"I believe Sister Xianglong was framed," Xie Lingqin suddenly walked in from behind and said loudly.
There weren't many people in the courtyard, but there were also quite a few. Upon hearing this, they all looked at Xie Lingqin.
Especially Xianglong, who sat there with a heart full of despair, had a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
“Young Miss, I personally dragged these two shameless people out. It’s true, I woke up early this morning and felt the coldness next to the bed. I couldn’t find that old man, so I came out to look for him and found him here. You can’t speak up for Xianglong just because she’s the one who serves in the master’s study.”
The butler's burly wife, who had spoken in a high-pitched voice at the beginning, knew, however rough, that Xie Lingqin was the eldest daughter of the General's Mansion and not someone a servant like herself could overstep her bounds. So her voice gradually lowered.
Xie Lingqin, however, showed no anger. Instead, her face displayed appropriate seriousness. "Madam, think about it. Sister Xianglong serves in Father's study and is highly regarded by him. Since the night before last, she has been assigned to my Qingshui Pavilion to teach me embroidery, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. As for you, Madam, you are middle-aged and have married a virtuous and family-oriented wife like yourself. Sister Xianglong is also quite beautiful. No matter what, it wouldn't be..."
Xie Lingqin appropriately stopped talking.
However, the meaning behind the words was already quite clear.
Xianglong is still a virgin, highly valued, and has a bright future ahead of her. Why would she choose a half-dead old man like you, and do things in such a crowded place as the guest room?
Upon hearing this, the housekeeper's wife's expression changed; it seemed to make some sense.
"Young Miss, you must speak up for this old servant! I swear to heaven and earth that I have never done anything to betray my wife, nor would I have done anything so filthy in this General's Mansion. I must have been framed!"
Upon seeing this, the butler immediately crawled over on his knees. He was nearly middle-aged and was crying with snot and tears streaming down his face.
Xie Lingqin felt nauseous.
I swear to Heaven and Earth that I have a clear conscience.
Last night, I had a wonderful time with Granny Liu.
Now he's hoping she'll rescue him?
Oh.
"Why don't you two think about it again? Did anything strange happen last night?"
Xie Lingqin suppressed her disdain and asked the question with genuine interest.
Upon hearing this, both the steward and Xianglong began to ponder it carefully.
"Young Miss."
The second concubine finally couldn't stand it anymore, and her voice was almost choked with anger.
"Second Aunt, you also think that Sister Xianglong wouldn't do that, right?"
Xie Lingqin, however, followed her second aunt's displeased call and used minimal effort to achieve maximum effect.
The second concubine lost her composure upon entering.
Although things didn't turn out as she expected, destroying the incense burner was still a good thing for her, and she was happy to see it happen.
Right now, if she lets Xianglong trust her so much, what if Xianglong is unwilling to accept it? Wouldn't that force her to investigate immediately? If it gets to the general's ears, and the investigation starts, things will really get serious.
That damn Xie Lingqin, not only is her tongue sharper than before, but she also seems to have gotten a bit smarter.
Could it be that they still want to use this as an excuse to pull the incense burner?
After a long pause, the second concubine spoke with some hesitation, "Miss, you are an unmarried young lady. You don't need to worry about such matters. Let me handle the right and wrong."
Xie Lingqin seemed not to understand the meaning behind these words. "It seems that Second Aunt also thinks that Sister Xianglong and the steward were framed."
The second concubine's expression darkened.
"Big sister, you can't talk like that. This has happened, and whatever my mother says is useless without evidence."
Knowing this might be a trap, Xie Lingyu spoke softly and gently, helping her second aunt out of the predicament.
Xie Lingqin's gaze hardened. "Yes, so we need to investigate, or perhaps..." Xie Lingqin walked over again, bending down to look at Xianglong. "Sister Xianglong, think carefully, have you offended someone, that's why..."
Upon hearing Xie Lingqin's words, the Second Madam's expression changed slightly, and she immediately sensed something was wrong.
Her relationship with Xianglong was merely a facade; she used her status as a concubine to threaten and warn Xianglong, taking advantage of the general's favor. All the apparent friendship was just an act.
If Xianglong, who isn't quite right in the head, thinks that she was the one who did this and then identifies her as the culprit, then it will be a huge disaster.
No sooner said than done, the second concubine immediately instructed the nanny beside her, "It's getting chilly, Liu nanny, go and help Miss Xianglong back to her room."
"...Yes, yes."
Granny Liu's mind was still drifting in outer space, drooping, nodding almost mechanically.
The second aunt didn't seem to care.
However, just as Granny Liu approached the incense burner, a gust of wind seemed to suddenly appear, pushing her to the ground, causing her to fall directly in front of the incense burner.
In that instant when she looked up, that panicked expression caught Xianglong's eye.
The impact was so obvious.
Like a ray of light, it suddenly crossed paths with Xianglong's gaze.
"Young Miss, it was Second Aunt who framed me."
Without any warning, Xianglong spoke loudly and confidently.
When no one was around, Xie Lingqin's eyes revealed a faint smile.
This is what it means to be the last straw that breaks the camel's back.
Xianglong wasn't a brainless person. Having lost her innocence and reputation, one could imagine how miserable her future would be. However, having experienced so many changes in such a short time, she herself was still confused and couldn't come up with any ideas. In addition, since the second aunt had secretly poisoned her, she felt uneasy and unconsciously believed that the second aunt could help her.
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