Chapter 40: The Source of the News Is Preposterous

Chapter 40: The Source of the News Is Preposterous

In this world of truth and deception, no one bothers to distinguish them; they merely laugh it off.

If you take it seriously, people might start suspecting that there's indeed something fishy going on.

Of course, Xue Dongyang could understand Jiang Yunxin's indignation. So he assured her, "Don't worry, since you call me brother, I won't let you suffer any injustice."

Xue Dongyang's plan was straightforward, similar to what Jiang Yunxin initially proposed. Once the incident blew over and these individuals lowered their guard, he would catch them in an alleyway late at night, beat them up, and stuff them into garbage bags.

Despite their bravado and respectable appearances, these guys were mere layabouts who couldn't tell wheat from barley. A good thrashing would surely make them cower in fear, ensuring they wouldn't dare to gossip anymore.

You'd better not drag this into a legal battle, causing trouble and expense, and exposing yourself to public scrutiny. A good beating is the simplest solution.

To everyone's surprise, Zhang Zhong not only didn't admit fault but replied earnestly, "Miss, I'm not making things up. Though I may speak without filters, I would never slander a woman's reputation."

"That's peculiar," Jiang Yunxin pressed on. "Then, what evidence do you have?"

By all means, don't tell her that the culprit has been interacting with Ma Xiuneng in her name. That's impossible.

Ma Xiuneng has seen her portrait, not to mention he's seen her in person.

Even if portraits nowadays only capture a semblance, and realism is subjective, Ma Xiuneng has met her and is aware of her identity. He even went to propose marriage twice on account of this. There's no way he could have mistaken her.

If he didn't make a mistake, then how could his circle of friends?

Zhang Zhong said, "I heard it from someone, but the source is absolutely reliable."

Even Long Qiao perked up his ears.

"Who?"

Zhang Zhong replied, "It was someone from the Jiang family who said it themselves."

Jiang Yunxin took another deep breath. "What you're saying is that someone from the Jiang family admitted that their own young miss had improper relations with another man before marriage?"

"Yes," Zhang Zhong nodded. "That's right. And it wasn't some servant spreading gossip. If it were, I wouldn't be repeating it. My mother heard it directly from Jiang Yunxin's mother. It was spoken with her own lips, so it can't be false, can it?"

Long Qiao suddenly reached out and firmly grasped Jiang Yunxin's wrist.

He hadn't experienced the intrigues of a wealthy family's inner courtyard, but judging from a normal person's perspective, he sensed that Jiang Yunxin was on the verge of losing her temper.

Jiang Yunxin's mother was none other than the current matriarch of the Jiang family, her stepmother, the woman who wholeheartedly wished to marry her off to Ma Xiuneng.

While it was misguided, everyone could comprehend why Lady Jiang wanted to wed Jiang Yunxin to Ma Xiuneng.

After all, the MAs were an esteemed family, and Ma Xiuneng was their legitimate son, making them a suitable match in terms of status. From an outsider's viewpoint, his dalliances in pleasure houses weren't considered grave matters; they were even seen as romantic escapades.

Upon marriage, with a wife by his side and children in a few years, he would naturally settle down and focus on family life.

However, to accuse one's daughter of having improper relations with her future husband before the marriage took place was bewildering.

Which mother would slander her own daughter?

Even if she wasn't the biological parent, such behavior would be unimaginable.

In noble families, the reputation of one child could uplift or tarnish the entire family. If one daughter gained fame for her excellence, it would enhance the status of her sisters, allowing them to marry into even better families.

Conversely, if a daughter's reputation was ruined, the others would suffer as well. Engagements might even be broken off.

Had Madam Jiang lost her mind?

To speak ill of Jiang Yunxin in public?

She had daughters too, didn't she? Wasn't she afraid that they might face difficulty in finding suitable husbands?

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yunxin felt a surreal absurdity wash over her. She glanced back at Long Qiao, wondering if she had misheard.

But Long Qiao's expression confirmed that she hadn't. Zhang Zhong had indeed said what she thought she'd heard.

Zhang Zhong was quite aggrieved at this moment: "Every word I spoke is true. If Miss Jiang's own mother says such things, how can it be false? Even if it's true, she should still help cover it up, not casually defame her own family, right?"

This wasn't mere defamation; it was like throwing a bucket of sewage at them.

Something didn't feel right to Jiang Yunxin.

Madam Jiang's actions don't make much sense.

It's like killing a thousand enemies at the cost of losing eight hundred of your own.

The problem is, there was no need. Even if she didn't marry Ma Xiuneng, she would eventually wed someone else. A daughter couldn't stay in the Jiang family forever. To Madam Jiang, this thorn in her flesh would leave sooner or later, so there was no reason to pay such a high price just to force her into the Ma family.

In fact, it was unlikely that the Ma family was behind this. They were also an influential family, and they would be selective when taking in a daughter-in-law. Bringing in a bride with a tarnished reputation wouldn't do them any favors.

Zhang Zhong didn't seem to be lying, but there must be more to the story.

Jiang Yunxin thought to herself, It seems I have no choice but to go back.

Seeing Jiang Yunxin's peculiar expression, Zhang Zhong suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

He recalled Fang Mingyan's words when he first entered: Coroner Jiang, please come over for a moment.

So the coroner actually shares the same surname as Jiang? Or is it Jiang?

Either way, it wasn't a common surname. There probably weren't many Jiangs in the entire capital.

It was rare for Zhang Zhong to have a moment of clarity; he asked with some uncertainty, "Miss, you also bear the surname Jiang. Could it be that you're from the Jiang family?"

No wonder she had such a strong reaction to this matter. Perhaps this young lady was the elder or younger sister, cousin, or niece of that Miss Jiang, and thus held a unique position.

Jiang Yunxin spoke slowly, "Not only am I from the Jiang family, but I am the very Jiang family's eldest miss you're referring to, Jiang Yunxin."

Everyone was stunned into silence, the atmosphere in the morgue becoming so awkward it felt as if it might crack.

Struggling to find words, Zhang Zhong stuttered, "Y-You, you... I..."

"I am indeed the Jiang family's eldest miss," Jiang Yunxin confirmed. "But let me tell you, everything your mother heard about me from the Jiang family is false. Matthew and I met only once, exchanged three words. Despite his persistent attempts to propose marriage, I'd rather jump off the Misty Rain Pavilion than marry him."

The information was overwhelming, and Zhang Zhong was forced to accept this bombshell. After an extended moment, he let out a groan, unsure whether he truly understood or was just pretending to.

With a stern expression, Jiang Yunxin continued, "I am now an autopsy officer at the Criminal Justice Bureau. I was responsible for examining Matthew's body. Regardless of how he died, the bureau will uncover the truth and find the perpetrator. However, I don't wish to hear another word about my relationship with Matthew."

Jiang Yunxin looked coldly at Zhang Zhong, then swept her gaze across the others. Blood stained her hands and clothes, giving her the appearance of someone who had just emerged from the depths of hell.