Although Xue Qing listened to advice and did not go to find Xue Tingxue to demand an explanation, he was still unable to suppress his anger. He ran to the Duke and Duchess Ding and gave a distorted account of the events at the Palace, filing a complaint on behalf of Xue Manman.
The Duke and Duchess Ding were greatly shocked. Not wanting Xue Manman to suffer any grievances, yet fearing there might be some misunderstanding that would unfairly wrong Xue Tingxue, they called both of them over at the same time to clarify the matter in person.
Xue Tingxue straightened her back and said, "She stole my jewelry, and I took it back. What is the problem with that? She went around outside saying I abused her and ruined my reputation. I asked the Empress Dowager to preside over justice and clear my name; what is the problem with that? How does that count as bullying her?"
Xue Qing said indignantly, "You are still telling lies with your eyes open? What good things does my older sister lack in her room that she would need to steal your jewelry? Besides, such a small matter could have been discussed back home. Was it necessary to make a scene in public and force my older sister to take off the jewelry and return it to you on the spot? You were clearly trying to humiliate her on purpose!"
As for Xue Manman smearing Xue Tingxue, he did not mention a single word.
Xue Tingxue retorted, "You also know she has all the good things there, right? In all these years, has the Xue Family ever treated you and your sister poorly in the slightest? Yet you both go around acting pitiful, making people think you are living a miserable life in the Dingguo Mansion! Was it you who told people that the merit for my Eldest Brother solving the case of the Marquis Zhongyong being murdered last year was stolen from you?"
This rumor had been circulating since last year, but they had all thought it was just some gossip-mongers wagging their tongues, so they had paid it no mind at all.
The Duke Ding asked in surprise, "Qing'er?"
"I did not! She is framing me!" Xue Qing, of course, could not possibly admit it.
Xue Manman hurriedly said, "Father, although my younger brother occasionally speaks without thinking, he is not unaware of the gravity of things. I dare to stake my head on it; he could never do such a despicable thing."
Having said that, her eyes turned red, and she lowered her head to wipe the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief.
Once she shed tears, the Duke Ding found it difficult to say anything more, even if he had words to speak.
Madam Xue gripped Xue Manman's hand and said with a soft, smiling voice, "It is good to have things out as a family. Why bring up staking your head? It is most likely that your older sister heard some gossip outside and believed it without verifying it... Tingxue, in the future, you are not allowed to bring up things without proof."
"And that set of jewelry mentioned earlier, I am afraid you gave it to Manman and then forgot about it yourself. No matter what, you should not damage the harmony between sisters over such a small matter!"
She naturally believed in her daughter's character, but the Xue Family owed a debt of gratitude to the He Family, so she could only let her own child endure it.
Xue Qing looked at Xue Tingxue and took the opportunity to say, "You must apologize and admit your mistake to my older sister!"
Xue Tingxue did not argue; she directly took several letters from her sleeve.
"These are what I found in Xue Manman's room. Please review them, Father and Mother."
"What is this?" Madam Xue first glanced at Xue Manman, then hesitated for a moment before taking them.
Xue Manman immediately thought of something, her face changed drastically, and she blurted out, "It is a forgery by my older sister! I have never seen these letters at all!"
Xue Tingxue laughed coldly, "I don't recall saying they were letters. Why are you feeling guilty?"
"It really is a letter..." Madam Xue opened it, and after only roughly reading the first letter, a look of extreme shock appeared on her face, and she looked at Xue Manman in astonishment.
Seeing this, the Duke Ding snatched it away to look, and he too was stunned on the spot.
This letter came from the Marquis Zhongyong. In the letter, the Marquis Zhongyong instructed Xue Manman to steal the contents of the peace talks between Great Xuan and the Hu Kingdom, promising a heavy reward afterward.
At that time, during the peace talks between the two countries, the Duke Ding was the chief official for the Great Xuan side. With the leak of confidential information, he naturally had to take full responsibility. The Marquis Zhongyong and several other officials in the Imperial Court impeached him every day, causing him to nearly lose his official position and his title.
The Duke Ding had suspected that there was a spy in the estate and had suspected his subordinates of betrayal, but he would never have thought, even if he racked his brains, that it was Xue Manman who did it.
Xue Tingxue said with a solemn expression, "This letter is from two years ago, and Xue Manman's secret collusion with the Marquis Zhongyong has happened more than once."
Madam Xue read the remaining letters and cast a look of disappointment at Xue Manman.
"Manman, why would you do such a thing? If you have any dissatisfaction with the home, you can tell us. To collude with an outsider behind our backs to cause a Man-made Disaster for the Dingguo Mansion—what good could this possibly do for you?"
"I..." Xue Manman was pondering how to phrase an excuse when Xue Qing jumped up and shouted, "I already said it was forged by Xue Tingxue! How can Mother be so easily deceived?"
"Xue Tingxue! Haven't you caused enough trouble in the Palace today? Now that you are back home, you are becoming even more unscrupulous, not hesitating to fabricate groundless charges against her! My father is still watching from the Sky, and you..."
Xue Tingxue interrupted him, "Stop bringing up the late Uncle He at every turn; I am sick of hearing it!"
Having pretended to be the children of the He Family for so many years, they had deceived people so well that even they themselves believed it.
The Duke Ding frowned and said, "I recognize the handwriting of the Marquis Zhongyong. This letter was indeed written by him; it cannot be fake."
He and the Marquis Zhongyong had studied under the same master and had studied and practiced martial arts together in their youth as classmates and friends. It was only later, after entering Officialdom, that they gradually developed a rift due to frequent disagreements in political views.
"Manman, did the Marquis Zhongyong force you to do this? You must tell the truth."
Hearing that he had already found an excuse for her, Xue Manman immediately Knelt down and said while wiping away tears, "It was he who forced me! That year when I first arrived at the Dingguo Mansion, he threatened me, saying that if I did not help him steal the confidential information, he would ensure that my younger brother and I would die without a whole corpse! I was truly afraid..."
Xue Tingxue could not help but laugh coldly in her heart.
Xue Manman was accustomed to putting on a pitiful appearance.
But in her previous life, she had long since seen through Xue Manman's true face and would never be fooled again.
She took a step forward and said coldly, "Oh? Is that so?"
"Then where did the dozen or so chests of jewelry in your room come from?"
Xue Manman's sobbing stalled.
Xue Tingxue continued, "Could it be the reward given by the Marquis Zhongyong?"
The Duke Ding was furious upon hearing this and immediately gave an Order.
"Someone, go to Manman's courtyard and search every room thoroughly for me!"
Xue Manman trembled all over, slumped On the ground, and said with a sob.
"What is Father doing? Have you grown tired of raising Manman and Qing'er for these few years, so you are in such a hurry to frame us with a crime just to drive us out?"
Xue Qing jumped up, "You dare!"
No one spoke; the household retainers had already received the order and gone out.
Xue Tingxue stood to the side, watching with cold eyes.
She had already seen this play in her previous life.
It was just that back then, she only learned the truth when she was dying.
After about half an hour, the household retainers returned carrying several large chests.
The chests were Opened, and they were filled to the brim with gold and silver, jewelry, and Jade Stone—over a dozen chests in total. Any single item taken out was worth a fortune.
The Duke Ding's face turned livid instantly.
"Where did you get these things?"
Xue Manman's Lips trembled, and she was Speechless.
Xue Tingxue used to be a fool; she would believe whatever she was told.
What happened today? Why was she so hard to fool?
Madam Xue walked forward and picked up a letter. After reading only a few lines, her hands began to shake.
"Is this... is this a secret letter given to you by the Marquis Zhongyong?"
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