There was another reason why Lady Hou disregarded her dignity.
She wanted to find clues from Ye Zhen to deduce the truth of last night.
Ye Zhen was unharmed, which means that something had happened before Granny Feng took action.
If Ye Zhen had been subjected to cat torture, then the deaths of Granny Feng and Yunzhou would be inextricably linked to her.
Granny Feng was always cautious in her actions, and Lady Hou suspected that it was the latter. Ye Zhen either saved herself or was saved when she was being tortured, and the injuries on her body were from cat scratches. She fell down to cover it up.
Once her clothes are torn, the truth will be clear.
Ye Zhen will also be doomed.
Several burly women responded and moved.
Wanxing immediately stood in front of Ye Zhen, both angry and worried.
Ye Zhen stood up, took her hand, and gazed at the Lady Hou.
"Is the mother trying to frame her daughter-in-law in order to clear her husband's name?"
Her bluntness caused Lady Hou to pause for a moment.
Ye Zhen continued, “Every morning and evening, she would pay her respects to her mother, and serve her at mealtimes and before bedtime. Her daughter-in-law never missed a single one of these duties. She was always under her mother’s watchful eye. How could she ever be restless?”
Coming to this village was at my mother's request. As a newcomer, I am unfamiliar with the place and do not know that my husband is still alive. How could I possibly harm him?
The magistrate is right here on the estate; he hasn't even reached a conclusion yet. Why has the mother already condemned her daughter-in-law?
Lady Hou's face turned ashen.
Ye Zhen, who was usually meek and obedient in front of her, was surprisingly sharp today.
That's really the opposite.
"What a silver tongue you have! You had an affair with a male servant. I was concerned about the reputation of the Marquis's mansion and also thought that Heaven has a benevolent heart, so I only punished him."
I sent you to Zhuangzi to reflect on your actions, but you've remained incorrigible.
Her expression was sinister. "You know perfectly well why the magistrate hasn't reached a conclusion; he's in cahoots with you."
Upon hearing this, the magistrate outside the door trembled and looked at his advisor with disbelief.
"What does Madam Hou mean by this? Is she implying that I am colluding with the young mistress?"
He became the young mistress's lover? And even helped her murder her husband?
The advisor nodded solemnly.
Lady Hou is retaliating!
How could a noble lady like Lady Hou make such baseless accusations without any evidence?
The magistrate was in a great hurry and was about to explain to the person in the room when his advisor stopped him.
The Marquis's family holds a high position, and the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery has just won a battle and is currently enjoying great prestige. If the Marquis's family were to target you, you would be powerless to resist.
Explanations are useless in the face of power.
He whispered a reminder, "Madam Wang."
Only when the elders' authority prevails over the whispers of those in power can adults have a chance to survive.
Upon hearing this, the county magistrate turned and ran towards Wangjiazhuang.
Inside the room, Ye Zhen gave a bitter laugh, inwardly scoffing.
She knew that with the magnanimity of the Lady Hou, she wouldn't let the county magistrate off the hook.
If it were just a matter of domestic filth, Madam Wang might not care, but when it comes to framing officials, as the mother of an imperial censor, Madam Wang would not stand idly by.
“My mother fabricated accusations out of thin air and abused her power to oppress others. My father, being an upright official, would never agree to this.”
The Marquis's household was managed by the Marquis's wife, and the servants dared not disobey her orders.
She could produce as much evidence and witness testimony as needed to slander Ye Zhen.
However, the county magistrate was an official appointed by the imperial court, so the Lady of the Marquis could only use the power of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery.
Marquis Zhongyong is not a bad person, but he trusts and cherishes his wife, making him prone to being swayed by others' opinions.
Ye Zhen wants to destroy this trust.
Lady Hou was unaware of Ye Zhen's plans and was not afraid of Ye Zhen revealing her true feelings.
"Everything I said is true, and your attempts to argue are useless."
The county magistrate made Xie Yunzhou a laughingstock, and Lady Hou hated him.
At the same time, she felt that the mere county magistrate was someone the Marquis of Zhongyong's household could handle.
The most important thing right now is Ye Zhen.
With a cold face, she snapped at the old women, "What are you waiting for?"
Upon receiving the order, the old women fiercely pounced on Ye Zhen.
Ye Zhen pulled out her hairpin and held it to her neck, saying to the silent nanny and the female doctor, "My mother-in-law has slandered me, and I have no way to defend myself."
I earnestly request that you two plead with Madam Wang on my behalf, asking her to report this to the Dali Temple or the Prefect of Jingzhao.
Whether Ye Zhen is innocent or not will be known with a single examination. Ye Zhen will surely repay this kindness in the future.
These words today are less meant for Madam Wang and more meant for Ye Zhen to convey to Marquis Zhongyong through Madam Wang's words.
So as not to let him believe the Hou lady's one-sided story and become her powerful ally.
In his previous life, the Marquis of Zhongyong listened to his wife and had no doubts about her affairs, allowing her to do whatever she wanted.
The old nanny initially thought the old lady was overthinking things, but now she was alarmed and advised, "Young mistress, don't act rashly."
She knew this second wife well; she was by no means a kind person. If Ye Zhen were truly unruly, she would have dealt with him long ago.
The so-called "verification of innocence" should be interpreted as "destroying innocence."
A widowed woman who has lost her innocence will face eternal damnation. Ye Zhen is now accused of murdering her husband, which dispels the rumor that Xie Yunzhou was murdered by a guard.
Lady Hou wanted to sacrifice Ye Zhen to cover up the scandal.
The old lady had given instructions that she could not stand idly by.
After curtsying, she introduced herself and said, "Madam, since we've already reported it to the authorities, why not hear what they have to say..."
Lady Hou interrupted her, "I heard that Old Madam Wang is unwell and needs someone by her side. Please go back, nanny."
The reason she didn't clear the area before taking action against Ye Zhen was because she was certain that there was something wrong with Ye Zhen, and it would be good to have some witnesses.
Unexpectedly, the old nanny of the Wang family dared to meddle in other people's business.
An old nanny shouldn't be able to ruin her plans. At worst, she can apologize to the Marquis afterward; after all, she and the Marquis are family.
Ye Zhen didn't place all her hopes on the nanny, and kept pulling Wanxing towards the door.
Lady Hou lost her patience and gestured for the servants to come forward, regardless of whether they lived or died.
The women, no longer holding back, swarmed forward.
The old woman sent the female physician to deliver the message, while she herself stood in front of Ye Zhen and her servants, saying, "Please, Madam Hou, reconsider."
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