Chapter 131 Tearing Off Dou Mingyan's Ugly Face
When Dou Wenyi saw his expression change drastically, she knew that something bad was about to happen.
Dou Bochang lowered his head, looking ashamed: "I may have signed it, but I've only looked at it and it's all just a few words. I signed it myself, so there shouldn't be any treasonous remarks. The situation isn't that serious, is it?"
Dou Wenyi's expression was rather impolite. "Father, so many of them have been putting on a show for you for several days in a row, swallowing their pride and smiling at you every day. How can they give up until they get solid evidence from you? Are any of your attendants with you?"
The more she spoke, the more uncertain Dou Bochang felt, and he shook his head helplessly.
"What if they mix blank paper with the inscription, making you sign 'Ming Dynasty' without fully understanding what's going on?"
Dou Bochang looked up suddenly, a wave of panic washing over him. His head was spinning, so how could he see clearly?
He gritted his teeth in anger, "These despicable scoundrels! How dare that old bastard surnamed Jiang harm me like this?"
As of now, Dou Wenyi cannot guess what Dou Bochang actually signed.
If he really signed a blank piece of paper, it could be a letter of treason and collusion with the enemy, or it could be evidence of a crime involving a rebellion against the king. In any case, it would definitely leave a handle on the Dou family, plunging them into an abyss of no return.
Dou Wenyi continued, "Father, to solidify this evidence, your signature alone is probably not enough. It would be best to have something like a seal. Perhaps you could check if anything has been lost recently?"
Dou Bochang's expression changed drastically. "Someone, go find it for me!"
Dou Mingyan's eyelids twitched violently. Just as she was about to get up and leave, she heard Dou Wenyi continue unhurriedly, "Those present had better not leave, lest the news leak out and they be accused of betraying their own people!"
Having served as an official for many years, Dou Bochang had clearly fallen into someone else's trap. It was indeed very likely that there was a traitor within the Dou family, and only through inside-outside cooperation could they ensure everything went smoothly.
"All of you, stay right here!"
Dou Mingyan felt a pang of panic, but managed to calm herself down and absentmindedly continued to linger there with them.
At the servants' command, they immediately went to the study to search high and low, and in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they discovered that Dou Bochang had indeed lost a small chicken-blood stone seal that he cherished greatly.
Dou Bochang's face turned ashen.
Dou Wenyi's expression turned slightly cold, and her sharp gaze swept over Dou Mingyan. "Third sister, you introduced Minister Jiang of the Ministry of Revenue to Father. You've been working so hard to connect them. Just how much of a bribe did you receive from him?"
Dou Mingyan's eyes immediately reddened, as if she had suffered a great injustice. She tried her best to defend herself, "Fourth sister, what do you mean? Are you doubting me? You've really gone too far! All of this is just your speculation to scare Father. I think you're just spreading rumors and trying to slander me and sow discord between me and Father."
"That little seal might have been lost by the servants because they didn't tidy it up properly!"
Dou Bochang's personal servant panicked upon hearing this, "Third Miss, you're blaming me terribly! Master loves using that chicken-blood stone seal the most. He uses it whenever he writes or paints. We keep several seals in that box and check them carefully every day!"
"The other seals are all intact, but the one that the master likes and uses most often is missing. How is that possible?"
"It must have been stolen by someone with malicious intent!"
Dou Wenyi sneered, "Dou Mingyan, Father has been framed for no reason, and now the seal is lost. That blank piece of paper will become evidence of his crimes. Minister Jiang of the Ministry of Revenue took a liking to Father's calligraphy, all thanks to you. If it weren't for you acting as a go-between, how could things have gone so smoothly?"
"Are you trying to shirk responsibility again? What are you really up to?"
Dou Mingyan panicked completely, she absolutely couldn't let her get this 'trouble' pinned on her.
She knelt down with a thud, her voice choked with sobs, "Fourth sister, is it wrong for me to want Father to make more connections with officials? How do I know they have ulterior motives? Besides, I didn't steal this seal, how can you accuse me like this?"
"Are you trying to force me to my death before you're satisfied? I know you covet the Crown Prince and want to become his concubine, but I haven't held it against you. You can't make false accusations and wrong an innocent person for no reason!"
"Father, Mother, I am deeply grateful for your nurturing and have no way to repay you. If you think I am blocking Fourth Sister's path, I am willing to break off the engagement. Fourth Sister, please don't make things difficult for me anymore!"
At this point, Dou Mingyan was already sobbing uncontrollably.
She had given him her whole heart, and if Dou Wenyi continued to be so relentless, she would be an unforgivable sinner.
Madam Gu frowned, unable to bear it any longer. "Fourth girl, you better behave yourself! Even if something happens, you can't blame your third sister for no reason."
Dou Mingxiu's brows were frosty, and his tone was unfriendly, "Fourth sister, don't act tough. If something happens, we'll figure it out together. Don't wrong an innocent person."
Dou Wenyi looked at them with disappointment, "Dou Mingxiu, the owner of Chengxintang Bookstore is Liu Rushuang's maternal grandfather. That's where Third Sister took you, right? Dou Mingyan deliberately introduced you to a mysterious woman named Jieyuhua. You haven't been harmed enough by Liu Rushuang, have you?"
"And back in the palace, you wanted to teach me a lesson to get revenge for her. How many days did you spend in jail? How did it feel? Fine, fine, you and your siblings have a deep bond, and you're willing to do anything for him, so I can't interfere, right?"
"Therefore, no matter what happens, she is innocent and has nothing to do with this!"
“Mother, when Second Aunt tried to harm Zijuan, she pointed to Third Sister, saying that she was instigated by her to commit the evil deed. You don’t believe Second Aunt, but don’t you think many things don’t hold up to scrutiny and there are many suspicious points?”
"For example, the incident at the kiln landed you in the Ministry of Justice, almost making you the murderer of your own daughter. The Ministry of Justice found out that the mastermind was Xuanming! Tell me, who in our family is close to Xuanming?"
"Today, Father's matter is coincidentally intricately connected with Third Sister?"
"There are hardly so many coincidences in this world. If you don't want others to know, then don't do it in the first place!"
Dou Mingxiu and Madam Gu were rendered speechless by the rebuttal.
Dou Mingyan cried so hard she was hoarse, as if she was about to faint. "Fourth sister, I'm already willing to give up the position of Crown Princess, why are you still trying to harm me like this? What evidence do you have to prove that I'm involved in this?"
"Besides, I have no reason to frame the Dou family! What good would it do me to destroy the Dou family?"
Dou Wenyi slowly raised her eyes and corrected, "Dou Mingyan, of course you have a reason to frame the Dou family. You feel that I threaten your position as Crown Princess, and you are jealous of me, wishing you could get rid of me as soon as possible. So, if the Dou family suffers, I will naturally suffer as well!"
“But you are different. After all, you are just an adopted daughter of the Dou family. You still have a way out.”
Dou Mingyan visibly panicked. "No, that's not how it is. What evidence do you have?"
"evidence?"
Dou Wenyi gave a cold laugh, "What a coincidence, I actually do have one!"
At this moment, Granny Cao came over with several servants. "Master, Madam, we found Amber acting suspiciously. She was meeting with someone at the low wall by the side gate, so I took it upon myself to tie her up and bring her here."
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