Chapter Seventy-One
I lowered my head, my eyes brimming with tears, and frantically pinched my thigh.
"Master Luo, how could you say such a thing? Zi Xue knows she is a guest, how could she do such a disgraceful thing? Master Luo, you know I am Madam Jue, so why have you always called me Miss Zi since I entered the manor? That's fine, but Master Luo, how could you say I insulted Miss Luo? Young Master Jue is my husband, how could you let her seduce my husband? This... Now, you even insult me, sob sob sob..." I didn't continue, I just let myself cry even more miserably, I even admired myself for such a high level of acting skills.
However, Jue and Xiaowu were both terrified by me. Why did they suddenly start crying? Xiaowu looked at me with a worried expression, and Jue, disregarding the people behind them, pulled me to sit on his lap and wiped away my tears.
"This." Upon hearing my words, everyone started making wild guesses. The conclusion they came up with was that Master Luo was vain and, in order to curry favor with Young Master Jue, he didn't hesitate to use his daughter to achieve his goal, thus making Madam Jue look worthless.
I saw everyone's expressions and knew that the effect had been achieved. I also saw Jue's worried look, so I stuck my tongue out at him. The action startled Jue. Then I smiled and pinched the bridge of my nose, but my eyes shot towards Old Man Luo like sharp swords. I also patted my back from time to time.
Jue's expression dealt another blow to those behind him, making them even more certain that Miss Luo had failed to seduce Young Master Jue, so Master Luo used this to frame Madam Jue in order to achieve his goal.
"Shameless"
"How can there be such a woman?"
"Overestimating one's abilities"
Hearing everyone scolding her made Luo Ting unable to stay any longer, so she covered her face and ran out crying.
"What are you saying? I respect Madam Jue because of Young Master Jue, but I never expected her to be so unrepentant." Old Man Luo was really angry again, his trembling finger pointing at me, shaking and shaking.
I picked up a handkerchief and gently wiped away my tears. The movement was slow and deliberate, as if I was holding back something, which made everyone present feel even more sorry for me.
I stood up from Jue's embrace, staring intently at Old Man Luo, and questioned him in a choked voice, "What evidence does Master Luo have to prove that I am the one who stole the treasure and framed someone? If not, I hope Master Luo can give me an explanation."
Let him make a scene, let him make a scene, the bigger the better. I've disliked this old man Luo for a long time. How could he treat Gui Yao and her child like that? He clearly took my hint in the garden to heart. I thought he would feel guilty and remorseful, but Xiao Wu found out that he sent people to find the mother and child I mentioned, intending to kill them to prevent future troubles. This makes me want to tear him apart. And then I think about how the snakes attacked, and that old man Luo actually abandoned his daughter and ran away. His heart is truly blacker than black.
"Alright, since Madam Jue has said so, then I will present the evidence to convince Madam Jue." Old Man Luo had been waiting for this moment, wanting to send me to hell.
"Then let Lord Luo hand it over." Although he said this, he was very suspicious. Evidence? How could there be any evidence? The theft of the treasure happened at night. Those guards were like a bunch of idiots. They didn't even know someone was stealing. So only Xiao Wu and I knew about this. How could there be any evidence? Did that old man Luo become desperate and forge evidence?
"Bring Xiao Bao in," Old Man Luo said with a flourish, his eyes firm, but his gaze held a hint of mockery and contempt for me.
The butler walked in from outside the hall, followed by two guards, each holding one of the hands of a young man. The young man was disheveled, his hair was disheveled, and he followed the butler listlessly.
As soon as the steward stopped saying "Kneel down," the guards behind him threw the man to the ground.
"Does Madam Jue remember him?" Old Man Luo asked me, pointing to the man on the ground, his expression suggesting that I really did know him.
I smirked and said, "How could we possibly know each other? Master Luo, that's laughable. Do you think bringing along a man like this is proof?"
"Madam Jue, why are you in such a hurry? Are you feeling guilty? Take a look and see if you recognize him. Perhaps, after you've seen this man, you won't say such things anymore." Old Man Luo remained calm, but occasionally glanced at the man and then looked at me with a cold smile.
"Alright then, I'll take a look." I walked indifferently to the man. The guard from before had grabbed his face and turned it toward me. I looked him over carefully. He wasn't bad-looking. I've seen the cold beauty of Jue and the alluring beauty of Gui Yao, but I've never seen such a delicate face before. But why does that face seem to have a hint of lewdness?
"Do you know me?" I asked the man.
When the man saw my face, his eyes lit up with excitement, as if he had seen a savior. He struggled to lunge at me, but I deftly took a few steps back. Looking at the crazed man, I turned back and waved to Old Man Luo, saying, "Are you sure you didn't bring a madman? I have to say, you, the manor lord, are really something. How could you bring a madman to testify? Isn't that insulting my intelligence?"
"Don't be anxious, Madam Jue," Old Man Luo said through gritted teeth, forcing himself to ignore what I said, and then gestured to the butler beside him.
Seeing the butler walk up to the man and drop a pill into his mouth, the man immediately cried out, "Madam Jue, Madam Jue, save me! You're the one who told me to do all that!"
Upon hearing those words, everyone turned to look at me, their eyes already filled with doubt.
"You said I told you to do it, so what did I tell you to do?" I asked the man with an innocent look and a pout.
"Madam Jue, you can't do this! You're the one who told me to steal the treasure, and you're the one who told me to secretly put the treasure into Madam Luo and Miss Luo's sleeves!" the man roared violently again, accusing them in every voice.
"So it was you, woman! My poor mother and I have been ruined by you!" Madam Luo was even more ruthless, crying with tears streaming down her face, her eyes always glaring at me angrily.
"Shut up, I haven't finished asking yet." Annoyed by Madam Luo's crying, I looked sharply at her, my eyes filled with deep darkness, devoid of any warmth.
After being glared at by me, Madam Luo shrank behind Old Man Luo, looking at me timidly.
"Does Madam Jue have any further questions? This already proves that you were the one who did all these things," Old Man Luo said, puffing out his chest as he convicted me.
Jue saw me being bullied and wanted to step forward, but I pressed his hand down and told him I could handle it myself.
"Don't be in such a hurry. Let me finish asking the questions before you condemn me," I said, bending down and looking at him with a mocking smile in my eyes.
"You say I instructed you to do these things, then I ask you, what did I tell you to steal, and what did I tell you to put in Mrs. Luo and Miss Luo's sleeves?"
Chapter Seventy-Two
"Madam Jue, you told me to steal the Qilin Jade, the Night-Shining Pearl, the Moonlight Mirror, the Crystal, and... the Fragrance-Condensing Pill. Madam Jue, you told me to secretly put the Qilin Jade and the Night-Shining Pearl into Madam Luo and Miss Luo's clothes. Madam Jue, you told me to do all of this. Please, Madam, save me!" The man's eyes darted around, and if I wasn't paying attention, I would have missed the cunning glint in his eyes.
"Oh, so you stole these things? You remember so clearly. I didn't even know what I lost. Now that you've told me, I realize I've lost so much." I feigned surprise, a cold smile playing on my lips, looking at the man as if he were prey falling into a trap.
The man flinched slightly when I looked at him, then continued kowtowing, pleading, "Madam Jue, save me! Madam Jue!"
Seeing the man's appearance, everyone looked at me with even greater suspicion, and some even showed disgust. Seeing the faces of these so-called righteous people of the martial arts world made me want to vomit. It was disgusting. But no matter how disgusting it was, I didn't have the kindness to accept this crime. I wouldn't obediently accept Old Man Luo's generous gift.
"If that's what you're saying, then when did I tell you to do these things?" I rubbed my fingers together, glanced at the man, and spoke in a calm tone, as if I were having a heart-to-heart talk with a friendly friend, without any annoyance or anger.
"Yes...yes...at the treasure appreciation...evening...two days ago, Madam Jue, you instructed me..." she said timidly at the beginning, then seemed to remember something and shouted through gritted teeth.
"Oh, a couple of days ago," I said, deep in thought.
At this moment, Old Man Luo found an opportunity to speak, and said to everyone, "Everyone, you see, Madam Luo has admitted it. I've said before that this matter was entirely caused by Madam Jue, and has nothing to do with my wife and children. Since Madam Jue has admitted it, let's be magnanimous and let her go." Old Man Luo looked at me with feigned remorse, as if I were some heinous criminal, and then pretended to be very merciful in letting me go.
But who doesn't know if those kind words are just adding fuel to the fire? In my opinion, even so, just look at those indignant martial arts figures behind him, and you'll know that old man Luo really deserves a beating.
Everyone's faces turned red, and they angrily cursed at me. "Look, these are the so-called righteous people of the underworld. They follow the crowd blindly. As long as there is some meaningless evidence they claim, they stand up and talk about upholding justice, acting all righteous like they're saying, 'I will destroy you in the name of the moon.' It's truly despicable. I think if it were a battle, those people would push each other along, constantly emphasizing their own righteousness. It's disgusting to the core."
Old Luo was very satisfied with the current situation. At least for now, everyone praised him for being righteous, understanding, tolerant and selfless. He was secretly overjoyed, but on the surface, he still had to politely say, "It's no problem, it's no problem."
Now that Zi Xue has become the target of everyone's criticism, it has also enhanced Luo Zhuang's reputation. How wonderful!
He glanced at them expressionlessly, then looked at Xue'er with doting eyes, believing that Xue'er would definitely be able to do this well.
Sure enough, "Wait a minute, who said I admitted it? Which ear of yours heard me say 'I stole the stuff, I framed the person'?" I stood up, looking at this group of ridiculous people with amusement, and looked at Old Man Luo with disdain.
When I suddenly said that, Old Luo's face, which was originally flushed with laughter, gradually turned pale. It was truly a visual treat for me!
"Madam Jue is still trying to argue, but the witnesses are right in front of her. Doesn't she have any decency left for herself?" Old Man Luo scoffed.
"Face? That's ridiculous, Master Luo. Why should I show any face for something I didn't do? What I'm saying now is that I was with Xiao Wu that day, which means all the evidence you've given me is invalid." I waved my hand, returned to my original position, and picked up the melon seeds from the plate on the table to start eating.
"Madam Jue, who is this Xiao Wu you're talking about?" Old Man Luo asked with a questioning look. In fact, he knew her, but he just wanted Zi Xue to suffer a little loss.
"Xiao Wu, come out." I nonchalantly munched on sunflower seeds, seemingly oblivious to the gloating in Old Man Luo's tone.
Jue saw my mischief, reached out and patted my head, saying, "Don't go too far."
I rubbed against that hand like a kitten, and said coquettishly, "No way!"
Xiao Wu stepped forward, her clear, black gem-like eyes radiating an unwavering light, icy and resolute, proud and silent.
"Madam Jue, this is truly laughable. This young lady Xiao Wu is your maid, of course she's speaking up for you." When Old Man Luo saw Xiao Wu step forward beside me, his smile widened, and he looked at me with a mocking expression. What an ignorant woman, actually finding someone next to her to testify.
"Oh dear, even Master Luo knows this principle. You arrest someone I don't know and call it evidence. How am I supposed to know if this person is someone you conspired with to frame me?" I clapped my hands, looking like I understood.
"You...you..." Old Man Luo couldn't utter a single word, because he hadn't expected me to take his words back.
Seeing the old man holding his breath, I clapped my hands and said, "Well then, it's none of my business. My husband and I will take our leave. Thank you for your hospitality these past few days, Master Luo. It has left a deep impression on Zixue. Zixue will not disturb Master Luo's trial any longer. Jue, let's go." After saying that, I gently took Jue's arm and walked out. When we reached the door, I suddenly remembered something and turned back, saying, "Oh right, Master Luo, I forgot to tell you, you stepped in pee." After saying that, I turned back and walked out of the hall with Jue, leaving the astonished crowd looking at the old man's feet. There really was pee there. It turned out that the man kneeling on the ground had been so frightened that he had peed. The old man, who was furious and fuming, was being ridiculed by the crowd.
Once I left the manor and boarded the luxurious carriage that Leng Tian and the others had prepared, what happened inside was no longer my concern.
However, just because I don't want to know doesn't mean that other people in the martial arts world don't know. Right now at the inn, I've heard how Old Man Luo is handling what's to come. The original man was killed by Old Man Luo, and the scapegoat was that man. Old Man Luo claims that this man tried to frame Madam Jue, but Madam Jue saw through his plan. Now that the treasure has been found (I threw it into the manor, except for Yue Ling), he killed the man to prove Luo Manor's innocence.
That's what he said, but some of those martial arts figures weren't fools. They saw through the whole story and decided to disdain associating with Old Man Luo. Now, Luo Manor's reputation is not what it used to be, but it still holds a certain status.
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In a dark and cold room
"Master, Luozhuang?"
"Destroy them, but leave Luo Ying alive."
"yes"
The next day, everyone knew that Luo Manor had fallen. All the people of Luo Manor had died overnight, leaving only the Manor Lord. No one knew where the Manor Lord was. All they knew was that Luo Manor was now a ruin. No one knew how those people had died. All they knew was that Luo Manor was covered in blood and that there were marks on the necks of those people who had been killed with a single blow.
Chapter Seventy-Three
"What's this?" I looked at Leng Tian and the others, who had stopped in a forest. I jumped off the carriage and saw their solemn expressions. I didn't know what to do and felt a little lost.
"Let's go," she said, without answering my question, and pulled me by the hand toward the forest.
Stepping into the forest, it was gloomy and eerie. All the light from outside was blocked by the towering trees, and it was pitch black. I only knew that I was being led forward by Jue's hand. Occasionally, a cool breeze would blow by, making a rustling sound. The forest was eerie, as if ghosts and monsters were lurking around me. Some of the tree holes looked like tree monsters with staring eyes. This fear was deeply ingrained in my bones, and I always stared wide-eyed and scanned my surroundings, holding Jue's hand tightly, trying to express the fear in my heart.
I don't know how long I walked, but a bright light shone into my eyes, making me feel uncomfortable. I squinted at the scene before me. A cliff surrounded by mist lay before us, the road ahead was cut off, the wind carried sand rolling on the ground, and I could only vaguely see a few grayish-white withered grasses.
Without hesitation, "Let's go" pulled me to the cliff.
"What, go?" I was stunned, I was dumbfounded, I desperately grabbed Jue's arm to prevent him from committing this suicide.
I pulled her back, and she turned to look at me in confusion, asking, "What?"
"Jue, calm down! Look carefully, that's a cliff! Where are you going?" I pulled Jue back desperately, using all my meager strength to try and stop him from having such an unbelievable idea.
"It's alright." Upon hearing my words, Jue's lips curled up slightly, blooming like a flower, captivating me for a moment. Jue then pulled me forward, bringing us even closer to that bottomless cliff.
Only then did I snap out of my daze and pull Jue even tighter, urgently saying, "Jue, don't do anything rash! Life is so beautiful, why do you have to die here? Tell me what's bothering you, and we'll solve it together. Why resort to death? Don't you know, death is the most cowardly form of escapism? Look how good you are now, alive! Okay, okay, let's go back." After saying that, I pulled Jue back. I would rather die than look at that cliff; it was too terrifying. I would rather walk through that black forest again than let Jue jump off the cliff.
Xue'er looked helpless, grabbed my shoulder and turned me around, saying, "It's okay, Xue'er."
Looking into Jue Zhen's sincere eyes, I was momentarily lost in thought. When I came to my senses, I was already standing on the edge of a cliff. I felt dizzy. It was all because of this infatuation. Now there was no turning back.
My expression clearly amused Leng Tian and the others who had been watching my struggle with Jue.
"Coward" gave me a cold glance and uttered those three words in a cold tone.
"Hehehe," Leng Mei stood there, clutching her stomach and laughing nonstop.
Leng Feng is quite normal, if you ignore the way his lips are smirking.
Leng Tian and Xiao Wu weren't the type to kick someone when they're down; they both came to my side and said, "Miss, don't worry, everything's alright."
I was on the verge of tears, watching as small pebbles rolled down the cliff at my feet, making no sound. My heart sank; how could anything have happened?