“I…” As Wan Qing spoke, Mu Wan Yu’s expression turned flustered. She couldn’t help but glance at Mu Wan Xia and her sister before lowering her head in silence.
“Brother Shizi, do you believe her words?”
Observing Mu Wan Yu’s reaction, Wan Qing faintly curled her lips and turned to Leng Ming Ye, asking with an innocent expression.
Yet her question only earned her a brief, indifferent glance from the man, who merely tapped his slender fingers idly on the armrest of the chair beside him.
“Brother Shizi, is this how you judge Qing’er? Very well. Fourth Sister, you claim I gave you this dress. Then tell me—where did I hand it to you? Was there anyone who witnessed it?”
Leng Ming Ye’s response, though just a fleeting glance, carried a trace of doubt and suspicion in his eyes, making her sigh softly in resignation. She turned back to Mu Wan Yu and pressed further.
Her question caused Mu Wan Yu to look up in panic before lowering her head again.
“If you can’t explain the details, then your accusation is nothing more than baseless slander. Besides, everyone in the manor knows that you and I have always kept our distance. Just days ago, you even stormed into my quarters with your servants, threatening to beat me to death. Had I not outsmarted you, I might not be standing here today. Given our strained relationship, why would I willingly give you a dress? And even if I did, why would you accept it? Are you foolish or simply out of your mind?”
Watching as Xu Yiniang also lowered her head at her words, Wan Qing smiled faintly and regarded the two of them with an expression that suggested Mu Wan Yu had lost her senses.
“It *was* you who gave it to me! You poisoned me, forcing me to take the dress. Everyone knows we’ve never gotten along, and after I provoked you days ago, you beat me severely. When you entered my room, my servants were so frightened they fled. That’s when you poisoned me. I had no choice but to obey you to save my own life! Father, Mother, Yu’er—it was *her*! Everyone saw how she suddenly changed days ago—beating people, paralyzing them with a touch. How could a weak girl like me stand against her? Shizi Ye—!”
Mu Wan Yu, sensing the mockery in Wan Qing’s tone, realized her own accusations were full of holes. Desperate, she recalled the incident when she had confronted Wan Qing with her servants and began sobbing, kowtowing repeatedly to Leng Ming Ye in plea.
“Oh? So everything is Wan Wan’s fault now? Then may I ask, Fourth Miss Mu, what poison did Wan Wan use on you? And who can testify to this?”
Leng Ming Ye’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, his aura icy and detached. Unable to remain silent, Prince Ning calmly nodded and took over the questioning.
“I—my maids Xiao Chun and Xiao Hong can testify! And my mother! I’m still poisoned—it was her doing!”
Pressed by Prince Ning, Mu Wan Yu hesitated before pointing at Wan Qing, her gaze flickering toward Mu Wan Xia.
“Your own servants as witnesses? Then what if my maids Hong Yan and Chun Hong claim *you* poisoned *me*? Would anyone believe that? You accuse me of poisoning you—where’s your proof? When did I poison you? When did I coerce you?”
Hearing her blatant fabrication, Wan Qing couldn’t help but chuckle before pressing further.
“It was the night after you quarreled with the Madam and withdrew money from the accounts! You came to my room, and when I offered you water, you poisoned mine when I wasn’t looking—!”
Mu Wan Yu retorted with false confidence.
“Which night? That day, I was poisoned *outside* the manor and was saved by Brother Ning Wang. The moment I returned, I met Brother Shizi, and afterward, I was accompanied by Brother Qing Feng and Hong Yan the entire time. Qing Feng, Hong Yan—where was I after taking my medicine?”
Wan Qing smiled faintly, recounting her alibi before turning to Qing Feng and Hong Yan beside Leng Ming Ye.
“Well… after taking the medicine, the young lady said she felt unwell and rested in her room the whole time,” Hong Yan replied after a moment’s thought.
“You see? If I was in my room, how could I have gone to yours? How could I have slipped past Hong Yan to poison you? I suggest you confess the truth now—or the entire Hou Mansion will suffer for your lies. Father, don’t you agree?”
With Hong Yan’s testimony, Wan Qing smirked triumphantly at Mu Wan Yu, whose face paled as she fell silent. Then, turning to Mu Zhen Feng, she added pointedly.
“Hmm. Yu’er, speak the truth. Who really gave you that dress?”
Mu Zhen Feng remained silent, though the situation clearly disadvantaged his second daughter. Yet, considering the unusual connections between Wan Qing, the Shizi, and Prince Ning, he finally nodded and pressed his fourth daughter.
“I—”
Hearing the suspicion and anger in her father’s voice, Mu Wan Yu grew frantic. She shot a reproachful glance at Mu Wan Xia and her sister before pleadingly looking at her mother.
“My lord—” By now, Xu Shi understood the truth. Though regretful of her daughter’s collusion with the eldest miss, she had no choice but to appeal to her husband.
“It seems Madam Xu and the Fourth Miss are shielding someone. In that case, this prince shall assist in jogging the Fourth Miss’s memory. Qing Feng.”
Noting the exchange between Xu Yiniang and her daughter, Prince Ning cast a sidelong glance at Leng Ming Ye before calmly summoning Qing Feng.
“Yes.”
Qing Feng, who had been observing the blatant framing of Wan Qing, felt a mix of exasperation at her calm demeanor and unease at the undercurrents between her and Leng Ming Ye. Recalling the Shizi’s ruthless methods, he grew anxious—until his master’s order snapped him to attention.
“With this Shizi present, there’s no need for Your Highness to intervene. Fourth Miss, Madam Xu—my patience is spent. Speak. Who gave you the dress? If you refuse—”
Before Qing Feng could act, Leng Ming Ye’s cold voice cut in.
His sleeves billowed as a powerful surge of energy erupted. With a mere flick of his wrist, Xu Yiniang and her daughter were yanked forward by an invisible force. His hands closed around their throats as he spoke slowly, his voice icy.
“Shizi Ye, spare us! My daughter was misled—I’ll confess! The dress was given to us by the Eldest Miss! She said if we pinned it on the Second Miss, the Marquis would surely punish her! We never imagined the dress had such a background—!”
Terrified by the godlike yet merciless man before her, Xu Yiniang broke down, begging for mercy.
“Enough. This is your only warning. If you dare frame the little fool again, your fate will be worse than that teacup. Eldest Miss Mu—your turn.”
Before Xu Yiniang could finish, Leng Ming Ye coldly cut her off. With a wave of his hand, mother and daughter were sent sprawling across the floor, colliding painfully. Ignoring their pitiful state, he turned his chilling gaze to Mu Wan Xia.
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