Chapter 108: I Really Am Wronged!
Madam Zhou unhesitatingly chose Lin Feng.
She wiped her face with her hand, stood up, her eyes no longer showing the previous disheveled state, and instructed Manyue, “Manyue, go bring the Concubine over.”
It seemed Madam Zhou was not yet muddled, and Lin Shu also breathed a sigh of relief.
Although he had become an official, when facing the Lin Family, he still always kept their past relationship in mind at heart, and truly did not dare to be too extreme.
Thus, he cast a grateful look toward Jiang Ruanxi, but Jiang Ruanxi deliberately looked away, with no intention of looking at him.
Lin Shu felt a bit disappointed, but before he could lament, Madam Kang Zhou not far away was already being dragged out by Manyue, crying and wailing.
“Lord of Justice, this humble woman is wronged! The loan sharking funds matter really was not done by this humble woman. I beg the Lord of Justice to investigate the truth and give this humble woman justice.”
Madam Kang Zhou cried as she came out and directly threw herself at Lin Shu’s feet, crying hysterically, as if she were the most wronged person in the world.
Madam Zhou watched with her mouth agape, even suspecting whether Madam Kang Zhou was truly wronged?
Jiang Ruanxi knew this woman’s usual tricks and sneered inwardly, stepping forward. “Aunt, don’t get so excited. We have something to discuss properly. It’s written so clearly in black and white. It’s not like you can quibble your way out of guilt just by crying.”
Lin Shu had been momentarily stunned by Madam Kang Zhou’s tantrum and retreated a few steps.
Jiang Ruanxi’s words suddenly sobered him, his face darkening. “This official has solid evidence. How dare you throw a tantrum and quibble.”
Madam Kang Zhou thought her stratagem of self-injury was about to succeed, but at the critical moment, Jiang Ruanxi reminded him, causing it to fail midway.
She was so angry she gnashed her teeth and glared fiercely at Jiang Ruanxi, as if blaming her for speaking too much.
She then turned to look at Lin Shu with a wronged expression again.
“I really am wronged, Lord of Justice. I did participate in the moneylending matter, but that money was not mine.”
“If it’s not yours, whose is it?”
Lin Shu thought she would confess her accomplices, and his face became even more serious.
Madam Kang Zhou cried and complained, “Naturally, it was given to me by Jiang Ruanxi.”
Lin Shu frowned, Madam Zhou gaped in shock, while the person involved, Jiang Ruanxi, remained calm and composed. But upon closer look, one could see the corners of her mouth subtly curving up.
“Outrageous.” Lin Shu reacted and immediately scolded, “Madam Kang Zhou, do you know what you’re saying? If you’re deliberately framing someone, it’s an added crime.”
Madam Kang Zhou wiped her tears, stood up with a face full of disdain. “Sir, this humble woman is telling the truth. If you don’t believe me, ask my sister. Wasn’t it Jiang Ruanxi who gave us ten thousand taels of silver?”
Lin Shu looked at Madam Zhou. “Aunt, is this matter true?”
Fearing she might not think clearly, he reminded her again, “This matter concerns the Lin Family’s reputation, so please think carefully before speaking, Aunt.”
Madam Zhou seemed not to fully understand, but thinking this was a good chance to bring down Jiang Ruanxi, how could she care about anything else?
“This silver was indeed given by Jiang Ruanxi,” Madam Zhou said resolutely.
“Nonsense, Old Madam, the Madam is your daughter-in-law. How can you tell such a barefaced lie?” Hong Ye, who had returned earlier, happened to be there. Seeing them slander Jiang Ruanxi like this, fearing she was being bullied, she stood up to speak for Jiang Ruanxi.
With Madam Zhou admitting so recklessly, if this matter were pinned on Jiang Ruanxi, she would be more wronged than Dou E.
“Our Madam did give ten thousand taels of silver, but Madam didn’t know you would use this money for loan sharking. How can this be blamed on our Madam? This is clearly you being greedily insatiable and choosing to do those harmful things.”
“Shut your mouth. You’re just a servant. When our Master is speaking, what right do you have to interject?”
Before Hong Ye could finish, she was directly scolded by Madam Kang Zhou.
Hong Ye felt very wronged but knew she was in the wrong for speaking out, so she unwillingly shut her mouth.
Jiang Ruanxi’s eyelids drooped coldly.
“Lord of Justice, although this girl spoke rudely, she did admit that Jiang Ruanxi gave the silver, right? No matter what, this concerns the Lin Family’s reputation, which does you no good either. Why not just let it go?”
Lin Shu was stunned, clearly not expecting Madam Kang Zhou to have this mindset.
Madam Zhou also understood Madam Kang Zhou’s intention. Although dragging Jiang Ruanxi down wouldn’t eliminate her, it could save Madam Kang Zhou, which was worth it.
“Yes, Jiang Ruanxi did give me ten thousand taels of silver to do this business.”
Madam Kang Zhou curled her lips. Her foolish sister had admitted it, so let’s see how Jiang Ruanxi would quibble this time.
“Lin Shu, although you’ve become an official, you’re still one of the Lin Family after all. We know we’re wrong this time. Give us a chance, and we’ll surely mend our ways. You can’t just insist on wiping us out the moment you become an official and someone from the Lin Family does something wrong, right?”
Jiang Ruanxi watched the hypocrites before her without speaking, simply quietly observing their ugly state.
Lin Shu’s face flushed red with anger. Madam Kang Zhou thought he was embarrassed and added fuel to the fire. “Sigh, I know it’s not easy for you having just become an official, but you’ll slowly get used to such things over time.”
Slowly get used to it?
Before the crowd understood her meaning, several banknotes had appeared in Madam Kang Zhou’s hand at some point, and she directly stuffed them into Lin Shu’s hand.
Hong Ye gaped in shock. Was Madam Kang Zhou openly bribing him?
Jiang Ruanxi’s mouth twitched as she watched her quietly digging her own grave, feeling a bit of pleasure in her heart.
It felt like your enemy was about to commit suicide before you even made a move, rushing headlong into the blade.
Lin Shu’s face grew increasingly unnaturally red. Madam Kang Zhou thought it was his first time doing such a thing and he was embarrassed, so she became even more “considerate.” “Lord Lin, don’t worry. We’re still relatives by marriage. We’ll keep this secret for you.”
“Enough.” Lin Shu directly threw away the banknotes in his hand, as if they were filthy objects.
Anger and shame surged in his heart, and Lin Shu was furious.
He was a scholar and naturally had his own principles. Madam Kang Zhou’s actions had undoubtedly trampled his dignity underfoot.
Madam Kang Zhou was stunned, thinking to herself that this person before her must be a fool.
He didn’t like money?
That shouldn’t be. Was there anyone in this world who didn’t love silver?
Seeing the banknotes he had thrown away like hot potatoes, thinking he found the amount too small, she reached into her bosom and pulled out a stack of banknotes. “Lord Lin, it was my lack of manners. Let me give you another five thousand taels…”
Money makes the world go round. If one banknote couldn’t settle it, then more would do?
