The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

Mei Yingxue bit her lip, her unease growing stronger. She knew that her father had finally become suspicious, but it was also very possible that he was just guessing and testing her. She was uncertain about both possibilities.

What should she do now?

Looking up at the body of Young Master Mei, the image of his elder brother's usual doting affection for him flashed through his mind, and a wave of guilt surged up.

Her older brother treated her so well, but what did she give him in return?

She knew that by speaking up for the Liu family and trying to sever all ties with them in this matter, she was undoubtedly betraying her elder brother's spirit in heaven. What had she done...?

A tear slid down her cheek, and Mei Yingxue's heart was filled with regret...

At this moment, everyone was watching Mei Yingxue, waiting for her to make a move. Liu Zhan noticed Mei Yingxue's abnormality and cried out in his heart that something was wrong. Her heart was wavering. This was absolutely not allowed!

"Father-in-law, please don't treat Yingxue like this. Yingxue is weak; she'll be terrified," Liu Zhan immediately said, stepping forward to help Mei Yingxue up. However, Master Mei glared at him coldly, preventing him from making any further movement. Yet, Liu Zhan's worry remained. Looking at Mei Yingxue, he softly called out, "Yingxue..."

The tone was full of tenderness, love, and concern.

Overwhelmed with guilt, Mei Yingxue heard that voice and was suddenly reminded of Liu Zhan's promise to her that day, causing her to struggle with her conscience once again.

Liu Zhan is her husband! She loves him, hadn't she already made her choice for him?

Her elder brother died, and she felt sorry for him. However, she couldn't just stand by and watch her husband and his family be hated by her father. Besides, shouldn't she also try to resolve the misunderstanding between the two families?

Besides, her elder brother died in the Liu family, but it's hard to say who killed him. She just doesn't want the Liu family to get involved in this mess.

If she repeats what her father asked in front of her elder brother, her father might completely believe what she said.

She felt sorry for her elder brother and promised to personally chant scriptures and pray to Buddha for him another day to apologize. As for today...

Mei Yingxue bit her lip, her gaze hardening, before finally speaking, "My elder brother's death indeed has nothing to do with the Liu family, my father-in-law and mother-in-law..."

"Shut up!" Master Mei gritted his teeth, abruptly interrupting Mei Yingxue. His sharp tone made Mei Yingxue tremble, and she couldn't help but softly call out, "Father..."

"Hmph, Yingxue, you've forgotten how your elder brother treated you. How could you say such things in front of him? I'm ashamed for you. Do you really want to let your elder brother die with such regrets for the sake of the Liu family?" Master Mei sneered, his words filled with disappointment in Mei Yingxue, which made her face turn pale and she thought to herself that something was wrong.

"Father, listen to me," Mei Yingxue said anxiously, her heart pounding with panic.

However, Master Mei did not give her another chance to explain. To Master Mei, he had already given her a chance by letting her say it again in front of her elder brother, but her choice was so heartbreaking.

"What else can you say? That your elder brother's death has nothing to do with the Liu family, that your elder brother died outside and your in-laws were just being kind? Hah, so you mean I should be grateful to Liu Xuan and the Liu family, and kneel and kowtow three times?" Master Mei was unusually agitated and indignant. Looking at Mei Yingxue's flustered expression, the sarcasm in his heart intensified. He paused and continued, "Yingxue, Yingxue, I never thought you were such an ingrate, such an unfilial daughter! How can you face your deceased elder brother? Do you still want to defend yourself? Do you know that your defense will only make me more heartbroken?"

As Master Mei spoke, his expression grew increasingly pained. They had showered their daughter with love and care, yet in the end, she had turned out to be so ungrateful.

“Father…” Mei Yingxue choked up, her unease turning into terror. Her father didn’t believe her, but why?

She naturally dared not ask, but soon, Master Mei gave her the answer.

Master Mei pondered for a moment, letting the disappointment in his eyes for Mei Yingxue shift, before finally sighing, "Fusheng, you tell Miss what you know!"

Fusheng came out, and Mei Yingxue's heart trembled. Even Liu Zhan's expression changed. How could they forget this person? He was Young Master Mei's personal attendant. He often served Young Master Mei. He must know more than they did. What he said would further prove that Mei Yingxue's words just now were fabricated lies.

Mei Yingxue became even more flustered, but at this moment she was powerless. Liu Zhan cursed inwardly. The series of events had caught him off guard and he was unable to cope. He had naturally forgotten to pay attention to this little servant. But now, even if the death of Young Master Mei had nothing to do with Liu Xuan and Madam Liu, could Mei Yingxue be forgiven for deceiving Master Mei like this?

There's another point: Young Master Mei did indeed die at the Liu family's house. This undeniable fact might cause the Liu family to be implicated by Master Mei's anger.

Mei Yingxue and Liu Zhan were filled with unease, while many onlookers were enjoying themselves.

Under everyone's gaze, Fusheng spoke as ordered by Master Mei, "That day, the eldest young master was in his room..." He paused, then continued, "The eldest young master was in his room with Miss Liu. He told me to go far away and come back later. When I returned, I found him dead on the bed, covered in blood. He didn't die outside, but at the Liu family's house."

These last words made Liu Zhan and Mei Yingxue's expressions even more unpleasant.

Just then, the prefectural magistrate who had entered the room spoke up, “That day, when I arrived, I happened to see Master Liu and Madam Liu setting fire to the house in an attempt to destroy the evidence. Their behavior was suspicious, so I arrested them and imprisoned them. As for whether Young Master Mei was killed by Master Liu and Madam Liu, that still needs my investigation.”

Master Mei's eyes narrowed as he looked at Mei Yingxue, "Yingxue, is this how you repay your elder brother for his kindness to you!"

"Father... Yingxue was wrong. Yingxue didn't want the Mei family and the Liu family to be enemies, so... Father, think about Yingxue. Yingxue is now a daughter-in-law of the Liu family, Yingxue..." Mei Yingxue struggled to get up, still eager to defend herself. She wanted to admit her mistake and get her father's forgiveness. Her father saw her elder brother's death, but did he see her struggle and helplessness?

She had no choice; she had her own difficulties!