Chapter 51 ：Peach Blossom Testimony

"What does my stepmother expect me to say?" Su Yuxin arched an eyebrow at Lu Shiyuan. "Were it not for the general arranging these two female guards by my side, I might have walked out in a fury today. At that point, would my stepmother even hesitate to interrogate her second younger sister?"

"You..." Lu Shiyuan was choked with anger, flames almost flickering in her eyes. "It's merely the word of that little servant. How could that be convincing? Moreover, if he truly did such a foolish act, under normal circumstances, he would vehemently defend himself. Why did he readily admit it? And then to accompany you in accusing Xiang'er? There's clearly something fishy in all of this."

"I am not akin to my stepmother by blood after all," Su Yuxin shook her head, a hint of self-deprecation on her small face. "Some time ago, I had the privilege of consulting an eccentric old physician. I obtained a few truth-telling pills from him. Today, I just happened to test them on this servant, and they did indeed work."

"The eccentric physician is always elusive and peculiar in temperament, hardly ever revealing himself easily. You might have encountered a charlatan from the martial world. Where in this world can one find truth-telling pills? If such existed, the Ministry of Punishments would not need to exhaust itself in interrogations. It might be some sort of martial trickery, don't you think?" spoke Su's elderly lady, who had been silent until then.

Her words were quite cunning, directly categorizing the servant's statements as "martial trickery." If it's "trickery," then it's certainly not genuine.

"Mother is right, Xinxin should not believe in such martial trickery. I've heard people speak of a drug used by martial swindlers that controls the mind," Lu Shiyuan promptly interjected.

"When I invited the eccentric physician, Sun, the physician from Ren'an Hall, was present. If Grandmother doesn't believe me, she can easily send someone to inquire," Su Yuxin sneered. "Or better yet, call upon Taohong. There are so many dignitaries present, and many have seen a great deal. Surely such trickery wouldn't escape everyone's notice. After ingesting this truth-telling pill, one cannot tell lies. If they do, it feels like a bone-deep ache. After three lies, the blood and energy reverse, and ultimately, blood flows from the seven apertures and leads to death."

"No, I don't want to try it," Taohong shrunk back, fear evident in her eyes.

Su Yuxin knew about the eccentric physician she had consulted, thus she believed more than anyone in the existence of the "truth-telling pills."

Watching as Chiyu approached step by step, Taohong turned pale, frantically gesturing, "It's not about me, it was all instructed by the second Miss, it was her wish to harm the general's wife, it has nothing to do with me."

"Silence!" Lu Shiyuan slapped Taohong directly, furious. "You were previously involved in a theft and were handed over for official investigation by Xinxin. It was your sister who pleaded with me, and I redeemed your status, allowing you to serve by Xiang'er's side. How dare you, out of resentment towards Xinxin, secretly concoct such sordid affairs under Xiang'er's name? You're despicable!"

"No, it wasn't me," Taohong covered her face, tears flowing like broken pearls. "All of this was instructed by the second Miss, it was the second Miss herself who resented the general's wife because she wanted to marry the general."

With Taohong's words, everyone looked at Su Yuxiang with disdain.

To covet her own sister's husband was truly shameless. But upon further thought, wasn't Su's lady also married to her own sister's husband? Perhaps it's something inherent in their family.

It seemed highly probable that this matter was orchestrated by Su Yuxiang.

Her usual decorum and gentleness were nothing but a facade. Internally, she harbored such a venomous heart.

"Outrageous!" Lu Shiyuan's chest heaved with anger. "Someone, drag Taohong, this culprit, outside and flog her to death. Our Su residence cannot tolerate such treacherous maidservants."

"Is Su's lady so eager to kill and silence people? Even to the extent of shedding blood at Grandmother's birthday celebration," Feng Yao felt the little girl had played enough, rising and strolling to Su Yuxin's side, staring coldly at Lu Shiyuan.

Lu Shiyuan felt as if a mountain had been placed on her back, making it hard for her to catch her breath. Her previous momentum involuntarily diminished. "This maid belongs to our Su residence; when she commits a mistake, punishment is inevitable."

"I'm uninterested in the affairs of your Su residence. However, concerning Xinxin, it's no longer just a matter of your Su residence. I've made it quite clear just now. If anyone dares to insult or mistreat her again, they'll be an enemy to my entire general's residence, and I will show no mercy," Feng Yao stood there, his gaze chilling, exuding an aura akin to a freshly unsheathed blade, full of murderous intent.

"This is all Taohong's fault. I'll immediately order someone to cane her to appease Xinxin. Fortunately, Xinxin hasn't suffered any injury. Today, on account of your Grandmother's birthday, let's overlook this matter," Su Mingzhe followed up, saying.

"No, it wasn't me, it truly wasn't me. Everything was instructed by the second Miss, it was the second Miss..." Taohong knocked her head repeatedly.

Ignoring Taohong, Feng Yao coldly looked at Su Mingzhe. "Xinxin is your biological daughter, yet you remain so indifferent. Since Lord Father-in-law is unwilling to speak for Xinxin, it doesn't matter. I will seek justice for Xinxin."

Saying this, Feng Yao waved his hand and declared sternly, "Take the servant, Taohong, and Su Yuxiang away. I'm going to the Golden Palace to report this to the Emperor."

"Yes," Jin Ling and Chi Yan responded simultaneously.

The agility of Jin Ling and Chi Yan was as swift as ghosts. Everyone felt their vision blur, and they witnessed Jin Ling tossing Taohong at Feng Yao's feet, while Chi Yan twisted Su Yuxiang's arm, standing by Feng Yao's side.

Su Yuxiang, pampered since childhood, couldn't withstand Chi Yan's rough handling. She felt a sharp pain in her shoulder and couldn't help but cry out.

"Xiang'er..." Lu Shiyuan, seeing Su Yuxiang in pain, was completely furious. "Feng Yao, what exactly are you trying to do? This is the Su residence, not your general's residence."

"Does Su's lady have a hearing problem?" Feng Yao cast a glance, his voice cold. "I've already said I'm going to the Golden Palace to report this."

"You

..." Lu Shiyuan's face turned ashen with anger. She had never been scolded in such a manner before.

"They are all servants of our Su residence. What if I don't allow you to take them away?" Su Mingzhe squinted and asked.

"Lord Father-in-law seems to be aging," Feng Yao also squinted, his eyes cold. "Can you sense from my tone that I'm discussing this with you?"

"You..." Su Mingzhe was also enraged, his chest heaving violently.

Feng Yao's ruthless words were making it hard for him, as a father-in-law, to save face. He was angry, but dared not curse Feng Yao bitterly. He simply glared fiercely at Su Yuxin, "You wicked girl, do you really want to confront me in the presence of the Emperor?"