Chapter 30: False Accusations
Amid the silence, a crisp, loud voice suddenly rang out—it was Tong’er, the young maid shielding Jiang Li.
Tong’er declared loudly, “This servant believes in Miss!”
Jiang Li was taken aback, but before she could speak, another woman’s voice chimed in, “I also believe Second Miss Jiang did not do this.”
Turning around, Jiang Li saw Madam Liu, whom she had briefly encountered on Qingcheng Mountain. Meeting Jiang Li’s gaze, Madam Liu offered a reassuring smile. “Ultimately,” Madam Liu said, “the so-called witness is merely this maid’s one-sided account.” She glanced at Xiang Qiao, who was cowering at her feet, and continued, “This maid can claim Second Miss Jiang did it, while Second Miss Jiang can deny it. It’s simply a matter of conflicting statements. As the Grand Secretary, Lord Jiang, you trust an unrelated maid over your own daughter. Such actions will hardly gain respect in court.”
This was a clear stand in Jiang Li’s defense.
Jiang Yuanbai was momentarily stunned. Although Liu Yuanfeng of Chengdelang had conflicts with the Ji family, he maintained peaceful relations with the Jiang family. Yet here was Madam Liu, risking offense to the Jiang family to speak up for Jiang Li.
A wave of warmth washed over Jiang Li.
She and Xue Huaiyuan had grown up in Tongxiang, where Xue Huaiyuan served as a county magistrate and handled numerous cases, never shielding her from the realities of the world. She knew well the evils of society, but she was often moved by acts of kindness. In the cold, unwelcoming Jiang residence, she was not alone—she had the loyal Tong’er and the supportive Madam Liu. This was enough to offset the darkness she felt here.
Seeing that Ji Shuran and Jiang Youyao were reluctant to speak, Jiang Yu’e stepped in once again, saying in a measured tone, “It is a matter of conflicting statements, but Jiang Li has done such things before. It’s entirely possible she did it!”
Indeed, Jiang Li had previously attempted to poison her stepmother, causing a miscarriage. Was it so far-fetched to believe she would curse her younger sister now?
People see what they want to believe.
Everyone knew Jiang Li was malicious, violent, ungrateful, and an untamable white-eyed wolf.
For someone like her, such actions were ordinary and natural.
Without other evidence, even if it couldn’t be proven she did it, the blame would still fall on her.
Madam Liu frowned, realizing this. But the accusation had come suddenly, and finding evidence to exonerate Jiang Li now was exceedingly difficult.
Just as it seemed there was no way out, Jiang Li slowly spoke up, asking, “Xiang Qiao, I’ll ask you one more time: Did you see with your own eyes how I carved each stroke onto this headpiece?”
Xiang Qiao looked up and, meeting Jiang Li’s calm gaze, felt an inexplicable tremor. Steeling herself, she insisted, “This servant saw it with my own eyes. Second Miss said she resented Madam and Third Miss, believing Third Miss had stolen Lord’s favor, and she wanted to curse Third Miss…”
The crowd erupted in murmurs, with someone exclaiming, “As expected! How vicious!”
Jiang Yuanbai’s expression darkened further, while Jiang Youyao and Ji Shuran wept even louder. Ji Chen Shi cleared her throat and declared, “Lord Jiang, you must give an account of this matter. Youyao carries half the Ji family’s blood. If this isn’t resolved properly, we will take it to the palace and seek judgment from Li Pin!”They were blatantly pressuring Jiang Yuanbai.
Ji Chen Shi’s intimidation didn’t frighten Jiang Li either. She merely said softly, “Xiang Qiao was a maid bestowed upon me by Mother. If Xiang Qiao is lying…”
“Impossible.” Ji Shuran shook her head. “Xiang Qiao was born into the household. I watched her grow up. Her character and temperament are trustworthy, and she’s diligent and hardworking. If it weren’t for the fact that you, Li’er, just returned to the residence and lacked maids, I would have kept Xiang Qiao for myself.”
Tong’er couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh. Trustworthy character and temperament? Diligent and hardworking? Who are you trying to fool!
Jiang Li lowered her head to look at Xiang Qiao, who was still prostrate at her feet. Xiang Qiao kept her head down, feeling Jiang Li’s scrutinizing gaze on her, and a chill gradually crept up her spine.
What should have been a foolproof plan now suddenly filled Xiang Qiao with a flicker of unease. In an instant, that unease grew, making her suddenly want to retreat. Of course, that was impossible. She could only continue acting out this farce.
“I also think Xiang Qiao is very good,” Jiang Li said. “During these days by my side, she has kept me company, chatting and relieving my boredom. Thanks to her, my life after returning to the residence hasn’t been dull. That’s why I felt so heartbroken when she betrayed me.”
Xiang Qiao hurriedly said, “Second Young Lady, it’s not that this servant betrayed you, but… this servant truly couldn’t stand by and watch you continue down this wrong path. This servant couldn’t go against her conscience!”
“Conscience?” Jiang Li repeated softly, then suddenly laughed. “Do you have one?”
Xiang Qiao grew increasingly uneasy. She could only say, “This servant doesn’t know what she has done…”
“I also don’t know what I’ve done to make you betray me.”
“Enough, Second Girl,” Old Madam Jiang finally spoke. “What exactly are you trying to say?”
Jiang Li withdrew her gaze from Xiang Qiao and looked around slowly. “Since none of you believe me, I must find evidence that I did not do this. Otherwise, being accused by everyone for no reason would be unbearable, and my late birth mother’s spirit in heaven would also grieve.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuanbai’s expression darkened further.
Jiang Li walked over to Jin Xiang, the maid standing beside Jiang Youyao.
It was this maid who had initially taken the ruby headdress out of the box.
Jiang Li approached her and picked up the headdress that had been returned to the box. The gemstone shimmered under the sunlight, its blood-red hue flowing. It should have been translucent, but the numerous scratches covering its surface made it appear dull and ugly.
As Jiang Li held the headdress in her hands, Ji Shuran suddenly sensed something amiss. But before she could speak, Jiang Li spoke first.
“This headdress is the evidence,” she said.
Her hand brushed over it gently and meticulously, the smile at the corner of her lips as pure as ever, yet tinged with mockery.
“This headdress is a fake,” she said, lowering her gaze. “This is not my headdress.”
(End of Chapter)
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