Prev | TOC | Next
———
~ Please support this site by disabling your ad-blocker ❤️ ~
______
CHAPTER 15
———–—————————————
SCHEDULE
Weekly: Fridays and Saturdays
Vote and leave a review for this series' translation here!
Appreciate the translator's hard work by Supporting us and also for bonus chapters!
———–—————————————
The account records were laid out, and the young Tan family members responsible for tallying accounts examined them. One of them couldn't help but exclaim, "These account records are incredibly detailed. With accounts done like this, there's no room for mistakes."
If someone intended to embezzle funds, they could easily avoid keeping private records to muddy the waters. But these records were not only kept, they were detailed to such an extent.
The younger Tan family members who had been in charge of examining the accounts had previously thought that there wouldn't be any problems even without a detailed check. Now, the elder clan members had also come to a similar understanding and nodded silently.
Zhao Shi hadn't expected that Xiang Yi could be so meticulous, keeping her private and public accounts so clearly separated and neatly maintained. She had been an experienced matriarch herself, but at that time, she hadn't managed her accounts to this extent.
Tan Rong quickly glanced at Xiang Yi, her thoughts racing back to the events in the workshop that day. She was still puzzled about what had happened.
Tan Jian hung his head, regretting why he hadn't noticed that his sister-in-law was living under such difficult circumstances. He felt ashamed that she had taken care of him so much over the three years she had been part of the family.
Read only on https://royaltywrites.com.ng/
In contrast, Yang Zhen was much more straightforward. She coldly snorted and strode up to Qiu Shi.
"After keeping accounts so meticulously, you still want to investigate her? Let me ask you, could you do the same?" She turned to Madam Fu and continued, "Or you?"
Although Yang Zhen's status in the family wasn't high in terms of seniority, her background and position made her imposing. In the hall, no one dared to say a word more.
Tan Jian was completely impressed by his wife.
However, in the blink of an eye, he saw his admired wife turn to his elder brother, raise an eyebrow, and ask, "Or could Brother do it?"
She was advocating for her sister-in-law.
As soon as these words were spoken, Tan Jian's breath caught. He watched as his wife's gaze shifted to his elder brother.
But his elder brother didn't show any anger. Instead, his gaze gently swept over his sister-in-law before he withdrew it from her emotionless expression.
"I can't either," he admitted calmly.
Tan Jian blinked in surprise.
As the situation developed to this point, everyone's attention was no longer on Xiang Yi. Instead, it was focused on Qiu Shi and Madam Fu.
The way everyone looked at them had changed.
At the least, they were troublemakers. At the worst, they were undermining the family and framing the matriarch.
Madam Fu remembered that she had benefited financially from the Tan family over the years, but now, if this matter came to light, where else could she profit? Her own standing in the family would be at risk.
Qiu Shi's position wasn't as high as Madam Fu's. Her husband, Tan Youliang, had repeatedly warned her not to cause unnecessary trouble. She was anxious and blurted out.
Read only on https://royaltywrites.com.ng/
"Maybe she transferred the money to her natal family!" Qiu Shi was about to continue, but at that moment, someone spoke up firmly.
"That's enough."
The two words were heavy, and the instant they fell, Qiu Shi's words were abruptly halted in her mouth. She saw the eyes of the usually silent clan leader, Tan Ting, fixed on her.
The imposing aura of the clan leader, representing the head of the clan, descended upon them.
Qiu Shi and Madam Fu felt a chill running down their spines, immobilizing them. They were both affected by the clan leader's authority and were also shocked.
Throughout this incident, the clan leader hadn't shown any intention of shielding or protecting Xiang Yi. He had clarified the situation, which had given them the confidence to create this turmoil in the first place. After all, Xiang Yi had married into the Tan family using an old engagement, and the clan leader didn't favor her. He had no reason to support her.
But now, the clan leader was speaking up for her...
Both Qiu Shi and Madam Fu were dumbfounded, and cold sweat began to form on their foreheads. Their actions made it clear that Tan Ting was aware of their intentions.
However, when he glanced at the person in the distance, he unexpectedly met her gaze. It was as if she was surprised by his attitude, and their eyes briefly connected before she quickly looked away.
Tan Ting was taken aback. He knew that not only the people with ulterior motives thought he wouldn't protect her, but even she herself...
Considering this, he suppressed his emotions and spoke with a serious tone, "Regarding today's matter, whether it's the lady or others, the accounts have been thoroughly examined. There's no need for further investigation."
He glanced across the hall at the assembled clan members and finally fixed his gaze on Qiu Shi and Madam Fu.
"Does anyone else have objections?"
Qiu Shi and Madam Fu were left speechless by these words, their mouths dry.
The atmosphere in and around the hall became solemn, and no one dared to question further.
Read only on https://royaltywrites.com.ng/
At this moment, the artisans introduced by Xiang Yi sent a message from outside. They stated that they had not seen Miss Tan individually, let alone behaved improperly. They requested that she come out to identify them to clarify the truth.
Ironically, this incident was the spark that ignited the whole situation.
Tan Rong trembled at the thought of identifying the artisans. Zhao Shi saw her daughter's fear and couldn't bear to see her suffer.
However, if Tan Rong didn't go to identify them, the matter couldn't be resolved.
Yang Zhen gave Tan Jian a little nudge. "If your sister is afraid, let your second brother accompany her."
Tan Jian also wanted to clarify the situation as soon as possible and dispel any misunderstandings about his sister-in-law. He quickly stood up. "Exactly, sister, you don't need to be afraid. I'll accompany you."
With matters having reached this point, if Tan Rong still hesitated, it would make her, the young lady of the clan, seem fearful. She had to summon her courage and join Tan Jian.
Seeing this, Tan Ting considered for a moment and quietly gave a few instructions to Zheng Ji.
Madam Fu was on the brink of losing her composure, her face pale, and she was sweating profusely.
In less than half a minute, Tan Rong and Tan Jian returned.
This time, Tan Rong was the first to speak, "Mother, Big Brother, the new artisans that came have not been the ones who frightened me."
"Is that so?" Zhao Shi's expression relaxed.
Tan Rong quickly glanced at Xiang Yi and saw that her demeanor remained calm. She wasn't showing any signs of being angered by the situation, which eased Tan Rong's anxiety.
"However, now we don't know who scared my little sister," Tan Jian furrowed his brows.
Who would impersonate the new artisans just to scare the young lady of the clan? This was the question that everyone was focusing on. Madam Fu's face was drenched in cold sweat; she dared not even raise her hand to wipe it away.
At that moment, Zheng Ji quickly entered the hall.
"Master, we've caught someone."
Caught someone? The crowd's expressions changed, and they saw a person being brought forward, pressed near the entrance.
As soon as this person appeared, Tan Rong exclaimed, "It's him!"
However, upon seeing the situation wasn't in his favor, the man was about to escape, but he was grabbed and fell to the ground. Terrified, he knelt down when Tan Rong identified him on the spot.
"It wasn't my idea! It was Young Master Fu from the Fu family who instructed me to do this! He made me do it!"
Young Master Fu referred to Fu An, Madam Fu's cousin from her natal family.
There was no need to elaborate further; everyone present quickly understood.
Madam Fu couldn't bear the decline of her workshop's business that she had managed for many years. That was why she orchestrated these events, framing the new artisans and Xiang Yi, the matron of the clan.
All eyes turned towards Madam Fu, their gazes like arrows piercing through her.
Under the intense scrutiny, Madam Fu's legs gave out, and she awkwardly fell to the ground.
Read only on https://royaltywrites.com.ng/
She admitted it, but Qiu Shi was still unwilling to take responsibility. Anxiously, she tried to distance herself, "These actions were all instigated by Madam Fu. I had no knowledge of them!"
Desperate to escape from the situation, Qiu Shi kept trying to push the blame onto others, but even as everyone remained silent, Qiao Xing could no longer hold back.
"Lady Qiu, if you claim to be innocent, then how did the two pieces of jade belonging to Chu Xinggu end up in my room?"
Qiu Shi had avoided mentioning Chu Xinggu's situation, fearing that it might be investigated further. She hadn't anticipated that Qiao Xing would bring it up herself.
Qiu Shi shivered, noticing the gaze from Xiang Yi.
That gaze was clear and penetrating, as if it could see through a person's very soul.
Qiu Shi felt a chill all over and saw the clear face that she had been unable to implicate despite all her efforts. It was as if she had seen through her intentions.
In a low voice, Xiang Yi issued an order that seemed gentle but thundered through the hall, "Bring in the witnesses."
She had spoken, and immediately, her maids brought three people forward. One was Granny Liu, who managed the main courtyard's cleaning; the other was a young scholar from the clan's school.
There was one more person, and when Qiu Shi saw her, she felt goosebumps all over her body. It was the rough servant girl, Xiao Feng, from the main courtyard. On the other hand, Chun Sun was eloquent and explained everything clearly.
"Those two pieces of jade were picked up by Madam Qiu on the way. She thought nobody saw her, but she was actually spotted by the young master from the clan's school. As for Granny Liu, she witnessed Xiao Feng secretly stashing things in Miss Qiao Xing's room. As for me, I followed Madam Qiu for a few days and saw her give Xiao Feng a purse filled with a stack of copper coins. Madam Qiu believed her scheme was seamless, but it was all seen through, and Madam Xiang had known the truth for quite a while. She thought Madam Xiang had no backing, but Madam Xiang had been managing the household for three years, so how could she be so weak and powerless?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Feng began trembling and confessed her guilt.
Qiu Shi was completely dumbfounded. She wanted to defend herself, but she couldn't find any words to do so.
Now, she and Madam Fu were in the same predicament— their legs couldn't support them any longer.
Read only on https://royaltywrites.com.ng/
At this moment, some of the elder clan members couldn't hold back any longer and coldly hummed, "Two ignorant women, attempting to frame the matron of the clan for their dirty deeds!"
In essence, what they had done wasn't intricate. They relied on the fact that Xiang Yi's natal family was weak, and she didn't have much support within the Tan family. They tried to use this opportunity to bring down Xiang Yi and satisfy their own desires. If Xiang Yi hadn't been so upright and pure, she might not have escaped this disaster.
The gazes of the clan members changed; the initial negativity that had been directed at Xiang Yi was replaced by a mixture of astonishment and admiration. On the other hand, the glares directed at Qiu Shi and Madam Fu turned into sharp arrows.
Tan Ting closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them again, they were filled with cold determination.
After a silence, he spoke slowly, each word enunciated clearly, "In one hour, convene in the ancestral hall."
Ancestral hall meeting!
The clan members were shocked. An ancestral hall meeting was rarely called for, unless there was a significant event or pressing matter that the clan needed to address.
Now, the Clan Head was calling for an ancestral hall meeting.
This realization brought everyone back to their senses—framing the matron of the clan was no trivial matter.
Qiu Shi finally understood the gravity of the situation. She trembled uncontrollably, while Madam Fu's eyes rolled back, and she fainted on the spot.
Read only on https://royaltywrites.com.ng/
...
The news of the upcoming ancestral hall meeting spread quickly throughout the Tan family compound. The people in Autumn Radiance Courtyard dispersed, and the clan elders prepared to make their way to the ancestral hall.
Read only on https://royaltywrites.com.ng/
Zhao Shi finally regained her composure and was about to ask Tan Ting whether convening an ancestral hall meeting was too drastic. However, the memory of reprimanding Xiang Yi because of their daughter's incident crossed her mind, and she sighed, choosing to keep her thoughts to herself.
Tan Ting's gaze shifted slightly, and he looked towards the person who was still standing alone on the side. She showed no signs of anger or resentment. Instead, she inquired gently if Tan Rong had been frightened, speaking in a warm tone.
"In a few days, there will be a peace prayer session at the Anluo Temple outside the city. You can go there to ask for a protective talisman," she said to Tan Rong.
Tan Rong leaned against Zhao Shi's embrace and softly replied, "Thank you, Sister-in-law."
She responded with a gentle smile.
Watching from the side, Tan Ting's heart was stirred by an inexplicable feeling. Today's commotion had clearly been targeted at her, and she was the one who had been wronged. Yet, she didn't exhibit any other emotions. After settling the matter with Zhao Shi, she bid farewell and took her leave gracefully.
Tan Ting's gaze remained fixed on her. When she was about to walk past him, she took two consecutive steps sideways, creating distance between them. She offered a courteous gesture and then continued on without lingering, not giving him another glance, and exited through the curtain on her own.
Tan Ting's footsteps halted in their tracks.
Read only on https://royaltywrites.com.ng/
We hope you enjoyed this chapter! You can vote for this novel translation and drop a review on Novel Updates!
Show support by clicking on the donate button below!❤️
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
0 Comments
What's on your mind...