Chapter 26: Beneath The Surface
"Really?" Huang Yuan's face lit up with anticipation.
"It's a maid from Graceful Palace who was near the warehouse when the fire started," the steward reported.
"What? That's impossible. How could Ning Ning employ such a maid?" Huang Yuan fumed, flipping his sleeve as he stormed out of his study.
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Untainted Courtyard
"Young Miss, Master requests your presence in the lounge," Ye Xiwu announced.
"Should I accompany you or remain here in the courtyard?" Ye Xiwu asked.
"Come with me," Huang Nian replied, her expression unreadable.
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Elegant Lounge
"You finally showed up," Huang Tian remarked, her voice dripping with scorn.
"Bring her in!" Huang Yuan commanded.
Two guards dragged a trembling Yang Mi into the lounge.
"Ning Ning, isn't that maid from your palace?" Huang Tian asked, eyeing her sister smugly.
"We all know the warehouse was set ablaze, and Yang Mi was the only one seen near it. Yang Mi, who ordered you to start the fire?" Huang Yuan's tone was cold and demanding.
"I didn't start the fire, My Lord," Yang Mi pleaded, her voice shaky.
"I'll ask you one more time—who ordered you?" Huang Yuan's patience was wearing thin.
Huang Ning shot a suspicious glance toward Yang Mi, her expression carefully controlled.
"My Lord, please spare my life! It was Young Miss Nian who ordered me!" Yang Mi suddenly cried, bowing her head in desperation.
Huang Yuan's face darkened. "I knew Huang Ning would never do something like this. She's not heartless or worthless like you! How dare you send someone to set the warehouse on fire? And you—why didn't you confess earlier?" His words were sharp, cutting through the room like a blade.
"My Lord, Miss Nian threatened to kill me if I told the truth! Please protect me, My Lord!" Yang Mi wailed, her performance convincing.
Huang Nian watched silently from the corner, her mind calm. 'As expected... she's a master at playing the victim. Too bad she's not in the Acting Pavilion,' she thought.
"You despicable wretch!" Huang Yuan spat, his eyes blazing with fury. "How did you become so vile, so discreditable? Now you're even plotting to murder someone?"
"She's nothing but vulgar and base-born! A disgrace to our family!" Huang Tian added, her voice full of venom.
"Sister Tian, don't be so harsh on Sister Nian. I'm sure she had her reasons for doing this. It's not her fault she's... well, trash," Huang Ning chimed in with false concern, her words subtly stoking the fire.
At her comment, both Huang Yuan and Huang Tian's expressions shifted, their contempt for Huang Nian deepening. A fleeting, satisfied smile crossed Huang Ning's face, though she quickly masked it.
Huang Nian stood silently in the corner, observing everything. She saw through all of Huang Ning's manipulations, recognizing the schemes for what they were.
"What possible reason could she have for burning the warehouse to the ground?" Huang Yuan asked, still seething.
"She's a disgrace to our family," Huang Tian declared, "and now she's destroyed valuable property! Father, why don't we just chase her out of the mansion once and for all?"
Huang Ning's heart leaped at the suggestion. 'Finally... exactly what I've been hoping for,' she thought, barely able to contain her excitement.
Just as Huang Yuan was about to respond, a sweet, calm voice interrupted.
"We can't do that, Master."