The Dark Moonlight returns to the capital, and the mad prince is accused of forcing love.

Lin Zuo'an was taken aback: "Brother, you really saw it?"

Qin Miaoyun was initially overjoyed, but then immediately wrung out her handkerchief tightly: "So what if the young master saw it? Xu Qianhui will still deny it. The young master and Zhiwei are already engaged, and Xu Qianhui will definitely use the same excuse to accuse the young master of protecting Zhiwei."

"It's alright." Madam Xiao patted her daughter's hand, her demeanor perfectly composed. "Even if Miss Xu refuses to admit it, the more people who see it, the more credible it becomes. Since the young master is present, as the Prefect of the Capital, his words naturally carry more weight."

Xu Qianhui sat quietly.

She lowered her eyes, appreciating the eager looks people gave Lin Zuoqing.

This is the most respectable master of the Duke's mansion.

As long as he speaks up and confirms that Lin Zhiwei did not push anyone, his previous explanation of the case will fall apart.

But she knew him too well.

He can be hateful, ruthless, and even capable of the most vicious schemes.

But his inherent pride wouldn't allow him to lie.

He would never speak so casually if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes.

Under everyone's gaze, Lin Zuoqing fiddled with the thumb ring on his thumb, speaking calmly.

"When I arrived, Xu Qianhui had already fallen into the water. Zhiwei was terrified, insisting that she didn't do it on purpose and urging me to save her. As for Miss Qin..."

Upon hearing this, Qin Miaoyun froze.

Lin Zuo'an hurriedly retorted, "Brother, what you're saying..."

"Did I say something wrong?" Lin Zuoqing asked.

His sharp gaze fell on Lin Zuo'an.

Lin Zuo'an could only keep quiet.

Xu Qianhui picked up her teacup, using the gesture to conceal the slight curve of her lips.

This result couldn't be better.

The fact that Lin Zhiwei pushed the person has been confirmed. As long as Lin Zuoqing can confirm that Lin Zhiwei had the intention to save the person, the matter can be classified as an accident.

The questioning that Qin Miaoyun and her daughter went to great lengths to bring would turn into a complete joke.

Lin Zuoqing picked up his blue-and-white porcelain cup, took a sip of tea, and said, "Men and women should not touch each other, and I originally did not want to go into the water. But Miss Qin kept stopping Zuo An from rescuing people."

He paused for a moment before continuing.

"My grandmother is in poor health. I was afraid that someone's death in the mansion would frighten her, so I brought Xu Qianhui up."

As she said these words, Qin Miaoyun's face gradually lost all color.

Her lips trembled, and it felt as if a wad of tattered cotton was stuffed deep in her throat, preventing her from uttering a single word.

Sensing her daughter's tense body, the kindness on Xiao's face vanished, but her voice became unusually calm.

"Your Highness must be mistaken. My Miaoyun has always been kind-hearted. To avoid committing any killings, she doesn't even touch meat. If you didn't value Miaoyun's character, why would you have proposed marriage to the Second Master?"

These words carry a sense of desperation and a willingness to fight to the death.

The marriage between the second branch of the family and the Grand Tutor's family was arranged by Lin Zuoqing. If he didn't help cover it up, he would have to admit that he misjudged people and harbored ill intentions towards his own brother.

From now on, we'll all be family. There's no reason for an elder brother to slap his future sister-in-law in public.

However, Xiao underestimated Lin Zuoqing.

His voice was deep and cold, devoid of any warmth: "I spend my days solving cases. If I don't even have this much memory, what kind of Prefect of the Capital would I be?"

Madam Xiao sneered, "You have a good memory, but is the Second Young Master blind? This vast Duke's mansion can tolerate a cousin who came from who-knows-where, but can't it tolerate the Second Young Master speaking the truth? Is it because the Second Master is born out of wedlock? Is it because the Second Branch has been away for many years and has no one to back them up in the capital?"

Seeing the two facing off, Xu Qianhui suddenly felt a pang of jealousy towards Qin Miaoyun.

It wasn't because she stole his marriage, nor because she was born into a wealthy family.

What she's jealous of is...

Qin Miaoyun has such a mother.

Even if things fall apart, her mother will stand in front of her to protect her, unwilling to let her suffer the slightest grievance.

She was truly jealous of these girls who were loved unconditionally.

What Xiao didn't know was that her words struck at Lin Zuo'an's deepest wound.

Lin Zuoan knew from a young age that the old lady disliked the second branch of the family. In the Duke's mansion, he had never truly stood up straight, nor had he ever gained the family's approval.

These wounds were laid bare by Xiao, as if tearing open his true intentions about why he had climbed up to the Grand Tutor's mansion.

He exhaled a long breath and bowed deeply to Madam Fu and Madam Xiao.

"Aunt, Madam Qin, I suddenly feel unwell, please excuse me."

After saying that, he turned around and strode across the threshold without even glancing at Qin Miaoyun.

Qin Miaoyun panicked.

"Second Young Master!"

Ignoring all decorum, she lifted her skirt and chased after him.

Watching her daughter chase after her, Mrs. Xiao sighed.

"Madam, although both children are gone, there are some things I must ask clearly."

She turned her head and scrutinized Xu Qianhui.

"I heard that Miss Xu fell into the water yesterday, and her blood stained half the pool. With such serious injuries, how are you still sitting here unharmed?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Madam Fu looked over suspiciously.

"Yes, where exactly are you hurt?"

Xu Qianhui leaned weakly against the back of the chair, meeting their gazes.

"Aunt, Ah Hui was menstruating yesterday and was hit by cold water, causing severe bleeding. She had to take two doses of medicine before she could barely get up."

"A woman suffering from severe bleeding can lose half her life." Madam Xiao looked Xu Qianhui up and down. "Although you look weak, who knows if you're faking it?"

Xu Qianhui pursed her lips and remained silent.

Seeing that she did not answer, Madam Xiao turned to look at Lin Zuoqing.

"Your Highness, you've investigated cases for many years and solved countless wrongful convictions. Is this really reasonable?"

Lin Zuoqing leaned back in his armchair, his slender fingers smoothing out the wrinkles on his robe.

"I'm not a doctor." He raised his eyelids, his eyes distant. "Why is Madam Qin asking me?"

Xiao was speechless and her face turned ashen.

She suddenly stood up: "Then let's find a doctor to examine me!"

"The doctor who came to see me yesterday was Dr. Wang from Huichuntang. My wife knew this as soon as she asked."

The Xiao family knew a great deal about Huichuntang's reputation; even their own grandfather said that Huichuntang was more skilled than the imperial physicians.

She looked at Lin Zuoqing, who nodded subconsciously.

Once she confirmed the matter, the anger in her eyes completely dissipated.

She smiled at Madam Fu: "Look at me, I've even gotten into an argument with a junior. Madam Duchess, we've been bothering you for quite some time this morning, please forgive us."

When Madam Fu heard that Madam Xiao meant to take her leave, she was eager for her to leave and didn't even bother with pleasantries.

"Madam Qin, you're being too polite." She looked at Liu Mama beside her and said, "Please see Madam Qin out properly."

After exchanging a few more polite words, Madam Xiao followed Granny Liu to find Qin Miaoyun.

Qin Miaoyun was caught comforting Lin Zuoan in the small garden, and could only reluctantly leave the Duke's mansion with Madam Xiao.

As soon as they boarded the carriage, Madam Xiao grabbed Qin Miaoyun, exclaiming with exasperation, "My foolish daughter, how could you not even realize you've been used as a pawn by Lin Zhiwei? The one connected to Xu Qianhui now is Minister Lin, not the Second Young Master!"

Qin Miaoyun was momentarily stunned: "Impossible. The one who was engaged to Xu Qianhui was the Second Young Master. What does he have to do with the Heir Apparent?"

"Silly child, didn't you see clearly just now? Who was the Second Young Master protecting? And who was Minister Lin protecting?"

"But the young master clearly dislikes Xu Qianhui. Before, in order to distance herself from her, the Duchess even held a flower show to explain."

"If they really had no connection, why did the Duke's mansion need to make an explanation? And why did Xu Qianhui jump into the river?"