Ju Hong was officially one of the little kitchen’s cooks, but in reality, it was still Granny Yu who handled the three daily meals.
At that time, Yu Mu’an had said to Granny Yu: “Ju Hong always goes out shopping with the steward of the mansion. You work hard during the day, so at night you don’t need to get up. Rest well, and let Ju Hong handle things at night.”
Granny Yu happily thanked her for the kindness and accepted a reward.
Ju Hong pulled out a rolled-up piece of paper and handed it over with both hands: “That old thief Xing Ninghui is not honest. Although he wrote a statement for us, he secretly kept a version recanting his testimony, intending to slander us and force him to tell lies.”
Anxin’s eyes immediately widened. “What?! He’s got some nerve…”
Yu Mu’an unrolled the paper and examined its contents carefully.
Ju Hong continued: “Although this servant found this document, I cannot guarantee that the old thief hasn’t kept backups elsewhere…
That old thief is probably hedging his bets no matter which side wins, he can save himself.”
Yu Mu’an put down what she was holding and asked, “Has there been any news from the Hou residence?”
Ju Hong nodded immediately: “My brother has successfully infiltrated the Hou residence. The Eldest Young Madam seems to have anticipated this; that group of people was indeed sent to guard the new madam’s courtyard and went nowhere else.
My brother said that recently the new madam has been very close with that concubine surnamed Zhao, practically locking themselves inside together every day for a long time.”
Yu Mu’an’s lips curved into a smile:
“In that case, the people protecting that old rascal Xing Ninghui don’t need to be too vigilant.”
Anxin’s eyes lit up: “Now that the new madam has realized the receipt is missing, she will definitely try to get rid of Xing Ninghui.
If we don’t act, we can at least give that greedy old thief a good scare!”
Yu Mu’an nodded. “A little suffering is fine; just intervene at the crucial moment to save him.”
Anxin nodded repeatedly, like a little chick pecking rice, her sparkling eyes looking at Ju Hong.
Ju Hong chuckled.
She ruffled Anxin’s hair and bowed to Yu Mu’an. “This servant understands.”
Yu Mu’an handed Ju Hong the nonsense written for recantation: “Stuff this trash in the stove.”
Ju Hong casually folded it and tucked it into her sleeve, about to leave.
“Ju Hong.”
Yu Mu’an smiled, her eyes genuinely happy.
“Keep an eye on Yunfei Pavilion these two days. Yu Lin will soon have no time for love affairs. As soon as she makes a move, inform me immediately.”
“Yes.”
After attending to the matter at hand, the noisy commotion outside seemed especially loud.
Anxin stomped out angrily: “Green Ivy! Where has the Eldest Young Master gone? Why isn’t he back to deal with these crows!”
Green Ivy, stationed outside as ordered, shook her head: “I don’t know. He left the courtyard early this morning with Ping’an.”
Anxin stomped her foot: “It’s only when the Eldest Young Master isn’t in the courtyard that they dare to make such a ruckus.
One house chicken and four wild chickens no matter how they fight, they’ll never become a phoenix!”
Green Ivy sighed helplessly, wishing she could just plug her ears with cotton.
“Granny Zhang! Why are you here? Did my aunt send for me?”
Suddenly the noise stopped. From the front courtyard came Hu Linxin’s voice, full of uncontrollable excitement.
Granny Zhang’s voice was icy: “Go summon the Eldest Young Madam. Our mistress wants her to answer at Wei Rui Xuan.”
Yu Mu’an also heard the commotion and came out from inside. “Who’s here?”
Anxin glanced back at her, worry in her eyes: “Sounds like Granny Zhang from Wei Rui Xuan.”
One of the four girls ran in: “Eldest Young Madam! The mistress requests you go to Wei Rui Xuan immediately!”
Yu Mu’an’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“You little brat! Kneel!”
As soon as she entered, a cup of hot tea and Hu Rui’s angry roar came straight at her!
Yu Mu’an paused, slightly turned aside, letting the cup hit only her arm.
Luckily, the weather was still cool and she was wearing thick clothes, so only her sleeve got wet.
She stepped forward, avoiding the puddle on the floor, and knelt down.
“This daughter-in-law doesn’t know what mistake she has made.”
At this moment, not only was Hu Rui in the room, but also Xie Jinghong and Yu Lin.
Yu Lin’s face was full of excited anticipation. Hearing the words, she immediately glared angrily and demanded:
“Yu Mu’an, how dare you play dumb?!
Yesterday, my elder brother ate the pastry you sent and was poisoned, collapsing unconscious, and he still hasn’t woken up!
Yu Mu’an, you truly have a lot of nerve, daring to plot against the young general. What punishment should you face!”
Yu Mu’an furrowed her brows slightly.
Yesterday she had been busy searching for evidence and barely had any dinner. Hungry at night, she had asked Hongjin to bring her something to eat.
In the dead of night, the noise in her room might have woken Xie Jingyan in the study, who insisted on having some food.
But there was only one bowl of cooked noodles, and she had already eaten down to the broth.
So she asked Ju Hong to send the plate of pastries she didn’t like to him.
“Mother, you see, last night my husband did eat the pastries from this daughter-in-law’s room, but I also ate from the same plate. If they were poisoned, why would I be fine?”
Hu Rui slammed the table: “You’re actually defending yourself?!”
Yu Lin immediately chimed in: “Exactly! Mother was asking you, you should answer her!”
Her gloating was undisguised, her tone exaggeratedly outraged: “It’s normal that you weren’t poisoned. You ate the unpoisoned portion, didn’t you? That just clears you!
Yu Mu’an, you truly have a cruel heart!
Although my elder brother is simple-minded, he relies on you so much. No one else is liked by him, but he enjoys your company. Even if you don’t want to care for a fool, you can’t poison him!”
Yu Mu’an ignored her and looked at Hu Rui: “Mother, you heard Yu Lin. How could I ever dislike the Eldest Young Master?
Even if he were to hit me, I might harbor some resentment, but the Eldest Young Master…
He is this daughter-in-law’s husband! And he gives her exclusive affection. How could I ever harm him?”
Yu Lin shouted angrily: “Stop pretending! I refuse to believe you could marry a fool without a single complaint!”
Yu Mu’an’s eyes filled with tears as she looked at Yu Lin: “Sister, what do you mean by this?
Even if our current marriages happened by accident, a woman marries into her husband’s household. Since it is already done, I haven’t blamed you for taking what was mine, have I?”
Yu Lin was infuriated: “Wh… Yu Mu’an, you’re talking nonsense! How did I take anything from you? Brother Hong was mine from the start!”
“Mother!”
Yu Mu’an ignored her and kowtowed to Hu Rui.
“Since entering the mansion, this daughter-in-law has always been obedient and mindful of the three obediences and four virtues, not daring to forget even a bit.
How could I ever have the motive to harm my own husband, Mother? Please judge fairly!”
Yu Lin jumped up angrily, pointing at Yu Mu’an: “Yu Mu’an, stop pretending! You dare say you have no motive to harm my elder brother?
If he dies, even as a widow, you could be treated well in the general’s mansion, and wouldn’t have to care for a fool…”
“Sister.”
Yu Mu’an knelt upright, her gaze steady on Yu Lin.
“You keep calling my husband a fool, speaking rudely. Do you realize that the person you are insulting is your husband’s elder brother, the young general of the general’s mansion?”
Yu Lin’s expression froze instantly.