Seeing Mu Wanjun, whom she had intimidated, retreat and fall silent, Wanqing’s attitude toward her improved slightly. It seemed this person wasn’t completely rotten to the core—at least she still had some conscience. Even if she was truly involved, the guilt in her eyes and her reaction showed a barely acceptable attitude of remorse.
“Eldest Sister, what do you think of Lüxia’s words?”
Seeing that she remained silent with her head lowered, Wanqing chuckled lightly and turned to Mu Wanxia.
“Mu Wanqing, don’t get too smug. Do you really think a few words from you can drag both Jun’er and me into this? Let me tell you—dream on. If she’s making such claims, where’s the evidence? Without proof, it’s slander against me, a crime of falsely accusing and framing one’s master—punishable by death!”
Mu Wanxia hadn’t expected Lüxia to turn around and bite her instead. Considering how much she had favored her in the past, Lüxia’s betrayal only fueled her fury. Since Lüxia wanted to sell her out, she should be prepared to face the consequences.
Facing Wanqing’s question, she smiled faintly, her expression cold and arrogant as she glanced at Lüxia kneeling before them, her tone icy with warning.
“Miss, I’ve always remembered your kindness in protecting me. But now, I no longer care. This matter is already tied to me, and I don’t want to hide it anymore. I have evidence—the poison bottle she gave me to use on Lanju is now in Miss Honglian’s possession. Master, every word I’ve said is true. If I’ve lied even once, may I be reborn as livestock to be slaughtered after death.”
Lüxia had thought that by doing this, Mu Wanxia might still harbor some shred of loyalty toward her. But she hadn’t expected her to be so determined to see her dead. She remembered how Mu Wanxia and her mother had bought her from a slave trader when she was young, how much they had favored her.
She had been grateful, but now, faced with Mu Wanxia’s ruthless cruelty, Lüxia raised her tear-filled eyes, her gaze filled with sorrow and resentment. Seeing Mu Wanxia turn away in disdain, refusing to even look at her, she turned instead to Mu Zhenfeng, raising her hand in a vow, her voice trembling with despair.
“You—such venom! Father, why are you still listening to her nonsense? A lowly servant like her should be beaten to death on the spot. Keeping her alive only adds to our troubles and confusion!”
Lüxia’s defiance only enraged Mu Wanxia further, her fair face paling with fury. She even regretted sending her in the first place—now she had another person conspiring against her. But she forgot: had she not betrayed Lüxia first, Lüxia would never have turned against her and revealed the truth.
Her eyes blazing with anger, she glared at Lüxia before turning to Mu Zhenfeng with a venomous suggestion.
“Qing’er, is the poison bottle with your maid?”
Mu Zhenfeng observed his eldest daughter, her usual grace and gentleness replaced by a ruthless, domineering demeanor—even toward her own maid. Though he reminded himself that she was still his daughter, the unfamiliar hostility in her eyes left him with an inexplicable sense of loss.
After a brief glance at her, he remained silent and instead turned to Wanqing.
“Father, this is the bottle.”
Wanqing noticed the disappointment in Mu Zhenfeng’s gaze as he looked at Mu Wanxia, her arrogant and cold demeanor making her inwardly sigh—*those who court death will find it.*
When Mu Zhenfeng spoke, she motioned for Honglian to step forward. The maid hesitated before pulling a small bottle from her sleeve, wrapping it in a silk handkerchief, and presenting it to Mu Zhenfeng.
“Lüxia, are you saying this is the bottle I gave you? You’d better have proof—otherwise, think carefully about the consequences.”
Though Mu Wanxia was seething inside, she maintained a calm facade, her voice icy as she warned Lüxia.
“Master, this is indeed the bottle Miss gave me. As for evidence… Master, Second Miss, every word I’ve said is true. You know I was taken in by Madam and Eldest Miss since childhood. If not forced by circumstances, why would I ever frame her?”
Lüxia, seeing the murderous intent in Mu Wanxia’s eyes, realized that even if she told the truth, Mu Wanxia would likely twist things to her advantage. With death looming either way, she chose to speak honestly, tears streaming down her face as she addressed Mu Zhenfeng and Wanqing.
“Logically, that makes sense. But as for who handled this bottle, I have a way to prove it. Honglian took it from Lüxia, and I received it wrapped in silk. So, Eldest Sister, Honglian, and Lüxia—none of them can escape suspicion.”
Seeing Mu Wanxia remain silent and Mu Zhenfeng’s conflicted expression—disbelief mixed with reluctant hope—Wanqing smiled faintly and listed those who had handled the bottle.
Honglian stood among them, still unclear about the full story but beginning to grasp the situation. When Wanqing implicated her as well, she looked at her mistress in surprise.
“Don’t worry. This medicine only reacts with those who touched the bottle. Those who didn’t won’t be affected. Anyone with a guilty conscience will surely reveal themselves.”
Noticing Honglian’s puzzled gaze, Wanqing reassured her with a smile before pulling out another small vial. She first applied the liquid to Honglian’s hand, then to Lüxia’s, before approaching Mu Wanxia.
“Qing’er, what are you doing? What could a few drops of medicine possibly prove?”
Mu Wanxia feigned surprise but inwardly sneered—*let’s see whose poison skills are stronger.*
“Eldest Sister, you don’t understand. After I apply this to the bottle, the hands of those who touched it will change color. Unless… you’re afraid to prove you never touched it?”
Wanqing explained calmly, holding up the bottle with a pointed question.
“Why wouldn’t I dare? If I didn’t touch it, I didn’t touch it.” Mu Wanxia smirked confidently, extending her hand for Wanqing to apply the liquid.
“Everyone, watch closely. I’ve also treated the bottle—don’t worry, it won’t harm anyone. This is just a test. Once we’re done, the truth will be clear.”
After applying the solution to Mu Wanxia’s hand, Wanqing coated the bottle as well before stepping back.
Honglian hesitated, then picked up the bottle. As she set it down, her palm turned an unnatural red. The same happened to Lüxia. When it was Mu Wanxia’s turn, she picked up the bottle nonchalantly—yet her hand remained unchanged.
“See? I never touched the bottle. Father, this wretched girl is clearly framing me! I—my hand—my hand! What’s happening? Mu Wanqing, what did you do to me? My hand—ahh!”
Mu Wanxia triumphantly raised her unmarked hand for all to see, her confidence soaring as she noticed Mu Zhenfeng and her sister visibly relax. But then, her expression twisted in horror—her hand suddenly swelled, turning red, then purplish-blue, the fingers grotesquely fused together like a bloated pig’s trotter.
Clutching her discolored wrist with her good hand, her face drained of color, she glared at Wanqing with venomous hatred.
*To be continued…*
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