Shen Miao thought that fifty taels of silver would be a huge sum in the eyes of ordinary people, and that Shizhu and the old man would surely agree.
However, to her surprise, the old man suddenly shouted angrily, "Bah! Who wants your filthy silver! Who cares about such a paltry amount! You think you can buy me off? No way! Don't think that just because you have a bit of money, you can do whatever you like!"
"Well said! Rich people are so disgusting!"
"Having money doesn't give you the right to insult people like this!"
The onlookers outside all cheered. After all, they were just here for the show. Since they were hidden in the crowd, they weren't afraid of retaliation from the Shen Mansion.
Encouraged by the onlookers, the old man grew bolder. Pointing at Mrs. Shen, he scolded, "You're an elder, but you bully a young girl! You talk so nicely, saying you're thinking about her, but in reality! I think you can't wait to ruin this girl's reputation! I've lived for so many years, and I've never seen someone as vicious as you!"
The old man felt great as he scolded, but Mrs. Shen's face darkened.
Her intentions were exposed by the old man in front of so many people. Furious, she stared fiercely at the old man.
Shen Li noticed Mrs. Shen's look. Although she was grateful to the old man for standing up for her at this moment, she still advised, "Uncle, I'm really grateful that you're willing to speak up for me at this time. But my situation is special now. It's better for you to protect yourself!"
"Hey? Girl, I know you mean well, but I consider myself an honest person and I'm not afraid of those with ill intentions! Today, no matter what, I'll stand up and say a fair word for you!"
Ignoring Shen Li's advice, the old man raised his voice and said to the people outside, "Today, this is originally their family matter, and it's not appropriate for us outsiders to interfere. But now that I'm standing here, I have something to say!"
"You've all seen that these three girls came to my place to pick up three pots of peonies. But unexpectedly, a group of people suddenly rushed in. Without saying a word, they just said that this girl was having a tryst with someone! I felt sorry for this girl, so I stood up for her. I have no other motives!"
"I just hope that everyone won't be misled by some people's one - sided words and wrongly accuse this young girl!"
The onlookers looked at the furious Mrs. Shen and then at the calm Shen Li standing in the yard. They began to have doubts.
These onlookers were all nearby villagers who had come after hearing the commotion. They didn't know what had happened at the beginning. Now, after hearing what the old man said, they found it even more suspicious.
"Enough! You've rambled on so much. You just don't want us to search the yard, right? This is clearly a sign of a guilty conscience! The person must be hiding in the back yard now! Men! Search it for me!"
Seeing more and more skeptical looks from the people around, Mrs. Shen made a decision immediately and gave orders to the servants and maids behind her.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing? Are you going to break in by force?" Shizhu saw several servants running towards the back yard and quickly stepped forward to stop them. "If you keep this up, I'll call the authorities!"
But unfortunately, there were only two of them and they couldn't stop the servants. They could only watch helplessly as the servants walked menacingly towards the back yard.
Just as the group reached the back yard, they saw a man in snow - white clothes standing there.
Shizhu stepped forward and said apologetically, "Sir! These people were going to break in by force. I couldn't stop them!"
This man in white was Mu Ruchu. Hearing this, he just waved his hand. "It's okay! Since they're here, I'll go and meet them!"
After saying that, he lifted his feet and walked out!
Shizhu quickly followed, filled with apologies.
His master liked quietness and didn't like to be disturbed or deal with people. He had just tried not to bother his master, but in the end, he still caused trouble for him.
The servants followed Mu Ruchu as he walked out.
Everyone in the front yard was waiting with their own thoughts. Unexpectedly, a handsome young man in white walked out from the back and said, "Are you looking for me?"
Mrs. Shen and Shen Miao exchanged a look, and they both saw confusion in each other's eyes. Where did this man come from? Why did he come out from the back? Where was the person they had arranged?
Shen Li was shocked. She didn't expect to meet Mu Ruchu, the miracle doctor who had saved her, here again after a month.
This wasn't a good time for a reunion. Shen Li gave him a faint smile from afar.
Mu Ruchu also nodded slightly.
Mrs. Shen's eyes flashed when she saw Mu Ruchu. She knew that there was no turning back now. No matter who this man was, he had to be Shen Li's "lover" now!
After making up her mind, Mrs. Shen signaled to Nanny Zheng beside her. Nanny Zheng immediately understood and pointed at Mu Ruchu, nodding affirmatively. "It's this man!"
"Are you sure, Nanny, that the person who was with this young lady just now was me?" Mu Ruchu raised the corner of his mouth and asked Nanny Zheng.
Although Nanny Zheng didn't understand what Mu Ruchu was up to, she still nodded. "I saw it clearly just now. It was you who were being all touchy - feely with our eldest miss. When you saw me open the door, you ran to the back yard!"
Mrs. Shen quickly said, "Nanny Zheng has already identified him. This matter is settled! Li'er, what else do you have to say? Doing such a thing, you've really shamed our Shen family. How can I explain this to your parents?"
After saying that, she covered her face and cried.
Seeing this, Shen Miao couldn't hold back her tears. She walked weakly to Mrs. Shen's side and supported her. "Mother! It's not sister's fault. It's all mine! If I had taken better care of sister on a daily basis, I would have noticed something wrong with her earlier. Then I could have stopped sister from making this mistake!"
The mother - daughter pair hugged each other and cried sadly. They both looked like weak victims, taking all the blame on themselves.
Shen Li snorted disdainfully. She finally couldn't bear to watch their poor acting any longer. "Just based on Nanny Zheng's words, Aunt, you've concluded that I was having a tryst with this gentleman. Isn't that a bit too hasty?"
"Moreover, we can't blindly believe Nanny Zheng. Maybe she was just instructed by someone!"
Shen Li looked coldly at Nanny Zheng.
Nanny Zheng took a step back nervously and stood behind Mrs. Shen and Shen Miao.
"Li'er, what do you mean by that? Do you think I told Nanny Zheng to do this? I swear on my conscience, Li'er, how could you think of me like this?"
Mrs. Shen looked at Shen Li in disbelief.
"We all know what really happened. Aunt, there's no need for you to be so hypocritical!"