Making money, taking exams and supporting the family

chapter 55: The Truth of the Beginning 1

Originally, the Wei family’s plan was not very well thought out. It was just that no one delved deeply enough to investigate.

With a little analysis, one could see many loopholes; there were no such things as too many coincidences in this world.

Lin Zé’s biggest suspicion was still Lin Jianwen. After all, besides having major conflicts with him, others would not go to such lengths just out of a little jealousy.

However, Lin Jianwen seemed fearless, and without specific evidence, they could only investigate through the servants of the Wei household.

Obviously, County Magistrate Wang and others also thought this way. Their attention was focused on several servants of the Wei household, two boys and two maids. They are the ones who were in charge of guarding the backyard and serving Wei Yunying.

Why didn’t they guard the gate and serve the young lady properly? Why did they all run off? Be honest!

“Sir, I didn’t lie. I really was called away because the front yard was too busy…”

“Sir, me too. Zhang Dali and I were called away together, by Steward Liu. Otherwise, we wouldn’t dare to leave…”

“I went to bring Miss her sobering soup…”

“I heard a wild cat meowing and went to chase it away, right by the window. Who knew that’s when Mr. Lin broke in.”

The four servants each had their own testimonies. Except for the last one, which had a loophole, they all had witnesses and cried out of genuine grievance.

They were also unlucky. They were supposed to have an easy time working in the backyard, but who knew that day there would be the unfortunate incident of a man breaking into the young lady’s boudoir, which got them all punished with a beating.

If it were not for Master Wei’s concern for his reputation of ‘benevolence and virtue,’ they might have been sold off.

Especially the last one who said she heard a cat meowing and went to chase it away, she was almost crying her heart out. While others had legitimate reasons for leaving, she left without permission, making her punishment the most severe.

This maid, Xiaoxing’er, was quite a pretty girl, her eyes red from crying.

“Sir, it really has nothing to do with me. I really did hear a cat meowing and went to chase it away. Miss really hates cats. If she found out there was a cat in the house and it got to her window, she would be very angry. I was afraid the cat would wake her up and I would be punished, so I hurried to chase it away. Sob…”

“You say you left because you heard a cat, but do you have any evidence? How can I believe you without proof? You better come clean. Did you all intentionally leave to let the man in?”

County Magistrate Wang questioned sternly, his brow furrowed.

“I, I have no evidence, but it really has nothing to do with me, sir, sob…”

Xiaoxing’er cried, feeling wronged and helpless.

In her situation, how could she possibly have evidence? Should she bring in the wild cat from before to testify? That was ridiculous.

Although the other three had evidence to prove they were called away, they could not escape suspicion. How come they were all called away so conveniently? It was hard to believe there was no foul play.

Even Wei Hongjue did not believe it himself.

He was so angry at first that he did not think carefully and blamed Lin Ze. Now, after the county magistrate’s questioning, there are indeed many doubts.