Chapter 189: Chapter 189: Dog-Eat-Dog

“You are talking nonsense!” Old Aunt Liu shrieked from outside the hall.

Hearing that Lin Qingqing was about to implicate Xiao Fengxing, Old Aunt Liu immediately became anxious!

“Silence!” Lord Tao said, “If there is any more clamor, I’ll have someone drag you out!”

Old Aunt Liu was both anxious and angry, but did not dare to speak further.

Lord Tao then said to Lin Qingqing, “You may speak.”

“Your Excellency discern well!” Lin Qingqing said, “There were indeed minor conflicts between me and Fu Mingzhu in the past, but those were mere trifles between girls in the boudoir.”

“Previously, I was hostile towards her because Xiao Fengxing and I were the first to exchange feelings, yet he suddenly got engaged to Fu Mingzhu.” Lin Qingqing said.

Since Xiao Fengxing was unkind to her, she would also be unrighteous!

So, Lin Qingqing continued, “At the time, I wanted to break completely with Xiao Fengxing, it was Xiao Fengxing…”

“These are unnecessary, only speak about matters related to the case.” Lord Tao interrupted her.

“Your Excellency, what I want to say is indeed related to this case’s causes and effects.” Lin Qingqing said.

“Continue.” Lord Tao had no choice but to say.

Lin Qingqing then said, “But Xiao Fengxing deceived me with sweet words, saying that I was the only one in his heart, and the engagement with Fu Mingzhu was merely expedient.”

“Once things were done, he would naturally abandon Fu Mingzhu,” Lin Qingqing said, “It was I who was foolishly infatuated and believed him.”

“The reason I was hostile towards Fu Mingzhu was because of Xiao Fengxing. I was foolishly infatuated at the time, wholeheartedly believing that Xiao Fengxing was fond of me, yet he had to feign affections with Fu Mingzhu. I felt it was clearly I who loved Xiao Fengxing first, and it was Fu Mingzhu who ruined my betrothal.”

“Thus, at that time, I often had frictions with Fu Mingzhu and disliked her,” Lin Qingqing said, “But later, I already married Xiao Fengxing, so those past events naturally did not matter.”

“I was wholeheartedly only for Xiao Fengxing.”

“As for what Chang Tai said, that I couldn’t see Fu Mingzhu well off, that’s truly unfounded.” Lin Qingqing said, “Before today, I always thought of Xiao Fengxing as a perfect gentleman, talented, and once he participated in the imperial examination, he would surely be on the list.”

“He did not participate in the examination this time merely due to bad luck, having an injury on his face. Now that his injury has healed completely, he will naturally participate next time. I have confidence in him and naturally don’t mind waiting a few more years.”

“So what would I have to be jealous of? Little General Gu is a good match, but not to my liking, so I naturally don’t mind.” Lin Qingqing said, “Moreover, Little General Gu will go to the frontier in the future, and Fu Mingzhu will likely follow.”

“The frontier is bitter and harsh, certainly not as comfortable as in the capital. Why would I envy her? To say something shallow, living in the Marquis’s residence, my life is carefree, and life in the capital is naturally a hundred times better than at the frontier.” Lin Qingqing said, “I never envied Fu Mingzhu’s engagement this time, and there’s absolutely no need to ruin her marriage.”

“Moreover, Chang Tai said that I always suspected Xiao Fengxing still couldn’t let go of Fu Mingzhu.” Lin Qingqing said, “Once Fu Mingzhu marries Little General Gu and leaves with the army, she won’t be in the capital anymore, so what do I have to worry about? Even if Xiao Fengxing really can’t let go, so what? Fu Mingzhu is married and not in the capital; what could he possibly do?”

“On the contrary, Chang Tai also said that after Fu Mingzhu was drugged, Xiao Fengxing appeared first. If this really happens, Xiao Fengxing would certainly take Fu Mingzhu in. Then, Fu Mingzhu would be in the Marquis’s residence contending for the husband with me; wouldn’t I be even angrier? It’s better to let Fu Mingzhu marry and go far away.”

Lin Qingqing said, “I’m not foolish, why would I do something against my own interest? Your Excellency, Chang Tai’s words cannot withstand scrutiny.”

“Fortunately, Your Excellency discerned well and also knew that Chang Tai did not speak the truth.”

Lord Tao showed no expression, only waiting for Lin Qingqing to continue speaking.

“Your Excellency’s prior suspicion is valid, Chang Tai, as Xiao Fengxing’s confidant, is so easily directed by me, let alone listening to my words without reporting to Xiao Fengxing. If I had such capability, I would have made Chang Tai my spy long ago.” Lin Qingqing said.

“All these clearly are actions of Xiao Fengxing himself.” Lin Qingqing said, “Your Excellency, Xiao Fengxing initially despised Fu Mingzhu for being a concubine’s daughter, yet wanted to get engaged to her, clearly eyeing the Cheng family’s wealth.”

“Fu Mingzhu’s maternal family, the Chengs, are currently famous royal merchants in the Great Xi, with astonishing wealth.” Lin Qingqing said, “Originally, Marquis Changping’s health was poor, and Xiao Fengxing had always been hoping to inherit the marquisate once Marquis Changping passed.”

“But at the same time, he wanted to prepare diversely, fearing any mishap with the marquisate. So, while waiting for the marquisate, he schemed for the Cheng family’s wealth, planning to use it to help him in the court in the future.”

“Hmph!” The old madam snorted coldly.

Lin Qingqing heard but did not look over.

Outside the hall, Old Aunt Liu couldn’t heed Lord Tao’s warning, shouting angrily, “Nonsense! Clearly, you can’t see Fu Mingzhu doing well, stop wronging the Master!”

“Someone, drag her out!” Lord Tao shouted.

Immediately, the bailiffs dragged Old Aunt Liu out of the court.

Though it was already late at night, the capital’s citizens, hearing the commotion at the court, climbed out of their beds.

Some didn’t even bother to tidy their clothes, throwing on a robe and rushing over, afraid of missing any excitement.

At this moment, hearing Lin Qingqing speak of Xiao Fengxing, they couldn’t help but say, “Who would have thought that Xiao Fengxing turned out to be so bad.”

“Xiao Fengxing’s reputation used to be so good, but it deteriorated, and now he can’t even pretend it anymore.”

“If he were any good, would he mess around with a maid at his sister’s birthday banquet?”

“Silence!” Lord Tao raised his voice.

The people outside the hall fell silent, and Lord Tao then said to Lin Qingqing, “You may continue.”

“Yes.” Lin Qingqing continued, “Later, after Fu Mingzhu dissolved the engagement, his plan failed. Now, seeing Marquis Changping’s health improving, he’s afraid he might not get the marquisate, so he turned his attention back to Fu Mingzhu.”

“Even if he divorces me, he can’t possibly marry Fu Mingzhu again,” Lin Qingqing said, “So he devised such a sinister plan to ruin Fu Mingzhu’s reputation and take her as a concubine.”

“The Cheng family, to ensure Fu Mingzhu lives well in the Marquis’s residence, would naturally support him with silver coins.” Lin Qingqing said.

Madam Fu’s face was grim; Lin Qingqing’s move was indeed ruthless.

Although it dragged Xiao Fengxing down, it also tarnished Fu Mingzhu’s reputation.

Even though Fu Mingzhu remained unblemished, being reminded of this would certainly make it a topic of people’s idle talk.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep