Everyone looked at Ye Zhen.
Ye Zhen then looked at Chen Bishui, "What makes you say that?"
"Young Madam?"
Shen Bishui's face was filled with disbelief and panic. "What do you mean by this?"
You were the one who told me this when you were helping me change clothes. You said that Vice General Luo was deeply trusted by the Marquis and had a superior appearance, surpassing many young men.
It just so happens that I met Deputy General Luo that day, and I was so impressed by his imposing presence that I disregarded my ladylike reserve..."
She covered her face and cried weakly, "I am just a concubine's daughter in a family. I know I am not qualified to be by Vice General Luo's side, so I listened to what the young mistress said."
But you can't deny it, otherwise, how will I survive? Young Madam, please have mercy..."
"Nonsense."
Wanxing rebuked, "You argued with Roland Qiao and she knocked you into the water. My young lady kindly accompanied you to change your clothes."
He didn't say a word during that time, so don't try to make baseless accusations about when he uttered those absurd words.
“I didn’t make any accusations.”
Shen Bishui shook her head desperately, explaining to everyone with extreme grievance.
"Three years ago, when the young mistress had just returned to the capital, we met at the General's Mansion."
She once told me that she envied Miss Wan Tang's background and longed to be a superior person like her.
She even said that one day she would become that kind of person, but at the time, I just thought she was joking.
But now that she has replaced the Lady of the Marquis as the head of the household, I've become infatuated and think I see a way out in her.
Prejudice in people's hearts is a mountain; they usually feel that those in lower positions should envy those in higher positions.
Therefore, some people believed Shen Bishui's words to some extent, and began to criticize Ye Zhen.
Luo Lanqiao, in particular, couldn't find her servant and saw that Xie Jinyao had been left behind, so she guessed that her help to Xie Jinyao had been exposed.
Just as she was trying to figure out how to make amends, Shen Bishui pointed out Ye Zhen.
Regardless of whether it's true or not, she has to help Shen Bishui crush Ye Zhen. Only when Ye Zhen is dealt with will Xie Jinyao have a chance to turn things around.
Otherwise, she will face a terrible fate.
Her father was utterly loyal to the Marquis and would never allow her to cause trouble in the Marquis's residence.
As for Shen Bishui, she dared to dream of entering the Luo family; she would have plenty of opportunities to kill her in the future.
Therefore, she was the loudest of all.
Ye Zhen remained calm throughout.
"According to you, what is my reason for asking you to do this?"
"You said that among the families of the soldiers under the Marquis, several of the older wives, including Madam Luo, are on good terms with the Marquis's wife and regard her as their leader."
Now that you are in charge of the household, you need to cultivate your own power and network. You will not only replace Madam Luo, but also other people who are on good terms with Madam Hou. You will find suitable candidates to replace them one by one.
Only when the families of your soldiers support you can you firmly hold onto your power.
She seemed hesitant to speak, "You also said that no man is immune to the allure of youth, and that it's normal for men to be fickle and easily bored."
When ladies grow old and lose their beauty, they should make way for younger ladies.
"You, Ye Zhen, the Marquis put you in charge of the household, and you've started meddling in our family affairs."
Upon hearing this, Madam Luo jumped up, "Do you know that we women who have aged and lost our beauty have endured hardships alongside men?"
Managing the rear, organizing military supplies, and helping to protect the people were our daily tasks. When the enemy attacked, we also carried broadswords and beheaded enemy leaders.
"Our men haven't even complained about us yet, and you're already complaining about us on their behalf. What kind of logic is that?"
Over the years, she left her daughter in the care of her in-laws and followed the army despite the hardships of the border region, knowing that she was not good-looking, while her husband grew younger and younger.
She worried that her husband would be seduced by some vixen outside, but unexpectedly, her husband had no problems at the border and returned to the capital, where he was tricked by Ye Zhen.
How could she not be angry?
She pulled another lady beside her and said, "That year, the enemy burned down the bridge across the river, and our men were trapped on the other side with no food or warm clothes."
The Marquis ordered the bridge to be repaired. In the freezing cold, we old and faded men also considered ourselves men and went into the water to help.
She lost her newborn child while trying to save her husband and countless other men trapped on the other side of the river like him.
After that, she found it difficult to conceive again, and there were countless women like her with various physical injuries.
Ye Zhen, how could you have such a vicious thought? Have you ever thought about how we, your aging and faded wives, would survive if things were to go your way?
How will the world view men who abandon their wives who shared hardships? If all the soldiers below are of such character, how will the world view the lord who governs the army?
Her words, each one laced with anguish and accusations, brought the anger of everyone present towards Ye Zhen to its peak.
The woman she had pulled out was a former friend of hers. Now that she had returned to the capital, her in-laws disliked her for not being able to have children and were urging her husband to remarry. The man was already showing signs of being interested.
Therefore, when Mrs. Luo told her about her situation today, she was not angry at all, but grateful, and felt that this was an opportunity to maintain her position.
She knelt before the Marquis of Zhongyong, "My lord, you have seen everything we have been through. Please, do justice for us."
After today's commotion, the husband will never dare to openly divorce his wife and remarry again.
The ladies who had returned from the border knelt down hand in hand, begging the Marquis of Zhongyong to severely punish Ye Zhen.
Their attitude was resolute, as if they would kneel there forever if Ye Zhen was not punished.
Even the Marquis of Zhongyong looked at Ye Zhen and asked, "Ye Zhen, what explanation do you have?"
Ye Zhen lowered his eyes. "Ye Zhen never instigated Shen Bishui to seduce Deputy General Luo."
Such an explanation is simply unconvincing.
The way she stood there with her head down made her look extremely isolated and helpless.
Ye Wantang slowly broke into a smile.
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