Chapter 30: The Wicked
"Young Madam... this servant really didn’t poison the Young Master."
Chuntao’s trembling voice rang throughout the silent hall. The words were neither loud nor powerful. But at that moment, they struck everyone’s ears like a thunderclap.
Almost immediately, Shen Yurou’s head snapped upward. The pitiful and wronged expression she had carefully maintained nearly cracked apart.
For the briefest moment, panic flashed across her face. A panic she failed to hide completely.
"This servant really didn’t do it." Chuntao’s voice cracked as she continued, "This servant has made many mistakes, but poisoning... this servant wouldn’t dare to do it."
She lowered her head. The words sounded simple, but they carried a weight that caused the atmosphere inside the hall to become increasingly tense.
For a moment, nobody spoke as no one seemed willing to be the first person to break the silence.
A few seconds later, Wang Gege slowly rose to her feet and returned to Xie Rong’s side.
The moment she saw him up close again, her heart sank. His complexion had become even paler than before.
The blood at the corner of his lips had yet to be completely wiped away and although he was trying his best to remain composed, she could see the exhaustion gradually creeping into his expression.
Everyone was so focused on finding the culprit that they had almost forgotten the victim was still poisoned.
Wang Gege bit her lip. Then she tiptoed slightly and leaned closer to Xie Rong’s ear.
"Husband..." Her voice was barely above a whisper, "We cannot wait any longer."
Her fingers unconsciously tightened around his sleeve. The concern in her eyes was impossible to hide.
"You are putting your life in danger." She glanced toward Chuntao before lowering her voice even further. "Let’s bring this servant back first. We can continue questioning her later."
Wang Gege no longer cared about catching the culprit immediately. The poisoner could wait. The truth too.
Right now, the only thing she cared about was getting Xie Rong away from this hall and into the hands of a physician.
Xie Rong remained silent for a moment before giving a weak nod. Then he turned slightly, "Mo Yan."
"Young Master." Mo Yan instantly responded.
"Help me back." His voice was noticeably weaker than before, "And make sure no one leaves the residence until I return."
A brief pause followed, "Bring this servant back to the Xie Residence as well."
The moment those words fell, several expressions inside the hall changed.
Suddenly, Xie Rong’s body swayed slightly. Before anyone could react, Wang Gege had already stepped forward and supported him, carefully allowing his arm to rest against her shoulder.
The action came naturally. She no longer cared whether people were watching. The only thing she could see was the frightening paleness on his face.
"Husband, walk slower." Her voice unconsciously softened, "be careful."
Xie Rong did not answer nor did he reject her support as his condition worsened every second. The sight alone caused Wang Gege’s heart to tighten.
Just as Mo Yan stepped forward to assist, a frantic voice suddenly rang throughout the hall.
"No!"
The sudden outburst shocked everyone.
Shen Yurou had already risen to her feet. The panic on her face was impossible to hide. Even the tears from earlier seemed forgotten.
"She cannot leave!" She pointed to Chuntao who was still kneeling on the floor.
The hall instantly fell silent.
Realizing her reaction had been too intense, Shen Yurou froze briefly before forcing herself to calm down.
Her fingers clenched tightly inside her sleeves, "Chuntao is a servant of the Shen family." She took a deep breath before continuing, "If evidence was truly found inside her room, then she should remain here."
Her gaze shifted toward Madam Shen before landing on Xie Rong. "The Shen family should be the one investigating this matter."
Madam Shen immediately understood the meaning behind her daughter’s glance. She stepped forward without hesitation.
"Agreed, Young Master." Her expression carried concern, but her voice remained steady.
"This servant belongs to the Shen family. Since the evidence was discovered within the Shen Residence and the person involved is one of our servants, it would only be proper for the Shen family to handle the investigation."
She paused briefly before lowering her head slightly, "Please rest assured, Young Master. If Chuntao is truly guilty, we will not shield her."
Several relatives nodded in agreement. After all, her words sounded reasonable.
The servant belonged to the Shen family. The incident occurred in the Shen Residence. It was only natural for the Shen family to investigate their own servant.
"No." Wang Gege’s voice suddenly rang out.
It was not loud but it was firm enough to make everyone look toward her.
"We will bring her back." She stood beside Xie Rong, one hand still supporting his arm.
Her gaze remained fixed on Madam Shen, "Because she is my servant."
The hall fell silent.
Madam Shen and Shen Yurou froze. Neither of them could fully comprehend how much Shen Taotao had changed after her marriage.
The Shen Taotao they knew would never openly oppose her elders. She would never interrupt them in front of so many people. And she certainly would never insist on something after being denied.
Here, the Shen Taotao who was standing in front of them sounded confident and determined and from her eyes, everything looked unfamiliar.
Shen Yurou felt a strange sense of unease. It was as though the younger sister she had known for years was slowly becoming someone else.
"Taotao." Shen Yurou suddenly stepped forward.
The movement was quick enough that Wang Gege barely had time to react before her wrist was seized. The grip was much tighter than expected.
"T-Taotao..." Her voice sounded gentle, like a loving elder sister trying to reason with a stubborn younger sibling.
Her grip on Wang Gege’s wrist, however, was anything but gentle.
"You may not understand this matter." Her fingers tightened further, "Chuntao has served by your side for years."
A smile appeared on her face, soft and patient, "Yet she was originally my servant. I know her better."
The pressure on Wang Gege’s wrist increased. Enough to make her frown. The pain was becoming difficult to ignore.
"Older Sister..." Wang Gege tried pulling her hand back but the attempt failed.
Shen Yurou’s grip only tightened further. While Wang Gege frowned and attempted to free herself again.
This time, her sleeve shifted enough for everyone to see the reddened skin around her wrist. Shen Yurou’s grip had left clear marks behind.
The sight immediately darkened Xie Rong’s expression.
Although he was barely standing at that moment, he was still Xie Rong, the Young Master of the Xie family. The man who had fought his way through countless assassination attempts and survived them all.
His gaze lingered briefly on Wang Gege’s wrist before he suddenly leaned forward and reached for Mo Yan’s sword.
The movement was so unexpected that nobody had time to react.
A sharp sound echoed through the hall as the blade left its sheath.
By the time everyone recovered their senses, the sword was already resting against Shen Yurou’s neck.
"Remove your hand."