“All of that is merely your subjective conjecture, not evidence!”
Huang Yaning took a few steps forward and spoke up for herself.
She appeared completely calm and composed, neither servile nor overbearing.
This attitude made everyone’s eyes shift to her in unison, and the room grew even quieter.
Huang Yaning also looked at the crowd. She saw some with sympathy on their faces, others taking secret delight in her misfortune. Some seemed lost in thought, while others held suspicion and disgust in their eyes…
In truth, from the moment she saw Dong Bing drugged and felt her own limbs growing weak under the influence of the knockout drug, Huang Yaning had guessed that today’s events were inextricably linked to Lin Zhijing and Murong Yan.
Lin Zhijing knew medicine and had ample access to medicinal ingredients; any tampering he did would leave no trace for others to discover.
And in a prominent family like the Murong household, unless the master gave the order, no one could have bribed so many servants all at once.
The fact that Murong Yan and Lin Zhijing appeared at such a perfectly opportune moment after the incident only confirmed Huang Yaning’s suspicions.
As for whether other members of the Murong family or Sheng Mingzhu were aware, she wasn’t certain yet. Perhaps they knew, perhaps they only knew a part…
But regardless, Sheng Mingzhu wished for her death.
And the Murong family didn’t care for her closeness with the Princess’s household either.
If she was being framed, those people would only be waiting to enjoy the show.
Huang Yaning continued speaking, unhurried and measured.
“I would like to ask everyone, if you bore no deep-seated grudge against someone and had only engaged in a minor war of words—
“Would you risk your own bright future and seek such a vicious revenge over a mere verbal dispute?”
After her words, the hall fell completely silent.
Everyone present came from distinguished backgrounds, having enjoyed wealth and privilege since childhood. Who would offend the Murong family over a trivial matter?
A single misstep could not only plunge oneself into an abyss but also implicate one’s entire family.
They weren’t that foolish!
Their expressions showed they wouldn’t commit such a stupid act, though no one dared to speak up.
At that moment, Huang Xianjing suddenly stepped forward and said,
“Of… of course not—”
Her voice trembled slightly, but it was loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear.
After speaking, Huang Xianjing felt her face burn, her heart pounding wildly.
Speaking before so many people of high status and power made her both nervous and excited.
She felt that today, she had finally taken a small step forward, finally shown a little bravery.
In the future, she would continue to stand firmly by her cousin’s side, weathering storms together.
“Exactly, Little Seven is most magnanimous and kind-hearted. Today’s matter certainly has nothing to do with her—”
“Seventh Sister is a very good person—”
Huang Yaning hadn’t expected that besides Xianjing’er, Sheng Mingshu and Sheng Mingli would also step forward to speak up for her.
“I also don’t think she would!”
Duanmu Rui finally couldn’t restrain herself and stood up, loudly voicing her agreement.
“Who would harm someone like this over a minor squabble?
“You, the Murong family, have no proof, so don’t you dare try to pin this dirty water on Little Seven!”
Duanmu Rui considered herself Huang Yaning’s sworn sister, and as sisters, they should share both fortune and misfortune!
Even the timid ‘soft bun’ dared to speak up to defend her sister; she couldn’t fall behind.
If not for being held back firmly by Yuan Yuan and Little Apple beside her, Duanmu Rui would have strode over already.
Looking at these few people, Huang Yaning was deeply moved, while also feeling a surge of intense guilt and sorrow in her heart.
In their past life, whenever Minmin was slandered, falsely accused, insulted, and punished…
Who stood by Minmin’s side then…
Minmin was all alone…
What was Minmin thinking back then…
Huang Yaning felt her heart ache fiercely several times again, her eyes and the bridge of her nose beginning to sting.
At the same time, she also profoundly realized that Minmin was countless times better than her.
Minmin was an excellent aunt; Minmin had raised Xianjing’er wonderfully.
In their past life, Xianjing’er was frail and sickly, taking medicine daily, confined to her courtyard…
Every time she saw Xianjing’er, she felt the girl was shrouded in sorrow and despair.
That negative emotion was so strong, blending with the bitter scent of medicinal decoctions, filling the entire courtyard with a harsh, astringent bitterness.
Over time, she had even grown somewhat reluctant to visit Xianjing’er’s courtyard…
But in this life, Xianjing’er was healthy and vibrant, radiating the brightness of youth.
Though sometimes a bit timid, she lived so vividly, spiritedly, her eyes always sparkling brightly.
And Sheng Mingshu and Sheng Mingli—she only learned in this life that the two had a talent for scholarship…
She also knew they were children who repaid kindness, far better than those ungrateful wretches.
She had wronged many people in her past life—
But now wasn’t the time for sentimentality. Huang Yaning took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
She saw Lady Yao glaring at her viciously, eyes bloodshot, speaking with a somewhat terrifying intensity.
“Everyone seated here has studied the classics of the sages since childhood. They are broad-minded, dignified, and kind-hearted—unlike you.
“You grew up in the rural wilderness; who knows what you learned out there?
“What if your ways are secretive, your thinking different from ordinary people’s?
“What ordinary people wouldn’t do doesn’t mean you wouldn’t do it!”
Lady Yao clearly suspected that the person before her, having been framed by Murong Yan to ruin her virtue and bearing a grudge, had harmed her daughter in retaliation. Yet she couldn’t reveal the true reason.
If Murong Yan’s ugly schemes were exposed before this public gathering, the Old Dowager and the Third Princess, to protect Murong Yan, would immediately and without hesitation have her beaten to death!
She had no choice; she could only find other reasons.
Lady Yao thought this country bumpkin was young and might be frightened into confessing.
She never expected her to be so difficult to deal with!
How she hated this!
Hated that she couldn’t speak the real truth!
At the same time, Lady Yao was acutely aware of the current predicament.
Her daughter had never been favored since childhood.
Both mother and daughter were loathed by the Third Princess. In the Third Princess’s eyes, their two lives weren’t as valuable as a single useful subordinate.
Her daughter’s future prospects mattered even less…
Perhaps only the Master still cared for them a little, but the Master held no real authority—
Lady Yao was truly afraid. Afraid that if no “culprit” was found, or if the Dong family refused to marry her daughter…
Then the Murong family might sacrifice her daughter to save face, or send her daughter to become a nun—
These were outcomes Lady Yao could not accept.
Moreover, her daughter had offended many people in the past.
Perhaps some enemy would seize this chance to deliberately spread rumors that her daughter had seduced Dong Bing…
With enough repetition, some rumors start to be believed as truth. She couldn’t let her daughter suffer further harm!
Therefore, today, they must find a “culprit,” make everyone accept and thoroughly believe her daughter was the “victim.”
Only then could she negotiate for a substantial dowry for her daughter and discuss betrothal arrangements with the Dong family…
Of course, Lady Yao also knew Murong Yan was involved in harming her daughter.
She had already added Murong Yan’s name to her list of top enemies.
Now Murong Yan and the Third Princess shared the top spot. Sooner or later, she would take fierce revenge on those two!
But now wasn’t the time to cause trouble for the Murong family, nor could she trouble the Dong family—she still had to marry her daughter into it, after all—
So, she could only target Huang Yaning, even if it meant using reasons that weren’t entirely solid.
