Chapter 13: Wicked Servants Bullying Their Master

Cheng Zhouxing's expression could not have been uglier. He had already vaguely figured it out: today, Cheng Xi had caused Feng Lan to lose face, and Jiang Weiran's arm had been injured. The Duchess of Zhenguo had vented her anger on her, and with resentment bottled up in her heart, she was now looking to vent it.

Cheng Zhouxing gritted his teeth, turned his head to look at Xu Mama, and said, "The person is right there; the Chief may take her away."

Xu Mama was a personal servant of Li Shi. Her entire family's lives were held in the hands of their masters, so even after entering the Tongtian Division, she dared not make reckless accusations. To protect her family, she would voluntarily take the blame upon herself.

Jiang Boyu immediately led his men forward to bind Xu Mama. Seeing the marks on her face, he subconsciously and quietly looked at

Cheng Xi.

Just then, Cheng Xi suddenly spoke: "Chief Li, Xu Mama is but a servant. I have always had no grievances with her; why would she bribe thieves to harm the maid by my side?"

The scene went instantly silent. Li Shi stood behind Cheng Zhouxing with a dark face, her hands tightly clutching her handkerchief.

Cheng Zhouxing had not expected that disposing of Xu Mama would not be enough, and that Cheng Xi actually wanted to continue investigating. His expression changed drastically, and he looked up at her abruptly.

"Xi Xi, once the Tongtian Division has interrogated her, we will naturally know. Why are you in such a hurry?" Cheng Zhouxing said.

Cheng Xi sneered, "Where would Xu Mama find the courage to harm a maid by her master's side? Furthermore, this is not something she could have done alone. If she had to bribe thieves, where would she get so much silver? Why would Jinxiang's mother and younger brother collude with others to harm their own daughter and sister? There are so many people colluding inside and out; this is not something a mere servant could command!"

A cold silence fell over the surroundings. Who among those present did not understand whom Cheng Xi's Sword was pointing at?

Just then, Jinxiang's mother and younger brother were also brought in, bound by the Division Guards. Seeing so many people, the mother and son were so frightened they collapsed to the ground.

Li Shi, with a pale face, immediately stepped forward, "Master, it is all because I was lax in managing the household that such a wicked servant bullying her master has occurred. I beg the Master to punish me."

Yang Mama looked at Xu Mama and gave her a wink.

Xu Mama coughed, spat out a mouthful of blood, and suddenly shouted loudly, "Chief, ever since the Eldest Miss returned to the manor, she has been disobedient to the Mistress, contradicted the Lady Tai, and has been constantly causing trouble with the Eldest Young Master and Second Young Miss. This old servant truly could not bear to see the Mistress, an elder, being bullied like this by a junior. That is why I thought to teach the Eldest Miss a lesson. The Mistress knew nothing of this matter; it was all done by this old servant alone. I beg the Chief to judge clearly!"

Cheng Zhouxing took a deep breath and turned to look at Li Zhi'an, "Chief of Tongtian, this matter is due to my negligence, allowing a wicked servant in the manor to commit such a vicious act. Since she has confessed, I ask the Chief to judge impartially."

Cheng Xi stepped forward at this moment and looked up at Li Zhi'an.

Li Zhi'an raised his eyebrows and met her gaze, "Eldest Miss Cheng, do you have something to say?"

"Chief, if a cunning servant confesses, can this case be closed in such a muddled and unclear way?"

On a midsummer night, the wind blowing against one's body was stiflingly uncomfortable, making the fire in Cheng Xi's heart burn even higher.

Li Zhi'an looked at Cheng Xi. Anger was burning in her eyes; she was like a hedgehog, on guard and ready at any moment to prick anyone who harmed her.

"Naturally, it cannot." Li Zhi'an heard himself say these words.

"The Chief is truly a good official praised by all."

Everyone:...

You must have some misunderstanding of the words "good official"!

Li Zhi'an's sharp gaze swept over those present, then he said, "Official Cheng, there are still some suspicious points in this case. This official must take some people back to the yamen for interrogation."

Cheng Zhouxing suppressed his anger, grabbed Cheng Xi, and walked to the side, "What exactly are you trying to do?"

"What am I trying to do? I am merely seeking justice, am I not?"

"Do you have to see the Cheng Family's reputation ruined before you are satisfied? What good does this do you? If the Cheng Family is criticized and its reputation destroyed because of this, do you think you can remain unscathed?"

"And so what?" Cheng Xi replied indifferently.

Cheng Zhouxing met Cheng Xi's cold, indifferent gaze and for a moment did not know what to say.

She truly did not care—she did not care about her father's future, she did not care about the Cheng Family's reputation, and she did not care about anyone here.

For her to make such a big scene, she must have some ulterior motive.

Having drifted through the officialdom for many years, Cheng Zhouxing slowly calmed down, looked at Cheng Xi, and asked in a low voice, "What exactly do you want?"

Cheng Xi smiled faintly, "I have already said it: this residence is my mother's dowry. All of you, get out!"

Cheng Zhouxing did not expect it to be this. He took a deep breath, looked at Cheng Xi, and said, "Have you thought this through? If we move out, have you considered what you will do in the future? Without the protection of elders, what will happen to your marriage, what will happen to your future? Do you not care about any of that?"

"That is no need for you to worry about. Ever since my mother died, you brought Li Shi and your illegitimate children into the manor. When have you ever had me in your eyes? Living in my mother's house and still bullying her daughter—what were you doing then? Who were you acting as a father to? Who were you protecting?"

Cheng Xi's words struck Cheng Zhouxing's sore spot. His expression changed again and again, "Fine, fine, fine! Then as you wish, just don't regret it!"

Cheng Xi sneered, "Take your people and your things and get out! However, my mother's dowry and the original items in this manor must all be left behind. If even one thing is missing, I will come to your door and beat you!"

Cheng Zhouxing kept a dark face and said nothing, telling Li Shi to take the people and pack up.

Cheng Xi walked up to Li Zhi'an, "Thank you for the trouble, Chief. Unfortunately, time is tight, and the things you wanted are not yet ready. I will have them sent to you tomorrow once they are finished."

Li Zhi'an had naturally heard the conversation between Cheng Xi and Cheng Zhouxing; with his cultivation, he could hear them clearly even though they had lowered their voices.

Cheng Xi was using his influence to drive her own father and stepmother's family out.

However, he truly did not know that this residence belonged to Cheng Xi's birth mother.

"Eldest Miss Cheng, take care of yourself."

Hearing the warning in Li Zhi'an's words, Cheng Xi pretended not to understand and said with a smile, "Safe travels, Chief."

Li Zhi'an, with a dark face, ordered his men to take Xu Mama and the others away.

Jinxiang's mother and younger brother still wanted to beg for mercy, but upon meeting the Eldest Miss's cold gaze, they were too frightened to say a single word.

At this time, Cheng Fenglan and Cheng Yunjian had both been woken up. Being told to move in the middle of the night, both were bewildered.

"Mother, what is going on?" Cheng Fenglan's expression was unpleasant. She had gone to beg Lu Jinfan for help today, but he had set off for Qinghe Academy, so she had to follow the Duchess of Zhenguo to beg the Chief of the Imperial Observatory to intervene.

Fortunately, Jiang Weiran's wound was not poisoned this time, and the Chief had successfully reattached it.

However, thinking of the Duchess of Zhenguo's ugly expression and her sarcastic tone, she felt a wave of discomfort.

She had not yet recovered from that, and now she was being woken up in the middle of the night; naturally, her mood was even worse.