Chapter 64: Chapter 15: Distorting the Truth and Making False Accusations

Cuicui began to narrate, “The man who entered Old Mrs. Xu’s room that day is called Tai, and he is a distant nephew of Old Mrs. Xu.

They first met a year ago when Tai came to our winery to buy wine. Upon speaking, they realized they were relatives and thus got to know each other.

As for what they specifically talked about, as a servant, I naturally have no idea.

Until September last year, they started getting together.

At that time, I sensed something and was filled with panic, but since it was the master’s private matter, how could I casually disclose it? That would undoubtedly be seeking death.

Old Mrs. Xu didn’t even intend to hide it from me, and she gave me thirty taels of patterned silver to keep me quiet.

I was well aware that only by listening to her instructions and staying loyal to her could I ensure my safety.

Since then, Tai has come to visit every seven days.

And it seems Old Mrs. Xu wasn’t content with just that; she even got involved in illicit relationships with Manager Yan from the winery and Chen Gun, who manages the stables.”

Though the Yang Family and Zou Family were straightforward in their youth, they were stunned to hear this.

Old Mrs. Xu’s actions completely subverted their understanding, and they felt cold all over their bodies, as if in a nightmare, unable to believe such things could happen within the Shen Mansion.

Seeing the disbelief on the faces of the Yang Family and Zou Family, Cuicui hurriedly knelt and said, “First Young Madam, Fifth Young Madam, every word of what I said is true.

Indeed, it was Tai who entered Old Mrs. Xu’s room that night and was discovered by the Marquis.

At that time, I knew clearly that if I said nothing, perhaps I might survive by luck;

but if I disclosed it, even if Old Mrs. Xu was punished, her supporters in the Shen Mansion and that Tai would not let me go, and I would still face certain death.”

The Yang and Zou Families did not disbelieve Cuicui. It was more about self-reflection because they were unaware of such unbecoming actions by Old Mrs. Xu—were they that useless?

“Who exactly are her people in the mansion?” The Yang Family asked sternly.

“Many, most of the stewards are her people. I know a few, but not everything,” Cuicui replied in a low voice.

Hearing this, the Yang and Zou Families were silent for a while. Fortunately, Ruoxi had returned and noticed something was wrong with Old Mrs. Xu; otherwise, how could they face the loyal Shen Family?

The Yang Family had a gloomy expression, “Cuicui, I want you to confront Old Mrs. Xu face to face, will you dare?”

“I have already died once; the Marquis was seriously injured to save me. I am fearless and willing to confront Old Mrs. Xu face to face,” Cuicui said firmly.

“Good!” The Yang Family nodded, “Let’s go over now.”

Before they could act, Chuntao hurried in, lowering her voice, “First Young Madam, Fifth Young Madam, Nanny Hou by Old Mrs. Xu’s side has come, saying there is an urgent matter to report to the young lady.

I said the young lady was not feeling well, she asked if you two were here, I told her you were, and she insisted on seeing you, saying there was an important matter to report.”

The two exchanged glances and, after a moment’s pause, said, “Well, we need to look for her master anyway, so let’s meet her.”

Xu Jiyuan also wanted to accompany them, but the Yang Family felt it inappropriate for him to be involved and persuaded him to return to the Xiao Mansion.

However, Xu Jiyuan was concerned about Shen Ruoxi and wanted to stay to guard her just in case.

The Yang and Zou Families nodded in agreement, and the group proceeded to Old Mrs. Xu’s residence.

Upon entering, they were stunned for a moment to find a man kneeling in the room, his head lowered, hiding his face.

Despite their extreme disgust with Old Mrs. Xu, the Yang and Zou Families still bore their anger and greeted her courteously.

Old Mrs. Xu gestured for them to dispense with formalities and said coldly, “The man who sneaked into my room that day has been found, and it is this person.”

The Yang and Zou Families exchanged glances and asked in confusion, “Him? Who is he?”

Old Mrs. Xu’s voice was icy, “Lift your head.”

The man raised his head expressionlessly, and the Yang and Zou Families were immediately shocked to find it was Chen Gun, the stable manager.

“It’s you?” The Yang Family frowned.

Cuicui was equally stunned and hastily said, “It’s not him; it’s Tai. Tai is your distant nephew and the one who was going to kill me tonight, but he escaped. The Marquis said he will definitely catch him.”

Old Mrs. Xu’s eyes turned cold, and she shouted harshly, “Cuicui, how dare you speak nonsense, twisting truth with lies! Chen Gun, tell them why you sneaked into my courtyard that night?”

Chen Gun answered without expression, “Cuicui is my lover; I would visit her every few days. I didn’t expect to run into the Marquis that night, so I fled.”

Cuicui’s face turned pale as she defended, “You, you’re lying! Although you had an affair with Old Mrs. Xu, the person who sneaked into the courtyard that night wasn’t you…”

“Wretched maid!”

Old Mrs. Xu suddenly stood up, raising her hand to slap Cuicui, but the Yang Family intervened.

She said coldly, “Grandmother, the truth has yet to come forth; please stay calm and do not resort to violence.”

Old Mrs. Xu suddenly felt a tight pain in her chest. Stunned, she retracted her actions and sat down somewhat sheepishly.

Recently, she had been feeling bouts of chest tightness and breathlessness, rather inexplicably.

She thought maybe it was indeed time to see a doctor for a thorough check.

The plan the Yang and Zou Families originally devised hadn’t considered Old Mrs. Xu preemptively turning the tables, catching them somewhat off guard.

“Chen Gun, don’t you know that false accusations can lead to death? Also, do you have any evidence to prove your relationship with Cuicui?” The Yang Family questioned coldly.

Chen Gun replied, “I have no concrete evidence, but I gave Cuicui a jade pendant and jewelry, with our names engraved on them.”

Upon hearing this, Cuicui shook her head repeatedly, urgently defending, “First Young Madam, Fifth Young Madam, I’m truly innocent; he’s slandering me.”

Seeing this, the Yang and Zou Families could only instruct the maid they brought to search Cuicui’s room.

After a thorough search, they found no jade pendants or jewelry.

“Chen Gun…” The Yang Family was about to question him when Old Mrs. Xu interrupted.

She said coolly, “When she attempted to escape tonight, she took a bundle; open it, you’ll see.”

The Yang Family signaled a maid to open the bundle, and indeed at the bottom of a jade pendant and a silver hairpin, they found the engraved characters “Cui” and “Gun.”

Though the script was small, it was clearly visible.

“First Young Madam, Fifth Young Madam, I’m being framed!” Cuicui cried, voice choked with tears, not expecting Old Mrs. Xu to be so despicable.

The Yang and Zou Families knew very well that Cuicui was being wronged.

The relationship between them was not honorable, and how could Chen Gun flamboyantly engrave names on her accessories, blatantly announcing their illicit relationship? It’s clearly a setup.

But Chen Gun insisted that he came for Cuicui, taking the blame for Old Mrs. Xu, leaving them momentarily without evidence to refute him.

“You wicked maid, how dare you collude with Chen Gun to defame me, nearly tarnishing my reputation! Someone…” Old Mrs. Xu was furious, shouting loudly.

Suddenly the door slammed open, and a cold voice resounded, “What’s the rush, Old Madam? That night, I personally heard that person call you auntie; they had nothing to do with Cuicui!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep