Hao Momo was about to inform Madam Zhang of Qin Shi's framing when she was interrupted by footsteps behind her. Upon seeing Zhan Feiyu, Hao Momo's eyes flashed with fierce hatred. If the occasion were different, Hao Momo would have rushed forward to strangle Zhan Feiyu.
"Greetings, Madam Zhang," Zhan Feiyu said, stepping past Hao Momo to greet Madam Zhang. With Qin Shi having fallen, her attendant was no longer a threat.
Madam Zhang, thinking of the substantial sum of money she was about to receive, was in an excellent mood. She also considered marrying Zhan Feiyu to her nephew, Bao Yi. If her nephew became an official, would that shrew Kong Shi still dare to disregard her as a mother-in-law based on her good family background?
Bao Lian'er's pretty face also broke into a smile. With Miss Zhan becoming her sister-in-law, even if she couldn't marry her cousin, the prefect, she could have the young lady's teacher pick a noble family's son for her to marry.
"Xiao Yu, are you also here to visit Li'er? Today, I will be the one to settle this misunderstanding. We are all family," Madam Zhang declared expansively, her attitude toward Zhan Feiyu extremely amiable, second only to the attraction of pure silver.
Madam Zhang was already aware of the conflict between Huang Li and Zhan Feiyu at the Donghu Inn. However, the former was the woman she had chosen as her son's second wife, and the latter was her nephew's future wife. Madam Zhang naturally did not want them to quarrel.
Fearing Madam Zhang's overly enthusiastic demeanor, Zhan Feiyu replied, "To Madam, I am here to visit Elder Master Ming."
The smile on Madam Zhang's wrinkled face stiffened. Madam Zhang's expression turned grim, and she adopted the airs of an elder, reprimanding, "A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent. Reading and writing are sufficient; why should one constantly associate with men? In the future, when you marry Yi'er, you will only need to manage the household and raise children. Do not cause trouble anymore!"
"Madam Zhang, please speak with caution. I have no intention of marrying. Furthermore, my marriage is decided by my teacher, so I will not delay Madam's nephew," Zhan Feiyu quickly stated her position. "I will not disturb Madam further. I am going to visit Elder Madam Ming."
"You!" Madam Zhang's old face turned ashen with anger. Before even marrying Yi'er, she already disregarded her as an elder. Truly, too much reading had made her foolish, not knowing the meaning of filial piety!
"Aunt, please do not be angry. Take care of your health," Bao Lian'er said repeatedly, patting Madam Zhang's back to help her calm down.
As for Zhan Feiyu, who had left so decisively, a flash of anger quickly crossed Bao Lian'er's delicate face. Since she was so ungrateful, she would not be blamed for being impolite! She would find a way to make her marry Yi'er.
Since moving into the Zhang residence, Bao Lian'er had been blinded by wealth and status. She knew that with her background, even if she married well through her cousin, the inner courtyard was controlled by that shrew Kong Shi. Kong Shi would not support her, so ultimately, she needed Yi'er to stand up. He was her own brother; if Yi'er did well, she could marry well and have a good life in the future.
However, Bao Lian'er had also discreetly probed. Those noble ladies looked down on Yi'er. Even if some families had intentions, they intended to marry their illegitimate daughters to Yi'er, which was clearly an insult!
Hao Momo did not expect the situation to take such a turn and quickly said, "Madam, you need not be angry with that ungrateful girl. Speaking of which, my mistress was also harmed by Zhan Feiyu."
Were her nephew's marriage prospects as important as the money in hand? Madam Zhang could no longer be angry and asked, "Tell me what happened."
Hao Momo first recounted the old grudge between Wan Yunhao and Tutor Zhao. "After the son-in-law was poisoned, Zhan Feiyu still wanted to pursue him relentlessly. Otherwise, how could such a coincidence occur that the yamen constables, while catching a thief, ended up at our home and happened to witness the villain attempting to molest the mistress."
In Hao Momo's narration, this was all a conspiracy, not only to harm Qin Shi but also to plunge her children into an abyss of eternal damnation. With their father poisoned and their mother committing adultery, what future could the two children possibly have?
Madam Zhang and Bao Lian'er listened in astonishment. As the saying goes, "To catch a thief, you need evidence; to catch an adulterer, you need proof!" Qin Shi and Huang Bin were caught in the room by constables in the middle of the night. A man and a woman alone together – who would believe there was no affair?
"Enough. I understand this matter. I will inquire with Li'er when I return home," Madam Zhang replied perfunctorily, her eyes showing no concealment of her contempt and disdain.
Even if Qin Shi was framed by Zhan Feiyu, she had become an impure woman. The Qin family's act of detaining her instead of immersing her in a pig cage was already merciful. Hmph, a fly doesn't bite a flawless egg. Qin Shi was probably also unchaste, otherwise, why would that villain have sneaked into the Wan residence late at night?
While Zhan Feiyu went to the backyard to meet Elder Madam Ming and Yin Yuanhui, Madam Zhang took Bao Lian'er to see Huang Li.
"What? Adultery?" Huang Li's shocked voice became even sharper, followed by a gloating smile. "Madam, you don't need to concern yourself with this. My cousin is not a good person. She's one thing in front of people and another behind their backs. 'Sweet words and a poisonous heart' describes her, Qin Qiong!"
"I'm too lazy to bother, but her old嬷嬷 begged me, her forehead bruised and swollen. As I've gotten older, I've become soft-hearted. I just want to help if I can, after all, the two children are innocent." Madam Zhang did not mention the money and jewelry at all.
She had already decided that after Hao Momo delivered the silver, even if she didn't help, would the old嬷嬷 dare to report her to the yamen?
Huang Li wished she could go to the Qin residence immediately to see the detained Qin Shi. She never expected that she would have such a day! In the end, a woman must marry well. With Wan Yunhao dead, Qin Qiong became as pliable as soft persimmon, to be kneaded as one pleased!
Thinking of this, Huang Li's gaze turned eagerly to Madam Zhang, smiling with extreme enthusiasm. "Madam, the fifteenth of the third month is the annual Peach Blossom Festival. If it is arranged properly then, there is no fear that things will not be accomplished."
At this moment, only Huang Li and Madam Zhang were in the room, so they dared to plot like this. Bao Lian'er was drinking tea in the small hall outside, and Madam Lu was arranged by Huang Li to guard the door, ensuring their conversation would not be overheard.
"Li'er is too kind-hearted, which is why she is so tightly controlled by that shrew Kong Shi. Otherwise, after seven years without a child, this shrew should have requested to be divorced long ago!" Madam Zhang clasped Huang Li's hand, returning her smile. "Li'er, after you marry in, I will personally discipline that useless girl. If you give Li'er a healthy son soon, I will smile even in my sleep."
"Madam," Huang Li lowered her head shyly. Once she gave birth to a son for Prefect Zhang, who would care about this crude and rude old woman? She hadn't even washed the mud off her legs yet, and she dared to act like a mother-in-law to her!
Huang Li and Madam Zhang's scheme was not complicated. On the Peach Blossom Festival, Huang Li would arrange a "lover," and Madam Zhang would seize the opportunity to push Kong Shi into the water, letting the prepared lover jump in to rescue her.
In this way, Kong Shi would lose her reputation, and Madam Zhang could divorce her on behalf of her son. Moreover, because Kong Shi was unfaithful, Madam Zhang intended to seize Kong Shi's dowry.
Since there was still a useless girl, if Kong Shi wanted her daughter to have a good life in the Zhang residence, she couldn't take her dowry. Otherwise, don't blame her, the grandmother, for disregarding familial ties and marrying off the useless girl carelessly.
"Madam, rest assured, it will be foolproof," Huang Li said with a confident smile. Once she became the prefect's wife, the Huang family or the Qin family, hmph, they would have to fawn over her, and it would depend on her mood.
After seeing off Madam Zhang and Bao Lian'er, Huang Li shouted, "嬷嬷, quickly help me get ready. I need to go to the Qin residence."
"Yes, Madam." Madam Lu quickly called the maids to fetch water and personally helped Huang Li change into her favorite crimson pomegranate skirt and styled her hair into a high bun.
Looking at her gorgeously made-up reflection in the bronze mirror, Huang Li smiled. "Wear that set of silver-inlaid kingfisher feather hair ornaments."
This set of hair ornaments was Huang Li's favorite: two butterfly hairpins and two butterfly clasps, adorned with pearls, agate, various colored gems, and blue kingfisher feathers. The matching accessories were red coral earrings and bracelets, truly exuding wealth and dazzling beauty.
Behind Qingya Academy, Zhan Feiyu, who had just gotten into the carriage, watched the carriage that passed by in a hurry. The wind blew up the curtain, and seeing Huang Li inside the carriage, Zhan Feiyu couldn't help but smile. "Big Brother, why don't we follow and take a look."
Huang Li's hurried departure likely meant she had learned about Qin Shi's affairs, and she was eager to go to the Qin residence to watch the spectacle.
Yin Wuyan looked helplessly at the little girl with sparkling eyes. She was so disciplined and diligent when studying, yet she loved to watch gossip so much.
"Big Brother, please, I promise I'll make up for the time lost today when we get back to the inn!" Zhan Feiyu pleaded with Yin Wuyan, who had a cold expression, with a pout. This was her only hobby.
If it were a subordinate of the Imperial Guards, Yin Wuyan would not have paid any attention. But looking at the little girl tilting her head, looking pitiful, Yin Wuyan's principles seemed to have been devoured by a dog. "Go to the Qin residence."
"Thank you, Big Brother." Zhan Feiyu's eyes curved into crescents with joy. Studying was so hard; one had to find some fun.
...
At the Qin residence, dark clouds loomed. The direct line of the Qin family and several elders had all arrived. With such an incident, it was no longer a matter of who was responsible. If handled improperly, the entire Qin family would be dragged down by Qin Shi.
"Patriarch, give me a clear answer. Is this matter true, or was Xiao Qiong framed?" The old patriarch of the Qin family was also advanced in age. He would not have been alerted unless the survival of the family was at stake.
The elders sitting below also looked at the Qin family head with solemn expressions. Qin Qiong was his daughter, so the family head knew this matter best.
"I have asked Qiong'er. She was tricked by someone, and those items were planted to frame her!" The Qin family head's face was haggard, his eyes bloodshot. He was, after all, at the age of knowing his destiny. After the incident last night, the Qin family head had not slept for the entire night and was already exhausted, relying on ginseng tea for support.
Thinking that Qin Shi was caught in adultery by the yamen constables, the old patriarch, whose eyebrows were even white, spoke with a heavy tone, "Is Prefect Zhang targeting the Qin family?"
"In my opinion, Prefect Zhang would not resort to such despicable means." As a professor at the Nanxuan Prefecture School, the Qin family head was also familiar with Prefect Zhang. When Wan Yunhao competed with Zhan Feiyu and Tong Xu, they had gone to Shangsi County together.
Zhang Chengli was a man of ambition but not a scrupulous villain, nor would he target a widow like Qin Shi. Thinking of what Qin Shi had said earlier, the Qin family head did not conceal anything.
"Qiong'er inferred that Zhan Feiyu framed her, with the sole purpose of avenging Tutor Zhao. Although Zhan Feiyu is only a nine-year-old girl, her schemes and methods are no less than those of an adult. The young girl is extremely ruthless, as can be seen from the current state of the Zhan family."
"Family Head, whether the mastermind is Prefect Zhang or Zhan Feiyu, the most important thing now is how to extricate the Qin family from this matter?" an elder interjected. Revenge could wait for later; the most important thing was whether the Qin family could emerge unscathed.
The atmosphere in the study suddenly became heavy. Even if Qin Shi was framed, everyone present in the Qin family knew that there was probably some ambiguity between Qin Shi and Huang Bin. Otherwise, why would Huang Bin be in her room in the middle of the night?
The clothes and items in the box could be considered planted evidence, but the tea on the table told the whole story. Late at night, a widow entertaining an outsider in her room, and the constables had clearly seen that Qin Shi's mouth was swollen. Any man would know what that meant.
It could only be said that Qin Shi was not upright, and therefore she was schemed against. This was also the most helpless aspect for the Qin family. This was a dead end. Qin Shi had courted disaster, but she had dragged the Qin family down with her.
"Huang Bin admitted at the time that he had improper intentions toward Xiao Qiong. If another person is brought forward to take the blame, admitting that he orchestrated all of this, perhaps the Qin family's reputation can be cleared." The Qin family head had pondered this all night. The best candidates he could think of were Huang Bin and Hao Momo; both were loyal to Xiao Qiong.
Before Wan Yunhao's death, Huang Bin was jealous of his talent. After his death, Huang Bin dared to bully Qin Shi to humiliate Wan Yunhao.
Hao Momo was the inside informant found by Huang Bin. She deliberately placed the tea on the table. The servants guarding the courtyard were also arranged by Hao Momo. Huang Bin's clothes in the wardrobe were all arranged by Hao Momo.
Hao Momo once had a fiancé, a steward in the Qin family. Unfortunately, the steward died in an accident on his way to the estate. Hao Momo therefore hated the Qin family and took revenge on Qin Shi.
After hearing the Qin family head's plan, everyone present nodded in agreement. This was the most reasonable explanation, at least enough to silence gossip.
The old patriarch squinted his eyes. He had also been up for several hours and was now lacking energy. After drinking some ginseng tea, he asked, "Are you sure the two will not recant?"
According to the laws of Daqing, if Huang Bin and Hao Momo confessed to all the crimes, they would likely face death. Even the most loyal servants would fear death and might change their testimony, and then the Qin family would truly be finished.
"Old Patriarch, please rest assured. I have made proper arrangements. After the two confess in court, they will be made to commit suicide out of guilt!" Although the Qin family head was a scholar, his eyes were now fierce and cruel, without any of the elegance and gentleness of a scholar.
With this, the hearts of those present were somewhat relieved. Another elder added, "Family Head, Xiao Qiong cannot be kept alive. With her death, she can retain the reputation of a chaste martyr. As for the two children, they will be raised by the Qin family."
Qin Shi's tragic death from humiliation could completely resolve the matter, as the world would not further condemn a chaste woman forced to her death. Adopting Wan Yunhao's son and daughter would also show outsiders the Qin family's benevolence and righteousness.
"I Went to Take the Imperial Examinations in Ancient Times" uncensored chapters will continue to be updated, with no advertisements on the site!
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