Chapter 32 - Beaten to Death (2/2)

Xiangyue Pavilion was not far from the house of Duke Shi. It only took the carriage two quarters to reach there.

Shi Qingxue got off the carriage and kindly invited Mo Junyang to have a break in the house.

She was just being polite, but did not expect that Mo Junyang really smiled and nodded, “That’s fine! I haven’t visited Princess Royal for a long time, and it’s time to greet.”

“What?” Shi Qingxue was surprised, stupidly watching Mo Junyang stepping out of the carriage.

He raised his eyebrows at her, taunting, “What? Is your invitation just out of politeness?”

Of course it was!

“Of course… It was not!” Shi Qingxue said hesitantly, her cheeks blushing.

Obviously she could be very calm when facing other people, but Mo Junyang could always make her shy with one sentence.

It was weird.

Fortunately, Xia Mang just ran out at this time and saw her as if she had seen a savior, “Sixth Lady, thank God that you are back!”

“What’s wrong?” Shi Qingxue rushed forward.

Xia Mang showed anxiety on her face, and dragged Qingxue into the room, while speaking quickly, “Dong Shuang was caught by Princess Royal and is now being inquired in the lobby. Princess Royal said that if she refused to hand things over, she would beat her to death.”

Shi Qingxue was astonished, and the shyness a moment ago suddenly disappeared.

She held Xia Mang’s arm back and stopped her, and asked calmly, “What things? What is going on? You explain it to me clearly first.”

Xia Mang was almost crying, “It was Chun Yu’s turn to clean your study room today, but as soon as she pushed the door open, she found Dong Shuang hiding in the study room alone and secretly looking for something. Chun Yu called for help, and Third Madam took the managing Mammy to catch up Dong Shuang.

Dong Shuang said she was just seeking things for you, but no one believed her at all. And later, when Chun Yu counted the things in the study room again, they found that there was something missing, so they told Princess Royal the whole matter.”

Shi Qingxue was also anxious this time. Dong Shuang was her servant. Although her personality was naughty, she was absolutely loyal to her. It was impossible for her to take her things without her permission.

Besides, Dong Shuang would appear in her study room because of her order, making it even more impossible for her to steal.

But if there weren’t quite conclusive evidence, Mo Shujun would never bother to mind such a trivial matter. Since Mo Shujun had issued ruthless words, it must be determined that Dong Shuang had stolen things.

Shi Qingxue couldn’t care about other things any more, and hurriedly told Xia Mang to care for Mo Junyang and ran to the lobby herself.

Mo Junyang grabbed her first and said softly, “I’m going with you.”

“Okay.” Shi Qingxue didn’t think more about it. She nodded and went to the lobby with Mo Junyang.

In the lobby, Mo Shujun was sitting straight up in the main seat. Those from First Master’s Family and from Third Master’s Family stood separately into two rows aside, while Dong Shuang was kneeling on the ground suppressed by others. The ancilla stood aside holding the stick and was prepared to subject her to torture any time.

Shi Qingxue took a deep breath and suppressed the impatience in her heart. Then she slowly stepped into the lobby and asked clearly, “What’s going on here?”

Dong Shuang turned her head around and saw Shi Qingxue, crying with joy, “Sixth Lady, please save me.”

Shi Qingxue glanced at Dong Shuang slightly, as if she hadn’t heard her asking for help, and kept her steps towards Mo Shujun, asking softly, “Grandma, who is making you angry now?”

Mo Shujun snorted, leaving Qingxue aside without looking at her.

However, Zhou Ruyu took the opportunity and immediately said disdainfully, “Qingxue, what is the servant you raise doing? If our family will take the blame and suffer the punishment, how will you explain it?”

“Explain what? Auntie, are you saying that I have made a mistake and affected our whole family?” Shi Qingxue’s expression became gloom immediately.

As if it really had happened, she knelt on the footrest, half-embraced Mo Shujun’s knee, tearfully admitting her mistake, “If I really have done something wrong, please punish me, Grandma. Don’t ignore me!”

Mo Shujun was the senior who loved Qingxue the most, and how could she endure such a plea. Even if Shi Qingxue really made a mistake, she would let go of it, not to mention that this matter had nothing to do with Qingxue!

Mo Shujun gave Zhou Ruyu an angry look, and reprimanded coldly, “Qingxue has just returned from the outside. She did not know anything at all, and did nothing wrong. Why are you anger at her?”

Zhou Ruyu’s momentum suddenly weakened, and she stuttered, “I am just in a hurry. If the Emperor knows this matter, our family can’t get away from it!”

“Even so, that has nothing to do with Qingxue. Is it reasonable for you to scold her?” Mo Shujun glared angrily at her, and her arrogance suddenly disappeared, and she could only apologize to Shi Qingxue obsequiously.

But the doubt on Shi Qingxue’s face was more obvious, and her small hand gently shook Mo Shujun’s sleeve, asking, “Grandma, what’s the matter? Just tell me!”

“Your greedy servant stole the rewards that the Emperor gave you a few days ago and was caught up, but she refused to admit it. We found the jade ruyi and emerald, but there were still a few other small things not found yet…”

Mo Shujun said slowly, and explained what Xia Mang had told her in details.

In the end, she gave Dong Hui a mad glance, and reprimanded, “I think that you seem to be smart and make you manage those chores in the family. But what are these matters under your management?”

This was blaming the hostess who managed the chores for this mistake!

Later, Mo Shujun also issued to the ultimatum, “Hit her until she is willing to admit. If the whereabouts of those things are still unknown today, don’t you wish to get away from this?”

The executioner’s guardian was afraid and did not dare to protect Dong Shuang. He lifted the thick wooden stick and was going to hit Dong Shuang.

Shi Qingxue’s small hand in the sleeve of her dress was clenched tightly, but Zhou Ruyu was staring at her with a stern sight. If she stopped him, she would be victimized by her tricky scheme.

What should she do at this moment?

Did she really have to watch Dong Shuang being beaten to death and do nothing?