Part of the letter I had sent to my parents also instructed them to tell a maid to bring two harmful substances because someone would try framing me.
Thankfully, they listened. Now I had escaped Bai Ming's scheme, turning it back on her like a bomb.
The maid calmly walked back to my bundles like nothing had happened. She bent down and pretended to fix the rope, then quietly reached inside and removed the dagger Bai Ming had hidden there. No one noticed her at all.
Not Bai Ming.
Not Fu Jia.
Not even the guards.
Once the dagger was gone, the maid returned to stand behind my parents with a calm expression, as if nothing had happened.
I smiled to myself.
Everything was now under control.
I turned back toward my in-laws just as the Head Guard stepped forward.
"We will begin the inspection now," he said firmly. "Once we finish, we move out."
His men immediately started checking everyone's belongings. They opened crates, untied bundles, and looked through each item carefully.
The Fu family became tense.
Some looked nervous.
Some looked irritated.
And Bai Ming… She relaxed and smiled proudly.
She truly believed her plan would succeed.
I simply folded my hands and watched quietly.
The real show was only just beginning.
Just then, Bai Ming slowly stepped forward with a worried look on her face.
"Sir… Head Guard," she said softly, pretending to be nervous. "I–I don't like to speak badly about family… but I think you should be careful when checking Su Long's bundles."
The Head Guard paused and looked at her.
"And why is that?" he asked.
Bai Ming lowered her eyes like a shy maiden. "I don't know but… umm… First Sister-in-law has hated the Fu family for years now. Who knows if she would have ill intentions against them after they caused her exile?"
As she said those words, I looked at her and shook my head in utter disgust. Was she really that stupid? Even when she knew she had placed a dagger in my bundle, she still wanted to make it obvious she had something to do with it.
Sigh.
Before Bai Ming could finish speaking, a sharp voice cut across the courtyard.
"That's enough!"
It was Madame Su.
Her face was cold and stern as she stepped forward.
"How dare you speak such nonsense about my daughter?" she snapped. "Who gave you the right to accuse her of something so serious?"
Immediately, my brothers and father joined in.
"What rubbish are you saying?!"
"Watch your mouth!"
"Do you think everyone is as scheming as you?!"
Their voices echoed loudly, shocking the Fu family. Bai Ming froze for a second, but then quickly tried to look pitiful again.
"I–I didn't mean anything bad," she said weakly. "I was only worried. Su Long has always disliked the Fu family… who knows what she might do now that everyone is suffering because of her…"
Grandma Fu instantly supported her.
"That's right!" she snapped. "That girl has never respected our Fu family. Who knows what's inside those bundles of hers?"
On the side, Fu Tian leaned close to his son and whispered with a sly smile,
"This is your chance. If you want that girl to favour you, step up now."
Fu Fong's eyes darkened. He smirked, then suddenly strode toward Bai Ming.
Before anyone could react—
SLAP!
His hand struck across her cheek.
The sound was loud and clear.
Bai Ming's head snapped to the side. Her cheek instantly turned red and hot. Tears welled in her eyes, but she stubbornly held them back.
"What nonsense are you spouting?!" Fu Fong shouted furiously. "How dare you accuse First Sister-in-law of such a thing?"
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Bai Ming stared at him in disbelief but instead of backing down, she grew even bolder. She turned and pointed straight at me.
"I'm not lying!" she cried. "Su Long hates this family! What if she hides a weapon? What if she plans to harm someone?"
The guards exchanged glances.
Tension filled the air.
That was when Fu Sheng finally stepped forward.
His expression was calm but firm.
"Enough," he said. "Su Long may have a temper… but she is not a murderer."
He glanced at me, his eyes serious.
"She can't even bring herself to kill a bug, let alone kill a person." And he wasn't wrong.
Yes, Su Long was quite wicked, otherwise she wouldn't have been called the evil stepmother. But still, what made her evil was how she mistreated the kids and always found new ways to humiliate the Fu family.
Other than that, she never hurt anyone or tried to kill someone. That was something Fu Sheng learned to understand about her. That's why, even after everything she had done, he still held on to her, hoping one day she would finally do the right thing.
After he finished talking, all eyes slowly turned toward me.
The so-called "villainous" First Madam of the Fu family.
And the girl who, apparently, could not even kill a fly.
The guards exchanged uncertain looks. With so many accusations thrown around, they had no choice.
"We will re-inspect Madam Su Long's belongings," the Head Guard announced. "This time… thoroughly."
A hush fell over the courtyard.
Everyone turned toward my bundles.
The guards knelt down and began to untie the ropes again, checking each item slowly and carefully. They shook out clothes, opened boxes, and flipped through folded fabrics, anything that could hide a weapon.
No one spoke.
No one even breathed too loudly.
Bai Ming's grin slowly returned. She folded her arms and lifted her chin proudly, already imagining the chaos that would follow once the dagger was found.
Fu Li and Fu Fei quietly leaned toward their brothers.
"What if they really find something…?" Fu Li whispered nervously.
Fu Tong frowned. "Then she will be in big trouble."
Fu Teng swallowed. "Maybe Bai Ming isn't lying…"
But Fu Sheng didn't respond.
He stood completely still, eyes locked on the guards as they continued searching. His expression was unreadable.
Minutes passed.
The guards worked faster.
They opened everything and checked every corner as the tension became unbearable.
Finally—
One of the guards straightened up.
Then another.
Then the Head Guard turned around.
"There is nothing here," he declared firmly. "No weapon. No dangerous object. Everything is clean."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Fu Li let out a long breath she didn't realize she was holding.
Fu Fei clutched her chest in relief.
Fu Tong and Fu Teng exchanged awkward glances.
Even Fu Sheng's shoulders relaxed slightly. His eyes flickered toward me and for a brief second I saw a slight smile appear on his lips.
Maybe I was hallucinating, because the next second his expression was calm and composed again, like his usual self.
Meanwhile, the Head Guard turned sternly toward the Fu family.
"Since there is no evidence," he said, "do not slander Madam Su Long again. False accusations during exile are serious."
His gaze lingered on Bai Ming.
Her face went pale.
The proud smile she had worn earlier slowly crumbled, replaced by shock and panic.
Because the dagger she knew she had planted—
Had simply vanished.
And now
She was the one standing in suspicion.
The show had only just begun.
**** NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW ****
"Bai Ming.. since you had dared to accuse me of something so wicked why don't we get your own bundles searched as well.."