After entering the book, the cold prince begs for favor

Chapter 429 A clever series of schemes

"Mother is right!"

Lu Yuxiu, grasping at a straw, hurriedly chimed in, "Jianming is the most chivalrous of women; he always has the best temper and never forces anyone. There must be something wrong with this."

Lu Yuxiu nodded repeatedly: "That's right, this matter is not Jianming's fault at all."

Zhou Fang frowned, looking at Yuan Wanru and then at Old Madam Lu. She didn't understand why Yuan Wanru would give the other side something to talk about when the situation was clearly very favorable.

Madam Lu said with great certainty, "That's right, Jianming is a good boy and wouldn't do such a thing."

Yuan Wanru remained calm and chuckled softly.

The laughter was crisp and melodious, yet it sent a chill down Zhou Jianming's spine, as if he were hearing a death knell: "Truly, they are blood relatives."

"Since the old lady has decided that Cousin Zhou is a virtuous gentleman..."

"How about we make a bet? We'll bet on whether Zhou Jianming is a good person or not."

Old Madam Lu narrowed her eyes: "How do we bet?"

Yuan Wanru's voice was clear and resonant, each word firm and unwavering: "Leaving aside today's events—if I can produce conclusive evidence by dusk tomorrow proving that Zhou Jianming is an utterly wicked and deserving-to-be-cut-a-thousand-cuts-of-tears beast, then I win."

"Conversely, if the evidence is insufficient, then I lose."

"If you win the bet—"

Yuan Wanru's fingertips lightly traced the teacup on the table, the celadon reflecting her slender white knuckles. "We won't hold Zhou Jianming responsible for Liang Yuhua's death."

She looked up at Lu Jiangnian, a meaningful smile playing on her lips. "My husband will go and apologize to the Emperor himself."

This unexpected turn of events delighted Lu Yuxiu.

She rushed to the old lady's side, her nails digging deep into the old lady's sleeve: "Mother! Please say yes!"

Her voice was shrill with excitement, "Jianming is saved!"

Old Madam Lu narrowed her old eyes and carefully examined Yuan Wanru.

Yuan Shi is always as cunning as a fox, would he really be so kind?

What if I lose?

Yuan Wanru said calmly, "You should pack your things and go back to your hometown. Never set foot in the capital again in this lifetime."

"It is clearly written in black and white, and witnessed by everyone present. If you violate this agreement, I have the right to take all your property for myself."

"Mother! What are you still hesitating for?"

Lu Yuxiu stamped her feet anxiously, "Jianming has been well-behaved and sensible since he was little, what incriminating evidence could he possibly have in her hands?"

She tugged at the old lady's sleeve, her voice shrill and sharp, "You must agree to her! Are you really going to just stand by and watch Jianming be sent to the authorities?"

Zhou Jianming scrambled to his feet, his hand, crushed and bleeding, but he ignored the pain, looking up at his grandmother and pleading, "Grandmother! I'm innocent! Look at me, Grandmother, save me!"

Madam Lu frowned, her gaze shifting back and forth between Yuan Wanru and Lu Jiangnian—the couple, one with her head down drinking tea, the other casually eating snacks, seemed completely unconcerned about her choice.

"Unforgivable crimes?"

Zhou Fang suddenly interjected, feigning surprise, "This crime is no light one, sir. Does it have to be something as serious as treason, murder, or adultery to be considered utterly heinous?"

She glanced meaningfully at Zhou Jianming, "Jianming has only been in the capital for a few days, how could he commit such a heinous crime? Wanru, are you being soft-hearted?"

Wang Min advised with concern, "Since the old lady is unwilling, let's just forget about the bet."

"We don't know how the Emperor will handle this. If he takes his anger out on Jiang Nian, then things will be terrible."

"No matter what, this matter was caused by Zhou Jianming, and he should bear the full responsibility."

"fart!"

Lu Yuxiu interrupted sharply, "Sister-in-law, you are so heartless. Mother just said that Aunt Liang committed suicide because she couldn't bear being neglected by Jiang Nian."

"Don't blame my son for this."

"My Jianming is the most well-mannered and knowledgeable man; he wouldn't even step on an ant!"

She turned to the old lady, her voice suddenly breaking into a sob, "Mother! Can you bear to watch your own grandson die?"

"Okay, this noise is giving me a headache!"

The old lady suddenly roared, staring intently at Yuan Wanru: "Yuan, what exactly are you planning?"

Yuan Wanru chuckled lightly: "I didn't have any ulterior motives. Just now you were all so sure that Zhou Jianming was so kind and tried your best to clear yourselves of any responsibility, so I kindly gave you a chance."

"Now it seems that what you said before wasn't the truth at all."

A meaningful smile curved her red lips. "Is the old lady afraid? So, you actually know in your heart that your dear grandson is no good person at all, and deserves to die."

Madam Lu was enraged by her attitude: "Fine! I'll take the bet, but I'll add one more condition—if you lose, you not only have to let Jianming go, but you also have to return all the money you extorted from me before!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Wanru smiled with particular delight: "Then forget it."

“My bet is Zhou Jianming’s life, your bet is to retire in Beijing. That’s fair.”

"You want to raise the stakes? I'm not playing along. I'm not stupid."

Lu Yuxiu hurriedly said, "Mother, look, she's scared, she's scared!"

Zhou Jianming excitedly shouted, "Grandmother, she can't possibly have any evidence. I haven't left the house in the past few days in Beijing, and I haven't done anything wrong at all."

"Mother, please agree quickly."

"Grandmother, please agree."

The mother and son bombarded her with questions, and the old lady, already confused, blurted out, "Stop shaking me, I promised, okay?"

Lu Jiangnian subtly squeezed Yuan Wanru's fingertips, his thin lips moving slightly as he silently uttered, "Little fox."

Today's elaborate scheme, from provoking the old lady to forcing her into the trap, was all part of this woman's calculations.

Why are they so cunning?

Yuan Wanru winked at him, then turned and ordered, "Bring me paper and pen."

"Second Uncle is a man of good writing, and the Old Madam trusts him the most. I'll trouble you to write this agreement."

Lu Bai didn't know what expression to wear. This day had been full of ups and downs, and he was simply overwhelmed.

Write it clearly!

The old lady suddenly shouted sternly, "It must be murder committed with one's own hands, or treason! Anything else, like bullying men and women, or seizing land, doesn't count!"

She glanced triumphantly at Yuan Wanru, her usually ashen face now displaying a rare smile of confidence.

The Zhou family is far away in Jiangnan. Even if Yuan Wanru had wings, she would never be able to obtain such incriminating evidence tomorrow!

She's going to win.

Before the ink on the document was even dry, Lu Yuxiu impatiently grabbed the old lady's hand and pressed a bright red handprint onto the paper.

The ink spread out, resembling congealed blood.

"alright!"

Lu Yuxiu breathed a sigh of relief, a smile of relief spreading across her face. "Jianming's alright now!"

She glanced triumphantly at Yuan Wanru, only to see the other carefully folding the document and putting it into a hidden pocket in her sleeve—the movement was as gentle as if she were handling some rare treasure.

A hint of relief flashed in Yuan Wanru's eyes.

This old woman is finally leaving the capital. A storm is brewing, and leaving such a fool in the Lu family will only become a fatal weakness.

People in the hall had already gotten up in twos and threes, preparing to leave.

"Please wait a moment."

Yuan Wanru's clear and crisp voice suddenly rang out, and Zhou Jianming's heart skipped a beat. What was this woman going to do next?

The old lady said impatiently, "It's so late, can't we talk about this tomorrow?"

Yuan Wanru said with a charming smile, "Let's finish today's business today. Everyone, just wait another quarter of an hour and let me finish what I have to say."

She said to Quartz, "Take the things out and let everyone see them."