Feng Jin rubbed her ears, feeling a headache coming on from their noisy cries. It sounded more like a funeral dirge than anything else.
Unable to watch any longer, Feng Jin took a step forward, positioning herself before the mother and daughter. With a cold voice, she asked, "You claim someone framed you. Who was it, and why would they do such a thing? And why specifically here, in Ling Muzhu's courtyard, to frame you?"
Her pointed questions left the mother and daughter speechless, utterly unable to retort.
"So, you have nothing to say? Weren't you just chattering away moments ago, crying about being framed? Now you've gone mute. Your switch is quite rapid. Are you guilty and simply can't speak?"
Feng Jin was relentless, her tone sharp and unforgiving.
"Why must you drive someone to their death? Miao'er is your cousin, after all. Can't you tolerate her at all? What you're saying could very well be her undoing!"
The older, the wiser, Ling Changyi was cunning indeed. She quickly devised a counter-argument, playing the victim to push Feng Jin into the spotlight.
"I'm driving her to her death? I only asked a couple of questions! Aunt, why are you dumping all the blame onto me? Are you really going to slander others so outrageously just to protect your own daughter?"
Confident in her understanding of Ling Changyi's intentions, Feng Jin brought the matter out into the open.
When dealing with such manipulative characters, direct confrontation about their motives is the only way to corner them.
Before Ling Changyi could respond, Feng Jin continued, "Or perhaps, Aunt, you believe I framed your daughter, which is why you're slandering me? But how could I have predicted that Zhang Miao'er would come to Muzhu's courtyard in the dead of night..."
Her deliberate mention of the late hour drew everyone's attention.
The elder Mr. Ling, seated in his prominent position, understood the situation immediately. However, maintaining his dignity, he did not expose the truth directly. "Let this matter rest. Disperse."
"No!" Ling Changyi exclaimed, "No, Father. Miao'er has suffered such a great injustice, this cannot just be overlooked. How will Miao'er face others after this!"
The more she thought about it, the more suspicious she became, determined not to let the matter slide.
Clinging to this point, Ling Changyi persisted, "Father, Miao'er is your granddaughter after all. You cannot simply turn a blind eye. Father, you must seek justice for Miao'er, Father."
A flicker of disgust crossed the elder Mr. Ling's eyes. For the sake of the Ling family's reputation, he suppressed his anger.
"So, Aunt, your intention is to get to the bottom of this?"
"Naturally. My daughter has suffered such a great injustice. Can a mother not ask why?"
Feng Jin let out a cold laugh. She had been waiting for Ling Changyi to say this. "Very well, let's discuss this properly. Aunt, why did you send Zhang Miao'er to deliver food to Ling Muzhu in the dead of night?"
"As an elder, I am concerned about my nephew. What is wrong with that?"
"Then why send your own daughter? Zhang Miao'er is still an unmarried young lady. Going to a man's room late at night, alone together... it doesn't sound good when spread. Aunt, you were very concerned about your daughter's reputation just moments ago. How were you thinking when you did this?"
A hint of panic flashed across Ling Changyi's face, though she quickly masked it. She coughed lightly and said, "They are like siblings. Even if..."
"Siblings? They are only cousins. And between cousins, things can happen... Also, Aunt, you must know what clothes Zhang Miao'er was wearing when she came, don't you?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, Feng Jin swiftly pulled down the sheet Zhang Miao'er had been using to cover herself. A large expanse of skin was revealed on her chest.
The men present averted their gazes at the sight. Her attire was more revealing than that of a common prostitute.
"With her wearing such clothes and coming here late at night, what were her intentions? Everyone here knows. Aunt, what else can you say?"
Feng Jin's icy gaze fixed on the slightly uneasy Ling Changyi. At this point, what further excuses could she offer?
"You're spouting nonsense! What does a dress prove? Ultimately, her innocence was lost in his courtyard. Even if you twist the heavens, you cannot escape responsibility for this!"
Ling Changyi shrieked, her former elegance completely gone. Pointing at Feng Jin, she roared, "You are also implicated in this matter. Perhaps you framed Miao'er yourself!"
"Clearly, you had wicked intentions and have now reaped the consequences. And you still have the audacity to shift the blame! You truly have the face for it!"
Feng Jin's voice was filled with fury as she forcefully thrust the evidence at Ling Changyi, leaving her with no room for denial.
"The pastries you had Zhang Miao'er deliver were laced with aphrodisiacs, and the incense too. You simply didn't expect Ling Muzhu to be absent, leading to Zhang Miao'er being found with another man."
"And your opportune arrival was precisely to stage a scene of catching them in the act. Your goal was to have Zhang Miao'er marry Ling Mohan, wasn't it, Aunt?"
Her secret exposed, Ling Changyi's face turned ashen. She was so stunned that she forgot to defend herself.
She knew full well what awaited her if this plan was revealed. Such a meticulous scheme had ended in utter failure, her dream of a wealthy son-in-law shattered, and Zhang Miao'er dragged down with her.
Ling Changyi collapsed onto the ground, as if her soul had been ripped from her body, her spirit broken. She lacked the strength to even stand.
"Take these two disgraceful individuals away and confine them. No one is to see them without my command!"
The elder Mr. Ling thundered, utterly enraged. He couldn't bear to look at them any longer and ordered them to be taken away.
The farce had finally concluded. Feng Jin stretched, utterly exhausted. The commotion had lasted all night, and with dawn approaching, she hadn't had a moment's rest.
"Grandfather, if there's nothing else, I will return to my room to rest."
"Wait. I have some other matters to discuss with you."
The elder Mr. Ling stopped Feng Jin from leaving. Although this incident was over, there were still other things he needed clarified.
"Grandfather, this matter is concluded. What else do you wish to ask me?"