Help! The Frosty Noble's Son Is in Love With Me!-Chapter 290: Killing Three Birds with One Stone
Facing such doubts, Pei Ji’an looked at the old lady solemnly and said, "The Pei Family Army’s exercises are about to begin, and the court might not be able to supply resources in time. Our main household has always supported the Pei Family Army with private resources, and grandmother, you’re well aware of this. Now, I’m often busy with the tasks given by the emperor and unable to manage private affairs, so I asked Fulan to help. Grandmother, you’ve witnessed her capabilities. I can handle family matters, but the external enterprises require Fulan’s assistance. Hence, her absence today is at my request. Since urgent resources are needed at the border, delivering them quickly will allow the exercises to start sooner, preventing potential issues."
Compared to family matters, military affairs are undoubtedly more significant.
No one dared to voice any objection upon hearing this.
Pei Ji’an then added.
"Originally, these matters shouldn’t be discussed here, but I fear she might be unappreciated if I don’t clarify. Grandmother, you know my character: I always separate public and private affairs, and I wouldn’t let anyone’s efforts go unrecognized, be it my wife or my subordinates."
Pei Lan’s face became grim and unpleasant.
Even Mrs. Ning appeared uncomfortable. If the niece-in-law’s outing was planned by the nephew for materials, wasn’t her earlier talk of women’s virtues excessive?
No wonder the niece-in-law had an awkward expression at that time, looking as if she had something to say but couldn’t. It must have been a task assigned by the nephew that she couldn’t speak of casually.
Mrs. Ning could reflect promptly, but some people might not. Instead, they might blame Qu Fulan for not saying it earlier, intentionally causing misunderstanding.
At least, that’s what Ning Xin thought.
The old lady, hearing her grandson’s words, also reflected promptly, "So that’s how it is. You should have said earlier, almost caused me to misunderstand."
What followed was the interrogation of the servants.
Apart from uncovering matters about gambling, other wrongful acts against the Pei Mansion were also confessed.
"Besides participating in gambling and stealing from the masters, I also got involved in something else..."
"I too got involved in something similar. They said spreading those rumors would earn rewards. I lost terribly and, for the sake of the reward, I spoke..."
"I, like them, did it just for the money..."
It’s often said that if one ends up in the Ministry of Justice, hardly anyone can withstand the torture, so who wouldn’t confess if confession leads to leniency?
The household servants were no different. At this point, to seek a lighter punishment, they were eager to confess everything they had done.
The princely heir said confession leads to leniency. The princely heir always delivers on his words, so no one held back any information.
"Who paid you, who instructed you to spread rumors about the Young Lady?" The old lady was furious upon hearing this, striking her cane hard on the ground. Today really opened my eyes; one major incident followed another without end. When did the Pei Mansion become so chaotic?"
Pei Lan was chilled by the sound of the cane striking, glaring fiercely at those kneeling. If looks could kill, those before her would have been torn to pieces.
Yao Xing wasn’t faring any better, instinctively clenching her fingers, wishing she could bolt out the door. If she were publicly pointed out, how could she keep her face?
But with the guards standing brightly at the door, and so many watching with the three grand uncles observing intently, who would dare act rashly at this moment?
Even Ning Xin felt tense, but she hadn’t deliberately spread any rumors. She only spoke the truth.
"It was the Third Miss and Third Young Madam who instructed us to spread the rumors everywhere."
The servants spoke in unison.
Pei Lan immediately stepped up to defend herself, "Slander! When did I instruct you to do anything? Do you have evidence?"
Yao Xing also proclaimed her innocence.
The old lady’s gaze was cold as it landed on these people, "Empty words without proof, is there evidence?"
However, the servants were prepared. "We dare not lie. The personal maids of the Third Miss and Third Young Madam know everything. Please bring them here to question, and everything will be revealed."
Someone had instructed them on what to say, and others would naturally cooperate if they followed instructions.
Some people plan one step at a time, but others plan ten or a hundred steps ahead.
The Heir Pei wouldn’t allow any mistakes in dealing with his target, would he?
Sure enough, when the personal maids of both were brought in for questioning, after only a few strikes with the board, they confessed everything about their masters.
"It was the Third Miss who instructed this servant. The Third Miss dislikes the Young Lady, saying she’s of humble origin and unworthy of being the Young Madam of Pei Mansion, so she targets her in every matter..."
Yao Xing’s personal maid echoed similar sentiments, thoroughly betraying her master.
Compared to death, what does it matter to betray a master? Besides, telling the truth isn’t betrayal, is it?
The faces of the Third Miss and Yao Xing looked increasingly grim.
The Third Miss couldn’t help herself and stepped forward to slap the maid hard. Ungrateful wretch!
Yao Xing, though she wanted to do the same, didn’t have the courage. If the Yao Family hadn’t fallen, she’d still have the confidence, but not anymore.
Seeing her third granddaughter like that, the old lady was furious, "Look at how you raised such a daughter, so arrogant even before me. What insolence!"
Third Lord immediately stood up, walked over, and slapped his daughter in front of everyone, "Unruly wretch, behaving like this before the old lady! Have you gone mad?" 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢
If this spread, others would say he had an ill-mannered daughter who didn’t respect elders, ruining his reputation and character. How would his colleagues view him?
After hitting, Third Lord quickly bowed and apologized to the old lady, his sincerity beyond reproach. Ultimately, honoring the grandmother was the only way to turn the situation around.
As for the Third Miss, she fell to the ground from the slap, her cheek instantly swelling.
The Third Madam was heartbroken as she helped her daughter, but all the words on her mind were swallowed back down.
"You blamed the granddaughter-in-law for appearing in public without discernment. Tell me, what about your married daughter who visits her natal family every day? Why don’t you speak about yourself?" When the old lady got angry, others could only listen.
Pei Lan, covering her face, having been slapped and scolded publicly, had lost all face and was past caring, "The rumors didn’t start with me; they originated from Master Lu. I merely spread the word and made it a big deal."
Tsk tsk, the turn of events caught Pei Ji’an by surprise.
Initially, everything done today was to solve incidental issues, only Master Lu was Heir Pei’s real target. Pei Ji’an had merely executed a "feint" to confuse everyone.
In his plan, those caught drinking and gambling were to expose Master Lu eventually.
Unexpectedly, it was this third sister who revealed the backstabber.
A surprising twist among surprises.
