The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family-Chapter 1243 - 285: Grand Finale Part 1_9

"Pei Zongli abandoned his wife and child out of greed for wealth and power, he deserves to wear that green hat!"

Pei Wenchen, like a madman, screamed in disbelief, convinced it was another lie! He lunged forward, grabbing Qian Wanxiu, "Mother, tell me! It’s a lie, isn’t it? It’s those vile women conspiring against me again, isn’t it?! It’s all fake, isn’t it?!"

"Wenchen..." Qian Wanxiu looked at him, his hair tangled, his beard unkempt, dressed in dirty prison clothes, one eye blinded, the other bloodshot and ferocious, his face a picture of utter collapse, and her heart ached sharply.

"Tell me! Tell me!" Pei Wenchen choked her as he questioned her.

Qian Wanxiu struggled to breathe, her face turning ugly as she shook her head, "It’s not true... It’s not you! They harm...."

"I don’t believe you! You’re lying to me! You whore! You shameless slut! You’ve deceived me!" Pei Wenchen, as if sealed by his own hands, gripped her neck with both hands, his expression twisted, intent on strangling her.

Qian Wanxiu’s face turned purple from the choking, she grabbed him trying to break free, desperately calling for help.

The Jingzhao Government Office couldn’t allow a murder in their hall, so a government officer immediately stepped forward, pulling Pei Wenchen away, thereby saving Qian Wanxiu.

Pei Zongli looked at Qian Wanxiu with poisonous hatred in his eyes, the contemptuous mocking and curses he overheard fuelling his growing hatred for her! He realized she had never cared for him but had used him as a shield! She had been covertly indulging with Old Master Qian all along!

Moreover, if it weren’t for her opposition and sabotage, he would still have Pei Qin, even Pei Wendong and the others in his fold, and he wouldn’t be suffering! He would now be the grand master of the Tiance Mansion! The father of a top scholar! He might not become a marquis or a prime minister, but he wouldn’t be in this disgusting predicament!

To confirm Pei Wenchen’s origins, they also had to summon Old Master Qian, but that was set aside for now. The primary task of the Jingzhao Government Office was to interrogate Qian Wanxiu and the Zheng family about the conspiracy to frame General Pei and to check if there were other conspirators involved.

Qian Wanxiu adamantly denied everything.

Second Madam Zheng, Second Old Master Zheng, and Zheng Yuehan also denied everything, claiming ignorance and that they were wrongly implicated when they were approached by Qian Wanxiu.

Qian Wanxiu’s situation didn’t concern them, but Xie Yi did.

Second Madam Zheng wouldn’t admit it, she had been harboring the belief that Xie Yi was carrying Mo Heng’s child, waiting for her to give birth to the Son of the Xining Marquis, and to reap benefits from that!

Qian Wanxiu’s denial did not absolve her, and she was immediately thrown into the main prison.

Several from Zheng’s second concubine denied involvement, each receiving thirty heavy strikes before being released. Without concrete evidence, they couldn’t impose sentences or imprison them arbitrarily.

Official bulletins were sent directly to the Runing Prefecture, ordering Old Master Qian.

Qian Wanxiu was locked in a large cell, together with the people from Old Pei’s House.

As soon as Lady Zhu saw her, she cursed and pounced on her, hitting and choking her, "You slutty shameless whore! I’ll kill you, you dirty bitch! You shameless slut! So lewd, always desiring men! I’ll tear you apart, you whore! Giving birth to a bastard! You still have the face to give birth!? A slutty, shameful breed, always lusting after men!"

The vilest and meanest words, whatever sounded most unpleasant and harsh, she hurled at her.

Qian Wanxiu, a pampered young lady, was no match for Lady Zhu, who, even if she had been tortured in prison for half a year, still had enough strength to beat and curse Qian Wanxiu.

It was fortuitous that Qian Wanxiu had been on the move for the past six months, her body more robust than before, and she managed to fight back against Lady Zhu.

Lady Zhu habitually bullied her daughters-in-law, especially Lady Fang, who wouldn’t retaliate or talk back, always bowing to Zhu’s wishes. Although Lady Chen didn’t suffer as badly, she also ended torturing Chen quite severely. But regarding Qian Wanxiu, from the moment she entered the house, she was treated with deference and everyone looked to her, because she was a refined and gentle lady from a wealthy and noble family.

But to her shock, this despicable woman had engaged in debauchery at her parental home and even birthed a bastard child, making Pei Zongli wear that cuckold’s hat for so many years. And still, she acted all high and mighty, deceiving everyone!

Old Pei leaned against the wall, his eyes cloudy as he stared at the small window in the cell, "It’s truly a sin! It really is a sin!"

It wasn’t until this moment that he believed in retribution. Back then, forcing Lady Fang to marry into the family wasn’t without alternatives; they could have adopted a son from the main house to the second, and it would have been best if Lady Fang was willing to remain a widow with her daughter. But his eldest son coveted his brother’s wife, acted preemptively, and the deed was done. One mistake led to another, all the way to this dismal present!