Chapter Thirty-six Exposed

  Lin's mother said slowly, "I remember when Wan Niang first married into the household, as a noble concubine and favored by Master, Zhou Mama was her personal wet nurse, and she often showed off her authority. Naturally, after boasting, she started talking nonsense. At that time, several maids in the household envied the beauty mark on the corner of her mouth, and she was very proud, telling people it was a family heirloom, almost everyone had one, even her newborn granddaughter had one."

  "That was also ten years ago, so..."

  "So, the maid with a red mole at the corner of her mouth is Old Lady Zhou's granddaughter!" Lin Ruoyan immediately picked up where he left off, a hint of icy intent seeping from the corners of his lips.

  "Mrs. Lin pondered, 'Madam Wan has always been a shrewd and far-sighted person, skilled at winning people's hearts. When Mrs. Zhou and her daughter Hongxiu came to our household as attendants, she deliberately arranged for Hongxiu to marry the son of the steward of the Third House, Tian Zhuang. Those years, she didn't miss out on making a profit from this arrangement. If it weren't for Madame discovering it later, she would have continued to reap benefits and perhaps even surpassed your two daughters' dowries when Seventh Young Lady gets married. Later, when Mrs. Zhou's granddaughter was born, not only did she provide financial assistance but also lent her Hongxiu's servant girl. From then on, the entire Zhou family has been grateful to Madam Wan, and since they weren't part of the Hou household staff, they were able to help her with many matters outside.'"

  "That wretched woman, I've tolerated her for far too long! If it weren't for Master's protection, she'd always find a way to get off scot-free every time. I'd have had her dead and buried long ago!" Madam Liu finally lost control and burst out in anger, completely forgetting that she had just reprimanded Lin Ruoyan for being careful with her words.

  For over a decade, she had been putting up with Aunt Wang's temper, and originally those weren't even matters of principle, if she could tolerate it then she would. But now this, isn't something that can be muddled through by just muddling along!

  She was so angry that she wished she could go find Wan Niang immediately and grind her bones into ashes!

  "If this matter is really true and it's Madam Wan's doing, even if she has the ability to reach the sky, she will be powerless against heaven. Master and Mistress won't tolerate her anymore."

  "Oh no!" Just as everyone was resentful and excited, Lin Zhaoyan suddenly stood up and anxiously said: "If she's really Zhou Mama's granddaughter, then she's not a member of the Hou Mansion. Prudence Madam is so clever, maybe she sent her out of the city last night."

  As long as there is no one present, there is no evidence to investigate.

  Liu also felt a bad premonition, "With that kind of person's way of handling things, she will definitely be sent out of the city! However, last night the city gate was already closed, I just don't know if it's still possible to make it in time now!"

  "She hastily said: 'Mother, quickly inform Chen Gui to go out of the house for a while, it's essential to find someone!'"

  Lin Zhaoyan pushed Man Hua forward and said, "You've seen people, go with them."

  "What are we going to do now?" Lin Ruoyan bit her lower lip, her face unwilling. She had finally caught the murderer, and if she were to let her go just because of a lack of evidence, it would be hard to dispel the hatred in her heart!

  Liu hesitated for a moment, then said sternly: "This matter your grandmother is not yet aware of. If we want to deal with that lowly person, naturally we need to inform your grandmother. However, we can't force it. Even if that maid can't be found, I will still make that lowly person pay the price!"

  She ordered everyone to start acting.

  "Qingwu, go and invite Wang's wife to come to the old lady's place, saying that there is something important to discuss with her. Zijuan, you go to Qingjiao Hutong and invite my aunt to come over."

  Lin Zhaoyan thought of something else, "Mother, and also the reaction of my cousin last night was not normal. He is a straightforward and courteous person, even if he got drunk, I'm afraid he wouldn't make such an improper move."

  Liu suddenly understood Lin Zhaoyan's meaning, and looked at her with approval. He then said to Lin's mother, "Go and ask someone to check the records of recent sales of Chun Du in all the major pharmacies."

  As soon as Wang's wife heard that Old Lady Lin was looking for her, she felt uneasy in her heart. Actually, since her plan failed last night, she had a premonition that something might go wrong.

  It was just her innate calmness that kept her from panicking, although she didn't know which link went wrong last night, but the crisis handling afterwards was very good.

  Dispose of the poison in Liu Wenyuan's wine, pretend to be unaware and return to the mansion first, then secretly send Nian'er out of Beijing, every step has been correct.

  She also heard that the Liu family and Minglan had covered up this matter, and after executing Zi Su, they didn't plan to investigate further. But now she's being sent to Old Lady Lin's place, what's going on?

  She entered the main house of Rongshou Hall and saw Old Lady Lin sitting in a black ebony armchair with a wave pattern, closing her eyes to meditate. Her expression looked no different from usual.

  I heard that Minglan was going to keep it from Old Madam last night. It seems that she still doesn't know?

  She bowed and said, "Please go sit in the next room."

  No head no tail, no reason, just a simple sentence like this.

  Yan Niang was bewildered, but facing the sharp and cold gaze of Old Lady Shanglin, she didn't dare ask more questions and retreated to her compartment.

  The bay window is a small house that separates the bright room and the secondary room, with only one small yellow pear wood carved flower screen door separating it from the main hall of the bright room. Through the carved flower gap, you can clearly see the outside view.

  She took a sip of the tea handed over by the maid, and her mind was filled with thoughts, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't understand what Old Lady Lin meant.

  After about an incense stick's worth of time, faint footsteps could be heard from outside, and the sound was not just one person.

  She raised her head and faced Lu's slightly pale face.

  She was startled and the teacup in her hand fell to the ground, shattering into a thousand pieces of porcelain.

  Lu's family outside was also shocked.

  Liu's face twisted into a sneer as he burst out laughing.

  "Alright, everything is done as you said. Now it's your turn to say what you want to do." Old Lady Lin gently scraped the lid of her cup and spoke softly.

  Liu nodded and then turned to Lu, his first sentence shocking everyone present.

  "Actually, you wanted to frame Ruo Jie yesterday and harm her reputation so that in the future she would have no choice but to marry your son, right? That's why you resorted to such despicable tactics, isn't it?"

  Lu had long guessed what Liu wanted to see her about, but she hadn't expected her to be so direct and actually question her in front of Old Lady Lin!

  How can they be a family like this! Even if she did something wrong to Ruo Jie, shouldn't they resolve it privately? What's the point of doing it in front of Old Lady Lin?

  "Jade, Jade Heart, what are you saying? I don't understand." Lu Shi forced herself to remain calm and laughed awkwardly.

  Liu sneered and said ruthlessly: "If you want to keep it a secret, don't do it in the first place. Do you think nobody knows what you've been up to?"

  Lu's face stiffened and she angrily said: "Yuxin, do you know what you're saying? You're slandering me in front of our elders, don't you have any shame?"

  Thank you for the rewards from Mu Hong, Hot Love, Huihui Jie, Qi Lian and Tian Kong Yijiao Lan!