Chapter 190: Chapter 190: The Culprit

At that time, all kinds of baseless speculations spread more and more, becoming increasingly outrageous.

Who knows what attitude the Gu family will take.

If things go wrong, it’s possible that the Gu family might break off the engagement.

“Master, this makes much more sense.” Lin Qingqing said, “Xiao Fengxing has more reason than I do to harm Mingzhu.”

“Moreover, if I wanted to harm Mingzhu, why would I use Xiao Fengxing’s people? I have my own trusted servants; using my own people would certainly make me feel more at ease.” Lin Qingqing earnestly pleaded, “I beg you, Master, to see clearly. It’s obvious that Chang Tai was caught and to protect himself, he pushed all the blame onto me.”

“Furthermore, perhaps Xiao Fengxing had already conspired with Chang Tai. Once the plan failed, he would place all the blame on me!” Lin Qingqing said, “Xiao Fengxing was willing to plot against Fu Mingzhu for profit back then; even though I am now his wife, so what? Can’t he just abandon me as easily?”

Mr. Fu and Madam Fu were delighted upon hearing Lin Qingqing’s words.

They didn’t expect Lin Qingqing to turn against them and directly implicate Xiao Fengxing.

Originally, they had only planned to give Lin Qingqing a lesson, and that would have been enough.

But now it seems very likely that Xiao Fengxing might be brought down as well!

“Where is Xiao Fengxing now?” Lord Tao asked.

“Master, we went to the Marquis Changping’s mansion but did not see Xiao Fengxing.” said the officer.

Old Madam Xiao said, “Xiao Fengxing and Lin Qingqing went to the Fu Mansion today, attended the banquet, but only Lin Qingqing returned, and Xiao Fengxing has been missing since.”

“Master.” Suddenly, the voice of Xiao Chengyu rang out from outside.

Everyone looked and saw him along with Gu Yunze. Between them was Xiao Fengxing, tied up with a rope.

The two dragged Xiao Fengxing into the courtroom and threw him to the ground. Xiao Chengyu said, “Xiao Fengxing tried to escape but was caught by me and Little General Gu.”

Lord Tao quickly stood up and said, “Thanks to the Marquis and Little General Gu.”

“Lord Tao, please continue. We will listen from outside.” Xiao Chengyu said.

“Yes.”

Xiao Chengyu and Gu Yunze retreated outside when suddenly, they heard a soft voice, “Marquis.”

Xiao Chengyu quickly turned to look and saw Fu Shinian being protected by Chunmian and Chunyu, walking toward him through the crowd.

Xiao Chengyu also rushed over through the crowd and then escorted Fu Shinian back to Gu Yunze’s side.

“Why did you come over?” Xiao Chengyu asked.

“Keep your voice down.” Fu Shinian put her index finger on her lips, “My parents don’t know I’ve slipped out. I sneaked out after they had left.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chengyu frowned and said, “Traveling at night like this, bringing only Chunmian and Chunyu along, is too dangerous.”

“Even though the capital’s security is good, it’s still not safe.” Xiao Chengyu thought for a moment and said, “Tomorrow I will select a maid with martial skills to send over. In the future, besides Chunmian and Chunyu, also take that maid on outings.”

“Alright.” Fu Shinian nodded, “Fortunately, it’s lively tonight, and there are many people.”

Under Xiao Chengyu’s stern gaze, Fu Shinian struggled to say, “I’m still quite cautious.”

“Not next time.” Xiao Chengyu said without a hint of compromise.

“I understand.” Fu Shinian quickly said.

“Second Young Lady, how is the Young Lady doing now?” Gu Yunze finally found an opportunity to ask.

“The doctor came to see her today and prescribed two sets of medicines. They are mild and won’t harm the body, but it will take a bit longer to eliminate the medicine’s effects.” Fu Shinian said, “However, the doctor added a sleep aid to the medicine. This way, when sister falls asleep, she won’t have to endure the pain.”

“She took one dose earlier and has been asleep since.” Fu Shinian explained in detail, “When I left, sister had just woken up, took the second dose, and fell asleep again.”

“The doctor will come again tomorrow morning to check on sister and adjust the prescription as needed.” Fu Shinian said, “Although the detoxification process is a bit slow, it’s at least safe and won’t harm my sister’s body.”

“The doctor mentioned that after midnight tonight, the effects of the sleep aid will wear off, and sister might wake up. However, fortunately, after two doses, most of the toxins have been eliminated, and it won’t be too hard to bear.”

“Qiu Li lit some sleep-inducing incense for her, hoping to extend her sleep a little longer.” Fu Shinian said, “Sister is naturally strong-willed and will definitely get through this. Once the doctor sees her and she takes the third dose, she should be much better.”

Gu Yunze nodded, “Although the Young Lady is strong-willed, it’s still tough to bear. It’s best if she doesn’t have to endure pain.”

Having said this, Gu Yunze then looked toward Xiao Fengxing in the courtroom, “Truly hateful! The Young Lady shouldn’t have gone through this ordeal.”

“When did you get here?” Fu Shinian asked again.

“We’ve actually been here for a while.” Xiao Chengyu said, “We happened to hear Lin Qingqing implicate Xiao Fengxing quite thoroughly.”

“Originally, this was a conspiracy between the two of them, and neither could escape. Xiao Fengxing tried to make Lin Qingqing take all the blame, but Lin Qingqing realized it in the courtroom and naturally pushed all the blame back onto Xiao Fengxing.” Xiao Chengyu said, “We didn’t immediately bring Xiao Fengxing in, allowing him to hear how Lin Qingqing was testifying against him.”

“Next, these two are likely to turn on each other.” Xiao Chengyu hadn’t expected it to go so smoothly this time.

Although they had suspected Xiao Fengxing and Lin Qingqing several times before, they lacked evidence to act against them.

But this time, their relationship completely broke down, resulting in mutual accusations, which was an unexpected surprise.

In the courtroom, Lord Tao asked, “Is the one below Xiao Fengxing?”

“Indeed.” Xiao Fengxing calmly responded. Being a scholar, he was not required to kneel in court. After responding, he gave Lin Qingqing a fierce glare.

Lin Qingqing, with tears in her eyes, said, “Xiao Fengxing, you are heartless! We were a couple, and yet you framed me!”

“Wicked woman, stop spouting nonsense!” Xiao Fengxing yelled angrily, “You committed all these misdeeds and now that you’re caught, you try to frame me! I must have been blind back then to consider you a kind and gentle person!”

“Silence!” shouted Lord Tao, “There’s no need for you to say these things before the court.”

“Xiao Fengxing, do you admit to the accusations made by Lin Qingqing?” Lord Tao asked.

“Master, I absolutely cannot admit to it.” Xiao Fengxing stated firmly, “I cannot admit to something I didn’t do.”

“You both accuse each other of being the instigator of this case,” Lord Tao stated, “yet neither of you has evidence to prove it.”

“How can that be?” Xiao Fengxing said confidently, “Didn’t my attendant say it was orchestrated by Lin’s household?”

Mrs. Lin outside could no longer stand it and shouted, “You just said it was your attendant! That servant listens to you, naturally protecting you!”

Xiao Fengxing sneered, “But besides that, there’s no one to prove that Chang Tai’s words are false.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep