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

Let’s go back to a while ago.

Ye Ruyue went to the money exchange to withdraw money. She originally only wanted to withdraw half, but when she thought of what Sanmei had said about how if she didn't have enough money at once and went several times, it would arouse suspicion, she gritted her teeth and withdrew the majority of the money, leaving her with less than a thousand taels.

She comforted herself.

Wang Kesheng still owes her several thousand taels of silver.

It doesn't matter if she spends most of her savings; she'll have money again once Wang Kesheng pays her back.

With this in mind, Ye Ruyue finally stopped worrying and happily went to Jinxiu Pavilion to buy jewelry.

Since Zhao Ye had already given her the invaluable Floating Light Brocade, Ye Ruyue did not buy any more forging materials.

After receiving the jewelry, Ye Ruyue was extremely satisfied. On the way back to the Zhao residence with Sanmei, she kept taking it out and lingering over it.

This is the first set of valuable jewelry she has ever owned, and it will be her key to making connections when she first appears in the capital. She is sure to have a perfect start.

Before she could enjoy her happiness for long, as soon as she got off the carriage upon returning to the Zhao residence, she was seized and tied up by the servants.

Ye Ruyue was confused, and Sanmei hurriedly shouted for them to let go.

The lead servant ignored them, and after finding the silver and jewelry, he shouted sternly, "Such a large sum of money, you really are connected to the thief who stole the madam's money!"

Ye Ruyue* is utterly inexplicable.

Chen Wang didn't give her a chance to explain, blocked her crime, and took her to Guantang Courtyard.

There were many people inside and outside Guantang Courtyard, and it was clear at a glance that things had escalated.

Chen Wang had a flash of inspiration and immediately led his men inside. Without saying a word, he loudly announced the results and threw the bundle containing the silver and jewelry on the ground.

The bundle was scattered on the ground, with silver notes and coins rolling all over the place, and the set of jewelry was also revealed to the public.

It turned out to be a headdress made primarily of agate and jade, extremely magnificent.

But at that moment, as Chen Wang made his move, several pieces of gold and stone fell down.

Seeing this, Ye Ruyue's eyes widened in fury, and she struggled even more violently.

That was something she had worked so hard to get!

Those around were also stunned by this scene, their eyes widening in disbelief.

Zhao Ye was completely bewildered. He hadn't given Ye Ruyue that much money; where did she get it from?

Madam Zhao's eyes practically spit fire. Good heavens, her son actually gave that woman so much money! Before the poetry gathering, he said he didn't have enough money to change Ze'er's seat and asked her to plead with Cheng Nanzhi—he was lying to her all along!

Cheng Nanzhi exclaimed in disbelief, "Cousin, you actually... What's going on? Could it be that you really stole the money I allocated for Ze Ge'er's apprenticeship banquet? Quick, untie my cousin and let her explain."

Qingdai waved knowingly, and several maids went over to release Ye Ruyue.

However, Sanmei was still tied up, and she knelt on the ground with her head bowed and eyes lowered.

Ye Ruyue didn't notice her either. Enraged, she immediately rushed to pick up the newly acquired jewelry as soon as she was free, carefully wrapped it in a bundle, and glared at Chen Wang: "How dare you! How many heads do you have to dare treat my things like this?! You know it's precious, yet you still dare to smash it like this, are you out of your mind?!"

Chen Wang knelt down with a thud. "Madam, please forgive me. I was so anxious to find the thief that I accidentally broke such a precious headdress. It was not intentional."

Cheng Nanzhi almost burst out laughing, but she held it in and said, "I understand your loyalty. Get up, I will stand up for you."

Chen Wang kowtowed to express his gratitude.

Only then did Ye Ruyue realize that the atmosphere was clearly off. She looked around and, recalling what Cheng Nanzhi and Chen Wang had just said, asked hesitantly, "What do you mean by 'searching for a thief'?"

Zhao Ye suddenly stood up and quickly informed Ye Ruyue of the situation.

Ye Ruyue was shocked: "What? The money for Zege'er's apprenticeship banquet is gone? Sister-in-law, how could you lose such important money?!"

Ye Ruyue was concerned about Zhao Shize, and her first reaction was to question Cheng Nanzhi.

"What kind of talk is that, cousin? Shouldn't your sister-in-law be asking you that?"

Cheng Nanzhi looked distressed, as if she had been misunderstood, and said, "Cousin, tell me, why did you have your maid, Sanmei, repeatedly inquire about things at my Guantang Courtyard, and even try to outdo me at the apprenticeship banquet? Also, where did you get that money? Really..."

She seemed unable to continue, pausing awkwardly.

Zhao Ye couldn't hold back any longer and asked, "Was that money the money for Ze Ge'er's apprenticeship banquet? Where did it come from?"

Zhao Ye thought to himself, "Not long ago, Ye Ruyue was complaining to him about being poor, but now she has so much money!"

The existing silver, plus the money for the headdress, was exactly the budget for the apprenticeship banquet plus the total amount he gave!

Ye Ruyue had absolutely no way to make money.

The source of that ten thousand taels of silver seems to be crystal clear.

Zhao Ye found it hard to believe.

Why would Yue'er do that? She's not that kind of person at all!

Old Madam Zhao was somewhat confused, but she quickly realized that her son hadn't given Ye Ruyue that much money. Where did Ye Ruyue get it from…? Could she have stolen it?!

Thinking of this, Madam Zhao was both shocked and furious. That was money her own son needed to use. How could he do this?

Even if she and Cheng Nanzhi didn't get along and she wanted to replace Cheng Nanzhi, she shouldn't have made such a foolish mistake regarding Ze Ge'er!

Because of the relationship between Ye Ruyue and Zhao Ye, Ye Ruyue and Cheng Nanzhi were actually enemies. Zhao Ye and Madam Zhao believed Ye Ruyue's actions against Cheng Nanzhi almost without hesitation.

Ye Ruyue gradually realized what was happening and felt wronged: "I didn't! Why would I steal the money for Ze Ge'er's apprenticeship banquet? Besides, I've only been to Guantang Courtyard once these past few days, where would I have had the opportunity to steal?"

"Then what's this about your personal maid inquiring about my Guantang Courtyard and colluding with the maids here?" Cheng Nanzhi asked.

"This..." Ye Ruyue choked.

Qingdai stepped forward and asked Sanmei, "Tell me, did you do those things?"

Sanmei trembled slightly, as if she was about to say something in her defense, but Qingdai immediately shouted, "If you lie or conceal the truth, Madam may have you beaten to death or sold off!"

Sanmei seemed frightened and hurriedly kowtowed: "This servant bribed people in Guantang Courtyard to inquire about the apprenticeship banquet! But this servant did not do anything, please spare my life, Madam!"

Ye Ruyue's expression changed, but it was too late to stop Sanmei from recognizing her.

Suddenly, everything went black before her eyes. She cursed Sanmei inwardly for being cowardly and spineless, for being so easily frightened!

“If there was indeed collusion, Miss Biao would have had every opportunity to have someone steal from Madam’s treasury! Tell me, where did Miss Biao’s silver come from? Did she steal it from Madam’s treasury?” Qingdai asked again.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Sanmei broke out in a cold sweat and instinctively looked to Ye Ruyue for help.

Ye Ruyue's heart skipped a beat.

That money was money she had saved by deceiving Zhao Ye.

This can’t be known to anyone!

Moreover, if Zhao Ye finds out the truth and follows the trail to Wang Kesheng, and discovers that she used such methods to cheat Wang Kesheng, the consequences would be far more serious than stealing the money from the apprenticeship banquet!

By then, her plan to set a trap for Cheng Nanzhi and harm the shop will fail!

She would end up losing both her wife and her army, a complete loss!

"What are you looking at, Miss? Look at me! Tell me, what exactly happened? As Miss's personal maid, you follow her every day, are you going to say you don't know?!" Qingdai suddenly slapped Sanmei, the force of which knocked Sanmei to the ground, startling everyone.

Lianruo stepped forward and said, "Madam, why don't you let me take him away and interrogate him thoroughly?"

Sanmei seemed too afraid to bear it any longer, and choked out, "This servant will tell you! Tell you! That money was actually arranged by Miss..."

Ye Ruyue's brow throbbed, and her heart nearly leaped out of her throat.

She absolutely mustn't let anyone know where that money came from!

In a flash, Ye Ruyue trembled with panic, her mind racing as she tried to explain the money.

But she despairingly discovered that the only way for her to avoid Zhao Ye and Old Madam Zhao from discovering her other intentions and getting angry and pursuing her.

If you don't admit it, they will definitely dig deep to find out where the money came from.

In the end, she wouldn't even be able to keep the money Wang Kesheng was supposed to repay!

Fine, I'll just accept the accusation of theft. At least it's easier to explain than the real source!

"I stole it!"

Having made up her mind, Ye Ruyue suddenly shouted, interrupting Sanmei's words and attracting everyone's attention.