The Comeback of the Charming Farmer's Wife

Chapter 2709: Chapter 40: Sophistry

The Empress was contemplating whether to have Xiaofei’s throat slit.

Before she could decide, Ye Haoyang personally brought Xiaofei and Xiaoyu over.

"Your servant greets the Empress!"

The Empress smiled upon seeing him. Her impression of Ye Haoyang was always good; every time she saw him, she remembered the child who used to jump around calling her ’Auntie.’ Such a good child, unfortunately, couldn’t be closer.

"No need for formalities, who is this person?"

"Replying to the Empress, this person is Madam Situ’s distant niece. Does Your Majesty not know?"

"She’s not my niece, how would I know?" Actually, she had seen Xiaofei before, but to avoid trouble, she feigned ignorance.

"Empress, General Ye, the Emperor summons you both inside!"

"Hmm!"

The Empress entered first, while Ye Haoyang handed Xiaofei and Xiaoyu to a nearby eunuch and went in himself.

At this time, the Emperor ordered, "Go summon State Duke Situ and Madam, as well as Ye Rongqing and Mu Shuang."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

During the wait, the Empress and Yang Chuxia chatted for a long time, even discussing matters from over ten years ago.

Yang Chuxia understood her implication; she intended Yang not to pursue the matter further, but that was impossible.

Very soon, the Situ couple, Ye Rongqing, and Mu Shuang arrived, followed by Mu Shaoling, Qi Yunqiao, and Mu Niancheng.

Seeing these people, the Empress thought to herself that it was not good.

"Your Majesty, your servant is wronged!" Madam Situ certainly knew the reason for this summons, and upon seeing Xiaofei, she wished she could kill her.

The useless wretch had betrayed her, and the Situ Family had raised her for nothing.

"As for the matter of Heir Ye, how could I, your servant, involve myself? I bear no malice towards him; why would I do such things to a junior? Moreover, what benefit would I gain by framing him?"

State Duke Situ added, "Your Majesty, I too have something to say."

"Speak!"

Baili Yan had set the tone for addressing just this matter today, "Bring some fruits and snacks, and serve some tea."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Qi Yunqiao felt an inexplicable urge to laugh.

State Duke Situ paused and continued, "Previously, Madam Ye brought a group of servants to cause trouble at my mansion’s gates, claiming my wife was responsible for several deaths and had schemed against Heir Ye. I wonder, does Madam Ye have evidence? If not, I will accuse Madam Ye of slander."

"Also, how does Madam Ye know my mansion’s affairs so well? Could it be that Madam Ye has planted spies within my household?"

"Lord State Duke, do not rush to accuse me," Yang Chuxia said leisurely, "This Xiaofei was raised in your mansion from a young age and knows your household affairs better than anyone, some of which she was directly involved in. Why would I need to plant spies in your residence? As for scheming against the young heir, are you suggesting that this was solely Xiaofei’s own plan? We shouldn’t speak in riddles; even though Xiaofei may have ambitions for wealth, without the backing of Madam Situ or you, Lord State Duke, how could she achieve such deeds?"

"Putting others aside, let’s talk about the banquet at your mansion. If there was no ulterior motive, would Madam Situ leave her own daughter behind and bring an adopted one? And regarding the birthday horoscope matter, to change one’s birth date and spread the news, is that something an adopted child could accomplish?"

Xiaofei then knelt down and tearfully confessed, "Your Majesty, everything truly was under Madam Situ’s orders. Every word I speak is true. That day, she instructed me to drug Heir Ye, but Mu saw. And the drug I used was also given by Madam Situ. I heard it’s a Northern drug called ’Intoxicating Fragrance,’ which costs a hundred taels of silver for just a little bit. If it weren’t for Madam Situ, how could I, a commoner girl, possibly afford it?"