Jiang Taohua’s expression was the epitome of grievance, her eyebrows drooping and eyes widening. No one would dare claim to look more wronged than her.
Shen Zaiye inwardly laughed at the sight but maintained a serious demeanor. “Since Madam Qin accuses you of misconduct, and you claim she’s slandering you, I’ll believe whoever can provide evidence.”
This statement seemed entirely fair, showing no intention of favoritism. Qin Jieyu couldn’t immediately refute it. However, Taohua reacted swiftly, raising her head to say, “I was about to mention, my lord, didn’t you notice Madam Qin holding something in her hand?”
Everyone was startled and looked at Qin Jieyu’s hand. Qin had forgotten about it herself, but Taohua’s reminder made her realize she was still clutching a pair of mandarin duck jade pendants.
“Yes, my lord! This is evidence of Jiang’s infidelity!” Qin Jieyu exclaimed, examining the pendants. “These belong to Jiang! The other half must be with Mr. Xu. Have someone search him, and you’ll know!”
Shen Zaiye raised an eyebrow and glanced at Taohua, who remained fearless and smiled, “Before discussing who the jade pendant belongs to, my lord should have someone find the other half first.”
“Very well.” Shen Zaiye nodded to Zhanlu, who immediately began searching Xu Yangui’s body. Shen looked at the man on the ground with disdain, his lips tightening slightly.
It seemed this man hadn’t learned his lesson from his previous mistake. This time, the consequences would likely be far more severe.
Zhanlu quickly found the other half of the pendant. Qin’s face betrayed a hint of smugness as she glanced at Taohua before turning to Shen Zaiye. “When I went out today, my first task was to retrieve this pendant. Someone told me Jiang feared her affair would be exposed, so she stored the pendant at Guantong Bank.”
Hearing the last four words, Shen Zaiye’s brow twitched as he glanced at Taohua.
“People can say whatever they please,” Taohua smiled, seemingly unaware of his reaction. “The pendant is in Madam Qin’s possession, yet she claims it’s mine. Isn’t that ridiculous?”
“You…” Qin Jieyu was stunned, looking down at the object in her hand, momentarily unable to find a retort.
Indeed, why had she brought the pendant herself? She should have left it at the bank for her lord to see!
As everyone looked at her flustered expression, they couldn’t help but believe Jiang Taohua’s words more. Mei Zhaoxue, unable to stand by any longer, softly suggested, “Since the pendant was retrieved from the bank, there must be a receipt. The bank clerk should remember who stored it. Why not call them over to ask?”
Taohua nodded in agreement, “That’s an excellent idea. I have nothing to hide and welcome any investigation.”
Qin Jieyu, who should have been equally confident, felt uneasy seeing Jiang Taohua’s composure. She hesitated, sensing she might have fallen into a trap.
Her hesitation appeared as guilt to the onlookers. Gu Huairou chuckled lightly, “If Madam Jiang isn’t afraid, what does Madam Qin have to fear? If you’re truly innocent, who could harm you?”
“Who knows?” Qin Jieyu frowned, turning to Jiang Taohua. “Some people have deep, sinister thoughts. If they truly want to harm someone, I couldn’t escape it.”
“You have evidence but won’t let it be examined, instead accusing others of having sinister intentions,” Jiang Taohua sighed. “In Madam Qin’s view, is it only fair if my lord condemns me without cause?”
Qin Jieyu pressed her lips together, “That’s how it should be.”
Her words made even Mei Zhaoxue cover her forehead in exasperation. Shen Zaiye let out a cold snort and instructed Zhanlu, “Go to Guantong Bank and inquire. Bring back any clerk who knows about this matter.”
“Yes, sir,” Zhanlu responded and left.
Qin Jieyu, displeased, said, “Look at Jiang’s confident demeanor. She must have already tampered with the evidence. There’s no use in my lord’s investigation.”
“Madam Qin has taught me many ways to evade guilt today,” Taohua smiled faintly, looking at her. “From now on, whenever I make a mistake, I’ll just claim I’ve been framed. No matter what evidence is presented, I’ll say it’s a set-up. This way, I could even get away with murder. How convenient.”
“You!” Angered by her words, Qin Jieyu’s face reddened. She couldn’t help but grab Taohua’s wrist, saying with resentment, “Don’t be too arrogant. My lord won’t always indulge you!”
“I should be the one saying that,” Taohua curled her lips, grasping Qin’s sleeve in return. She narrowed her eyes and said, “Harming others behind their backs too often will lead to retribution. My lord isn’t blind; he sees everything. He’s only refraining from pursuing the matter out of consideration for past affection. Don’t assume you’re free from all debts.”
Qin Jieyu was taken aback. Meeting Jiang Taohua’s gaze, she suddenly understood what she was referring to.
How did she know about past events, having entered the household so recently? Even Gu Huairou wasn’t fully aware of those matters.
The commotion was loud enough to wake Xu Yangui, who had been lying on the ground. He opened his eyes bewilderedly, looking around, “Where am I?”
Shen Zaiye, having watched enough of the drama, glanced at him and ordered without hesitation, “Take him to the woodshed and await further instructions.”
“Yes, sir!” The guards came forward and carried Xu Yangui away. Once outside Linwu Court, Xu finally realized what was happening and asked those around him, “What’s going on?”
The guards remained silent and efficiently locked him in the woodshed.
“My lord!” Qin Jieyu frowned, “Why didn’t you ask Mr. Xu who he was going to meet today? How could you just lock him up?”
“There’s no need to ask,” Shen Zaiye said coldly, sipping his tea. “Since he’s the lover of one of you, he’ll naturally protect that person and not tell the truth. There’s no point in listening.”
Taohua’s eyes brightened as she smiled at him, “My lord is truly wise.”
“No need for flattery,” Shen Zaiye looked up, scanning the two women before him. “This matter concerns the reputation of the Xiang household and my face. Whoever is found guilty, I won’t be lenient.”
“How does my lord intend to deal with this?” Mei Zhaoxue asked with a frown.
“Recently, I’ve been considering divorcing quite a few people in the household,” Shen Zaiye pursed his lips. “This time, I won’t divorce anyone. Instead, I’ll demote the guilty party to a concubine and let her remain in her courtyard.”
A concubine! Everyone was shocked and lowered their heads in silence. A concubine’s status in the Xiang household was barely above that of a maid, perhaps even less respected. Usually, only those of extremely low birth were given the title of concubine.
These two kneelings were both madams! They were just below the lady of the house in status, with noble births and distinguished family backgrounds. Being demoted to a concubine would be worse than being divorced!
Qin Jieyu looked panicked, while Jiang Taohua remained composed, “True gold fears no fire, and those with a clear conscience fear no ghosts knocking at night. As long as my lord uncovers the truth, the one demoted certainly won’t be me.”
If at the beginning, people were eight parts suspicious of Jiang Taohua, her words reduced that suspicion to just two parts. In contrast, Qin Jieyu, who had started righteous, was now sweating profusely.
This shows that in any situation, one should never lose their composure. Once you lose your composure, you’ve already lost half the battle.
Shen Zaiye nodded, his gaze on Qin Jieyu growing colder. Qin was at a loss for words, anxiously glancing at Mei Zhaoxue several times.
However, Mei Zhaoxue no longer looked at her or gave any instructions. Instead, she began chatting with Madam Duan beside her.
What did this mean? Qin Jieyu didn’t understand. She knelt there, confused and helpless, feeling time pass slowly as her legs began to lose sensation.
“My lord.” Two-quarters of an hour later, Zhanlu returned with the clerk.
Shen Zaiye looked up to see the bank clerk trembling as he knelt to one side, repeatedly kowtowing, “Greetings, Lord Xiang, greetings!”
“Do you know where you are?” he asked softly.
The clerk was so frightened his legs shook, “This lowly one knows.”
“Then don’t utter any nonsense. Answer only what I ask.”
“Yes!”
Shen Zaiye raised his hand, pointing at Jiang Taohua and Qin Jieyu, “Have you seen these two madams before?”
The clerk quickly glanced at them, not daring to look closely. He hesitated, “Many madams visit the bank daily. If my lord truly wants me to identify them, perhaps the two madams could wear veils.”
“Very well.” Shen Zaiye nodded. Jiang Taohua naturally produced a veil, while Qin Jieyu paused before following suit.
Only then did the clerk dare to look up and examine them. After a moment, he pointed at Qin Jieyu, “I’ve seen this madam before, but the one beside her… I don’t think I have.”
Even if he didn’t remember their faces, he should have remembered their clothes.
Taohua chuckled softly, tugging at her skirt as she looked at Qin Jieyu, “Does the madam have anything else to say now?”
Qin Jieyu, exasperated, produced the jade pendant, “Of course he’s seen me. I went to the bank to retrieve this pendant!”
But why didn’t he remember Jiang Taohua? Could she have bribed him?
“Ah, I remember this jade pendant,” the clerk quickly produced a loan receipt from his person. “A madam left this at our bank and took out a loan. We made two copies of the receipt; the other should be with that madam.”
Hearing this, Qin Jieyu finally breathed a sigh of relief, “Good, then let’s search them. If we find the receipt, she can’t deny it anymore!”
Shen Zaiye took the receipt Zhanlu handed him, opened it, and examined it carefully before pursing his lips, “Jieyu, are you sure you still want to search?”
“Of course! Absolutely!” Qin Jieyu frowned, “If we find the receipt, she can’t deny it any longer!”
“Very well,” Shen Zaiye nodded and stood up, walking towards them. “Then I’ll search them myself.”
Taohua smiled and naturally spread her arms. Shen Zaiye glanced at her and thoroughly searched her pockets. Apart from some silver, he found nothing else.
When it came to Qin Jieyu’s turn, he reached into her sleeve pocket and pulled out a piece of paper.
The room fell silent. Qin Jieyu stared in disbelief, taking the paper and unfolding it—
It was indeed the loan receipt.
(End of Chapter)