The legitimate daughter returns, and everyone in the Marquis's mansion regrets and begs for for

Madam Lin sighed softly and gestured for Lin Zhengde to sit down. "Clan leader, I have invited you here today because I have important matters to discuss."

Her tone was heavy, and her eyes held a hint of helplessness.

Lin Zhengde sat down opposite Madam Lin and listened quietly.

Madam Lin recounted to Lin Zhengde everything about Su Muya's poisoning, as well as Hongmei's letter and the medicine powder. Her tone was calm, but every word was filled with grief and despair.

After listening to Madam Lin's account, Lin Zhengde's expression turned serious. He stroked his beard, pondered for a moment, and slowly said, "Madam, this matter is of great importance, and we must handle it with utmost care."

Madam Lin nodded. "That's right. Muya is my own granddaughter, and naturally I don't want her to be punished too severely. But this matter concerns the reputation of the Lin family, and I cannot bend the law for personal reasons."

Lin Zhengde pondered for a moment and said, "In my opinion, it would be better to detain Su Muya first and make a decision after we have found out the truth."

Madam Lin nodded in agreement. "We will do as the clan chief says."

Lin Zhengde added, "This matter needs to be informed to the master as soon as possible so that he can discuss it together."

"Master has already left," said Madam Lin wearily, her brows furrowed with worry.

"Then we'll wait for the master to return before discussing it further," Lin Zhengde said. "Madam, you must be tired. Please rest. I will handle this matter with you."

Madam Lin nodded, looking at Lin Zhengde with gratitude. "Then I'll have to trouble the clan chief."

After Lin Zhengde left, Old Madam Lin wearily rubbed her temples. The series of misfortunes had left her physically and mentally exhausted. She slowly walked to the table, her gaze falling on the box of osmanthus cakes. The aroma of the osmanthus cakes was still strong, but they no longer whetted her appetite.

She reached for a piece of osmanthus cake, gently broke it open, and brought it to her lips, but hesitated. She thought of Su Muya, of her innocent and carefree smile as a child, of how filial and sensible she had once been. Now, everything had changed; Su Muya had become a ruthless and unscrupulous person. Old Madam Lin was filled with sorrow and helplessness. She couldn't understand what had turned Su Muya into this.

She put the osmanthus cake back into the box and closed the lid. She slowly walked to the window, opened it, and a breath of fresh air rushed in, carrying a faint fragrance of osmanthus. Outside, the sky after the rain was exceptionally clear, and a few rays of sunlight shone through the clouds, illuminating everything in the courtyard.

Old Madam Lin took a deep breath, trying to calm her troubled mind. Looking at the blooming flowers in the courtyard, she silently prayed that the Lin family could overcome this crisis as soon as possible, and that Su Muya would soon see the error of her ways.

At this moment, Su Daya walked in from outside, carrying a bag of Buddhist prayer beads in her hand. She looked haggard, and her eyes were red and swollen. She walked to Madam Lin's side, handed her the bag of prayer beads, and said softly, "Mother, these are the prayer beads you just dropped."

Madam Lin took the prayer bead pouch, gently tracing the patterns on it with her fingers, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She looked at Su Daya, her eyes filled with pity and concern. "Daya, you must be tired. Go back and rest."

Su Daya shook her head. "Mother, I'm not tired. I want to stay here with you." She walked behind Madam Lin and gently massaged her shoulders.

Old Madam Lin closed her eyes, enjoying her daughter's filial piety. She sighed softly and said, "Da Ya, why do you think Mu Ya turned out like this?" Her voice trembled slightly, filled with helplessness and sorrow.

Su Daya paused for a moment, then continued massaging Old Madam Lin's shoulders, saying softly, "Mother, Muya is still young; she's just confused for a moment. We'll guide her slowly, and she'll get better." Although she said this, Su Daya's heart was filled with unease. She didn't understand why her usually well-behaved daughter had suddenly changed so drastically.

Old Madam Lin opened her eyes, turned to look at Su Daya, and her eyes held a glimmer of hope. "I hope so."

Looking at Old Madam Lin's weary expression, Su Daya felt a pang of heartache. She knew that Old Madam Lin had worried herself sick over this family. This strengthened her resolve to uncover the truth, clear Su Muya's name, and bring peace to the Lin family.

"Mother, please try this osmanthus cake. It tastes really good." Old Madam Lin picked up the box of osmanthus cake and handed it to Lin Zhengde.

Lin Zhengde took the osmanthus cake, hesitated slightly, then picked up a piece and savored it. The osmanthus cake melted in his mouth, sweet and soft, with a rich osmanthus aroma—truly delicious. He nodded slightly and praised, "Hmm, it tastes good."

As Madam Lin watched Lin Zhengde savor the osmanthus cake, a subtle, profound meaning flashed in her eyes. She slowly said, "Clan leader, this matter will require your continued attention."

Lin Zhengde put down the osmanthus cake in his hand and said solemnly, "Madam, rest assured, I will do my best to find out the truth and give Muya justice."

Madam Lin nodded, feeling somewhat comforted.

Su Daya silently walked to a corner, bent down, and picked up the scattered prayer beads one by one, placing them back into her prayer bead bag. Her movements were gentle and slow, as if she were performing some kind of ritual. Each prayer bead carried her worries and prayers.

Lin Zhengde put down the osmanthus cake in his hand, looked at Madam Lin, and suggested, "Madam, in order to prevent anyone else in the mansion from being bribed to frame Muya, I suggest a thorough investigation of all the servants in the mansion."

After a moment's thought, Madam Lin nodded and accepted Lin Zhengde's suggestion. "The clan leader is right, so we'll do as you say." She turned to Cui'er and instructed, "Cui'er, go and relay my order: thoroughly investigate all the servants in the manor, without fail!"

Cui'er accepted the order and left.

Lin Zhengde got up to take his leave, and Madam Lin personally saw him to the door.

"Take care, clan leader."

"Please wait, Madam."

After Lin Zhengde left, Old Madam Lin returned to her room and saw Su Daya carefully sweeping every corner. She walked over to Su Daya and gently patted her shoulder. "Daya, you should go back and rest too. The maids will take care of things here."

Su Daya raised her head and looked at Old Madam Lin, her eyes filled with worry. "Mother, Muya, she..."

Madam Lin sighed. "I will handle Muya's matter. Don't worry, I won't let her suffer any injustice." She paused, then added, "Go back and get some rest. Go to the woodshed to see her tomorrow."

Su Daya nodded, handed the broom to the maid beside her, and then turned and left the room.

As Madam Lin watched Su Daya's departing figure, her heart was filled with worry and helplessness. She knew that Su Daya must be suffering greatly. She hoped that Su Muya could repent soon, and that Su Daya could recover from her grief as soon as possible.