Princess, something terrible has happened! The prince consort has attempted suicide again!

The servants immediately picked up hoes and began digging.

Before long, they noticed something was wrong.

"Sir, there's something hidden down there."

The servant picked up a wooden box and handed it to Marquis Yongwu.

He opened it and found a doll inside with words pasted on its back.

Upon seeing this, Marquis Yongwu frowned deeply.

Zhang Ling rushed forward, heartbroken, and said, "Brother, Father has been a bit strict with you, but you can't use witchcraft on him!"

This time the evidence is irrefutable; let's see how you deny it.

But Zhang Xiaomeng readily admitted, "I did it. If you're so capable, then kick me out of the mansion."

Zhang Ling was stunned for a moment.

Wait a minute, shouldn't he be protesting his innocence?

Why did you admit it?

But that's fine, it saves me from wasting my breath.

He continued to feign sadness, lamenting repeatedly, "Father, my elder brother's actions are extremely rebellious. If we allow him to remain in the Marquis's mansion, we will inevitably suffer as a result. I beg you to make the decision."

He was certain his father would be furious, and his plan would succeed.

To everyone's surprise, Marquis Yongwu looked at Zhang Xiaomeng with a complicated expression and asked, "Did you really do this?"

Zhang Xiaomeng nodded and said, "I already admitted it, so why ask?"

"evil creature!"

Madam Zheng coldly rebuked, "My Marquis's mansion will not tolerate you. From this moment on..."

She was speaking when Marquis Yongwu interrupted her.

"Mother, wait a moment."

"Yong'er, are you still going to speak up for him now? He dared to treat you like this today; he's bound to cause a great disaster in the future. Let's kick him out of the Marquis's mansion now to avoid misfortune for our family."

Zhang Ling quickly chimed in, "Grandmother is right, Father. For the sake of our Marquis's family's century-old reputation, we cannot allow him to continue to act recklessly."

The Marquis of Yongwu stared directly at him. "You saw him practicing witchcraft and sorcery with your own eyes?"

Without hesitation, Zhang Ling replied, "Of course I witnessed it with my own eyes. The facts are right before my eyes. Does Father still not believe me?"

He had pretended to be well-behaved and sensible for so many years that he had long gained the trust of the Marquis of Yongwu.

Now that I've confirmed it myself, my father certainly won't doubt it.

"I'll ask you one more time: did you personally witness your elder brother using witchcraft against me?"

The Marquis of Yongwu's voice suddenly turned stern, as if he were interrogating a criminal, which left Zhang Ling somewhat bewildered.

With all the evidence laid out before him, why did he keep pressing for answers?

Perhaps they just couldn't bear to.

After all, Zhang Xiaomeng was his own flesh and blood.

But I have no way out; I must crush him today.

Therefore, Zhang Lingyi said sternly, "Father, I have vouched for myself with my integrity. I did see my elder brother secretly using witchcraft against you. His intentions are extremely malicious."

Snapped!

Suddenly, Marquis Yongwu raised his hand and slapped Zhang Ling across the face.

This stunned him.

Zhang Xiaomeng also looked surprised. What's going on?

"Father, why did you hit me?" Zhang Ling covered her face, utterly bewildered.

"Look carefully at what's written on it!" Marquis Yongwu threw the doll over.

Zhang Ling caught it and took a closer look.

The back of the doll does not bear the birth date and time of the Marquis of Valor, but rather a prayer for his good health and freedom from illness.

"this……"

Zhang Ling was stunned.

I clearly wrote my birth date and time, so how did it change?

"How do you explain this?" Marquis Yongwu demanded.

"I...I..."

Zhang Ling was speechless, unable to explain at all.

Zhang Xiaomeng was also full of question marks when he saw the words on the doll.

How did it become me praying for Old Deng? Zhang Ling would make such a basic mistake?

At this moment, Granny Zhang came out and said, "My lord, this old servant can't bear it any longer and has something to say."

"explain."

"My lord, although the eldest young master is usually carefree and irreverent, he has you in his heart."

"The eldest young master always says that the Marquis is training him, hoping that he can grow up quickly and support this huge Marquis's mansion."

"As a son, the eldest young master also wants to do something for the Marquis."

"So he silently prayed for the Marquis, hoping that the Marquis would live a long and healthy life."

At this point, Granny Zhang burst into tears, filled with righteous indignation.

"But who would have thought that the young master's filial piety would be so blatantly slandered as a traitor to the Marquis? This old servant is heartbroken, utterly heartbroken!"

As she spoke, she even started wiping away tears.

Zhang Xiaomeng was completely dumbfounded.

How could a lowly servant girl like her, who only plays a minor role, give herself extra screen time?

Who gave her the role?

"He really said that?" Marquis Yongwu was surprised, and his tone softened.

"Young Master forbade this old servant to speak, but this old servant cannot stand by and watch Young Master be wronged. Please, Your Excellency, see the truth."

Granny Zhang suddenly knelt down.

The servants in the courtyard also knelt down, pleading in unison, "Please, Your Excellency, have a clear understanding."

What the hell!

They added their own drama!

Zhang Xiaomeng's eyes widened, his face filled with astonishment.

Marquis Yongwu looked at Zhang Xiaomeng, his expression no longer stern, and his tone became gentle.

"Why don't you do something and tell your father?"

I said, what the hell!

They're just adding their own drama.

Zhang Xiaomeng was extremely frustrated and didn't know how to answer.

He simply retorted, "Nothing to say."

Seeing this, Marquis Yongwu guessed that he must be resentful because he had been neglected over the years, which was why he was targeting him in every way.

Therefore, he wasn't angry. He turned to Zhang Ling and scolded, "Look what you've done! Come over here and apologize to your older brother."

Zhang Ling was so angry she almost vomited blood.

After all that effort I put into dealing with Zhang Xiaomeng, not only did it all fall apart, but I also have to apologize to him.

Which part was correct?

Left with no other choice, Zhang Ling reluctantly prepared to apologize.

But Madam Zheng intervened, saying, "Wait! Although Ling'er wronged him, his intentions were for the good of the Marquis's mansion. As the elder brother, he doesn't need to stoop to his younger brother's level."

Marquis Yongwu cupped his hands and said, "Mother is right. Now that the matter has been clarified, let's drop it."

Zhang Ling panicked upon hearing this.

If I can't get Zhang Xiaomeng to back down this time, I'll be the one who gets angry.

Just as he was wondering what to do, Madam Zheng objected, "We can't give up. We must drive this wretched child out of the Marquis's mansion today."

Zhang Ling was delighted to hear this, thinking that her grandmother truly understood her.

Zhang Xiaomeng secretly breathed a sigh of relief; thankfully, this old woman was causing trouble.

"Mother, it's rare to find someone as filial as Meng'er. We've misunderstood him. It would be inappropriate to drive him out of the manor," Marquis Yongwu advised.

"It's just placing a doll and writing a few words; what kind of filial piety does that represent? Have you forgotten how he talked back to you and how he caused trouble for the Marquis's mansion?"

With a cold face and a resolute tone, Madam Zheng said, "If you don't drive him out of the Marquis's mansion today, then don't acknowledge me as your mother."

"Mother……"

Marquis Yongwu immediately looked troubled.

Zhang Ling spoke up at the right moment, "Father, Grandmother is also considering the interests of the Marquis's mansion. Please reconsider."

Marquis Yongwu frowned, caught in a dilemma.

Zhang Xiaomeng's eyes darted around, and he deliberately pointed at Zheng Shi and cursed, "Old woman, my father is the head of the family, what are you?"

"you!"

Zheng was so angry that her chest heaved.

"What do you mean 'you'? My dad already said to let it go. If you dare to say another word, believe me, I'll slap you," Zhang Xiaomeng yelled.

"You unfilial son! How dare you!" Marquis Yongwu shouted sternly.