Chapter 3

Lin Zhao only asked a few questions, and everyone understood clearly, even the elderly and slow-moving Lady Meng was able to catch on.

It seemed that Xiaotao's testimony had many problems, full of loopholes. Could it be that Lin Zhao was really wronged?

But why would Xiaotao wrong him? Was it a misunderstanding, or was there something else going on?

Those who were quick to react and had a penchant for gossip had already started to speculate on their own...

Lady Meng sat in the main seat and asked sternly, "Xiaotao, what exactly happened?"

Xiaotao was already in a panic. After a few answers exposed her lies, she had no idea how to cover them up. Her eyes would occasionally glance at her mistress—Madam Li!

Madam Li knew that things had reached this point, and her plan to accuse first had failed, even backfiring on herself. She had no time to think about why the usually dull Lin Zhao had become so smart today, unraveling the truth with ease. She only knew that if the affair was exposed, she would have no place to hide. What should she do? What should she do?

Madam Li secretly glanced at Chen Xuan, who was also extremely nervous. Seducing a married woman, with the Meng family's status and influence, would they let him off?

Lin Zhao knew the truth, but why didn't he speak up? Right, it was because he had no evidence. Thinking of this, Chen Xuan felt much more relaxed. The most important thing now was how to explain Xiaotao's side of the story and make it consistent!

Chen Xuan forced himself to calm down, and a sudden idea came to him. He said, "From what you've said, I might have wronged Lin Zhao. When I heard the shouting and rushed to the courtyard gate, Xiaotao seemed to be acting suspiciously, but I didn't pay attention at the time. Now, thinking about it, it seems a bit off..."

Madam Li was also somewhat shrewd. As soon as Chen Xuan finished speaking, she picked up on the hidden meaning and sobbed, "Xiaotao, you are the maid who came with me from my natal home. We grew up like sisters. If you did something wrong... it's not a big deal to speak up..."

Damn, she changed her tune so quickly! Clearly, she was trying to sacrifice Xiaotao to save herself! Lin Zhao sighed lightly, and his gaze towards Xiaotao was filled with pity and mockery!

"I... I..." Xiaotao was speechless, her eyes wide with shock. How did she, who was supposed to be a witness to frame someone else, become the target of everyone's accusations?

"Could it be that you were up to no good, stealing something?" Chen Xuan reminded her, intentionally or unintentionally.

Madam Li also stopped crying and said, "Xiaotao, what exactly happened at the time? Speak up... It's never too late to correct a mistake!"

While everyone was not paying attention, she frequently signaled with her eyes.

Xiaotao gradually came to her senses and immediately said, "Madam, it's my fault..."

Chen Xuan and Madam Li both breathed a sigh of relief. They had fabricated a story first, taking control of the situation. It was just a small mistake. If Lin Zhao had spoken up first, things would have been much more complicated...

Under the guidance of Chen Xuan and Madam Li, Xiaotao finally told the truth: "I stole the jade bracelet that the young master gave to Madam Li, and Lin Zhao saw me. I was afraid he would report me, so I framed him first..."

Lin Zhao clapped his hands and laughed, "Alright, the truth is out!"

Whether for himself or for the Meng siblings, Lin Zhao really wanted to expose this despicable couple, but he had no evidence. Speaking out rashly might backfire, so he had to be restrained...

Chen Xuan and Madam Li were indeed hateful, but Lin Zhao had no evidence, so he couldn't speak recklessly. Madam Li's sacrifice of a confidant could be considered retribution! If he could get real evidence in the future, he would make them pay!

"What?" Lady Meng was furious, "Stealing and then framing someone? Even worse, disregarding the mistress's reputation..."

"Old Madam, I know I was wrong, I know I was wrong, please forgive me..." Xiaotao was now in character, her performance quite convincing.

Lady Meng said, "The wench deserves to be beaten to death..."

"Madam, I know I was wrong, please save me!" The next scene was entirely as expected.

Madam Li interceded, "Grandmother, Xiaotao must have been momentarily confused. Considering she has served your granddaughter for many years, please forgive her this time!"

Lady Meng pondered for a moment and said, "Since your mistress has pleaded for her, I will let her off for now. Take her away and lock her in the woodshed for a few days to reflect on her actions..."

"Thank you, Old Madam, thank you, Old Madam..." Xiaotao pretended to be grateful, her eyes glancing at Madam Li, reminding her mistress to save her.

"Let this matter end here, no one is to mention it again!" Lady Meng firmly believed that family scandals should not be aired outside.

Meng Ruoying remained silent, feeling that the turn of events was too quick and something seemed off. Especially towards Lin Zhao, her suspicious gaze lingered, leaving some doubts in her mind...

Lady Meng was courteous, apologizing, "Lin Brother, I'm sorry! How are your injuries? Please see a doctor!"

Lin Zhao understood the principle of knowing when to stop and smiled, "Thank you, Old Madam, it's nothing..."

With that, the matter was temporarily concluded. Madam Li lowered her head in silence, and Chen Xuan left in a hurry, not daring to visit for many days...

It wasn't until then that the eldest son of the Meng family, Meng Ruogu, returned from the state school, completely unaware of what had happened...

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Lin Zhao returned with his uncle Gu Qi and his cousin Gu Yuelun to the three low, humble houses at the edge of the Meng family compound, which could be considered their home. After all, Lin Zhao and his uncle's family of three were servants of the Meng family...

Servants, why were they in such a lowly position?

Searching his memory, Lin Zhao sighed, it was all a matter of timing and fate!

According to his uncle Gu Qi, their family was originally from Zhuo Prefecture. In their early years, their hometown suffered a flood, and both his parents died. Uncle Gu Qi carried him and fled to Jiangning. Thanks to Lady Meng's kindness, they were able to survive!

Later, Gu Qi, who had some culinary skills, became a cook for the Meng family. Gu Qi said that the Lin family was a scholarly family, and he hoped his nephew could also read and write. He had begged many people for this. Later, because Lin Zhao was about the same age as the Meng family's young master, Lady Meng allowed him to become a study companion.

Later, Gu Qi married the mute embroidery maid Liu Shi and had his daughter, Gu Yuelun. Because of their skills, they were considered somewhat important among the Meng family's servants.

Even so, they were still just servants. Living under others' roofs and being at their mercy, suffering inhumane treatment like today was a common occurrence.

Coming to the Song Dynasty, seducing a few beauties would make the trip worthwhile, but how could he do that without freedom? Who has ever heard of a servant having multiple wives and concubines?

Right, he needed to find a way to leave the Meng family and start his own household! Suddenly, Lin Zhao set his first goal after his穿越.

"Cousin, are you okay?" Gu Yuelun asked with concern, noticing Lin Zhao's silence on the way back.

Lin Zhao finally noticed his young cousin, with her sweet appearance and delicate features, dressed in simple clothes, exuding a simple beauty. At just fourteen years old, she was already a beauty in the making. Lin Zhao believed that in a couple of years, her beauty would rival Meng Ruoying's.

Upon entering the house, under the dim light, his mute aunt Liu Shi had been waiting at the door for a long time. Though she couldn't speak, her eyes were already moist, clearly worried for a long time. Her gaze towards Lin Zhao was full of affection, and the loneliness caused by his穿越 was somewhat alleviated by this strong family bond...

Uncle Gu Qi nodded, "It's good that you're fine..."

"Cousin, what exactly happened today?" Gu Yuelun asked softly.

Uncle Gu Qi's eyes also carried a hint of doubt; he felt that this matter was not as simple as it seemed...

"It's nothing, just a misunderstanding..." Lin Zhao didn't want them to worry, so he glossed over it.

Just then, a knock on the door came, and it was the maid Xing'er from Madam Li's outer chamber!

"Madam Li has instructed me to bring some bruise medicine to Lin Brother. She is truly sorry for the injustice Lin Brother suffered today..."

Lin Zhao sneered inwardly, feeling a bit like a weasel wishing a chicken a happy new year...

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