Xiangqiao's sudden outburst startled everyone present.
But the most vehement reaction did not come from Jiang Li; rather it was Tonger. Tonger immediately stepped in front of Jiang Li, shielding her like a hen protecting her chick, and loudly objected, "Nonsense, slanderer! My mistress has never done such a thing; Xiangqiao, it seems your conscience has been eaten by wolves, to so malign my mistress!"
Xiangqiao didn't even glance at Tonger, but instead kowtowed several times to Madam Jiang the Elder, weeping, "This servant dares not lie, should there be half a word of untruth, may thunder strike me down!"
"You!" Tonger, so angry she was at a loss for words, thought Xiangqiao dared to make such a dreadful oath, clearly a person who was desperate and reckless with her own life.
Yet Xiangqiao's words seemed to drive the final nail into Jiang Li's coffin of guilt, leaving no room for liberation.