Chapter 536 - 535: A Share of the Blame

Chapter 536: Chapter 535: A Share of the Blame

Aunt Li was both angry and anxious.

Taking advantage of Aunt Li’s inattention, Ruozhu ran outside like the wind. Aunt Li hurried to catch up, but couldn’t outmatch the nimble little girl, and watched as she left the house and turned towards Yunqi’s house.

Aunt Li wrung her hands and quickly followed.

The courtyard gate at Yunqi’s house was open. Mrs. Duan was helping Jin Ling walk around the courtyard, mother and daughter chatting with smiles on their faces.

Jin Ling’s belly was swollen, with about two months to go before giving birth. During these days, she already felt the heavy burden of her belly, with even her legs somewhat swollen.

Seeing Ruozhu rush in, Jin Ling looked at her in surprise and said, "Aren’t you on duty today?"

Ruozhu, panting, said, "I was thrown out of the house by Madam. Madam said, if I want to know about Big Sister’s matters, I have to ask Sister-in-law."

Jin Ling widened her eyes: "Threw out of the house?"

Just as Ruozhu was about to speak, Aunt Li chased her in, dragging Ruozhu to leave: "Come back with me! Yun Qi’s wife, don’t pay attention to this wretched girl!"

"I’m not going back. Madam already said, let Sister-in-law speak honestly with us, why shouldn’t I listen?" Ruozhu struggled.

Aunt Li, sturdy in build and strong in arm, had no trouble dragging Ruozhu. But after all, it was her own daughter, she couldn’t bear to be rough, and Ruozhu struggled fiercely, almost slipping out of her grasp.

Seeing the fierce mother-daughter quarrel, Mrs. Duan whispered to Jin Ling.

Jin Ling took a deep breath and said, "What did Madam tell you?"

Ruozhu, knowing that Jin Ling didn’t believe her, recounted the cold words that Jin Rui had instructed her with, "Miss Jin Rui said it, Madam wants the pattern of flourishing prosperity."

"Come in," Jin Ling turned and walked inside.

Originally, she tricked the truth out of Zizhu and used the "pattern of flourishing prosperity" to deceive them into entering the house. That Ruozhu could bring this up showed she had been instructed.

Aunt Li hesitated for a moment, losing her grip, allowing Ruozhu to break free.

Jin Ling sat down by the bed. Seeing Ruozhu and Aunt Li follow her, she said calmly, "Do you really want to know?"

Ruozhu nodded repeatedly.

Aunt Li’s face showed hesitation. Zizhu’s death was her heart’s burden, how could she not want to know the truth?

Last time, she couldn’t get the truth from Jin Ling’s mouth and gave up. She didn’t expect Ruozhu’s commotion to escalate to this point.

At this stage, Aunt Li mustered the courage to wait for Jin Ling to speak.

"Zizhu jumped into the well herself," Jin Ling spoke, yet saw Ruozhu’s completely unbelieving expression. She sneered, "Don’t believe me? Three years ago during Qingming, a Cangzhu died at Shaohui Garden, do you know about it?"

Ruozhu replied, "I know, they said he accidentally fell into the well and died."

"Accidentally?" Jin Ling sighed, "She was pushed by Zizhu."

"Nonsense!" Ruozhu exclaimed.

The sharp voice startled the boy who was napping, who was just about to cry.

Jin Ling quickly comforted him, making Mrs. Duan take the boy out.

"Do you think that golden bracelet came from nowhere? It was tucked in Mr. Si’s clothes, stolen by Zizhu while packing." Jin Ling stared closely at Ruozhu and said, "You took the bracelet out, drawing attention, rumors spreading in the alley, saying Zizhu climbed into bed. Cangzhu heard these rumors and wanted to extort some silver.

The rumors could only spread in the alley. If they really reached the house, would Zizhu have any way out?

She had no silver to give to Cangzhu and didn’t dare to let Cangzhu shout everywhere, so she pushed Cangzhu into the well.

Think it over yourself: wasn’t it after that Qingming that Zizhu was eager to leave the house to get married? Wasn’t her spirit off since then?

Before she got married, I visited her at the Li Family. I told her, as long as she told the truth, Madam would spare her life.

Madam didn’t go back on her word. No one knew about Zizhu killing Cangzhu, except a few close to Madam.

But Zizhu couldn’t get past her guilt. Killing someone isn’t something one can forget by just wanting to.

The last time I saw her before she died, she told me all the involved people were gone: Cangzhu was dead, Lady An was dead, Madam was dead, even Mr. Si was gone, so it was her turn.

She was crushed by her own guilt.

Do you understand now?

Do you want to spread the cause of Zizhu’s death around?"

Ruozhu stumbled a few steps, her big eyes filled with tears. She shook her head, blankly saying, "I don’t believe it, I don’t believe Big Sister killed someone!"

"I’ve explained everything, whether you can accept it or not, that’s your issue," Jin Ling no longer paid attention to Ruozhu and looked up at Aunt Li, "Take Ruozhu back. What to do next, well, she’s confused, but you are not, right?"

Aunt Li shivered. She, of course, understood.

Deep down, she didn’t want to accept that Zizhu killed someone, but Jin Ling’s detailed account didn’t seem like a lie.

Recalling Zizhu’s situation during those days, Aunt Li somewhat believed it now.

Murder demands a life. Zizhu harmed Cangzhu and died herself, leaving no room for complaints.

To spread it out would mean acknowledging a murderous daughter, bringing shame upon the family. People would point fingers. She was of age, being scolded wasn’t a problem, but there was still Ruozhu and her son.

Ruozhu would certainly have her engagement canceled, and her son would have no prospects for marriage.

Moreover, Cangzhu’s family, upon knowing the truth, would be infuriated and come causing trouble even if Zizhu was dead.

Thinking of all this, Aunt Li resolutely decided not to reveal a word of these truths.

"Yun Qi’s wife, I understand the seriousness of the matter," Aunt Li chuckled awkwardly and tried to persuade Ruozhu, "You quickly come back with me, stop being unreasonable."

Ruozhu’s body swayed, her gaze vacant: "Did Big Sister really harm someone?"

"Yes," Jin Ling replied.

"I..." Ruozhu’s tears fell as she squatted on the ground, hugging her knees, "I don’t believe it, I won’t listen, why tell me such things, Big Sister is already dead, why still..."

Jin Ling sneered: "It wasn’t me who wanted to tell you; you insisted on finding out. Your mother tried stopping you, preventing you from pursuing it, but you preferred to arrange your engagement just to enter the house, today upsetting Madam, and still came asking for the truth.

Remember, none of us wanted you to know; it was your own curiosity.

Zizhu was at fault. She stole the bracelet; she harmed someone, but she never shirked responsibility. She always knew what she did wrong, hence was crushed by guilt.

And you?

Don’t forget, it was you who secretly took out the golden bracelet to flaunt against Ying’er, leading to subsequent events.

To be fair, you share blame for Zizhu’s death; don’t push the fault onto others."