Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1981: Chapter 1980: Does Your Wife Have a Mole There?

”You...” Ma Linglong’s eyes widened, if it were not for the crowd around, she would have slapped Ji An a few times. Usually timid like a mouse, now she actually dared to bite back!

”The Emperor recently granted official positions to the Ji Family offspring, how did this official family become so chaotic, with servants daring to poison their masters?” Qi Zixuan directly instructed his attendant, ”Go, summon the Ji Family Patriarch and newly appointed Ji Bao. How can one govern when the family conduct is so improper?”

Han Zhiyong’s beard trembled with anger, isn’t he the one presiding over the case now? Qi Zixuan is too overbearing!

Unexpectedly, Doctor Mu agreed, ”It should be so, this poison is quite dangerous. If exposed for long, it could ruin one’s appearance, or worse, cost a life.”

Ji An cried even harder, she couldn’t understand how Ma Linglong could be so heartless.

”It should indeed be investigated thoroughly to prevent villains from harming my family,” Ma Linglong said, feigning sincerity.

Bai Ruozhu sneered silently, waiting to see if Ma Linglong could still laugh later.

Han Zhiyong couldn’t afford to lose his temper, he held it in and said, ”Bring in Miss Ji’s maid for a proper interrogation.”

”Indeed,” Qi Zixuan said while stroking his beard, looking at Han Zhiyong with admiration, causing Han Zhiyong to almost faint from anger.

It was inappropriate to wait idly in the hall, so Han Zhiyong temporarily adjourned the session and angrily went to the back hall.

Qi Zixuan followed with a cheerful smile, saying, ”Lord Han, I’m here for a cup of hot tea, my throat is dry from talking so much.”

Han Zhiyong gritted his teeth, ”Lord Qi, are you dissatisfied with my handling of the case?”

Qi Zixuan didn’t answer, simply looked at him and smiled, a smile full of deeper meaning.

After a pause, he said, ”Lord Han, as officials we should aim higher, shouldn’t we?”

Han Zhiyong’s body shook, a wave of nervousness washed over him, could Qi Zixuan know something? Or has Bai Ruozhu caught on to his mistakes and told Qi Zixuan?

That Bai Ruozhu’s family has many skilled guards, rumored to have relatives from the Jiuli Clan, their actions are somewhat mysterious, could they really have uncovered something?

Fear rose in his heart and he dared not meet Qi Zixuan’s eyes, merely mumbling a few perfunctory words.

After a while, an officer outside reported that the Ji Family Patriarch Qi Min and maid Cui Xin were brought in.

Han Zhiyong quickly pulled himself together and said to Qi Zixuan, ”Lord Qi, shall we resume the session?”

”Yes, yes, Lord Han, you take charge,” Qi Zixuan replied with a smile.

The two exited one after the other, Han Zhiyong resumed the session, but Ji Family Patriarch Qi Min had a very unpleasant expression on his face.

He had always insisted against such a daughter-in-law, but his son was smitten. They had just received the Emperor’s marriage gift, and now...

Ji Bao wasn’t clear about what happened, but with his sharp eyes, how could he not notice Ma Linglong’s restlessness these days?

Ma Linglong was also extremely nervous, she never expected things to escalate this far. Fortunately, they couldn’t find that box of rouge.

Bai Ruozhu looked at her with a sneer, with Ma Linglong’s intelligence, did she really think she could contend with her? She simply didn’t want to resort to violent means, otherwise a bit of poison could stop Ma Linglong in her tracks.

Of course, letting her reap what she sowed was also a good choice, thinking about it felt quite satisfying.

”Qi Min, you’re aware of the general situation now, aren’t you?” Han Zhiyong asked.

Qi Min had already been briefed by the officer on the way, and could only helplessly nod now, ”It is my failure to properly manage the household leading to this situation.”

Han Zhiyong then looked at the trembling little maid Cui Xin and asked, ”Why were you particularly nervous when water splashed onto your hand yesterday while serving your master?”

”Replying to your honor, this servant was just afraid that Miss would rebuke me, afraid she would scold me as clumsy and punish me,” Cui Xin replied nervously, her voice trembling.

Ji An furiously glared, ”Cui Xin, I have always treated you well, never punished you! You chatter away in front of me, when did you become so afraid of me?”

Cui Xin collapsed to the ground, ”Miss, please don’t be angry, Cui Xin is willing to be punished, won’t speak recklessly again.”

Bai Ruozhu sneered, this maid surely had schemes, otherwise, she wouldn’t dare to aid Ma Linglong’s wrongdoings.

At this moment, outside, officers brought Ji Bao in, just reaching the door, someone called out, ”Isn’t this man Madam Ji’s husband?”

Ji Bao didn’t understand why everyone was looking at him; being modest by nature, he courteously greeted the crowd with a smile.

Someone, not wanting to miss any drama, shouted loudly, ”Lord Ji, does your wife have a mole on her left breast?”

After shouting, that person quickly hid, inciting laughter among the onlookers, while Ji Bao couldn’t identify who asked the question.

His face instantly flushed, what were these people doing, such humiliation!

But the next moment, he realized the issue—how could others know about the mole on Linglong’s left breast?

The officer who fetched him briefly explained the situation, yet omitted details about Tian Chen’s confession of having an affair with Ma Linglong; such matters were awkward to disclose, plus the officer didn’t want to offend Ji Bao, an official.

Entering the Public Hall, Ji Bao felt completely lost, and beside him, Ma Linglong’s face turned even paler; how would she explain after the outside shout?

”Don’t believe them, someone intends to harm me,” she whispered to Ji Bao.

Unfortunately, Ji Bao was in a daze, not hearing her words.

Qi Min saw his son like this, instantly understanding the situation, and internally cursed, the family’s reputation ruined by that shameless woman!

Han Zhiyong eyed maid Cui Xin, pondering if the blame could be shifted to the maid, making it a case of servant harming the master.

”Cui Xin, since you’re reluctant to speak the truth, take her down for twenty lashes!” Han Zhiyong commanded, throwing a decree slip.

The officer went to grab her, but Cui Xin screamed for mercy, ”Spare me, my lord, spare me, I was forced!”

Ha, she admitted so quickly?

Han Zhiyong still wanted to have her beaten, but Qi Zixuan intervened.

”Confess truthfully, and Lord Han here won’t use force,” Qi Zixuan stated, shutting down Han Zhiyong.

Ma Linglong glared at Cui Xin in anger, ”Wretched maid, did you accept bribery?”

Cui Xin sobbed, ”My lady, I indeed received benefits from you, though you never mentioned what was added to Miss’s facial water, but judging by her face, I could guess about eighty to ninety percent. The water was on my hand, I was scared, washed it off a dozen times, yet red spots remained.”

She extended a hand, revealing small red spots, although not as severe as those on Ji An’s face.

”Nonsense, did Bai Ruozhu buy you out? How much silver did she give you?” Ma Linglong shouted.

At this moment, an officer’s voice came from outside, ”Reporting to my lord, Miss Ji’s rouge has been found.”

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