Transmigrated into the fat wife of the future prime minister

Chapter 52 Mrs. Huang

Xu Qingmeng remained outwardly calm, but her tone left no room for argument: "Mother, let's help Grandma Sun inside to talk. It's broad daylight, so the neighbors can be witnesses. When the officials arrive, they can quickly find out the truth and recover Grandma Sun's gold hairpin, right?" Xu Qingmeng emphasized the last sentence, her sharp eyes sweeping over Grandma Sun.

Mrs. He didn't understand what Xu Qingmeng was up to, but her daughter-in-law's words were so well-intentioned that she was naturally willing to cooperate and quickly stepped forward to "help" Grandma Sun.

He had worked as a kitchen helper for many years and was quite strong. With this "help," and with Xu Qingmeng's help, the two of them lifted up Grandma Sun and half-dragged, half-carried her towards the Gu family's restaurant.

She cried out "Ouch!" and screamed like a pig being slaughtered: "Murder! Murder! The Gu family is going to kill someone! They're trying to silence us!"

She struggled desperately, her obese body twisting and turning, trying to break free from their grasp.

"Grandma Sun, what are you wailing about? Didn't you say I took your bribe and your gold hairpin? Such a valuable item, of course we have to get it back for you."

Grandma Sun was truly panicked now. What benefits had she given He Shi? What gold hairpin could she possibly give her?

This was a lie she fabricated to extort money from the Gu family!

She quickly calculated a way to escape, her eyes darting around, and continued shouting at the top of her lungs, "Oh dear, you Gu family, you just think I'm an old woman easy to bully. It's just a gold hairpin, why bother the officials? Oh dear, I can't live anymore..."

Xu Qingmeng sneered and didn't respond to her words. She wanted to make a big fuss and let as many people know about it as possible.

Since this old lady Sun dared to throw mud at us, she should be prepared to bear the consequences, so that no one else will come looking for trouble like her in the future.

Seeing that Xu Qingmeng remained unmoved, Old Lady Sun became even more flustered, knowing that she was likely doomed today.

As she struggled, she continued to shout, "Your Gu family bullies and oppresses the innocent! You even colluded with officials to frame an old woman like me! You are unworthy of being scholars! What kind of top scholar are you? Heaven has no eyes..."

“Grandma Sun, you’re quite old, and we believe you wouldn’t lie.” Xu Qingmeng slowly walked up to her and looked at her. “Since you’ve said so, then our Gu family should wait for the official to come so that he can investigate and get justice for you, right?”

Grandma Sun's face turned deathly pale, her lips trembled, but she couldn't utter a single word for a long time.

Her eyes darted around, as if she was thinking of a way to escape.

Throwing a tantrum, crying and screaming, threatening suicide?

Grandma Sun used to rely on these tricks to get away with things, but who would have thought that the Gu family wouldn't fall for them at all.

Just then, a commotion arose outside the door...

“My master has been an official for decades, and he has only recently taken office in Quan County. How could he be implicated like this?” A gentle voice came from behind.

A woman wearing a pale yellow jacket embroidered with lotus flower patterns walked gracefully towards them.

The woman was dignified and exuded an air of nobility. Behind her were not only two maids, but also a tall, handsome young man carrying a folding fan.

"This looks like Madam Huang?"

"Who?"

"That's Madam Huang, the wife of our newly appointed Magistrate Huang."

Although Magistrate Huang was not a local, his wife was a native of Quan County and held an imperial title. Magistrate Huang was transferred back to Quan County because he wanted to come back to be with his wife and children.

Grandma Sun was truly terrified now.

Xu Qingmeng and Gu Yunyi hurriedly packed their luggage with Madam He, and everyone around them bowed in greeting. Old Madam Sun also subconsciously bowed. Madam Huang waved her hand and said in a gentle voice, "I heard from my son that the set meals at the Gu family restaurant are quite different. We are just here to have a meal today, so there is no need for you to be so formal."

Madam He quickly stepped forward, her face beaming with smiles: "Madam Huang, please come this way."

"No rush, I just overheard this old man has a grievance?"

Before Madam He could explain, Old Madam Sun interrupted, sobbing and crying, "Madam Huang, you must do me justice! The Gu family embezzled my gold hairpin!"

"I am very sure of that."

Madam Huang turned to Xu Qingmeng: "Madam Gu, what's going on?"

Xu Qingmeng briefly recounted the whole story, and at the end, added: "I just wanted to invite Grandma Sun into the house for a cup of tea so that the officials could come and investigate the matter. But Grandma Sun kept saying that our Gu family was colluding with the government and oppressing the good people. She even accused us of trying to kill her to silence her."

After listening, Madam Huang did not immediately express her opinion. Instead, she walked to Old Madam Sun's side and slowly sat down. Her pale yellow skirt spread out in front of Old Madam Sun like a blooming peony.

Huang Boyang stood silently behind Madam Huang, his cold gaze sweeping over Old Lady Sun, an invisible pressure enveloping her.

Madam Huang gently waved the round fan in her hand, her tone gentle yet carrying an undeniable authority: "Old Madam Sun, do you have any evidence that the Gu family colluded with the government?"

Grandma Sun was intimidated by Madam Huang's imposing manner and stammered, unable to utter a word.

She had hoped to use Madam Huang's arrival to extricate herself, but she never expected that Madam Huang would directly ask her for evidence.

What evidence does she have?
It's just nonsense.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Madam Huang asked again, "You said the Gu family wanted to forcibly take your gold hairpin, so where is your gold hairpin? Show it to me."

Grandma Sun's face turned pale, and she was sweating profusely. She... she didn't have any gold hairpins.

“My…my gold hairpin…” Old Mrs. Sun stammered, unable to utter a single word for a long time.

She looked around at her neighbors for help, but found that they all avoided her gaze, and some even showed disdain.

Madam Huang put down her fan, stared sharply at Old Madam Sun, and said, word by word, "Old Madam Sun, slandering an official of the imperial court is a serious crime." She paused, her tone becoming even colder, "Think carefully before you speak."

Old Mrs. Sun's legs went weak, and she knelt down with a thud, wailing with tears streaming down her face: "Madam Huang, please spare me! I know I was wrong! I was confused for a moment and just said it carelessly! I will never dare to do it again!"

Madam Huang looked at her expressionlessly, her tone icy: "A moment of confusion? A careless remark? Do you know what the crime is of slandering an official of the imperial court? At best, it's caning; at worst, it's exile! Your momentary lapse in judgment will come at a terrible price!"

Upon hearing this, Old Lady Sun was so frightened that she collapsed to the ground, her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.

Upon seeing this, the surrounding neighbors began to discuss it, some gloating and others sighing with pity.

Seeing this, Madam Huang was not angry. She simply instructed the maid behind her, "Go and fetch a doctor to examine this old man." The maid obeyed and soon brought back an old doctor.

The old doctor took Grandma Sun's pulse and pinched her philtrum, and Grandma Sun slowly woke up.

She opened her eyes and saw that she was surrounded by people. She was so frightened that she trembled and dared not say anything more.

(End of this chapter)