C8

Concubine Fang immediately lowered her head and did not say another word.

Although the madame's gaze was not very bright, it was still as sharp as a sword. She swept her gaze across everyone present, causing them to lower their heads and hold their breaths.

"Zhiqing, tell me, which maidservant did you send out to deliver the kite that day?" The old mistress' tone was heavy.

"In reply to Grandmother's words, it's still Hong Tao."

The word 'still' rang the alarm bells of the crowd. The last time Xie Wanqing was framed by Zi Tian, it was in place of Hong Tao, who should have been here to testify. People could not help but doubt this maid's loyalty. Even if Hong Tao splashed dirty water on Xie Wanqing, people would still not trust her words.

Forget about Xie Wanqing overthinking it, she didn't even dare believe a single one of the servants beside her.

Hong Tao had followed Xie Wanqing to see Xie Huaixing, but she had been waiting outside with Mama Feng, so she did not know what had happened inside. Now that she was suddenly summoned by the madame, she could not help but feel puzzled.

Hong Tao was a mute, she could only speak using her Sign Language. Mama Xin still called for the sign language servants. On one side, Hong Tao was gesturing with her hands, while the servant on the other side translated with his head lowered.

Hong Tao's words were very short.

A few days ago, Xie Wanqing sent her to deliver a kite to Xie Huaixing. She went to deliver the kite and came back.

"Hong Tao, did you sprinkle the powder on the kite?" The old mistress asked with narrowed eyes.

Hong Tao kept shaking her head and started chanting.

Translator: "Why is there powder on the kite?" (Translator/Translator/Translator/Translator/Translator/Translator/Translator/Translator/Translator/Translator/Translator: How can there be powder on the kite? Your servant knows nothing.

"Isn't it because your sister, Zi Tian, was punished that you bear grudges and drugged Third Young Master to marry into the Second Miss?" the madame asked.

That day, Xie Huaixing had admitted that he was lying before Zi Tian's trial. Furthermore, Hong Tao had a good relationship with Zi Tian since a young age, and within the Palace, only Zi Tian was able to deal with the mute Hong Tao. These were all sufficient reasons for Hong Tao to poison Xie Huaixing. Mama Xin explained the relationship between the two of them.

Unexpectedly, Hong Tao just shook his head continuously, while knocking his head against the ground with a "Putong" sound, until blood came out. Seeing that, everyone was filled with suspicions, it was not Hong Tao, could it be that it was really Xie Wanqing?

The old mistress frowned and said, "Drag him out and beat him ten times." Bring it up after you're done. "

Very quickly, the sturdy Attendant dragged Hong Tao off the stage, and everyone heard the dull thud of a board hitting flesh. Hong Tao was a mute, unable to utter a single word.

The madame had been cruel and merciless. It had not been one or two days. When he was young, he was in charge of the inner courtyard. He had seen all sorts of storms and storms, and he could easily kill someone without blinking. However, he was old now, and believed in the Buddha; otherwise, he would have been beaten to death on the day Zi Tian died.

But who could say that it would be better to sell them in a building than to beat them to death?

The sounds from outside could be heard, and the people inside were all terrified. No one sat calmly.

Xie Wanyun was even more so. Although she was bad, she did not have much experience. Normally, she would only use words to set up traps and attract attention, but this was the first time she did that. Now, seeing the madame's ruthless methods, she felt both nervous and scared.

Lv Yi quietly squeezed her young miss's hand to comfort her. She didn't need to worry, Hong Tao was dumb, and was unable to read. What can you recognize? Even if she told them that she met them at the pavilion during the rain that day, it was just a coincidence. The medicinal powder was dropped by Lv Yi, so Hong Tao did not even notice.

He really was a fool. He still wanted to save Zi Tian just like that, but now he could not even protect himself.

After Hong Tao's ten boards were beaten, she was carried inside. The originally delicate girl now lay paralyzed on the ground like a dead fish. She didn't even have the strength to get up. Sweat covered her forehead, soaking her hair.

Mama Xin went forward and pulled out the handkerchief that was stuffed in Hong Tao's mouth, it was used to prevent the servant from biting his tongue and committing suicide.

"Tell me, did you harm the third young master?"

Hong Tao still shook her head.

The old mistress' hand paused as she held the teacup, about to erupt with rage.

Xie Wanqing walked in front of Hong Tao and squatted down to look at her, "Hong Tao, I remember that day when you delivered the kite, did it rain heavily?"

Hong Tao nodded.

"I remember you were gone for a long time that day. Did you take shelter from the rain somewhere?"

As soon as he said those words, as expected, Xie Wanyun's expression changed. However, it quickly changed back to a calm and relaxed expression. If Xie Wanqing had not been staring at her out of the corner of his eyes, she would probably have missed it too.

Hong Tao seemed to want to say something, but she could only helplessly lie down on the ground with both hands, barely able to kneel, and did not have the free hand to do so.

Mama Xin looked at him, and immediately two servant girls came over to support Hong Tao.

A servant went to a pavilion to shelter from the rain. "No," she said.

"Are you the only one in this pavilion?" Xie Wanqing asked.

Hong Tao was not smart, but she was not stupid either. She did not know that the madame had asked her about the kite's powder. But the kite passed only through her hand. Previously, she lived in Xie Wanqing's courtyard, but when she met Xie Wanyun on the road, since she did not use the powder, it could only be him or Xie Wanyun.

Xie Wanqing had treated her well, and didn't despise her as harshly as the other masters. After the matter with Zi Tian last time, she had already let Xie Wanqing down, and now, she could not bear to hurt him any more.

As for Xie Wanyun, she was the eldest daughter of the family and had been gentle and courteous since she was young. Moreover, Hong Tao was hoping that Xie Wanyun would help her save Zi Tian with the alcohol.

In that case, who would bear the burden of today's matters? Naturally, it couldn't be her, Hong Tao. She couldn't die yet.

Thus, she slowly turned around and pointed at Lv Yi who was standing beside Xie Wanyun.

"Lv Yi, you speak." the old mistress said suddenly.

Lv Yi forced herself to stay calm, knelt beside Hong Tao, and said: "That day when I went out to handle some matters, I was forced to stay in the pavilion because I coincidentally met Hong Tao who was also in the rain." Although her expression was calm, her tone was somewhat hurried. She was still afraid of the madame and felt a little guilty.

When the Concubine Fang saw that the Old Mistress had pointed out Lv Yi's name, she knew that things were not going well. Lv Yi accompanied Xie Wanyun as they grew up together, although she was a little more mature than Xie Wanyun, but in the end she was still a servant.

Sure enough, just as he said the first sentence, he was about to reveal his secret.

The old lady was not someone who was easy to deal with. When she saw Lv Yi's expression, she could tell that she was lying, and had been hiding something. She glanced at Mama Xin.

The Mama Xin gave him a meaningful glance, and very quickly, Lv Yi was dragged out. The sound of someone hitting a board once again rang out outside. This time, it was mixed with a muffled grunt, which made it sound even more picturesque in her ears.