Shunxin gritted her teeth, unwilling to concede. "Second Miss did save us, but that doesn't mean you can accuse me of harming Concubine. Second Miss, falsely accusing someone without any proof, aren't you afraid of chilling the hearts of us servants?"
Qi Zhenzhen let out a cold laugh and walked to stand before Shunxin. She abruptly pulled Shunxin's hand, her sleeve sliding down to reveal her wrist, on which a well-made jade bracelet was visible.
"Shunxin, this bracelet is quite nice. Where did you get it?" Qi Zhenzhen asked with a smile.
Shunxin's expression turned flustered, her composure gone. "This, this..."
"You good-for-nothing Shunxin, you actually stole Concubine's bracelet! You're truly audacious!" Shunyi recognized the bracelet and couldn't help but scold.
Qi Zhenzhen raised an eyebrow. So it wasn't from the other side. She had thought it was from Jinghua Courtyard to bribe Shunxin.
It seemed the other side was more cautious and left no evidence. But then—
"You are Concubine's head maid. You've always behaved exceptionally well, otherwise, Concubine wouldn't have kept you by her side. As a head maid, you should clearly know the consequences of stealing from your master. Not only did you steal, but you also wore it openly on your hand. This indicates you knew Concubine was going to have an accident, and you were confident she wouldn't have a chance to discover your theft. Under what circumstances would she not discover it? Naturally, when she's no longer alive," Qi Zhenzhen said slowly.
Shunxin's face turned ashen. "I, this servant did not."
"Alright, even if you didn't, this bracelet belongs to Concubine, you don't deny that, do you? Stealing valuable property from your master, according to the Marquis's rules, means fifty planks, and if you die, you're thrown into a mass grave. If you survive, you'll be sold by a human trafficker, with the reason for sale truthfully disclosed. Human traffickers have their own rules; thieves don't fare well when resold. You have some looks, so you'll likely only end up in those unsavory places?" Da Feng Novel Network.
Shunxin finally broke down. She dropped to her knees before Qi Zhenzhen. "Please, Second Miss, show mercy and don't sell this servant to such a place. I'll tell you, I'll tell you everything. It was Qin Momo, it was all Qin Momo who instructed me. She threatened me with my marriage..."
Qin Momo calmly retorted, "You wretched girl, stealing from your master's property and now, when exposed, trying to shift the blame. You say I instructed you, but where is your evidence?"
Qi Zhenzhen looked at Shunxin. "Yes, Qin Momo is a capable person by Madam's side. How can you slander her so casually? Where is the evidence?"
Shunxin grew more flustered because she had no evidence.
"Second Miss, this servant is not lying. It was truly Qin Momo who threatened me with my marriage..." Shunxin kowtowed repeatedly.
People like Qin Momo had endless schemes. How could such a matter of bribing someone leave any trace?
As for Shunxin, there was no need for other reasons; theft alone was enough to deal with her. Of course, how she would be dealt with was still up to Ruyan.
"Take Shunxin away. Later, when Concubine has recovered, let Concubine handle it herself. Shunyi, hurry inside and look after Concubine. If there's anything needed, come and tell me," Qi Zhenzhen said.
Shunyi gratefully thanked Qi Zhenzhen. "If not for Second Miss's keen insight and clarity, letting Shunxin in, Concubine, who trusted her so much, might have fallen into her trap again."
Qi Zhenzhen smiled. "It wasn't my keen insight and clarity, but Shunxin's lack of resolve. Isn't that right, Qin Momo? Next time you involve someone in wrongdoing, it's best to choose someone with a firm will, rather than someone who spills everything in fear before anything is even said."