She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 368 - 367: They Were All Guilty

Chapter 368: Chapter 367: They Were All Guilty

"What reminder? Would this woman kindly remind his family? She’s kidding herself!"

Qi Dong glared at Ye Xinyan with a hostile expression. This woman, whose origins he knew not, was truly despicable. Ever since her arrival in Clear Water Village, his family had not known a moment of peace, with endless troubles day in and day out. His son constantly complained of being bullied by her, yet had nowhere to turn for justice.

Ye Xinyan, of course, was indifferent to Qi Dong’s demeanor. She said leisurely, "The place to argue justice that Third Uncle mentioned does indeed exist. Yesterday, my grandfather and I did not eat before returning home, and when the family members asked the reason, I told them. After hearing my story, both Sixth Master Rong and Lord Jiang reprimanded me as well, saying that I shouldn’t have been so rash, disturbed by a child’s words, as it was unbecoming."

Qi Dong’s face relaxed a bit, thinking that, by her words, those two influential figures living with his uncle were still reasonable.

Ye Xinyan continued, "Then I told them, if it were just mutual cursing, let alone children, even adults in a moment of anger could say harsh words without it truly mattering." Ye Xinyan smiled at Qi Dong and Madam Song, but they discerned a chilling coldness in her smile, "But Qi Congwu’s words were different. When Qi Jiaer was with the Third Branch family, it’s true that they often gave him swill to eat as his meal. This is not children quarreling, it’s boasting about mistreating a child as if it were an honorable act, a crime so vile it warrants death."

Qi Dong immediately became enraged and shouted, "Don’t spout slanderous accusations! We have never done such things, those were just idle words spoken by the child during a quarrel. The Magistrate Sir is here, be careful, or I’ll accuse you of defamation!"

"Never done it?" Ye Xinyan spoke in a measured tone, "At that time, Sixth Master Rong questioned Lord Jiang, how could such evils occur under his jurisdiction? According to Sixth Master Rong, this morning the Yamen should have summoned personnel to the village to arrest people, to take the family that mistreated Qi Jiaer into custody, to detain and interrogate them separately. They would investigate the exact situation Qi Jiaer faced at the time. If the abuse is substantiated, Fourth Aunt’s crime of abusing her stepchild, and the crime of condoning it by the rest of the Third Great Uncle’s Ancestral Home, how should it be judged? Whether exile or hard labor, favoritism must not be shown."

As Qi Dong listened, his face grew uglier. He had always felt that Qi Jiajia’s affairs had nothing to do with him or his wife, so he had no fear of the situation at hand. His previous words were not merely bluster; he was earnestly planning to lodge a complaint with the Magistrate Sir, accusing the second branch of the Qi family of leveraging their power to bully him, as there was no just reason for his wife to have been beaten so harshly.

Ye Xinyan sneered, "Madam Pang is admittedly vicious, capable of such actions out of loathing and rage, she at least had a reason. But Third Uncle and your wife have no excuse. Not only did you watch without objection, but you also added salt to a young boy’s wounds after the fact. Are you not just as malicious?"

While speaking, Ye Xinyan also glanced at Madam Song, who was still in shock, and asked, "Does Third Uncle think that the Yamen won’t be able to find out the truth?"

With an unclear look in his eyes, Qi Dong forced himself to rally and said, "Don’t try to scare me. If there is nothing to it, even further questioning will only result in a wrongful case." His words were fierce, but his voice had lowered significantly.

"It’s good that Third Uncle has such confidence, so let’s go to court. I’ll submit the complaint on behalf of Third Uncle. If Qi Jiaer didn’t suffer as was said, I will feel somewhat at ease, sparing me the agony every time I remember my poor younger brother’s past. If Third Aunt wrongly suffers from a false accusation, she will surely be compensated, and I, having done wrong, am naturally willing to accept punishment, be it flogging or a fine of silver."

Ye Xinyan gestured towards the entrance of the courtyard and said, "Please return, the both of you. I, Qi Ye, always stand by my word. Once Lord Jiang rises, I will certainly convey Third Uncle’s wishes to Lord Jiang, asking him to handle this matter impartially. Alternatively, you can cry out for justice now, letting Lord Jiang rise and inquire into the case, and I, Qi Ye, will certainly accompany you."

After speaking, she turned around, as if the decision had been made.

Qi Dong’s face drastically changed, and Madam Song was even more shocked, hastily stepping forward to grab Ye Xinyan’s sleeve when a rebuke from Anshun’s household came: "How audacious, what status does our young lady have, to be manhandled by you?"

Madam Song quickly withdrew her hand and hurriedly moved in front of Ye Xinyan, pleading, "Ye Zi, your third uncle, he was just anxious and spoke without thinking, he didn’t mean that. You’re someone who handles big affairs, don’t stoop to his level. The great aunt just came to ask if Third Aunt being like that is causing trouble, if it isn’t, we’ll leave right now. We’re all family, we can’t let things escalate to an uncontrollable extent."

Ye Xinyan’s face remained cold, "Originally, that was my intention too. Whether or not we’re family, it’s the New Year and it’s not good to stir up trouble that spoils the mood. Alas, you and your third uncle don’t seem to think so. Your family isn’t afraid to ruin the atmosphere, what can I possibly do?"

"It’s not like that, not like that at all, Ye Zi, what you thought originally was right, we’re family, we can’t take our disputes to the government office and become the laughing stock of outsiders. So, if Lady Zhang’s injuries are not serious, then we’ll just leave. I imagine Ye Zi must be tired from staying up last night to celebrate the New Year’s Eve, we won’t disturb you further."

After Madam Song finished speaking, without waiting for Ye Xinyan to nod, she pulled Qi Dong and hastened toward the exit, seemingly afraid that Ye Xinyan would say something else.

Indeed, Ye Xinyan said from behind them: "Leaving just like that? Perhaps your family really does have a grievance. Sixth Master Rong found it strange, saying that those who commit such wicked deeds would normally be hiding it, not parading it about for fear that others would know; it’s as if you are looking for an opportunity to take a tour of the prison."

As she walked away, Madam Song looked back and spoke, "That’s just a foolish person, Ye Zi, don’t pay it any mind." She hastened along, pushing Qi Dong, their departure even quicker and cleaner than when they arrived.

Nanny Liu, watching the pair vanish, turned with a smile, "Young lady, you also stayed up late last night, go back and have a little rest. Weren’t we supposed to distribute red packets to the workers today? If you rest now, you’ll be up just in time for that."

Ye Xinyan, no longer composed, glanced angrily towards the main gate and fumed, "This family, why can’t they have a single clear-headed person, causing trouble for no reason? Now there’s no time even for a short nap."

"Yes, yes, young lady, go lie down. If anyone else shows up, I’ll have the guards throw them out," Nanny Liu said with a placatory smile, hurrying her to go rest and instructing the people from Anshun’s household, "Nanny Qiao, leave the issues to Song Ping’s household to watch over, and you take a rest too, it was quite late last night."

The people from Anshun’s household quickly assented, thanking them and followed Ye Xinyan back.

The young lady had indeed changed a lot from before, from the incident with the Liang family from the county city when they had first arrived, to punishing Lady Zhang yesterday, and just now confronting the mother and son from Qi Family’s Third Branch – she faced issues with patience, her words and tactics indirect yet powerful, never seeming to be at a disadvantage. Ah, if she had been like this earlier on, how could things have come to this pass?