But since the daughter and son-in-law have come to their door, they must want an explanation.
He couldn't let his eldest daughter feel disheartened.
Soon, Zhuang Xiuyan arrived. Her eyes lit up when she saw Cheng Jinyi.
Zhuang Xiyan saw this and sneered inwardly.
It's her fault for being blind before, never realizing how filthy her younger sister's heart was.
Zhuang Xiuyan had already greeted her parents and elders, and then turned around to greet her sister and brother-in-law.
Perhaps due to preconceived notions, Zhuang Xiyan felt that the voice calling him "brother-in-law" was all hooked, both delicate and soft, with ripples in his eyes, hinting at affection.
Zhuang Xiyan felt a surge of resentment and her face turned cold.
Cheng Jinyi's expression was very calm.
Zhuang Xiyan never told her sister about her incestuous feelings for him, otherwise he probably would have been unable to sit still long ago.
Madam Ning, however, had already seen through the clues, and her heart sank.
She spoke first, "Xiuyan, I've called you here today because I have something to ask you."
The servants who were serving in the room had all been sent away, so as to avoid Zhuang Xiuyan's shameful deeds being exposed.
Seeing this scene, Zhuang Xiuyan felt inexplicably uneasy, but she didn't show it on her face.
"yes."
Madam Ning stared intently at her youngest daughter and said in a deep voice, "Did you take your elder sister's birth date and time and arrange a ghost marriage with an evil spirit?"
Her bluntness displeased Old Madam Zhuang.
Zhuang Xiuyan was shocked and paled, a look of panic flashing in her eyes, but she reacted quickly and knelt down, tears streaming down her face before she could speak.
“Why does Mother ask such a question? Even if you favor my elder sister, I am still your own flesh and blood. Your suspicion and these hurtful words must mean you despise me. I might as well give up my life to prove my innocence and save the whole family from unrest.”
After she finished speaking, she was about to get up and bang her head against the door frame.
Before Old Madam Zhuang could stop her, Cheng Jinyi said coldly, "My mother-in-law only asked one question, and Sixth Miss is already putting on such a show, crying and wailing as if she wants to die. She has completely forgotten that our bodies and hair are given to us by our parents, and we dare not damage them; this is the beginning of filial piety. It is no wonder that an unfilial and unjust person would do something that harms their own siblings."
Scholars aren't the dull-witted students depicted in storybooks; those who can pass the imperial examinations are no fools. Cheng Jinyi comes from a prominent family and has been exposed to many social dynamics since childhood. How could she not see through Zhuang Xiyan's little trick?
It's just affectation and arrogance born of favor.
Zhuang Xiuyan paused in her sobs, looking at him in disbelief, her expression a mixture of shock, guilt, and deep sadness at being betrayed.
Cheng Jinyi's face darkened completely; no wonder his wife was so tight-lipped.
This sister-in-law is truly heartless and ruthless.
Seeing her granddaughter being scolded in front of others, Old Madam Zhuang felt somewhat embarrassed.
Zhuang Shixu coughed lightly, "Xiuyan, don't be silly."
Zhuang Xiuyan also came to her senses, her face filled with hesitation and tears streaming down her face.
"Father, please forgive me; brother-in-law, you have reprimanded me. I dare not disobey. It is truly my mother's words that have been so cruel. I..."
Ning Shi did indeed favor her eldest daughter more due to her preconceived notions, but her youngest daughter was also her own flesh and blood, how could she not love her? Unexpectedly, she only asked one question, and her youngest daughter accused her of being biased in her dealings with others in public.
Fortunately, there were no outsiders in the house, otherwise she would have lost face.
Just as Cheng Jinyi was about to speak, Zhuang Xiyan pressed his hand down, shook her head at him, and said, "Now that I'm here, I already know the whole story. Whether you admit it or deny it, it won't change the facts. It just gives me another layer of understanding of you—"
She stared intently at Zhuang Xiuyan, her gaze sharp. "Even the wicked have a shred of conscience, but you don't even have the courage to admit your mistakes, and you're even disrespectful to your mother. It's clear you've lost all humanity."
Old Madam Zhuang said sternly, "Xiyan, Xiuyan is your own sister. How can you speak so harshly? Where have you learned all these years of manners?"
These words were a direct insult to Ning Shi.
Her face turned cold. "Xi Yan suffered such a terrible misfortune for no reason. Who is it that disregards sibling affection? Is Mother still going to be biased even now?"
Zhuang Shixu frowned. "Madam, please be careful with your words."
The Ning family did not back down. The whole family favored Zhuang Xiuyan, and even though she had made such a big mistake, they still used sibling affection to force the eldest daughter who had been hurt to forgive her.
This is outrageous!
She straightened her back and said, "As the saying goes, family scandals should not be aired in public, let alone something like siblings killing each other. But Xiuyan keeps crying out that she is innocent, and her mother and husband feel sorry for her and are unwilling to pursue the matter. But Xiyan was framed for no reason and almost lost her life. Do you think I don't feel sorry for her? Since everyone has their own version of the truth, and we mortals don't understand matters of ghosts and gods, why don't we invite Princess Fule to come and save someone from being wronged?"
Zhuang Xiuyan's face was ashen.
Old Madam Zhuang angrily retorted, "How dare you! Do you truly wish to utterly disgrace upon the Zhuang family?"
Madam Ning's eyes held a hint of mockery. "If it weren't for the sake of the family's reputation, this matter would have been taken to court long ago, instead of being discussed behind closed doors."
Old Madam Zhuang was so angry that her lips trembled.
Zhuang Xiuyan cried pitifully, "Mother's words mean that she is convinced that I harmed my sister. If that's the case, why bother with interrogation? Just take my life as compensation. If that can appease Mother and my sister's anger, then I will die a worthy death."
She's still playing the victim and acting weak; this trick always works.
Especially for Madam Zhuang.
Madam Zhuang was indeed heartbroken. She took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Alright, regardless of who is right or wrong, the matter has been resolved, and it's fortunate that Xiyan is unharmed. Both of them are your daughters. Do you really want Xiuyan to pay with her life? She has already come of age and should be engaged by next year at the latest. If this gets out of hand, how will she face people in the future?"
Zhuang Xiyan knew her grandmother was biased, but she never expected her to be this biased.
Zhuang Xiuyan wanted her dead, but in her grandmother's eyes, it was just a few light words.
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