The Noble Lady's Rebirth: She just wants to Rest in Peace!

Chapter 549 - 541: Collusion

Brother De, kneeling over there, disagreed and immediately raised his head to retort, "Grandmother, that old woman liked the Jade Pendant on my waist and asked about its material. I only spoke a few words with her, and it was just at that moment that Grandmother came over and witnessed it. Grandmother knows about this, so how can she frame me like this now?"

"Silence, always thinking of you with your grandmother and even now worrying about your marriage. How could you do such a thing behind our backs? Do you know you’re wrong? Quickly reveal the truth, and your uncle will forgive you once as long as you admit your mistake and repent." The Duke also scolded angrily from the side.

Brother De’s eyes turned red, "I know that in everyone’s eyes, I am looked down upon. So what? If I have done it, I will admit it without trying to argue here. But if I haven’t done it, even if you chop off my head, I won’t admit it. I was puzzled today about why Grandmother stopped me from going back when my sister got into trouble. I could have gone back earlier since the class with the tutor ended, but even if Grandmother insisted, I didn’t return, fearing being labeled as unfilial. Now I understand it was because there’s a crime prepared for me to take the blame."

"Silence, full of nonsense, why would your grandmother do such a thing? Can’t you think about who benefits the most from this affair?" The Duke retorted to Brother De.

However, upon pondering it, it often seemed like he was leading Gu Yifeng to think in that direction.

Such a misconception noticed only by a sharp person could indeed lead attention to Brother De. Previously, Gu Yifeng couldn’t tell who was lying, but at that moment, seeing the Duke’s intentions, he could guess with considerable certainty.

Hence, he did not rush to speak but just sat there quietly observing. For these years, the events happening around Sister Ning were always according to Sister Ning’s perspective, and he had never used heavy means.

When tallying things up, it was only Wu Xueqin’s side, where he requested a decree from the Holy Emperor to reinstate Wu Xueqin into the Wang Family, just waiting for Wang Wen’s return so Wu Xueqin could enter the mansion.

As for others who harmed Sister Ning, he hadn’t really done anything.

Perhaps because of this, those people felt they could casually make a move against Sister Ning in secret. Even dared to do things like child abduction right under his nose. Given their audacity, what reason does Gu Yifeng have for not taking harsh measures?

"These years, I must thank Grandfather and Grandmother for their care; Brother De does not dare to forget kindness." Brother De kowtowed three times, then raised his head again and said, "But I must blame Brother De for being unfilial. Even if I don’t know why Grandmother acted that way, I cannot take on such a blame for Grandmother."

After speaking, Brother De stood up, looking determinedly at Gu Yifeng, "Uncle, I did not do it, please clear my name, Uncle."

"Brother De." The Duke called out bitterly.

This child, how could he be so foolish?

The Duke knew it was his wife who did it, but if Brother De took the blame, considering they are of the same clan, the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion wouldn’t press too hard and certainly wouldn’t demand life.[/p]

After all, a child is missing, and the Dingyuan Marquis came in the middle of the night and left such harsh words; how could the Duke not be afraid?

But Brother De just couldn’t see the situation clearly. At this rate, bloodshed might really befall the Duke Mansion tonight.

Brother De, being called, did not move, nor look over, nor respond, instead meeting Gu Yifeng’s gaze directly, strong outwardly, but terrified inwardly.

He understood Grandfather’s intent. But knowing the child was missing and his Uncle’s methods, he could not admit he did it. Since Grandmother implicated him, he might as well push the blame onto her.

Had the Duke known the real situation was like this, he would have been enraged by Brother De’s unfeeling nature.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Gao looked at Brother De disappointedly, "Brother De, why did Grandmother do those things? Was it not for you and your sister to have a good life? Look at your current life, a mess. Seems I miscalculated greatly."

Even at this point, Mrs. Gao did not expose Brother De. She looked up at Gu Yifeng, "The Dingyuan Marquis is right, all of this was my design. I resented the Gu family for their indifference towards my daughter, so I’ve been waiting for this opportunity to strike. Today as the Dingyuan Marquis came to confront, I admit it and will not make excuses for myself. But this was my sole doing; no one else in the Duke Mansion knew about it. Always, debts must be settled; let my life repay the Dingyuan Marquis today."

After saying this, Mrs. Gao crashed herself against a pillar, with everyone seeing through her intent. The Duke didn’t reach out in time to stop her, and Gu Yifeng didn’t give Zhao Wu any signal, allowing her to hit the pillar and splatter blood on the scene.

The Duke gasped and rushed to the dying Mrs. Gao, "Why, why go to such lengths?"

"These are the debts owed by our children, and you’re letting me stand idly by. I can’t do that, so now it’s settled; I’ve paid with my life. Whether they live or die henceforth, it’s not a mother’s neglect." Mrs. Gao said, but to Mrs. Kong.

With her voice getting fainter, she passed away like that.

The Duke held her tightly in his arms, "Is the Dingyuan Marquis satisfied with this explanation now?"

"Of course not, but she’s gone now, so there’s no way to question further." Gu Yifeng stood up, "When they decided to steal the child, they should have expected this outcome. Now that the Duke questions me as if I am the one at fault."

Gu Yifeng cast a mocking gaze, eyes settling on the stunned Brother De, then walked out with a declaration, "Take Brother De with you."

Brother De was shocked, "I didn’t do it, I did nothing wrong."

The Duke, already in sorrow for his wife’s death, wouldn’t bother with the heartless Brother De. Zhao Wu had the guards take Brother De away. It was only a little over an hour, and the head wife of the Duke Mansion was gone.

Even at night, the news spread out quickly.

Suddenly, there were many sleepless households, like that of Prince Xian. He wanted to enter the palace to see the emperor, but it was too late as the palace gates were closed, leaving him awake all night till sunrise, then heading straight to the Imperial Palace.