“Father, what are you afraid of? The innocent need not fear. I’ve heard that the Jingzhao Yin is upright and impartial. We can use his hands to restore my mother and sister’s innocence.”
“Although that may be true, but…”
“It’s settled,” Old Lady Ning declared. “Drag him out and beat him. He’s too noisy.”
He Shi collapsed, staring blankly. The phrase “the Jingzhao Yin is upright and impartial” echoed in her mind.
The servants dragged the thief away.
The thief struggled and shouted at He Shi: “Aunt, if you don’t save me, I’ll go to the authorities and expose everything about you. If you’re heartless, don’t blame me for being cruel. If I’m going down, we’re all going down together!”
He Shi was terrified.
She crawled to Old Lady Ning and kowtowed, pleading, “It was me. This has nothing to do with Yutong. Please spare her.”
Old Lady Ning stared at He Shi, then furiously addressed Lin Zhengyang, “Why do you keep such a poisonous woman in the mansion?”
“Mother, perhaps there is…”
Ning Lao Tai interrupted, pointing at He Shi and roaring, “Either she leaves, or you both leave! Anyone who harms my Wan’er will not be spared!”
She turned, casting a warning look at Lin Yuetong, who fainted in fear.
“Tong’er, Tong’er…” He Shi crawled to Lin Yuetong’s side in panic.
Ning Lao Tai stood and ordered, “All of you, get out.”
Ning Wan’wan supported Ning Lao Tai into the room and poured her a cup of water. However, Ning Lao Tai, eyes fixed on Wan’wan, didn’t drink.
Ning Wan’wan smiled and asked, “Grandmother, why are you looking at me like that?”
“You little thing, how did you know there was someone hidden in the Lotus Cave?”
“What are you talking about, Grandmother?” Ning Wan’wan sat down, pretending to drink.
“Oh, you’re playing dumb with your grandmother.”
