chapter 3

The Betrayal at the Grand Tutor’s Mansion

“Long’er, how can you wrong me like this?” Ling’er immediately defended herself. “You aren’t favored by the Young Mistress. Naturally, she wouldn’t tell you when she was having secret trysts with that man! Furthermore, you claim I was instructed to frame her—then tell me, who instructed me? Where is the evidence?”

“You—” Long’er was never one for words; silenced by Ling’er’s sharp retort, she was left speechless.

“Enough, all of you shut up!” Zhao Song barked.

“Father, please calm yourself,” Zhao Keren stepped forward immediately, looking every bit the filial daughter. “Father, what should we do now? The matter seems quite clear. Now that Sister has done such a thing, how can she possibly marry the Heir?”

“With things in this state, she still dares to dream of marrying the Heir? That is nothing but a pipe dream!” Zhao Song was fuming with rage. “This lowly creature… to have such a prestigious marriage match and not know how to cherish it. To have a tryst with a man on the eve of her wedding! How did I father such a wicked daughter!”

“Father, now is not the time for this. The wedding date is approaching, yet Sister has committed such an unchaste act. If the Marquis of Zhongyi’s estate finds out, they will not let this rest. Furthermore, if word of this reaches the main branch of the family, you will be completely barred from the position of the next Head of House. Moreover, if a Censor catches wind of this and impeaches you for failing to manage your household, what will become of your career?” Zhao Keren analyzed the dire consequences.

Hearing Zhao Keren’s words, Zhao Song fell into a deep silence.

To Zhao Keran, her sister’s words felt like a bolt from the blue. Her closest sister had just sealed her guilt so decisively.

Yet, Zhao Keren didn’t give Zhao Keran so much as a glance. She continued, “The other young ladies in our mansion aren’t betrothed yet. If word of this spreads, will any of us be able to find a good marriage? And there is my younger brother—Father, he is your only son. If he cannot marry a daughter from a good family in the future, what then?”

Heaven knows that Zhao Keren usually didn’t care one bit for her concubine-born sisters or her half-brother, yet at this moment, she acted as if she were looking out for everyone’s best interests.

Seeing her like this, Zhao Song was moved. He hadn’t expected Keren to be so considerate of her siblings. By comparison, Zhao Keran—who had tarnished the reputation of the Grand Tutor’s Mansion—looked utterly repulsive.

Keren’s concerns were valid. Zhao Keran was the legitimate daughter; if this scandal broke, the other daughters would find it difficult to marry. Especially Keren—the daughter who had been perfect since childhood, the one destined to bring him a bright future. And then there was his only son. Furthermore, the main clan had yet to choose a new Head of House. If a scandal like this erupted now, his father would certainly never pass the leadership to him. After all, if a man cannot manage his own small household, how can he manage a great clan?

Thinking of this, Zhao Song hardened his heart and commanded, “Men! Beat that man to death with clubs. Then, take the body to Shuntian Prefecture and say a thief broke into the mansion today, attempted to harm someone when discovered, and was beaten to death by the guards.”

Once finished, he glanced at Zhao Keran and frowned. “Prepare the poison wine. The Eldest Miss has suffered a severe shock, triggering an old ailment, and has passed away suddenly from illness.”

“Father!” Zhao Keran looked at Zhao Song in disbelief. She could not believe that the cold-blooded man before her was her own biological father.

Very soon, the butler, Uncle Yu, entered carrying a tray with a flask of wine.

“Father! Father, please, no!” Zhao Keran wept piteously, but not a single person present was willing to plead for her life.

She scanned the room, then crawled desperately to Qin Xianghe’s feet. “Mother, Mother, I was framed today! I did nothing, I am innocent!”

Qin Xianghe didn’t even look at her. She simply shoved Zhao Keran away as if she were shaking off a piece of filth.

“Sister, Sister…” Zhao Keran looked toward Zhao Keren.

Zhao Keren acted as if she saw nothing, simply turning her face away.