After walking for a while, they arrived at the servants' quarters in the Xiangyu Pavilion. A plump maid stood next to Steward Peng in front of a room. In Steward Peng's hand was a jade hairpin carved with plum blossoms.
"Master, the maid beside me found this in this room," said Steward Peng, pointing to one of the rooms.
"No! That's impossible!" Qinqin had just arrived when she saw Steward Peng pointing at her room. Her body trembled, and the color drained from her face in an instant.
"Qinqin, did you steal that hairpin and then accuse me and my Miss to avoid suspicion? After all, that item isn't cheap!" Xixi said angrily.
Yes, that item wasn't cheap. Especially for servants like them. If they sold it, they could buy a house with two courtyards on the outskirts of town!
"You... what nonsense are you spouting? Don't accuse me without proof!" Qinqin shouted.
Hu Lihua glanced at Xixi, who immediately understood her miss's intention.
Smack!
Qinqin was stunned once more. She was slapped again? She turned to Xixi and shouted angrily, "How dare you slap me?"
"You accused me and my Miss! But we didn't accuse you, did we? Yet, the item was clearly found in your room," Xixi said aggressively.
Qinqin looked toward Hu Rui'an and pleaded, "Miss... you know how loyal I am to you. I would never do such a thing!"
Hu Rui'an looked at Qinqin with worry, then turned to her parents and said, "Father, Mother, there must be some misunderstanding. Someone must be trying to frame Qinqin!"
[Who told you to try to frame me? I'm just giving it back to you!]
Hearing this, Hu Haoran immediately understood. So, Hu Rui'an had planned to frame Hu Lihua. But since Hu Lihua found out first, she turned the tables on them? It seemed… his little sister wasn't as foolish as he thought.
Hu Haoran turned to look at Hu Rui'an with a complicated expression. How did the little sister who grew up with him become like this?
"Second Sister, the evidence is right here. Why are you still trying to accuse others?" Hu Lihua asked with a smile.
Hu Lihua's smile only fueled the anger burning in Hu Rui'an's eyes. How did things turn out like this? It had to be the fault of the wretch standing before her!
Hu Rui'an took a deep breath. After calming herself down a bit, she forced a smile and said, "First Sister, I'm not accusing you. Perhaps... perhaps another mischievous maid, seeing how much I care for Qinqin, wanted to frame her."
"Oh?"
Seeing Hu Lihua's indifferent response, Hu Rui'an continued, "First Sister, how about letting me investigate this matter? Once I find the real thief, I will definitely give you a proper explanation."
"Are you planning to force another maid to take Qinqin's blame?" Hu Lihua asked casually.
"First Sister, you…."
"Mother…" Hu Lihua held Song Xiuyan's hand affectionately and said, "Mother, that maid dared to accuse me. She also stole her master's belongings. Shouldn't she be punished?"
Qinqin's face grew even paler, and her body went weak. She immediately fell to her knees before Song Xiuyan and Hu Zhangwei. "Master, Madam, please investigate this thoroughly! This maid did not do it!"
"Silence!" Song Xiuyan shouted at Qinqin. She was furious. Why did they keep trying to frame her beloved daughter? She then turned to Hu Lihua and said, "Hua'er, don't worry. Your father and I will definitely give you justice!"
"Steward Peng, punish this maid with fifty strikes of the board!" Hu Zhangwei ordered.
Qinqin's eyes widened in shock. Fifty strikes of the board? Wouldn't that be the same as killing her? If she didn't die, she'd be crippled for life!
"Master, Madam, this maid is innocent!" Qinqin cried out loudly.
[Fifty strikes? That's too lenient. This maid is ambitious. She wanted to become a madam of the Hu Residence. Hu Rui'an knew about this and helped her climb into Hu Haoran's bed, even stealing his personal wealth to send to her family. After Hu Haoran's death, she became even bolder in sending those valuables away.]
Hu Haoran's eye twitches violently. He looked at Qinqin, who was kneeling on the ground. Her face was plain, but now it was covered in tears and snot, making Hu Haoran feel nauseous. Just as he was about to deny Hu Lihua's thoughts, he saw Qinqin looking at him with a pitiful gaze.
No! Don't do that! That look made his skin crawl!
Qinqin saw Hu Haoran quickly turn his face away, as if he'd seen a ghost. She gritted her teeth and grabbed the hem of Hu Rui'an's robe, pleading, "Miss, please save me!"
Hu Rui'an was also disgusted by Qinqin's dirty face and hands. She quickly pulled her robe away. Even so, she still wanted to save her. Qinqin had served her for years and helped her many times. She was still a useful pawn.
Hu Rui'an knelt before Hu Zhangwei and Song Xiuyan, "Father, Mother, Qinqin has served me for years. Considering her loyalty, please spare her life. I promise to punish her personally."
After hearing Hu Lihua's thoughts, how could Hu Zhangwei and Song Xiuyan let Qinqin go? Even Hu Haoran hoped Qinqin would be punished.
"An'er, the evidence is clear. She truly stole your jewelry. Why are you defending her so much? Are you hiding something?" Hu Zhangwei asked.
Hu Rui'an was stunned. She looked up at Hu Zhangwei and Song Xiuyan's stern faces. Were they starting to suspect her? No! They must not suspect her. She couldn't let all her carefully laid plans fall apart!
Hu Rui'an lowered her head, gritted her teeth, and after steeling herself, she stood up. Looking at Qinqin with a cold expression, she said, "Qinqin, why did you steal my belongings and accuse the First Sister? You deserve this punishment!"
Qinqin's eyes widened in disbelief. Her lips trembled, "Miss… didn't I do this because…."
"Someone, gag her! Punish her according to the prescribed sentence!" Hu Rui'an ordered heartlessly.
[Ha! Ha! Ha! How foolish! The more panicked she gets, the more suspicious she becomes. I just hope my parents and that useless Second Brother can finally see the truth.]
Hu Zhangwei and Song Xiuyan nodded slowly, while Hu Haoran rolled his eyes. Who was his sister calling useless?
Hu Rui'an glanced at Qinqin with a trace of regret. At the very least, if Qinqin survived, even if crippled, she would arrange for someone to care for her. But in the next moment, her plan shattered completely.
"If she dies, throw her into the mass grave! If she survives, sell her to a brothel!" Song Xiuyan commanded.