After being forced to leave the marriage, I became the wife of a top scholar.

Chapter 258 Destroyed in an Instant (Part Two)
Seeing this, the others also expressed their willingness to go.

Manager Du turned around and instructed the young waiter to arrange for everyone to board the carriages. He then led the group to the Fang family's residence in the suburbs.

Along the way, everyone stared curiously out the car window until they got closer and closer to the Fang family mansion, when someone suddenly shouted anxiously.

"Wait! Steward Du! Aren't we going to the Fang family to demand an explanation?"

"We're almost out of Hangzhou now, where are they taking us?!"

The others also poked their heads out, looking puzzled.

Manager Du reined in his horse and turned to explain to everyone, “Gentlemen, we are indeed going to find the Fang family to reason with them, but we are not going to the Fang family on the main street of Hangzhou, but to the Fang family in the northwest corner of the suburbs.”

The Fang family in the northwest corner?
Everyone was shocked. They didn't know if there was a Fang family in the northwest corner, but some of the older people among them knew that the wasteland in the northwest corner of Yangzhou was an unlucky place.

Now, some people wouldn't dare to go anywhere.

"I'm not going! I'm not going!" an old man shouted in terror as he jumped off the car.

Those who knew what was happening also shouted to get off the bus, wanting Manager Du to take them back.

The young waiter tried to persuade them, but they were still unwilling to go any further. The young waiter looked to Manager Du for help.

"Manager Du, what do we do now?"

"We can't just tie them all up!"

Even the usually calm and collected Steward Du frowned slightly, thinking to himself, "What do we do now?!"
When he came out, Madam Lin didn't say anything about this happening!
Manager Du, like the young waiter, tried to persuade them with earnest words, but people were too afraid of this northwest corner and refused to go there again.

Some of the young people who were initially unaware of the situation backed down after hearing that there was an evil spirit in the northwest corner.

For a moment, the two sides were locked in a stalemate.

Cheng Susu, who had been waiting at the entrance of the Fang family mansion, was starting to get anxious.

"What's going on? Why hasn't Manager Du arrived yet!"

"Why did the Fang family's steward arrive first?"

Bai Wanqing remained silent as the Fang family's head steward rode up on horseback, which made Cheng Susu even more anxious.

"Wanqing, don't worry, I'll go check on her right now!"

After saying that, Cheng Susu was about to turn and leave when Bai Wanqing grabbed her wrist.

"Susu! I'm going!"

Bai Wanqing slowly stood up, supporting herself against the tree trunk beside her, and continued, "Your kung fu is good. If the Fang family really makes any moves, you can step in and stop them."

"I'll go check on Steward Du's situation!"

Cheng Susu thought about it and agreed. She nodded slightly.

Before leaving, Bai Wanqing instructed, "Susu, remember, if the Fang family isn't leaving with goods, don't show your face."

"Okay! I understand! You can go now without worry! Steward Du's situation is more important."

Bai Wanqing mounted her horse and took a shortcut along the mountain path. Soon she saw several carriages standing still along the way.

At this moment, everyone gathered around Steward Du and the young waiter.

"Manager Du, we're not going to pursue this matter regarding the cloth!"

"We give up! Now, please let the carriage take us back, okay?"

"Yes! Yes! Manager Du, please have mercy and send us all back. We really believe that the inferior fabric didn't come from Du's Cloth Shop!"

"Please stop making things difficult for us!"

Manager Du and the young waiter were still frantically explaining, and as time ticked by, a fine layer of sweat appeared on Manager Du's forehead.

"Fellow villagers, we've arrived here! We'll be there soon!"

"It's never good to give up halfway through something!"

But the people wouldn't listen to Steward Du's earnest advice; they just wanted to leave this place and return to the city as soon as possible.

Seeing that people's emotions were becoming increasingly agitated, Steward Du had no choice but to abandon the plan Bai Wanqing had given him and let everyone get into the carriage.

"Everyone, if you really don't want to walk any further, please get on the carriage now, and I will take you back."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that Steward Du had relented, and then quickly got back into the carriage.

Just as the carriage was about to set off, the sound of horses' hooves came from afar.

Everyone looked outside and saw a woman dressed in white gauze coming from the northwest direction they feared with great momentum.

A boy was stunned by the sight before him!

"Uncle Yang, look at that, isn't that a celestial being from heaven!"

Everyone wanted to laugh at the boy, but when they saw Bai Wanqing's appearance, they were all shocked and opened their mouths wide.

"This...this is our aunt from the Temple of the Goddess!"

No one dared to stay in the carriage any longer, so they all got off and knelt down in the direction of Bai Wanqing, leaving Steward Du and the young waiter somewhat at a loss.

Especially Steward Du, who could tell from the figure that it was Madam Lin, but why did Madam Lin have flower patterns painted on her forehead and her hair ornaments were different from before.

Seeing everyone's piety, Steward Du understood what was going on and pulled the young waiter down to kneel as well.

Everyone lay silently on the ground until the sound of hooves stopped.

Bai Wanqing calmly jumped off her horse. Steward Du looked up slightly and met Bai Wanqing's eyes.

Bai Wanqing nodded slightly to him, and Steward Du was so excited he almost cried.

If Madam Lin hadn't arrived at that moment, their elaborate scheme would likely have been ruined in his hands.

Thinking of this, Manager Du's tears actually fell. The young waiter next to him thought that Manager Du was crying because he was upset that he couldn't take everyone away, so he also became sad. But he didn't forget to comfort Manager Du.

"Manager Du, as long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn."

"Didn't everyone just say that they believe this inferior fabric doesn't belong to our Du Family Cloth Shop?"

"Perhaps, our Du Family Cloth Shop can still continue operating in Yangzhou."

Manager Du looked up at the young waiter and, for some reason, felt a pang of envy for his ignorance.

You brat, you have no idea how much pressure I was under just now! So much pressure!

At this moment, Bai Wanqing had already walked in front of everyone, and because it was the first time they had seen the Goddess, no one dared to raise their heads.

Bai Wanqing lowered her voice and asked, "What brings you here?"

This was the first time anyone had heard a deity speak, and they were all excited and afraid. It was the old woman who had spoken earlier who calmed herself down and bowed her head to reply, "Your Majesty, we had no intention of offending you by coming here. We are about to leave now, so please do not take offense!"

"Yes! Yes! Please don't blame me, Your Majesty!"

After they finished speaking, everyone bowed three times.

Bai Wanqing retorted, "You are merely seeking the truth; what crime have you committed?"

"Go! Go and find out! The truth is just around the corner!"

After saying that, Bai Wanqing remounted her horse and rode away, quickly disappearing from sight.

Only then did everyone dare to raise their heads again, and they all looked at each other!

"Does the Goddess Mother know what we're going to do?"

"The Divine Mother Goddess supports our search for the Fang family!" "But the Fang family lives in a wasteland in the northwest corner of Yangzhou; if we go there, I'm afraid..."

"You coward! We're protected by the Goddess Mother, what's there to be afraid of in this wasteland in the northwest corner!"

"If you don't go, aren't you afraid of being punished by the Goddess of the Goddess?"

After a discussion, everyone reached a consensus. They stepped forward and pulled Steward Du and the young waiter aside, saying, "Steward Du, let's go find the Fang family now."

Steward Du hesitated, "But... that place is unlucky!"

“If anything happens to anyone who goes there, our Du family will be committing a terrible sin.”

The old woman stepped forward and said, "How could it be that your Du family caused this disaster!"

"We went voluntarily! Even if something happens in the future, it has nothing to do with the Du family!"

"Yes! We went voluntarily!"

"Manager Du, I think we should hurry up and leave!"

At this point, without Steward Du needing to say another word, everyone quickly got back into the carriage and waited to depart.

Manager Du smiled and raised an eyebrow at the young waiter.

"Alright! Tell the drivers to set off as soon as possible!"

The young waiter was surprised to see that Manager Du, who had been crying just moments before, was now beaming with joy. He couldn't help but sigh, "When a person is lucky, even the gods seem to help them."

At this time, Bai Wanqing had already ridden back to the vicinity of the Fang family residence.

Cheng Susu turned her head and was startled when she saw Bai Wanqing's appearance.

"Wanqing, did you take this opportunity to put on a play? Why is your makeup like this?!"

Bai Wanqing gave Cheng Susu a speechless glare, first tying up the horse, then hiding herself before taking out a handkerchief from her bosom and gently wiping the patterns on her face.

"Stop talking so much! Is there any news from the Fang family?" Bai Wanqing asked.

"Yes!" Cheng Susu's expression turned serious.

"Not long after the Fang family steward went in, the Fang family members all came over!"

"I saw Uncle Fang and Second Uncle Fang. They're probably preparing to move the cloth from the warehouse."

Bai Wanqing watched as carriages were driven out of the Fang residence and nodded slightly.

"We can still make it if we start moving now."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Steward Du led a group of people to the entrance of the Fang family mansion.

The servants of the Fang family were all shocked and stared wide-eyed when they saw the newcomer.

If we're talking about this wasteland in the northwest corner of Yangzhou, who would dare to come here except for the Fang family!
But now, not only have people come, but so many have come all at once! Are there really so many fearless people these days?
A quick-thinking servant of the Fang family reported the arrival of Steward Du and his group to their master.

Grandpa Fang and Second Grandpa Fang were inspecting the fabric in the boxes in the warehouse when they discovered that all the fabric in the warehouse was of inferior quality. At the same time, they received news that someone from the Du family had come.

Grandpa Fang's face turned ashen, and even Second Master Fang, unusually, became agitated.

"Brother! We've probably fallen into a trap!"

How could Grandpa Fang not know! But these goods were clearly delivered to the Du family, so how come they're now lying in the Fang family's warehouse?

Which link in the chain went wrong?
Grandpa Fang looked at Second Master Fang with red eyes. Second Master Fang understood immediately, and the two said in unison, "It's Third Brother!"

“That’s right, Third Brother must have unintentionally fallen into someone else’s trap.”

Grandpa Fang deeply regretted his decision; he shouldn't have entrusted such an important matter to his third brother.

Now look what's happened! If the Fang family doesn't handle this matter properly, not only will they be unable to bring down the Du family's cloth shop, but they might also destroy their century-old foundation!

Grandpa Fang stood up unsteadily, barely managing to calm himself, and said to Uncle Kui, "Uncle Kui, take a few more men and guard this place!"

"Let's go check the entrance now. Remember, don't let anyone near the warehouse."

Uncle Kui nodded and accepted the order.

Grandpa Fang and Second Grandpa Fang brought a few people to the entrance of the mansion.

The crowd standing at the entrance was stunned by the mansion before them! They had never known that such a beautiful mansion existed in the desolate northwest corner of the land.

Moreover, this mansion belongs to the Fang family! The Fang family, a renowned and wealthy family in Yangzhou!
"Look, aren't those the eldest and second masters of the Fang family?" someone suddenly shouted.

Now everyone started chattering! Today was no ordinary day; not only had they met the Goddess Mother, but they had also met the wealthy patriarch from the Fu family!

Grandpa Fang frowned as he saw the people at the door, while Second Master Fang looked grave.

It was Fang's servants who jumped out first and told everyone at the door to shut up, and people gradually quieted down.

Master Fang stepped forward, adopting a polite demeanor, and asked, "I wonder what the steward of the Du family is up to today? He's actually inciting the people to cause trouble at the Fang family's residence. Do you know the consequences of your actions?"

Steward Du stepped forward with an imposing air and replied, "What are you saying, Second Master Fang!"

“These people came voluntarily, and I, Du, dare not bear the stigma of inciting them.”

The people nodded in agreement, saying, "Yes! We came here voluntarily! We just want the truth!"

As they spoke, the crowd shouted in unison, "The truth! The truth!"

Fang Er Ye's face was unusually ashen. He twitched the corner of his mouth slightly and said, "Manager Du, this has me completely confused!"

"How did everyone come to the Fang family seeking the truth!"

"I'm afraid there might be some misunderstanding!"

Steward Du waved his hand and said, "Second Master Fang! Is this a misunderstanding? Why don't we ask the Fang family to do us a favor and let us all go to the warehouse inside the Fang family mansion to take a look!"

"If it's a misunderstanding, that's fine! If it's not a misunderstanding, the Du family would like to ask the Fang family to give everyone an explanation!"

"Give our Du family an explanation as well."

Master Fang forced a smile and said, "Manager Du, are you drunk?"

“This is the Fang family’s important warehouse; how could we possibly let you in so easily?”

Manager Du snorted and ordered the shop assistant to bring over the inferior fabric.

"Second Master Fang, although this is a warehouse, it only stores these inferior fabrics. Are you afraid to let us in because you're worried about us?"

"This inferior fabric comes from your Fang Family Fabric Shop!"

Master Fang glanced at the fabric in Steward Du's hand, and his expression became even more solemn.

“This is not our Fang family’s fabric, Steward Du, don’t make false accusations.”

"Wouldn't it be clear if we went in and took a look?" At this moment, the old woman appeared out of nowhere and said in a booming voice.

"Yes! Yes! The Du family lets us see, why won't the Fang family let us see!"

"Yes! We'll know as soon as we see it! It saves us a lot of talking!"

When Master Fang saw that everyone was siding with the Du family, he was secretly alarmed.

What's going on! These ordinary people usually regard this wasteland as a snake or scorpion, and the Fang family as the powerful ones.

Not only did they have the audacity to come to this wasteland today, but they also had the audacity to follow the Du family into the Fang family's territory.

Second Master Fang felt something was amiss, and First Master Fang also felt that the situation was somewhat troublesome. For the first time, both of them felt a chill run down their spines.

Now the Fang family is in a dilemma. Everyone is here; their only way to prove their innocence is to open the storeroom, otherwise they have to give up their innocence.
Master Fang clenched his fists; his century-old reputation was likely to be ruined.
Poisonous! What a vicious scheme!
(End of this chapter)