Chapter 90 Who is Pei Siyan backing up?
Dou Wenyi picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said slowly, "Before Cao Mama and I even arrived at the kiln, someone came to assassinate me and even tried to disfigure me. Only my family knows I'm going to the kiln. Does the Dou family not tolerate me?"
Old Madam Dou's temples bulged with veins as she roared in fury, "Let's see who dares! This is outrageous! Is there no law left?"
Dou Wenyi grasped the hand of Old Madam Dou, "Grandmother, don't be angry. Good people are always protected by heaven. I'm safe and sound, so don't worry."
They not only dared to do it, but they almost succeeded.
Madam Dou's anger flared up. "Gu, you're in charge of managing the inner quarters, and you've caused such a huge mess. How do you explain this?"
Even though she was thrust into the spotlight, Madam Gu, having been the mistress of the house for many years, remained calm and composed. "These matters were originally handled by Granny Tong. You dismissed her, and now that problems have arisen and Yi'er has been used, why are you blaming me instead?"
“Mother, we’re just stating the facts. Who would dare blame you?” Dou Wenyi replied calmly.
Old Madam Dou wasn't going to let her get away with it and retorted directly, "You think you can just deny everything? When the officials ask, let's see how you confront them."
Madam Gu was confident and spoke with disdain, "I haven't done anything wrong, so why should I confront him? Mingyan has already sent a message to the Crown Prince. He won't stand idly by when it comes to the Dou family's affairs!"
Dou Wenyi smiled meaningfully, "The scarred man who tried to assassinate me and Steward Meng have both been arrested. No matter who the mastermind behind them is, even the toughest mouth will be pried open after a few rounds of torture once it enters the Ministry of Justice. What do you say, Third Sister?"
If this were just an assassination case, the yamen runners would have just gone through the motions and wouldn't have bothered the Ministry of Justice. But since it involves thunderbolts and gunpowder, the two cases will be investigated together, and the matter will only escalate.
Madam Gu is waiting for the backlash. She's been set up and made a scapegoat without even realizing it. It's not something they can just brush off with a few words.
"I'm afraid the Dou family has offended someone and been framed." Dou Mingyan looked worried, tightly gripping the handkerchief in her hand, pretending not to understand the hidden meaning in her words.
Dou Bochang's face darkened. "Who's in charge of this case?"
Dou Wenyi smiled faintly, "Naturally, they are from the Ministry of Justice."
Mentioning this incident made Dou Bochang angry. He glared at Dou Mingxiu and said reproachfully, "If you hadn't acted foolishly back then, would we be in such a passive position today?"
A perfectly good marriage has been ruined; they're more trouble than they're worth.
They became in-laws with the Shen family, so now he could go to the Shen family to find out what was going on. How could he be completely clueless like he is now?
Dou Mingxiu had already regretted it, but he still refused to admit defeat, saying, "Once a move is made, there's no going back. Why is Father still arguing about these irrelevant things?"
Dou Bochang then thought of the Zhang family. He had heard that Zhang Chengxian had gone to the frontier to gain experience again. When he returned, countless noble ladies would be vying for him. Wasn't Consort Zhang interested in a marriage alliance? Why hadn't anything happened yet?
He changed the subject, "Last time, when the head of the family came all the way to offer birthday wishes, why didn't you mention marriage?"
Old Madam Dou retorted impatiently, "What's your hurry? Fourth daughter didn't eat your millet! A while ago, I asked you to transfer the ownership of the kiln to your name, but you refused. So you wanted to make this old woman take the blame if something went wrong?"
"It's fine if we don't transfer ownership. All the profits from the kiln will go to my private coffers. Isn't that enough to support me and Fourth Sister?"
Dou Bochang had no words to express his suffering, but his tone softened, "Mother, I didn't say anything to her, so please don't be angry."
Just then, the steward rushed in and announced, "Madam, Master, something terrible has happened! A number of people from the Ministry of Justice have arrived and say they want to take you in for questioning."
Dou Bochang and Madam Gu stood up almost simultaneously.
Madam Gu's face turned pale, and her voice trembled: "Is it because of the black powder at the kiln?"
The butler looked grim, scratched his head, and stammered, "How would I know about these things..."
Madam Gu's head was spinning, and she was completely panicked. "Yan'er, what exactly did the Crown Prince say?"
Dou Wenyi's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Still treating her like a good daughter?"
Just wait and see, the Koo family's "good fortune" is yet to come.
"Mother, no, you'll be alright..." Dou Mingyan's eyelids twitched, and she looked at her with a hint of pity.
Madam Gu turned her head and glared at Dou Wenyi resentfully. If she hadn't gone to the kiln, none of these unfortunate things would have happened. She really was a jinx, bringing misfortune to her family. Dou Mingxiu and she were both implicated by her!
Before they could react, the Ministry of Justice personnel had already arrived outside the courtyard.
Everyone was surprised and came out of the house. Suddenly, a crimson figure came into Dou Wenyi's view at the door.
Shen Yanzhou stood tall and straight among a group of burly yamen runners, his eyes clear and bright, like a pearl among rubble.
Their eyes met, and Dou Wenyi quickly looked away.
Shen Yanzhou stepped forward, bowed, and said calmly and coldly, "Madam Gu, Lord Dou, there's no need to be so apprehensive. It's just a question!"
After a brief moment of astonishment, Dou Bochang gritted his teeth and said, "All that happened that day was my son's fault. I believe Lord Shen is magnanimous and would not be biased. May I ask what crime the Gu family committed that requires a trip to the Ministry of Justice?"
Shen Yanzhou raised an eyebrow. "Lord Dou, are you sure you want to discuss this matter here?"
Dou Bochang felt a sudden tightness in his chest, just as he heard Shen Yanzhou say gently, "Manager Meng's nephew identified that he was instructed by Madam Gu to hide the gunpowder in the Dou family's kiln. In addition, that scarred Zhang San identified her as the culprit who hired someone to kill."
An eerie silence fell over the scene.
Madam Gu stumbled and almost fell. Dou Bochang helped her up, his face turning cold. "What are you afraid of? You haven't done anything wrong. Go to the Ministry of Justice and give a proper answer. Tell the truth. Do you think the Ministry of Justice will torture you into confessing?"
Mrs. Gu was thunderstruck; how did she become a suspect in hiring someone to commit murder?
absurd!
Tears welled up in her eyes as she grabbed Dou Mingyan's hand, urging her repeatedly, "Yan'er, Yan'er, you must go and beg the Crown Prince! Your mother hasn't done anything wrong!"
Dou Mingyan felt very guilty, her eyes flickered slightly, "Mother, don't worry, I'll have Amber go to the East Palace right away."
Madam Gu was terrified. Dou Mingxiu hadn't committed any major offenses, yet he had been imprisoned in the imperial prison for so long.
She is the mother of the Crown Princess, and will enjoy endless wealth and honor in the future. How could she be imprisoned?
"No, you have to go and beg him yourself. Your mother can only count on you!"
Dou Mingyan nodded, "Okay, Mother, I'll go right away."
Before Dou Mingyan could leave, they suddenly heard the gatekeeper shout, "Madam, Master, the Crown Prince's carriage has arrived at the gate."
Everyone present was shocked.
The Dou family members were overjoyed, as if they had seen a glimmer of hope, while the yamen runners had gloomy faces and different thoughts. After all, Dou Mingyan was the future Crown Princess, and they insisted on investigating the Crown Prince's future mother-in-law. Weren't they just provoking the Crown Prince?
Dou Wenyi's eyes were deep and somber.
Is Pei Siyan here to support Dou Mingyan?
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