Chapter 34 All hope is lost
Jiang Yingying covered her chest, her face pale and pitiful, and complained to Zheng Chengyan: "Second Master, there are many acupuncture methods in the world that are similar. How can you conclude that it was Ying'er who did it just based on this?"
Su Wanyu turned her gaze to Siqi who was waiting on the side. The latter understood and strode towards Qingyue. Regardless of her struggle, she pulled her into the rain.
Qingyue was so frightened that she trembled and dared not make any sound.
Jiang Yingying was eager to stop him: "Second Young Madam, what do you mean?"
Siqi quickly held Qingyue down and took off her shoes, then walked to Taoxing's window and compared the soles of her shoes with the footprints left on the windowsill.
After confirming that everything was correct, she announced loudly: "Second Young Master, Second Young Madam, look here."
Su Wanyu and Zheng Chengyan walked forward together, and saw a clear footprint left by the peach and apricot window sill, which perfectly matched the pattern on Qingyue's sole.
Su Wanyu chuckled: "It seems that the person who put the woman's belt into Taoxing's room last night must be Qingyue."
Qingyue looked up in surprise. She clearly remembered that she had tried her best to wipe off the footprints last night, so why were there still traces left?
It turns out that all this was thanks to Siqi's cleverness.
In the early morning, she vaguely heard someone sneaking into Tao Xing's room, so she took advantage of the sky before dawn and before the first ray of sunlight to cleverly tamper with the footprints that had not been completely removed, making it impossible for outsiders to tell the authenticity at first glance.
In this way, the evidence is conclusive, and even the most careless bystander can clearly see that the instigator of today's ridiculous farce is Jiang Yingying, who seems gentle and lovely on weekdays.
However, Zheng Chengyan did not show any intention of holding Jiang Yingying accountable. He seemed to have instantly suppressed all his anger towards Tao Xing.
"Forget it, it's just a misunderstanding after all. It's just a woman's belt, why make a fuss about it? Come on, release Aunt Tao and let her go back to her room to rest."
These words were spoken in a casual and relaxed manner, as if completely ignoring the humiliation and injustice that Tao Xing had just endured.
Tao Xing was shocked. She stepped on the muddy ground, and each step seemed particularly heavy. She staggered to Zheng Chengyan, her knees weakened, and she fell to the ground. "Second Young Master, you have to make the decision for me! It was Jiang Yingying who framed me and made me suffer an unjust accusation!"
Tears flowed down her pale cheeks like pearls from a broken string. "If I don't punish her severely, who will trust my Xing'er's reputation?"
Facing Tao Xing's pleading, Zheng Chengyan's eyes were filled with indifference: "It's all just a misunderstanding, there's no need to dwell on it."
How could Tao Xing let it go easily after suffering such a great humiliation?
She ignored Zheng Chengyan's dissuasion, and almost staggered towards Jiang Yingying, her voice trembling with anger: "Madam Jiang, everyone says that you are gentle and virtuous, but who would have thought that you are so cruel and want to kill me!"
The rain grew heavier, as if it too was crying out for the injustice.
Su Wanyu, who was standing by, felt something was wrong and quickly reminded, "Aunt Tao, the rain is too heavy. Go back to your room quickly to avoid catching a cold!"
But Tao Xing pretended not to hear anything. She stretched out her hands and rushed towards Jiang Yingying excitedly, vowing to get an explanation.
At this critical moment, Zheng Chengyan flashed and kicked Tao Xing fiercely with such force that it made people terrified.
The kick hit Tao Xing right in the abdomen. She screamed in pain and fell heavily to the ground. Blood gushed out of her mouth, staining the surrounding mud red.
The crowd was in chaos, shouting and asking questions, and they all surrounded Tao Xing who had fallen to the ground, "Auntie Tao!"
Zheng Chengyan's eyes never left Jiang Yingying. He strode forward and gently helped her up. "Ying'er, are you okay?"
The servant nearby quickly opened an oil-paper umbrella for them, trying to block out the cold raindrops.
Jiang Yingying chuckled, her eyes glancing at the peaches and apricots on the ground. She pretended to cover her abdomen and let out a few soft moans, then her body went limp.
"Second Master... I'm fine..."
Zheng Chengyan didn't allow her to explain, he just picked her up and let the rain soak his clothes, then walked into the house with big strides, completely ignoring the miserable sight of Tao Xing behind him.
Tao Xing struggled to get up, her eyes following Zheng Chengyan's back as he walked away holding Jiang Yingying. Blood foam gushed out of her mouth again, and every breath was accompanied by severe pain.
The man she had loved with all her heart not only condoned the defamation of her reputation, but also kicked her severely.
Her heart seemed to be cut by a sharp blade, despair and pain intertwined, and she was completely hopeless.
"Someone come quickly, call a doctor!" Su Wanyu shouted anxiously, trying to save the situation that was about to collapse.
Tao Xing completely ignored her own injuries. She used up her last bit of strength, covered her chest, and crawled towards Jiang Yingying's door with a distorted face, calling out continuously: "Second Master! Second Master..."
At this moment, no one could tell whether she was suffering from physical pain or mental trauma.
Witnessing this scene, Su Wanyu's heart was filled with complex emotions. Tao Xing's experience reminded her of her past. It was also a rainy night, and she was also trying to protect Jiang Yingying, and she also suffered that ruthless kick.
The difference is that Tao Xing's love for Zheng Chengyan is sincere and deep, but she herself is left with only resentment in her heart, unwilling to have spent so many years of her youth only to be met with indifference and cruelty from the other party.
All this seems so ironic. They torture themselves for a heartless man and reap what they sow.
The rain continued to fall mercilessly, and the bloodstains on the ground were gradually washed away.
The maids worked together to carry Tao Xing into the house and changed her into clean clothes. The doctor hurried over but was led to Jiang Yingying's room by Qingyue.
Yunyi wanted to find another famous doctor, but Taoxing weakly stopped her.
Tao Xing, who was lying on the bed, had a look of exhaustion and despair in her eyes, her lips were pale, and her voice was weak: "Yun Yi, forget it, my injury is nothing."
Although Yunyi was not close to Taoxing, she did not want to see Jiang Yingying's smug look, so she said firmly: "How can that be? We must invite a doctor."
As soon as she finished speaking, she ordered the servant to quickly call the most famous doctor in the city.
Seeing that everything was arranged, Su Wanyu was about to leave, but was stopped by Tao Xing's weak voice.
Tao Xing endured the severe pain, barely got off the bed, staggered towards Su Wanyu, and finally knelt in front of her, her voice choked with sobs: "Second Young Madam..."
Su Wanyu paused and said in a cold tone: "Aunt Tao, Aunt Jiang is fine now, you should go to bed early."
Tao Xing burst into tears and kowtowed heavily: "Second Young Madam... Today's matter... is all thanks to you..."
Su Wanyu felt a little uncomfortable with this sudden gratitude and said bluntly: "You don't have to thank me. I didn't do this to help you."