Uncle Peng wasn't an ordinary steward. He was a commander under the Zhenguo Duke Estate back in the day. During a battle, he had become crippled while protecting the Zhenguo Duke. He thus retreated behind the scenes to organize the estate's various affairs. He had watched the estate's young masters and misses grow up, and their relationships weren't ordinary.
Uncle Peng's leg was slightly lame, though it wasn't noticeable when he stood still.
Although Uncle Peng was crippled, none of the elite in the capital dared underestimate him. They didn't even dare reveal the slightest abnormality. This was because they all knew he was the Zhenguo Duke's trusted aide.
The old madam almost put on a smile out of habit, but managed to react in time. Her expression was a little rigid. Yan Ting sat there with his usual obscure gaze.
The two people didn't say anything and the atmosphere was very awkward.
Uncle Peng pretended not to notice and limped over to Shen Yi Yao.
Shen Yi Yao was stiff all over, and didn't even dare raise her head.
"Eldest miss, why are you sitting on the floor?" Uncle Peng's voice was very gentle.
Shen Yi Yao timidly raised her head, "Uncle Peng...."
"Hurry and get up. Careful not to catch a cold."
The old madam couldn't keep watching. A mere steward dared to not take them seriously. Shouldn't he be terrified and speak nicely to them? This nonchalant appearance was truly an eyesore!
She rubbed her bracelet and spoke with a sunken expression, "Since you're here to represent the Zhenguo Duke Estate, shouldn't you first give our household an explanation? No matter how powerful your Zhenguo Duke Estate is, you still can't treat lives like weeds!"
Uncle Peng pulled Shen Yi Yao up before turning to face the old madam and Yan Ting.
"Everything the old madam wants to say, your noble estate's steward has already told me."
After he spoke, he turned to Shen Yi Yao. "Eldest miss, did you do it?"
"I didn't. I didn't do it."
It seemed that with Uncle Peng's arrival, Shen Yi Yao found her backbone. At least her tone was a little less helpless and had a bit more strength behind it.
Uncle Peng no longer spoke, and merely looked calmly at the two people up above.
The old madam was a little angry and humiliated from the stare. "This steward, is your meaning that she didn't do it as long as she says she didn't? The evidence is all there. Are you saying we're falsely accusing her?!"
"Old madam, please remain calm. No one is suspecting you of falsely accusing people." Uncle Peng's voice was steady. "Our Zhenguo Duke Estate believes your noble estate has the evidence, and that it's conclusive. But at the same time--"
He gave Shen Yi Yao a glance, "We also believe our miss isn't someone who would do such a thing."
The old madam wanted to speak but was stopped by Uncle Peng's raised hand.
"Before I came, the lord duke had given instructions. He hasn't forgiven the eldest miss, but that's something between father and daughter. It has nothing to do with others or the Weiyuan Marquis Estate. Additionally, the lord duke still trusts his own daughter's character more. Our Zhenguo Duke Estate's people never do anything underhanded, and we've never had to do so either."
After a pause, he spoke again: "Let me say something a little unpleasant. A mere concubine could be dealt with on a whim. Even if she was pregnant, it's not difficult to keep the child while getting rid of the mother. A mere ant that can be pinched to death. Why go through the effort of drugging the ant? Of course, this is just my personal opinion."
Uncle Peng's voice was very calm and steady, but these words gave everyone the feeling he was looking down on them.
That's right. It was just his personal opinion. A mere steward of the Zhenguo Duke Estate was already so arrogant and disdainful. As the Zhenguo Duke's only daughter, why would Shen Yi Yao have to drug a...errr, ant? If she truly had malicious intentions, there were a thousand ways she could have Concubine Pei die without a proper burial.
Actually everyone here understood that Shen Yi Yao had fallen into someone's scheme. But since her weakness was seized, things weren't so simple.
The old madam's face was the color of pig liver. "After all this back and forth, your Zhenguo Duke Estate is still suppressing others with your status!"
Uncle Peng cupped his hand, "Old madam is wrong about her compliments."
They had intended on him taking the initiative to discuss terms, but what should they do if he didn't play along?
He wasn't disputing things. You have your proof, and he has his arguments. They relied on the one point: we don't believe our household's miss would do anything bad!
Perhaps, maybe Shen Yi Yao truly didn't do it. But the point was would the old madam allow it? Would Yan Ting?
This matter was no longer just Concubine Pei's alone!
***
Everyone's mind raced swiftly.
As expected of the Zhenguo Duke Estate. A mere steward was so hard to deal with. How should they deal with this annoying attitude?
Could it be they really had to shed all pretences and force them to give an explanation? The old madam was a little resentful of such insensible people. Couldn't they be a bit more obedient? Why be so difficult and make trouble?
But since the curtains were already raised on this performance, she had to continue singing until the end.
Luckily she was elderly and was also a woman. It was suitable for her to continue playing the villain. Even if they really "reconciled" someday, she could just pretend everything was well again as she became muddled in her old age. It was normal for old people to be muddled. It was fine as long as the husband wasn't "muddled".
She cast Uncle Peng a glance and sneered: "A steward like you can't make decisions for the masters, right? I won't speak further with you. Have someone from the Shen household come. If you don't give our Weiyuan Marquis Estate an explanation today, it's also fine to not have such a daughter-in-law!"
The hall was silent enough to hear a pin drop.
Uncle Peng cleared his throat and said: "I think I forgot to mention something--" He revealed a rather troubled expression. "The lord duke is angry at the miss, and his anger hasn't faded yet. I think your noble estate should be aware of this matter. The lord duke is old and his temper is short. If the old man doesn't give the word, no one in the estate dares to get involved in the eldest miss's affairs. When this matter was reported, the lord duke said three things."
He paused and spoke again: "The first thing: he doesn't believe his own daughter would do such a thing. The second thing: since Shen Yi Yao married into the Yan household, the Shen household won't get involved in her matters. The third thing: if your Weiyuan Marquis Estate truly determines that this matter was done by Shen Yi Yao, then get rid of her. He definitely won't say anything about it."
Shen Yi Yao's body swayed, and she couldn't help but start trembling.
These words cause countless ripples.
Today's matter was truly outside of everyone's expectations. It was full of twists and turns, surprising everyone.
"It turns out you aren't here to discuss terms, but rather to act shamelessly!"
After a moment, the old madam burst out with these words. After speaking, she seemed to have sensed things weren't right and spoke again with a pruple face: "You guys are truly bullying others excessively!"
Uncle Peng slightly left her hanging before saying: "Old madam, where did these words come from? No one wants to act shamelessly and no one wants to humiliate others."
That's right, did they suppress others with their status?
They didn't!
Did they pester them endlessly?
They also didn't.
They didn't do anything, and didn't even argue that much. They even said they wouldn't say anything if they chose to get rid of her. How was this suppressing others with their status?
But, but this was completely different from what they had in mind! They wouldn't have been surprised if the Zhenguo Duke Estate refused to accept it and asked for an investigation. Even if they said unreasonably "what are you gonna do about it?" they wouldn't have been surprised. But the point was that the other party was very calm, and even threw out the line "if you aren't satisfied with this daughter-in-law, it is fine to get rid of her". How were they supposed to respond?
Really get rid of her?
This wasn't possible. At least, Yan Ting wasn't planning on getting rid of his wife at this time.
Not get rid of her?
Wouldn't their previous words be hitting their own mouths? Wouldn't they have been making a fool of themselves this entire time?
This situation was very firm. The old madam's paths were all blocked off, without any room to step off the stage.
After speaking, Uncle Peng didn't bother with their expressions: "It's getting late. I'll take my leave first."
Leaving just like that?
Everyone choked up.
"Uncle Peng--"
Uncle Peng turned and glanced at the woman who was still that little girl in his eyes. He didn't look at her pleading eyes. He let out a faint sigh, but his steps didn't stop as he left by himself.
Shen Yi Yao's face was ashen and she continued to tremble.
***
The things that happened this time around was unacceptable to the Weiyuan Marquis Estate.
The steward Uncle Peng first spoke a whole let before throwing out "the Zhenguo Duke Estate doesn't care about Shen Yi Yao anymore. You guys can do as you please." Of course he had said it in a nicer manner, but this was the general meaning.
No longer caring about this daughter?
But that wasn't quite right. If they didn't care, why would he help her up and care whether she caught a cold? They could say it was Uncle Peng's own actions which had nothing to do with the Zhenguo Duke Estate, but could they really say it wasn't related? After all, servants made a living by guessing their masters' intentions!
But the Zhenguo Duke's meaning was extremely clear. I don't care about this daughter of mine. If you guys aren't satisfied, it's fine to get rid of her. He wouldn't say anything about it.
The ball was in their court, and they had to decide how to respond!
The old madam's chest was stuffed with anger, and couldn't spit it up or swallow it down. Yan Ting's expression was also not good. Everyone else was playing dead, lowering their heads and looking for ants on the floor.
Suddenly, Xue-shi's voice sounded. "When did the third miss get back?"
Only now did everyone realize that there were two people leaning against the wall at some point. It was Yan Yan and Yan Mo. It wasn't clear how long they were standing there, and how long they've been watching. No one actually noticed in a room full of people.
"A while ago. Seeing the elders discussing things, I didn't have anyone announce my arrival."
The old madam paid no attention to Yan Yan. She was still trying to figure out how to get out of this situation.
Yan Zhi's eyes flashed and he stood up. "Since there isn't much going on, we'll head back first, mom."
Xue-shi was startled, "How could there be not much going on? Aren't things still not....." She quickly changed her expression and words with a smile.
"That's true. It's not a huge deal, why are we getting so many people involved? It's merely a concubine. If she miscarried then she miscarried. It's quite normal for miscarriage to happen if the fetus isn't stable. We can only blame her for not being careful."
She sidled over to the old madam with a smile, and said warmly. "Mom, you're really something. You assumed there was rain after hearing wind. You made such a huge fuss after listening to a few words from the maids. You must be tired. Daughter-in-law will send you to the Rongan Hall to rest."
The couple from the eldest branch speaking up made it hard for others to react. But thinking it over, it was clearly helping the old madam save face.
Although Xue-shi was a little shameless in throwing away all of Matron Zhao's investigation and Doctor Chang's statement, shamelessly acting like everything was ok was also a sort of talent.
The old madam borrowed the slope to move the donkey. She immediately forgot how righteously she had demanded the Shen household give them an explanation early. She also forgot how she had cursed Shen Yi Yao as a vicious woman and a calamity to the Yan household's descendents. She rubbed her temples and put on a weary expression.
"That's true. I get tired so quickly in my old age. Matron Zhao, help massage me a little after getting back."
Matron Zhao crisply agreed and bent over to help the old madam up.
Yan Yan truly couldn't endure any longer and scoffed quietly.
"Grandmother, I don't think you can go rest just yet. This matter isn't finished, how can we go rest?"
The few people's actions became sluggish as they turned to look at Yan Yan.
Yan Yan's crimson fur cloak made her little face seem pure as jade and resplendent as a peach. She smiled as she looked at the crowd, but when matched with the fire in her eyes, it seemed a little weird.
Xue-shi walked over hurriedly and gave Yan Yan a meaningful glance.
"What matter is there still? Third miss, you should hurry and help your mom back. It's getting late and it's cold outside."
Xue-shi thought it best to have everyone take the opportunity to withdraw. This matter was related to Shen Yi Yao no matter how they looked at it. Making a fuss wouldn't be advantageous to Shen Yi Yao or Yan Yan. Having a mom with a bad reputation would make it difficult for the daughter to marry in the future.
But she forgot something. Since things had gotten to this extent, how were they supposed to pretend everything was well?
The entire Weiyuan Marquis Estate was embroiled in this mess, from the rear court to the front. It seemed the majority of people knew what had happened. With so many mouths, it wasn't easy to cover it up. If anything was leaked out, Shen Yi Yao's reputation would be ruined. Outsiders wouldn't understand the inner workings. Since even this matter was suppressed, they would only say the Zhenguo Duke Estate was suppressing others with their status. Regardless, the Weiyuan Marquis Estate wouldn't suffer any losses. Outsiders would only see them as a victim of the Zhenguo Duke Estate's power. As for Concubine Pei, a concubine, she would be pretty much overlooked.
To Xue-shi, extending a hand to Shen Yi Yao was only because it wouldn't affect her. To put it precisely, their eldest branch still had to rely on the old madam and Yan Ting for the meals. Yan Zhi was also surnamed Yan, and it wasn't wrong to be biased towards their own family.
But what about Shen Yi Yao?
At this moment, this woman was already trembling all over and was no longer able to stand steadily. But she was still hanging in there.
What about Yan Yan and Yan Mo?
How would the matter of their future marriage be smooth if they had such a vicious mom?!
What about the Zhenguo Duke Estate?
They would have gotten shot even when lying down.
Yan Yan sometimes couldn't figure it out. Why do you get to decide the truth of the matter? When you guys want to do a song and dance, you can sing the climax over and over. When you guys no longer want to sing, you can force the curtains to fall?
The world doesn't work that way!