Chapter Sixty-Two: You Speak

Xu Ruojin suddenly stood up, unwilling to let the matter rest, and Madam Yang’s face instantly turned livid with rage.

Had it not been for her rushing in at dawn with her hair in disarray, stirring up trouble, how would so many issues have been dragged to light? The entire day had been wasted because of the dismissed maidservant, and now, having finally suppressed Old Madam Du into submission with her authority, this stubborn girl still refused to let go?

The master of the house always valued the family’s reputation above all else. With the repeated disgraces brought by the eldest and third sons, she herself had been scolded by him countless times. This time, she had tried her utmost to protect the family name, yet it was the second daughter who had come to disrupt matters.

In the morning, with the master present, she hadn’t been able to beat her. But now, firmly resolved, she was determined to teach that wretched girl a lesson!

Madam Yang glared coldly at Xu Ruojin. “Be silent! I have already made my decision in this matter. I will not allow you to cause any more trouble. If you insist on making a scene, don’t blame me for disregarding your status as Second Miss!”

“Mother!” Xu Ruojin was equally unyielding. “I absolutely do not believe Hemiao would do such a thing. Unless there is proof, I will not let this go!”

“You!” Madam Yang rose to her feet in anger. “Do you believe I won’t punish you with the rod right now?”

“Mother may punish me as she wishes, but after I am punished, I still want Old Madam Du to clearly explain what she saw Hemiao do, and to name the man who was with her. If there are witnesses and evidence, even if you beat me to death, I will accept it. But if she cannot, then she is slandering Hemiao’s reputation, and I will not back down!”

Xu Ruojin fixed her icy gaze on Old Madam Du, whose heart skipped a beat under the chill of it.

In her memory, no one had ever dared to talk back to the lady of the house in such a manner.

Was this truly the same Second Miss who had been overlooked and disregarded before?

It was so unrecognizable, Old Madam Du wondered if she was dreaming.

Madam Yang’s fists itched with anger; she longed to slap the girl herself. But seeing the stubborn resolve in Xu Ruojin’s eyes, she knew the girl would rather be beaten than yield.

When had her second daughter’s character grown so unyielding? Before, she had worried about the girl’s momentum, but never had she thought it would become impossible to suppress.

Very well, then—this time, she would teach her a lesson.

Let her know once and for all who truly ruled this household!

“You are already betrothed. I should not beat you, and now you use this to threaten me—well calculated, indeed.” Madam Yang’s tone was icy. “I will give you one chance. If Hemiao has not lived up to your trust, how will you appease my anger?”

“If I have misjudged her, I will accept any punishment you see fit!” Xu Ruojin’s determination left even Spring Grass stunned.

Second Miss was taking a great risk for Hemiao. Just now, hearing Old Madam Du’s words, she herself had found it hard to believe and thought Madam’s handling of the situation perfectly reasonable.

She never expected Second Miss would stand up for Hemiao again.

On one side, Madam Yang wagered with status and rewards to buy Old Madam Du’s silence; on the other, Xu Ruojin risked her own reputation for true justice.

Though the outcomes might be the same, only Hemiao could truly feel the difference.

If Hemiao knew how Second Miss was putting herself on the line for her, what would she think?

Spring Grass was utterly moved by Second Miss’s conduct. To serve such a mistress was all she could ask for in this life; if Hemiao truly betrayed that trust, it would be unforgivable.

“Second Miss, why go so far?” Nanny Huang hurried forward to intervene, never expecting the young lady to risk so much for a maid.

Madam had already settled the matter, but Second Miss insisted on clarifying it beyond all doubt.

Such a temperament was difficult to fathom, and what Nanny Huang feared most was, if the truth came out, how could she answer to Madam?

Xu Ruojin ignored Nanny Huang’s words and looked toward Madam Yang. “Mother, evil cannot overcome righteousness. If Hemiao has betrayed my trust, I will accept my misfortune, and take this as a lesson well learned. I will leave the matter for you to judge impartially.”

“If you are mistaken, you will remain confined to your rooms until your wedding and are not to step outside even once. Can you abide by this?” Madam Yang’s words left Nanny Huang at a loss.

“Madam, you…”

“Will you do it or not?” Yang would not allow further protest and confronted Xu Ruojin head-on.

Xu Ruojin nodded at once. “I will do as Mother says.”

“Old Madam Du, speak.”

Madam Yang sat down with a thud, slapping the armrest hard. “Tell everything you saw, word for word. If you dare deceive me by even half a sentence, I’ll send you to the county jail to taste the iron bars yourself. Consider carefully!”

Old Madam Du was nearly scared out of her wits.

Wasn’t Madam’s original decision sufficient?

Why did Second Miss have to stir up trouble?

She dared not challenge Madam’s command, so she looked helplessly to Nanny Huang.

But Nanny Huang was also filled with anxiety; she knew Madam Yang’s temper best—neither she nor Second Miss would give way. The truth would inevitably come out.

Nanny Huang’s heart pounded, and before Old Madam Du could speak, she hurried to Yang’s side and whispered in her ear.

Yang’s expression instantly turned thunderous, her lips almost bitten through with rage.

“Outrageous! You all dare make a fool of me—do you take me for an idiot?” she shouted, her insults making Nanny Huang’s face flush deep red with embarrassment. Before Old Madam Du could speak, she turned to Xu Ruojin and said, “Second Miss, I beg your forgiveness. That… man was, in fact, my own good-for-nothing son!”

Xu Ruojin was momentarily stunned.

She had sensed Nanny Huang’s unease, but had not expected her son to be involved…

Old Madam Du, seeing Nanny Huang had confessed, hastened to add, “I did not wish to believe it myself, but I dared not bother Madam with such matters and so told Nanny Huang instead. She beat her son soundly and apologized to me…”

She looked at Xu Ruojin, smacking herself in the face. “Second Miss, please, let this matter rest.”

But Madam Yang was now beside herself with fury—not only had Xu Ruojin defied her, but Nanny Huang had deliberately concealed the truth as well.

It was not Nanny Huang’s son’s indiscretion that angered her, but that Nanny Huang had not told her beforehand, leaving her so humiliated in front of her second daughter!

How was she to save face now?

After her brief shock, Xu Ruojin quickly regained her composure.

She stepped in front of Old Madam Du and pressed on, “Now that I know who the man was, tell me exactly what you saw.”

Nanny Huang tried to intervene, “Second Miss, please… spare me a little dignity; let it go.”

“No!” Xu Ruojin was relentless. She looked at Old Madam Du and threatened, “If you don’t speak now, be prepared to explain everything at the county office—I will not let this rest!”