Rebirth of Poisoned Empress, by 颜若优雅

Chapter 30

"My goodness, what happened?"

"How did this happen? No wonder Xiao Wu was crying so aggrievedly. Who wouldn't be?"

"This is simply going overboard. Who did this?"

"This..."

When greeted by the state the courtyard had been reduced to, those from the second and third family exclaimed and fanned the fire. Their remarks were more exaggerated with each statement they made. Liu Shuhan couldn't help but be stunned. The only one who wasn't stunned and could even be said to be silently pleased was Shen Qiang.

"What happened here?" the old madame originally came with a bout of anger. Now, she was even more furious. No one dared to make a sound.

Calmly examining the reactions of those present, Shen Liang pinched himself under his sleeve to force out some tears. After, with the corners of his eyes red and swollen, he called out, "Grandmother, I came home to this. It appears this Marquis Manor can no longer tolerate me. But if so, why bother sending someone to bring me back? Although the years at the countryside have been harsh, at least I was able to live freely. At least no one would've dared to do this to me."

After speaking, Shen Liang pursed his lips as though fighting back tears, expressing his grievance and anger at just the right degree.

His words were indecipherably poignant and stoked the old madame's fury without her realization: "Unreasonable. Intolerable! Surnamed Liu, you are the madame of this manor. Investigate! Exactly who is it in this manor who cannot tolerate Xiao Wu?"

"Yes. This daughter-in-law will call the housekeeper over right now," subtly sensing that Shen Liang was targeting herself, Liu Shuhan's brows scrunched. As long as she doesn't make any mistakes, the little b*stard can't pin anything on her. 

"Old madame, this slave has something to say." Liu Shuhan had underestimated Shen Liang's anger. After receiving Shen Liang's subtle nod, Qi Yue stepped forward. Gazes swept over to him and he immediately became the center of attention.

"Speak," clearly the old madame didn't expect a slave to step out at this time. She was momentarily taken aback. However, the old madame suddenly recalled that when Qi Xuan went to beckon her here, he had specifically said there was a gift prepared for her. Did this have anything to do with what Shen Liang said he would be giving her?

"Qi Yue...." under the watchful gazes of the onlookers, Shen Liang pulled on his sleeve. Qi Yue pulled himself free from Shen Liang's grasp and with a sudden "thud!" knelt before the old lady, "Old madame, this slave has a low status, and my words may not carry much merit. I'm afraid my words will be harsh against the masters and ladies present, but this slave cannot endure this anymore. Ever since the fifth young master has left the countryside, he has consistently encountered such events. First, it was the matter with the bandits, and then it was the madame and young lady intruding into Zhonglin Courtyard to make things difficult for fifth young master. Now, we only headed out to stroll around the Imperial City and returned to this: the very courtyard in which we live in has now became like this. Although I'm not sure who did this, but the previous two matters are inextricably linked to the madame. For the old madame to allow the madame to investigate this matter, does the old madame harbor intentions to be biased towards the madame?"

"Impudent!" no one would've dared to imagine that a lowly slave dared to accuse the old madame of being biased and sheltering Liu Shuhan. The old nanny by the old madame's side immediately retorted Qi Yue's presumptuous and audacious behavior. But Qi Yue kept her head held high and his stubbornness did not lose to Shen Liang. Liu Shuhan's face and expression was ugly and her gaze on Qi Yue was like poisonous thorns. She even had the heart to gut this slave alive.

"Old madame, my Ge has no intentions of accusing you of anything. He's only speaking the truth. In this entire manor, only the madame and them has shown any signs of targeting the fifth young master. If the old madame allows the madame to investigate this matter, wouldn't you be giving her the wolf the opportunity to cry wolf?" seeing the circumstances, Qi Xuan immediately fell to his knees as well. His character was simple and naive, but he wasn't a fool. For the madame to investigate and handle this matter? Who were they kidding?

"You impudent slave..." seeing the situation escalating beyond her grasp, Shen Qiang couldn't endure it any longer and jumped out. But the old madame stopped her with the raise of her hand. She delivered Shen Qiang a stern warning glance and Shen Qiang was infuriated to the point her beautiful features swelled to the color of pig liver. Liu Shuhan could only sigh helplessly and quietly passed Lu Zhi a glance, subtly gesturing for her to pull Shen Qiang back. She was also furious, and even now, she had no idea what Shen Liang had planned. The more she said, the more mistakes she would make.

"Xiao Wu, is this also what you want?" sweeping a gaze over the two brothers who were kneeling on the ground, the old madame then looked up at Shen Liang. The other party had his head bowed and didn't say anything. However, his silence only allowed others ascertain his decision. 

"Mother, although these two slaves are indeed a bit impudent, there words are not without reason. In this manor, who doesn't know that the madame and Xiao Wu and only the madame had a conflict with Xiao Wu? Besides, the madame is the marquis's wife. She handles all matters, regardless big or small, within the manor. Xiao Wu's courtyard is indeed quite remote and far from the main courtyard. But for Zhonglin Courtyard to be ruined to this point and the madame to remain completely oblivious of it, that's hard to believe." As though realization dawned on Shen Zhao, she took the initiative to step forward and speak. 

Liu Shuhan could bear to allow this to continue, "Sister-in-law, what do you mean. Xiao Wu and I did indeed have a conflict a few days ago, but the lord was present as well. Everyone is family. It's fine as long as everything is explained, and misunderstandings are cleared. As for what happened with Zhonglin Courtyard, I finally had the time to pay a visit to my maiden family today and just returned. Isn't it only natural for me to find out just now?" 

If she allowed the onlookers to continue their words, Liu Shuhan was the crime would be pinned on her even without an investigation.