"Since you claim you didn’t kill her, why is your knife stuck in her chest?!" Cao Tianbao hadn’t expected his nephew to be beaten to such a state, yet still remain stubborn. Temporarily, he withheld the whip in his hand and loudly questioned.
Cao Chenfeng lay in disgrace on the ground. His whole body was covered with lacerations, even his face had been struck by the whip, with the skin on his cheeks split open, exposing the fresh red flesh, and blood trickling from the wound, dripping down his chin.
Yet, at this mont, he neither dared to cry out in pain nor to wipe it away. He was well aware that at this point, if he continued to hide the truth, it would be unstoppable if his uncle’s anger burst forth, leaving him with no choice but to be beaten to death.
So he could only cast aside all previous luck and reservations, struggling to support himself as he shakily said, "Uncle, nephew was confused. Previously, I was passing by on a boat, and saw Zhuang Lanlan’s handkerchief fall into the water. I picked it up, she turned and gazed with such allure, I really couldn’t resist the temptation... thus... thus I secretly communicated with that Zhuang Lanlan, frequently eting her in private due to my lust for womanly charms."
"Originally, I thought to explain everything to the family after the martial exam, intending to marry her. If I could elevate her to the status of a formal wife, that would be ideal. If not, once the situation was set, even if she were to beco a concubine, she would still have to comply with ..."
Zhuang Zhi, who had been watching Cao Tianbao whip Cao Chenfeng with a cold eye, seed to feel an extraordinary sha and indignation upon hearing Cao Chenfeng speak of this. He let out an angry grunt, clenching his fists and turning his face away.
However, at this mont, others were not paying attention to his reaction, especially Cao Chenfeng, who didn’t consider whether he would anger Zhuang Zhi or not. He only wanted his uncle to believe his explanation: "Originally, I had promised Zhuang Lanlan to fight for her identity as a formal wife. Unexpectedly, at this critical juncture, my mother told that the family had arranged a marriage for ...
The other party’s family is prestigious, they fancy my talents, and greatly admire the cultivation and attention I’ve received from my uncle, as I am about to join the military exam and enter officialdom, they are willing to marry their legitimate daughter to ."
"Mother said if this marriage were to form, it would be a great leap for our family, instructing to prepare well for the martial exam, and not to cause any issue at this critical mont."
Cao Chenfeng, a bit guilty, quickly glanced at Cao Tianbao. He knew that what he had just said was sowhat disgraceful and would only make the entire Cao Family more awkward, but compared to murder suspicion, he couldn’t care less about those concerns anymore.
"At that ti, I knew that having Zhuang Lanlan as a formal wife was unlikely, so I sneaked to see her at night, intending to calm her down, to avoid any trouble occurring during this ti, and later discuss the matter of taking her as a concubine.
Unexpectedly... just as I was close to her, she suddenly told ... said she was pregnant...’
"In my panic, I hurried to leave. Zhuang Lanlan cried and begged to stay from behind, fearing her entanglent, I moved faster. My heart was in chaos, at a loss for what to do, only realizing when I returned ho that I had left my blade in her embroidery tower."
"I hadn’t figured out how to fix this yet, thinking of finding an opportunity in a few days to discuss with her what to do. However, I was tied up at ho for several days, unable to break away or find a chance to see her... and then I was brought to you!"
"Although I had thought the family of the arranged marriage would never allow elevating a concubine before the main wife entered, nor having an illegitimate child first, but... but what Zhuang Lanlan carries is my Cao Family’s flesh and blood...
I would never harm my flesh and blood, I would always find a way to settle her, and never wanted to kill her!"
At this mont, Cao Chenfeng had no thod, only thinking desperately to clarify that he had no intention of killing Zhuang Lanlan, disregarding how his plea could sound shaless in the ears of bystanders.
Duke Yan on the side let out a sharp snort, looking at Cao Chenfeng as if looking at filth on the ground, coldly stating, "It’s a waste of General Cao’s life of brilliance and strength, having a nephew like this who shas the Cao Family’s reputation; from now on when the outside speaks of the Cao Family, they’ll only rember his absurd actions outside!"
"Given the situation now, General Cao should calm down too, since we’ve reached this stage, leave the rest for Jingzhao Mansion to handle justly, to give that Boss Zhuang a fair resolution."
"Although the Cao Family has many sons and nephews, they ultimately are the sons of others, not sothing you need to involve yourself with. Today is your birthday, and it is after all unlucky in such a place, better to return early."
The words were quite straightforward, almost outright telling Cao Tianbao that if he was wise, he should see that his nephew couldn’t clear his na, and rather than let a ruined family disgrace further burden them, it would be better to sever ties quickly and allow Jingzhao Mansion to handle it.
Cao Chenfeng realized these words obviously ant he should take the bla for the murder, quickly crawling towards Cao Tianbao with a voice full of tears: "Uncle, I truly didn’t kill her, I can swear to the heavens, if I killed Zhuang Lanlan, let a thunderbolt strike dead right now!"
"Uncle, for things I didn’t do, I cannot confess! I beg you to stand for , don’t abandon , after all, I am the eldest grandson of our Cao Family..."
It might have been better if he hadn’t ntioned being the "eldest grandson," but upon saying so, Cao Tianbao’s face turned even grimr.
Thinking of having no sons of his own, and the family’s eldest grandson being such a lustful, irresponsible person, he felt the blood rushing to his head, and the whip in his hand raised again, raining blows on Cao Chenfeng.
"Constantly claiming you didn’t kill her! You were the last to see the Zhuang Family’s daughter! You left in a panic that night, and the boatman has confird it! Your blade was embedded in that girl’s body!"
With every sentence, Cao Tianbao lashed harshly at Cao Chenfeng’s back with the whip. Cao Chenfeng’s skin burst open under the blows, but he still clung stubbornly to a corner of Cao Tianbao’s robe, claiming he didn’t kill Zhuang Lanlan.
"You say you didn’t kill Zhuang Lanlan, ask if anyone believes you?!" Cao Tianbao kicked Cao Chenfeng away and looked around the room.
The others averted their gazes, not daring to et his eyes.
Cao Tianbao’s face grew even colder.
Duke Yan glanced at Cao Chenfeng with detestation, letting out a cold snort.
Just as Cao Tianbao was about to raise his whip again to strike Cao Chenfeng, a voice suddenly said, "I believe."
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