"Okay, I want to hear your explanation," Xiao Shilang interrupted the guard by his side who was about to grab Chun Lai and stared directly at her.
When Chun Lai blurted out that sentence just now, it was merely an unconscious attempt to defend herself. Now that Xiao Shilang actually gave her the chance, she didn’t know where to start... and couldn’t.
Under Xiao Shilang’s expectant gaze, Chun Lai lowered her head, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s, "Shilang... I’m sorry."
"Take her away!" Soon after, Xiao Ruizhi, with an expressionless face, glanced at Chun Lai and then proclaimed loudly, "Seal off the back mountain, let all the guards search the mountain."
A group of guards received the order and quickly dispersed.
With two guards restraining her, Chun Lai was led down the mountain by Xiao Ruizhi. Xiao Shilang stood there, transfixed, as the cool night breeze carried the faint scent of orchids. The shadows of the trees in front of him swayed in the wind, like wild beasts struggling to break free. The night seemed mysterious and distant, yet chilling to the core.
He stood, lost in thought, for an unknown length of time before finally turning back to the mansion.
Lights were brightly lit within the mansion, especially around the ancestral hall, where many people had already gathered. A servant had been waiting at the door, "Shilang, the fourth brother has asked for you to join the interrogation at the ancestral hall."
It was then that Xiao Shilang came back to his senses and shook his head, listless, "Let the elder brothers handle it. I’m going to see my mother."
The servant hesitated, "Shilang, with no one from the main house present, the Clan Leader would find it inappropriate to make decisions at will."
Xiao Shilang had one foot already over the threshold and paused before stepping back and walking towards the ancestral hall.
Ran Yan and Xiao Song had already received the news by the time Chun Lai was captured, and a servant had gone to invite Xiao Song to the ancestral hall.
At this moment, with the ancestral hall brightly lit, nearly every influential member of the Xiao Family had gathered, even the Ladies had rushed over. Each was dressed simply, with modest low buns, bare faces, and mourning attire of plain white with black patterns, lending an air of solemnity to the ancestral hall.
Everyone sat cross-legged on the temporarily arranged mats, with a large space left open in the middle where Chun Lai knelt, seemingly composed, though her lips trembled slightly.
The fourth Lady sat rigidly as usual, her demeanor as stern as ever. The sixth Lady looked somewhat lax, with her fingers tapping lightly against the side of her thigh, hidden in the wide sleeves. The solitary Lady gazed at Chun Lai with a cold expression that put pressure on everyone around her.
The Duke, accustomed to attending court, appeared indifferent even if the sky were falling. The other members of the Xiao Family were not inferior in composure compared to the Duke’s calmness.
Xiao Song, in his plain clothes, had a slightly softened look due to the less harsh lines of his face, his dark eyes sparkling. His hair was loosely tied into a bun at the top of his head. Were it not for his stern face and his aura that kept others at a distance, he might have seemed somewhat as gentle as jade.
The room was quiet, with a slight stir at the entrance. Ran Yan looked up and saw the plain-clothed Xiao Shilang slowly walking in, keeping his head down as he sat at the very last seat.
"Xuanzhi, come and sit over here," Xiao Jing said.
Xiao Shilang silently rose and walked with his head down to sit beside Xiao Jing.
"Chun Lai, with the family gathered here today, tell us where you went tonight. Who did you meet?" Xiao Jing looked at Chun Lai kneeling in the center, his tone cold.
After a brief silence, a slightly trembling Chun Lai spoke, "It was Xiao Shiyi. I have a secret affair with him."
Ran Yan was taken aback—Xiao Shiyi!
Xiao Shilang suddenly looked up, fixing his gaze on Chun Lai, his handsome lips pressed into a thin line.
"I have sinned! Please, Clan Leader, decide my fate!" Chun Lai lay prostrate on the ground, her voice already sobbing.
The room full of people exchanged looks. The original plan was to lure the snake out of its hole and expose an illicit affair, but whether Chun Lai’s confession was a blind eye method, or merely a coincidence, remained to be explored. Furthermore, Xiao Shiyi was indeed absent.
The Duke looked towards Xiao Song and said in a stern voice, "You question her."
Although the Duke didn’t have a high opinion of Xiao Song’s methods, he was in charge of the judiciary and had achievements to his name. In this regard, his abilities were indeed stronger than anyone else present. Regardless of personal feelings, during critical moments, the Duke wouldn’t sit on his dignity.
Xiao Song was somewhat frustrated, but after all, that was his own father—how could he publicly shame him? When it was time to endure, he endured. So be it. Xiao Song took a deep breath and ordered aloud, "Go see where Xiao Shiyi actually is."
The guard obeyed and left. Only then did Xiao Song turn to Chun Lai and said slowly, "Do you know that with the words you just said, most of the people here would believe you?"
Chun Lai remained prostrate, unresponsive, and Xiao Song continued, "Since you entered the Xiao Family as a slave, you have always been honest and proper. But even if all that was an act, the great Lady has just passed away, the main Lady was poisoned—would you really choose this perilous time to engage in an affair?"