Seeing the Duchess of Weiguo become enraged, everyone’s legs immediately went a bit weak.

Li Weiyang raised her eyebrows and looked at her calmly, saying: “Aunt, Cousin Min is merely confused for a moment. There’s no need for kneeling and admitting fault.”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was in an uproar.

Had this Third Miss of the Chancellor’s residence gone mad or become foolish—

The Duchess of Weiguo said angrily: “Drag this girl down and beat her severely with one hundred strokes of the rod!”

Everyone was shocked and alarmed upon hearing this. A delicate girl like Li Weiyang would have her tendons and bones broken and flesh mangled after twenty strokes. If beaten one hundred times, she would truly lose her life!

A faint smile appeared at the corners of the First Madam’s lips, but she said: “Younger sister, isn’t this too severe—”

The Duchess of Weiguo could not restrain her resentment and hatred: “This girl is full of cunning words and ingratiating speech. If not severely punished, it will be difficult to dissipate the hatred in my heart!”

The First Madam showed a troubled expression, but sneered inwardly. She had advised against it, but the Duchess of Weiguo insisted on taking Weiyang’s life. When the master learns of it later, it will be too late!

Immediately someone came forward and grabbed Li Weiyang’s arm, forcibly trying to push her down! The maids and nannies originally from Li Weiyang’s courtyard all looked at each other upon seeing this scene. Only Bai Zhi stood protectively in front of Li Weiyang.

Li Weiyang was not panicked, however, and raised her head, saying: “The Duchess of Weiguo doesn’t have the authority to establish a private court, does she!”

Gao Min’s face flushed red with anger. “This ill-mannered thing! Why aren’t you moving quickly!”

Li Weiyang exclaimed in surprise: “I’m ill-mannered? What does Cousin Min mean?”

“I mean your father begot you but didn’t raise you!” Gao Min said angrily.

As soon as these words left her mouth, the First Madam’s heart jumped in alarm, and she spoke to remind her: “Min’er!” Unfortunately, it was already too late. A voice rang out from behind: “What do you mean ‘begot but didn’t raise’!”

Li Weiyang immediately called out loudly: “I pay my respects to Father!” Gao Min, the First Madam, and the others were stunned by her action. Only when she spoke did they react and turn around one after another.

When Gao Min saw Li Xiaoran, she was immediately frightened and couldn’t even speak completely, only saying: “Uncle… I… I didn’t mean it…”

Li Xiaoran sat down and said coolly: “Does Min’er know where she went wrong?”

Gao Min froze for a moment. Li Changle gave her a meaningful look, and she reacted: “In my urgency, I misspoke. I only wanted to discipline her a bit.”

Li Xiaoran’s smile was somewhat cold: “I’ve been too negligent. To actually trouble the Duchess of Weiguo and her daughter to come to my home to discipline my daughter—I’ve truly exhausted you.” His voice was very ordinary, but hearing it in this situation couldn’t help but make people feel every word was alarming.

No matter how noble the Duchess of Weiguo was, it was merely a title. Even the Marquis of Bochang, having been inherited to this day, was already the fifth generation. How could she compare to the powerful and influential Chancellor Li? The Duchess of Weiguo was accustomed to being arrogant and domineering. At this moment, she suddenly realized she had overstepped her bounds. Her complexion became very unpleasant, yet she couldn’t vent her anger.

Li Xiaoran glanced at the First Madam and spoke: “With such a major incident occurring, I should naturally be present. Madam, what do you think?”

The First Madam knew in her heart that Gao Min’s earlier words had greatly offended Li Xiaoran. She immediately smiled awkwardly: “Master, this matter—”

Having only spoken half the sentence, the Old Madam also arrived. Everyone hurriedly stood up to pay respects, including the Duchess of Weiguo who had been imperious just moments ago.

The Old Madam’s expression was indifferent. She walked over and sat behind Li Weiyang. For some reason, this small gesture made Li Weiyang feel inexplicably at ease. This was a kind of wordless support her grandmother was giving her.

The Duchess of Weiguo’s eyes narrowed dangerously: “Since everyone has arrived, very well. Please have the Old Madam and Chancellor Li give my son an explanation!”

Li Xiaoran frowned: “What explanation?”

Originally wanting to have the Duchess of Weiguo directly put Li Weiyang to death, now it seemed this wouldn’t work. So she would settle for the next best thing and have Li Weiyang disgracefully thrown out of the residence! The First Madam’s expression remained unmoved: “Alas, Weiyang, now I can no longer cover up for you. Someone, bring up the young master from the maternal side.”

In just a moment, Gao Jin was carried up, covered in injuries, his face swollen. His mouth made muffled sounds, but because half his teeth had been knocked out, he couldn’t speak. When the Duchess of Weiguo saw this, her heart immediately ached terribly, and her voice was stern: “Qiuzi, explain the whole story from beginning to end!”

Qiuzi immediately said: “Young master had arranged a tryst with Third Miss. This servant heard from the side that Third Miss insisted young master use eight sedan chair bearers to carry her back to the Marquis of Bochang’s residence. Young master said this matter required parental orders and a matchmaker’s words, and refused to agree. Third Miss became angry for a moment and actually summoned the people from her courtyard to beat young master…”

Li Xiaoran listened, his gaze falling on Li Weiyang. He saw her expression was calm, like a piece of cold jade sunk in water. He couldn’t help but feel doubtful in his heart. Right now, this matter concerned her reputation and the Li family’s good name—such an important matter. Yet looking at her expression, she remained completely composed.

The First Madam sighed with a very regretful appearance: “According to this, it was originally mutual affection between a man and woman, but they completely forgot their respective identities and thus committed this heinous error. Weiyang, you’ve disappointed me too much.”

The Duchess of Weiguo sneered: “She ordered my son beaten, and so many eyes saw it… Li Weiyang, now the evidence is ironclad and irrefutable. You might as well obediently confess…”

The Old Madam had never liked the Duchess of Weiguo’s domineering manner. She now said slowly: “I don’t care what others saw. Weiyang, what do you say?”

Li Weiyang walked a few steps, her eyes black as lacquer and brightly shining: “This is completely fabricated. I’ve only been back for two months and am not well acquainted with my cousin. How did it become a tryst? If it truly was a tryst, why would I bring the entire courtyard of people? Am I truly this foolish?”

The First Madam secretly gritted her teeth. Originally, she had used Seventh Yiniang’s hands to call Li Weiyang out. Who knew this girl would actually bring a large group of people—truly too cunning!

Li Xiaoran found her words reasonable and was just about to frown when he heard Li Changle’s voice: “To say Third Sister had a tryst with cousin—I wouldn’t believe such a thing, Father wouldn’t believe it, and the Old Madam even less so!” Her fingers painted with beautiful rouge gently stroked her cloud-like beautiful hair: “It’s just that cousin and Third Sister have no grievance or enmity. Why would he falsely accuse her? Father, cousin also grew up under your watch. Though he’s somewhat unruly, he wouldn’t have this kind of audacity, would he?”

To casually slander a young lady’s reputation—this was a serious matter. Would Gao Jin have such courage? Li Xiaoran’s brow furrowed deeply.

Li Changle turned sideways, looked at Li Weiyang and said: “Third Sister, I wonder, can you resolve my confusion?”

Li Weiyang raised an eyebrow and smiled: “Does Elder Sister have a grudge against me? To frame me like this?”

“I—when did I frame you?” Li Changle’s eyes immediately widened.

“If you hadn’t sent someone to invite Cousin Gao Jin, could he have found his own way to the remote back garden?”

“I… I… when did I invite him…” Li Changle’s complexion changed.

Li Weiyang narrowed her eyes, but her gaze was sharp as a knife: “Oh, Elder Sister’s marriage has been delayed for so long, and you’re in the prime of youth. Loneliness and inability to endure is also human nature…”

Her expression was composed, and combined with her strange tone that contained three parts mockery, how could Li Changle endure such humiliation? Her face turned deathly pale as she said in a hissing voice: “What nonsense are you spouting!”

Li Weiyang slowly interrupted her, shaking the note in her hand: “Elder Sister, look at this!”