Jiang Yanwan wanted to use Jiang Zhenlin to escalate the situation and divert attention.
Gao Peng returned just in time, saying, "Ah Lin, don't be impulsive."
"I had someone inquire, and the servant who delivered the spices went astray for no reason. It's possible that Miss Qingwan's things were switched."
Upon hearing Gao Peng's words, Jiang Yanwan's heart pounded.
Jiang Zhenlin was both angry and hoping that someone had really harmed Lin Qingwan, otherwise the Prime Minister's residence would be in trouble.
But he was still unhappy, "It's always her, every single time!"
"What a jinx!"
Ever since Gao Peng learned that the beauty he had been longing for was Lin Qingwan, he had been looking forward to seeing her day and night. When he saw Lin Qingwan at the door, his heart was beating even faster than he had expected, and he suddenly felt that all the torment he had endured before was nothing.
The beauty was slender, with delicate features, and the aloofness emanating from her very being sent chills down his spine.
Although he and Jiang Zhenlin were in Beiyuan, he did not miss Lin Qingwan's whereabouts at all.
"Ah Lin, don't say that about Miss Qingwan." Gao Peng said in a low voice, "If someone really switched the items, then there is a traitor in the Minister's mansion, and Miss Qingwan is being framed and wronged."
Jiang Zhenlin's heart trembled when he heard an outsider say that Lin Qingwan was innocent, but his face turned even more ashen the next second.
He pushed Gao Peng away, "Don't think I don't know you're thinking about her."
Gao Peng was shocked. "Ah Lin! I can be shameless, but how could you... disregard Miss Qingwan's status!"
"What have I done? Ever since I found out she's your older sister, I haven't said a single disrespectful word in front of anyone, nor have I ever thought of anything filthy!"
“I’m stating the facts. Why do you look like you’d love to see her ruined? Is she even your own sister?”
Gao Peng felt sorry for Lin Qingwan, and then he remembered what the street vendor had said, "She even wanted to give you a bamboo dragonfly, have you forgotten!"
Jiang Zhenlin was speechless.
Jiang Yanwan didn't expect Gao Peng to defend Lin Qingwan so much. Despite her resentment, she pretended to comfort her, saying, "Ah Lin, don't be angry. Qingwan wouldn't do such a thing."
Gao Peng then said to her, "Miss, there's no need to worry. You can't help, and asking around will only make more people aware of it."
"The Crown Prince asked my father to suppress the investigation and investigate it secretly, all for the sake of the reputation of both families."
Jiang Yanwan gave an awkward laugh, "I was too hasty."
The silence was shattered by a scream as soon as the words were spoken.
"I came to find my wife, and I saw her!"
Then came another earth-shattering shout, "Lin Qingwan, come out and see me!"
Lin Qingwan ultimately couldn't escape it. Before the poisoning incident could be investigated, Lin the Butcher from Shuiyuan Town came looking for her again, causing quite a stir with just a few words.
“She accepted my money and betrothal gifts and promised to marry me. Everyone in town knows this! I thought she was dead, but I saw her in the capital a few days ago.”
"I was afraid I was seeing things, so I followed her all the way and saw her enter the Prime Minister's residence with my own eyes."
"Only after inquiring did I learn that she had become the young lady of the Prime Minister's mansion."
"But she is my wife, I've come to find her!"
"Let me go!"
Countless eyes, filled with surprise and mockery, watched Lin the Butcher's lament, but ultimately all fell upon Lin Qingwan.
"Really? Engaged to a butcher?"
"She is the daughter of the Prime Minister's family."
"Tsk tsk, how shameless."
The ladies and daughters of noble families displayed varying expressions, while daughters born out of wedlock, such as Jiang Mingyun, were gossiping on the Cloud Bridge. Lin Shi, supported by Jiang Yanwan and Qin Ma on either side, was pale.
After the Minister's wife, Madam Yang, finished speaking, she ordered, "Gag him and drag him out! What kind of scoundrel dares to spout nonsense at the Minister's residence?"
The old woman said, "Madam, he was responsible for delivering the incense made by the young ladies to the North Garden, but he took the wrong turn along the way."
Madam Yang angrily asked, "Did you switch out the poisoned spices?"
Lin the Butcher shook his head. "I didn't! I've only been at the Minister's residence for two days. I really did get lost."
The old woman took out the contract he signed when he entered the mansion in front of everyone, saying, "A few days ago, we released a few older stewards and bought a few servants. We checked their backgrounds and found them to be clean."
Lin the Butcher also said, "I heard that the Minister's mansion is going to hold a birthday banquet, and all the ladies and young ladies in the capital will come. I might have a chance to see Qingwan."
He didn't care about being tied up and interrogated; his heart and eyes were filled with Lin Qingwan. He choked up and said, "Qingwan, come home with me."
"I will treat you well."
Lin Qingwan's gaze was like the mist of an autumn night, deep and cold. The only people here who knew that the Cheng family had arranged a marriage for her were her mother and Jiang Yanwan.
No wonder Jiang Yanwan didn't react when she saw that she was wearing a lotus green dress and had prepared begonia incense; it turned out that she had prepared this move in advance.
After this commotion, not only Prince Jing, but no man would give her another second glance.
So what role did Jiang Mingyun play in it?
Jiang Yanwan, at this moment, only made things worse, "Nonsense! How could the Prime Minister's daughter be engaged to you!"
"With all the ladies and young misses here, you must not slander Qingwan. She is the daughter of the Prime Minister's family, and the husband she is to marry is a young and talented man. How could you possibly be worthy of her?"
Madam Lin gritted her teeth, barely maintaining the dignity of the Prime Minister's wife, "Insubordination! How many lives do you have to clear the Jiang family's name!"
Lin the Butcher's eyes were bloodshot. "Everyone in Shuiyuan Town knows, and God knows too. Even if you beat me to death, Madam, I will not give in."
“She’s the daughter of the Prime Minister now, why would she go back to live with you?” Jiang Mingyun shouted from outside. “Stop daydreaming, or you’ll lose your life.”
"If it weren't for Qingwan, what would be the point of keeping this life?" Butcher Lin said with a determined look.
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