Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 555 - 214 Jicheng (Part 1)_2

Ma Chengteng received a message sent by Zhuang Ruolan and stormed out of Yamen, leaving his colleagues stunned and uncertain about what major incident had occurred.

Doctor Zhang arrived quite quickly. He was not familiar with Lady Mo or Lian Dongfang and had been summoned by Zhuang Ruolan, so he acted without reservation.

After examining Yueyao’s pulse, Doctor Zhang also questioned Xi Yu and Xiang Wei. He then told Zhuang Ruolan, "The young lady has been poisoned. Fortunately, the method they used was appropriate and there is no danger to her life. However, some poison remains in her body. I will prescribe three doses of medicine first, and then she must be nourished properly." Doctor Zhang had seen many schemes employed by the concubines in the palace, and was also familiar with the tricks of the back house. It was, however, the first time he had seen someone so blatantly target a child.

Zhuang Ruolan was very worried about potential lingering effects.

Doctor Zhang shook his head and said, "Don’t worry. Normally, people would suffer lingering effects, but Third Young Lady’s body is exceptionally well-maintained, with a robust foundation. Once the poison in her stomach is cleared and she is properly nourished for some time, she will recover completely without any residual effects."

The poison administered by Xiang Wei was carefully calculated to only cause Yueyao trouble for a few days without resulting in any lingering effects.

Zhuang Ruolan was still very anxious: "Doctor Zhang, then why hasn’t the child awakened yet?"

Doctor Zhang prescribed the medicine, instructed the attendant to fetch it, and said, "Once the medicine is prepared, we’ll administer it to her. After she has taken the medicine, I believe the young lady will wake up." In fact, Doctor Zhang had already determined from taking her pulse that Yueyao’s condition was not severe, and although he did not know why she had not yet awakened, he was sure it was unrelated to the poisoning.

Meanwhile, Lian Dongfang, who was conducting interrogations outside, was so furious his veins bulged. He had thought that by detaining the kitchen maid’s family, he could force her into compliance, but unfortunately, she had stubbornly insisted that Lady Mo was the mastermind behind the scenes.

At that moment, Lian Chun whispered to Lian Dongfang, "Old Master, Lady Zhao’s biological daughter has already married and is not in the mansion." It turned out that the kitchen maid Lady Zhao was Liu Da’s stepmother, not his first wife. Lady Zhao had only one daughter, who was married into a peasant family after reaching marriageable age and had died in childbirth.

Lian Dongfang was about to speak when someone outside reported Ma Chengteng’s arrival. Lian Dongfang knew Ma Chengteng would not let the matter rest, but it had to be resolved, as the Lian family could not afford to lose face in the future.

Regarding Lian Dongfang’s claim that someone had framed Lady Mo, Ma Chengteng did not argue but responded with a sneer, "Fine, since you mention framing, let the Yamen investigate and see what is really going on. We’ll see who has been framing your wife." Ma Chengteng had already concluded that Lady Mo was the orchestrator behind the scenes, and with such a treacherous woman, he could not risk leaving Yueyao in Lian Mansion any longer.

Lian Dongfang naturally did not dare let the Yamen investigate, as it would bring shame upon the family regardless of who the real culprit was. He reluctantly said, "Ma Chengteng, rest assured, I will provide you with a satisfactory explanation."

Ma Chengteng sneered, "Since you’re talking about a thorough investigation, then make sure it’s done properly. Just don’t end up using a Maternal Auntie as a scapegoat like last time."

Hearing that her husband had not arrived, Zhuang Ruolan asked, "Why hasn’t Eldest Young Master come?" It was impossible for her husband to be absent at such a crucial time.

The young servant who had gone to pass the message said, "Eldest Young Madam, Eldest Young Master is not at Hanlin Academy. According to the people there, Eldest Young Master had to leave for some urgent matter. Servants have already been sent to look for him." freeωebnovēl.c૦m

Zhuang Ruolan did not ask further; it did not matter that her husband had not come, what was important was that her father-in-law had. They would definitely not let this matter rest.

The Kitchen Maid was tortured to her last breath but still she insisted the instigator behind the scenes was Lady Mo. Left with no choice, Ma Chengteng arrested everyone who had contact with the Kitchen Maid and tortured them. After half a day, the accusations pointed directly at Maternal Aunt Bu’s personal maidservant.

Lian Dongfang immediately ordered his people to arrest this maid. Not everyone could endure torture like the Kitchen Maid, and this maidservant confessed quickly.

Lian Dongfang could not understand why Maternal Aunt Bu would want to harm Yueyao and tried to frame Lady Mo, "Go fetch Maternal Aunt Bu for me."

When Maternal Aunt Bu met Lian Dongfang, she greeted him respectfully. Her demeanor was so calm that it was frightening, as if she had no idea what had transpired.

Lian Dongfang looked at Maternal Aunt Bu’s expression and let out a deep sigh, "Tell me, why did you want to poison Yueyao to death?" Lian Dongfang needed to clear Lady Mo’s suspicion. If Lady Mo’s reputation was ruined, it would affect the future of his two sons. Without much consideration, he decided to sacrifice Maternal Aunt Bu to preserve Lady Mo.

Maternal Aunt Bu’s expression remained disturbingly calm, "I do not know why Old Master would suspect me as the mastermind. Old Master, I have never even exchanged words with the Third Young Lady, let alone bear her any grudge. Why would I harm her without any reason or grievance?" Indeed, she lacked any motive whatsoever.

With a gesture from Lian Dongfang, a house servant brought forward one of Maternal Aunt Bu’s personal maids. Lian Dongfang said coldly, "She has already confessed. The poison was given to the Kitchen Maid by you. Now that the evidence is conclusive, you still dare to argue. Tell me, why did you poison Yueyao?"

Maternal Aunt Bu looked at the maid covered in blood and smiled faintly, "The last time it was rumored in the mansion that the Third Young Lady was a Jinx, it ended up being Maternal Aunt Chen who took the blame. Now, with the Third Young Lady poisoned, it seems my turn has come to take the blame."

Lian Dongfang said through gritted teeth, "The evidence is right before you, yet you still dare to argue."

Maternal Aunt Bu showed a sorrowful smile, "Old Master, you call me the murderer, not to mention that I have no quarrels with the Third Young Lady. What advantage would it bring me if she were dead? Would the money and jewelry turn to mine?" Maternal Aunt Bu was almost accusing Lady Mo of plotting for wealth and blaming her in the end.

Lian Dongfang’s complexion turned a dark shade as he was about to speak, but Maternal Aunt Bu said, "Forget it, blame my bad luck. Whatever they say goes, I’ll sign and seal it as is."

If Maternal Aunt Bu had cried out that she was wronged, Lian Dongfang would have continued the torture, but faced with her attitude, Lian Dongfang was instead silenced. Lian Dongfang was no fool, he was well aware of what Maternal Aunt Bu implied. Yet, when weighing his sons’ future against a servant, his choice was clear without a second thought.

Maternal Aunt Bu had already anticipated her own fate and did not beg for mercy; instead, she said, "Old Master, after I pay for the Third Young Lady’s life, I hope you can burn more joss papers on my grave. I only wish for a better rebirth in my next life."

Lian Dongfang heavily replied, "Very well."

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