Chapter Ninety-Five: Confession

Before returning home, Xu Yaohui had already heard about the incident involving the womenfolk. Upon entering, he saw Madam Yang and Xu Ruojin waiting in the main hall, and his expression darkened.

Xu Zilin and Xu Zimo followed behind. Xu Yaohui gave a subtle signal, and Xu Zilin promptly ushered Xu Zimo away. “Go back to sleep first. This doesn’t concern you anymore.”

“Ah?” Xu Zimo was about to protest and stay a while longer, but upon seeing Xu Yaohui's sharp glare, he dared not utter a word. He merely shrank his neck and turned to leave. As he departed, his gaze towards Xu Ruojin was filled with helplessness and consolation.

Xu Ruojin acknowledged with a grateful nod, watching him go.

It was clear that on the way home, their father had been furious. Even if Xu Zimo didn’t fully understand the details, he knew whatever had happened was connected to his second sister.

Everyone wanted to vent their anger on her?

She herself didn’t even know where to direct her own fury!

“Master, you’re finally back! If you had come back any later, I’d have been gnawed to the bone by this second miss who’s about to climb the social ladder!” Madam Yang snorted coldly, her face stern. “Visiting the county magistrate’s residence, perfectly fine, yet somehow you stir up a whole mess. Worse still, it’s embarrassing to be exposed right in front of Madam Zhang. I sought justice for her, and yet, right before outsiders, she dares to raise her hand against me? Tell me, how am I supposed to be a mother in this situation?”

Xu Yaohui did not look at Madam Yang; his sharp eyes fixed intently on Xu Ruojin. “Was the wine today brewed by you?”

“Yes.” Xu Ruojin answered decisively, the single word halting Madam Yang, who had been waiting for her to elaborate, as if struck by a sudden blow.

“Well then, continue! Or are you going to be stingy with your words? Bah!” Madam Yang snapped.

“Don’t shout,” Xu Yaohui scolded quietly.

Madam Yang inhaled sharply, ready to retort, but seeing the crimson anger swelling in Xu Yaohui’s eyes, she could only snort resentfully and turn her head away in silence.

“You’re far too bold to act so recklessly in the county magistrate’s house,” Xu Yaohui reproached, directing his blame at Xu Ruojin.

Xu Ruojin hesitated briefly before replying, “To say I was forced into it is a stretch. It’s more accurate to say a daughter cannot tolerate slander, nor the ridicule over the previous ‘poisoned wine’ incident being dragged up again. That’s why I resorted to such a measure.”

“What poison? What poison wine?” Madam Yang did not understand the exchange between father and daughter. Xu Zilin stood by, unsure how to explain, so he remained silent, listening carefully.

Xu Yaohui could not bear her interference any longer. “Stop talking.”

---

“Father, I wish to discuss this matter with you alone.”

Xu Ruojin spoke with unusual calmness, her expression composed and steady, causing Xu Yaohui to pause.

Madam Yang ground her teeth in anger. “You want a private talk with your father? What, to speak ill of me in secret? To cry about how I mistreat you? Don’t hide it—say it right in front of me. If you don’t give me an explanation today, it’s impossible!”

“You should leave first,” Xu Yaohui said.

Madam Yang immediately objected, “How can I leave? The matter is still unsettled!”

“I meant you should leave,” Xu Yaohui repeated.

Madam Yang pointed at herself in disbelief. “Me?”

“Mother, let me escort you,” Xu Zilin read the situation well and stood to help Madam Yang leave.

Fuming, Madam Yang refused. “I won’t go. I haven’t settled accounts with that girl yet. I’m not leaving...”

“Mother!” Xu Zilin’s grip on her shoulder was firm; she could not move.

“After the county magistrate personally spoke with your father, we have just returned. You shouldn’t cause a scene,” Xu Zilin said.

Madam Yang stiffened. “What… what was said?”

“I don’t know,” Xu Zilin said casually, brushing it off.

He couldn’t admit that the county magistrate’s wife had berated his mother at length—that wasn’t his place to say.

Madam Yang’s suspicions grew as she glanced past Xu Zilin toward the interior.

Seeing her husband’s grim face, she begrudgingly swallowed her anger and left the main hall with Xu Zilin.

The father and daughter faced each other for a long moment. Finally, Xu Yaohui set down his teacup and spoke, “You wanted to speak privately. Go ahead. Why are you still so reserved?”

“I’m waiting for your instructions,” Xu Ruojin’s face was calm. “You must have already heard about what happened at the county magistrate’s residence before you returned. Since the matter has already blown up, we can’t hide from it. Tell me what to do.”

“Sigh.” Xu Yaohui exhaled deeply, filled with helplessness. “You’re clever, yet why stir up such trouble? The marriage into the Zhang family is imminent. Sometimes patience brings peace. Madam Zhang’s picking and choosing isn’t without reason. Your mother’s temper is quick and unmeasured, and you only add chaos!”

“This banquet—should it have been declined? How can we now salvage this?” Xu Yaohui pondered aloud.

---

“The matter might have been let slide, but with your mother making a scene, Madam Zhang surely won’t let it go,” Xu Ruojin said, voicing her suspicions. “She may use this incident to pressure us. Father, you must prepare.”

“Sounds as if it’s not your own marriage at stake,” Xu Yaohui remarked, appraising her coldly. “I didn’t realize you were such a cold-hearted girl.”

“I do not wish to marry into the Zhang family,” Xu Ruojin answered bluntly. “But the premise is my unwillingness—not that they refuse to take me because of their own defiance. There’s a difference your mother doesn’t understand, but you will. If you say it’s all about social climbing and flattering them, then I have nothing to say.”

Xu Yaohui was momentarily speechless, then forced a bitter smile and shook his head.

“If only it were that simple. Don’t forget, the Liang family is involved.”

Xu Ruojin quickly added, “Of course. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have thought so deeply about it. Zhang Zhongheng nearly drowned me by pushing me into the lake out of spite against Young Master Liang. That’s why he was so eager to secure this marriage, probably out of guilt. He’s launched attack after attack but hasn’t truly suppressed me. Now with this opportunity, if he doesn’t exploit it, I would have overestimated his cunning. He’s no hypocrite—he’s a genuine villain!”

“What did you say?” Xu Yaohui’s face turned grim. “Who told you this?”

“I remember clearly. Zhang Zhongheng came to test me personally. Today I also learned the origin of all this from Liang Xiao himself.”

Xu Ruojin looked at her father. “You must already know the truth, so why the cover-up?”

“If you already know the truth, I have nothing more to say,” Xu Yaohui rubbed his temples. “Let’s wait for news first thing tomorrow.”

“I’m actually looking forward to the news arriving sooner,” Xu Ruojin’s lips curved slightly. “I hate waiting.”

---

“Master!”

Chen Cai urgently reported at the doorway. Xu Yaohui jolted upright. “What is it? Speak!”

“The servant just received word. Miss Mo from Inspector Mo’s household fell ill from fright. It’s said she became like this after quarreling with our lady. The quarrel has already spread, and now… now the accusations are aimed at our lady, the miss, and even the Liang family.”

Xu Ruojin’s heart tightened. Mo Rong’s involvement—it all started from her.

Zhang Zhongheng’s moves were swift indeed!