Despicable, lowly granddaughter?

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Deng’s face immediately darkened, and she flicked her sleeve. “If you two have something to say, please come inside to discuss it. Our Li family is not people without manners—there’s no reason not to offer tea when guests come to the door.”

This was an indirect reference to the Earl and Countess of Changchun not understanding proper guest etiquette.

The Earl’s wife was about to curse when she saw Old Madam Deng had already turned and walked inside, leaving only her straight-backed figure, not at all like someone approaching sixty.

The Earl patted his wife’s arm. “Let’s go in and talk.”

The facts were here and couldn’t escape. If the Li family didn’t admit it, it wouldn’t be too late to make a bigger scene then. Anyway, if his son was in trouble, the Li family couldn’t be well either!

After the Earl and his wife entered the reception hall, Old Madam Deng said calmly, “Please sit, both of you. Speak slowly if you have something to say. Calling someone ‘despicable and lowly’ repeatedly—this old woman doesn’t understand.”

“Stop pretending! Quickly hand over your residence’s third young lady to pay for my son’s life!”

“What are you saying?” Old Madam Deng’s eyes tightened.

Li Guangwen was even more surprised, raising his eyebrows.

“Stop acting confused. That little wretch Li Zhao disguised herself as a man and went to Bichun Tavern, beating my son unconscious. The imperial physician already said my son’s chances of waking up are still unknown! If you hand over that little wretch now, that would be fine. Otherwise, even if we take this to the authorities, we’re not afraid.”

“The Earl’s wife says our third daughter went to Bichun Tavern?” Old Madam Deng suddenly slapped the table. “This is ridiculous! I know my granddaughter’s character best. Would she go to a filthy place like Bichun Tavern? Furthermore, the Earl’s wife also says your son was beaten unconscious—how then do you know who beat him? Although our Li family has no power or influence, we’re not people who let others splash dirty water on us randomly!”

The Earl’s wife trembled with rage. “I knew you would cover for that little wretch. How do I know? Because Heaven opened its eyes, my son had a brief moment of consciousness and named the culprit who harmed him as your residence’s third young lady! Otherwise, does your family have golden mountains or silver seas? Could it be that our Earl’s residence would come here to extort money?”

Old Madam Deng’s expression changed slightly.

Looking at the Earl’s wife like this, she didn’t seem to be lying.

The Earl spoke coldly, “When my son named your residence’s third young lady, the imperial physician was also present. If Old Madam doesn’t believe it, we can ask the imperial physician who treated my son to testify.”

“Then, please invite the imperial physician here. The accusations you two are making are too shocking. Before this matter is thoroughly clarified, this old woman will not agree to anything.” Old Madam Deng’s tone was firm and powerful.

The Earl and his wife exchanged glances.

The Li family wasn’t an ordinary household—they could even confront the Jinlin Guards, showing they were stubborn. Such a family definitely couldn’t be intimidated by threats; they had to speak with evidence.

“Very well, please wait, Old Madam and Master Li.” After the Earl finished speaking, he called over a steward to send for someone, but suddenly stopped and looked at Old Madam Deng. “Why does Old Madam send someone to invite him instead—Imperial Physician Zhang from the Imperial Medical Bureau. This way, if we send someone, you won’t suspect we privately bribed the imperial physician and then refuse to admit anything.”

Hearing these words, Old Madam Deng’s heart sank even further, and her ominous premonition grew stronger.

But she still couldn’t believe her third granddaughter would do such an extremely absurd thing. She said to Li Guangwen, “Eldest son, go personally to invite him. Just say I’m feeling somewhat unwell.”

“Alright.” Li Guangwen agreed and went personally to invite Imperial Physician Zhang.

The hall suddenly became quiet. Old Madam Deng picked up her teacup and drank slowly, concealing her inner unease.

Footsteps were heard, and before the person arrived, the voice came first: “Old Madam, your daughter-in-law heard someone come to cause trouble?”

The curtain moved, and Lady He walked in, holding a pair of scissors in her hand.

The Earl and his wife’s gazes couldn’t help but fall on those gleaming scissors.

Lady He glanced at them and smiled. “I was just cutting flower branches and brought them along.” After speaking, she even waved at the Earl and his wife.

The Earl and his wife’s faces immediately turned pale.

If not for the inappropriate setting, Old Madam Deng would have almost laughed out loud.

Cutting flower branches? Others might not know, but didn’t she understand? This daughter-in-law of hers wasn’t someone who put on elegant airs.

“This must be Third Miss Li’s mother?” the Earl’s wife spoke.

“That’s right. I wonder which residence this lady is from?”

The Earl’s wife sneered. “We didn’t come here today to reminisce. Old Madam, please have your residence’s third young lady come out first. I want to see what she looks like!”

Lady He rolled her eyes. “These words are really interesting. Does this lady have kinship or old friendship with our residents? Opening your mouth to demand to see our resident’s young lady—this wouldn’t be acceptable anywhere, would it?”

“What I want to see isn’t some young lady, but the culprit who harmed my son!”

“Then I definitely can’t let you see her—my daughter isn’t a culprit!”

Lady He spoke quickly and directly, almost making the Earl’s wife die of anger.

However, Old Madam Deng watched coldly from the side, saying nothing.

Before the matter was clarified, she would never let them see her granddaughter.

The atmosphere in the hall was particularly oppressive. Time seemed to fall into slumber, flowing slowly, making it torturous for everyone present.

Finally, sounds came from outside. Li Guangwen walked in with Imperial Physician Zhang.

Old Madam Deng instinctively stood up.

Imperial Physician Zhang looked around, and seeing the situation in the hall, immediately realized something was wrong.

How truly unlucky—he had been innocently dragged into these families’ disputes.

Sure enough, after simple pleasantries, the Earl went straight to the point: “Imperial Physician Zhang, after you treated my son, he had a moment of consciousness. Is this true?”

“Yes.” Imperial Physician Zhang nodded.

These two families—one an Earl’s residence, one a Hanlin Academy scholar’s residence—were neither truly top-tier families. He might as well tell the truth and save himself a lot of trouble.

“The imperial physician should remember what my son said when he regained consciousness, right?”

As soon as the Earl said this, everyone in the hall focused their gazes on Imperial Physician Zhang.

Imperial Physician Zhang seemed to feel the heat of those gazes. His eyes touched Old Madam Deng’s white hair, and he secretly sighed, pondering before saying, “Your son seemed to say ‘Xingzi Alley Li residence third miss—'”

Old Madam Deng suddenly collapsed back into her chair.

Lady He was stunned, then flew into a rage, charging forward with the scissors: “You old man, how can you speak such nonsense—”

The Earl’s wife couldn’t care about being afraid anymore and blocked Imperial Physician Zhang’s front: “What are you doing? Trying to kill the witness to silence him?”

“What witness? Just an old fool spouting nonsense—”

Imperial Physician Zhang became angry, flicking his sleeve and snorting coldly: “This official has served in the Imperial Medical Bureau for many years and wouldn’t stoop to spouting nonsense to frame people. The Earl’s young master said those words, not one word different! As for why the Earl’s young master mentioned your residence, that’s none of this official’s business. Farewell!”