As soon as the words fell, someone immediately stepped forward to detain the man. But Xue Mang was extremely strong. With just a few struggles, he flung off those who came to arrest him. He looked at Song Ruotang and said, "Your seductive skills are truly remarkable. You've bewitched people so thoroughly. I know all your tricks."
Song Ruotang suddenly froze. Her originally calm face instantly turned serious, and a chill emanated from her. She stared at Xue Mang, making the latter can't help but feel a sense of fear.
Song Ruotang had premeditated her approach to Pei Zhiyan at Qingshan Temple back then. She didn't originally plan to go there. It was after she learned that Pei Zhiyan was there that she changed her destination to ask for a talisman.
On that day, when she was almost defiled by the sweeper monk, she had the ability to resist. She had a hairpin and a dagger she always carried with her. This was a habit she developed from her tough life in the manor.
Later, when she returned home and was beaten brutally by the Song family, Song Wanying searched her and found these weapons. That's why they beat her even more severely.
Could it be that Song Wanying had discovered something from this?
If she really knew about her premeditation and told Pei Zhiyan, all her efforts over such a long time might end up in vain...
Song Ruotang raised her eyes and looked at Xue Mang. A flash of killing intent passed through her eyes. This man must die.
Xue Mang took two steps closer to her, still holding her intimate clothing in his hand. He sighed and said, "Don't blame me for coming here. It's just that you haven't replied to my letters these days. I was worried about you and afraid that something might have happened to you, so I came."
As soon as he said this, the young servant guarding the back door looked at Song Ruotang differently. No wonder they always saw some trinkets liked by women at the back door. It turned out they were all sent by this man.
With both witness and evidence, the servants in the mansion were convinced by Xue Mang's words and began to suspect Song Ruotang.
But Song Ruotang walked directly in front of Xue Mang. In the blink of an eye, crystal tears rolled down her face. "Back then in the Song family manor, I gave you all my silver just to beg you to spare my life. Why are you still trying to frame me now?"
Her whole body was trembling, like a small flower about to wither in the cold wind. "I know you like my elder sister, and that's why you dislike me. But my elder sister is about to get married. Even if you ruin my relationship with my husband, you won't be able to get a single glance from my sister. Why do you have to..."
"Shut up!" Xue Mang suddenly roared. He reached out and grabbed her neck, tightening his grip as if he wanted to strangle Song Ruotang to death.
Song Ruotang grabbed his wrist with both hands. Her face turned bright red, but she still said, "My elder sister is just using you..."
Xue Mang clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. "If you dare to say another bad word about her, I'll surely..."
He slowly tightened his hand. Song Ruotang felt that she couldn't breathe out or inhale the air in her chest. Her eyes were a bit dazed. Looking at Xue Mang's face, she was taking a gamble. She was gambling that Song Wanying wouldn't let Xue Mang kill her. After all, what she wanted to see was not her being killed by Xue Mang, but being killed by her husband's family.
The servants around surrounded Xue Mang, but because he was holding Song Ruotang, no one dared to act rashly. Xiao Xi roared angrily, "If you dare to hurt our mistress, our master won't let you go!"
Xue Mang's expression flickered slightly. Xiao Xi's words reminded him. Song Ruotang was married to a friend of the Minister of the Supreme Court. If this involved Song Wanying, it would be a great loss.
Moreover, the task Song Wanying gave him was just to pretend to be the man having an affair with Song Ruotang.
Just as he was about to let go, a figure flashed by. Song Ruotang only felt a sudden dizziness, and then she fell into a warm embrace. Xue Mang in front of her was kicked far away and hit the flower stand not far away.
Pei Zhiyan's concern was clearly shown in his eyes. His eyebrows were tightly furrowed. He looked down at Song Ruotang in his arms and said anxiously, "Ruotang, are you okay?"
Song Ruotang had been suffocated for too long and couldn't speak at all. Her face was a bit purple. The sudden release made her take a deep breath, and now she couldn't stop coughing.
Song Ruotang's eyes were red from holding her breath. Tears welled up in her eyes and couldn't stop flowing. Cold sweat broke out on her forehead, and the fine hair stuck to her face, looking pitifully beautiful.
Pei Zhiyan felt extremely heartache when he saw her like this. He hugged her tightly in his arms. When he looked at Xue Mang not far away again, killing intent surged in his eyes.
This man really wanted to kill Song Ruotang.
"Who sent you here?" Pei Zhiyan's voice was like ice. A strong chill swept over.
Xue Mang naturally wouldn't betray Song Wanying. He just held the light pink undergarment in his hand and said, "No one instructed me. I'm an old acquaintance of Song Ruotang. I came to find her today."
Pei Zhiyan looked at the undergarment. He recognized it. Song Ruotang was wearing this undergarment by the hot spring pool back then. Because it was wet, the clothes were clearly visible.
But why was it in this man's hand?
Xue Mang looked at Pei Zhiyan's silent expression and smiled. "She, Song Ruotang, is not a woman who abides by the rules of a chaste woman. Don't be deceived by her appearance!"
Song Ruotang tightened her grip on Pei Zhiyan's sleeve and shook her head slightly. There was still tears in her eyes. She said in a voice as soft as a mosquito, "Your servant didn't... Master, believe me..."
Pei Zhiyan reached out and gently patted her back to comfort her. "I believe you."
He didn't respond to Xue Mang's words. He just signaled the servants beside him with his eyes to tie up Xue Mang. "Take him to the Supreme Court."
Pei Zhiyan carried Song Ruotang back to their courtyard. Nanny Wang had already gone to invite the doctor. Pei Zhiyan wanted to put Song Ruotang back on the couch, but she kept holding tightly to his robe and wouldn't let go.
"Ruotang, it's okay. I will surely clear your name and seek justice for you." Pei Zhiyan comforted her softly.
But Song Ruotang just buried her head in his arms. With teary eyes, she asked, "Master, do you believe in your servant's feelings for you?"
Pei Zhiyan paused for a moment. Song Ruotang's heart tightened nervously. She was observing his emotional changes to see if Pei Zhiyan would suspect her.
"Silly girl." Pei Zhiyan tapped the tip of her nose. "Just don't doubt my feelings for you."
He knew that Song Ruotang was worried that he would believe Xue Mang's words and suspect that she had other intentions. But he had eyes to see for himself and a mind to think for himself.
Pei Zhiyan clearly knew that Song Ruotang wouldn't do such a thing. Even if Song Ruotang abandoned him, she couldn't have an affair with a man like Xue Mang.
He no longer cared how much Song Ruotang liked him. Because he understood that even if Song Ruotang didn't like him, he had already fallen in love with her.
When Song Ruotang saw Pei Zhiyan's expression, she knew that he would surely side with her.
When she heard his words, her heart tightened slightly. That flutter of excitement was rampantly surging through her limbs and bones.
When Nanny Wang brought the doctor, the doctor examined Song Ruotang, prescribed a prescription, and treated her injuries. Only then did Pei Zhiyan have time to deal with Xue Mang.