Having transmigrated into a book, who would still want to be a secondary wife?

The butler looked panicked, his eyes darting around as he tried his best to explain, "Master, this is truly a miscarriage of justice. Ninth Concubine has always been the most devoted to you, and I would never dare to do such a thing!"

However, the housekeeper's wife rushed up and attacked him from both sides.

"You bastard! I knew it was because I sometimes woke up in the middle of the night and you weren't in the house. You always said you went to the toilet, but it turns out you were out having an affair!"

I knew Aunt Jiu always gave me the cold shoulder, and I'd been wondering what I'd done to offend her. Turns out it's all because of you!

For a moment, the scene was in chaos.

Song Ruozhen and the others watched this spectacular scene as if it were just entertainment.

After all, such a lively and dramatic event is rare, let alone the fact that the First Madam and the other eight concubines can be so united.

Everyone could clearly see that Sun Miao'er and the housekeeper had an ambiguous relationship, yet not a single person reminded Xiang Hongbo.

In an ordinary household, a concubine would immediately inform the master if she discovered someone was having an affair. But in the Xiang family, not a single one of them said anything; they were all waiting to see the master make a fool of himself.

"The backyard of the Xiang family mansion is truly a rare sight!"

Chu Yungui found it amusing. In the past, it was common for concubines to quarrel and fight in the backyards of various households, but they would hold back and wait for their masters to suffer the consequences.

There's absolutely no affection between this couple!

"I think Xiang Hongbo is a real failure. He still flaunts his power outside, saying that his wife and eight concubines can't have children."

Now look what's happened! His only son isn't his biological child. Not only has he lost his job, but he'll also be ridiculed until his death.

Song Jingshen looked at him with a mocking expression. "Those who do many evil deeds will surely perish. To end up like this shows how bad one's character must have been."

Gu Huan'er looked at Song Ruozhen curiously, "Cousin, didn't the First Madam give birth to three daughters? Xiang Hongbo wasn't incapable of having children, so why couldn't the later concubines have children?"

“Because the master was injured before, and then he couldn’t keep up,” the First Madam suddenly said.

Song Ruozhen gave the First Madam a meaningful look, thinking that the First Madam was truly a remarkable person.

Since she wanted to protect him, there was no need for me to expose her. In any case, someone as despicable as Xiang Hongbo deserved to end up like this!

Xiang Hongbo was already furious, and when he heard his wife publicly expose his shortcomings and say that he was no longer capable, he became even angrier!

"We've been husband and wife for over twenty years. You knew this slut was having an affair, but you didn't tell me?"

The First Madam scoffed, "So what if we've been husband and wife for twenty years? I've borne you three children and managed everything in the mansion, but have you ever thought of me in any way?"

You don't believe anything I say, but you believe everything Sun Miao'er says. If that's the case, why should I bother telling you anything?

Xiang Hongbo choked, suddenly remembering that his wife had mentioned this before, but he didn't believe it at the time and even said that she was jealous and had no tolerance for others.

Seeing that his wife was enjoying watching the spectacle, Chu Junting wasn't in a hurry. In his mind, he was pondering how Xiang Hongbo, as the prefect, had done so many bad things, yet the imperial court hadn't heard a word about it.

I'm afraid it's a case of officials protecting each other; countless people in Yangzhou have been oppressed over the years.

Since we've stumbled upon this by chance, let's take this opportunity to investigate everything thoroughly, root out all the corrupt elements in this chain, and restore Yangzhou to its former glory!

Yunyang listened to his master's instructions. Although the matter was complicated, it was not the first time they had encountered such a situation. They just needed to do everything according to the master's instructions.

Listening to his elder brother's instructions, Chu Yungui realized that there were other things to be dealt with behind this matter, and felt a chill run down his spine.

But then I thought... this trip will give my brother another merit.

If this gets back to the capital, I'm afraid my other brothers will be green with envy!

Sun Miao'er and the steward then realized that all this time, it wasn't that they had kept it a secret so well, but rather that everyone in the manor hated the master, so they were willing to put up with them and just want to see him suffer...

Xiang Hongbo trembled with rage, feeling a surge within him, and spat out a mouthful of blood.

He knelt down with a thud and told them everything.

"Your Highness, I did not abduct Sun Miao'er; Sun Dashan brought her to my residence."

At the time, Sun Dashan said he wanted a son but had never had one. Coincidentally, a fortune teller said his sister was destined for many children and much happiness, and if she married into my household, she would definitely bear me a son. That's why I agreed.

"After having children, Sun Dashan became increasingly arrogant. Every time he made a mistake, he would have Sun Miao'er and the children beg me for forgiveness, which is how I gradually fell into the abyss!"

Xiang Hongbo glared at Sun Dashan and the others with venomous hatred. At this moment, he could no longer fail to understand that it was all a trap!

It was a scheme orchestrated by Sun Dashan and his men!

"Not only that, Sun Dashan has also committed murder. I know my crimes are unforgivable and I am willing to submit to the law. I beg Your Highness to investigate thoroughly and not let them get away with it!"

Sun Dashan's expression changed drastically. He never expected that Xiang Hongbo would rather be executed than expose his secrets. Was he trying to take them down with him?

With a wave of his hand, Chu Junting arrested Sun Dashan, Sun Miao'er, the butler, and others.

He never intended to let such a heinous person go.

"Put them all in jail!"

At this moment, the third daughter, seeing her father being arrested, cried with red eyes and asked, "Mother, will Father die? Will we all die?"

The First Madam held her twelve-year-old daughter, her heart aching with unbearable heartache.

Her other two daughters are already married and won't be implicated, but her youngest daughter is not yet married and will likely be implicated as well.

Seeing his daughter's worry for him, Xiang Hongbo's remaining fatherly love suddenly burst forth.

"Your Highness, I deserve to die, but my wife and daughters are innocent. They are not well treated by me and know nothing about what I have done. Please, Your Highness, spare their lives!"

Tears streamed down Xiang Hongbo's face as he recalled how he had mistreated his daughter over the years while protecting his son, and he felt deep regret for his past actions.

"It's too late to say such things now."

Chu Junting's eyes remained unmoved. Most of the families of disgraced officials were demoted to government slaves, so they were not likely to lose their lives.

As for the women who were abducted, everything will be investigated thoroughly, and no one will be wrongly accused.

Seeing that everyone had been arrested, Gu Huan'er couldn't help but sigh, "They really reaped what they sowed, they deserved it!"

"A dignified prefect, actually got framed just to have a son. All those years of studying were for nothing!" Chu Yungui shook his head, his eyes filled with disgust.

Song Jingshen looked at his younger sister and asked, "Just now, the First Madam said that Xiang Hongbo was no good. Is there another reason behind this?"