This reaction only deepened the man's suspicion, and his face darkened.
"Meng'er, tell the truth. Have you thought of something?"
Qiao Meng took a panicked step back and accidentally knocked the teacup on the table to the ground, shattering it into pieces.
"No, I don't know anything. Brother, why don't you send someone to buy new ones? Just forget about these things."
Her pleading look only made the man more suspicious.
Shi Muyuan, Shi An and others also heard the commotion here and rushed over one by one.
"What's going on, Miss Qiao?"
When Qiao Meng saw Shi Muyuan, her eyes shrank, and she became even more scared.
"It's nothing, nothing at all. You'd better disperse quickly. By the way, brother, I have something else to discuss with you."
The more she acted like this, the more the man suspected.
"Let's get everything clear right here. The Empress Dowager is here too. Sister, don't worry. We will surely seek justice for you."
Hearing his words, Qiao Meng seemed about to cry.
The others stood by, not knowing what to say.
Soon, only the man's soothing voice could be heard in the room.
"Meng'er, don't be afraid. Just say whatever you want. The Empress Dowager is very reasonable."
He gave the young girl a look, and she understood and echoed.
"Yes, no matter what it is, you can tell me. I will definitely do my best to help you if I can."
Perhaps the soothing words of the two finally took effect. Qiao Meng nodded and finally raised her hand, pointing in Shi Muyuan's direction.
"Only one person came to my place today, Young Master Shi. No one else came, and there were no signs of the doors or windows being pried open."
Her clear speech made those around her believe her a little more.
Shi Muyuan looked at her eldest brother in full confusion.
"Brother, what on earth were you doing here in Miss Qiao's place?"
Shi An frowned. "I just came here to ask Miss Qiao some questions. There's no other meaning. Don't misunderstand. Besides, do you think I'd have any need to steal things?"
Lord Huang also thought it was unlikely. These days, Shi An had helped train the officers and soldiers under him and helped revise the defense map. He had really been of great help. How could such a good person be a thief? And even if he were a thief, why would he steal personal clothing?
He voiced his doubts and soon got an answer.
"Maybe Young Master Shi has some unspeakable secret. I saw him sneaking around the back door last time. I don't know what he was up to."
The one who said this was Qingqing, the maid beside Qiao Meng. Her eyes were firm, as if it was really the case, which made the man believe her a little. He looked sideways and said.
"Young Master Shi, you'd better think of a way to prove your innocence. After all, they've already presented evidence. It's not right for you to just stand here."
Shi Muyuan thought it made sense and gently persuaded. "Brother, I definitely believe you, but you also need to present evidence to prove your innocence."
Shi An was extremely angry. "You're my own sister. How could you side with outsiders and slander me?"
These words made Shi Muyuan feel a bit embarrassed, but she was also doing it for her elder brother's good.
"Brother, you used to always listen to me. Just listen to me this time, okay?"
"You guys! Fine, I'll give you this face. Let them search my things."
After saying that, he just sat down carelessly on one side.
Shi Muyuan knew that he had endured to the limit for her sake and gave a faint smile.
"Brother, I know they definitely won't find anything. Don't worry. I'll surely get you an explanation for this matter today."
The man pursed his lips and showed his attitude on the side.
"If this matter has nothing to do with Young Master Shi today, I'll apologize to you in public later."
"That's for the best. Alright, make it quick. I don't want to waste so much time here."
"Okay."
The people who went to search soon came back. Seeing the personal clothing of those old women, Shi An immediately couldn't sit still.
"You're not going to tell me that these things were found in my room, are you? I don't remember having these things in my room."
"Young Master Shi, we're really sorry. We're just following orders. These things were indeed taken out of your room."
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! I've never done such a thing. How did you find them in there?"
His shocked look seemed different in the man's eyes. Moreover, there was someone adding fuel to the fire beside him.
"Brother, I've already said before that we should just let this matter end here. Young Master Shi was once a general who fought on the battlefield. How could we make him lose face in public?"
As if to show her virtuousness, she said and then turned to look at Shi An.
"Young Master Shi, please forgive me. My brother is just straightforward by nature. Let's just end this matter here. No one will pursue it anymore. Don't worry. I've never blamed you."
Her generous and proper manner only made the man feel more heartache for her.
"No, this matter can't just end like this. Young Master Shi should give Meng'er an explanation and give me an explanation. I didn't expect that after trusting you so much before, you would do such a thing behind our backs."
Shi An sneered. "We've known each other for so long, and yet you don't believe me. My Shi family has never had anyone who would do such a thing after serving in the court for so many years. Do you think I would do it?"
"The facts are right in front of us. Even if you're cornered, Young Master Shi, this matter won't be easily settled."
He was firm in his stance. In order to protect Qiao Meng, he even spoke without restraint.
Shi An was so angry that he stamped his feet.
"It's obvious that your sweetheart is framing me. I didn't expect you to be so stupid as to fall for it. Do you know that if I weren't by your side, you'd probably be deceived by her."
"Humph, I only believe what I see. Young Master Shi, if you don't explain this matter clearly today, we'll let the people in the court judge."
"Fine, Cui Qizhou. You've been bewitched by her and are hopeless. I'll remember every word you said today. Just wait and see what kind of end you'll come to."
He angrily wanted to turn around and leave, but was directly blocked by the officers and soldiers behind him.
"What do you mean?"
He didn't expect that this man would go to such lengths for his childhood sweetheart.
"I've said that if this matter isn't cleared up today, no one can leave."