Fang Xiuqi, being rather unobservant, felt that Madam Huang's words were slightly inappropriate, but he dismissed it as a minor issue. Moreover, since she had apologized, Wang Qingyao's aloof demeanor seemed rather spoiled and disrespectful to an elder.
Old Madam Wang felt the same. Seeing Wang Qingyao's petty behavior embarrassed her. Suppressing her anger, she advised, "Second girl, the Duke's wife has apologized to you. As a junior, you cannot be so unforgiving when you are in the right."
Wang Qingyao desperately wanted to say to Old Madam Wang, "Can you just not speak?"
She glanced at Xiao Yun. Xiao Yun walked from the Old Imperial Consort's side to hers and stared at Madam Huang, "Does Madam think an apology is enough?"
Tsk tsk, Fang Xiuqi thought, how had he never noticed this great-nephew's potential for infatuation before?
Old Madam Wang was pleased at this moment. Her second daughter was truly capable! In just a few days, she had managed to make the Prince of Ding'an so protective that he dared to confront his uncle and aunt!
Madam Huang's face turned ashen. She had never expected that Wang Qingyao, having sustained only minor injuries, would lead to the Prince of Ding'an's manor pursuing responsibility from her! She was, after all, the wife of the Duke of Zhongyong's heir, and Xiao Yun's paternal aunt!
Fang Xiuqi, doting on his young wife, called out Xiao Yun's name with displeasure, "A'yun!" His tone carried a hint of reproach.
Fang Zheng suddenly interjected, "Mother, perhaps you should first explain why you assumed that Xiu Hu attacking someone must have been Second Miss Wang?"
Madam Huang froze, turning to look at Fang Zheng. Her stepson, who had always shown her respect, was now gazing at her with a cold, unfriendly expression.
Her heart gave a jolt. After a moment, she regained her composure and explained, "Only Second Miss Wang was injured, so I assumed it was her..."
"Mother is always thorough in her actions," Fang Zheng interrupted blandly. "The maid reported that the cat attacked someone. Under normal circumstances, we would assume it attacked everyone. Does a mad cat selectively bite people?"
Madam Zuo added a sharp retort, "Yes, that's what I thought at the time."
Fang Zheng continued, "Even if only Second Miss Wang was injured, it could have been that she couldn't dodge in time, and the others were lucky, or their wounds were not obvious. Why did you assume, without even asking, that the cat only attacked her? Isn't that very strange? Moreover, you said those words..."
A faint smile touched Fang Zheng's lips. "With your methods of handling affairs, Mother, how could you utter such an indirect accusation? If Xiu Hu had truly attacked Second Miss Wang today, she couldn't have borne the weight of your words..."
Cold sweat beaded on Madam Huang's forehead.
Why did they all seem to know her intentions, dissecting this matter for her?
For a moment, she felt that Fang Zheng must know something.
She opened her mouth, struggling to explain, "I misspoke..."
Although Fang Xiuqi found the situation strange, Madam Huang's usual character was evident. He didn't suspect her of any ill intentions. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, right?
He shot Fang Zheng a displeased glance. What was this boy thinking, being so aggressive and siding with outsiders?
"Second Miss Wang, what exactly do you want?" Fang Xiuqi asked patiently, for the Old Imperial Consort's sake.
Fang Zheng said, "Father, don't rush." He raised his voice, "Guards, bring Liu Xiang for interrogation!"
Madam Huang's face grew paler, her breathing becoming labored, almost suffocating.
Where had she slipped up?
By now, she was almost certain. Fang Zheng knew! That's why Zuo Yun had been staying at the Zuo residence all this time! That's why Granny Yu had bled to death on the street!
The interrogation Fang Zheng spoke of wasn't a simple questioning. It meant having Liu Xiang taken to the private prison, where a series of methods would be employed before the masters would question her.
He had no patience for playing word games with a servant. Speak the truth, or die!
Liu Xiang had never experienced such a situation. Within the time it takes to steep a cup of tea, she confessed everything. When she was brought to the flower hall, she was intact, with no visible injuries. However, her face was pale, and before anyone could ask, she sobbed, "The Duke's wife ordered me to make sure Second Miss Wang held Xiu Hu... She had already trained Xiu Hu earlier... Xiu Hu attacks anyone who smells of that fragrance..."
Madam Huang's legs gave out, and she collapsed onto the chair.
Fang Xiuqi looked bewildered. "What fragrance?"
Xiao Yun took out the gold bracelet with intricate dragon and phoenix carvings from his waist and threw it in front of Liu Xiang. Liu Xiang said, "It's this fragrance. The bracelet hides the fragrance."
Fang Xiuqi frowned. "Isn't this bracelet Madam's?"
Xiao Yun replied, "Madam specially gifted it to Second Miss Wang."
He deliberately emphasized the word "specially." Even Fang Xiuqi, slow-witted as he was, understood everything.
Madam Huang had orchestrated the attack by Xiu Hu on Wang Qingyao. But why? She had no prior enmity with Wang Qingyao and had only met her for the first time today!
Fang Xiuqi looked at Madam Huang, confused. "Madam, why did you do this?"
Everyone in the flower hall turned to look at Madam Huang. Old Madam Wang, as Wang Qingyao's grandmother, now saw the situation clearly. She lamented with feigned heartache, "Duke's wife, my second girl has always been well-behaved. Why did you inflict such a cruel blow? What if that beast had scratched her face today, how would she face people in the future?"
Wang Qingyao: "..."
Madam Zuo also said, "Second Miss Wang diagnosed Yun'er's pregnancy. She is the lucky star of your Duke of Zhongyong's manor! Why did you do this?"
Madam Huang's lips trembled. Her mind raced, desperately trying to come up with a plausible explanation...
Just then, the door opened from the outside, and Fang Yuan ran in.
"Daddy, I know why," she said, glaring at Madam Huang indignantly. "Mother always advised me to forgive Xuan... Young Master Xuan, but Yao Yao jie advised me to leave him. Mother must have held a grudge because of this!"
Madam Huang looked at Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan's attitude stung her. Following Fang Yuan's lead, she raised her head and admitted, "That's right, it was because of this. Second Miss Wang, an unmarried girl, and not even part of our Fang family, why should she interfere in Sister Yuan'er's affairs? Sister Yuan'er has always listened to me, but now she defies my wishes for a future sister-in-law. I hate her!"
"You..." Fang Xiuqi looked at Madam Huang in disbelief. "When did you become so narrow-minded and vindictive? I know you dote on Xuan Ming, but after what he did, neither my father nor I would agree to Yuan'er marrying him."
Madam Huang lowered her head and remained silent.
Fang Xiuqi sighed heavily and walked up to Wang Qingyao. He bowed ninety degrees and apologized, "I am sorry, Second Miss Wang. This matter is our Fang family's fault. Whatever you want, just say it, and I will do my best to compensate you."
Wang Qingyao could not accept his bow. She quickly moved aside and returned a bow, "This matter has nothing to do with the Duke. The Duke need not offer me any compensation."
Fang Zheng did not expose Madam Huang. The Duke and Madam Huang had been in love for many years, their affection deep. It would take more than a day to see her true face, so he couldn't be too hasty.
He chose to fall out with Madam Huang today because Zuo Yun could not stay at the Zuo residence indefinitely. She would eventually return to the Duke of Zhongyong's manor. With today's events, he could legitimately guard against Madam Huang.