Taking her into his tent, he incurred the wrath of a powerful and mad minister, from which he could

The handkerchief slowly slid down the hem of Mingyi's light blue dress and fell to the ground. Mingyi's eyelids twitched.

Her worst fears came true.

When Yuegui saw that familiar handkerchief, she was also stunned.

Hua Yan didn't give Mingyi a chance to deny it, pressing her aggressively, "This handkerchief is embroidered with plum blossoms. Your handkerchief is the only one like this in the entire Zong family mansion. Tell me, how did your personal item end up in Second Master's room? Don't play dumb, speak up!"

"Did you seduce the Second Master, hoping to climb the social ladder? So you secretly slipped the handkerchief into his room?"

Hua Yan, with an expression that suggested she already knew, said disdainfully, "Grandma and the old lady have treated you so well, how could you harbor such wicked thoughts? You're shameless!"

Snapped!

Without saying a word, Mingyi slapped Huayan hard across the face.

Hua Yan was stunned by the blow, covering her face and staring at her in disbelief.

Mingyi didn't look at her reaction, bent down to pick up the handkerchief, and then looked at Huayan with a calm yet indifferent expression.

Before this, she thought Hua Yan was beautiful and very pleasing, but now she found her dull and uninteresting, no different from the roadside flowers and plants.

Those clear, bright eyes made Hua Yan inexplicably shudder, and a string of curses stuck in her throat, her arrogance diminishing somewhat.

Mingyi coldly said, "Is this how the Zong family teaches its servants to boss their masters around and shout like this?"

Hua Yan was about to retort, "Who do you think you are, your master?" when Ming Yi said in a deep voice, "Or does the old lady have some grudge against me and instruct you to humiliate me?"

"Fine! Even if I have to pack my things and leave the clan today, I will get to the bottom of this: what have I done to offend you all so much that you hate me so much and are ruining my reputation like this!"

Before Hua Yan could react, Ming Yi grabbed her wrist tightly, looking like he was about to make a big scene.

Hua Yan was already feeling guilty for stealing things from Zong Xian's room, so how could she dare to let the old lady know?

When the old lady found out, Zong Xian also found out. The Zong family severely punished servants who were dishonest, and Hua Yan was frightened.

She only wanted to make Mingyi back down, and had no intention of making a big fuss!

She struggled violently, saying in a panic, "Wait, don't pull me! The old lady didn't send me! Let go of me!"

Mingyi ignored her, but her slender body possessed extraordinary strength, and Huayan could not break free no matter what she did.

Seeing that she seemed determined, Hua Yan gritted her teeth and shouted, "I was wrong! I was wrong!!"

Mingyi stopped and turned to look at her, her face as cold as ice.

Hua Yan was genuinely afraid of her. She glanced at the handkerchief in her hand and said reluctantly, "I found this handkerchief somewhere else, not in Second Master's room!"

Seeing that she had backed down, he coldly snorted and shook off her hand, "Then why did you slander me?"

Hua Yan bit her lip tightly and remained silent.

She would never tell Ji Mingyi that she was taking her anger out on Ji Mingyi because she was neglected by the Second Master. After all, Ji Mingyi was so beautiful and easy to bully.

She never expected that Ji Mingyi, who usually seemed to have the gentlest temperament, would be so stubborn when she got angry, and even dared to hit people!

Seeing that she remained silent, Ming didn't expect her to say anything, so he carefully put away the recovered handkerchief and prepared to call Yuegui and leave.

But when she looked up, she saw that Yuegui had her head down and her eyes were fixed on the tips of her shoes.

Mingyi's gaze inadvertently swept over the bronze mirror on the wall, and his scalp tingled instantly.

Hua Yan also saw Zong Xian, her face instantly turning pale. She took a step back in fright, "Second...Second Master..."

Zong Xian asked, "What happened?"

Hua Yan said, "No, it's nothing. I just exchanged a few words with Miss Biao..."

Before Hua Yan could finish speaking, Zong Xian interrupted her calmly, "I wasn't asking you."

Mingyi turned around reluctantly, her eyes fixed on the belt on his official robe, and said, "It's nothing serious, Huayan was just joking with me."

Zong Xian, hands behind his back, raised an eyebrow: "If it was just a joke, why is there a handprint on her face? Did you hit her?"

Mingyi choked for a moment, hesitating about how to say it properly.

If she admits it, then she would have to explain why she hit Hua Yan. She could say that Hua Yan offended her, but that would destroy the innocent and harmless persona she had built up in the Zong family.

That's not a big deal, but I'm afraid Zong Xian will insist on making a decision for her and digging into the details, which will inevitably lead to the handkerchief, and that's a sensitive topic.

Moreover, Mingyi was not confident that she could lie to Zong Xian and get away unscathed. If the matter were to reach Madam Zong, things would become much more complicated.

Mingyi was somewhat flustered and about to speak when Huayan behind her suddenly spoke up: "It wasn't Miss who hit me, I did it myself, it has nothing to do with Miss!"

Mingyi's expression changed slightly, and she subconsciously looked up at Zongxian.

Zong Xian said, "Lying."

The two simple words startled Hua Yan so much that her legs went weak and she knelt down with a thud!

What's the difference between this and admitting it?

Mingyi glanced behind her. What a spineless coward! Where did that bravado go, all that energy from splashing dirty water?

Mingyi took a deep breath, lowered her eyes, and explained softly, "She was rude to me first, and I hit her in a fit of anger. It was my impulsiveness, and I hope you'll forgive me, Uncle."

Hua Yan trembled, not daring to utter a single word.

Zong Xian didn't glance at Hua Yan again, his gaze falling on Ming Yi's face, and he said casually:

"This lowly servant has committed a grave offense of disrespecting her superiors and showing no regard for rank. If you are indignant, you may kill her without hesitation. There is no need for remorse. However, if there is a next time, you can hand this lowly servant over to the steward of the manor. There is no need to do it yourself."

Zong Xian tilted his head slightly, "Chang Yu."

Chang Yu understood immediately and stepped forward, coldly saying to Hua Yan, who was already pale and unable to utter a sound, "Come with me."

Mingyi felt a chill run through her heart after being shocked by Zong Xian's extremely cold words.

But what shocked and puzzled her even more was that just a moment ago he had promised the old lady that he would take Hua Yan as his concubine, but now he treated Hua Yan's life as worthless, showing extreme cold-bloodedness!

Hua Yan cried out for mercy and knelt down to kowtow.

Mingyi quickly grasped the man's arms with both hands, her gaze fixed intently on Zong Xian with a sorrowful expression.

"Second Master, Hua Yan's crime doesn't warrant death. I've already sought justice for myself, so let's just let this matter rest, okay?"

She has never hurt anyone, much less killed anyone. If Hua Yan died because of her, she would be restless and unable to eat or sleep.

Besides, Hua Yan's crime certainly doesn't warrant death.

Hua Yan was shocked to see Ming Yi pleading for her, but then a glimmer of hope returned to her as she looked at Zong Xian with teary eyes.

Chang Yuhou remained motionless to the side.

Zong Xian lowered his gaze to Ji Mingyi, his dark eyes revealing an unreadable emotion: "You want me to spare her?"

Mingyi nodded quickly.

Unexpectedly, the next moment, Zong Xian raised his hand.

The jade thumb ring touched Mingyi's face, its touch icy cold, and she shivered violently.