The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 110 - Unyielding

Second Madam Wang was indeed capable, but could she really tear her face completely with the First Household just to protect a maid? She didn't know.

Feeling guilty, it became difficult for her to formulate a coherent response. Madam Dong was precisely aiming for this hesitance and immediately continued her tirade.

"Why aren't you speaking? Are you afraid?"

"I... I'm not afraid! I just didn't think about how to phrase it!"

Shuyun looked up at Second Madam Wang and noticed her pale face. Swallowing hard, she forced herself to concoct a response.

"Since Second Young Master went to the National Academy, the study has been cleaned by dedicated staff. Today, it was my turn, so I filled the water and was about to tidy up when I saw someone sneaking by. I chased after them and found they were headed to Yuxin Pavillion."

As she fabricated her story, she pondered how to weave it together.

"When I returned and checked the items in the study, I found that Second Young Master's set of unopened brushes was missing, so I reported it to Second Madam. That's why we came to Yuxin Pavillion to search, and then we saw Third Young Master using that brush. Isn't that a coincidence?"

Her shaky explanation was riddled with holes, and Madam Dong, who also managed Yunjing Pavilion, could easily discern the flaws in her words. She shook her head and mocked Shuyun.

"To call you stupid is an understatement; you truly are dim-witted."

At this, everyone from the West Wing was taken aback, especially Shuyun, who became anxious.

"Madam... Madam hasn't liked our West Wing for quite some time, but I didn't speak any falsehood. Why does Madam call me stupid?"

Second Madam Wang chimed in.

"Exactly! Sister-in-law, isn't it rude to insult my maid in front of me? Are you implying something?"

"You're the strange one here, sister-in-law. Who was it that just spoke ill of my wet nurse, calling her a lowly servant? At that time, you didn't think of me as your sister-in-law, did you?"

This was the third time Second Madam Wang had been rebutted today. She was furious, her anger nearly boiling over, yet she couldn't find the words to retort!

She could only swallow her rage and steer the conversation back to the theft of the brush.

"Sister-in-law, your family comes from merchants, so it's only natural that you're eloquent. I can't compare. But one thing is clear: theft is theft! Otherwise, why would my son's brush be found in Yuxin Pavillion?"

"Hmph! I bought that brush a month ago from the Jiaxing Bookstore. At that time, I didn't have enough money with me, so I specifically had a shop assistant accompany me to fetch it."

"And so what? Just because you say so?"

Madam Dong let out a cold huff and immediately responded, "Sister-in-law, I doubt you've ever dealt with the Jiaxing Bookstore. Their accounts are meticulously kept; every transaction is recorded clearly. I reported the name of the First Household when I made the purchase, and now it would be easy to check. That's the first point!"

"Secondly, Shuyun just said that the brush in your son's room is still unopened, yet my son's brush has been used for over a month. There are clear signs of usage, and we can bring someone to verify its authenticity!"

"Thirdly, you merely saw a blurry shadow darting into Yuxin Pavillion and immediately claimed my son stole it. Such a bold accusation without any solid evidence! Are you suggesting that I should take your word for it? It's nothing more than hearsay! Do you think everyone from the West Wing is blind? A thief sneaks into such a large courtyard, and you're the only one who saw it?"

Once these three points of rebuttal were delivered, Second Madam Wang's composure faltered. Meanwhile, Shuyun, kneeling on the ground, felt her mind muddled, and her usual calmness was nowhere to be found.

In her anxious state, she blurted out, "It wasn't just me who saw it! There were others!"

When she said this, it was as if she was trying to drag others down with her. In such a situation, who would dare to speak up? Anyone who did would be waiting to face punishment alongside her. Who knew if they might even be sent to the authorities for further investigation due to the First Household's relentless pursuit?

Seeing that none of the people from the West Wing, who had followed, spoke up, Shuyun was completely frantic.

She grabbed Wang Momo and pleaded, "Momo, please help me! You saw it too, didn't you?"

Wang Momo was an old hand with years of experience; how could she be entangled by such few words? She immediately shook her head and said, "I've been serving Second Madam all along, and Second Madam was in Ronghe Hall talking to the Old Madam. How could we have seen anything? Are you out of your mind?"

With that one sentence, she completely abandoned Shuyun. In the current situation, sacrificing Shuyun might help quell this farce. Wang Momo wasn't foolish, and neither was Second Madam Wang. She intended to sound a warning to the First Household, but she didn't want to tear her face with them completely.

Now that the flaws in Shuyun's story had been exposed, to question further would only lead to self-incrimination. Wang Momo didn't want that, so she threatened, "Shuyun, didn't you see clearly and are recklessly accusing someone? Hurry up and apologize to Third young master and madam!"

"I'm wrong, I'm wrong! I didn't see it clearly just now; it wasn't Third Young Master who stole it. I made a mistake."

Just after she finished speaking, Lin Muzhi, who had been silent, seized the opportunity and wouldn't let it go. Although he was young, he understood one principle: if the charge of theft was pinned on him, he'd never be able to lift his head again in this lifetime. He'd have no chance for an official career.

He could tolerate the West Wing's usual greed for money and their harsh words, but if this viciousness was overlooked, he'd never have peace in the future. So he spoke up, "Mother, I won't accept her apology. Just as you said, let's send her to the authorities!"

"My son is right! How dare a maid accuse my son like this, and you from the West Wing are shouting for punishment? Now that the situation doesn't look good, you think you can just apologize and let it go? Dream on!"

Madam Dong realized today that if she didn't send Shuyun to the Yingtian Prefecture, there would be no peace in the future! The mask of civility had already been torn away, and she no longer cared about maintaining appearances. So she shouted, "Dong momo!"

"Old servant is here!"

"Bind this girl and take her with me to the Yingtian Prefecture to file a complaint!"

"Yes!"

Seeing how relentlessly the First Household was pursuing this, Second Madam Wang truly became frightened. Gritting her teeth, she stood up and said, "How dare you!"

"What do I have to be afraid of? The barefoot don't fear the shod! Anyway, if the master and children aren't implicated and can't find a good path, then let's all go down together!"

Madam Dong's words vented the grievances she had bottled up for many years. It was indeed the case! Her family wasn't officials in the court; what did they need with a good reputation? Ronghe Hall and the West Wing had bright futures ahead; they were the ones truly afraid of losing face.

This declaration scared Second Madam Wang!