“Second Miss, you said that you broke a lantern, but where is it now? It can’t be that someone happened to pass by and took your broken lantern away. What is more coincident is that you didn’t know the servant who took your broken lantern away?” Wen Xichi asked more, as if he didn’t see Shao Jie’er pitifully crying in a panic.

The moment he finished his words, the outcome was definitely settled. Even if Shao Jie’er had lied a thousand times, it was impossible for her to show real evidence. However, what Ministry of Justice needed most was the real evidence to prove instead of a witness like her, who kept saying that she had said something wrong before.

Shao Jie’er could only cry and tried to muddle through this now.

Wen Xichi took a step back and cupped his hands to salute Shao Jing and Shao Hua’an, “Duke Xing, First Young Master, it’s obvious that this matter has something to do with Second Miss. I have to leave now for something else. If you need me tomorrow, just ask someone to send words to me!”

He didn’t address himself in the same way before. Instead, he used “Your Subject”, which meant that he was now an official of Ministry of Justice, and his latter words also guaranteed that he could testify for this matter. Shao Wanru didn’t know if it was good for Shao Jing’s group, but she knew that this was only good for her!

These words from Wen Xichi were equivalent to a guarantee for her. A guarantee from an official of Ministry of Justice was much more useful than any witness. Old Madam had asked Shao Jie’er to plot against Shao Wanru in order to get some evidence, which could be used against her in the future.

So far, Shao Wanru had basically understood Old Madam’s intention, showing a trace of sneer in her eyes. Although Wen Xichi’s behavior was too strange, it was only good for her. So she would just wait to see what Old Madam would say to her next.

For the time being, she had no need to use those defensive plans that she had prepared!

After finishing his words, Wen Xichi saluted Old Madam in the high seat, and turned around to stride away.

Seeing that he left elegantly without hesitation, Old Madam felt suffocated with anger. At this time, no one would believe that Shao Jie’er had nothing to do with this matter.

“Mother, it’s getting late. Let’s talk about this tomorrow!” Shao Jing looked around with his hands crossed in front of him and said.

This was a matter of the inner courtyard, so he and Shao Hua’an could indeed leave now. As long as the mansion had no intention to expose this matter, it could be regarded as a matter of the inner courtyard.

Shao Wanru sneered. Even this matter was in such condition now, he still wanted to avoid it.

Shao Wanru took a step forward, bowed deeply to Shao Jing, raised her eyes, and said, “Second Uncle, now we know that Second Sister has something to do with the fire. Second Uncle, don’t you want to know why Second Sister did this?”

Her words were extremely sharp, almost pointing straightly out that Shao Jie’er was the one who had set on fire.

“I didn’t, I didn’t set the fire. I really didn’t set the fire. I… I really left with a servant girl at that time…” Shao Jie’er was in panic, and she argued without caring about her face wet with tears.

“Second Sister, do you mean that I sent someone to call you over here?” Shao Wanru looked at Shao Jie’er coldly and asked, and then continued asking before Shao Jie’er could answer, “In this case, Second Sister, how about going to the court of Ministry of Justice tomorrow? Let’s see whether the officials of Ministry of Justice believe in you or me.”

“Ok… Let’s go there.” Shao Jie’er said fiercely, but cowardly in her heart.

“Ok, it’s settled. Second Sister, please point out the person at that time.” Shao Wanru said meaningfully.

Old Madam pounded the table heavily with her hand and said harshly, “You two are Misses from a respectable family. What nonsense are you talking about going to the court of Ministry of Justice?”

“Second Son, you and Hua’an can leave now. I’ll deal with this matter!” After saying that, Old Madam waved her hand to Shao Jing.

Shao Jing nodded, took a few steps and looked back at Shao Wanru. He couldn’t see through this niece. He couldn’t tell whether she was lucky or something else at this moment.

Shao Wanru lowered her head and stood there with a little anger on her face. Anyone who was framed would not feel happy. Her current reaction should be the most direct one.

She directly showed her anger instead of restraining herself. This was much simpler than a niece who knew how to restrain herself. Shao Jing had not gotten angry even when Shao Wanru had stopped him just now. If Shao Wanru was really calm and thoughtful, she should restrain herself at this time and wait to lose her temper until Rui’an Great Elder Princess came here tomorrow.

However, she couldn’t suppress it, which meant that she was probably not so scheming. It seemed that Wen Xichi really ruined things today. Shao Jing had known Wen Xichi well, who had always been indifferent to human relationships. His son had known him for a long time, but he was just an acquaintance to do a favor. Shao Jing had not expected that Wen Xichi would suddenly take real action.

What did this mean? Could it be possible that there was a prince standing behind Wen Xichi? Thinking of this, Shao Jing immediately became restless and shifted his attention from Shao Wanru to Wen Xichi. Turning around and striding out of the Chuntang Courtyard, he went straight back to the study and asked someone to investigate Wen Xichi’s affairs.

What had happened today had nothing to do with Wen Xichi, but he meddled in and took charge of it. This was so strange!

After Shao Jing left with Shao Hua’an, the atmosphere in the room became dull again. Old Madam, who was sitting above, stared at Shao Jie’er coldly, which made Shao Jie’er tremble and even dare not to cry.

It was so quiet in the room that Shao Jie’er’s increasingly panicked and rapid sound of breathing could almost be heard.

“Grandma…” Shao Jie’er couldn’t bear it and wailed.

“Kneel down to your Fifth Sister and serve tea to apologize!” Old Madam squeezed the words out, which made Shao Jie’er tremble a few times. She turned to look at Shao Wanru and wailed, “Fifth Sister!”

She didn’t want to kneel. There were other servants here. If she, as the elder sister, knelt down, she would lose her face in the future.

Shao Wanru looked at Shao Jie’er with an extremely cold and calm gaze. Shao Jie’er could not understand the meaning and coldness in her eyes. With just a glance, Shao Jie’er’s heart trembled. At this time, Shao Jie’er also regretted very much. She had known that Shao Wanru was not easy to deal with, but she listened to Old Madam. Now she not only got no benefit but also was pushed out as the scapegoat by Old Madam.

However, she didn’t dare to push Old Madam out and only hoped that Shao Wanru could let her go.

“Fifth Sister, Fifth Sister, I really didn’t do it on purpose. I… I did it carelessly. I was afraid… that’s why… I wanted to ask you to help me share some of the burdens… Grandmother has always doted on you. With your help, she will definitely not punish me severely.” Shao Jie’er pleaded with Shao Wanru with tears in her eyes.

Her words sounded very sincere and she also confessed that she did lie just now. But she meant that this lie was made because she was afraid.

Seeing that Shao Wanru’s expression remained unchanged, Shao Jie’er continued saying, “Fifth Sister, I really didn’t mean to do that. I just accidentally swept the light when I was writing. Later, I couldn’t put it out, so I wanted to run out to call for help. When I saw that it was burning, I was so afraid… that… that I did this!”

At this moment, Shao Jie’er had to shoulder all the responsibilities and blames. It was impossible to say that she started the fire, but she could say that she was careless.

Seeing that Shao Jie’er talked more and more smoothly and regretfully, Shao Wanru sneered in her heart. At this moment, Shao Jie’er showed her rare cleverness. She knew that she couldn’t argue anymore, so she had to take the blame and said that she did it carelessly. In this way, she could take all the responsibilities.

As long as the mansion did not investigate the matter, it was nothing no matter what other people said.

Old Madam, who was sitting there, looked better. This was the best result. Now Shao Jie’er’s words explained the reason why she had been lying before. Since she said that she did it carelessly, it was easier to deal with than her arson.

She turned to look at Shao Wanru, only to see that Shao Wanru was very angry and annoyed with a straight face. At present, no matter what Shao Jie’er said, she only looked at Shao Jie’er angrily without saying anything.

“Fifth girl, you see…” Old Madam softened her voice.

“Grandma, I don’t want to forgive Second Sister. She set fire this time. If she kills someone next time, will Second Sister blame it on me? There are so many people in the mansion, and I’m not very familiar with Second Sister. I don’t understand why she doesn’t blame it on others but insists on blaming me!” Shao Wanru interrupted Old Madam’s words in a cold voice.

She knew that Old Madam meant to minimize the big trouble. It would be better for her to accept the loss, but she didn’t want to.

She did not intend to use the sisterhood to show her generosity.

“Fifth Girl, it’s indeed the Second Girl’s fault. Don’t worry. I’ll punish her severely. I can’t let you suffer such a loss in vain.” Old Madam comforted Shao Wanru.

Shao Wanru shook her head firmly, and there were crystal tears in her watery eyes. When she looked at Old Madam, her eyes were full of tears. “Grandma, I know that I have exiled out since I was a child. I am not close to my family members in the mansion, but it is just on the surface. I am getting closer to my family members step by step, but they are thinking about how to destroy me. Grandma, I will not forgive my Second Sister!”

After saying that, Shao Wanru turned around and left. She left with tears falling down and left Shao Jie’er on the spot.

An appropriate show of weakness meant a tough attitude of refusing reconciliation, so this could avoid Old Madam saying some empty words about sisterhood.

Old Madam wanted to stop Shao Wanru, but seeing that Shao Wanru had arrived at the door, she could only watch her leave. After that, her eyes fell on Shao Jie’er. It was this girl who had ruined the plan and lied again and again, so that no one believed her now.

“Kneel down!” Old Madam rebuked harshly.

Seeing Shao Wanru leave in such a tough attitude, Shao Jie’er had already panicked and didn’t know what to do. Since Old Madam scolded her, she hurriedly knelt down. She cried and said, “Grandma, I… I really don’t know… why did this happen… I really did it according to … according to what you said…”

When she spoke of this, a teacup was thrown over heavily to her feet side, which scared her so much that she immediately stopped talking and looked at Old Madam, who was sitting high above.

“Go! You don’t need to sleep tonight. Go to the Buddha Hall in the back to calm down and cool down yourself. If you don’t keep your mouth shut, I’m afraid that you won’t be able to keep your life in the end!”

Old Madam scolded her gloomily and cruelly.

Two old maids came over and took Shao Jie’er out. Shao Jie’er didn’t dare to struggle out. She just turned around and wailed, “Grandma, grandma…”