The general kneels on the washboard again

The young man's eyes swept across Yue Niang's face, with a hint of surprise.

Duke Jiang and Jiang Yunxiao stood behind Cao Jin, like two walls.

Many young men from the front hall also came in to watch the show.

Cao Jin didn't seem to be willing to give them face. "Now that things have gotten to this point, it's no longer just a private matter. Coincidentally, Lord Xiao is here today, so please ask him to judge this case."

This Lord Xiao is the current Chief Censor of Kyoto - Xiao Ye, who is in charge of the criminal justice affairs in Kyoto and is a man of ruthless and impartial character.

Xiao Ye was about fifty years old, with a thick beard on his face, but his eyes were particularly sharp. He was walking out of the crowd at this time.

Walking up to Cao Jin, he said, "Madam, Xiao Ye will do his best."

Xiao Ye took the list and post handed over by Butler Wu, and asked some questions to the people involved in the case.

Fu Yuanniang had never seen such a scene before. She had no choice but to hold on to Ling Xun's sleeve to keep her balance.

Jiang Yunxiao was the most outspoken person. Seeing Ling Xun protecting Fu Yuanniang and ignoring his serious fiancée Yue Niang, he couldn't help but say something rude: "How strange! His Royal Highness Prince Cheng doesn't protect his fiancée, but protects his fiancée's sister instead."

As soon as these words were spoken, there was another uproar. His Royal Highness Prince Cheng was a rare talent, and countless people wanted to pass their daughters to him. Naturally, they all knew about his marriage to the merchant family in Laurel Lane.

Jiang Songrui glared at him and said, "Don't be rude."

Jiang Yunxiao shut up awkwardly.

This was a very simple case, and Xiao Ye figured it out in no time at all.

Cao Jin looked at Xiao Ye's hesitant expression and knew that he had found out everything, so he turned to Jiang Songrui who was standing beside him.

Jiang Songrui understood and said, "Zhongcheng, how is the investigation going?"

Xiao Ye said respectfully, "It has been thoroughly investigated, Your Excellency."

Looking at the pitiful appearance of his beloved, Ling Xun quickly took over the conversation: "Tell us quickly." He was eager to clear Fu Yuanniang's name.

Yue Niang smiled sarcastically.

Xiao Ye slowly said, "Your Highness, the name of the girl next to you is not on the guest list of the mansion."

After saying that, he handed the post and the list to Ling Xun for inspection, and then waited on the side.

Ling Xun took it without even glancing at it. He knew Yuanniang's name wasn't on it, but wasn't Fu Yueniang's name famous because she was his unmarried Princess Cheng? It should have been Yuanniang's name.

Fu Yuanniang pursed her lips tightly. Wu Yiling, who was the first to attack, had already retreated many steps and disappeared into the crowd of onlookers.

Ling Xun was determined to take charge of the matter: "It's just a post, why are you forcing your own sister?"

Yue Niang had no intention of angering this lord who was so gracious, so she bowed calmly, "This humble lady greets the Third Prince. This was all a misunderstanding, and it's my fault for not having the opportunity to speak up."

Her eyebrows furrowed as she continued, "My sisters at home said they were having severe abdominal pain on the way here, so they asked me to come ahead. That's what happened. When they came in, they confronted the county lord and asked me why I stole the invitation, without giving me a chance to speak."

He turned to the crowd and said, "It was just a misunderstanding. Please excuse me for laughing at you all." He bowed to Ling Xun, Jiang Songrui, Cao Jin, and Xiao Ye one by one.

After all these actions, she appeared to be magnanimous and tolerant, and also helped her sisters who were making trouble out of trouble, showing the demeanor of a legitimate daughter.

Cao Jin understood and exchanged glances with Jiang Songrui.

Jiang Songrui said to the male guests who had come to watch the fun, while Cao Jin said to the female guests: "Okay, everyone, let's go back and take our seats. These are just small matters. I'm sorry to have made you laugh."

The wife of Qin Pan, Marquis of Zhongyi, spoke up: "The Duke's Mansion is the home of a military general. Such little tricks won't cause any trouble. Well, let's continue to appreciate the chrysanthemums." She led everyone away.

The Qin family and the Jiang family are both military families, so naturally they have a very good relationship.

Seeing the play ended, everyone dispersed. Yue Niang bowed to the Third Prince who was still standing beside Fu Yuan Niang and said, "I will take my leave."

Today, I just wanted to prevent them from coming in, after all, it was my business card, but I never expected Wu Yiling to pop up.

At this time, Wu Yiling was in a corner, looking in Yue Niang's direction, and said to the maid, "She doesn't seem like what Fu Yuan Niang said."

The maidservant was also honest: "My dear, I think those two are just trying to take advantage of you. Look, Master Xiao found out that they were not among the guests. I heard that Fu Yueniang just returned to the capital not long ago. I think she is used to using fake name cards, which is why she did this today."

Wu Yiling said softly, "Never mind, I blame myself for what happened today. But seeing how the Third Prince treated Yuanniang, I hope she'll be grateful to me when she's successful."

After saying that, he led the maid away.

After talking to the Third Prince, Fu Yuanniang led Fu Jinniang to catch up with Yue Niang.

"Sister, thank you so much today." Fu Yuanniang thanked her, while Fu Jinniang looked disdainful: "Sister, why are you thanking her? If it weren't for her, would we be so embarrassed today?"

Yue Niang heard this, but she was not angry: "Third sister, this is the Duke's Mansion, be careful with your words."

Fu Jinniang was young after all, and still had a reckless personality at this time. When she approached the pool, she pushed Yue Niang out.

Fortunately, Dong Zhu, who was standing by, was quick-witted and pulled Yue Niang back after she had knocked down the wooden railing.

A hole was knocked out in the wooden fence, making quite a noise. The women, who had just calmed down, looked over here again.

Yue Niang touched her chest and stared at Fu Jinniang in shock. Fu Jinniang was so frightened that she trembled and staggered back a few steps.

Yue Niang smiled, looked around, and bowed slightly: "I'm sorry, I didn't stand firmly just now and almost fell down. I ruined the fun of you ladies."

Cao Jin gave her a puzzled look, and Yue Niang gestured to her to be at ease.

Cao Jin came over and took Yue Niang's hand as if no one was around: "Why spoil the fun? Come with your aunt and look at this pot of chrysanthemums."

Fu Jinniang's momentum weakened a little, and she followed Fu Yuanniang with her head down.

In fact, the Jiang family is a family of military generals and has no interest in such elegant things. However, many civil servants have entered the court recently, and the eldest son of the second branch of the Jiang family has also made the list, ranking fifth in the second class. Only then did Cao Jin show some elegance in his fight.

Not only are these flowers valuable, but there are also hundreds of colors, which shows that a lot of money was spent on them.

Cao Jin took Yue Niang and walked to the group of noble relatives.

One of the women with triangular eyes was surrounded by a lot of people. She looked at Cao Jin coming over with a hint of contempt in the corner of her eyes.

A short and fat woman in pine green clothes beside her caught her and walked straight towards Cao Jin. Yue Niang had a vague feeling that she had bad intentions.

The woman smiled wryly, "Greetings, Madam. There are hundreds of varieties of chrysanthemums at today's banquet. I didn't expect that Madam, who comes from a family of military commanders, could be so elegant. I really admire her."

Cao Jin also maintained a smile: "Madam Xu, what you said really embarrasses me."

Madam Xu clearly had other intentions. She said lightly, "It seems that the rumors that you are rude and vulgar and can't distinguish flowers and plants are all rumors. I heard that all these lovely chrysanthemums today were carefully selected by you, Madam."

Cao Jinfeng's eyes narrowed, and he looked a little embarrassed: "Of course."

Most of these flowers were selected and cultivated by the gardeners in the mansion, and Cao Jin also let the gardeners choose them. She really didn't contribute much, but if she said so, she was afraid that she would be laughed at by these women in the harem again.

Madam Xu looked ready to unleash her mighty power, her voice even louder: "Which pot do you like best, Madam?"