Their daughter was publicly scolded by a concubine, and Madam Qi, of course, felt heartache mixed with towering rage. Just as she prepared to confront Maternal Aunt Rou, Guo Li subtly shook her head at her mother. Her father doted on Maternal Aunt Rou, and should her mother argue with Maternal Aunt Rou, her father would undoubtedly blame her mother when they returned home.
Understanding her daughter’s thoughts, Madam Qi was filled with bleak sorrow and self-reproach, along with a deep, bone-gnawing hatred. Her hands at her sides clenched into fists so tightly that her nails dug into her flesh without even feeling the pain.
Observing the interaction between Madam Qi and her daughter, Yang Mengchen raised an eyebrow, casting an inscrutable glance at Guo Li.
Guo Li appeared to be only fifteen or sixteen, with delicate features and a fair complexion, her rosy lips framed by pearly teeth. Adorned in a light green gown, she radiated an air of supreme grace and tranquility.
Confronted with Maternal Aunt Rou’s accusation, Guo Li shook her head and responded softly, "Maternal Aunt Rou, I did invite my younger sister to join me earlier, but she refused, saying she wanted to find some familiar young ladies of her age. It wouldn’t have been right for me to stop her, would it?"
"Indeed, Miss Guo did invite Second Miss Guo to join her. Second Miss Guo not only refused but also insulted Miss Guo," indignantly added Shangguan Qiuyu, the legitimate daughter of Official Shangguan, from the side.
Several young ladies nearby nodded in agreement, all from the legitimate branches of their respective families. Coupled with Huanhuan’s habitual affectation, they naturally did not like her.
Maternal Aunt Rou was fuming mad, yet she dared not provoke the anger of the crowd and could only glare fiercely at Guo Li, plotting to settle scores with Guo Li and her mother once they were back home.
Ignoring the malicious glint in Maternal Aunt Rou’s eyes, Guo Li hesitated briefly before stating, "Maternal Aunt Rou, my younger sister must have been harmed by someone."
"What did you say?" Maternal Aunt Rou asked loudly, "Do you know who harmed my Huanhuan?"
"I..." Guo Li looked distressed, glancing to either side.
Shangguan Qiuyu took over, "It’s because Second Miss Guo unintentionally uncovered someone else’s secret, that’s why she was harmed."
"What secret?" Maternal Aunt Rou pressed on with her questions.
After considering Yang Mengchen and the other young ladies, Shangguan Qiuyu raised her voice and declared, "Everyone heard it just now, so it’s not a secret anymore."
At only ten years old, Shangguan Qiuyu had fewer reservations. The other young ladies, however, bowed their heads, as if the secret was too sensitive to speak of again.
Turning her gaze subconsciously toward Yang Mengchen and seeing the almost mocking smile on her lips, Madam Zhang’s heart skipped a beat, and that ominous feeling intensified.
Princess Ning said kindly, "What exactly is the secret?" She surmised that this so-called secret must have stemmed from Jiujiu, but if the Ma family dared to scheme against Jiujiu, they were merely reaping what they sowed.
"The secret is that Ma Ruqing is Lord Marquis Ma’s daughter, and Eldest Young Master Ma is actually the son of the Old Marquis," Shangguan Qiuyu answered nonchalantly.
At her words, the room fell into a sudden hush. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
Madam Xu and Madam Zhang turned pale, their bodies swaying as if about to collapse. Had their maids not promptly supported them, they would have almost fallen to the ground.
The secret they had concealed for so many years had been unexpectedly revealed. What awaited them was uncertain, but what mattered most was that after today, the Ma family’s reputation would be destroyed, and the lives of their children would be ruined. The Ma clan would not be able to raise their heads in pride, and perhaps even the Xu and Zhang families would be implicated.
"What on earth is going on?"
At some point, the Old Madam appeared at the doorway, obviously having overheard Shangguan Qiuyu’s words. Seeing the state of her two daughters-in-law, she instantly realized the truth in Shangguan Qiuyu’s claims. Her heart sank to the abyss, and overwhelming hatred swept through her being.
No wonder the old master had always been so harsh on his eldest son, no wonder he often praised the eldest daughter-in-law for her shrewdness and capability, no wonder he doted excessively on his eldest grandson. It turned out that the two of them had been in cahoots all along and even had that eldest grandson together, no—Guo Hao that bastard child!
The father-in-law and daughter-in-law had an affair, and the eldest son meddled with his brother’s wife—it’s utterly preposterous!
"Let me explain," said Yang Mengchen calmly. "While I and a group of ladies were waiting in the garden, suddenly a maid appeared, looking enormously frightened. She said only that Second Ms. Guo had stumbled upon a secret of the Ma family, that they had killed her and intended to silence her as well. After our repeated questioning, the maid finally revealed this secret."
Yang Mengchen gave Madam Zhang a cold glance, her eyes filled with icy sarcasm.
Dare to scheme against me and be prepared to face all consequences! As for Long Fengying, she shall not escape either!
Feeling an intense, bone-chilling aura coming head-on, Madam Zhang shivered and instinctively looked up to see Yang Mengchen’s eyebrows raised in a clear, sharp manner, her deep-black eyes as cold and profound as a frigid pool, emitting hints of chilling cold. Despair and regret welled up inside Madam Zhang.
She should not have believed the slanderous words of Princess Fengying, thinking that by ruining Princess Chen, Prince Chen would wed Linlin as his princess, and in time she would become the universally honored Empress with the Ma and Zhang families basking in eternal wealth and glory. Now it was too late for regrets.
"Well done, it was you who harmed my Huanhuan!" Maternal Aunt Rou spat at Madam Xu and Madam Zhang: "You commit shameful deeds yourselves and still want to kill to silence others. If anything happens to Huanhuan, my lord will not let you off!"
Despite wanting to tear Madam Xu to pieces, the Old Madam knew that now was not the time for accusations. After all, if any unsavory rumors about the Hou Mansion were to spread, it wouldn’t bode well for her or her parental home. She took a deep breath and said quietly, "Just based on the words of a maid who appeared out of nowhere, Maternal Aunt Rou has concluded that the Hou Mansion is behind the harm to Second Ms. Guo. Isn’t that a bit hasty?
Besides, the two daughters-in-law were previously serving me in the inner courtyard, and then they stayed with you all along. How could they have had the chance to harm Second Ms. Guo?"
"This..." Maternal Aunt Rou was at a loss for words.
Yang Mengchen glanced at Princess Ning and then gestured with her mouth towards Madam Zhang. Princess Ning instantly caught on, "Ma’s second wife, where is that maid of yours? And if I remember correctly, the maid who came to ask Jiujiu to treat the Old Madam earlier, wasn’t that also your maid?"
It was that very maid who said there was someone at the artificial hill, and that was why they followed to check. Now not only had that maid disappeared, but the one before her hadn’t shown up at all, which was quite suspicious.
Madam Zhang’s complexion was ashen, and she pressed her lips together, offering no answer.
Chunhua, the previous maid, had successfully lured Princess Chen to the front courtyard after which Madam Zhang had sent Chunhua back to her room to rest, to keep her from being discovered. As for Qiu Shi, the most recent maid, Madam Zhang had no clue when she disappeared—regrettably, these were details Madame Zhang could not reveal.
Seeing Madam Zhang’s expression, everyone understood that the day’s events were very likely her doing. Their gazes turned to her, filled with disdain and disgust.
Yang Mengchen arched an eyebrow.
The maids who had led the ladies to the artificial hill and later tattled could not be found even if they searched the entire Hou Mansion. That was because both individuals were Hidden Guards given to her by Wende, disguised so well as maids of the Hou Mansion that no one suspected a thing. As for the maid who had led her to the front courtyard, she had gone where she was supposed to go.
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