept it, so Song Anxin didn't insist. She decided to have her sister-in-law send a generous gift to Taohua later.
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