Chapter 150: The Enemy Is Already at the Gates
"You witnessed the—"
Wang Gege’s words were abruptly cut off when hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the courtyard.
At that very moment, Mini’s voice rang inside her head.
’Host, Misfortune Alert!’
Wang Gege’s expression immediately changed. She turned toward Qing’er and lowered her voice.
"Hide her first. Do not come out until I call..." She swallowed hard before repeating herself, her gaze becoming unusually serious. "Don’t come out... until I call."
Qing’er instantly rushed inside the chamber.
Wang Gege trusted that Qing’er, as a servant who had explored more than her around the Xie Residence, knew the layout of every courtyard better than she did. The way Qing’er handled everything was always well prepared, so Wang Gege did not question her and quickly turned her attention back toward the courtyard entrance.
Before she could even swallow and steady herself, she heard Xie Rong’s voice roar from outside.
"It is not confirmed!"
Wang Gege’s heart skipped a beat. She immediately stepped toward the doorway, only to hear another voice anxiously speaking over the servants.
"Young Master, but the physician has already examined Young Miss! There is poison in her body, and according to the servants at Young Miss’s chamber, Qing’er was seen entering Young Miss’s chamber last night!"
Wang Gege’s expression instantly changed. ’Qing’er?’
"That does not prove she poisoned An’an!" Xie Rong’s voice came again, colder this time.
"Why are you so protective of the servant, Rong’er?" Master Xie’s deep voice came, sending the entire courtyard into silence.
"I am not being protective of the servant, but I am protecting my Furen, Father!" Xie Rong’s stern voice once again rang across the courtyard.
Wang Gege froze. Her fingers slowly tightened around the edge of her sleeves.
Xie Rong continued, his voice carrying a firmness that left little room for argument.
"Qing’er is my Furen’s personal maid. If she is accused of poisoning An’an without proper evidence, then it is my Furen who will be dragged into this matter next."
"But Qing’er was the last person seen entering An’an’s chamber!" Master Xie’s voice hardened.
"According to whose words, Father?" Xie Rong’s anger could no longer be restrained, and his voice grew noticeably colder.
"This son never knew that merely because someone made an accusation, Father would make such a rash decision without investigating whether their words are true."
He paused for a moment before continuing, his voice carrying a trace of bitterness.
"When my Furen was pushed into the lotus lake, Father never once took her words seriously. Why is it that now, when someone accuses her servant, Father is so quick to believe it?"
Master Xie’s expression darkened as he listened, but before he could answer, another voice suddenly came from the entrance of the secluded courtyard.
"Father..." Xie An’an’s voice was weak and hoarse, immediately drawing everyone’s attention. "This daughter does not wish to cause trouble for the Elder Brother or Sister-in-law..."
She coughed lightly, and the servants nearby quickly became more anxious.
"If Qing’er truly did not intend to harm this daughter, then this daughter is willing to believe her..."
Wang Gege’s eyes narrowed slightly. ’There it is. I didn’t know she was this fast.’
Even while being weak after being poisoned, Xie An’an still knew exactly what words would make everyone sympathize with her.
"An’an, do not force yourself to speak," Old Madam Xie who came with her frowning hard.
Xie An’an shook her head weakly. "This granddaughter only wishes to know why Qing’er came to this granddaughter’s chamber last night..."
Her voice remained soft as she slowly walked closer, supported by Old Madam Xie, her pale face making her look even more pitiful after the poisoning.
"This granddaughter remembers seeing Qing’er came quite late in the evening, but she did not say much before leaving."
She paused, lowering her gaze as though she was trying hard to remember.
"At the time, this granddaughter thought nothing of it..." Her fingers lightly tightened around Old Madam Xie’s sleeve, "but after waking up this morning and finding out that this granddaughter had been poisoned, this granddaughter could not help wondering whether there was something she had missed."
"An’an," Xie Rong interrupted coldly, "you are saying that Qing’er poisoned you?"
Xie An’an immediately shook her head.
"No, Elder Brother." She looked genuinely startled by the accusation as she turned toward the Old Madam Xie, "This granddaughter would never accuse Sister-in-law’s servant without evidence."
Her gaze slowly shifted toward Xie Rong again, "This sister only wishes to know what Qing’er was doing in this sister’s chamber last night."
Wang Gege’s eyes narrowed as she leaned towards the wall, hearing all the conversation.
’Very clever.’
She was making sure that she never became the one pointing the finger at Qing’er.
If Qing’er was innocent, Xie An’an could simply claim she had only been asking questions.
If Qing’er was eventually proven guilty... then Xie An’an could simply claim she had suspected nothing from the beginning.
"Sister An’an..." Wang Gege finally stepped out from the chamber and pressed her lips into a straight line, a faint smile appearing on her face. "I never knew I would be greeted this evening with such an absurd accusation."
"Is this how you speak in front of your elders?" Old Madam Xie’s voice rose sharply, her expression turning displeased. "Your father-in-law and I are standing right here, yet you speak as though no one is worthy of your respect!"
Wang Gege’s smile faded slightly. She had not even been addressing Old Madam Xie or Master Xie, yet somehow she had still managed to offend them simply by refusing to show the expected amount of restraint.
She lowered her head politely.
"Grandmother misunderstood. This granddaughter-in-law merely spoke because Qing’er was accused without any proper evidence."
Her gaze then shifted toward Xie An’an, who was standing quietly beside Old Madam Xie.
"As for Sister An’an, if she merely wishes to know why Qing’er went to her chamber last night, this wife naturally has no objection to answering, because throughout the whole day yesterday, Qing’er never went anywhere except this courtyard."
She paused, looking straight at Xie An’an. "This one can testify for her and..." Her gaze shifted toward Xie Rong, "you too, right, Husband?"