The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 108 - Harshness

Song Chengru stood in the main hall with his hands behind his back, listening intently to what Cui Yingshu had to say. After nodding in acknowledgment, he asked, "Since you've found Lianyi and the midwife, could you bring them in so I can question them?"

It wasn't that he didn't trust Cui Yingshu. On the contrary, he had complete faith in Cui Yingshu's character and abilities. However, he knew all too well what kind of person Li Rusu was. Without solid evidence, the Li family would absolutely refuse to admit anything.

And if it came down to choosing between the Li family and the Cui family, he would unhesitatingly choose the Cui family.

Just then, someone reported that the Li family had already arrived. Cui Yingshu glanced at Old Master Song and smiled, "Since everyone's here, we should clarify everything. Old Master, why not have them all come in and see these witnesses together?"

Old Master Song understood Cui Yingshu's intention and had no objections.

If it was indeed Li Shi who was responsible for what happened to Cui Tingting, the Li family owed them an explanation. To think that in their scheme to place someone in the Song family, they would dare to bribe a midwife and cause the death of Song's daughter-in-law—what were they truly plotting? And if they dared to harm Cui Shi, who's to say they wouldn't target other members of the Song family in the future?

Old Master Song nodded and instructed someone to inform Old Lady Song.

Old Lady Li hadn't expected her daughter to fall into disgrace so quickly, and seeing her in such a miserable state, she immediately rushed over to her. Holding her daughter in her arms, she coldly sneered at Old Lady Song. "How is it that this baseless accusation, without any proper investigation, has already led to a guilty verdict?! There's been no formal trial, yet my daughter is being treated like a criminal and tormented into such a state! Dear in-law, the Cui family may be your in-laws, but isn't the Li family as well? Such favoritism is unreasonable, isn't it?"

By now, Li Shi had already collapsed into her mother's arms, sobbing so hard she could barely catch her breath. Clutching onto Old Lady Song's sleeve, she cried pitifully, "Father, Mother, save me! I'm being wronged to death..."

Old Master Li also turned to look at Old Master Song, his expression serious as he asked, "In-law, how can you claim my daughter hired an assassin to kill someone out of nowhere? She's just a woman confined to her chambers, rarely stepping out of the inner courtyard—how could she have the ability to do such a thing? If there's something to discuss, let's discuss it properly. But locking someone up and beating them, that's not the way a respectable family handles things, is it?"

Old Lady Song watched Li Shi's performance coldly, wanting to sneer. The Cui family had concrete evidence and witnesses in hand, yet the Li family still acted so arrogantly. Were they truly innocent, or just accustomed to playing the victim?

Throughout the entire exchange, none of the Li family seemed to even notice Cui Yingshu and his wife, not even offering a greeting.

First Lady Cui couldn't help but think how unsurprising it was that Li Shi had developed such a cruel heart. With parents who couldn't distinguish right from wrong, it was no wonder she had turned out like this.

She clapped her hands, and immediately, someone dragged in an older woman, about fifty years old.

As soon as the Li family's eldest daughter-in-law saw the woman, she frowned and instinctively glanced at her mother-in-law.

Old Lady Li was even more shocked, her eyes widening in terror as if she had seen a ghost. Holding her daughter, she lost her balance and fell to the floor.

Weren't they only pursuing the matter of the hired assassin? How had this woman been captured as well?!

Li Shi sensed something was off with her mother and peeked outside. Upon seeing Midwife Zheng, she panicked and instinctively tried to hide, wishing she could disappear into Old Lady Li's embrace.

It was then she remembered she hadn't told her mother that the Cui family had come to investigate the death of Cui Tingting. She hurriedly tugged at Old Lady Li's sleeve, whispering, "Mother, they—they are here because of the Cui family..."

Her voice trembled as she spoke.

Old Lady Li immediately shifted her gaze to First Lady Cui and Cui Yingshu. With a venomous glare, she stared at them for a moment before sweeping her sleeves and turning to Old Lady Song, nearly barking her question. "This is truly strange! When Cui Shi died, my daughter Jing Shu hadn't even entered the door. How can you say that our daughter harmed Cui Shi?! Can anyone just spout nonsense? If this gets out, how can my daughter live with herself? How will my granddaughter stand in this world? How will she get along with her sisters?! I know the Cui family has always held a grudge against my daughter marrying into the Song family, but I never expected you to be so vicious, to frame her and sully her name with such despicable methods!"

Though she was looking at Old Lady Song, every word was a clear accusation against the Cui family for deliberately trying to frame Li Shi.

Song Chuyi silently smirked behind First Lady Cui. Old Lady Li's sharp tongue was as formidable as ever; she could twist black into white and white into black. In just a few sentences, she had positioned the Cui family as the instigators.

Unfortunately, while her words were harsh, First Lady Cui was not easily intimidated. She immediately stood up, pointing fiercely at the midwife. "Someone claims we bribed you to frame someone. You tell us—who exactly bribed you to harm others?!"

Midwife Zheng was already in a state of panic, and upon hearing this, she immediately pointed at the old maid next to Old Lady Li. "It's her! She gave me fifty taels of silver and told me to do something while assisting the lady during childbirth..."

Old Lady Li let out a cold laugh, looking at First Lady Cui without a hint of fear, exuding an imposing aura. "It's been so long since this incident happened, and with no witnesses to testify, of course, you can say whatever you want."

This Old Lady Li was known for her sharp tongue and cruel words, always unyielding. First Lady Cui was infuriated by her shameless remarks and quickly retorted, "Say whatever we want?! We haven't said a word! Everything you've heard has come from you!"

Old Lady Li's husband, Old Master Li, cleared his throat, avoiding looking at Cui Yingshu or Old Lady Song. He turned to Old Lady Song and said, "It's just a midwife. How can her words be trusted? Are you really basing your accusations on this person, declaring that my daughter committed such a heinous act?!"

Song Chuyi waved to Nanny Xu, who was standing outside. Nanny Xu brought in Lianyi, Ye Jingchuan, and the head of the village, Li Gui, who had been captured from the Li family's estate.

Although Old Master Li didn't recognize the others, he knew Li Gui well and immediately cast a suspicious glance at his wife and daughter.

"You can say the midwife was bribed by us," Song Chuyi calmly pointed out each person to Old Lady Li, her voice steady and devoid of any emotion. "But what about Li Gui? He's been with your family for over twenty years. Can he also be bribed by us?"

Old Lady Li brushed her hand aside, helping Li Shi to stand up, and harshly scolded, "Adults are talking here; where do children get the right to interrupt?! Your mother has treated you well all these years. How can you collude with others to slander her?!"