But Nanny Ye was very perceptive and noticed Liang Yunshan’s change in attitude. She didn’t dare say more, only saying, “My Lord, this old servant has limited vision – how would I know? I only hope My Lord can stand up for Madam.”

Liang Yunshan looked at Luo Meixiang again, “Madam, since you manage the inner residence, these matters should be decided by you.”

Luo Meixiang was stunned.

During this period, Liang Yunshan’s attitude had changed somewhat.

First, he had never again scolded Liang Zhe.

Second, he obviously spent much more time in the outer courtyard and rarely came to the inner residence. Liang Yuan and Liang Jie lived in the outer courtyard, and Liang Yunshan often went to visit them. Luo Meixiang could see Liang Yunshan there, but each time they only talked about the Liang Yuan brothers’ affairs – Liang Yunshan didn’t mention other matters much.

Luo Meixiang had thought he was feeling bad because the Marquis Manor was demoted to an Earl Manor and was emotionally low, so she hadn’t paid much attention to it.

However, after Liang Zhen returned, Luo Meixiang sensitively discovered that Liang Yunshan’s mood became even more depressed. Especially that day in the outer study – after Liang Zhen left with Qu Linglong, Liang Yunshan could simply be described as absent-minded, truly like a lost soul.

Could it be that he was thinking of Zhao Wanniang?

How could this be allowed?

Luo Meixiang was as considerate as always, saying, “Yunshan, I feel at ease with your words. Since a life was lost, I cannot ignore it. I’ll have the eldest’s family come over shortly to clarify things, and I hope you’ll be present to witness as well.”

This time, Liang Yunshan nodded, “Good.”

Luo Meixiang had someone go to Songtao Residence to invite Qin Shuying over. The messenger returned quickly and reported, “The eldest young madam will come immediately.”

Luo Meixiang’s expression remained normal, but she was startled inwardly: Qin Shuying agreed to come so readily – then why did she need to snatch the people and leave earlier? Was she planning some other trick?

Soon, Qin Shuying and Liang Zhen came hand in hand, bringing only a few maids.

The two paid their respects to Liang Yunshan and Luo Meixiang. Liang Zhen said, “Father, when Madam invited Shuying over, I knew Father was here and came along to pay my respects to Father.”

Liang Yunshan glanced at that face so similar to Zhao Wanniang’s, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He pointed to chairs beside them, “Mm, you all sit down and talk.”

Qin Shuying and Liang Zhen sat down.

Then Qin Shuying asked, “Madam, is there some matter in calling me over?”

Luo Meixiang secretly resented Qin Shuying’s cunning. In just a quarter hour, she acted as if nothing had happened, calm and untroubled, as if the cold person who had barged into Qianxi Garden and started fighting wasn’t this fourteen-year-old girl before her eyes.

Liang Qiong couldn’t hold back and said coldly, “You just brought so many people in and beat Kuju and Aiye until they couldn’t get up. It’s only been so long, yet you still dare act as if nothing happened! Do you dare say this wasn’t your doing?”

Qin Shuying said in surprise, “Second sister, Lu Ye, Zhishu, and Matron Shao are all free citizens. Without government approval, who dares randomly arrest them? The matrons in Qianxi Garden don’t understand proper conduct and tied them up. I brought them back for the Earl Manor’s sake, to prevent outsiders from knowing and saying that the Earl Manor is becoming even more improper, daring to tie up innocent people at will. Where does this place the national law?”

Liang Qiong was provoked by her contemptuous gaze and pointed at Qin Shuying’s nose while scolding, “They killed someone – what crime is there in tying them up? Don’t think that by repeatedly calling them innocent people and commoners, you can try to let your people escape! A life for a life – even if this goes to the authorities, they should be arrested!”

Liang Qiong’s loss of composure fell into Liang Yunshan’s eyes, and his brow furrowed lightly.

Qin Shuying appeared even more puzzled, “I understand second sister’s words even less now. Did second sister personally witness them killing someone?”

“I didn’t see it, but someone did. The human and material evidence are all there – don’t think you can escape like this!”

“Since second sister speaks so decisively, then have someone present all the human and material evidence.”

Liang Qiong sneered, “Someone, go summon Matron Peng and Qiao’er from the second household!”

Soon, Matron Peng and Qiao’er arrived. They knelt on the ground, trembling, not daring to look at Liang Yunshan. However, Matron Peng glanced at Qin Shuying, her gaze carrying some anger.

Following them were also Madam Meng and Third Lady and Fourth Lady.

After Madam Meng entered, she said, “My Lord, Matron Peng is from Third Lady’s courtyard, and Qiao’er is from Fourth Lady’s courtyard. Today they were sent out on errands. Over an hour ago, they ran to my courtyard in panic, saying they personally witnessed people from Songtao Residence push Zao’er into the water pool. I thought this was a serious matter and didn’t dare make decisions on my own, so I personally informed Madam and the eldest young madam.”

The meaning was: ask Luo Meixiang and Qin Shuying about what happened afterward – it had nothing to do with her, Madam Meng.

Zao’er was the drowned maid. She was also from the second household, but she was a rough-work maid.

At this point, Third Lady glanced at Madam Meng, but seeing an unwilling expression on Madam Meng’s face, Third Lady disappointedly lowered her head.

Luo Meixiang asked, “Zao’er was from your courtyard?”

Madam Meng said, “Indeed.”

“All three are from your courtyard. I’ll ask the questions then – do you think that’s acceptable?”

Madam Meng nodded, “Elder sister-in-law is right.”

Hearing this phrase she had heard countless times, Luo Meixiang felt disgusted and no longer paid attention to Madam Meng. She asked the kneeling Matron Peng and Qiao’er, “How did you discover this? Tell me exactly what you saw!”

Matron Peng said, “My, My Lord, Ma, Madam! This, this servant and Qiao’er were preparing to go to the second gate at the chen hour. Passing by Half Moon Bay, we saw three people push, push Zao’er into the water.”

Luo Meixiang asked, “Did you see clearly that it was Lu Ye and the others?”

Both Matron Peng and Qiao’er hurriedly nodded, “This, this servant saw clearly!”

They spoke with complete certainty, yet Qin Shuying showed no reaction.

Luo Meixiang asked again, “How can you be certain they were people from Songtao Residence? People from Songtao Residence don’t often move about outside.”

Matron Peng steadied herself and said, “Miss Lu Ye is different from others – she has scars on her face. She’s the only one in the entire manor, so this servant recognized her long ago. Therefore, although this servant was far away this time, I still recognized her. After this servant and Qiao’er saw them, we shouted several times, and they immediately ran away. This servant and Qiao’er shouted loudly, and several people came. This servant and Qiao’er hurried into the water to rescue her. We managed to pull Zao’er up with great difficulty, but Zao’er was already gone. Everyone was clamoring, and this servant and Qiao’er went to inform Second Madam, while others went to inform Madam.”

Hearing this, Matron Peng seemed to be a clever and righteous person.

Luo Meixiang looked at Qin Shuying, “Eldest daughter-in-law, did you hear that?”

Qin Shuying nodded, “I heard.”

“What do you have to say?”

“I didn’t personally witness this matter. Since they say it was Lu Ye and the other two who did it, then have them come for a confrontation.” Qin Shuying calmly called Hong Juan, “Go and summon Lu Ye, Zhishu, and Matron Shao over here.”