"Whatever belongs to you must be returned to its original owner. Don't harbor any selfish thoughts and think you can embezzle it secretly. These items have been recorded in the book. If even a little bit is missing, your and your father's reputation will be ruined." Chen stared at her daughter with eyes wide open, her words revealing an unquestionable determination.
The reason why she was searching everywhere at this moment was because that hateful Song Jiao dared to threaten her.
When he thought of this, an indescribable anger surged in Chen's heart.
Tao Qingge frowned slightly when she heard this, and asked with a hint of confusion: "What on earth is going on that has led to this?"
Chen explained the whole story in detail, causing Tao Qingge to grit her teeth and rage, "Is the only option now to obey me completely?"
As soon as she heard this, she couldn't help but feel bitter. If this was true, wouldn't her dowry be greatly reduced?
"Mother, I am your own flesh and blood. How can you just watch what I have decrease day by day?" Tao Qingge spoke sincerely, with unwillingness and helplessness flashing in his eyes.
Chen sighed helplessly and said earnestly, "So what? Do you want to be ruined, or have your father implicated, and have your family no longer be able to provide you with any support?"
These words made Tao Qingge fall silent instantly.
She knew very well that if it really came to that, the consequences would be disastrous.
Although his resentment towards Song Jiao grew deeper, this grievance seemed insignificant when he thought of the glory and honor of his previous life.
"Forget it, take it away if you want, I don't care. One day, I will take back everything that belongs to me, and even more." Tao Qingge's eyes were firm, and his tone revealed infinite expectations for the future.
At this moment, Song Jiao was sitting leisurely in her boudoir, looking at the mother and daughter on the system screen, with a sneer on her lips: "Huh, what a fantasy."
At this moment, Shan Ye pushed the door open and walked in, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze: "Miss, the things you instructed have been completed. Now everyone in the streets and alleys is talking about what the second young lady did, and tomorrow morning someone will make her words public."
Song Jiao gently put down the teacup in her hand, a sly look flashing in her eyes: "If the spread is not fast enough, then I will spare no expense to make it spread to every corner."
Shan Ye understood and replied respectfully, "I will do it immediately."
The next morning, as soon as day broke, the entire capital was plunged into a heated discussion.
Whether in the streets or in the inner courtyard of the Marquis's mansion, people were hotly discussing what Tao Qingge did and said.
Tao's father was obviously disturbed by the rumors. He looked solemn and immediately summoned everyone in the mansion to the main hall.
His eyes were as sharp as torches, sweeping over everyone present one by one, and finally stopping on Song Jiao. There was both scrutiny and doubt in his eyes.
Song Jiao slowly raised her eyes, determination and fearlessness gleaming in them. She met Father Tao's gaze without flinching. "Daddy, what is your intention in looking at me like this? Do you also think I'm the one behind these rumors?"
"A few days ago, I reminded you, father, how many eyes are watching the Marquis' Mansion right now. I may be ignorant, but don't you understand, father?"
She sneered in her heart. Even if it was really her who did it, so what?
Without solid evidence, who can do anything to her?
Tao Qingge clearly hadn't realized the seriousness of the situation yet. She still thought it was just some insignificant rumors, so she casually said, "Dad, why are you making such a fuss over these rumors? They're just ordinary people. What kind of trouble can they cause?"
After hearing this, Mr. Tao's face turned pale instantly. He slammed the table, stood up, and slapped Tao Qingge without hesitation, "Evil girl, look at the good things you have done!" His voice was low and powerful, full of anger and disappointment.
"Do you feel that life as a father is too comfortable?" Tao's father's eyes revealed deep pain and helplessness.
Tao Qingge covered her burning cheeks, her eyes filled with disbelief. She said in a trembling voice, "Daddy, you actually hit me for these rumors? You weren't like this before. You used to love me so much..."
She recalled the past, her father always doted on her and was reluctant to punish her no matter what small mistakes she made.
But now, first she was confined to her room, and now she was being attacked directly. All of this made her feel heartbroken.
The atmosphere in the main hall instantly became solemn and oppressive. Everyone was silent, not daring to make a sound.
This slap from Tao's father not only woke Tao Qingge up, but also made everyone present realize the seriousness of the situation.
Song Jiao stood aside, with a barely perceptible sneer on her lips.
I have to sigh, what's the point of such a person being reborn? So stupid! No wonder he did those shocking things in the original plot.
If it were just a minor dispute or quarrel, it wouldn't cause any major disturbance, let alone affect the entire Marquisate. However, the current situation was grave. A single misstep could plunge the entire Marquisate into an abyss of no return. Father Tao, fully aware of the stakes involved, was naturally flustered.
When Chen saw her beloved daughter being beaten, she felt a sharp pain in her heart and her lips trembled slightly. She seemed to want to say something, but in the end she was unable to speak.
She knew very well that the situation at this moment was far beyond her control and things had indeed become extremely serious.
Her gaze was like a sharp sword, shooting viciously at Song Jiao, "Qingyue, was it you? You and Qingge were the only ones present that day, so you must have leaked this matter. She is your own sister, how could you be so cruel as to want to kill her? What good would it do you to destroy her?"
Chen's voice was full of this woman's jealousy of her daughter's success!
Yes, that’s definitely the case.
"I have prepared everything you want. Why are you still so aggressive?" There was a hint of pleading in Chen's tone. She hoped that Song Jiao would let Tao Qingge go because of their past friendship.
However, Song Jiao only smiled coldly, that smile full of ridicule and disdain, "Auntie is really good at throwing mud. I am also a member of the Marquis' Mansion. What benefit would it gain for me to destroy the Marquis' Mansion? Moreover, when the general came to the mansion that day, how could he not have secret guards accompanying him?"
Her eyes were sharp as knives as she stared directly at Chen. "Auntie, don't you even have this little bit of common sense? You're truly a woman from a brothel, so ignorant and shallow!"
Song Jiao's words were like a sharp blade, piercing Chen's heart.
Chen's face was pale and her body was trembling slightly. She had never thought that she would be so vulnerable in front of this seemingly weak niece.
"you......."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
