After Rebirth, the Green Tea Illegitimate Daughter Became a Master of Schemes

Chapter 128 - Breaking the Deadlock

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This statement clearly pointed out that her actions were inappropriate and that she had ulterior motives for stealing something.

A thoughtful glint crossed the eyes of the Duchess. Chen Shi's expression darkened as she noticed the duchess seemed to be moved; she couldn't help but bite her lip and argue, "That's because I saw the duchess seemed unwell recently... as if someone had used witchcraft on her, which is why I suspected!"

Yuluan quickly interjected, not giving her a moment to think. "May I ask, Second Sister-in-law, have you had someone thoroughly check the duchess's personal items, like her teacups, bowls, incense pillows...?"

Chen Shi's eyes flickered; she didn't genuinely want to relieve the Duchess's concerns—she was merely using this excuse to pin down Yuluan.

"I haven't had the chance to check thoroughly yet..."

"How ridiculous!" Yuluan interrupted her weak response decisively, a bright smile appearing on her face. "You find out the duchess is unwell, yet instead of checking her personal belongings first, you rush to search my quarters?"

"Are you truly foolish, or did you plan all along to pour this dirty water onto my head?"

Under her barrage of questions, Chen Shi tightened her grip on the handkerchief, gritting her teeth. "Ruan Shi, you should look at your own background and stop causing a scene here!"

Yuluan picked up a cup and slowly took a sip, causing the atmosphere in the main hall to momentarily freeze.

"I heard the Second Sister-in-law is from the Chen family of Yingchuan?" Yu Luan asked with a slow smile.

"Indeed," Chen straightened her back and cast a disdainful glance at her, speaking arrogantly. "Our Chen family is a prestigious clan with a history of hundreds of years, not something your Ruan family can compare to..."

Yuluan raised her eyes, fixing her gaze on Chen Shi and saying deliberately, "So it seems, Second Sister-in-law is quite exceptional! The rules of the Yingchuan Chen family must be quite different from ours. Is it common to enter someone's home and search without the owner's permission? I wonder if this is a custom unique to Yingchuan?"

As she spoke, she noticed Chen Shi's face darken and couldn't help but give a cold laugh, clarifying her point. "So it turns out... the daughters raised by the noble Chen family are no different!"

"You!" Chen Shi was left speechless, just as she was about to retort, the Duchess set down her teacup with a measured sound, her expression cold.

"Enough! Let's all speak a little less. Isn't it embarrassing enough to bicker among ourselves?"

Though the Duchess knew this was Chen Shi's intentional plot to frame Yuluan, without evidence, she had to consider the family's reputation. With a soft sigh, she spoke to Yuluan, "For now, you must bear with it, Luan Niang. Go to the ancestral hall to reflect on your actions. Once I've cleared this up, I will let you out."

A smug look crossed Chen Shi's eyes. The young girl stood up gracefully, bowing her head and responding to the duchess.

"Yes."

The ancestral hall was located in the northeast corner of the mansion, surrounded by tall pine trees, their shadows thick and branches swaying gently in the wind.

Yuluan sat by the window on the kang in the hall, while Qiu Xiu and Dongchun opened the food box they had brought and handed her chopsticks. Unable to contain herself, Dongchun bit her lip and whispered, "Why must Miss endure such humiliation? Let a servant run to the city and inform the Young Master to come back and support you!"

Yuluan leisurely bit into a cucumber slice and smiled faintly, "You're thinking too simply... He might be able to help me, but if the matter isn't clear, what will my mother-in-law think of me?"

As her words fell, they suddenly heard footsteps; Qing Wu entered from outside. She steadied herself, taking a few steps forward and kneeling to report softly.

"I found out that Second Madam added an ingredient to the Duchess's spices, which caused her insomnia."

Yuluan responded calmly, "Go inform the duchess; she surely knows what to do."

"Yes."