Chapter 65

  A box in a box

  Yin Ruofei's words shocked everyone.

  Yin Haicheng stood up and looked out, and the slender figure walking in was none other than Chen Shi.

  "Ma'am, this..."

  "Today, it was just me and Fei'er who put on a show together, but we ended up stirring up quite a few ghosts. I'm afraid you were startled, husband, and I feel terrible about it. However, for the sake of our poor child who died unjustly, please forgive my willfulness this time." Chen Shi spoke in a gentle and soft tone, yet with a hint of desolation, which completely extinguished Yin Haicheng's original anger and replaced it with a strong sense of sympathy and heartache.

  "Who is it, after all?"

  "That is a sin committed by me, she also sacrificed for me."

  Yin Haicheng pulled open the hair of the woman on the bed, and it seemed that she was wearing something on her face. He gently lifted it up, and underneath was a somewhat familiar face. Yin Haicheng had some impression, wasn't she one of the four big maids by Chen's side?

  "What's going on here?"

  "Let Fei'er speak, I'm not feeling well." Chen Shi used her hand to support her head, Yin Haicheng looked at that pale face and felt a pang of heartache. She couldn't lie on the bed, let alone what was on it, probably even the bed would have to be discarded. For now, he could only let Chen Shi sit in a chair and rest for a while.

  Yin Haicheng held Chen's hand in his, Chen's hand was very cold. In this cold winter, and with her weak body after childbirth, she had been outside for so long, he feared that she might have caught a chill, and hastily asked the doctor to take a look at her.

  The doctor took a look and said it was nothing serious, just that he needed to drive out the cold, and personally went down to decoct medicine. Yin Haicheng also knew that this was the doctor intentionally avoiding him, if it weren't for the fact that this was their family's doctor, today they would have lost face greatly. At this time, with the doctor avoiding them, Yin Haicheng took the opportunity to ask about the details.

  "It's like this." Yin Ruofei and Jin Yuan exchanged a glance, "On that day, when Mother had a miscarriage, the son was extremely shocked and saddened. He thought there would be a new brother or sister in the family, but unexpectedly it ended up like this. Later, when the son happened to return home, he overheard some maidservants gossiping in private, saying that Mother's miscarriage wasn't an accident, but rather someone had framed her, and the person who did it was none other than Second Sister."

  Those servant girls said that the second sister did this so that her son could inherit the title without any worries. But the son thought that this was not right!

  "Second sister is a weak woman in her prime, normally she wouldn't even harm small animals, how could she do such a cruel thing? Moreover, second sister was managing the household just a few days ago because of the Song family matter, she was still grieving and hadn't recovered, how could she do something so vicious?"

  Yin Haicheng nodded upon hearing this, and Madame Chen also spoke softly, "Ruiqi has always been the closest to me, but at that time she was misled by rumors from petty people and misunderstood her. Now my heart is filled with regret."

  "If you have any regrets in your heart, when she gets married, just add more dowry for her. Qi'er is not a woman with a narrow mind."

  Mr. Chen nodded.

  Later, the son asked to see his mother. His mother was not a foolish person and only listened to her son for a few sentences before understanding that there must be someone instigating this matter. As for what happened later, let's just have mother say it!

  Madam Chen wiped away the tears on her face with a handkerchief, "After Fei'er left, I found that Bi Lan was acting strangely. Later, Yue Lan came to tell me that Bi Lan had many valuable jewelry, which made me suspicious. But..."

  Madam Chen looked at the bewildered Moon Orchid and Fragrant Orchid, then at the trembling Yu Lan who was hanging her head in silence. "That Lin Mama is not an ordinary person, you may not know that Lin Mama's deceased husband was a captain of the yamen, later when the man passed away and the child was still young, she came to our estate to be my wet nurse. She has heard many things, and with just a few words, she got Bi Lan to confess."

  The young lady who grew up in the boudoir was even more spoiled than the young ladies from ordinary families outside, not to mention Lin's mother had many tricks up her sleeve, and could torment people to death without leaving any wounds, Bi Lan couldn't bear it.

  After Hei Lan confessed, Lin Mama and Hua Mama suddenly realized that there was another conspiracy involved and quickly told Chen Shi about it.

  Chen had long been advised by Yin Ruofei to pay attention to the people around her, and at first she thought it was Bilian, but who knew that when Lin's mother said something, she realized it wasn't that simple.

  The two mothers were the people Chen trusted most, and their loyalty had been a feeling of two generations. Apart from these two, Chen didn't trust anyone else.

  Fortunately, Yin Ruofei brought some medicinal paste at this time, and after a little modification, it could roughly cover up a person's original appearance.

  Chen Shi knew that Yin Ruofei was helping her, and she had also made up her mind to see what kind of people were around her. Bi Lan's previous betrayal had long made Chen Shi regard her as a pawn, and Chen Shi would spare her life if she was willing to do things for her; otherwise, she would be killed just the same. Bi Lan had no choice but to take a gamble.

  It's just that Bi Lan wasn't a key figure, and no one knew that after she became Mrs. Chen, she would still end up with a miserable death, leaving people to sigh endlessly. Mrs. Chen also felt some sadness, as she had originally planned to let Bi Lan redeem herself and then release her from the manor, giving her a new lease on life.

  "My plan with Fei'er, except for Ruiqi, no one else knows. Husband, it's not that I intentionally hid it from you, it's just that too many people would talk." Chen Shi's eyes were filled with tears, extremely wronged.

  "I understand." Yin Haicheng's tone was even lower. "So now that the investigation is out, it turns out that this servant girl was behind it all?"

  "She's naturally one, what about the others?" Chen's gaze swept coldly onto Jin Hong's face. "Originally wanted to catch a few backing masters, didn't expect it was..."

  Yin Jinhong's whole body trembled, unaware that a woman's eyes could be so cold-blooded. His sister's eyes had been frightening enough before, but this stepmother was even more terrifying.

  Yin Haicheng also seemed to have noticed Jin Hong, a look of disappointment appearing on his face. He had originally thought that this old three was just a good-for-nothing, but unexpectedly he was actually a hidden villain, and had done such a thing.

  "You, Yulan, first forced Bilan to betray me and then pushed her out as a scapegoat. I thought this matter was over? Chen Shi slowly stood up, speaking amidst the shocked gazes of Hualan and others at Yulan, "I also believed it, thinking that there might be someone else in this house. Unexpectedly, you jumped out so hastily. Now that I think about it, what Hualan said about having an affair with someone... wasn't it actually you?"

  Yuèlán thought that Bìlán had gotten what she wanted from others, having received those valuable accessories, which is why she did such a thing. Now hearing Chen's words, she couldn't help but softly exclaim in shock, covering her mouth with her hand.

  In the afternoon, Mr. Chen said he was unwell and sent them away. He and Fanglan were thinking of making some appetizing and nutritious food for Mr. Chen, which took up the whole afternoon. It was Youlan who said she still had some needlework to do and didn't join them. But unexpectedly, this matter turned out to be a big sensation.

  "Madam... I don't understand..." Yu Lan's fingernails were almost digging into the floor tiles, "How did it become like this..."

  "If you weren't harboring ulterior motives, you would still be my trusted maid, and this matter wouldn't have implicated you." Chen's expression turned cold. "Ever since the day you took that prescription from me, I received a letter the next day, and I knew you were about to make your move, which is why I had Fei come over."

  "That letter..."

  "That prescription wasn't written by Fei'er." Madam Chen's tone became slightly lighter, "Fei'er's handwriting is too ugly. Even when I write with my left hand, it's still better than his. Your letterhead, bring it here, the font is just like my left-handed writing, how can you not expose yourself?"

  "Cough, cough, mother..." Yin Ruofei's face turned black and then red again. In front of so many people, saying his words was what he did, just because the words were too ugly to look at, that's why he didn't want to leave any written marks in this marquis' residence, lest they be dug up later and ridiculed.

  Chen revealed a slightly apologetic smile, but it was clear that there wasn't much sincerity behind it, and the tone of teasing was heavier.

  "That prescription is the bait, and you are the shrimp that took the hook."

  "Does madam still want to catch big fish?"

  "Nature."

  "I'm afraid I've disappointed the lady." Yu Lan suddenly stood up and rushed towards a table on one side. This collision would have been severe, and her head would have cracked open.

  But she miscalculated, for the people in this house were not ordinary ones. There were veteran generals who had fought on battlefields and vanguard warriors who had made great contributions, and even the imperial guards were all elite soldiers. As soon as Yu Lan stood up, Jin Yuan became more cautious, and Yin Ruo Fei stepped forward to block Chen Shi and Yin Hai Cheng.

  Youlan hadn't even hit the table when Jinyuan had already rushed forward and kicked her away.

  Youlan clutched her stomach, her face deathly pale, and was in so much pain that she couldn't speak. The imperial guard beside her didn't care about her condition at all, and tied her up with five-flower knots.

  This kick is probably no more comfortable than hitting a head and bleeding, Jin Yuan didn't show any mercy at all, daring to harm his most beloved brother! Hmph!

  "Father, this is just a little girl, what can she plot? I'm afraid it's the person behind her who will reap the benefits." Yin Ruofei said with a smile.

  Yin Haicheng nodded. This son was brave and resourceful, and he was also very filial to him and Chen Shi. Just now, in that situation, he didn't hesitate to stand in front of them, which made him feel very relieved. Then his unfriendly gaze swept towards Yin Jinhong again.

  Yin Ruofei stole a glance at Yin Haicheng's face and couldn't help but secretly laugh in his heart. Since Youlan wanted to kill herself, why would she rush to the Chen family's side? There was a table next to them, where it would be even quicker to die. Moreover, with Yin Haicheng's abilities, he didn't need to be in front of them. Just now, blocking their way was just a show, letting this cold-blooded father know at all times that he had a filial and good son.

  Yin Haicheng kicked a few times, and Jin Hong, who appeared to be arrogant on the surface but was actually a softie, immediately surrendered. "It was me who killed him, Father, don't kick me anymore... Ahhh... It was my mother's and sister's idea, and also Second Brother's! I had nothing to do with it..."

  "Dad, have mercy! Although Third Brother has committed a great wrong, he is still your son and Fei'er's brother!" Yin Ruofei knelt down to beg for forgiveness, hugging Yin Haicheng's leg and crying bitterly. Nonsense, if I beat him to death, how will we deal with the aftermath? How can it be dragged onto Erge and the others?!

  Yin Haicheng was pulled back by his youngest son, and had no choice but to stop in anger. "What's the point of keeping this beast who killed his mother and harmed his brother?"

  "Dad, Third Brother was also confused for a moment and was misled by Auntie San and Second Brother... What? Third Sister and Second Brother? Third Brother, aren't you talking nonsense again? Why would they want to kill Mother and frame me?"

  Yin Ruofei sang and recited, doing and hitting, afraid that Yin Haicheng hadn't heard clearly in the previous noisy scene, and would mess up the whole thing with this one move.

  As expected, Yin Haicheng's eyes were bloodshot, and it seemed that today was the day he would unleash his killing intent.

  Chen used a handkerchief to pretend to wipe away tears, but in fact was covering up the smile at the corner of her mouth.

  This kid is really interesting, on the surface he looks silly, but in reality he's actually a ruthless character.

  The author has something to say: My son's photo, godson, just shares my surname, haha.

  Don't think I'm born like that, it's too magical... Hehe...

  I don't know if everyone understood this trick after watching today's part.

  Yin Ruofei knew that Chen was framed and had a miscarriage, and her own sister became the scapegoat. She then found Chen and handed over the prescription and plan she had written to Chen.

  Chen was a clever man, and from then on, the trick had begun.

  Youlan is a traitor and has grasped Bilan's weakness, causing her to betray as well. The two of them are in charge of food and clothing, making it the easiest place to poison.

  Youlan was clever but was misled by her own cleverness, and proactively pushed out Bilan to die. However, Bilan did not get beaten to death as Youlan had expected, but instead was secretly interrogated and left behind.

  Next, Chen himself wrote Xiao Fei's prescription with his left hand and handed it over to You Lan to decoct the medicine. You Lan naturally thought that was Xiao Fei's handwriting, and the person behind the scenes forged a letter threatening Chen after getting hold of the house. When Chen saw the handwriting similar to his own left-handed writing, he naturally suspected that You Lan had seen and held the prescription before.

  Bilan is willing to atone for her sins, using Xiao Fei's disguise medicine to pretend to be Chen Shi and lie in bed. Unexpectedly, as soon as Xiao Fei returned to the Hou Mansion, someone made a move in secret. They attacked the disguised Chen Shi, making it seem like they jumped out of the window to escape, while also notifying Xiao Fei and Yin Hai Cheng to rush to Chen Shi's location.

  However, Yin Ruofei deliberately slowed down and walked behind Yin Haicheng. The young servant only showed a terrified expression afterwards. However, in the later period, Youlan and Xiaoyutou made up for this loophole, leaving Xiao Fei unable to explain.

  The best way to prove a man hasn't died is for him to show up alive.

  Then the person behind was exposed, and Lao San became the culprit. And Lao San's weakness also led to the exposure of Third Miss, Chen Niang and the most secretive Lao Er.

  But Lao Er had long been prepared and never intended to show up, so he pretended to be ill, making Lao San, Rui Shu, and Chen Niang the scapegoats.

  As for why Youlan betrayed, it was nothing more than a girlish infatuation, having taken a liking to a certain refined and elegant young master, who will be mentioned later.