You expect me to serve your mistress? The mistress is driving this scumbag and his entire family cra

Chapter 103 Interrogation of Zhao Ma
Faced with Mrs. Fang's accusations, Zhao Ma denied them outright, saying that Mrs. Fang would do anything to shirk responsibility.

Tong Zhao'er had long witnessed Old Madam Fang's ability to distort the truth and make a fuss, and she was even more certain that Zhao Ma would not betray the General's Mansion and harm her daughter for no reason.

But Liang Jiang's questioning today suddenly reminded her of a problem.

When Fang Chengxu wanted to bring Madam Liang to the capital for medical treatment, she was extremely unwilling, but it was her own father who persuaded her to stay.

When her father first met Liang Jiang at the Fang family home, he already knew her identity, but he remained tight-lipped about it, seemingly wary of her.

Later, in the yamen, when my father first saw Madam Liang, he was visibly surprised, quite dramatically.

Many details flashed through her mind, and Tong Zhao'er found it hard to believe.

If what Grandma Fang said is true, then there is absolutely no reason why Zhao Ma would deliberately mislead Grandma Fang into harming her own daughter.

Her fingertips were icy cold, and her body was trembling slightly.

Fang Chengxu noticed her unusual behavior: "What's wrong with you?"

Tong Zhao'er gripped his hand tightly, opened her mouth, but could only utter two dry words: "Go home!"

Fang Chengxu was naturally more than happy to have it.

Today, they confronted Liang Jiang at the palace gate, but neither of them gained the upper hand, and both lost face. If word gets out, how can they maintain their position in the guard?
He quickly parted the crowd of onlookers, helped Tong Zhao'er, and got her into the carriage to return to the mansion.

Back at the Tong residence, Tong Zhao'er used a headache as an excuse to send Fang Chengxu away, and then called Zhao Ma over.

Zhao Ma did not go to the palace with Tong Zhao'er today because she had a fight with Old Madam Fang two days ago, and Old Madam Fang had scratched three bloody marks on her face, making her too embarrassed to be seen.

Tong Zhao'er leaned against the couch, staring intently at Zhao Ma without saying a word.

Zhao Ma felt uneasy under her gaze and cautiously asked, "Miss, did you call me here because there's something you need?"

Tong Zhao'er suddenly shouted, "Kneel down!"

Zhao Ma's heart trembled, and she knelt down on the ground.

Tong Zhao'er said in a deep voice, "Raise your right hand, above your head."

Zhao Ma did as she was told, completely baffled.

Tong Zhao'er stared intently at her: "I'll say a sentence, and you repeat it."

Zhao Ma already had a bad feeling.

Tong Zhao'er slowly uttered a word, saying slowly and deliberately: "I, Zhao Ma, swear here that every word I say below is the truth, and I dare not deceive you, Miss."

Zhao Ma's heart pounded, and she carefully smiled apologetically, "Miss, why are you suddenly so harsh? When has this old servant ever dared to deceive you?"

"Do as instructed!" Tong Zhao'er said sternly.

Zhao Ma could only parrot what she heard.

Tong Zhao'er took a deep breath: "Now, tell me the story of Wuyou that day again, without a single lie."

Zhao Ma's voice trembled slightly: "It must be that Old Madam Fang has spoken ill of this old servant to you again, hasn't she? How can you believe her words?"
I have always been loyal to you, Miss, and have absolutely no reason to harm Miss Wuyou.

"Speak quickly!" Tong Zhao'er shouted angrily.

"Well, haven't I told you this several times, Miss?"

Tong Zhao'er's suspicions deepened: "You keep dodging the question, are you feeling guilty? Who exactly told you to harm Wuyou!"

Aunt Zhao vehemently denied it: "I'm innocent! It really has nothing to do with this old servant! And no one instructed this old servant!"

"Do you dare swear to God?"

With a determined look, Zhao Ma could only swear against her will: "This old servant swears! Miss Wuyou's death really has nothing to do with this old servant..."

"Who does that have to do with?" Tong Zhao'er pressed aggressively, "Dare to utter a single lie, or you'll face retribution!"

Zhao Ma stammered, looking somewhat at a loss.

There were hurried footsteps outside the courtyard. A maidservant greeted them, saying that General Tong had arrived.

Zhao Ma immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

General Tong didn't knock on the door, but pushed it open and saw Zhao Ma kneeling on the ground. His expression changed slightly.

"Zhao'er, what are you doing?"

The moment Tong Zhao'er saw her father, her heart sank. She said calmly, "Zhao Ma made a mistake, and I was disciplining her. Father, what brings you here?"

General Tong smiled and said, "I just came back from the palace. I heard that you and Liang Jiang fought at the palace gate today, so I came to check on you."

Then he waved to Zhao Ma and said, "You can go now. I have something to say to your young lady."

Finally, Aunt Zhao was relieved of her immense burden and quietly stepped down.

General Tong then spoke up, saying, "If you don't like the servants, just replace them. There's no need to get upset. You've visibly lost a lot of weight these days."

Tong Zhao'er suppressed her suspicions: "No, it's just a small matter, a minor punishment to serve as a warning."

General Tong immediately changed the subject: "I heard from the Imperial Guards that Liang Jiang is very skilled."

Tong Zhao'er was indignant: "My daughter underestimated her opponent and was lucky enough to get her way. If Cheng Xu hadn't stopped me, would she have let it go so easily?"

"What did she say to you that made you so angry?"

Tong Zhao'er shook her head: "This woman is sharp-tongued. She mocked my daughter in public, which hurt me deeply. My daughter fell for her trick."

General Tong patted her shoulder: "Just try to think more positively and don't pay too much attention to those rumors. Since you're alright, your father will leave now. Take good care of yourself."

Tong Zhao'er stood up: "I'll see my father off."

"No need, you should rest."

General Tong turned and went out, considerately closing the door behind him for Tong Zhao'er.

As if guided by some unseen force, Tong Zhao'er stepped forward and peered out through the crack in the door.

She saw General Tong walk to the courtyard gate, cough lightly, and then leave the courtyard with his hands behind his back.

Immediately afterward, Zhao Ma also turned to look at Tong Zhao'er's door and followed her furtively.

Tong Zhao'er's heart felt like it was being pierced by needles, the pain almost suffocating her.

Then, it slumped down limply along the door panel.

Before my eyes, many images spun and danced like a carousel.

Her mind became hazy.

After an unknown amount of time, Fang Chengxu pushed open the door and came in. Tong Zhao'er was already sitting on the bed.

She twisted her body, lowered her head, and gently patted something while humming a cheerful tune.

As darkness fell and no lights were lit in the house, the scene in the dim light inexplicably sent chills down Fang Chengxu's spine.

"A Zhao?"

Fang Chengxu tentatively called out.

Tong Zhao'er ignored him and continued humming a tune with complete concentration.

Fang Chengxu mustered his courage and stepped forward, only to find that what she was looking at with a kind expression was actually a pillow wrapped in swaddling clothes.

"Ah Zhao, what are you doing?"

Fang Chengxu's voice trembled slightly as he gently pushed Tong Zhao'er.

Tong Zhao'er suddenly seemed to wake from a dream, and looked at Fang Chengxu: "You're back?"

Fang Chengxu breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that she had regained her senses: "My father-in-law just left, and we talked for a while in the front yard."

Tong Zhao'er replied casually, "Good riddance."

That's a nonsensical statement.

Fang Chengxu didn't take it to heart and sat sideways on the edge of the bed: "I thought you were resting, so I didn't disturb you. Oh, by the way, when Aunt Zhao was pouring tea for us just now, she accidentally knocked the teapot off the stove and burned her hand."

Tong Zhao'er said "Oh," and "It's hot enough."

Fang Chengxu was taken aback again, thinking she was still angry, and continued, "The burns are quite severe. Aunt Zhao said she's afraid it won't be convenient for her to take care of you anymore, and she wants to go back to the countryside for a few days."

Tong Zhao'er was taken aback.

"What's wrong with you today? You seem a bit off," Fang Chengxu asked with concern.

(End of this chapter)