amaotonovel Chapter 166: The Night-Shining Pearl Was Found in the Carriage
Chapter 166: The Night-Shining Pearl Was Found in the Carriage
After hearing what the maid said, some people couldn't help but start to doubt.
Could it be that he stole the night pearl first, then deliberately bumped into it to get his clothes wet, and then put the night pearl back into the carriage under the pretext of changing clothes?
Some of the officials and their wives began to discuss quietly, "It seems that Miss Jiang doesn't look like someone who would steal things."
"Who knows? We can only judge a person by his appearance, but not by his heart. Maybe he got greedy after seeing the night pearl."
"That makes sense, but the maid has already said so. If you don't allow the search, then you are guilty."
Although the discussions were kept low, people around still heard them.
Mother Shen couldn't help but frown and said, "I think this servant's words may not be credible. Miss Jiang doesn't look like a thief. It's better not to speculate casually and tarnish her reputation."
Jiang Suining glanced at Shen's mother and smiled slightly, with a look of gratitude on his face.
Han Nian'an then spoke up again: "Miss Jiang, I am not just speculating. I suspect you, but this maid has said so. To prove your innocence, do you dare to let someone search your carriage?"
Qin frowned and looked at Han Nian'an with increasingly unfriendly eyes. She knew in her heart that if Han Nian'an really framed her, the night pearl was probably in the carriage.
Just as he was about to speak to stop him, he heard Jiang Suining say, "Why don't you dare?"
With a calm and frank smile on his face, Jiang Suining looked at Han Nian'an, "Since Aunt Han wants to search, then search. But if it is proven in the end that this maid lied, what will happen?"
"That means Miss Jiang is innocent." Han Nian'an said.
"I'm afraid this is not enough." Jiang Suining shook his head and smiled. "No matter how much Aunt Han despises my status, I am a guest of the Marquis' Mansion today after all, and you personally sent me a wedding invitation. We mobilized a large number of people to search the carriage, but in the end we found that it was a false accusation. If we just dismiss it with the word "innocent", it will probably not do any good to the reputation of the Marquis' Mansion if it gets out."
When the guests heard that it was Han Nian'an who came to deliver the invitation personally, they were a little surprised, but they didn't think much about it and their attention quickly returned to this matter.
"Then what do you want?" Han Nian'an looked at Jiang Suining.
"Of course, I have to find out why this maid wrongly accused me, find out the real reason why the Night Pearl was lost, and..." Jiang Suining looked directly into Han Nian'an's eyes and spoke word by word, "Apologize in public."
Han Ning'an frowned when he saw Jiang Suining's look.
Since Jiang Suining knew that the maid had deliberately framed her, she should have been able to guess that she just wanted to give her a reputation as a thief. How could she still be so calm?
Could it be that Jiang Suining had discovered his plan before he opened his mouth and quietly moved the Night Pearl?
No, not possible!
Han Nian'an shook his head in his heart.
He had already made arrangements. After Jiang Suining returned to the Marquis' Mansion from the carriage, he led the driver and quietly placed the night pearl inside. After Jiang Suining returned to the Marquis' Mansion, he never went out again. The night pearl must still be hidden in the carriage.
Suppressing the thoughts in his heart, Han Nian'an looked at Jiang Suining, "Okay, sure!"
"In that case, let's search it." Jiang Suining said with a smile.
Although he told himself in his heart that it was impossible, Han Nian'an was still nervous because of Jiang Suining's smile, and he wondered if something would really go wrong.
As everyone looked at Jiang Suining's expression, they were more inclined to believe that she did not steal any night pearls.
To show fairness, everyone went to the gate of the marquis's mansion and watched with their own eyes as people searched the carriage.
Jiang Suining's carriage was parked in a remote location on the west side of the mansion gate, where it was not easy to attract attention, and the coachman was not nearby. But naturally, no one cared about the coachman and they just waited for the results of the search.
However, the next moment, the searchers actually found a night pearl in the carriage.
Looking at the night-shining pearl presented by the servant, Han Nian'an was overjoyed, "Yes, this is my night-shining pearl!"
Jiang Suining was so calm that she thought the other party really knew about it in advance and had countermeasures. Now it seems that Jiang Suining was just being stupid and didn't even think of putting the night pearl in the carriage.
"Miss Jiang, what else do you have to say now!" Han Nian'an looked at Jiang Suining with a smug look in his eyes, "I didn't expect that it was you who stole it."
"Shut up, even if you find the Night Pearl, it may not be the truth." Chu Jingyue frowned, "Maybe someone stole the Night Pearl and framed you. I think you are very suspicious. Are you deliberately framing Sui Ning?"
"Princess Chu, now that we have both witnesses and physical evidence, why are you still making excuses for Miss Jiang?" Han Nian'an sneered in his heart, but frowned deliberately on his face, looking at everyone helplessly, "Everyone has seen that this night pearl was indeed searched out of Miss Jiang's carriage."
Didn't the Qin family value Jiang Suining? But now he has a reputation as a thief. Not to mention the Marquis' Mansion, even ordinary families may not want Jiang Suining anymore.
This was an idea she came up with after much thought. Through today's wedding banquet, she would completely ruin Jiang Suining's reputation, which would not only cut off her path to entering the Marquis' Mansion, but also cut off her path to marrying into other prominent families.
In this life, Jiang Suining can only be a merchant's daughter and be stepped on by her!
Although most people believed Jiang Suining just now, at this moment, many people's eyes on Jiang Suining have changed. Obviously, with both witnesses and evidence, they have begun to feel that this matter cannot be denied.
Mother Shen frowned, still feeling something was wrong.
Qin's face looked grim. Even if she believed Jiang Suining and wanted to explain for her, no one would believe her under the circumstances.
Chu Jingyue looked at Jiang Suining anxiously, "Suining, please explain!"
How come Sui Ning still doesn't look anxious at all? These officials' wives talk about people with sharp tongues. I'm afraid this matter will spread throughout the imperial city in less than a day.
"I really don't know why. This night pearl was not stolen by me." Jiang Suining said.
Han Nian'an sneered in his heart. It seemed that Jiang Suining was so frightened that he was unable to even explain.
"Ms. Jiang, it's hard to believe that you are crying out for injustice without any evidence. In fact, it's enough if you find the thing. As long as you admit your mistake to me now, this matter can be forgotten. Otherwise..."
Han Nian'an smiled complacently.
"If you continue to deny it, and the matter is reported to the government, such a large night-shining pearl is not cheap. When the government comes to punish you, I'm afraid you will be beaten with a stick!"
Even if Jiang Suining cried out that it was unfair, the matter was a done deal.
No matter how many things Jiang Suining had done before, after today, he would surely become infamous and a laughing stock in the entire imperial city.
"Miss Jiang, maybe you were really confused for a moment. Just apologize. If you report it to the authorities, it will be a big deal." Someone among the official's wives couldn't help but speak.
Many people shared the same thought and echoed the sentiment. After all, a girl's reputation was important, and if the matter were to be reported to the government office, it would be completely over.
Looking at the complacent Han Nian'an, Jiang Suining's expression remained unchanged, he just raised his eyebrows slightly.
"Aunt Han thinks I'm just talking nonsense, but I remembered a piece of evidence."
Jiang Suining turned slightly, bowed and spoke to Qin.
"Madam Qin, could you please have someone bring over the gift I brought today?"