"Second Miss, please forgive me." The butler bowed and gestured behind him.
Immediately, a group of tall and burly guards entered, carrying wooden sticks as thick as an arm, and approached Song Zhiyu step by step.
The wooden stick was raised high, about to fall on Song Zhiyu, when at this critical moment, a clear yet dignified female voice rang out from outside the door.
"stop!"
Upon seeing the newcomer, Shen Feng's expression changed several times, and he glared fiercely at the butler beside him.
Useless thing, couldn't even stop a little girl.
Shen Feng composed himself, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He cupped his hands in greeting to the princess, saying, "Your Highness, why didn't you have a servant announce your arrival beforehand? I could have greeted you at the entrance."
"If I hadn't come, how would I have known that Marquis Chengen would actually try to force a confession out of Zhiyu through torture, making her admit to such a despicable crime?" The princess snorted coldly, her gaze towards Shen Feng devoid of warmth.
A family of clueless fools, mistaking a pearl for a fish eye; they'll regret it later.
"Your Highness, it is undeniable that Song Zhiyu pushed Shu'er into the water, but Shu'er is kind and does not wish to hold it against her. If Song Zhiyu has any conscience, she should apologize to Shu'er, and this matter should end here."
But who knew she would not only remain unrepentant, but also physically assault people and talk back to her elders. If we don't teach her a lesson today, she might cause even bigger trouble in the future.” Shen Feng looked heartbroken, like a good father who truly cared about his daughter.
The eldest princess had learned the whole story from Lu Bai, and she believed in Song Zhiyu's character, which could not possibly be as despicable as Shen Feng had described.
"A little lesson? Sending someone to the punishment hall to suffer is what you call a little lesson? Besides, the truth about Shen Jinshu falling into the water has not yet been found out, and you have so easily convicted Zhiyu. Is this what a good father should do?"
Shen Feng was forced to retreat step by step by the princess's three consecutive questions. His face turned from green to white, which was quite a sight.
Seeing that Shen Feng was at a disadvantage, Shen Jinshu put away the handkerchief she had torn in her hand, stepped forward with a pale face, and curtsied, "Your Highness, Father was not targeting my sister. He was just being strict because he loves her deeply. This matter was all caused by me. If you want to blame someone, blame me."
"I am speaking with Marquis Chengen. Who gave you the right to interrupt?" The princess's voice was indifferent. She didn't even glance at Shen Jinshu, but her words were enough to embarrass her greatly.
But when she turned to face Song Zhiyu, the princess instantly changed her expression, holding her hand with a loving look, her voice becoming several degrees gentler, "Good child, they don't believe you, but I do. With me here, do whatever you want."
"Thank you, Your Highness. I will never betray your trust. I did not cause Shen Jinshu to fall into the water. I was locked in the woodshed before I could even defend myself, and they pinned false charges on me."
Even a clay figure has some temper; I won't be the scapegoat." Song Zhiyu had already made up her mind. She provoked Shen Feng, made a big scene, and invited the Princess to oversee things, all to personally tear off Shen Jinshu's hypocritical mask.
Shen Jinshu had been scheming for many years and had earned a good reputation. Although this incident could not completely bring her down from her pedestal, it was enough to severely damage her vitality.
Moreover, once is never enough; Shen Jinshu will surely strike at her again.
At that time, all we need to do is wait for her to reap what she sows.
Seeing the Princess's completely different attitude towards her and Song Zhiyu, Shen Jinshu's face stiffened for a moment, but she was always flexible and quick to adjust her expression, swallowed all the humiliation, and bowed to apologize, "It was this subject who overstepped her bounds, and I hope Your Highness will forgive me."
The eldest princess nodded slightly and did not make things difficult for her any further. She turned to look at Shen Feng and said, "Since Zhiyu has a way to find out the truth about Shen Jinshu falling into the water, the Marquis should do his best to cooperate."
"Yes." Shen Feng gritted his teeth and agreed. He wanted to see how Song Zhiyu would prove her innocence.
Song Zhiyu didn't care what Shen Feng was thinking; she simply fiddled with the sachet at her waist. "Steward Lin, bring all the maids in the manor here. Remember, all of them."
"Yes." Butler Lin glanced at Shen Feng secretly, and only bowed and withdrew after receiving a nod from him.
*
Songzhuyuan.
"Squeak~"
The study door was gently pushed open, and a servant-like man entered carrying a bowl. "Young master, it's time to take your medicine."
"Just leave it there for now," a gentle, clear voice came from the bookshelf.
Shen Yuzhou sat in a wheelchair, dressed in a moon-white robe. His long black hair was neatly tied up with a jade hairpin. His face was as handsome as jade, and his eyebrows were clear and refined, revealing a faint scholarly air.
"What happened in the manor today? Why is there such a commotion?" Shen Yuzhou asked casually as he took the medicine bowl from the servant.
The servant curled his lip, his face full of disdain when he mentioned Song Zhiyu, "It's all because of the Second Miss. She doesn't admit to pushing the Eldest Miss into the water, and she still wouldn't stop even after being locked in the woodshed. She even injured the Fourth Young Master. The Marquis is about to take her to the punishment hall to confess her crime."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yuzhou paused in his actions, his long, jade-like fingers lightly tapping the table. A hint of mockery flashed in his deep eyes, and he said in a light tone, "It's time to teach her a lesson. There are some people she can't mess with."
"Young master is absolutely right. The eldest young lady is still too kind. Fortunately, the Marquis and his wife are on her side. However, now that she's in the punishment hall, the second young lady probably won't be able to treat your leg for a while."
"But it doesn't matter. With the Second Miss's temperament, she'll probably crawl over to treat your leg even if she's beaten so badly she can't get out of bed." The servant shook his head with a smile, his tone contemptuous yet full of certainty.
Although he loathed what Song Zhiyu had done to the young lady, he had to admit that the prescription she had given was very beneficial to his young master's leg.
If this continues, he believes that the young master's leg will eventually heal.
*
The backyard of the Marquis's residence.
Before half a cup of tea could be brewed, Steward Lin arrived in a hurry with his men. "Princess, Marquis, all the maids in the manor are here, not one is missing."
Song Zhiyu raised her eyes and scanned the maids, taking in their expressions one by one.
Under her gaze, several maids visibly panicked, their heads lowering further and further down, almost burying their heads in their chests.
"Song Zhiyu, the people have been found as you said, but where is your evidence? No matter how much time you delay, it won't change the fact that you harmed people." Shen Yanxi was the first to lose his temper, dragging his body covered in bandages as he began to mock and ridicule.
Song Zhiyu ignored him, thinking he was just barking like a dog.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
