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When she arrived, she initially didn’t believe it, but upon hearing her own granddaughter silencing the third Lady Qu of the Qu Mansion, rendering her speechless, she faintly grasped the implications. Was her granddaughter truly innocent in this matter?

Why did she know about this incident but failed to report it or have it removed? Why did she allow the sachet to remain there?

Even if she wasn’t the one responsible for this matter, it seemed inevitable that she had some involvement.

Even though Duchess Qi wanted to protect her granddaughter, she couldn’t confidently assert Liu Jingyu’s complete innocence.

“Grandmother, when I first learned about this matter, I didn’t think much of it. But now that the events have unfolded and I’ve connected all the clues, I began to suspect Third Lady Qu. So, I deliberately called her over for questioning, and it turned out that she was indeed responsible.”

Liu Jingyu explained in a gentle voice. She supported Duchess Qi and led her into the courtyard, taking a seat on a nearby stone bench.

“Do you really not know?” Duchess Qi looked at Liu Jingyu skeptically.

“Grandmother, I truly didn’t know before. It was only my assumption. I just wanted to frighten this Lady Qu into confessing.” Liu Jingyu said with a serious expression, raising her hand as if making an oath.

Qi Xiangyu observed Liu Jingyu’s demeanor but remained silent. She was merely the granddaughter of Duke Qi and had no blood relation to Duchess Qi. She had never been favored in the past and now understood that it was not the time to speak more.

If Qu Moying hadn’t repeatedly assured her, Qi Xiangyu would have undoubtedly witnessed Liu Jingyu and Qu Qiuyan together and discovered the truth about the sachet, she wouldn’t have dared to take the initiative to find Duchess Qi, nor persuaded her to follow and locate this place.

Liu Jingyu’s courtyard was not far from the flower hall. Many maids had seen her coming and, with a few inquiries, everything became clear.

Glancing at Qi Xiangyu by her side and noticing her expression, Qu Moying knew it was not appropriate for her to speak at this moment.

“County Lady Jingyu, are you truly unaware of this? Where did that note come from? According to what my third sister just mentioned, she threw a sachet and later encountered Young Master Yongning. But what about the subsequent note? The guests who came today wouldn’t have carried pen and paper, right? It’s unlikely that they saw my third sister throwing the sachet and then deliberately wrote on it, correct?”

Qu Moying took a step forward and smiled as she looked at Liu Jingyu, asking.

If it was a victim, Qu Moying was the biggest victim. Compared to Qu Moying, Liu Jingyu was at most an accidental victim. Since it was an accidental victim, she might have accidentally injured herself.

When it came to the matter of the paper and pen, since it was impossible for the guests, it can only be the host of this place.

Among all the people in the mansion, Liu Jingyu was the most suspicious one, especially considering her previous words. It was hard not to suspect her.

Duchess Qi looked at Liu Jingyu with a hint of suspicion in her eyes, and her displeasure was evident on her face.

“Lady Qu, today’s incident was indeed a negligence on our part. On behalf of our mansion, I apologize to you.” Liu Jingyu smiled slightly at Qu Moying, exuding an air of grace and composure. It seemed quite noble of her to even bow to Qu Moying.

She was a county lady, her bow was not something Qu Moying could bear, so she stepped aside to avoid the gesture.

Liu Jingyu straightened herself and slowly withdrew her smile. “However, if Lady Qu thinks that the people from the Qi’s Mansion are responsible for this matter, then you are gravely mistaken. Although guests are not allowed to bring paper and pen, today’s guests are all relatives and close friends. It is possible for anyone, regardless of whose study they borrowed, to secretly write those few strokes.”

This implied it had nothing to do with them.

Although these words may sound forced, the Duchess Qi remained silent with a stern expression.

Qu Moying smiled faintly and countered, “So, County Lady Jingyu, are you implying that my Third Sister wanted to harm me, but the note could have been written by one of the guests, intentionally trying to harm me? I rarely leave my home and do not know anyone other than my own family.”

Apart from Qu Qiuyan’s lineage, it was difficult to find anyone else who could harm Qu Moying. Moreover, to refute the claim, suitable evidence was required, making it easier to verify if an outsider was involved.

Liu Jingyu dared not directly accuse anyone and could only find other reasons to evade the situation. It was important for her to observe where this disaster was shifting. Fully explaining the situation to her was simply impossible.

“Not only did they want to harm you, but they also intended to harm me using the hands of Third Lady Qu. I have heard that my name was written on the sachet.” Liu Jingyu spoke slowly, compelled to mention the words written on the sachet.

Duchess Qi nodded, as it made sense.

“Lady Qu, this is an oversight on our part. I will definitely give an explanation to your mansion. As for Jingyu, she is also a victim. It seems that someone used the opportunity of Third Lady Qu to try to harm Jingyu, and you happened to be caught up in it.”

Duchess Qi concluded slowly, avoiding discussing the matter further.

The words were too biased, making even Qi Xiangyu feel uncomfortable. She glanced at her grandmother but ultimately did not dare to say anything. After all, Liu Jingyu was her grandmother’s favorite, while she herself was just a small existence. It was better not to say anything than to say something wrong.

Qu Qiuyan stood aside, seemingly forgotten. She also tried her best to diminish her presence, hoping that Qu Moying and Liu Jingyu would directly confront each other, completely forgetting about her small existence. However, upon hearing the words of Duchess Qi, she instantly knew that there was no hope. She felt a chilling sensation throughout her body.

Regardless of how Liu Jingyu acted, it was certain that Qu Qiuyan would not end well. The intention of Duchess Qi was to prove that Qu Qiuyan had intentionally harmed Qu Moying. With the testimony of Duchess Qi and Liu Jingyu, what defense did she have? Moreover, with the pressure from the Duke Qi’s Mansion, Qu Qiuyan almost knew what awaited her next!

It was over, truly over. This time, they were not in the Qu Mansion, her father would not be able to protect her. This was the Duke Qi’s Mansion; this was Duchess Qi.

She appeared as if standing there in thin clothing, as if it was winter. All around her was an icy landscape, so cold it sent shivers down her spine. Her entire body felt frozen, unable to move, and the figure in front of her blurred, making it impossible to see who it was. She leaned on Qing Ju’s hand for support, struggling to get a clear view of the face of Duchess Qi, but no matter how she looked, everything seemed unclear.

Suddenly, everything turned black, and she fell backward. In her ears, she heard Qing Ju’s panicked and screaming voice…

In a sharp pang of pain, Qu Qiuyan woke up to see the cold face of Qu Zhizhen, who was staring coldly at her lying in bed.

A doctor slowly stepped back, holding a sharp, long needle. It was the needle that had just awakened Qu Qiuyan, its tip still gleaming with a chilling light, causing Qu Qiuyan to tremble involuntarily.

Indeed, she was trembling uncontrollably, her face as pale as snow. Struggling to sit up, she looked at Qu Zhizhen and timidly called out, “Father!”

“Do you know what you have done?” Qu Zhizhen’s face was filled with anger and gloom as he spoke sternly.

“Father… I… I didn’t mean to. I didn’t know things would turn out like this. It was… County Lady Jingyu who set me up. She… she wanted to harm the fourth sister. She used me. She’s the one behind all this. But Duke Qi is protecting her, and I…”

Qu Qiuyan cried, her voice choked with sobs, tears streaming down her face, looking utterly pitiful.

“Used?” Qu Zhizhen coldly laughed. “Since you knew County Lady Jingyu was unkind, why did you get involved with her?”

“Father, I didn’t want to. I… I don’t know how she could do such a thing… I… I don’t know…”

Qu Qiuyan wailed, feeling increasingly aggrieved. Previously, Duchess Qi had shown favor to County Lady Jingyu, directly pushing Qu Qiuyan aside. At this moment, she could only seek her father’s help.

“Duchess Qi wants to bring this matter to light and clear County Lady Jingyu’s suspicion.” Qu Zhizhen stated.

“Father, no, if that happens… if that happens, my life would truly be over.” Qu Qiuyan trembled and suddenly lunged from the bed, falling to the ground. She didn’t feel the pain. After taking a few steps on her knees, she threw herself heavily in front of Qu Zhizhen, clutching his legs and crying bitterly.

If the Duke Qi’s Mansion was to spread this matter, her life would be ruined. Even as a concubine, Lord Jing would never accept her.

While rumors about the imperial family might affect the concubines, if there were solid evidence, especially evidence presented by the Duke Qi’s Mansion, Qu Qiuyan would never be able to enter the Lord Jing’s Mansion. She would end up in a situation similar to Qu Zhirui’s.

Her life would truly be over.

“You don’t want that?” Qu Zhizhen’s gaze fell heavily on his daughter, his intentions unclear.

“I don’t want it. I’d rather die. Father, save me, please, Father, save me!” Qu Qiuyan cried out loudly, holding onto Qu Zhizhen’s legs tightly.

“But… I am just a Vice Minister, not like County Lady Jingyu’s father, let alone the Duke Qi’s Mansion.” Qu Zhizhen said with a cold and distant tone.

“What should I do then? What should I do? Father, should I just let myself die? It’s Lady Liu Jingyu, it’s Liu Jingyu who wanted to harm the fourth sister. It’s her, she is the mastermind behind all this. Father, I will expose her. I will expose her right now!” Qu Qiuyan’s hair was disheveled, and she seemed somewhat mad.

Qu Zhizhen remained silent, his face showing a mix of emotions. After a while, he looked at Qu Qiuyan and said, “If that’s truly what you want, there is still a chance. But…”

As he spoke, his brow furrowed deeply, veins pulsing on his forehead, revealing his hesitation. This matter seemed to be quite difficult to handle.

“Father, say it, I will listen to whatever you say. It’s Liu Jingyu, she’s the one plotting against our mansion. She must be the one trying to marry the Crown Prince, deliberately harming me to gain favor with him.” Qu Qiuyan pleaded, her mind suddenly becoming clear, clutching onto Qu Zhizhen’s robe.

Tears streaked through her powdered face.

At this moment, she was willing to try anything. No matter what, her father would always support her. What she longed for now was the affection Qu Zhizhen had shown her throughout the years.

“Lord Jing will arrive soon. I have already sent someone to inform him that you were set up by County Lady Jingyu. The next steps will depend on you.” Qu Zhizhen sighed, pulling Qu Qiuyan up and revealing a plan.

In her haste to get off the bed earlier, Qu Qiuyan had collided with something, injuring her foot. As she stood up now, she limped and struggled to maintain her balance.

“You must stay unconscious!” Qu Zhizhen stared at his daughter, his eyes shadowed and unreadable. Though she couldn’t discern his exact thoughts, she could hear the chill in his voice, sending shivers down Qu Qiuyan’s spine…