Chapter Two: The Interrogation

At this moment, Meng Zhenyue noticed that the Marchioness was also observing her with a probing gaze.

Before the Marchioness could speak, Meng Zhenyue spread her hands with a serious expression and said, "The people searching the place are all from the Marquis's estate. I have only just returned to the residence; I do not have the influence to bribe them."

Zhao Zhizhi bit her lip, tears of grievance falling as she clutched her handkerchief tightly, silent. Evidently, she did not believe Meng Zhenyue's words, yet she could find no argument to refute them. Beside her, Zhao Xianzhi was also analyzing the truth of Meng Zhenyue's statement, habitually rubbing his fingers together.

The Marchioness, finding Meng Zhenyue's logic sound for the time being, said nothing. Instead, she looked at the two people kneeling on the floor, utterly baffled. If it had only been Zhizhi’s maid, she might have suspected a scheme by Zhizhi to prevent Meng Zhenyue from returning. But why was her son’s personal attendant involved as well? Was she not a sister added to the family? Did he not always dote on Zhizhi?

After letting everyone's thoughts swirl for a moment, Meng Zhenyue looked at the two servants and asked, "Speak up. Where did the beeswax on you come from?"

"The beeswax was just handed to me by Sister Lizhu, who instructed me to make lip rouge for the young lady," the maid Yutuan replied righteously, seizing the initiative.

Zhao Zhizhi quickly added, "I have always preferred to use rouge made by the maids in my own courtyard; everyone in the estate knows this." Her eyes were red-rimmed as she looked at Meng Zhenyue, her tone losing some of its previous softness and carrying a hint of accusation: "Lizhu is my head maid, and Yutuan is a second-rank maid. Is there any problem with Lizhu instructing Yutuan to make lip rouge?"

Meng Zhenyue did not argue, merely casting a calm glance at Lizhu, who stood beside Zhao Zhizhi. She then turned her gaze to Wu De. "And you?"

Wu De, head bowed, had been planning to feign innocence to stall for time, allowing his young master to clear his own name. He still did not understand why beeswax had been found in his pocket, but he knew he must not let his master be slandered. Just as he was about to speak, he caught a signal from his master out of the corner of his eye. His gaze shifted, and he spotted the physician walking toward them. Joy surged in his heart, and he immediately changed his tune: "I have been suffering from indigestion recently, so I have been consuming beeswax. I often keep some in my pocket, and the residue must have remained there."

As soon as Wu De finished speaking, the physician entered the room. Seeing the physician reminded the Marchioness of Zhao Zhizhi’s injury, and her heart filled with pity once again. Coupled with the fact that the responses from Yutuan and Wu De seemed reasonable, she grew dissatisfied with Meng Zhenyue again.

"Perfect. Now that the physician is here, have him verify if this is true. If there are any lies, I will not be lenient!" she interjected.

The Marchioness’s final words were directed at Meng Zhenyue; it was obvious who she was talking about. Zhao Zhizhi did not return to the inner room but sat by the tea table to let the physician examine her.

Here, the physician took Wu De’s pulse, and after a moment, he bowed and said, "Reporting to the Marchioness, he indeed suffers from this condition. There is no need for a prescription for now; he simply needs to drink more water and eat more fruits and vegetables."

Upon hearing the physician's words, before the Marchioness could lash out, she heard Zhao Xianzhi press the physician: "Is consuming beeswax effective?"

"Chewing beeswax slowly increases saliva secretion and can aid digestion," the physician bowed again.

As the words fell, Zhao Xianzhi cast a secret glance at Meng Zhenyue. The incident had been sudden, and he was still guessing whether this was Meng Zhenyue's doing or if someone else was meddling. He wanted to see if Meng Zhenyue would show a trace of panic upon hearing the physician’s confirmation. However, he saw only that Meng Zhenyue sat there quietly, unmoved.

Zhao Xianzhi felt a growing, hidden unease. Fortunately, Wu De’s suspicion had been cleared.

When the Marchioness heard the physician, she was filled with fury. Her eyes blazed as she looked at Meng Zhenyue. "How do you explain this?"

Earlier, seeing Meng Zhenyue’s logical analysis, she had changed her mind, thinking perhaps she had truly wronged her. But this was the result? She had said all along that since Zhizhi herself claimed Meng Zhenyue pushed her, how could there be a mistake? She did not ask for Meng Zhenyue to be perfect; she only asked for her to have some upbringing.

The Marchioness was about to order the family law to be brought out to give Meng Zhenyue a few strokes to teach her a lesson when Zhao Zhizhi, who was having her hand set by the physician, spoke up.

Weak from pain, she whispered, "At the time, I felt as if someone had pushed me in the back." She had been too preoccupied with protecting her maid, but when the jolt of pain from the physician resetting her hand hit her, she remembered that push—the force had been significant. It seemed this sister truly hated her to the core.

Once Zhao Zhizhi said this, the Marchioness could no longer contain her rage. To have done something wrong and then spout lies and bite back at everyone—how could she have such a devious daughter! She slammed the table heavily.

"Someone, throw her out! Throw her out!"

"Go tell the Marquis that there must be a mistake! How could our estate have such a bloodline!"

"Mother, please do not be impulsive," Zhao Xianzhi urged hurriedly. As he handed the Marchioness a cup of tea, he said, "We should investigate this matter thoroughly. If the two sisters develop a rift because of this, then the person behind the scenes will have succeeded and escaped unscathed!"

Zhao Xianzhi saw that the situation seemed to be back on track. But because there had been an unexpected turn, he could not act rashly; there was plenty of time ahead.

Hearing her son’s tactful advice, the Marchioness suppressed her anger and snorted, "What more is there to investigate? Only you would believe her!" She then took a sip of tea, which served as an agreement to Zhao Xianzhi’s suggestion.

Seeing the Marchioness had agreed, Zhao Xianzhi turned to Meng Zhenyue and pointed to another of his personal attendants, saying warmly, "Sister, Beilie is my capable attendant. You may tell him what happened, and let him investigate this matter."

Zhao Xianzhi intended to find a scapegoat to end the day’s affairs quickly, so he could investigate why things had gone wrong with Wu De. However, the tree wanted peace, but the wind would not cease.

"Thank you, brother," Meng Zhenyue agreed, but she looked at Yutuan with a mocking smile and asked, "You said just now that 'Sister Pig' gave you the beeswax to make lip rouge?"

Yutuan was displeased that Meng Zhenyue had referred to the name as 'Pig,' but she could only harbor her dissatisfaction inwardly and had to answer obediently, "Yes."

The Marchioness and Zhao Zhizhi looked at Meng Zhenyue, confused. Zhao Xianzhi, however, had already realized the implication and was struck with sudden alarm!

Meng Zhenyue chuckled and said, "Your mistress is injured. Instead of thinking about how to make her more comfortable, you were thinking about making lip rouge, which is never in short supply?"

Yutuan froze instantly. A moment later, she looked at Lizhu, who was standing beside Zhao Zhizhi, with eyes full of shock. "Sister Lizhu, you framed me?"

Recalling something, Yutuan added, "Right, you and Wu De are betrothed, and you both had beeswax! You are in this together!" Then, she asked, increasingly bewildered, "But why would you frame the young lady and implicate me?!"

Zhao Zhizhi turned to look at Lizhu with a face full of astonishment. Lizhu dropped to her knees, crying, "Young lady, I didn't! I didn't! What reason would I have to harm the young lady? This is someone trying to sow discord between us, young lady!"

"I remember you; you were the one standing beside your mistress at the time." Before Zhao Zhizhi could speak, Meng Zhenyue said in a flat tone, tilting her chin toward Wu De. "Are you the mastermind, or is he?"

As she spoke, she looked at Zhao Xianzhi, appearing to be earnestly consulting him. "The Marquis of Chengwu comes from a line of military generals; surely you have no shortage of methods for interrogation, do you?"