"The pond incident maybe an accident but the well was no accident," said an unfamiliar voice as a tall woman made her way in.
She was dressed in a servant wear but it was way different. Turns out that she was no ordinary servant.
Her name was Ling, the head maid of the Ming Residence, and the old Madame most trusted maid.
Following behind her was Ming Xia whose hands were bandage as she was held by Lian.
Confused by her words, the old Madame then asked, "What do you mean by that ling?"
"Old Madame, I did as you had instructed and monitored the maids to know who could be the most suspicious and to my surprise, a maid was caught trying to flee from the residence through the back door which is hardly used and known about!"
Ling said as she then called in her boys and they brought in the frail looking maid, who was pushed to kneel before the old Madame and everyone else present.
In all tears, the young maid pleaded, "Please pod Madame, I'm innocent... I-i didn't do it, please I'm innocent.." she cried out as she was hit in the face by Ling.
"Shut up! Keep those crocodiles tears to yourself, if you really aren't the culprit then why were you trying to escape or leave the residence in such a sneaky way?"
But the maid was quiet and didn't have any answer to the question, making everyone's suspicion grow more, except mine.
Upon seeing this I was a little shocked. Firstly, even though I didn't take a good look at the person who was responsible for the well incident, I'm was pretty sure it wasn't a female.
"Could it really be her mother?" Asked Hui Li as the old Madame brows twitched slightly.
Turning to the maid beside her, she spoke out, "go call his highness the third prince and the young Master, they were both the victims so they might be able to recognize if it's really her."
And with that, the maid did as she was instructed. Few minutes later, Jin Ling and Li Wei both arrived with their trusted servant behind them.
They were alright informed of what was happening so they had a very unhappy face on.
"Your highness, Jin Ling.. please take a good look at that maid, is she the one who pushed you both down that day?"
The old Madame dropped the bomb and the entire room fell silent, everyone anxiously awaiting their response.
And do Li Wei replied first, "Madame Ming, unfortunately I didn't quite get a glimpse of the culprit because I was the first to get pushed.. but if all the evidence points to her, then I can't say that she is innocent!"
He said as the old Madame nodded and turned to Jin Ling who was quiet for some time.
Then suddenly, I saw his gaze meet mine.. his eyes stared directly at me for some seconds before he immediately diverting his gaze back to the maid kneeling.
I was hundred present sure he looked at me but I was confused on why he did that.
And I was sure I wasn't the only one, I could see Ming Xia flashing daggers at me.. why get jealous?
Finally, Jin Ling spoke, "I don't quite remember the person either but if she really is the culprit then we should try interrogating her for her to speak."
Just then, we heard the voice of someone unexpected, it was Ming Xia, "Brother in-law is right, there's absolutely no way this young maid who have had the thought of hurting the prince and the young master.. there most surely have been someone instigating."
Says the real instigator as her words, caused a slight murmurs from the maids around.
"So what's that supposed to mean? Are you trying to accuse us on trying to hurt the prince? What audacity you have!" Ming Ciao said angrily as Ming just rolled her eyes.
"Enough girls, Ming Xia although what you said is a little offending, I guess that is the right thing to do... Ling! Interrogate her until he can't feel her bones.. and if she still doesn't talk, then have she and the rest of her family killed and beheaded."
And I immediately knew what the old Madame meant by that.
If the instigator was really from our family then it would land the Ming family in trouble for trying to commit treason in hurting the prince, it's better she was dead than alive to confess.
Immediately nodding, Ling ordered her boys to take the maid away but just about then, the maid said out loud.
"I'm going to confess!"