Chapter Sixty-Four: The Truth

Yang was so furious at this moment that she could not utter a single word. Compared to Xu Ruojin, her hatred burned even fiercer towards Madam Huang’s deceit, Madam Du’s trickery, and the reckless, unbridled gossip spread by Li Qiuping. She felt as if she were nothing more than a fool, thoroughly duped. If not for the scandal stirred up by a maid, who knew how long she would have remained in the dark? She had always believed herself to be in command of everyone in the household, only to discover she was the most thoroughly deceived of all.

Xu Ruojin’s words had left Yang unwilling to voice any further opinions, allowing this girl to act and make a scene as she pleased. Yang wanted to see just how many in this household dared to fool her! The servant, having received instructions and seeing that the mistress remained silent, immediately rushed off to summon people.

Madam Huang bit her lip almost to pieces, not daring to make a sound. Madam Du, too, did not dare to stir up trouble anymore, nor did she wish to, for she simply could not believe that nothing happened between those two in that room. If Hemi were to confront her directly… She had to ensure Hemi admitted her fault and yielded before she blurted out the whole truth. Then everything would be easier to handle!

Madam Du plotted incessantly in her mind, while Xu Ruojin, somewhat exhausted, sat quietly to rest. Yet her heart remained unsettled. She had not expected matters to escalate this far. Though she knew she had acted somewhat rashly by wagering with Yang, she felt it worthwhile for Hemi’s sake. At least she had finally squeezed the truth from Madam Du—who had not seen anything substantial at all. Merely leaving the room proved nothing.

Xu Ruojin was now resolved: since the matter had been exposed, it must be exposed completely. She would silence Yang and make those who mistreated Hemi pay. Thinking of Li Qiuping… Xu Ruojin had not anticipated her involvement in all this. To insult Hemi was to insult herself. Seeing Yang’s furious expression, she suspected Li Qiuping would suffer consequences without her intervention.

Hemi—what state was she in now? Hemi, you must hold on…

After a while, Hemi was the first to arrive.

A red mark from the rope remained around her neck; though her face had been washed, her swollen eyes and pale complexion shocked everyone who saw her. Scars marred her hands and face… She had been away from the Xu household for such a short time, yet was already reduced to this state.

“Hemi!” Xu Ruojin called her name softly, her face full of disbelief. Was this the same Hemi who had once devoted herself entirely to the former Xu Ruojin? As if moved by instinct, tears welled in her eyes.

Hemi turned to see the Second Miss, her freshly washed face streaming with tears once more. She knelt and bowed, “Second Miss, your servant is seeing you again, Second Miss…”

Drawing Hemi into her arms, Xu Ruojin’s anger grew even fiercer. She glared at Madam Du and cursed, “Is this how you treat your daughter-in-law? Mother gave you face and arranged a wife for your son, and this is how you repay her, dragging the Xu family’s honor through the mud? You’re courting death!”

“Second Miss, she’s already the Du family’s daughter-in-law. If she made a mistake, should she be untouchable?” Madam Du argued slyly.

Xu Ruojin strode over and kicked her twice, “I don’t care about reason anymore! I don’t care! What can you do about it? I’ll kick you to death, old hag—”

“Mercy, mercy! Murder! Madam, spare this old servant!” Madam Du cried out loudly. Madam Huang immediately glanced at Yang, but seeing Yang remain silent, she swallowed her words.

Hemi stared in disbelief at the Second Miss’s wild behavior. The Second Miss had always spoken softly and gently, enduring every hardship with patience—never had she acted so boldly in front of Madam Yang. She had only been gone a few months; how had everything changed so much?

Xu Ruojin, blinded by rage, paid no attention to Hemi’s bewilderment. “Today, I’ll stand up for you. That old woman slandered you and Madam Huang’s son. Whatever happened, tell it all. If she dares to sully your name, I’ll never forgive her, even if it kills me!”

Still unable to believe what was unfolding, Hemi stared at Xu Ruojin, then at Madam Huang and Yang.

Yang finally spoke. “You’ve already tried to end your own life, obviously disregarding your reputation. What can’t be said now? Speak.”

Hemi swallowed, still unable to settle her nerves.

Madam Du, seeing Hemi’s head bowed in silence, mocked, “You dare attempt suicide but can’t confess your vile deeds? What are you pretending to be pure for—”

Hemi’s glare made Madam Du shrink back.

Xu Ruojin looked at Hemi. “Don’t worry. Speak.”

“Yes…” Hemi looked at Yang. “It was the young master who pitied me and sent Huang Yuliang to bring me some silver. I refused to accept it. As soon as I stepped out, I was misunderstood. Nothing ever happened between me and Huang Yuliang!”

Hemi turned to Madam Du. “As soon as I left, I was accused. Madam Du told Second Brother Du, who beat me… and I… I miscarried.”

Tears streamed down her face, and she was utterly distraught.

Xu Ruojin immediately embraced her, comforting her. Madam Du jumped to her feet, shouting, “You’re lying! You definitely had something with Huang Yuliang!”

“Nonsense!” The one most agitated was not Yang or Xu Ruojin, but Madam Huang. She rushed forward, grabbed Madam Du by the collar, and scolded, “So, you dared to play tricks on me too! You claimed to see them together, but it was all just your own speculation. Your eyes must be blind—maybe they should be gouged out!”

Madam Du, though frightened, refused to yield. “So what she says is true and what I say is false?”

“Enough!” Yang’s teeth clenched so hard they creaked. “Go fetch the young master. This matter must be settled today. If I find anyone has maliciously deceived me, I’ll skin her alive!”

The last words were clearly meant for Madam Du.

Madam Du felt a chill run down her spine. Her face flushed deep red, uncertain whether from fear or suffocation.

Before long, Madam Huang’s son, Huang Yuliang, arrived. Upon Yang’s questioning, he immediately knelt and confessed, “The young master came to my house to drink. Hearing me mention Hemi’s miserable state, he instructed me to bring her some silver…”

“Hemi refused the silver. As soon as I left, I saw Madam Du. I didn’t follow up on what happened afterward—I know nothing more.”

Madam Huang’s face showed a hint of embarrassment. She had thought it shameful and never questioned her son. The supposed beating Madam Du spoke of never happened. Who would have thought a single word could have deceived her?

Yang remained silent, waiting for Xu Zilin to arrive.

Xu Zilin did not come in person to confirm the events, but sent a servant with his response. The account matched Huang Yuliang’s, with one addition: “Give every member of the Du family twenty heavy strokes and drive them all out of the Xu household!”