"My lord...my lord, something terrible has happened!"
Seeing the butler's hurried expression, Jiang Mubai's face darkened, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. He asked impatiently, "What's the matter that you're in such a hurry?"
The butler, panting heavily, finally calmed down a bit when faced with Jiang Mubai's question.
"My lord, men from the Dali Temple have come and arrested the Second Madam."
"What?"
Jiang Mubai's expression changed, from dissatisfaction to astonishment.
She hadn't even gotten a clear answer from Xue Rou about her mother's poisoning, and now there were rumors of the Dali Temple arresting people.
That was true before, and it is true now.
This wasn't the first time the Dali Temple had come to arrest someone. Jiang Mubai clenched his fists, feeling that the Marquis's authority had been challenged.
The Marquis's residence is his territory. Even if the Court of Judicial Review wanted to arrest someone, it should have notified him in advance.
But what does this mean now? Acting first and reporting later?
Even if it wasn't for any other reason, Jiang Mubai had to find out the truth. If word got out that his second wife, a nobleman's wife, was imprisoned by the Dali Temple, who knew what kind of rumors would spread.
He already has enough worries; he can't afford to have any more.
Just as Jiang Mubai was preparing to go to the Dali Temple to seek justice from the Dali Temple Minister, the steward took out a petition. "Lord...Lord, the people from the Dali Temple say that you will understand once you have read the contents of this petition."
It was clear that the people from the Dali Temple had anticipated that Jiang Mubai would set off because of Su Xuerou, and they even left these things with the steward before leaving.
Jiang Mubai frowned, clearly doubting the butler's words. He reached out and took the petition from the butler, and was even more shocked when he saw its contents.
The indictment contained a testimony that Su Xuerou had instructed someone to tamper with the Huishengtang.
Jiang Mubai's expression suddenly changed. If the other party could get the butler to hand this over to him, then there must be no need for them to forge it.
No wonder Ye Jintang was so confident when she was questioned; she probably already knew the truth.
In other words, is the closure of Huishengtang really related to Xue Rou?
Even though he was aware of this possibility, Jiang Mubai still refused to believe it.
He clutched the indictment tightly in his hand, his mood extremely complicated. The butler beside him looked puzzled and asked.
"My lord, are you still going to the Dali Temple?"
Jiang Mubai took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. "Let's put this matter on hold for now!"
The fact that the other party could produce a petition indicates that the Minister of Justice possesses even more substantial evidence. Most importantly, Xue Rou is not only his second wife but also holds the status of a Minister's daughter.
Even if the other party disregards him before arresting him, they should still consider the Minister's residence.
But that's not the case at all now.
Unless these people don't take the Ministry of Rites seriously at all, if that's really the case, reading this will only make Jiang Mubai even more fearful.
Unfortunately, my mother is still poisoned and remains unconscious.
How could he possibly feel at ease?
"My lord, when I saw those people arresting the Second Madam, they mentioned Huishengtang. If this matter is related to the Madam, could we ask her to intervene? Perhaps it would make a difference?"
The butler observed Jiang Mubai's expression and cautiously probed.
Only when he saw that Jiang Mubai did not interrupt him but instead let him continue did the butler gradually become bolder.
"My lord, are you worried about the old lady's condition?"
Jiang Mubai gave an impatient hum, and seeing the butler's hesitant expression, he vaguely sensed that something was amiss.
"What exactly are you trying to say, steward? I'm willing to patiently guess."
Jiang Mubai's tone became more forceful, his words carrying a strong warning.
"What I mean is that since Madam has treated the Empress Dowager, her medical skills must be extraordinary. Why doesn't Your Excellency invite Madam to treat the old lady?"
The butler's words reminded Jiang Mubai that he had been so preoccupied with Xue Rou's situation that he had completely forgotten about this.
Why waste money when there's a readily available and free doctor in the manor?
With that in mind, Jiang Mubai did not hesitate for long. Since he could not rescue Xue Rou directly, he had to stabilize his mother's condition.
When Jiang Mubai arrived at Ye Jintang's courtyard, he found it quiet all around, and the door to the house was tightly closed.
Jiang Mubai looked around hesitantly. Only a few hours had passed since the unfortunate events occurred, so why was it so quiet here?
Or perhaps... Jiang Mubai's heart sank.
Did Ye Jintang run away with her maid again?
The thought of this possibility made Jiang Mubai feel inexplicably irritable. He disregarded everything else and immediately summoned all the guards who were standing nearby.
As the guards approached, they sensed Jiang Mubai's anger. They exchanged glances, each wondering when they might offend the Marquis.
The head guard, bracing himself for the pressure, asked Jiang Mubai, "Lord Marquis, did you summon us here because you have something to tell us?"
"Explain?"
Jiang Mubai's anger intensified.
"I wasn't here to keep an eye on things for you, but who would have thought you would dare to abandon your posts and let Ye Jintang leave!"
"How dare you!"
Although Jiang Mubai had reservations and dared not do too much openly, that was only towards Ye Jintang. He was never lenient with others.
He was, after all, a marquis who had been on the battlefield and had spent many years by Ye He's side. Even if he had no real combat experience, he should have been influenced by what he saw and heard, and he carried a sense of oppression.
Seeing that everyone had their heads down and dared not say a word, Jiang Mubai became even more annoyed. He pointed around and shouted angrily.
"Then tell me, where are they now?"
The guards' expressions immediately turned angry upon hearing Jiang Mubai's reprimands.
By now, these guards could easily understand what Jiang Mubai was saying.
The Marquis is probably going to hold them accountable because of the Lady's matter.
“My lord, you must have misunderstood. We...we didn’t see anyone come in or go, not to mention that you told us to keep an eye on your wife before you left.”
"How could I possibly disregard your orders, Lord Marquis?"
"really?"
Jiang Mubai scanned the group of people, clearly considering the credibility of their words.
The head guard nodded hurriedly, saying with certainty, "My lord, what we said is absolutely true, and we dare not utter a single falsehood."
Jiang Mubai frowned. If what the guard said was true, and Ye Jintang and the maid who had always been by her side had not left, then there was only one possibility left.
He looked up at the tightly closed door and a vague guess formed in his mind.
Then there's only one possibility: Ye Jintang is still inside.
Given the commotion I just made, shouldn't Ye Jintang, as the mistress and my wife, have rushed out and bowed to me upon hearing my footsteps or even my voice?
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