Doted By The Regent King

Chapter 1722 - 1660: You’re Finished

"Even a righteous official finds it difficult to resolve family matters; it’s the same anywhere. Poisoning one’s mother-in-law—this is an ill-repute of being neither virtuous nor filial. Not too small, not too big."

Wu Lihong wasn’t completely blinded by rage; at this moment, the only thing he could do was preserve Madam Wang’s reputation, unwilling as he might be. Otherwise, the Wu Family’s reputation would truly fall from thousands to tens of thousands of feet, especially with Wu Yining’s previous disgrace still unresolved. Now, if another scandal of the matriarch poisoning her mother-in-law arises, the Wu daughters truly will remain unwed.

Thus, he reprimanded Wei Da for fabricating charges against the family, calling him ungrateful and heartless.

Wei Da naturally protested his innocence, but the accusation came from his deceased mother, and with her gone, there’s no one to corroborate the claim. How could he conclusively convict Madam Wang?

Wei Da was punished with ten strikes and dragged away.

The other accusations also couldn’t lead to a conviction due to insufficient evidence, inadequate witnesses, and lack of corroboration; thus, Madam Wang was released.

Lu Xiaodie had no objections, merely lowered her gaze, as if she was merely here for amusement, indifferent to whether Madam Wang could be convicted or not.

Madam Wang felt somewhat perplexed and turned, seeing Wufu standing out like a crane among chickens in the crowd, causing her pupils to contract slightly.

"You’re finished."

Seeing the shape of her lips, Madam Wang’s eyes narrowed, her heart pounding, and as she noticed the peculiar gazes from the people gathered at the yamen to hear the trial, she suddenly understood something.

What if there’s no conviction, merely insufficient evidence—but has she truly not committed these acts?

With Wu Yining’s previous disgrace, one sees the upbringing by the mother. Now, with several matters combined, even without a conviction, her reputation is tarnished. And within the family? Does Wu Lihong truly trust her as he professes?

Realizing this, Madam Wang plunged into endless terror.

...

Lu Xiaodie entered an elegant room of the teahouse beside the yamen and knelt before Wufu.

"Your mother’s revenge likely ends here—without convicting her, without demanding life for a life. How do you feel?" Wufu sat on a chair, gazing down at Lu Xiaodie on the ground.

Lu Xiaodie lifted her head and smiled brightly, "You’ve already avenged me. Why does it matter if her guilt isn’t definitive? Defining it would mean execution, just a quick death—but nothing compares to the agony of losing everything."

"Oh?"

"On the estate, I racked my brain repeatedly, yet never found any evidence my mother left me; perhaps my mother truly hoped for me to live without revenge. I hadn’t realized this earlier and acted in vain, nearly losing my life. Fortunately, I met you. Now..." Lu Xiaodie said, "If Madam Wang can have a peaceful life after today, then heaven is truly blind. With her ruin, I believe Rongxiu Pavilion won’t endure, and once it’s fallen, my mother’s revenge will be fulfilled."

After speaking, Lu Xiaodie kowtowed thrice to Wufu, prostrating herself, "Thanks to you, I’m complete."

Her tone was sincere, with unprecedented relief, which Wufu recognized and said, "Stand up."

Lu Xiaodie rose, her eyes clear.

"Madam Wang’s fate won’t improve," Wufu said, a decisive remark, and then asked, "What are your plans? Your embroidery skills can earn you a living."

Lu Xiaodie replied, "I belong to you, naturally should follow by your side, not wanting to drift like a leaf in the wind."

Wufu hummed, "Then return to the estate to serve."

"Yes." Lu Xiaodie exited.

Wufu picked up her tea, gazing out the window, her eyes cold, with a slight curve at the corner of her lips.