Chapter 640 - 603: Guilty Conscience (First Update)

Chapter 640: Chapter 603: Guilty Conscience (First Update)

With the old lady absent, everyone looked at Mrs. Xiao Liu.

No one expected what happened today, so naturally, no one was prepared. Mrs. Xiao Liu, lacking experience, didn’t dare to speak arbitrarily, so she could only consult with her mother-in-law, "Mother, how about I arrange for all the ladies to go to Mei Garden to watch a play and enjoy the flowers?"

With the old lady absent, Su Yi was the most qualified to speak.

She lowered her eyelashes slightly, "Going to watch a play and enjoy the flowers is not impossible, but dismissing people before the matter with Mrs. Song is clarified might be inappropriate. Nowadays, many believe she is an illegitimate child with an unknown father. If such words spread, who will bear the impact on Mrs. Song?"

Mrs. Xiao Liu was startled, pursing her lips as she looked at Wen Wan.

Wen Wan ignored Mrs. Xiao Liu’s gaze, only looking at those standing in the hall, asking, "Have you said everything you need to say?"

"This..." The few with Meng Family were at a loss, having no choice but to look towards Miao Family.

Miao Family glared at Wen Wan, teeth gritted. She hadn’t expected things to escalate to this point, yet Mrs. Wen remained calm as if unaffected.

Years ago, during the earthquake in Ningzhou, she and her husband were only concerned with escaping, not rescuing her mother-in-law. Later, with the help of the government, they rebuilt their house but hadn’t lived peacefully for long as her husband frequented the gambling house, crazed for quick wealth, eventually losing everything and borrowing money. Debts piled up, and creditors made threats, saying they’d break her husband’s arm if he couldn’t repay.

Her husband was terrified and impulsively thought of seeking refuge with Song Wei, who had become an official in the Capital.

So the couple quickly packed and rushed overnight to Beijing, expecting the Song Family to show some charity to relatives. Who would’ve thought on their first day her husband was beaten badly by Song Yuanbao, a nephew? And that wasn’t all; Song Wei later had her husband tied up and tortured in a rundown house.

If it weren’t for someone pointing her in the right direction, she would never have had the chance to meet Mrs. Wen.

Seeing Wen Wan’s calm demeanor, Miao Family’s face darkened further.

She had never seen someone so dark-hearted; instead of helping, Wen Wan turned against them, leaving her husband half-dead. It’s no wonder she’s an illegitimate child, dark-minded even at a young age, with no fear of dying miserably!

The events today happened so suddenly that Wen Wan could only try to remain calm, though her heart was far from peaceful.

As she raised her eyes, Wen Wan said, "Regardless of whether what you’ve said is true or false, since it’s been stated, I, as the person involved, have the right to refute."

Before Miao Family could speak, she continued, "There are a few questions I’d like to clarify."

Miao Family sensed a bad premonition.

Before she could think further, she heard Wen Wan’s voice, "Why did you previously kneel and cry before me, what was your purpose?"

Miao Family responded clearly, "Naturally, to save my husband."

"Then why don’t you keep begging me?"

Wen Wan’s clear gaze seemed to pierce straight to the heart, making Miao Family uneasy.

"Or do you think publicly exposing my shortcomings could force me to bow to you and release your husband voluntarily?"

Miao Family was startled but remained silent.

"Second question, it’s currently heavy snow weather, and coming to Beijing from Ningzhou takes at least a month, meaning these witnesses behind you arrived in the Capital long ago. So let me ask, were you foreseeing this in advance, knowing your husband would fail to get money and be kidnapped, hence preparing for both outcomes when you came to Beijing?"

Feeling many eyes upon her, Miao Family was once again at a loss for words.

"Final question, today is the Duke’s birthday feast. The front and back gates of the Duke Mansion are guarded, and servants cannot enter or leave freely; guests must present a card to enter. In other words, it’s nearly impossible for ordinary people to sneak in. So, how did you find me? Did you follow me into the mansion, or had you been in the Duke Mansion before today, waiting to accuse me?"

Wen Wan spoke forcefully, and after she finished, the scene fell silent.

When she didn’t speak, everyone’s focus was on her "origin."

Now that she’s spoken, everyone couldn’t help but start reflecting.

Everything today was too coincidental.

Miao Family was neither part of the Lu Family nor their guest and yet appeared in the Duke Mansion, immediately targeting Wen Wan, alleging that she kidnapped and assaulted her husband.

Following that, her husband was no longer a priority; she pulled in unrelated matters concerning the former Princess and Wen Wan’s origin.

It seemed saving her husband was only a guise, the true purpose being to reveal Wen Wan’s privacy.

The most astonishing thing was, she claimed to have witnesses and, after leaving for less than fifteen minutes, brought the witnesses—all residents of Ningzhou. It’s impossible for them to come to Beijing in that time or even within ten days, yet they appeared prepared with statements.

Coincidence! Indeed too coincidental!

All these coincidences combined become deliberation, becoming premeditated efforts.

Since it seems premeditated, then the previous words about Wen Wan’s origin carry suspicions of slander and framing.

Miao Family’s face turned green and then white, brows tightly furrowed, "What, Mrs. Song is suspecting I slander you?"

Wen Wan smiled, "Everyone present can testify that none of the words I asked you accused you of slandering me."

"Exactly!" Mrs. Xiao Liu, irritated by Miao Family, sneered, "You’re allowed to tarnish someone’s reputation in front of so many people, yet can’t be questioned in return? Mrs. Song’s three questions you must answer swiftly, failure to do so proves guilt!"

"What guilt? I’m speaking nothing but the truth!" Miao Family retorted angrily, "If anyone should be guilty, it’s Mrs. Song. Why dare you not discuss the former Princess directly, admit that she’s your mother, and instead ask a bunch of irrelevant questions?"