Chapter <b>771 </b>


    Giles, the head steward of Ironridge Estate, stood outside the door. He nodded respectfully as he entered This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    the room.


    He exined, “Madam Emma, there’s no need to worry Grand Princess Eleanor’s treason has essentially been established. The Supreme Court’s Investigation is merely to uncover those behind it. Even if they <b>don’t </b>find anyone, the Supreme Court will still go through the motions. Since the Marquis of Ironridge’s household and Grand Princess Eleanor’s household are connected through marriage, some fallout is


    inevitable.


    “However, Lady Carissa only summoned the marquis and Lady Jessica for questioning today, which clearly indicates she doesn’t intend to escte things. Otherwise, even those <b>close </b>to Lady Jessica would have been called in.”


    Emma sighed. “I really don’t understand. Grand Princess Eleanor holds such a high position. Why would she resort to treason? And what about the concubines in her household? I’ve heard there were over a hundred, and most of them have died, I also heard that no male infants were left alive. How can a person be so cruel?”′′


    With how things were, it wasn’t strange why Jessica <b>had </b>never gotten pregnant.


    Emma wanted to mention that, but the thought was too harsh to voice aloud. Still, it lingered in her mind.


    The consequences of one’s actions would alwayse back to haunt them.


    Margaret felt a chill in her heart. It was all too horrifying to contemte.


    “Giles, summon those who were with Jessica and ask if they have suffered from her abuse,” she said.


    Giles hesitated but, seeing Margaret’s serious expression, he finally spoke up, “Most of the maids who apanied her are gone. Rumor has it they were sold off, but I fear their fates weren’t any better.”


    “Investigate further,” Margaretmanded. “In the past, we didn’t manage her affairs closely and let her do as she pleased. We were unaware of her cruelty. Whether they were sold or killed, there will be someone who knows what happened.”


    Emma, always dutiful and respectful towards Margaret, understood her mother–inw’s thoughts. Asking someone to look into this matter meant Margaret was considering asking Leopold to divorce Jessica and


    cast her out.


    *Ask Lady Serena. Since she entered the household, she’s always been by Lady Jessica’s side. She should know quite a bit,” Emma added, her tone now calmer.


    Given the results of the questioning, it was clear the Marquis of Ironridge’s household would be implicated to some degree. If word got out and the public began to discuss and condemn them, how would the servants mistreated by Jessica or those sold off feel? Margaret and Emma feared they might go public with their grievances.


    Therefore<b>, </b>a thorough investigation of the household should be conducted. Anyone who had suffered under Jessica’s cruelty should bepensated well.


    Margaret struck the armrest in anger. “My health is failing, and I’m already struggling with household matters. I thought Jessica wouldn’t dare act recklessly only to discover how truly malicious she is. I’ve


    been far toocent.


    Giles replied, “There’s no need to be upset, Madam Margaret. Let’s first find out where the people from her quarters have been sold off to and see if we can bring them back. As for those she has wronged, we’ll make sure they arepensated.”


    “Giles is right. Mother, don’t me yourself. It’s not unusual for a mother–inw to refrain from interfering in a daughter–inw’s treatment of her maids and servants, especially when their contracts aren’t under the family. You shouldn’t bear the burden for this,” Emma said.


    Margaret sighed heavily. “You think you know a person, but you never truly understand their heart. I never imagined such a depth of hidden malice would be concealed in Grand Princess Eleanor’s household. It’s truly horrifying. What we know is likely just the tip of the iceberg. This scandal could severely tarnish the royal family’s reputation.”


    In the main hall, Carissa finished her questioning and prepared to wrap up.


    Leopold was stunned. He had always known Jessica to be domineering, willful, and unruly, but he never suspected her heart could be so vicious.


    She had even justified her actions<b>, </b>iming she had only beaten a few pets–pets that belonged to her mother’s household. She even asked if that really warranted such a grand inquisition<b>?! </b>


    To her, human lives were as insignificant as dirt.


    Moreover, Jessica had been secretly running businesses in the gold and silk industries, yet she could only keep a small portion of the profits. The rest went directly to her mother, Eleanor.


    What did Eleanor do with that money? It was all too clear–she had bought weapons.


    If these matters came to the king’s attention, Leopold and his family would likely be dragged down with them.