The scholar looked troubled, his expression full of reluctance. He cupped his hands in a bow. "My cousin, Liang Zichu, is a scholar on his way to the capital for the imperial examination. On the fifteenth of last month, he received an invitation from your young lady, asking him to visit. He never returned. I searched for him many times but could not find him. Your young lady is known for her arrogance. Seeing that the examination is fast approaching and my cousin is still missing, I had to inform my aunt."
"You claim a young lady from the General's Mansion invited Liang Zichu for a visit. Pray tell, which young lady invited him?" Madam Yan asked, as soon as she emerged, having heard that a young lady from her household had invited a man over.
"Your eldest young lady, Xiao Man!" Liang Kuan stated confidently. "Among your young ladies, only the eldest often ventures out. She is known for her arrogance, and many people recognize her. She even publicly praised cousin Zichu for his talent."
Upon hearing it was Xiao Man, Madam Yan pressed further, "Do you have proof?"
"Yes, I do. We have the invitation card sent by your eldest young lady at the time, bearing her personal signature."
Liang Kuan produced a very exquisite invitation card, clearly from a wealthy family. Madam Yan asked for it to be brought over for examination. Unexpectedly, Liang Kuan refused to hand it over. "Madame General, it's not that I am unwilling to give you the invitation, but this card is the only piece of evidence. If Madame General destroys it, how can my aunt seek redress for her grievance?"
Madam Yan heard this and did not get angry. "Someone, go and summon the eldest young lady."
When Xiao Man was called, she already knew what had transpired. It was a pity that Liang Zichu had already been killed by her, his body reduced to charcoal. If Liang Zichu had not conspired with others to frame her, would he have lost his life?
As Xiao Man appeared at the doorway, the old woman struggled to her feet and pointed at Xiao Man, cursing, "You venomous woman, where have you hidden my son?"
Xiao Man indifferently glanced at Yin Zhu beside her. "Record this: Slandering a daughter of a high official without cause."
"Yes, Young Lady."
"The eldest young lady has arrived. These two claim that on the fifteenth of last month, you invited the scholar Liang Zichu, who was on his way to the capital for the examination, for a visit. After that, Liang Zichu disappeared. If you have hidden him, then hand him over quickly and do not escalate this matter," Madam Yan said in a conciliatory tone.
"Is Madam unwell and confused? To speak such words," Xiao Man said coldly, not even calling her mother. Madam Yan's heart skipped a beat, and she forced an awkward smile.
"They claim to have proof of this matter."
"Proof?" Xiao Man sneered. "Young sir, you say I invited Master Liang for a visit on the fifteenth of last month. Pray tell, when did Master Liang leave his residence?"
"He left at the beginning of Hai Shi (9 PM to 11 PM)."
"Are you certain it was I who invited him to my residence?"
"Yes."
"Then do you know that it is common knowledge within the General's Mansion that I left the estate at two quarters past Xu Shi (9 PM to 11 PM) on the fifteenth of the third month, and went to Gan Ye Temple to pray for blessings before the city gates closed, only returning at the end of Chen Shi (7 AM to 9 AM) the next day?" Su Dan Novel Network.
"This... this is impossible! This invitation clearly bears the eldest young lady's signature, inviting cousin Zichu to visit."
Xiao Man listened, nodded, and looked at the crowd. "Are there any literate people present?"
Someone in the crowd immediately raised their hand. Xiao Man looked over. These were scholars taking the examination, likely here to watch the spectacle, but it was convenient. "This young sir, why don't you entrust the invitation card in your hand to someone you trust. Someone, bring brush and ink. I would trouble the young sir to tell me the content of the invitation card, and I will transcribe it. Let everyone present be a witness, and see if this card was indeed written by me."
Liang Kuan's expression shifted unpredictably. He then handed the invitation card to a scholar he knew. The butler also had brush, ink, and paper brought over.
Seeing Xiao Man holding the brush and waiting, Liang Kuan gritted his teeth. "On the fifteenth of the third month, at three quarters past Xu Shi, I invite Master to visit my humble abode. A small banquet is prepared. I await your arrival. Xiao Man."
Xiao Man's expression was calm, showing no hint of guilt. Her writing hand was steady and unwavering. Ye Qing leaned over to look at Xiao Man's calligraphy. It was elegant and refined, possessing a natural strength. They say a person's calligraphy reflects their character. How could a woman who writes such beautiful characters possibly invite a man to her residence in the middle of the night?
Ye Qing's gaze shifted to Liang Kuan. Liang Kuan also leaned in to look at Xiao Man's handwriting. However, as he clearly saw Xiao Man's strokes, his expression instantly changed. He looked at Xiao Man with disbelief, remaining speechless for a long time.
Xiao Man put down her brush, blew on the ink to dry it, picked it up, and showed it to everyone. Then, she turned her gaze to the scholar holding the invitation card. "This young sir, please display the invitation card in your hand for everyone to see."
The man, upon hearing this, immediately opened the invitation card for everyone to examine. As they looked, the handwriting on the card was clearly different from Xiao Man's. The characters on the card looked delicate but had a common touch, while Xiao Man's writing was bold, each stroke possessing a natural strength, evidently not written by the same person!
Xiao Man had someone take the items away, then turned her gaze to the stunned old woman and slowly said, "This good woman, although I do not know who impersonated me to ask Master Liang out, this person must have malicious intent, preying on the General's Mansion's prominent status, knowing no one would dare cause trouble. If you had not exposed this matter, I, this young lady, would not have known I was inexplicably burdened with a reputation for lacking virtue."
"This invitation clearly came from the General's Mansion. If not you, then it must be another young lady from the household."
"Butler, go and bring samples of the handwriting of all the young ladies in the household. Let this young sir examine them," Xiao Man instructed. The butler immediately brought samples of the handwriting of all the young ladies in the household. However, none of their scripts matched the handwriting on the invitation card.
"Everyone has seen it. The handwriting on this invitation card is different from that of any young lady in my household."
"This is an invitation from the Protector General's Mansion!"
"This young sir, the General's Mansion has strict rules. After Xu Shi, guests are no longer received. Moreover, Master Liang is an outsider. No matter how shameless my young ladies might be, they would not invite him for a late-night meeting. Considering you were also deceived and acted in ignorance, I will not pursue your responsibility for this matter."
Liang Kuan moved his lips, wanting to say more, but Xiao Man's expression turned cold. "If you continue to pester me and insist on tarnishing the reputation of my General's Mansion, then do not blame me for being impolite and handing you over to the authorities!"
"Then where is my son?"
"Good woman, if your son is missing, you should report it to the yamen, not come to the General's Mansion to butt your head against the stone lions without understanding the situation," Xiao Man said to the old woman. "I do not know who heartless person made you do this, but the one who incited you to come here to die is surely connected to Master Liang's disappearance. They wish to use your life to blacken the General's Mansion's name and cover up the truth. Forgive my frankness, but Master Liang is likely in dire straits."