In the midst of dead silence, a crisp and resounding voice suddenly rang out. It was Tong’er, the little maid standing in front of Jiang Li, who spoke loudly: “This servant believes in the young miss!”

Jiang Li was momentarily stunned. Before she could speak, another female voice rang out, saying: “I also believe that Second Miss Jiang did not do such a thing.”

Jiang Li turned to look, only to find it was Madam Liu, whom she had briefly met on Qingcheng Mountain. Seeing Jiang Li look her way, Madam Liu gave her a reassuring smile. Madam Liu said: “When all is said and done, the so-called witness is merely this maid’s one-sided testimony.” She glanced at Xiangqiao, who was cowering at their feet, and continued: “This maid can say Second Miss Jiang did such a thing, and Second Miss Jiang can say she did not do such a thing. It’s nothing more than each sticking to their own story. Lord Jiang, as the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, doesn’t believe his own daughter but instead believes an unrelated maid. Acting in such a manner, I’m afraid those at court will not be convinced.”

This was clearly speaking up for Jiang Li.

Jiang Yuanbai was also taken aback. Chengde Lang Liu Yuanfeng had grievances with the Ji family, but his relations with the Jiang family had been peaceful. Yet at this moment, Madam Liu was willing to risk offending the Jiang family to speak for Jiang Li.

A warm current surged through Jiang Li’s heart.

She and Xue Huaiyuan had grown up in Tong County. Xue Huaiyuan was the deputy magistrate and had handled many cases, never particularly avoiding her knowledge of them. She understood the world’s cruelty, but was often moved by people’s kindness. In the cold Jiang household, at this moment, she was not alone. She had the utterly loyal Tong’er, and also Madam Liu coming to her aid. This was enough to compensate for the darkness she felt here.

Seeing that Ji Shuran and Jiang Youyao couldn’t speak up, Jiang Yu’e naturally took up the matter again, saying in a measured tone: “It is each side sticking to their story, but Jiang Li has done this sort of thing before. She certainly could have done it!”

That’s right—Jiang Li had previously poisoned her legitimate mother causing a miscarriage. Now she was merely cursing her legitimate sister. What was impossible about that?

People were willing to believe what they wanted to believe, and that’s what they saw.

Jiang Li was vicious at heart, violent in temperament, harsh and ungrateful—a ungrateful wretch who could never be tamed. Everyone knew this.

For such a person to do such things was ordinary, natural.

Without other evidence, even if it couldn’t be proven that she did this, the accusation would still fall on her head.

Madam Liu’s brows knitted tightly, already realizing this point. But the matter had come so suddenly—to start from scratch looking for evidence that this wasn’t done by Jiang Li was truly too difficult.

Just as it seemed there was no room to turn things around, Jiang Li slowly began to speak. She asked: “Xiangqiao, I’ll ask you one more time. Did you personally witness me carving stroke by stroke, cut by cut onto this headdress?”

Xiangqiao raised her head. When she met Jiang Li’s calm gaze, her heart inexplicably trembled. She steadied herself and said stubbornly: “This servant witnessed it personally. Second Miss said she hated Madam and Third Miss, felt that Third Miss had stolen Master’s favor, and wanted to curse Third Miss…”

The crowd erupted in exclamations. Someone said: “So it really is true, how vicious…”

Jiang Yuanbai’s expression grew even more unsightly. Jiang Youyao and Ji Shuran cried even louder. Ji Chen Shi cleared her throat and said: “Lord Jiang, you must give an explanation for this matter. Youyao also carries half the Ji family’s blood. If this matter isn’t clarified, we’ll go to the palace and have Imperial Concubine Li pass judgment!”

This was blatantly putting pressure on Jiang Yuanbai.

Ji Chen Shi’s threats didn’t frighten Jiang Li. She merely said softly: “Xiangqiao was a maid Mother bestowed upon me. If Xiangqiao is lying…”

“Impossible.” Ji Shuran shook her head. “Xiangqiao is a household-born servant. I watched her grow up. Her character and temperament are trustworthy, and she’s hardworking and diligent. If it weren’t for Li’er just returning to the household and lacking maids, I had wanted to keep Xiangqiao for myself.”

Tong’er couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh. Good character and temperament, hardworking and diligent? Go fool ghosts!

Jiang Li looked down at Xiangqiao. Xiangqiao was still prostrate at their feet. She kept her head lowered, and feeling Jiang Li’s scrutinizing gaze from above, a chill gradually crept up her spine.

What should have been a foolproof plan—at this very moment, a trace of unease suddenly flashed through Xiangqiao’s heart. This unease instantly grew larger, suddenly giving rise to thoughts of retreat in her mind. Of course this was impossible. She could only continue acting out this play.

“I also think Xiangqiao is quite good. These past days at my side, she’s always kept me company chatting and relieving my boredom. Thanks to her, after returning to the household, my days haven’t been dull. So when she betrayed me, I felt extremely hurt.” Jiang Li said.

Xiangqiao quickly said: “Second Miss, it’s not that this servant betrayed you, but rather that this servant… this servant truly cannot watch you continue down this wrong path step by step. This servant truly cannot go against her own conscience!”

“Conscience?” Jiang Li softly echoed the question, then suddenly smiled. She said: “Do you have one?”

Xiangqiao’s heart grew increasingly uneasy. She could only say: “This servant doesn’t know what she did wrong…”

“I also don’t know what I did that you would betray me.”

“Enough, Second Girl,” Old Madam Jiang finally spoke. “What exactly are you trying to say?”

Jiang Li withdrew her gaze from Xiangqiao and looked around slowly, saying: “Since everyone doesn’t believe me, I must find evidence that this matter was not done by me. Otherwise, bearing this blame unjustly would be for nothing, and my birth mother’s spirit in heaven would also feel the pain.”

Hearing this, Jiang Yuanbai’s expression grew even worse.

Jiang Li reached out and walked to the side of Jinxiang, the maid beside Jiang Youyao.

Initially, it was this maid who had taken the ruby headdress from the box.

Jiang Li walked to her side and picked up the headdress that had been returned to the box. The gemstone glowed brilliantly in the sunlight, blood-red colors flowing within. It should have been lustrous, but because of the mottled knife marks all over it, it had become quite dull and ugly.

That headdress was cradled in Jiang Li’s hands. Ji Shuran suddenly sensed something was wrong, but before she could speak, Jiang Li spoke first.

She said: “This headdress is the evidence.”

Her hand brushed over it, tender and proper, the smile at the corner of her lips as bright as ever, yet seeming like mockery.

“This headdress is fake.” She lowered her gaze. “This is not my headdress.”