When the female supporting role has a beauty system

Chapter 1448 Jin Yue 49
"If it weren't for your instigation behind the scenes, how could the Duke's mansion have fallen into such a state of disrepair?"

“If my two cousins ​​are unwilling, then please invite my three aunts to stay at the estate as well. They can keep my mother company and help her pass the time.”

The faces of Zhang, Zhao, and Zhou all changed, and the three of them waved their hands repeatedly.

Zhou's face turned red with anger: "How can that be? You can't come to me about this. It was your mother-in-law and sister-in-law who suggested that Ruoyu become your concubine. They were also the ones who instigated Ruoyu to murder her. What does it have to do with our third branch?"

"Ruoyu is a daughter of the first wife and has nothing to do with our third wife. Although your third uncle asked your mother for favors, it was all for Wei He's studies and he never interfered with your household affairs."

Zhang cried out anxiously, "Third sister-in-law!"

Madam Zhou, fiercely protective of her son, retorted, "Why are you taking your anger out on me? You only have one legitimate daughter, Ruoyu. You were worried about losing power, so you made Ruoyu Cheng Qian's concubine. You even taught her to have an affair with the young master, resulting in the birth of an illegitimate eldest son."

"Later, you conspired with your mother-in-law to have your sister-in-law mistreat Lin Shi, while also plotting to harm Cheng Sui and Lin Jinyue. At that time, you would elevate Ruoyu to the position of legitimate wife. Then Ruoyu would become the heir apparent of the Duke's mansion, and her son Lin Ge'er would be the rightful eldest son."

"But who told Wei Ruoyu to be so unlucky? She couldn't even raise her child, and she let the Lin family turn the tables on her?"

"The bad things were all planned by your eldest son's family, but the second son's family and our third son's family have to bear the consequences together. Why should we?"

Thinking of the compensation given to Tan You back then, it was clearly the eldest son's family that caused the trouble, but the third son's family also suffered heavy losses, and she herself had to contribute so much of her dowry. Zhou was so angry that her eyes were about to bulge out.

Listening to these schemes, Cheng Qian felt a heavy weight in his heart, even though he already knew them. Wei Ruoyu might have feelings for him, but ultimately, she was on the side of the Wei family.

“Mother did indeed go to great lengths for Wei He’s affairs. If it weren’t for the Duke’s mansion’s help, Wei He would not have been able to enroll in Qingyun Academy. Since they have enjoyed the benefits, they naturally need to give back.”

"Does Wei and his cousin have any objections to going to the estate to help?"

Wei He stood up and bowed: "I have no objection. If it weren't for my aunt, I wouldn't have been able to enroll smoothly. Now that I can share my aunt's burden, I will do my best."

Cheng Qian pursed his lips, his attitude towards Wei He becoming much better. Regardless of whether Wei He could do the work or not, at least his attitude was there.

Zhou cried and wailed, "But your cousin is a scholar..."

Wei He comforted her, saying, "If I don't have a strong body for the imperial examinations, I won't be able to endure it in the examination hall. Don't worry, Mother, it's just farm work, I can manage."

Uncle Wei stroked his beard: "In that case, go ahead. Your aunt... has had a tough time."

"What she did back then... was indeed dishonorable. If she had succeeded, it would have been fine, but now someone has seized on her weakness, sigh!"

Cheng Qian shared a similar thought: if the Wei family's scheme had succeeded, so be it—the victor takes all. But with the Wei family suppressed, all their calculations were laid bare, putting those who plotted behind the scenes in a very awkward position.

Even now, he feels no attraction or pity for Lin Jinyue. He only regrets that the Wei family and Wei Ruoyu weren't ruthless enough back then, which has forced him to live a life of ignominy.

Wei He had already expressed his opinion, and Wei Qian quickly followed suit: "I will go with Wei He. Our aunt planned for us before, and now we should repay her."

Old Mrs. Liu couldn't take it anymore: "I only have two grandsons, Qian'er. I'm your maternal grandmother. You're making your cousins ​​do such rough work? You might as well just stab me to death!" "I'll go and kowtow to her, begging her to show mercy. Anyway, I'm an old woman and I won't live much longer!"

"It's all my fault, no matter what. I was blinded by greed. Your uncle only has Ruoyu as his legitimate daughter, and I was worried that he would be destitute in his old age, so I had these wicked thoughts..."

Just as Cheng Qian was about to speak, Tan You appeared silently in the main hall. Her appearance immediately startled everyone in the Wei family. Anyone who saw a young girl floating in mid-air would feel a chill run down their spine.

The old lady, Liu, looked like she was about to collapse, but Tan You said lightly, "Weren't you going to apologize to me in person? Why are you so upset now that I've shown up?"

Liu choked on her breath and slumped into the armchair. She looked at Tan You in fear. Even though she had never met Tan You, that familiar feeling had become her nightmare over the years, tormenting her and keeping her awake at night.

Tan You scoffed, "A cowardly bully who picks on the weak!"

Grandpa Wei took a deep breath and recognized Tan You: "Young lady."

Tan You sat down on an empty chair and glanced at Wei Qian and Wei He. The two men who were seen stood up straight at the same time, their hearts filled with turmoil.

"Not bad, you two are quite responsible. You're much more pleasing to the eye than Wei Ruoyu."

The two brothers exchanged a glance, unsure whether to laugh or cry. In the end, Wei He reacted quickly, bowing deeply to Tan You: "I dare not accept such praise from you, young lady; it is only my duty."

Tan You rested her right hand on the armrest of the armchair, glanced at the members of the second and third branches of the family with a playful look, and finally fixed her gaze on Uncle Wei and Madam Zhang from the first branch of the family.

"Cheng Qian has reminded me that I only dealt with the Wei family, but forgot that you are the root of the problem."

Zhang knelt down with a thud: "Miss, Miss, I was wrong! My daughter Ruoyu is gone. Please forgive me, for I am now alone!"

Uncle Wei couldn't hold back any longer and knelt down in front of Tan You: "Miss, we were indeed too greedy back then, which harmed Lin Shi and Sui Ge'er. But my daughter Ruoyu is gone too, and my sister was sent to the estate by you."

“Young lady, you have always been fair in your rewards and punishments…”

Tan You smiled: "You're right, I am indeed fair in rewarding and punishing, but I also know... to nip it in the bud."

Uncle Wei and Zhang's faces turned pale. Tan You looked away, bored: "You guys are like hyenas, bullying the weak and fearing the strong. When you encounter someone kind, you bully them to death."

"But when they encounter someone as fierce as me, they kneel down faster than anyone else."

“Zhang Shi,” Tan You suddenly called her softly, and Zhang Shi looked up in a daze.

Tan You's eyes held a subtle yet triumphant look: "Do you know why you've only had one daughter, Wei Ruoyu, all these years? You've been pouring bowls and bowls of bitter medicine down my throat, but it hasn't worked at all?"

Tan You stared at her for a while, then suddenly laughed and said, "Judging from your face, you should have three sons and one daughter. But now, all your children's lines have been severed."

“You have to pay for the sins you have committed. When you were eight years old, you pushed away your father’s concubine, Aunt Yun, who was carrying twins. Aunt Yun died along with her unborn child, and your mother settled the matter for you.”