The lamps within the courtyard were bright. As soon as they entered, the girl loosened her grip on Cui Yun’s clothing hem and tossed it aside once she was done.
Cui Yun cast his eyes down, silently observing her actions.
An old woman was waiting outside the room, who hurriedly and respectfully parted the door curtains when the two arrived.
Cui Yun stooped slightly as he entered, with Shen Hua trailing behind him languorously.
As soon as they were inside, they heard the servile pleas of ng Zhi, who was relentlessly playing the victim and claiming injustice, accompanied by Dowager ng’s angry scoldings.
Looking at the mother and daughter of the Xuan Family, they were sitting in the high seats, quietly sipping tea, letting Dowager ng carry on her tirade.
They had done their utmost and could really do no more to persuade her. They could only wait for Cui Yun to arrive.
Hearing footsteps inside the room, Dowager ng turned around, her anger written on her face.
In the past, out of respect for Dowager Xuan, Cui Yun showed respect to this Grand Aunt, regardless of whether it was genuine or not; at the very least, he did not neglect the proper formalities.
Over nurous occasions, even Dowager ng could not help but take offense.
Over these years, her visits to the Xuan Residence had only increased, never decreased.
Consequently, seeing Cui Yun now, she was quite aggressive.
"What is the aning of this, Marquis?"
"On such a joyous day, you bring sha upon the offspring of the ng Family?"
"Historically, I have not treated you poorly!"
"Oh! So now you are taking advantage of us, thinking we have no influence or power? How long do you intend to make him kneel? Without a proper explanation today, I will let everyone in Shengjing see tomorrow how the Minister of Ministry of Justice disregards kinship and abuses his power!"
Shen Hua: ...
She looked at Dowager Xuan and then at Dowager ng, who was raising her voice shrilly. Why was there such a stark contrast between them?
And those who would dare accuse Cui Yun were few in this world.
Cui Yun’s expression was cold.
Ignoring Dowager ng, he stepped forward to greet Dowager Xuan and Cui Xuan.
"Grandmother, Mama."
Cui Xuan looked weary.
"What on earth happened that calls for such upheaval? This is my aunt, your grand aunt, you still owe an explanation."
Cui Yun stood tall and straight.
He deftly led Shen Hua, who was staring blankly at Dowager ng making a scene, to the right. Under the clueless girl’s gaze, he grasped her shoulder and guided her to a chair.
Shen Hua was indeed tired.
She had just taken the opportunity to massage her legs when no one was paying attention.
For this reason, the delicate girl gave Cui Yun a sweet smile.
The girl’s eyes sparkled brilliantly, as if they were touched by the Milky Way.
Her tiny face was resplendent with beauty; when she pretended to be cute, it was always with a sense of fragile loveliness.
Cui Yun averted his gaze as if his previous action was rely a casual gesture.
The man stood with his hands behind his back, a picture of dignity and aristocracy.
"Not poorly?"
"Over these years, how many sses have I, Xuan Chen, cleaned up for him? Grand Aunt, do you want to recount each and every one of them to you?"
"The entire ng Family has been under the protection of Duke Wen’s Mansion and the Xuan Family; isn’t that enough?"
"In March the year before last, ng Zhi was imprisoned. Grand Aunt ca begging to our house, asking to use the convenience of my position to release him. Preposterous and laughable."
The law is the law; if there’s a mistake, punishnt is due! Naturally, he refused.
"When I didn’t accommodate, you then sought my uncle and cousin."
After being refused three tis in a row, Dowager ng was quite sarcastic at the ti, acting as if everyone else had committed a heinous cri.
Compared to Dowager ng, the man’s voice was not loud, but clear enough for everyone in the room to hear attentively.
"In August of the sa year, just a few days after his release from prison, he lost money in the gambling house again. He not only caused trouble but was also constantly engrossed in the company of won."
Cui Yun was never soone to be manipulated. What belonged to him or his people must never be coveted or tainted by others.
Not a single bit is acceptable.
Just now, ng Zhi was shouting out for help, claiming injustice, but now he slinks about with evasiveness; despite Cui Yun having done nothing, an inexplicable pressure bore down on him, forcing cold sweat from his body. He dare not utter another word.
Before Cui Yun arrived, he still harbored a hope for luck. But now...
Cui Yun’s dark eyes were deep: "Speak for yourself what you have done!"
ng Zhi swallowed hard.
Dowager ng was displeased: "You think you’re interrogating a criminal!"
Cui Yun’s tone remained flat.
"I have interrogated countless criminals. I’ve dealt with baleful spirits who are hard-mouthed, and I’ve seen dead whose bodies were mutilated and entrails removed. The Ministry of Justice is ruthless in handling cases. To interrogate him? I dare, but does he dare?"
"Given the respect due to my Grandma on the maternal side, I believe I’ve afforded him enough face."
These few statents made Dowager ng’s chest heave intensely.
She turned her head!
"Zhi, speak! Everything is up to Grandma here!"
"Grand Aunt might not be able to take charge of this matter."
Cui Yun called out ’Grand Aunt,’ but with an unmistakable chill. Not a hint of respect could be detected.
ng Zhi was in a great panic.
"I... I only took a maid, nothing more."
He defended himself: "This... is not a grave sin."
Yet until this mont, he still did not recognize his fault.
Dowager ng: "I thought it was sothing else, just a maid, no need to fuss. Later, sister can reward the girl to Zhi, and all will be well. Why make such a big deal?"
Cui Yun, addressing the two elders in the main hall with an indifferent tone, added: "Just fifteen minutes ago, at the shrubbery across a courtyard pavilion from the bridal chamber, the one who stumbled upon this incident was Xie Xun from Duke Fu’s Mansion."
He did not ntion Shen Hua and Yan Mi, out of consideration for the girls’ modesty.
Dowager Xuan understood everything, her brows furrowed deeply with wrinkles. She put down her teacup forcefully.
"Today is a joyous occasion for our mansion. ng Zhi, your indecent deeds bring disgrace upon the Xuan Residence. How dare you!"
"The house has been preparing for this wedding banquet for months, fearing any mishap. And you have the audacity to claim it is no big deal!"
"Should a scandal arise, what can your re ng Family offer as compensation, losing the face of both Yongchang Marquis Mansion and Duke Wen’s Mansion!"
Dowager ng was montarily stunned, then watching ng Zhi’s equivocating response, she still decided to save her grandson amid her guilt.
"If Heir Xie has seen it, why can’t the Marquis step in and keep him from spreading the matter?"
"Nothing has gone wrong as of yet."
"Family should not air each other’s dirty laundry. What are we doing here!"
"Alright, Zhi, just admit your mistake, as I see it, this issue will pass, and let’s not bring it up again in the future."
ng Zhi breathed a sigh of shaky relief.
Before he could speak up,
He heard Cui Yun say, "No way."
Cui Yun turned and commanded, "Bring her in."
Following his order, Yingwu soon brought in the maid, cloaked in her outer garnts.
The maid’s clothing was torn in several places, revealing skin marked by passionate encounters. Her hair was a ss, and her lipstick sared.
This was a maid from the Xuan Family.
"Madam, please spare my life."
The terrified maid knocked her head on the ground as if it did not hurt, soon bruising herself and bleeding.
"I was bewitched."
She was not stupid. She pointed at ng Zhi and said, "At first, it was he who forced . After losing my purity, he promised many benefits."
"Mr. ng said that, after the wedding banquet is over, he would ask Dowager ng to obtain my contract for to go to the ng Family as a concubine."
"He also vowed that he would win over Miss Shen along for himself."
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