Favoring a concubine and destroying the wife? I'll abandon my husband and children and wipe out

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ye went to Shou'an Hall with Cheng Nanzhi. However, upon arriving there, he saw Ye Ruyue wiping away tears in front of the old lady, which made Zhao Ye feel heartbroken.

Ye Ruyue was surprised to see Zhao Ye there. Her heart skipped a beat, and she cried out with tears streaming down her face, "Cousin, I don't know where I offended my sister-in-law. Last night, she deliberately put that mouse in my room!"

"What?!" Zhao Ye was furious.

Fearing that he might show any unusual behavior and that Cheng Nanzhi would notice, Madam Zhao spoke up first to question him.

"Nanzhi, why did you do that?"

Cheng Nanzhi calmly sat down, but her tone was inexplicable: "Mother-in-law, what are you talking about? My cousin isn't the kind of scheming woman who tries to steal her husband from her daughter-in-law. Why would your daughter-in-law target my cousin?"

All three of them were speechless at the question.

Ye Ruyue, in particular, looked displeased as she was scolded to her face and unable to refute him.

Qingdai said, "Madam, your words are too hurtful to my young lady! Anyone who didn't know better would think that this cousin is your own daughter, or even your rightful daughter-in-law!"

The three were slightly startled.

"What nonsense are you talking about! This morning, Yue'er's maid accidentally discovered the witness." Old Madam Zhao quickly gestured, and Zhang Mama went out to call for help. In no time, several servants brought in a servant and restrained him.

"It was him. He was acting suspiciously early in the morning, carrying something in his arms. I had someone search his residence immediately, and sure enough, we found him! When we questioned him, he even said that Guantang Courtyard had instructed him to do it," Ye Ruyue said.

Qian Yidong, who was following behind, immediately stepped forward, opened a bundle and threw it on the ground. Inside was a lot of silver coins, which was definitely not something a servant could save up with his monthly salary!

Zhao Ye looked at him.

Qian Yidong nodded in agreement.

Zhao Ye was now completely convinced, but he still had to put on a show in front of Cheng Nanzhi, and said sternly, "Speak! Was it really the Guantang Courtyard that ordered you to do this? If you dare to slander the Madam, I will definitely give you fifty lashes!"

The servant was so frightened that he trembled like a leaf and kowtowed repeatedly, begging for mercy: "My lord, please investigate! This servant would never dare to slander the madam!"

"Then it's true!" Ye Ruyue's eyes were filled with tears, adding fuel to the fire: "Sister-in-law, if you have any complaints about Yue'er, just say so, and Yue'er will definitely change. Why do this?"

Zhao Ye was furious that his beloved had been wronged: "Cheng Nanzhi, my cousin is a weak woman who came to us for help. It's one thing if you don't take care of her, we can understand that, but how could you do this? I never knew you were this kind of person!"

Madam Zhao also scolded, "Nanzhi, you are really too insensible!"

Cheng Nanzhi's eyes reddened instantly: "Husband, how could you believe his one-sided story without even asking me? Don't you know who I am? Haven't you known me for the past seven years?"

"Besides, what reason would I have to target my cousin? Tell me, why are you so sure I would target her? I've only known her for a short time, and we have no grudge against each other!"

Zhao Ye almost blurted out that it was because of their monthly income and their mutual affection.

But the next moment Zhao Ye was startled awake; Cheng Nanzhi was still unaware of this.

Madam Zhao, who was standing nearby, also realized what was happening.

Yes, thinking back on Cheng Nanzhi's past actions, she really isn't that kind of person. Could it be that she was truly wronged?

Ye Ruyue suddenly met Cheng Nanzhi's slightly reddened gaze. Even though she didn't see any hostility, her sixth sense told her that Cheng Nanzhi definitely had a problem with her! It must have been her doing!

Thinking back to being scolded to her face, Ye Ruyue held a grudge.

"Sister-in-law, could it be that you actually look down on Yue'er's humble background, and you're unhappy that my aunt and cousin made the decision to take me to live with them without consulting you, which is why you're angry with Yue'er? Then Yue'er will just leave!"

Zhao Ye recalled that Ye Ruyue had indeed said something earlier!

Zhao Ye immediately believed him: "Yue'er, why are you leaving? Since your mother and I want you to stay, you should stay at the Zhao residence properly!"

Madam Zhao's face darkened: "Nanzhi, just because you're not yet a month old, does that mean you're not happy with the decisions I, as your mother, have made?!"

"Mother, what are you saying? You made the decision. When did your daughter-in-law ever intend to see me?" Cheng Nanzhi turned to Zhao Ye sadly. "Husband, if I were dissatisfied, why would I have given you so much advice? I could have just agreed the night you came to me for something!"

Qingdai spoke up at the opportune moment: "Young master, Miss has been your husband for seven years and has gone to great lengths to support you. Is that not enough to make you trust Miss at this time?!"

Zhao Ye was stunned when he saw Cheng Nanzhi burst into tears.

This was only the second time in seven years that he had seen Cheng Nanzhi shed tears.

The first time was three years ago during the autumn hunt when Cheng Nanzhi was seriously injured and woke up. When she was applying medicine, she was in a lot of pain and kept thanking him that he was alright.

Qingdai rushed towards the servant, grabbed him by the collar, dragged him up, and slapped him hard across the face. She roared, "Speak! Did Madam order you to do this?! If you dare to utter even a single falsehood and wrong Madam, you deserve to be torn to pieces!"

The servant stared wide-eyed in terror.

"When did this servant ever say that Madam ordered it?! Even if you gave this servant ten lives, I wouldn't dare!"

"Moreover, Madam is kind-hearted and has always treated us servants with kindness. How could a servant like me do something that would be struck by lightning?!"

After he finished speaking, the atmosphere fell silent.

Zhao Ye and the others were immediately stunned.

Ye Ruyue stepped forward: "That's not what you said just now! You clearly said it was Guantang Courtyard..."

"It was Guantang Courtyard, but it wasn't ordered by Madam!"

The servant spoke very quickly, as if afraid that if he was a step too late he would really be punished.

"It's Granny Ding from Guantang Courtyard! After Madam returned, the Old Madam said that Guantang Courtyard was short-handed, so she assigned her there. But Madam is used to using the people who come with her on the estate, so she hasn't asked her to serve her yet!"

"When Granny Ding saw that the master was not treating the madam as well as before, she felt that the madam was about to fall out of favor and would not have a good future if she followed him, so she resented the old lady for assigning her to him!"

Upon hearing this, the expressions on their faces changed.

Cheng Nanzhi covered her face with a handkerchief, her lips slightly curved.

The servant continued tremblingly, "So Granny Ding decided to return to Shou'an Hall. She wanted to cause some minor trouble there so that the old lady would think she was more comfortable working there and take the opportunity to transfer her back. But she didn't expect to disturb Miss Ding by mistake, and then the servants happened to bring the wrong incense."

"Granny Ding was scared, so she gave me some money to keep quiet and keep it a secret. This morning I wanted to deposit the money in a bank outside the mansion, where it would be easier to be discovered, but I didn't expect it to be discovered anyway..."

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes widened, clearly not expecting it at all.

Ye Ruyue stepped forward: "You're talking nonsense!"

The servant covered his face, looking aggrieved: "Whether I'm talking nonsense or not, just go and bring Granny Ding here and ask her. Besides, Granny Ding hid some money in her pillow, and she took money from there to give to me. I saw it clearly! Masters, just go and search!"