Chapter 554: Chapter 551: Regret for Life_1 Chapter 554: Chapter 551: Regret for Life_1 âYou go back and see what other items are missingâŠâ Bai Qingyan looked at the inner clothes in Chun Taoâs hand. âGive me these inner clothes first!â
Chun Tao bit her lip, got up, handed the inner clothes to Bai Qingyan, and left the main room.
Dong Qingyue sat steadily like a mountain, without any expression, completely leaving the handling to Bai Qingyan.
Madam Dong understood Bai Qingyanâs intention, picked up the teacup in her hand, and asked casually, âSince you said these inner clothes were left by Chun Tao at your place, has Chun Tao given you other tokens of love? Itâs unlikely that Chun Tao has been in Dong Mansion for only a few days and already reached the point where she canât hold back her feelings for you.â
Luo Fugui hurriedly said, âThere are no other tokens of love, but Chun Tao did express her admiration for me and wanted to marry me. I dare not deceive Madam Dong; these inner clothes werenât left by Chun Tao. I hid them secretly because I was afraid sheâd deny taking advantage of me.â
Mrs. Cui sneered. âChun Tao is the only close maid the Princess of Zhen brought to Dengzhou. Chun Tao serves her almost every day. I wonder when Chun Tao had the time to meet you.â
Luo Fugui seemed to be waiting for someone to ask him when he met Chun Tao, and he quickly said, âIt was on August 20th. That day, the Princess of Zhen went to Lord Dongâs study, and Chun Tao called Qiu Huan to fetch me. As soon as I arrived⊠Chun Tao seduced me.â
Nanny Wangâs heart sank. She thought that her niece might have indeed collaborated with Luo Fugui in some scheme against Bai Qingyanâs maid.
Bai Qingyanâs eyes narrowed. Qiu HuanâŠ
That day, Chun Tao told Bai Qingyan that Qiu Huan tricked her by pretending to be summoned by Nanny Wang and took her to a secluded place, sending away the two maids who were following, and knelt down to apologize to Chun Tao.
Holding Chun Taoâs inner clothes, Bai Qingyan said with a faint smile, âThen letâs call Qiu Huan over and ask her!â
Nanny Wang tightened her palm and responded, personally going out to summon Qiu Huan, intending to warn her.
Aunt Luo, who was kneeling in the yard under the scorching sun, felt dizzy. When she saw Nanny Wang coming out, she quickly straightened her back. âNanny Wang!â
Nanny Wang didnât even glance at Aunt Luo, crossing the courtyard gate directly.
Soon, Nanny Wang found Qiu Huan outside Madam Dongâs courtyard. She immediately called, âQiu Huan! Come over here!â
When Qiu Huan saw Nanny Wangâs pale face, she knew Nanny Wang was looking for her and hurriedly stepped forward. âAunt, has something happened inside?â
Nanny Wang grabbed Qiu Huanâs arm and pulled her aside, gritting her teeth. âBe honest with me, are you involved with that useless brother of Aunt Luo, scheming against the Princess of Zhenâs close maid?â
Qiu Huanâs palm tightened, she guiltily said, âNo! How could I do such a thing!â
âThe Princess of Zhen wants to question you. Youâd better be honest; otherwise⊠If the Princess wants your life, I wonât save you! Do you understand?â Nanny Wang warned seriously.
Qiu Huan felt increasingly uncertain, but then thought that since the Princess of Zhen called her for questioning, she might not fully believe in Chun Tao.
Especially now, Luo Fugui had already spread the word everywhere in Dong Mansion. Chun Tao is the close maid of the Princess of Zhen. If Chun Tao doesnât marry Luo Fugui, the Princessâs reputation would be damaged!
Qiu Huan didnât believe the Princess would ignore her own reputation for the sake of a maid!
Thinking of Chun Taoâs pitiable appearance when she marries Luo Fugui, Qiu Huan felt delighted. She had always been overbearing in Dong Mansion and had never been humiliated this much. She decided to make Chun Tao regret for life.
âNanny Wang!â Dong Changlan saw Nanny Wang and Qiu Huan and called out.
Qiu Huan quickly turned and stood beside Nanny Wang, bowing along with Nanny Wang to greet Dong Changlan and Dong Changmao. âYoung master, second master!â
Dong Changmao saw his aunt kneeling under the scorching sun, his fists clenched tightly with a grim expression. He asked, âNanny Wang, howâs it going inside?â
âLuo Fugui said Qiu Huan helped deliver the message that day. Miss is calling Qiu Huan in for questioning.â Nanny Wang said, giving Qiu Huan a harsh look.
Dong Changlanâs gaze fell on Qiu Huan, who lowered her head, âMiss is fully aware of what kind of person Chun Tao is. Qiu Huan⊠When you go in, youâd better speak wisely. If thereâs a single false word, even Nanny Wang cannot save you. Understood?â
Dong Changlanâs voice was cold, causing a chill to crawl up Qiu Huanâs spine. She quickly bowed.
âLetâs go in!â Dong Changlan turned and gently patted Dong Changmaoâs arm, leading the way inside.
Dong Changmao followed Dong Changlan into Madam Dongâs courtyard. Seeing his aunt in tears, her makeup smudged, his fists tightened.
âChangmaoâŠâ Aunt Luo cried out upon seeing Dong Changmao, tears streaming pitifully.
Dong Changmao steeled himself, not looking at Aunt Luo, following Dong Changlan into the main room.
It wasnât that Dong Changmao didnât appreciate Aunt Luoâs kindness over the years, but Aunt Luo had always support Luo Fugui without principles. Dong Changmao had warned her many times; she always promised to stop but continued nonetheless.
Moreover, Luo Fugui bullied the villagers everywhere, boasting as Dong Changmaoâs uncle. Dong Changmao had to clean up after him many times and was often ridiculed because of it.
This time, Luo Fugui dared to target the Princessâs close maid. Dong Changmao didnât know what role Aunt Luo played in it. If she was involved, he would be completely disappointed in her.
Dong Changlan, Dong Changlan, and Nanny Wang entered with Qiu Huan, while Chun Tao carefully checked her belongings.
Chun Tao knelt at Bai Qingyanâs feet, choking with sobs. âMiss, the maid also lost the earrings you rewarded me and the jade pendant cousin gave!â
The jade pendant was a gift from Chen Qingsheng for Chun Taoâs birthday. It was of excellent quality. Chun Tao didnât wear it to avoid drawing attention, keeping it in her purse and only looking at it occasionally. She didnât expect it to go missing.
Qiu Huanâs palm tightened, her throat rolling. She had stolen the pendant and earrings and had not yet had the chance to sell them.
âIâve seen that jade pendant. Itâs of excellent quality. Itâs no surprise someone would covet such a good thing!â Bai Qingyan looked at Nanny Wang. âNanny Wang, I trust you. Please personally go to Qiu Huanâs room and see if Chun Taoâs jade pendant and earrings are there. Since you are Qiu Huanâs aunt, you wouldnât falsely accuse her.â