58 Schemes Within Schemes 2 (2/2)

General Wei turned his head to Hongyue, his eyes raging. Didn't he order that the eldest miss wasn't to attend tonight's event? This brat dare ruin his banquet!

”Good! How bold! Do you have anything to say?”He coldly asked Hongyue.

Hongyue looked up as if hesitating, ”This daughter does. The story the second madam told appears to be backward. She was the one who stole the hair stick from me, not me.”

Underneath the second madam's tears, a cruel smile emerged. Hmph. Who would believe that her, a highly regarded concubine, would steal from a child? This was her win.

Hongyue smiled as well. A smile that was even crueler than the second madam as she twisted up a plot.

”This daughter had a hair stick given from mother. The color seemed to be a match for father's taste so knowing that tonight's father's special night, I brought it for you. How...How would I know the second madam would...would steal it andin return accuse me of stealing it!” As the eldest miss spoke, her voice choked with tears.

Concubine Ruolan stiffened. What?

The general frowned, he leaned forward and gestured for Hongyue to calm down.

”Oh, is that so?”He skeptically asked.

Hongyue looked up, ”Of course, this daughter knew father would be unhappy after fourth madam's death, so this daughter prepared a gift for you to see you laugh.”

Concubine Ruolan paled as she listened and immediately shrieked, ”Husband! This girl is lying!”

Hongyue skillfully injected, ”Second Madam, how am I lying? Why don't you show the hair stick?”

Concubine Ruolan panicked. The reason why she was bold enough to carry out her acting was that she knew general hated petty disturbances. If Hongyue indeed did steal a hair stick from her and threw a tantrum, then the general would ultimately be on her side, even if the general knew she was lying mainly because of three points.

1) The other madams didn't know that she didn't own the Dragon's Glory. However, her lies were within reason, so they believed her. Both the ladies and the general weren't fully aware of the truth so if he heard the other madams speak out on her behalf, would the general dare drag this on? If he dared, he would offend the other officials. After all, it was their wives the general chose not to listen to. It was like slapping their faces indirectly.

2) The general wouldn't risk losing his face for just going out on the limb to believe in Hongyue. In front of all these guests, would he truly dare to punish a favored concubine over a good-for-nothing daughter?

3) Even if General Wei knew she didn't own the Dragon's Glory, Concubine Ruolan was sure if she claims it to be hers, the general would side with her even if he knew it was a lie. After all, why would he keep something so precious in the hands of a 'normal'? However, this was her last card of insurance.

This whole time, Concubine Ruolan made sure not to mention the hair stick's name, simply referred to it as a hair stick. If she were to show it, then the general would see the Dragon's Glory. Although she had believed he would side with her, now it was different since the eldest miss said she was going to give the hair stick to the general.

This sentence changed everything.

The general was a greedy person, so the one who was going to be punished tonight was going to be her. Concubine Ruolan refused to take out the hair stick. As long as the general doesn't see it, he'll believe it was an ordinary hair stick that had been stolen. She bit her lips and stumbled back and sobbed even louder, ”Lord husband, she speaks nonsense.”

Hearing Concubine Ruolan's increasing sobs, Hongyue also increased her wails. Hmph. You want to get out of this by crying? Then I'll cry even louder than you. Do you think you'll win in a crying contest when I'm not even crying real tears?

Hongyue smirked.