CHAPTER TEN — THERE IS SOMETHING FISHY
The madame prided herself on her loyalty to the Fang family, but she prized the Su Mansion's reputation even more. Su Zijin's words struck her like a slap—sharp, humiliating, and impossible to ignore. No matter how much she disliked acknowledging Su Zijin as the legitimate daughter, the girl was the legitimate daughter. Her actions reflected on the entire Su family.
And with the Floral Feast only days away, every noble household had their eyes fixed on them. Today's scandal had already spread like wildfire. If she refused Su Zijin's request for a proper investigation, and word reached the palace… decades of carefully cultivated prestige would crumble in an instant.
Besides, Old Madame sat right beside her. She could not afford to appear biased.
Whether she liked it or not, today's matter had to be handled fairly.
"Bring that guard here!" the madame snapped.
Nanny Li hurried out. Moments later, two older women dragged in a young guard in light armour. He couldn't have been more than twenty. His hands trembled, his eyes darting nervously as he stood in the corner, head bowed.
Su Zijin stepped forward, her voice calm but carrying a quiet authority that made the hall fall still.
"You told Concubine Fang that a bandit confessed I planned all of this? That I deliberately lured Second Sister out to be kidnapped?"
"I… I…" The guard stuttered, his gaze flicking desperately around the room as though searching for an escape.
Su Zijin's tone remained soft, almost gentle—but her words struck like iron.
"According to the law, slandering a noble is punished by eighty strokes. For a servant, the punishment is doubled. One sentence from you can decide life or death. Think carefully before you speak."
The guard's knees buckled. Sweat beaded on his forehead. His breath came in shallow gasps.
"Eldest Miss, you're threatening him!" Concubine Fang cried, panic flashing in her eyes. She could see the guard cracking.
"Threatening?" Su Zijin turned her head slightly. "I am merely stating the law. Unless Concubine Fang fears he will tell the truth?"
"I—! Why would I fear anything? I'm waiting for him to reveal the truth!" Concubine Fang snapped, though her voice wavered.
Su Zijin ignored her and fixed her gaze on the trembling guard.
"Speak. Tell us exactly what you heard."
Her presence pressed down on him like a weight. The guards of the Su Mansion were nothing more than servants with a bit of training—none of them could withstand this kind of pressure.
He collapsed to his knees with a thud.
"I—I heard… the bandit leader said the young miss of Su Mansion ordered him to tie up Second Miss! He said she wouldn't be mistreated after it was done! And when he was caught, he cursed the young miss for 'destroying the bridge after crossing the river'!"
He blurted it all out in one breath, trembling violently.
Concubine Fang's relief was immediate. She surged to her feet, pointing at Su Zijin triumphantly.
"What more do you have to say now?!"
Su Zijin didn't even look at her. Her eyes remained on the guard.
"Bandit leader?" she asked softly. "You mean Long Kai—the one with two scars on his face?"
"Yes!" the guard answered instantly.
The hall fell silent.
Suspicion flickered across every face.
Concubine Fang's expression darkened.
Before the guard could realise his mistake, Su Zijin bent down, drew the sword from his belt in one smooth motion, and pressed the cold blade to his forehead.
"Rubbish," she said coldly. "Long Kai has one scar. Yet you claim he has two."
The guard's eyes bulged. He hadn't expected her to strike so suddenly. He toppled backwards, shaking uncontrollably.
"I—I—I was wrong! It's one! One scar!"
"What audacity!" Madame Xu, who had been silent until now, slammed her palm onto the table and stood. "Everyone knows Long Kai is vain about his appearance. He has no scar at all!"
Her words cracked through the hall like thunder.
The guard froze, his face draining of colour.
Old Madame's voice followed, low and heavy with authority.
"The servants of this mansion grow bolder by the day. To dare spout such nonsense before me…"
"Old Madame, spare me!" the guard wailed, kowtowing frantically. "It was Xiao Cui! She threatened my wife and children! She forced me to say it!"
"Xiao Cui?" Old Madame's eyes narrowed. "Isn't that a maid from your courtyard?"
Su Zijin bowed respectfully. "Yes, Grandmother. A second‑class maid. Last night she drugged Liu Zhu—the maid who usually prepares my clothes. This morning she delivered a dress that perfectly matched Second Sister's outfit. It was all arranged in advance."
She recounted the events of the morning, each detail crisp and precise.
"How could a mere second‑class maid orchestrate such a scheme?" Madame Xu demanded. "Threatening guards, drugging servants, framing the legitimate daughter—there is something deeply wrong here. Grandmother, please investigate and clear Zijin's name!"
The madame's face twisted with fury. She turned on Concubine Fang.
"Bring Xiao Cui here! This matter will be investigated thoroughly!"
Nanny Li stepped forward, bowing stiffly. "Old Madam… I fear she cannot be brought. When the maidservant fell into the lotus pond earlier, it was Xiao Cui who pulled her out. She then went searching for Second Miss and did not return."
"She didn't stumble," Su Zijin said quietly. "She fled. After threatening the guard, she ran. How convenient."
Old Madame's eyes narrowed to slits.
"With the Floral Feast approaching, someone sought to destroy Ying's reputation and frame Zijin. If they had succeeded, the Su Mansion would be disgraced."
Her gaze swept across Concubine Fang and Su Ying—sharp, penetrating, merciless.
Concubine Fang shivered violently.
"Little girl Zijin," Old Madame said at last, her voice carrying the weight of command, "explain everything that happened today. Every detail. Leave nothing out."
Her words fell like an imperial decree.
No one dared breathe.