ate afternoon soon.Gu Jingxi returned, just stepping into the room when a wave of coolness hit him. He knew ice had been placed in the room, but looking around, there was no one inside. Just as he was...Not long after, Gu Xiuming returned to Qingyu Xuan and found his two aunts and Meng Jin yao sitting in the Xiaohua Hall.

Upon seeing the three sisters-in-law, Gu Xiuming was slightly taken aback. He wasn't surprised that Meng Jin Yao was there, but he wondered why both his aunts were also present.

Gu Xiumin bowed to the three elders, before they could speak, he started accusing Meng Jin Yao in front of the maidservant: "Mother, when I came back just now, I passed by the back garden and heard a maid say that you pushed Wan'er. Why did you do this"

Meng Jin Yao looked at him, her eyes warning, her voice soft: "She fell by herself, I didn't push her. Xiu Ming, talking nonsense has consequences, think carefully before you speak."

Gu Xiuming's eyes were red, and he angrily questioned: "With so many people as witnesses, do you still want to quibble"

As he spoke, his eyes held disdain for Meng Jin Yao: “Last year you should have known, the only person I love is Wan'er. If you were unhappy with us being together, you could have come at me directly. But she’s pregnant, how could you have done this I’m not afraid to tell you, even without Wan'er, I wouldn’t be with you. You should just give up on this and honestly live with my father.”

Upon hearing this, Meng Jin Yao didn't get angry. She calmly stated the facts: "Look at what you're saying, as if I had some kind of shameful secret relationship with you. I am your mother now. Saying things like this is brazen and disrespectful to elders. This is unfilial."

“Filial piety stems from a mother’s love. How can a child be filial if the mother lacks love Mother, tell me, if a mother is unloving, how can her child be obedient If anything were to happen to the child in Wan'er's womb—if he were to suffer even the slightest harm—wouldn't you fear that at midnight, vengeful spirits would come seeking retribution” Gu Xiuming glared at her with murderous intent. His face was contorted in anger, truly enraged.

Zhang and Chen listened to the conversation between the mother and son, their hearts pounding with apprehension. One posed a straightforward question, while the other was clearly in a weak position, simply claiming innocence without evidence. After all, everyone had seen Meng Jin Yao do it.

But, there's something odd about this. If it was truly Meng Jinyang who did this, shouldn't she be agitated now Harming the Gu family's offspring, even if the third brother loved her dearly, he wouldn't condone such an act.

If it wasn't done by Meng Jinyáo, then wouldn't that mean Li Shi was putting on a play to frame Meng Jinyáo Why would Li Shi do this To frame Meng Jinyáo, she would even sacrifice her child. She is truly cruel! As long as Li Shi insists that Meng Jinyáo did it, even if Meng Jinyáo wasn't divorced, she would be sent to the family temple for purification.

Zhang looked at Meng Jin Yao and said a good word for her: "Xiuming, there must be some misunderstanding about this. Your mother is such a kind person, how could she possibly do such a thing And she and your father are deeply in love, how could she be jealous of Li"

Gu Xiuming countered, "If she wasn't jealous of Wan'er, why would she harm her"

"Zhang:" This…"

This is truly a dead end, but only those present can know the truth.

Meng Jinyao darkened her face, snorted coldly, and said dismissively: "What do I have to be jealous of her for I am the Madam Hou, she is just a lowly concubine. Since you are so worried about Li shi, why don't you go see her instead of falsely accusing me here She fell quite badly this time, hitting a tree, and many of the plum blossoms were shaken off. Now should be the time when she needs you the most."

Gu Xiuming's face turned pale, just as he was about to go see his beloved, Hongling rushed back with a doctor, panting heavily. She bowed to him and said, "Young Master, you have to do something for your aunt! The mistress pushed her, she fell badly, and we don't know if the child in her belly will be alright."

Upon hearing this, his eyes turned cold as he glared at Meng Jinyao: "Mother, the evidence is right here. What else do you have to say You can use these flimsy excuses to deceive a three-year-old, but I never thought you would be so vicious."

The doctor glanced at the people seated, each of whom didn't seem to need a doctor. He asked aloud, "I wonder which esteemed guest requires treatment"

Chen said, "Xiuming, you take the doctor to attend to Lady Li first. The situation is urgent, we can't delay. We'll talk about anything else later."

Gu Xiuming nodded "um" and didn't argue with Meng Jin Yao any further. He hurriedly took the doctor to the side room to see his beloved, Hongling also followed closely behind.

After they left, Chen asked hesitantly, "Third younger sister-in-law, did you... really push Lady Li"

Meng Jinyo retorted, "Second sister-in-law, do you really think I would do such a thing"

Chen shook her head unconsciously. Having lived with her sister-in-law for nearly a year, she still understood Meng Jin Yao somewhat. She was a smart person and wouldn't do something so foolish as to ruin the wealth and prosperity that was within her grasp, unless jealousy or anger had clouded her judgment.

Zhang pondered for a moment, guessing: "Third younger sister, could it be that Aunt Li tripped herself and is falsely accusing you"

Meng Jin yao nodded and said, "She fell by herself."

As soon as these words were uttered, both Zhang and Chen were astonished.

Zhang mumbled, "If that's the case, then she's too bold. Relying on Xiu Ming's affection for her, she acts arrogantly and disrespects elders. I think she thinks she lives too comfortably."

Chen looked at Meng Jinyang and felt deeply sympathetic for her: "To have gone through such a distressing ordeal, Third Sister-in-law is indeed very unlucky."

Meng Jin Yao remained silent.

Zhang and Chen exchanged glances, unable to say more. If she claimed innocence, how could she prove it The maidservant by Li's side was the only witness. Both master and servant insisted she was the one who pushed. She was speechless, even if her third brother believed her, punishing her wouldn't satisfy others.

Meng Jinyáo sat serenely, picked up her teacup, lifted the lid to clear the floating tea leaves, took a sip, and then set the cup down. She instructed the maid attending to her: "This tea is good, but it's gotten a little cold. Please bring me a fresh cup."

The maidservants attending on her were all from Qingyu Pavilion. Even though they knew she was very likely to have poisoned Li shi, they didn't dare to neglect her in the slightest. Hearing her order, they immediately respectfully replied, "Yes, slave will go now."

Zhang Shi couldn't help but say, "Third sister-in-law, even though things have come to this, you still have the heart to drink tea"

Meng Jinyáo responded matter-of-factly, "What else can I do I'm not a doctor and can't help Lady Li."

Zhangshi: "..."

After a long pause, Zhang shi whispered again: "Third sister-in-law, if this matter cannot prove your innocence, even if you did not do it, you will still be punished. You should think about how to prove your innocence later, otherwise, your third brother would not cover for you.

Meng Jinyao lightly nodded. "Thank you, elder sister-in-law, for your advice. Please trouble yourself to have someone send a few strong and capable servants over."

Zhang shi looked blankly and said, “Ah” She then asked, “Even the servants can't help you With Third Brother here, they won't listen to your orders either.”

Meng Jinyao smiled faintly: "I know, I found him waiting outside Qingyuxuan, just waiting for your orders."

Although Zhang was perplexed, she still instructed the maid who served her closely to find several strong house servants and have them wait outside.

After a long time, news came from Li Wan'er: Li Yi's wife had a miscarriage. her to give the child away through adoption, but sending him to the third branch would allow him to inherit the title and have a brighter future. For her child's sake, she was willing to let go.Chen,...