Chapter 22: Leaving Room
Feng Tianzhu’s words stirred up a hornet’s nest.
Previously, people had already become suspicious just by listening to Cui Baozhu and Gong Changan’s conversation, but they weren’t certain.
Now, hearing Feng Tianzhu say this, it was clear that Cui Baozhu indeed intended to harm someone.
“Young Heir, don’t talk nonsense, when did I ever do such a thing?” Cui Baozhu hurriedly defended herself.
“Slap!” As soon as she finished speaking, she received a harsh slap.
Madam Wu’s eyebrows shot up, her cheeks flushed red, and she pointed at Cui Baozhu, scolding, “You heartless wretch! How dare you frame my Young Heir! Why would a child like him falsely accuse you?! Moreover, Fourth Young Master Gong also said that you were the one who lured him into this room!
Why did you want to harm my son?! If you can’t explain yourself clearly today, I’ll send you to the authorities! Let your Cui Family lose all face!”
What Madam Wu said was true. Although Gong Changan was the one locked in the room, it was because Cui Baozhu treated her as if she were Feng Tianzhu.
It was no wonder she was so enraged. If Feng Tianzhu had truly been locked in the room and a snake released, he would have been so frightened that he would have fallen ill.
“I… I… I really didn’t mean to,” Cui Baozhu finally couldn’t bear it any longer, covering her face and bursting into tears. “Please… spare me!”
She truly hadn’t expected things to escalate to this point. Originally, she thought Consort Song’s plan was flawless. It was just dealing with two children, how much risk could there be?
“Listen to what nonsense she’s spouting!” Madam Wu’s eyes blazed, yet tears streamed down her face. She held her son tightly in her arms. “Everyone knows how much the Feng Family cherishes this child. I brought the Young Heir out today, and if he were to be frightened because of this, not only would I face reprimands from Master and Madam when we return, but the heartache alone would be enough to peel off a layer of my skin. This is a piece of my own flesh and blood!”
Everyone present nodded in agreement, understanding Madam Wu’s feelings. Even though she was usually a bit ostentatious and overbearing, today’s incident was indeed perilous, and anyone would be scared afterward.
“Second Miss Cui, the situation has reached this point, and you can’t play dumb anymore.” Wen Mingqian knew it was his turn to speak. “I have no grudge against you, and I kindly invited you as a guest, yet you resorted to such malicious means, and against two innocent children. If this matter isn’t clarified today, I won’t let you leave.”
“Yes, Second Miss Cui, please tell us quickly!” Liu Cuiyi also urged, “Fortunately, nothing serious happened. If you explain clearly and beg for mercy, this matter will pass.”
Cui Baozhu lowered her head and just cried. She truly regretted it now. If only she hadn’t gotten involved in this mess.
“Second Miss Cui, who was the servant who released the snake? You must know! Tell us who she is first,” Wen Mingqian said. “If you remain tight-lipped, then I’ll have no choice but to report it to the authorities.”
“I say we report it to the authorities!” Madam Wu gnashed her teeth in anger. “I don’t care what grudges you have between you, why must you harm my son?!”
“It… it was Granny Liu, who manages this courtyard,” Cui Baozhu stammered out.
Even though she didn’t want to say it, she knew she had been caught red-handed, and denial would be useless.
Moreover, both the Gong Family and the Feng Family had higher social standing than the Cui Family. If they joined forces to pressure her, she would have no way out.
Soon, that Granny Liu was found. To everyone’s surprise, she wasn’t flustered and put on an act of complete ignorance, greeting everyone, “Esteemed Madams and Misses, may I know what you need this old servant for?”
“Granny Liu, the Feng Family’s Young Heir personally saw you release a snake into this room. Second Miss Cui also said that you colluded with her,” Wen Mingqian looked at her and asked, “Explain the matter clearly, without any concealment.”
“Madam, this old servant did indeed release a snake into this room. But it’s because there are always mice in this room, and I was afraid they would damage things, so I thought of this method,” Granny Liu said calmly.
“Nonsense!” Madam Wu couldn’t help but curse. “Are you trying to fool a ghost! Cui Baozhu has already confessed!”
“That’s not true,” Granny Liu said with a smile. “When I caught the snake and came over, I did see Second Miss Cui. She asked me what I was doing, and I said I was going to put it in that room to catch mice.”
“There was someone in the room, didn’t you know?” Liu Cuiyi couldn’t help but ask.
“Oh my, I didn’t know that. This room is used for storing miscellaneous items, how could there be anyone in it?” Granny Liu retorted. “I put it in through the window and didn’t look closely! Who was in this room?”
“Your Fourth Young Master is in there,” Madam Wu said, pointing at Gong Changan. “Tell us who ordered you!”
“But that’s not true!” Granny Liu shook her head and then asked Gong Changan, “Fourth Young Master, why didn’t you make a sound when you were inside? I didn’t hear any movement at all, otherwise, why would I have put a snake in there!”
“You!” Madam Wu glared at her, infuriated. “You wicked old woman! How dare you!”
“Second Miss Cui, what do you say?” Wen Mingqian turned to ask Cui Baozhu. “If Granny Liu truly didn’t know, then it means you knew there was someone in the room and still let her release the snake.”
“I…” Cui Baozhu’s mind was in turmoil. She still couldn’t decide whether to reveal Consort Song.
“How about this! Little Madam Feng must know the truth, but Second Miss Cui, as an unmarried young lady, her reputation is also important.” Wen Mingqian decided to play the peacemaker. “Let’s ask everyone else to return to their seats first. Only the three of us need to stay to clarify the matter.”
Madam Wu was still somewhat unwilling. Wen Mingqian comforted her, “Little Madam, even if this matter were to be reported to the authorities today, it would ultimately only cause her embarrassment. After all, the Young Heir wasn’t harmed, and she is an official’s wife. At most, she would have to pay some silver.
Furthermore, it concerns the reputation of our three families. If it escalates, it won’t look good for anyone, and even you would be in the wrong.”
Although Madam Wu was unwilling, she thought Wen Mingqian’s words made sense. Wen Mingqian hadn’t invited her today; she had come on her own, making her an uninvited guest.
If her family found out that she had brought her son out and he had nearly been harmed, she would surely be lectured.
More importantly, if this led to her being forbidden from appearing in public or taking her son out in the future, it would be too much of a loss.
After all, she loved to show off in front of people the most. If she couldn’t do that anymore, it would be more unbearable than killing her.
“Alright then! She got off too easily!” Madam Wu cast a resentful glance at Cui Baozhu.
Afterward, everyone dispersed. Wen Mingqian softened his tone and said to Cui Baozhu, “Second Miss Cui, we have already saved your face. You should be honest now. As an unmarried young lady, if this matter were to spread, how would you ever get married?”
Mentioning marriage, Cui Baozhu’s tears flowed even more uncontrollably. If it weren’t for this, why would she have become Consort Song’s accomplice?
