The sound of cicadas, thick with heatwaves, surged into the Marquis's Mansion, yet all remained silent under the locust tree in the front courtyard. Jiang Wan sat poised on the bluestone steps, her fingertips tracing the gilded armor guards on her nails as her gaze swept over the servants kneeling below. On the blue bricks, still damp with morning dew, knelt both the cleaning woman who had spread rumors that day and the maids and manservants who had tipped her off during the crisis.
"Look up, all of you." Her voice was soft, yet it cut through the summer heat like shards of ice. The crowd lifted their heads, trembling, and met her clear, icy eyes.
Goodwife Zhang from the kitchen suddenly collapsed, a wet stain spreading across her trousers. "Eldest Miss, have mercy! It was Miss Rou—she threatened my son's life, and I had no choice but to..."
Chapter 78