After Chen Jinheng finished speaking, everyone turned their attention to Lin Ruoyan.
Lady Hou had long understood Lin Ruoyan's schemes, but Lord Hou was simple-minded and could not see through Lin Ruoyan's intricacies.
However, seeing her tearful appearance, the Marquis felt a pang of pity.
"Jinheng, there's something I forgot to tell you, but you'll find out sooner or later."
Chen Jinheng's eyebrows twitched slightly, and he lowered his head to look at the old Marquis. "Father, what is it?"
"As the second son of the Marquis of Zhongyong, your new wife died shortly after you went to war, which is an ominous sign."
I made the decision for you and wrote a letter of divorce, which I then burned for Gu Qianluo.
Furthermore, I promised Miss Lin that I would marry her after you have observed a year of mourning.
Chen Jinheng's eyes narrowed slightly, he exhaled heavily, a faint smile playing on his lips, and he said coldly.
“Since Miss Lin is going to be the mistress of the house in the future, she should do the things that a mistress of the house should do.”
Upon hearing this, Lin Ruoyan's heart trembled, her expression complex. She glanced at Chen Jinheng, whose eyes were filled with anger, and cupped her hands in greeting.
"Thank you, General Chen! My daughter will set off for Jing'an Temple tomorrow."
Upon hearing this, Chen Jinheng's eyes lit up with joy, and he continued to add...
"In addition, the wedding will have to be postponed."
I promised Gu Qianluo that if she were to pass away, I would observe three years of mourning for her, during which time it would be inappropriate to hold any weddings.
Please forgive me, Miss Lin.
Upon hearing this, Lin Ruoyan's eyes flashed with resentment, but her expression remained calm as she replied...
"General Chen's deep affection for Sister Luo'er has deeply moved my daughter, so how could I possibly care?"
"That's good! Miss Lin, please get up quickly, otherwise, I will be branded as heartless and ruthless again."
Upon hearing this, Lin Ruoyan slowly stood up, nodded slightly to Chen Jinheng, and walked towards Zhang Shi's side.
"Sister-in-law, thank you for speaking up for Ruoyan. In this mansion, you are the one who treats me the best."
Ruoyan will be leaving the Marquis's residence tomorrow, and we don't know when she will return. Please take good care of yourself.
Upon hearing this, Zhang grasped Lin Ruoyan's slender hand tightly, her voice filled with tenderness.
"Yan'er, ever since you entered the Marquis's mansion, I have treated you like my own younger sister."
Now that you have Jinheng's promise, you will be the mistress of this Marquis's mansion from now on.
It's only three years, so you'll have to be patient. You've really worked hard these past few years.
Upon hearing this, Lin Ruoyan was startled, vaguely sensing a hint of joy in Zhang's words.
But her expression looked more sorrowful than anyone else's.
She has always been shrewd and calculating. If Zhang has other plans, they will naturally be under her control.
"My sister-in-law is so good to me, I'm almost reluctant to leave her. Waaah."
Magistrate Li had already explained the matter of Chaolu Manor.
Chen Jinheng escorted him back to his seat with satisfaction, and then invited an elderly man with a full head of white hair from the private room.
Her back was slightly hunched, and she walked unsteadily. Her eyesight seemed to have deteriorated, and she walked shakily to Chen Jinheng's side, relying on a round wooden cane.
"Dear elders and relatives, this is Zhuying's adoptive mother, Granny Jiang."
She grew up with bamboo shadows by her side. Now let's listen to the story of bamboo shadows!
“Grandma Jiang, I am General Chen from the Marquis of Zhongyong’s mansion. You don’t need to be afraid. Just tell everyone about Zhuying’s background.”
"Good! Thank you, General Chen, for clearing my Ying'er's name."
With her eyes glazed over, Granny Jiang scanned the dignitaries around her. She had promised Zhu Ying that she would never reveal her true identity as a woman to anyone.
But Chen Jinheng somehow got the news, and before she even agreed, he had already sent someone to bring Granny Jiang to his side to take care of her.
Chen Jinheng's subordinates helped her harvest rice, weave cloth, and even sent her enough food to last her for half a year.
As the saying goes, "He who eats another's food is bound to be grateful; he who takes another's money is bound to be obliging."
Grandma Jiang finally couldn't resist Chen Jinheng's sweet talk and, when no one was around, told him everything about Zhu Ying's identity.
When Chen Jinheng heard that Zhuying was a woman disguised as a man, he was somewhat displeased.
This woman who fought alongside him had managed to keep it a secret from him for nearly five years.
"Grandma Jiang, don't worry, Zhu Ying once saved my life."
This general is not an ungrateful person and will not sentence her to death for concealing her identity.
Because of Chen Jinheng's assurance, Granny Jiang was willing to come out and reveal the truth to the public today.
"Our Ying'er has loved martial arts since she was little, but unfortunately, being a girl, she rarely had the chance to wear military uniform. One day..."
The guests in the audience were all moved to tears by Grandma Jiang's touching speech.
"So Zhuying is a woman. Doesn't that mean the late General's wife didn't do anything improper?"
"That's right! But to die in the lake at such a young age, it's a pity..."
"In other words, the late Madam was not wrong, but was framed. How terrifying public opinion can be!"
After learning the truth, the guests all began to feel sorry for Gu Qianluo's background.
Lin Ruoyan and Zhang Shi pretended not to know anything and chatted with the women about the daily life of raising children.
Chen Jinheng glanced at the table of women and saw that they were chatting animatedly, seemingly oblivious to what Chen Jinheng and his group were saying.
His gaze suddenly turned cold.
"Now that all the guests have learned the details of the matter, please ask the clerk to prepare a public notice for us."
"Tomorrow, these notices will be posted on the streets of the capital, to bring justice to Gu Qianluo and Zhuying."
After he finished speaking, the guests all applauded and praised him.
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