Chapter 214: Chapter 214: She Tampered with It
When the incident reached the old lady, she thought something monumental had happened. After hearing the attendant explain the cause, the old lady was silent for a while before saying, "So that’s what happened. No wonder Miss Cheng felt so wronged and cried in her room. But today, people are coming and going, and a momentary oversight can easily lead to incidents; it’s unavoidable. Fortunately, Miss Cheng is unharmed, and the guests didn’t do it intentionally. As long as the matter doesn’t get spread around, everything will be fine."
It turns out Cheng Ru had just finished using the toilet and was tying her clothes when two big men barged in. Although they hadn’t seen her body, being caught inside the toilet as a young lady, and by two big men no less, was humiliating beyond words. How could she not feel ashamed enough to want to find a hole to crawl into?
"Si, you handle this matter. Make sure the information is sealed well. It can’t be allowed to spread on such a joyful day, which would have a bad impact."
No wonder the old lady was closest to her second grandson. She discussed everything with him, firmly believing that no matter what happened, he could resolve it well.
With the Pei Mansion’s reputation at stake, Pei Ji’an naturally had to agree to it. "Rest assured, Grandmother, I will absolutely settle the matter properly, ensuring neither the Tan Family nor Liu Family speak out to tarnish our Pei Family’s reputation."
Only then did the old lady retract her satisfied gaze.
The second wife’s voice was regretful as she spoke beside them, "It’s my weak health to blame. Otherwise, how could we let the younger generation help with household affairs? Now that such a thing has happened, I am also at fault."
The old lady comforted her, "They’ve already done very well. It’s just busy and chaotic, and some oversights are inevitable. You should go back and comfort Miss Cheng. It’s best if she doesn’t dwell on it too much."
Speaking of it, the old lady still had a good impression of Cheng Ru. She hadn’t noticed anything before; since she started helping manage the Pei Mansion, her capabilities began to show, comparable to the third young lady. She was indeed quite impressive, mainly because she was composed in her manner, which the old lady appreciated.
Meanwhile, in the second house courtyard.
"How can I show my face again in the future?" Cheng Ru lay on the bed, sobbing uncontrollably.
Being a betrothed young lady, encountering such an incident, how could she live if the news got out?
Mrs. Cheng comforted her, "Don’t worry, there were hardly any people who saw that day, and the old lady has already ordered the princely heir to handle it. Not a hint of rumor will leak to affect your reputation."
These words did not comfort Cheng Ru. Although she could trust Heir Pei’s capabilities, if it were another matter, it wouldn’t matter. But for such a thing to let Heir Pei handle—she might as well knock her head and die.
Moreover, even if the news can be prevented from spreading, how could they control the mouths in the mansion, and prevent them from privately discussing it?
The more she thought about it, the more Cheng Ru felt she couldn’t face people.
"If you really can’t bear the shame, we can leave tomorrow. Wait until the storm passes and then come back. What do you think?" Mrs. Cheng suggested.
Cheng Ru stopped her crying, her rationality gradually returning, and she gritted her teeth, "We cannot leave. If we do, it would be like admitting my innocence was tarnished, and we could never clarify it in this lifetime."
On the other side, with one move from the Heir Pei, it was unknown what means he used, but anyway Mr. Tan and Young Master Liu kept their mouths tightly shut and dared not say a word.
They were scoundrels and foolish, but even the most foolish scoundrel would have a moment of sense. If they spoke recklessly, causing disaster for the whole family, who would make such a bad bargain?
They hadn’t the capacity or courage to oppose the Pei Family.
Actually, the Tan and Liu families were also prominent in the Capital City, otherwise, they wouldn’t be associated with the Pei Mansion.
One could say that the Tan and Liu families could effortlessly crush an ordinary family with a flick of a finger, yet similarly, the Pei Family could crush them just as easily.
The Pei Family’s glory wasn’t empty boasts; they stood at the pinnacle among noble families, and who would dare provoke them lightly? Naturally, they would comply with whatever was required.
Qu Fulan wasn’t surprised at all upon knowing the results of the matter.
She hadn’t intended to make it widely known; after all, she didn’t hold a grudge against the Pei Family and certainly wouldn’t stir up trouble at a friend’s wedding.
Her ultimate goal was merely to make Cheng Ru taste what it felt like to be framed.
Cheng Ru had once plotted against her, teaming up with Mr. Tan and Young Master Liu. Now she had arranged a collision between Cheng Ru and the two young men.
To return tit for tat.
Importantly, even if the incident didn’t get spread around, staying in the mansion would be uncomfortable for Cheng Ru, even if it appeared everything was normal on the surface.
Even if Cheng Ru realized something was amiss and grew suspicious, she couldn’t provide any evidence.
Qu Fulan chose to make her move at the Pei Mansion’s wedding feast, precisely because the crowds made it convenient. Mr. Tan and Young Master Liu were there; otherwise, Qu Fulan wouldn’t know when such an opportune moment would come.
Opportunities once lost aren’t regained. As long as she controlled it well, she could punish Cheng Ru without escalating the situation.
Cheng Ru’s teacup was tampered with, but only that cup.
As for Mr. Tan and Young Master Liu, Qu Fulan saw the guest list and seating arrangement at Heir Pei’s beforehand, all predetermined, just like those large modern events with arranged seating.
This gave her a lot of room to maneuver.
Qu Fulan wasn’t wrong; Cheng Ru’s reaction was quick. Since Cheng Ru knew the tricks she’d pulled, she understood there couldn’t be such coincidences in the world: last time she plotted against Qu Fulan with Mr. Tan and Young Master Liu, and now she collided with Mr. Tan and Young Master Liu.
All she recalled was drinking a cup of tea and feeling uneasy afterward. Could it be the tea?
But now even if she searched, with guests visiting today, any cups and teapots would have been cleaned up swiftly, finding strong evidence was impossible.
Cheng Ru couldn’t comprehend how, if her tea had issues, could Qu Fulan tamper with it, but what about Mr. Tan and Young Master Liu?
Unless she had control over the entire Pei Mansion, making everyone cooperate.
Cheng Ru felt it was impossible, Qu Fulan didn’t have the power to control the whole Pei Mansion.
Unless Heir Pei was involved...
Cheng Ru promptly dismissed the thought. A person like Heir Pei wouldn’t cooperate with a woman to create such chaos, as a misstep could tarnish the Pei Mansion’s reputation. Heir Pei wouldn’t gamble on the Mansion’s reputation like that.
So thinking around in circles led her back to uncertainty; perhaps everything truly was just coincidence.
But then, it was too coincidental.
What Cheng Ru could think of, others naturally could too. Even the old lady felt some doubt and inevitably asked her grandson to investigate further. If someone deliberately caused it, they must be found and severely punished.