Soon, thirty to forty maids and matrons were standing in the courtyard.

The mansion had a total of fourteen masters, with nine masters in the inner residence. Although Liang Zhen and Qu Linglong’s maids and matrons had been assigned to them, they hadn’t yet received their custom-made clothing. This meant that only seven masters had the special garments worn by first-class and second-class maids and the steward matrons who served close to their masters.

Old Madam Liang, Meng Shi, Liang Qiong, Third Lady, Fourth Lady, and Ah Ning each had two head maids, two second-class maids, and two steward matrons at their side.

Because Luo Meixiang was the household’s primary mistress, in addition to four head maids, she also had four second-class maids and four steward matrons in the inner courtyard. When Qin Shuying married into the family, Old Madam Qin had provided her dowry according to the standards of a primary mistress, so she also had four head maids, four second-class maids, and four steward matrons at her side.

Additionally, both the first and second branches had concubines, and the personal maids serving these concubines were second-class, with only one steward matron each.

Of course, the second-class maids in Prince Pingxi’s mansion were more precious than first-class maids in families like the Qin household, and their monthly allowances were much higher as well.

Calculating this way, the first-class and second-class maids and steward matrons serving the masters in the Earl’s mansion totaled sixty to seventy people. However, some were not on duty today and others had gone out, so only about forty people had been summoned.

However, no one dared to bring the people from Old Madam Liang’s side.

The mansion’s clothing for each season not only had fixed quantities but also coding numbers. The garments for servants of each rank had identical colors and styles, with only numerical codes inside to distinguish them.

Therefore, according to Liang Zhen’s suggestion, by examining these clothes one by one, they could identify the culprit.

Nanny Ye and Nanny Fu took the lead, checking the clothes one by one. Currently, none of these people showed any problems. During the inspection process, more people arrived intermittently, and they also had no issues.

After the investigation, only six people from Ning Garden remained, along with a Nanny Cao from Luo Meixiang’s side who hadn’t appeared.

Luo Meixiang’s expression changed slightly. She said to Nanny Ye, “Send someone again to call Nanny Cao over.”

Nanny Ye called two maids to follow her to find the person. Luo Meixiang then said to Liang Yunshan, “There are also the people from Old Madam’s side. Yunshan, what do you think…”

The words “don’t go to request them” that were on Liang Yunshan’s lips were swallowed back down when he saw Liang Zhen’s faint smile.

Liang Yunshan said, “Since we’ve already requested everyone else, we shouldn’t leave out the people from Ning Garden. Nanny Fu, please go and invite them over.”

Nanny Fu immediately agreed and withdrew with two young maids.

When they reached the outside of Ning Garden, Nanny Fu explained their purpose to the gatekeeper. The gatekeeper matron angrily said, “This is outrageous! How dare you suspect even the people from Old Madam’s courtyard! Go, go, go! Get out of here!”

After speaking, she was about to close the door.

Nanny Fu had anticipated such behavior and wasn’t flustered at all. She gave the two young maids a meaningful look, and they immediately went up and forcefully embraced the matron.

Nanny Fu said, “So it really was the maids and matrons from Ning Garden impersonating people from Songtao Residence who harmed Zao’er’s life, which is why they dare not show their faces before everyone. Since this is the case, I’ll go to the front and explain everything clearly to everyone, so that the people from Songtao Residence won’t bear this blame falsely.”

After speaking, she gave another look, the two young maids released the matron’s hands, and the three turned and walked away.

The matron panicked, but her mouth still wouldn’t yield: “You old wretch, without any evidence, who would believe that mouth of yours!”

Nanny Fu completely ignored her and led her people away unhurriedly.

Seeing something was wrong, the matron hurried inside to report.

When Nanny Fu reached Qianxi Garden, she said to Liang Yunshan, “My lord, Ning Garden won’t let us enter.”

Immediately, people began discussing: “Could it really be someone from Ning Garden who did it? Otherwise, why wouldn’t they let people in?”

“This is what they call having a guilty conscience, not daring to face the light.”

“Anyway, with filial piety pressing down, the lord can’t do anything about it. In the end, it’ll just be left unresolved.”

…

Naturally, it was Qin Shuying’s people who started these discussions. Although the old servants in the mansion didn’t dare say anything, their eyes conveyed a questioning sentiment.

Although Old Madam Liang was the mansion’s old titled lady, the maids and matrons at her side were still just servants. Why couldn’t they be searched?

Liang Yunshan was already somewhat fearful of Old Madam Liang. Having Nanny Fu go to Ning Garden was already the limit of what he could do. Since Old Madam Liang wouldn’t allow people to come over, Liang Yunshan didn’t dare force the issue.

But…

Liang Zhen smiled lightly and said, “Father, you’ve always been filial to Old Madam. Since Old Madam won’t allow people to be searched, let’s end this matter here.”

Liang Yunshan hesitated.

By not allowing people to be searched, it clearly indicated that the people from Ning Garden had problems. Even he couldn’t help but become suspicious, let alone the servants of the Earl’s mansion.

But if he were to have people searched, Liang Yunshan really didn’t dare open his mouth about it.

While he was hesitating, the servants at the door seemed to see something and made way for a path.

Soon, Jinxiu entered everyone’s sight, leading several people.

Jinxiu came before Liang Yunshan, performed a salute, and said, “My lord, this servant has been ordered by Old Madam to convey a few words from her.”

Liang Yunshan’s heart relaxed. “Speak.”

Jinxiu said clearly and loudly, “Old Madam says: ‘Unrefined in feminine virtue, instigating trouble, the root of household chaos, disaster comes from within.'”

Liang Yunshan was immediately stunned in place, his expression changed drastically, and a hint of anger began to surface on his face.

Liang Zhen and Qin Shuying exchanged glances, both seeing cold gleams in each other’s eyes.

These sixteen characters were directed at Liang Zhen. They said she was unrefined in feminine virtue, had improper relationships with men, and having married out, had returned to instigate trouble—she was the root of the Liang family’s chaos.

Cold light flashed in Liang Zhen’s eyes, but the corners of her mouth still held a faint smile, as if Old Madam Liang’s veiled accusations had nothing to do with her.

Liang Yunshan looked toward Liang Zhen. On this face that resembled Zhao Wanniang so closely, there was a familiar mockery playing at Liang Zhen’s lips.

His anger immediately rushed to his head. Liang Yunshan pointed at Liang Zhen, words about to burst from his lips. At that very moment, Qin Shuying suddenly smiled and called out, “Oh my, I almost forgot something!”

With Qin Shuying’s exclamation, the inexplicable anger in Liang Yunshan’s heart paused for a moment. Then he saw Qin Shuying looking at him with a smile, saying, “Father, last time Her Majesty the Empress mentioned something to me that concerns Old Madam. I suddenly remembered it.”

The Empress?

The words Liang Yunshan was about to use to question Liang Zhen were swallowed back down as he looked inquiringly.

Qin Shuying said, “Her Majesty the Empress actually knows Old Madam! Her Majesty even mentioned things about Old Madam from decades ago, which is truly puzzling. At the time, I told Her Majesty that thanks to Old Madam’s careful guidance, my lord was able to become such a distinguished general with outstanding military achievements.”

Having said this, Qin Shuying stopped speaking.

Was that all?

This was only half a story.

Although Liang Yunshan was extremely curious, it wouldn’t be appropriate to ask in front of so many people.

Qin Shuying had stopped speaking, and Liang Yunshan was curious, as was Luo Meixiang.