Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 555 - 552: Capital Punishment_1

Chapter 555: Chapter 552: Capital Punishment_1

Qiu Huan trembled all over, shrinking back without daring to make a sound, until she heard Nanny Wang bow and comply. Only then did she hastily look up at Nanny Wang for help.

Seeing Qiu Huan’s demeanor, Nanny Wang knew that Qiu Huan must have stolen Chun Tao’s jade pendant and earrings while taking her undergarments.

Nanny Wang’s heart sank to the bottom. She was the nanny most trusted by Madam Dong and the most respected nanny in the Dong Mansion. She never imagined her niece would be so short-sighted and audacious to commit such a deed, making her feel utterly ashamed.

Nanny Wang hoped Qiu Huan could understand deep down that as long as Chun Tao’s reputation was preserved, her life could be spared. Otherwise, she would never be able to stay in the Dong Mansion again.

Just as Nanny Wang left, Bai Qingyan asked Qiu Huan, "Luo Fugui said... on the twentieth of August, you arranged for him to meet Chun Tao. Is that true?"

Qiu Huan, not entirely foolish, realized that her aunt had not responded earlier because they would find Chun Tao’s items in her room. If she continued to falsely accuse Chun Tao with Luo Fugui, she would no longer be able to stay in the Dong Mansion and might even be sold off.

But if she admitted to stealing Chun Tao’s undergarments to frame her and also to being dishonest, she still wouldn’t be able to stay in the Dong Mansion. The final outcome might still be selling her off.

Qiu Huan clenched her fist tightly, her gaze falling on Chun Tao’s meticulously embroidered and well-made shoes in front of her. Resentment surged in her heart. Since the result would be the same, why should she exonerate Chun Tao?

If she had to suffer, they could all suffer together!

Qiu Huan kowtowed to Bai Qingyan, "Exactly! That day, I went to apologize to Chun Tao, but she said if I helped her arrange a meeting with Aunt Luo’s brother, she would speak well of me to the Princess of Zhen and let me serve her again!"

"You’re lying!" Chun Tao’s eyes turned red with anger, "You came to find me at Lord Dong’s study entrance, saying Nanny Wang was looking for me. At that time, Xia Yu and Dongmei were also there. You sent them away and knelt down, begging me to speak well of you to our young lady... so you could serve her again!"

As soon as Chun Tao finished speaking, Qiu Huan heavily knocked her head towards Madam Dong and Bai Qingyan, speaking without responding to Chun Tao, "Moreover, the Princess of Zhen ordered my aunt to search Chun Tao’s items in my room. I am truly wronged. Although I am a servant, my aunt is Madam Dong’s nanny. She has seen all sorts of good things and would never be so short-sighted as to steal from a maid like Chun Tao. I beg the Princess of Zhen to see this clearly."

Seeing Qiu Huan speak so righteously, Mrs. Cui’s heart tightened. She had placed Qiu Huan to serve Bai Qingyan, but she turned out to be such a heartless person, even daring to falsely accuse Bai Qingyan’s personal maid.

Chun Tao, after all, was the youngest and most beloved daughter of Bai Qingyan’s mother, Mrs. Dong’s nanny. After Mrs. Dong’s nanny passed away when Chun Tao was four, Mrs. Dong brought Chun Tao to Bai Qingyan’s side, growing up with her. Even if she weren’t engaged, Mrs. Dong or Bai Qingyan would certainly marry her into a good family. How could Chun Tao possibly be interested in someone like Luo Fugui?

Moreover, Chun Tao’s cousin Chen Qingsheng was not unknown. Mrs. Dong had mentioned him before, saying Bai Qingyan highly valued Chen Qingsheng, with a promising and limitless future. How could Chun Tao possibly forsake such a fiancé for someone like Luo Fugui? Was Luo Fugui younger, more handsome, or more talented than Chen Qingsheng? It was laughable to even think about it.

Soon, Nanny Wang returned with the earrings and jade pendant found in Qiu Huan’s room, trembling with rage.

Chun Tao, seeing that the items indeed belonged to her, felt a sense of relief and thanked Nanny Wang as she received the jade pendant.

Seeing her aunt bringing the incriminating evidence and leaving her no way out, Qiu Huan grew even more resentful. Tears welled up in her eyes.

Qiu Huan swiftly knelt a few steps forward and kowtowed, "I never took these things! Chun Tao must have done it! When she went back to her room to check her belongings, she surely placed them in my room to frame me! If I had truly stolen something, I wouldn’t have left it in my room; I would have exchanged it for silver long ago!"

"You’re talking nonsense!" Chun Tao, never having met someone so shameless, clenched the jade pendant given by Chen Qingsheng, her hands trembling with anger. She turned to Bai Qingyan and said, "Miss, when I went back earlier, so many people followed me... how could I possibly plant things in Qiu Huan’s room!"

Bai Qingyan, sitting beside Madam Dong, spoke up, "The matter is clear now. Qiu Huan conspired with Luo Fugui to falsely accuse Chun Tao. One likely wanted to marry the Princess of Zhen’s personal maid, and the other thought she could take Chun Tao’s place!"

Luo Fugui quickly kowtowed, "I am not lying. I beg the Princess to uphold justice for me!"

"Uphold justice for you? What do you think you are... deserving of my justice?" Bai Qingyan picked up Chun Tao’s undergarments, her tone indifferent, "A maid who grew up with me like a sister, and you dared to steal her undergarments for your despicable intentions? I am here today merely to defend Chun Tao! Otherwise, you would have been beaten to death with no need for me to waste my time!"

Upon hearing Bai Qingyan’s words, Chun Tao couldn’t hold back her tears.

Qiu Huan’s body trembled as she looked up at Bai Qingyan, whose expression was cold. Even though her reputation as a personal maid was tarnished by Luo Fugui, the Princess of Zhen would still protect Chun Tao?

Bai Qingyan stood up and bowed to Madam Dong, Dong Qingyue, and Mrs. Cui, "Today’s matter involved my personal maid. If my handling was inappropriate, I ask for your understanding, grandmother, uncle, and aunt."

Dong Qingyue nodded, "You are a princess. Not only should you handle them, but it is also perfectly appropriate to deal with Changmao as well!"

At these words, Dong Changmao turned pale and quickly knelt down, cupping his hands, "Let... the Princess of Zhen handle it as she sees fit!"

"Chun Tao, stand up!" Bai Qingyan handed the undergarments to Chun Tao, "Take these out and burn them!"

Chun Tao was a bit surprised, but she obediently took the undergarments and left to burn them.

Those undergarments had been touched by something so filthy, Chun Tao didn’t want them anymore.

Luo Fugui’s eyes widened, "This... this can’t be burned!"

"This has nothing to do with Changmao. It is not his fault. Luo Fugui, in order to ingratiate himself with the Princess of Zhen’s personal maid, took someone else’s undergarments to falsely accuse Chun Tao, tarnishing my reputation. I am very angry. Tarnishing the Princess’s reputation is a capital crime, but considering the second young master of the Dong Mansion, I will spare Luo Fugui’s life."