Chapter 108: The Perfect Scapegoat
Xie Rong lowered his head slightly, "This son requests Father’s permission to question Madam Liu."
Master Xie remained silent for a moment before asking, "You believe the witness?"
Xie Rong calmly replied, "Not entirely. However, since he has identified Madam Liu by name... she should be questioned."
Master Xie remained silent for a long moment before speaking. "Very well. This matter concerns the reputation of the Xie Residence. If the witness has indeed named Madam Liu... then she should be invited here."
Xie Rong lowered his head. "This son understands."
Not long afterward, measured footsteps echoed from beyond the study. The door to the study slowly opened.
Madam Liu entered with her usual composed elegance, dressed in a dark plum robe that reflected neither extravagance nor simplicity.
She first bowed to Master Xie before turning to Xie Rong.
"Master... Young Master... I heard you wished to see me."
Master Xie gestured toward the chair opposite him. "Please, have a seat."
A trace of surprise flickered across Madam Liu’s face.
In all the years she had served the Xie Residence, it was rare for Master Xie to speak with such solemnity over what appeared to be a private audience.
She nevertheless composed herself and gracefully took the offered seat.
"I wonder what matter requires my presence so early this morning."
The study fell into silence.
Only after several breaths did Xie Rong finally speak. "Madam Liu. There is someone who wishes to identify you."
Her brows drew together almost imperceptibly. "Identify me?"
Without another word, Xie Rong nodded toward Gui Lin.
Gui Lin understood immediately. He walked to the doorway and gave a brief signal.
Moments later, two guards escorted a bound man into the study.
His clothes were stained with dirt, and his face was pale after a sleepless night. The moment he raised his head, his eyes swept across the room before stopping abruptly on Madam Liu.
His expression changed instantly.
"It’s her!" He lurched forward despite the guards restraining him. "It’s her! I told you! She’s the one!"
Madam Liu instinctively frowned. Her gaze lingered on the stranger for several moments before she calmly replied, "I don’t understand, Master Xie... what is the meaning of this?"
Master Xie did not answer. Instead, he looked toward Xie Rong.
Xie Rong met Madam Liu’s gaze without the slightest fluctuation in his expression. "This man claims you instructed him to disguise himself as a guard of the Xie Residence."
Madam Liu’s brows furrowed, "Disguise himself as one of our guards?"
"He further claims that, under your instructions, he deliberately misled Qing’er by saying Chuntao wished to see Young Madam at the Punishment Courtyard." Xie Rong calmly explained as he monitored every tiny expression on Madam Liu’s face.
"Ridiculous." That one word left Madam Liu’s lips almost instinctively.
She turned to look at the bound man once more, searching his face as though hoping to recall where she had met him before.
Yet after several breaths, she slowly shook her head. "I have never seen this man in my life."
"Liar!" the man roared. "You gave me the uniform! You promised me silver! You even warned me not to linger after delivering the message!"
His action caused the guards to pin him down and made him kneel.
Madam Liu’s expression paled. She instinctively took half a step toward Master Xie.
"Master Xie, this one truly does not know this man!" Her brows knit tightly together. "This one has served the Xie Residence faithfully for many years. Why would this one instruct an outsider to impersonate one of our own guards?"
She looked from the bound man to Xie Rong, her confusion evident. "Someone... someone is deliberately trying to frame this one."
Master Xie’s face darkened.
"Madam Liu." His deep voice carried the authority of the family head. "This Master has always trusted your character. Likewise..." His gaze shifted toward the bound man. "This Master does not believe a stranger would risk his life making such accusations without reason."
Madam Liu’s lips parted, but no words came.
The room fell silent.
Xie Rong finally broke the silence. "Madam Liu. About four days ago, where were you between the Hour of Chen and the Hour of Si?" 1
Madam Liu frowned slightly, seemingly recalling the events of that morning.
"That morning, this one believes this one was inspecting the eastern storehouses. Afterward, this one met with Steward Zhao to review the monthly accounts before delivering the account books to Old Madam." She gulped before bobbing her head, "Many servants saw this one. Steward Zhao may also testify."
Before Xie Rong could respond, the bound man scoffed.
"Of course you’d have people to vouch for you. Who would dare contradict the woman who oversees the entire household?"
"Of course you’d have people to vouch for you. Who would dare contradict the woman who oversees the entire household?"
Xie Rong, who had remained silent until now, suddenly stepped forward and crouched before the man.
His deep, low voice was barely above a whisper. Only the man could hear him clearly.
"You seem to know Madam Liu quite well... Yet moments ago, you claimed she merely gave you a few instructions before sending you away."
The man’s breathing hitched.
Xie Rong tilted his head slightly beneath the black silk blindfold. "So... Which one is the truth?"
The man was unconsciously swallowed. Even without seeing Xie Rong’s eyes, the close proximity and the unwavering calm in his voice sent a chill down his spine.
"I... I..." His throat felt as though it had been stuffed with cotton. No matter how hard he tried, the words refused to come out.
Xie Rong spoke again, his tone as even as before. "Or... did someone teach you exactly what to say?"
The man’s pupils contracted violently. "N-No, Young Master. I... I..."
Cold sweat trickled down his temples as his lips trembled uncontrollably. He opened his mouth several times, yet each attempt ended with nothing more than a dry swallow.
Xie Rong remained crouched before him. "You were merely told to deliver a message. Nothing more."
The man’s breathing hitched.
Seeing his reaction, Xie Rong slowly leaned closer until his lips were beside the man’s ear.
His voice was barely a whisper. "I believe the mastermind... never intended to let you leave here alive."
The man’s entire body stiffened.
"Think carefully. If you continue protecting that person... Who will protect you?"
around 7–11 a.m