Sheng Mingzhu was momentarily stunned.
She had no objection to asking the authorities to rigorously investigate today’s case. Even though she would once again become the subject of “gossip” in others’ mouths.
But if the authorities didn’t step in now, that little wretch and the Princess would spread today’s events far and wide anyway. Under the circumstances, it was better to let the authorities investigate and clear her name.
But that old wretch also wanted the authorities to re-examine Xia Zhi’s injuries?
What if Xia Zhi told them the truth?
Then everyone would find out she had abused her own elder sister, Xia Zhi, and they would inevitably think she bore ill will towards her other two elder sisters as well…
Maybe some would even genuinely believe she wanted to kill Qiuju and Dongkui——
Wouldn’t her reputation then plummet to rock bottom?!
So, Sheng Mingzhu hesitated.
To the onlookers, this hesitation made her seem less than innocent and blameless…
Sheng Minmin sneered, “What’s wrong? Scared now?”
Seeing the complex looks people were giving her, especially the Princess and her personal maid, who were looking at her as if she were a murderer, Sheng Mingzhu suddenly felt she had fallen into that old wretch’s trap. The old hag had done it on purpose!
Blood rushed to her head, making her mind buzz with anger and her vision darken.
She gritted her teeth and shouted with feigned righteousness.
“Daughter is willing! Daughter is innocent!”
But this declaration of attitude came a little too late; its effect was greatly diminished.
Sheng Mingjian couldn’t bear to watch any longer and knelt to plead on her behalf.
“Father, Mother, it’s just a disloyal servant girl! Dead is dead—
“If we get the authorities to file a case, the common folks will just laugh at the Sheng family again—”
“You shut up!”
Sheng Minmin slammed her palm on the table, her face dark as she roared.
“No one here is blind or stupid. Right and wrong can be judged freely!
“As for you, just now you hurled vicious insults at your own sister. Without apologizing or asking for punishment, you still have the nerve to spout nonsense here?”
Sheng Mingjian’s face turned red and white under the scolding. “Your son knows his mistake. Your son accepts whatever punishment Father and Mother deem fit—”
The others were also reminded of the words Sheng Mingjian had just spoken.
The one with the most disgusted and contemptuous expression was, of course, Duanmu Rui!
Sheng Mingyi and Sheng Mingbo looked awkward, while Sheng Yong’s face darkened a couple of shades more.
After all, if his own biological daughter was a ‘wretch’, what did that make him?
An old wretch of a man?
“Master, what do you think their punishment should be?”
Sheng Minmin directly asked Sheng Yong.
She had already been “domineering” for a good while; it was time to yield the stage to Sheng Yong.
Sheng Yong pondered for a moment before speaking.
“Eldest son, your punishment is to kneel in the ancestral hall for three days!
“Also, everything from your private treasury, except for your writing brushes, ink, paper, and books, will be given to Little Seven as compensation!”
This punishment seemed severe on the surface, but Huang Yaning sneered inwardly upon hearing it.
Kneel for three days?
Kneeling for three days would ruin his knees. With how much Sheng Yong valued Sheng Mingjian, how could he possibly let him truly kneel for three days?
It was just for show in front of the Princess.
And giving her Sheng Mingjian’s private treasury?
What would she do with Sheng Mingjian’s private treasury? If there was anything good in it, he would have already given it to Sheng Mingzhu long ago.
She had no interest in the leftover scraps!
So she also knelt down, her face full of sincerity.
“Father, Eldest Brother only spoke rashly in the heat of the moment. Your punishment is truly too harsh! I implore Father to go easy on him…”
These words softened the expression on Sheng Yong’s face.
“How about this: let Eldest Brother kneel in the ancestral hall for just one evening.
“Also, the items in Eldest Brother’s private treasury are things he has cherished over the years. I don’t wish to take what others hold dear…
“But I heard that Father recently helped Eldest Brother acquire several paintings, including works by the Grandmaster Song Jiao—
“I admire Grandmaster Song greatly. How about Father and Eldest Brother give me his paintings as compensation…”
Sheng Yong nodded and agreed readily.
“Alright, I’ll have someone deliver them to you shortly.”
Although Song Jiao’s paintings were hard to come by and were the most valuable among that batch, his youngest daughter had pleaded for her eldest brother and defended him in front of outsiders—even if it was just for show—and Sheng Yong was very pleased.
But this nearly made Sheng Mingjian vomit blood from anger, and it was downright painful.
He had asked his father to find those paintings, claiming he wanted to use them to curry favor with the Zhang family.
The Zhang family was an extraordinary household, producing two imperial tutors across generations.
Everyone knew that the retired Grand Tutor Zhang and the current Grand Tutor Zhang were both passionate about painting and loved collecting famous works.
And this year, the examiners for the imperial examinations would most likely be from the Zhang family.
If he could use some excellent master’s paintings to open the Zhang family’s door before the exams, that would be ideal.
Failing that, sending gifts after the exams to gain some favor from the Zhang family would also be worthwhile.
His father agreed to help only after hearing his plan.
But the reality was, everyone in the Zhang family was like stones in a latrine—stubborn and hard, impossible to ingratiate oneself with.
Sheng Mingjian had made up that story just to get Song Jiao’s paintings, because soon after, Song Jiao would die of illness.
Then, the current emperor would compose a poem mourning Song Jiao…
This would elevate Song Jiao’s status in the art world directly to the pinnacle.
At that time, all of Song Jiao’s works would become extremely, extremely valuable.
Among the five paintings his father had found, one called “Snow Fox” was even Song Jiao’s final work, something that could be passed down as a family heirloom…
Sheng Mingjian’s heart was bleeding, but he could only agree, and he couldn’t reveal his true thoughts and arouse suspicion.
At the same time, he was puzzled: Why did that wild girl only ask for Song Jiao’s paintings?
Did she know something? Or was it a coincidence?
“What’s wrong? Is Eldest Brother unwilling?”
Huang Yaning asked, tilting her head.
Her expression said: I’ve already given in, I don’t want to take what you love, I don’t want to take advantage of you, what more do you want?
Sheng Mingjian forced a smile. “Of course not—”
Huang Yaning smiled warmly, feeling greatly satisfied inside.
She knew Song Jiao’s paintings would become incredibly valuable in the future!
If Minmin were to eventually return to this body, she wanted Minmin to be a wealthy woman too.
Over the past few years, Huang Yaning had managed the shops and farmlands Sheng Yong had given her very well.
Now, having obtained Grandmaster Song’s paintings, Minmin would never have to worry about money for the rest of her life.
Huang Yaning was so happy she didn’t even notice Sheng Mingjian’s strange behavior.
But Sheng Minmin caught it.
Sheng Minmin felt that Sheng Mingjian seemed very reluctant to give the paintings to Huang Yaning, even though he was hiding it well.
Compared to his private treasury, Huang Yaning only asked for a few paintings. Shouldn’t Sheng Mingjian have agreed readily?
Why was he unwilling?
And Song Jiao – this name seemed vaguely familiar from her past life, but she couldn’t recall the specifics.
In her past life at this time, she was hungry and cold in the Sheng residence, subjected to endless bullying, and was too busy just trying to survive…
Later, after marrying, she was busy learning to read, managing accounts, and household affairs. She wasn’t very interested in things like music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, nor did she have the time…
For now, she could only make a mental note of Sheng Mingjian’s strangeness.
The next moment, Dongsheng hurried in.
“Master, Madam, Miss Jixue has hanged herself—”
