The cousin's family is extremely wealthy; she deserves to be a concubine.

"Before today, I might have thought that losing my jade pendant was no big deal, but I felt a little sorry for my late father's deep love for his daughter."

But today's events have made me hesitant to draw any conclusions.

Think about it carefully, everyone. Whether it's stealing books from the Marquis's mansion or the theft of my jade pendant... doesn't it all seem like a premeditated act by a villain?

Qinqin sneered, "Don't talk nonsense!"

You're just a merchant's daughter, practically invisible in the Muqing Marquis's mansion. How dare you say that other people's schemes will be plotted against you?

"Why should I?! Just because you're pretty?"

After Qinqin finished speaking, she looked Hua Sirong up and down, her eyes flashing with jealousy and condescending disdain, thinking that Hua Sirong only had a pretty face to show for herself.

Hua Sirong, on the other hand, was very open about it. She said, "That day, to save face for the Marquis's mansion, the mansion only said that a book was missing from the inner study. There was no news that the mansion had lost any other small items."

For example, this piece of cold jade in my hand.

If you don't believe me, you can ask my aunt; she manages the household affairs and knows best."

Caught in a difficult position by Hua Sirong, Madam Shen had no choice but to reluctantly clarify, "Yes, some other things were indeed stolen from the manor that day, but for the sake of the Marquis's reputation, we didn't mention it too much."

As Hua Sirong nodded, she added, "So, if anyone tries to use the belongings of the heads of the Muqing Marquis's Mansion to curry favor with or frame the Marquis's Mansion, the Marquis's Mansion will not recognize them."

These words were spoken with such force that they jolted the listeners, and even those who had been watching the spectacle couldn't help but take them more seriously.

Hua Sirong continued, "Just like today, when Guard Pei tried to frame me with the jade pendant, I didn't admit it either."

"You know, I clearly have another jade pendant that is exactly the same in my hand. I could easily say that the one in Guard Pei's hand is fake, and that he is trying to frame me."

I believe that most of you here will stand by my side.

The reason I didn't do that is because I realized that this matter was of great importance, and framing me was just one part of the villain's scheme.

Therefore, even at the risk of damaging my reputation, I must speak out about the facts I have speculated about, so that everyone can hear them.

Pei, the guard, really wanted to say, "Grandma, I understood what you meant before; you wanted to save my life. But now, it seems like you're going to beat me to death."

He was so anxious and confused. Sure enough, he was still more suited to fighting and killing. As for his sexual orientation being male, that couldn't be more true.

If he were to marry a woman with a cunning mind, he'd probably die young.

Upon hearing Hua Sirong's words, "We will not acknowledge her," both Shen Shi and He Zhizhu looked at Hua Sirong simultaneously.

He Zhizhu thought of the things she had done in her previous life, such as framing and falsely accusing the Marquis's family.

If what Hua Sirong said is true, then others might bring up some fabricated charges to try and aggravate the crime of vying for the throne, making the Marquis's family even more guilty.

But after what happened today, can we easily avoid it?

Even if the path to the throne ends in failure, are those last few straws that broke the camel's back gone? What if the Marquis's mansion can find a way out?

Just like when my grandfather was still alive.

What if!

He Zhizhu was extremely nervous, not knowing what Hua Sirong would do next.

As expected, Hua Sirong continued to lay the groundwork, "Now I'm going to answer Miss Qin's question from before. What is there for others to covet in a merchant's daughter like me?"

"Although I am the daughter of a merchant, my aunt is the wife of the Marquis of Muqing, and Master Jiang of the Jiang family has even acknowledged my father's life-saving grace."

That is why I am so fortunate to be able to attend this plum blossom appreciation banquet at the Jiang residence with all of you distinguished guests today.

As far as I know, there was not much interaction between the Hou family and the Jiang family before this.

However, after Uncle Jiang recognized me as his niece, the Marquis's family and the Jiang family became acquainted.

Today, this farcical incident between me and Guard Pei is nothing more than a link in a series of schemes devised by treacherous people!

Their purpose was nothing more than to sow discord between the Marquis's Mansion and the Jiang Mansion, or to put it more bluntly, to sow discord between the Marquis's Mansion and His Highness the Second Prince.

As I just said, regardless of whether Guard Pei can clear himself of any connection with me, his actions may ultimately be used by treacherous people to attack the Second Prince, which will certainly affect the Second Prince's reputation in the court.

If the Second Prince's reputation is damaged, then...

The unspoken words are profound and awe-inspiring!

But since it concerned the Second Prince, no one dared to make any rash comments.

The fact that they came to the Jiang residence today to attend the plum blossom viewing banquet shows that they all have intricate connections with the Jiang family. To put it bluntly, most of them are supporters of the Second Prince.

Since the future of the family was at stake, everyone became somewhat nervous, wondering what surprising thing Hua Sirong would say next.

Some people even regretted coming to watch the spectacle; they should have taken the opportunity to leave when they learned that Pei San was a guard by the Second Prince's side.

Unfortunately, hindsight is always 20/20.

Hua Sirong turned to look at Pei San, "Guard Pei, how long are you going to keep this a secret?"

Pei San: ...What have I been hiding?!

Hua Sirong was exasperated, saying, "You warriors are so straightforward; you don't know the intricacies of cunning people."

Facing the questioning gazes of the crowd, Hua Sirong said loudly, "Guard Pei, I dare to speculate that you must have been caught by some villain, which is why you agreed to frame me."

Is that correct?

Pei San nodded involuntarily, which shocked everyone. Pei San was at a loss for words and quickly covered his mouth.

Hua Sirong didn't give him a chance to back out, "Guard Pei, this concerns the Second Prince, so please be sure to tell me."

Pei San was having an internal struggle: should he really say it?

No, no, I absolutely mustn't say it.

Even if most of the women present openly or secretly support the Second Prince, what if...?

If his deeds are exposed, it doesn't matter if he loses his secure job, but the real problem is that it might affect the Second Prince's path to the top at a crucial moment. In that case, he would be guilty beyond redemption.

Hua Sirong interrupted his thoughts at this moment, "Guard Pei, you must tell us who is threatening you! No matter what that person says in the end, we will not believe it."

Pei San: ...

He wouldn't be afraid of anything if it were just ordinary drinking, gambling, and womanizing.

Pei San finally managed to squeeze out three words, "I can't say."

Hua Sirong's eyes flickered. What kind of secret was it that Pei San was still determined to keep under such circumstances?

She glanced at Qinqin and saw the smug look in her eyes, but Hua Sirong wasn't interested. She figured that Qinqin didn't have the ability to hold a hand on the Second Prince's guards.

So who is this person?

She looked around and suddenly saw He Zhizhu, and a flash of inspiration struck her.

O prophet, how could we forget her at this crucial moment!