tallest building

Chapter 22 Leaving Room

Feng Tianzhu's words caused a great stir.

People had already become suspicious based on the conversation between Cui Baozhu and Gong Chang'an, but they were not certain.

Now that Feng Tianzhu has said this, it's clear that Cui Baozhu did indeed intend to harm people.

"Young Master, don't talk nonsense. When did I ever do such a thing?" Cui Baozhu hurriedly retorted.

"Slap!" She was slapped hard as soon as she finished speaking.

Madam Wu's eyebrows shot up, her cheeks flushed red, and she pointed at Cui Baozhu, cursing, "You heartless bastard! How dare you frame my young master! What's the point of him, a mere child, accusing you?! Besides, Young Master Gong himself said that you were the one who tricked him into coming to this house!"
Why did you harm my son?! If you don't give me a clear explanation today, I'll send you to the authorities! I'll make your Cui family lose all face!

What Wu said was true. Although it was Gong Chang'an who was locked in the room, it was because Cui Baozhu treated her as Feng Tianzhu.

It's no wonder she was so angry; if Feng Tianzhu had really been locked in a room and a snake had been released, he would have been so frightened that he would have fallen ill.

"I...I...I really didn't mean it." Cui Baozhu finally couldn't hold back anymore and covered her face, bursting into tears. "Please...please forgive me!"

She really didn't expect things to escalate to this point. She originally thought that Song's plan was flawless. It was just dealing with two children, so how much risk could there be?
"Listen to the utter nonsense she's spouting!" Madam Wu's eyes blazed with anger, yet tears streamed down her face. She held her son tightly in her arms. "Everyone knows how much the Feng family cherishes this child. I brought him out today, and if he's been frightened because of this, not only will I face a scolding from my master and mistress when we get back, but the heartache alone will be enough to break my heart. He's my own flesh and blood!"

Those present nodded in agreement, understanding Wu's feelings. Even though she was usually somewhat arrogant, today's incident was indeed dangerous, and anyone would be afraid.

“Miss Cui, now that things have come to this, you can’t afford to play dumb anymore.” Wen Mingqian knew it was time for him to speak up. “I have no grudge against you, and I kindly invited you to be my guest, yet you have resorted to such a heinous act, and against two innocent children no less. If this matter is not resolved today, I will not let you go.”

“Yes, Miss Cui, just tell us quickly!” Liu Cuiyi also urged. “Fortunately, nothing serious happened. If you explain clearly and plead for leniency, this matter will be over.”

Cui Baozhu lowered her head and just cried. She was extremely regretful now. She should have never gotten involved in this mess.

“Miss Cui, you must know who the servant who released the snake was! Tell me about her first,” Wen Mingqian said. “If you still refuse to speak, then I will have no choice but to report it to the authorities.”

"In my opinion, we should just report this to the authorities!" Madam Wu gritted her teeth in anger. "I don't care what grudges you have against me, why are you trying to harm my son?!"

“It’s…it’s Aunt Liu who’s in charge of this yard,” Cui Baozhu said hesitantly.

Even though she didn't want to talk about it, she knew she had been caught red-handed, and denying it wouldn't help.

Moreover, both the Gong family and the Feng family are of higher social standing than the Cui family. If they join forces to force him, how will he survive?
Soon, Liu Mama was summoned. Surprisingly, she remained calm and pretended to be completely unaware, greeting everyone and saying, "Ladies and misses, what can I do for you?"

“Mama Liu, the young master of the Feng family saw you put snakes in this house with your own eyes. Miss Cui also said that she conspired with you,” Wen Mingqian asked, looking at her. “Explain things clearly and don’t hide anything.”

“Madam, I did put a snake in this room. But that's because there are always rats in this room, and I was afraid they would damage the things, so I came up with this idea,” Liu Mama said calmly. “Nonsense!” Wu Shi couldn’t help but curse, “You’re trying to fool me! Cui Baozhu has already confessed!”

“That’s not true at all,” Mrs. Liu said with a smile. “When I brought the snake over, I did see Miss Cui. She asked me what I was doing, and I said I was putting it in that room to catch mice.”

"There are people in the house, didn't you know?" Liu Cuiyi couldn't help but ask.

"Oh dear, I didn't know that. This room is just for storing odds and ends, how could there be anyone in it?" Mrs. Liu asked back. "I put it in through the window, I didn't look closely! Who's in this room?"

"Your fourth young master is inside," Madam Wu said, pointing at Gong Chang'an. "Just tell me who ordered you to do this!"

“No, that’s not true!” Madam Liu shook her head, then asked Gong Chang’an, “Fourth Young Master, why didn’t you make a sound in there? I didn’t hear a thing, otherwise why would you put a snake in there!”

"You!" Wu was so angry she could only glare at her. "You shrew! How dare you!"

“Miss Cui, what do you say?” Wen Mingqian turned around and asked Cui Baozhu, “If Liu Mama really didn’t know, then you knew there were people in that house and still let her release the snakes.”

"I..." Cui Baozhu was in a state of confusion. She still couldn't make up her mind whether or not to bring Song Shi out.

“How about this? Madam Feng is determined to know the truth, but Miss Cui, an unmarried young lady, also needs to save face.” Wen Mingqian decided to act as a peacemaker. “Please let everyone else return to their seats first, and leave just the three of us to explain things clearly.”

Madam Wu was still somewhat unwilling, but Wen Mingqian reassured her, "Young Madam, even if this matter goes to the authorities today, it will only make her lose face for no reason. After all, the young master is unharmed, and she is an official's wife, so at most she will have to pay some money in compensation."

"And it concerns the reputation of all three of our families. If this gets out of hand, it won't look good, and you'll be in trouble too."

Although Wu was unwilling, she thought that Wen Mingqian's words made sense. Wen Mingqian had not invited her today; she had come on her own, so she was an uninvited guest.

I almost got into an accident because I didn't take good care of my son. If my family finds out, I'll definitely get a scolding.

More importantly, if she is forbidden from showing her face in public or taking her son out in the future because of this, it would be a huge loss.

After all, she loves to show off in front of others, and if she can't do that anymore, it would be worse than killing her.

"Fine then! She's gotten off easy!" Wu glanced at Cui Baozhu with resentment.

After everyone dispersed, Wen Mingqian softened his tone and said to Cui Baozhu, "Miss Cui, we have already given you face. You should be honest with us. If this gets out, how will you ever get married? You are an unmarried young lady."

When the topic of marriage came up, Cui Baozhu couldn't stop her tears. If it weren't for this, why would she have become an accomplice of the Song family?

(End of this chapter)