Chapter 5 Who Convicted Whom?

But to everyone's surprise, less than thirty minutes, the fire was gradually getting weaker.

In the end, only a few sporadic sparks were left outside in the courtyard, which was not a cause for concern.

"How could this happen?" Zhou Ruyu was so shocked that her chin was about to fall to the ground.

The others also looked at Shi Qingxue curiously, wondering how she could put out the big fire in such a short time.

Shi Qingxue looked around the ancestral hall as soon as the fire weakened, and she felt a little relieved.

Then she explained, "I just ordered people to carry the sand and gravel to separate a fire break first. It's to protect the ancestral hall. And then sprinkle the sand towards the burning place, and the fire would definitely be put out by doing so over and over again."

"How did you think of using sand to put out the fire?" The helpers called by Mammy Luo were pouring pots of water into the fire, which was extremely inefficient.

It was actually the first time that Mo Shujun had heard that gravel and sand could be used to put out fire, and the effect turned out to be surprisingly good!

The fire became under control. Only then did Shi Qingxue really feel freer to perform well. And a hint of joy showed on the corners of her eyes, making her even more stunning.

"This is what one of my...friend taught me... He said that below the grass is dust, and water will seep in soon, but the gravel would be different. It could cover the fire and put it out. The fire break could control the direction of fire, so that the fire could be put out quickly."

When mentioning the friend, there was a hint of uncomfortableness on Shi Qingxue's face.

But no one cared about it. However, they felt suddenly enlightened, and when they looked at Shi Qingxue again, their sights became a little different. It seemed that they hadn't figured out why an inexperienced spoiled girl from a famous family not before long could become so wise.

Shi Qingxue ignored the expressions of those people, and she didn't notice that there was a gloom sight that had been staring at her since she mentioned a friend.

She suddenly changed the topic and asked Mammy Luo, "Mammy Luo, since you said you never stepped into the ancestral hall easily, how did you know that the ancestral hall was on fire?"

Mammy Luo was suddenly questioned, and it took her a while to think of the lines she had prepared in the morning. She answered, "We were guarding in the courtyard outside the ancestral hall. Suddenly we saw the smoke coming out of the ancestral hall, and we entered the ancestral hall together to have a look in case of accident. Then we noticed that it was burning. I hurriedly asked some people to put out the fire, and rushed to notify Her Highness!"

This statement made sense, and what she did was very appropriate.

Shi Qingxue then asked again, "So, you saw the one who committed arson?"

"I didn't. When we went in, the temple was already on fire, and no one was seen inside." Mammy Luo answered calmly.

Shi Qingxue narrowed her eyes suspiciously, "If it was exactly like what you said, the ancestral hall was sealed, and there was only a short time from the time when the smoke rose until you entered the ancestral hall, so how could you not see the arsonist? Unless..."

She didn't finish talking, but it was enough to turn everyone's suspicion to Mammy Luo.

Mammy Luo didn’t expect Shi Qingxue to be so meticulous in logic that she even took this small detail into consideration. How could she still have the opportunity to slander Dong Hui? She couldn't pull herself out of it this time.

She immediately became anxious and messed up, sweating all over her head, and couldn't help looking to Shi Juncai for help: Third Master! You hadn't told me this little princess was so hard to fool. What should I do at this moment?

Shi Juncai was also surprised and suspicious, but soon he put on the elder's posture, and criticized her on a deep voice, "Qingxue, I know you want to protect your mother, but Mammy Luo always behaves fairly well and never makes mistakes. How could you slander Mammy Luo without evidence just in order to acquit your mother?"

The topic turned back to Dong Hui again, as if he had already convicted Dong Hui.

Shi Qingxue blinked, and innocently asked, "I don't quite understand the meaning of Third Uncle? When is my mother convicted so that she needs me to acquit her? You said over and over again that I can't slander Mammy Luo. But based on the meaning in your words, are you convicting my mother first?"

Shi Juncai choked up for a while, and he felt strange in his heart. Shi Qingxue was always not good at debating. How could she be so eloquent today? He didn't know that Shi Qingxue was never bad at talking, but was so arrogant and disdainful that she didn't bother to argue.

He did not get the benefits, but did not dare to trouble her riskily. He had to give Mammy Luo a look as a hint, suggesting, "I mean it needs to be figured out at last anyway. The fire in the ancestral hall for no reason, Mammy Luo should not be the only one having witnessed it."

Mammy Luo realized it, and nodded again and again and said, "Sixth Lady, you are blaming me wrongly! What I said was all true! If you don't believe it, you can ask those three servants who entered the ancestral hall to check out with me."

Shi Qingxue didn't respond her but asked, "So, did you witness the fire inside the ancestral hall?"