After another day on the island, the remaining people embarked on their journey home. As expected, by the time they returned, the Zhan family wedding had long occupied the headlines, with the scandal that preceded it ranking just below the top story.
Feng Shi Ming's reputation was ruined. When her company announced bankruptcy, rumors had already spread, though they hadn't escalated. However, the incident at the wedding had caused a public outcry, and its nature was so severe that Feng Shi Ming now had to wrap herself up tightly whenever she went out to avoid being recognized.
As she watched the increasingly harsh online comments about her, her spirit became noticeably more frail.
She called Ji Tong, who was abroad, wanting her to seek justice for her. However, Ji Tong consistently made excuses about being busy. If Feng Shi Ming hadn't known about Ji Tong's hatred for Zhan Mo Han, she might have almost believed Ji Tong had been frightened by Zhan Mo Han's decisive actions.
She knew this incident was a direct result of her actions, provoking Zhan Mo Han and upsetting him, leading him to retaliate in this manner.
Her lingering hopes for Zhan Mo Han were now completely shattered. The man had no feelings for her, neither now nor in the future.
If Zhan Mo Han had possessed even a shred of personal regard for her, he wouldn't have been so ruthless in this matter, showing her no regard whatsoever.
Now that she saw things clearly, her heart held no love for Zhan Mo Han, only hatred.
Even if Ji Tong didn't return to help her, she knew what her next move would be. The Zhan family would soon be hosting an engagement ceremony for Zhan Yi Chen, presenting her with an opportunity to turn the tables.
However, she had forgotten that, at the same time, Zhan Yi Chen was also investigating who was behind Jiang Si Yu being taken away and sold as a courtesan at Jin Bi Hui Huang.
Originally, Zhan Yi Chen and Jiang Si Yu had no significant personal animosity. Moreover, Jiang Si Yu had changed considerably after her release from prison. No one in the Zhan family intended to make things difficult for her.
She had been framed and left in the dark, causing Wei Yu Meng to bear such a heavy burden. Both morally and legally, he should help her find the true culprit.
Jiang Si Yu had always believed that Wei Yu Meng was responsible for the incident and therefore stopped investigating. However, there were many ways to uncover the truth.
Zhan Yi Chen quickly located the individuals who had taken Jiang Si Yu away and brought them before her.
Upon seeing these men, Jiang Si Yu's expression grew even more grim; they were the architects of her nightmare.
"I brought you here today so that you can witness this. I want you to be involved in the entire process. This way, you will believe the results of my interrogation."
Because Zhan Yi Chen absolutely refused to believe that Wei Yu Meng was responsible, he acted this way to prevent Jiang Si Yu from harboring subjective disbelief.
Although Jiang Si Yu felt uncomfortable, for the sake of truth, she had to endure this discomfort.
The men who had wronged her were mere ruffians and vagrants. Their motive for these actions was to satisfy their own desires while also making money. They had no idea who they were framing, nor had they ever considered that they would bring such trouble upon themselves.
When Zhan Yi Chen found them, they hadn't yet grasped the severity of the situation. However, their expressions changed upon seeing Jiang Si Yu.
"How did you escape?"
Jiang Si Yu glared at the leader of the men with a cold expression. This man had bullied her the most and was the most detestable. She raised her hand and slapped him. "If I hadn't escaped, how would you scoundrels face retribution? Who ordered you to do that to me back then? You'd best tell the truth."
The man, after receiving the slap, still insisted, "It was Madam Zhan who ordered us to do it. If you want revenge, just go to her. We were merely paid to carry out the deed. Your true enemy is not us."
Hearing his persistent assertion, Zhan Yi Chen produced what he had prepared. A group like these good-for-nothings wouldn't withstand severe torture. He didn't believe they could hold out.
But the results of the torture surprised him. These men were crying and begging for mercy, yet they still insisted that Madam Zhan had ordered them to do it.
Jiang Si Yu stared at him with a darkened expression. "Zhan Yi Chen, what do you have to say now? It was that vicious woman who wanted me to live a life devoid of dignity. Why are you still defending her?"
Zhan Yi Chen truly hadn't expected such a result, but he still couldn't believe Wei Yu Meng was that kind of person.
Even if he and Wei Yu Meng hadn't spent much time together, he still trusted his sister-in-law. Furthermore, even if he didn't trust Wei Yu Meng, he should at least trust Mu Lin Jing, who was Wei Yu Meng's best friend, as they were of the same ilk.
So, he showed her a photograph of Wei Yu Meng. "Take a look. Is this the person?"
The man, bruised and battered, looked at the photo and wore a confused expression. "I don't recognize this person. She wasn't the one who instructed us."
Hearing this, it was Jiang Si Yu's turn to become agitated. She picked up Wei Yu Meng's photo and held it closer. "Look again carefully. Is it really not her?"
The man shook his head. "Of course not. I always have an impression of my employers. But I've never met this person."
Upon hearing this, a deep sense of powerlessness washed over Jiang Si Yu. She didn't know what she was so fixated on. Perhaps she just wanted to hear a definitive answer so she would have a direction for revenge.
But now, she had misidentified her enemy. Whom should she seek revenge against?
Her expression was truly pitiful. Zhan Yi Chen knew he couldn't abandon his investigation. He recalled Feng Shi Ming's evasive gaze when the matter was discussed on the island.
So, he found a photo of Feng Shi Ming on his phone and showed it to the man again for identification.
"Take another look. Is it this person?"
The man peered closely and immediately nodded vigorously. "That's right, it's her. She claimed Madam Zhan had ordered us to do it. We just took the money and did the job; we didn't ask for details."
Zhan Yi Chen handed his phone to Jiang Si Yu. "You've been hating the wrong person all along. Feng Shi Ming wanted to use you. She reaped the benefits while you were manipulated. You should be able to figure this out."
Jiang Si Yu tremblingly took the photo from his hand. Seeing Feng Shi Ming's face on it, she understood why Feng Shi Ming had done this. Because she, too, hated Wei Yu Meng.
For the sake of her own hatred, she didn't hesitate to drag her, someone who just wanted to live a life free from conflict, into it once again.