Chapter 611 Seeking Death
The Forbidden Dragon Guard dared to come to the door, naturally not afraid of Lord Qiu, so they paid no attention to Madam Wu’s fierce scolding.
Chongguang even wore a mocking cold expression, "Eldest Young Madam, there's no need to deny it so quickly. What is true cannot be faked, and what is faked cannot be made true. Just as a goose leaves a trace, we, the Forbidden Dragon Guard, will investigate thoroughly whether the Wu family is behind this."
Nanny Dong held some status in the Qiu manor. Although she was brought by Madam Wu, everyone in the household knew that Qiu Bingde would inherit the family business in the future, making Madam Wu the rightful mistress of the house. Nanny Dong's status also rose accordingly.
Having lived a life of pampered luxury for many years, Nanny Dong didn't need the Forbidden Dragon Guard to use force. Seeing Madam Wu, who was trying to maintain her composure but was clearly flustered, Nanny Dong hardened her heart and used her last bit of strength to violently smash herself against the nearby wall.
Seeing Nanny Dong suddenly attempting suicide, Madam Wu's expression instantly relaxed, a hint of expectation unconsciously appearing in the corner of her eye. As long as Nanny Dong died, even the Forbidden Dragon Guard would not be able to incriminate her!
Qiu Bingde had been watching Madam Wu. Compared to Lord Qiu and Madam Qiu, who had long sensed something was amiss, and Qiu Wangshu and his wife, who also harbored suspicions, Qiu Bingde had never imagined that his own wife would be the mastermind.
Therefore, when Nanny Dong was about to hit the wall, and Madam Wu showed a look of excited joy, Qiu Bingde's heart sank to the bottom. Even though he couldn't believe it, the facts were laid out before him.
Perhaps Qiu Bingde's gaze was too focused, as Madam Wu turned her head slightly and met Qiu Bingde's disappointed gaze. Not good! Madam Wu's heart skipped a beat.
But in this brief moment of distraction, Nanny Dong, who was attempting suicide by hitting the wall, was stopped by Chongguang. With a forceful pull, she was then thrown heavily to the ground.
"If you want to die, do it after you've clarified things!" Chongguang sneered, signaling a subordinate to grab the stunned Nanny Dong. If she managed to kill herself while in the custody of the Forbidden Dragon Guard, the entire Forbidden Dragon Guard would have no reason to live and might as well slit their own throats to avoid disgracing Seventh Master.
No matter how stubborn Ma Qi was, he had confessed. How could Nanny Dong withstand the methods of the Forbidden Dragon Guard? In less than a moment, Nanny Dong, kneeling on the ground, dared not hide anything, whether it should be said or not.
It's over...
Madam Wu's face turned ashen, but she no longer had the courage to look at Qiu Bingde. Nanny Dong was her confidante and the intermediary between her and her family. Once Nanny Dong confessed, Madam Wu would have no hope of recovery.
"My family's misfortune has made you a laughingstock, sir." Lord Qiu, seated in the main seat, finally spoke. Initially, Lord Qiu had not suspected Madam Wu, his eldest daughter-in-law, but when he sent people to investigate, he had not overlooked the Wu family.
Even if some matters were handled perfectly, and the Wu family had cleared all traces, once Lord Qiu began his investigation, even without witnesses or physical evidence, these clues were enough for Lord Qiu to suspect the Wu family and, consequently, Madam Wu.
The anxious Madam Wu suddenly raised her head upon hearing Lord Qiu's words, her voice sharp and piercing, "Father, you cannot convict me based on one side of the story. I am Bingde's lawfully wedded wife, and Chenge's mother!"
"Why?" Qiu Bingde looked at the indiscreet Madam Wu with disappointment. Thinking of his sensible and adorable son, Qiu Bingde found it even more unfathomable.
He walked to Madam Wu's side, looking down at the flustered Madam Wu. His dark eyes fixed on her, and he spoke again, word by word, "Why did you want to harm Huaixin?"
Compared to his two elder brothers, Qiu Bingde and Qiu Wangshu, Qiu Huaixin might have been a bit more of a playboy, but he had always been respectful to his elder siblings and their wives, and he doted on his two nephews, often bringing them small trinkets when he went out.
Qiu Bingde truly couldn't understand how Qiu Huaixin had offended Madam Wu or the Wu family to the point where they repeatedly tried to kill his third brother. Thinking of the words of concern Madam Wu usually spoke, Qiu Bingde shook his head with a wry smile, no longer bothering to hear Madam Wu's answer. Some things, once done, are done. The reasons behind them no longer matter.
"Husband!" Madam Wu grabbed Qiu Bingde's arm, as if grasping a lifeline. She then fell to her knees with a thud, clutching Qiu Bingde's leg and crying, "Husband, I know I was wrong, but my family... I had no choice..."
With Nanny Dong's confession, it was useless for Madam Wu to try and quibble any further. Therefore, she knew that the only one who could save her was Qiu Bingde.
For a moment, the room was filled with Madam Wu's mournful cries. She lamented her helplessness to Qiu Bingde, repeatedly apologized to Qiu Huaixin, and finally brought up their son, Chenge, "Husband, Chenge is still young, he cannot be without a mother. He still needs to study and participate in the imperial examinations. Chenge cannot have a mother who is branded a criminal!"
While the mother's guilt might not affect Chenge's studies or imperial examinations, Madam Wu's existence would be a stain on him. However, with the Qiu family's backing, becoming an official of the fourth or fifth rank would be no problem. But the third rank was a hurdle, and rising further would likely be impossible.
Even if Qiu Bingde was naturally generous and gentle, he would absolutely not allow a woman who had plotted against his own brother to remain by his side. Moreover, with this incident, who could guarantee there wouldn't be a next time? And who would be the target of the plot then?
Looking down at Madam Wu, who was kneeling on the ground and crying, her makeup smudged, her former dignified and virtuous demeanor gone, Qiu Bingde felt no emotion as he looked at her tear-filled eyes. "Yesterday, when you tested Chenge's studies, you said that a gentleman knows what to do and what not to do. Let me ask you, what heinous deed did Huaixin commit against you or the Wu family that led you to repeatedly attempt to kill Huaixin?"
(End of Chapter)