When Jiang Yucheng saw the look of sadness and disappointment on his eldest daughter's face, he suddenly felt a strange mix of emotions.
Because he disliked Liu Shi, he genuinely loathed his eldest daughter.
Given that she had talked back to him yesterday, Jiang Luoxue did not refuse when Chu Lianxin suggested locking her.
He just wanted to curb his daughter's temper and let her know that she was the head of the household.
But when his eldest daughter looked at him with such a disappointed expression, he felt a little uncomfortable.
This made him feel like an irresponsible, scumbag father.
Thinking that his eldest daughter had just saved the people from the General's Mansion, a relationship he had been desperately trying to cultivate but could never achieve, he was deeply moved.
Having served as an official for many years, he was well aware that his humble origins and the fact that he had climbed the ranks to become a high-ranking official through bribery and wealth did not give him a solid foundation.
If you want to gain a firm foothold in the capital, you must rely heavily on powerful and influential connections.
The General's Mansion, which was currently enjoying great influence, was undoubtedly one of the best shortcuts.
Seeing this opportunity right in front of him, he didn't want to disappoint his daughter, who was of great value to him.
After a few moments of thought, Jiang Yucheng softened his expression and wanted to say a few words to reprimand his eldest daughter before sending her back.
But Chu Lianxin had no intention of letting Jiang Luoxue off easily. Seeing that the man was going to handle her gently, she quickly rebuked him, "Jiang Luoxue, your sophistry is useless. You are the only one in the entire Minister's mansion with the most motive to poison us."
Jiang Luoxue stopped looking at Jiang Yucheng and instead looked at Chu Lianxin, saying in a deep voice, "Mother, you can't just say things like that. Do you have any evidence to back up your claims?"
Chu Lianxin said decisively, "What evidence do we need? You were punished yesterday, and today something happened in the manor. If you didn't do it, who else could it be?"
Jiang Luoxue chuckled coldly, as if she had just heard a joke.
"So, you have no evidence at all, and you're just making assumptions based on guesses to conclude that it was me, someone who's been confined to my quarters, who did it?"
She stood ramrod straight, her slender body radiating strength, and her voice was firm and resolute.
"Mother, you insist on smearing me. Are you trying to ruin my reputation by taking advantage of the fact that I grew up without a mother, or are you protecting someone?"
"You're talking nonsense!" Chu Lianxin was furious at her counterattack.
Jiang Luoxue didn't care whether she was angry or not, and continued to say what she wanted to say.
"What nonsense could I possibly be spouting? Everyone in the manor with eyes can see that I'm under house arrest and can't even leave the courtyard. How could I possibly poison someone?"
"If we're talking about those who have more motivation and more opportunities, aren't they Jiang Ruzhu and Jiang Cong?"
"Although Jiang Cong is at the academy, Jiang Ruzhu can move around freely, can't she?"
When it came to her own children, Chu Lianxin immediately lost her temper.
"Jiang Luoxue, stop beating around the bush. We're talking about you now, don't drag irrelevant people into this."
Jiang Luoxue retorted without backing down: "Chu Lianxin's words are a bit too ridiculous. What do you mean by talking about something else? If you say that I, as the stepdaughter, am a suspect, then Jiang Ruzhu is also a daughter of the Jiang family, so naturally she should also be a suspect."
"Stop spouting nonsense. Ruzhu has always been well-behaved and sensible, unlike you who are good for nothing and hold grudges all day long."
Jiang Luoxue laughed sarcastically: "I've really learned something new. It turns out that the matriarch of the Minister's mansion judges things with prejudice."
"Fortunately, my stepmother wasn't an official of the Dali Temple, otherwise who knows how many wrongful convictions would have occurred in this world."
"Father, since my stepmother is determined to insist that I did it, I have no way to defend myself."
"Why don't we ask the people from the Dali Temple to come and investigate the case?"
"No!"
Since it concerned the reputation of the Shang family, Jiang Yucheng immediately jumped out to oppose it.
"You're just being ridiculous! This is a family matter of the Minister's household. What kind of behavior is it to take it to the Dali Temple!"
Family scandals should not be aired in public. If it gets to the authorities, how can he continue as a minister?
Jiang Luoxue forced out two tears, looking at Jiang Yucheng with sadness and disappointment.
"I'm being ridiculous! Father, my stepmother keeps saying I poisoned her and the servants and is determined to pin the blame on me."
Your silence clearly indicates that you agree with what she said.
"Your daughter has suffered such an injustice today. If word gets out, what will become of her reputation?"
"Since the prefecture cannot give me justice, the only way is to invite the people from the Dali Temple to come and clear my name."
Hearing his daughter's accusations and questions, Jiang Yucheng became somewhat embarrassed and angry.
He felt that this daughter was just as Chu Lianxin had described, becoming arrogant and conceited after saving the people from the General's Mansion, and was so utterly lacking in self-control.
He believed that no matter what, Chu Lianxin was his daughter's stepmother, and even if her words were a bit too much, his daughter should accept and tolerate them. How could she be so aggressive?
She actually wanted to air their dirty laundry in public; how incredibly stupid.
Doesn't she know that her stepmother and the Minister's mansion are intertwined, sharing both prosperity and adversity?
If her stepmother loses her reputation and the Minister's Mansion loses face, Jiang Luoxue will also be looked down upon.
She's almost married, and she still don't understand this principle; she is incredibly foolish.
Jiang Yucheng grew angrier the more he thought about it, and with a cold face, he began to lecture Jiang Luoxue: "Jiang Luoxue, how dare you! Don't you have any respect for hierarchy?"
"As the saying goes, a son should not speak ill of his mother. For you, a daughter, to speculate about your mother like this is the height of filial impiety."
"Your mother was just anxious about things in the manor, which is why she went a bit too far in her words."
As a daughter, you should be understanding; how can you always resort to reporting to the authorities!
"What kind of behavior is this? Where do you put the dignity of your mother and the Minister's family!"
Seeing that Jiang Yu was willing to say such shameless things to protect Chu Lianxin.
Jiang Luoxue sneered inwardly, and was about to retort when she heard a cold male voice.
"What a blatant distortion of the truth."
"Minister Jiang, you have always prided yourself on being fair and just in court, but I never expected you to be such a person who cannot distinguish right from wrong in private."
"This general has truly broadened his horizons today!"
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw a handsome man in a brocade robe, with deep-set eyes and an imposing aura, slowly walking over, his face full of sarcasm.
Beside the man stood the gatekeeper, who hadn't had time to announce his arrival.
Jiang Yucheng's expression changed immediately upon seeing the newcomer. He secretly glared at the gatekeeper before quickly walking over to the man and bowing, saying, "This humble official, Jiang Yucheng, greets the General of the Cavalry."
"I was unaware of your presence, General. I have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me!"
Ye Xuanchen walked in and first subtly glanced at Jiang Luoxue. Seeing that she was not injured, he turned to Jiang Yucheng and waved.
"Minister Jiang, there's no need for such formalities. I've come today on my grandmother's behalf to thank Miss Jiang for saving her yesterday."
At this point, the man chuckled, his tone laced with sarcasm: "I didn't expect to witness such a good show as soon as I arrived!"
"Since Minister Jiang is unwilling to report this to the Court of Judicial Review, how about I, the general, take on this role as the judge?"
Jiang Yucheng stammered, "This...this is just a small matter, there's no need to trouble you, General."