Chapter 111 - 110: Quite the Tender Protector of Women (Second Update)

Chapter 111: Chapter 110: Quite the Tender Protector of Women (Second Update)

Before the two could argue further, a sorrowful and repressed male voice suddenly rang out from the side, "Enough!"

It was Wei Dadong.

His face was ashen, his lips trembled slightly, and his fists were clenched tightly, "Wan is... she’s gone, and I won’t allow anyone to slander her! Wan explained to me, there was nothing between her and Sang Shaochen, and I believe her!

If I hear anyone speak one dirty word about Wan again, I will not let it go!"

Xinghua was stunned for a moment, then said defiantly, "Lord, I know you love Madam and can’t accept this, but... but I saw Madam and that Young Master Sang pulling and tugging with my own eyes! Not only me, but also Chunxiao from the old Madam’s place!

And on Young Master Sang, there’s a handkerchief of Madam’s. How could such a private item end up in the hands of another man for no reason?

Do you know why the old Madam has been so indifferent to Madam lately? She only refrains from exposing the matter in front of everyone because she sees you are biased toward Madam..."

"Shut up!"

With sudden fury, Wei Dadong struck a column nearby, producing a loud "bang".

Xinghua trembled all over and was too frightened to utter another word.

Wei Dadong bit his lip, his honest face now distorted, speaking through clenched teeth, "I said, do not let me hear another dirty word about Wan!"

Xinghua’s face turned pale, her mouth clammed shut, daring not to say anything more.

After calming his mood for a while, Wei Dadong turned, bowed to the others, and said hoarsely, "These are just baseless rumors. You all need not take it to heart and be amused."

No one expected that while investigating the case, such a scandalous affair would surface.

The County Magistrate of Jingning County was evidently a capable person, immediately attempting to defuse the situation with a laugh, "It’s nothing, it’s Wei Dadong’s deep affection that moves us all. Mr. Wei, your rapport with your wife must be very strong in daily life."

Wei Dadong pressed his lips, his eyes sudden red again, "I fell in love with Wan at first sight. Wan was beautiful, and at the time her brother had just attained success in the imperial examination, so there were countless young talents vying for her hand in marriage.

I originally... never imagined that Wan would eventually choose me, a commoner. For a long time after our marriage, I felt as though I was living in a dream..."

Xu Jing, standing to the side, cast a faint, mocking glance at him, a derisive smile on her lips.

Zhao Jingming, who had been enjoying the spectacle, couldn’t help but sigh and shake his head, "I didn’t expect such a convoluted backstory. If these rumors aren’t true, others might merely see it as a salacious tale and comment on it as if watching a play. But for the woman in the rumor, it’s like a calamity.

Thank goodness Wei Dadong believes his wife."

Xiao He glanced at him with amusement.

This kid seemed to have forgotten their purpose for being there.

He lightly stroked the callus on his forefinger with his right thumb, speaking softly, "You’re quite the gallant protector, aren’t you, for someone who’s not keen on getting married yet."

Zhao Jingming pouted, "I just don’t want to marry so early, but I treat the women around me pretty well, at least much better than that guy Xiao Yanci.

This case is becoming increasingly complex. Jingchen, have you figured out anything? Is the culprit among those people?"

Xiao He chuckled lightly, glancing at Xiao Yi and Xu Jing not far away, his gaze inexplicable, "I’m not particularly skilled at solving cases. What could I see? But Yanci and Xu Siniang seem to have figured something out."

"Really?"

Zhao Jingming gaped in surprise, looking at the seemingly predestined couple not far away, he paused, then suddenly sighed, "If the timing wasn’t wrong, I’d really want to rush over and ask them who the culprit is.

I’m not familiar with Xu Siniang; it would be awkward to ask her out of the blue. As for Yanci, that guy wouldn’t even look at me."

Though still shocked by what they had seen and heard, they seemed to have misjudged the situation.

Seeing the current Xu Siniang, who could attribute the previous misdeeds done by the former Xu Siniang to her?

Xiao Yi, at this moment, looked to Wei Dadong, "Although you may not want to bring this up, it could be related to the case. What is the story with these rumors about your wife and Young Master Sang of Tongfu Inn?"

Wei Dadong’s expression stiffened, taking quite some time before he spoke in a slightly trembling voice, "Last August, after my father unexpectedly passed away, rumors spread outside... that Wan and Sang Shaochen had an affair, saying someone saw them tugging at each other during my father’s funeral. Of course... I didn’t believe it.

Later on, Wan brought up the issue herself, saying people were talking nonsense, and she swore that she had nothing to do with Sang Shaochen. It was he who kept pestering her. If her words were false, she wished for divine retribution. Wan wouldn’t lie to me, and I told her I never believed the wild rumors outside!"

Xiao Yi nodded, turning to face a furious Xinghua, "You just said you saw your Madam and Young Master Sang making a spectacle, was it that time?"

"No!"

Xiao Yi’s question seemed to unlock her, and Xinghua immediately proclaimed excitedly, "That time during the old Lord’s funeral was seen by other guests, but if Madam was truly innocent, how could there be such rumors out of nowhere!

Later on, Young Master Sang frequently stayed at our Xinghua Inn, always looking at Madam frivolously. Anyone with eyes knew what was going on!

Until early March this year, when Chunxiao and I went to the back kitchen to fetch the old Madam’s cooked bird’s nest, we saw... saw Young Master Sang somehow in our residence, holding Madam’s hand, flirting with her! And he was holding a handkerchief!

Madam loved freesias, and everything she sewed had a freesia on it. I saw it as clear as day; Young Master Sang had a handkerchief embroidered with a freesia, exactly how Madam would make hers!"

Wei Dadong’s face darkened even more, but since Xiao Yi was asking questions, he couldn’t say anything.

Xiao Yi suddenly turned serious, "Are you sure you saw them flirting at that time?"

"What’s uncertain, I..."

Xinghua was about to speak more, but the man’s cold and heavy gaze stopped her. Though he said nothing, just an ordinary question, it felt as if a sword hung over her head, ready to drop if she lied. She gulped nervously and stammered, "Actually... I didn’t see very clearly at the time. As soon as Chunxiao and I approached, they noticed us. Madam... Madam immediately pulled her hand back from Young Master Sang, who gave her a frivolous look, then left, boldly carrying her scarf..."

Nianxia, standing nearby, widened her eyes and inhaled angrily before she could calm down, "You and Chunxiao didn’t say this before!"

Xinghua muttered under her breath, "What does it matter what we say, the facts are right here. What decent woman would meet casually with an outsider? Her innocence must already be lost..."

"You... you keep talking!"

Nianxia couldn’t hold back any longer, wanting to rush at her, but a familiar officer from the county government quickly came forward, proficiently stopping her.

Xiao Yi no longer looked at them, summoning an officer, "Go to the inn ahead and ask if Young Master Sang is still there, and bring him here immediately."

"Yes!"