Second Madam Meng led her people, striding quickly toward Madam Xin’s courtyard. The maids and servants in the yard, seeing her bloodshot eyes and gnashing teeth, resembling someone ready to devour others, were all frightened. Not one dared to step forward to ask what was happening. Eventually, it was the old woman surnamed Ding by Madam Xin’s side who mustered the courage to block her path: “The Madam is ill and was just frightened by the fire. She’s lying down now. Second Madam, if you have something to discuss, please tell me first, and I’ll report it…”

Before she could finish speaking, she received a resounding slap that instantly left a clear imprint of five fingers on half her face.

The old woman was stunned by the blow—although the two sides had long since stopped associating with each other, such physical assault was unprecedented. Holding her face, she watched helplessly as Madam Meng and her group pushed their way in and flung open the door.

Madam Xin had a cloth wrapped around her forehead and was sitting on the bed, extremely anxious. She was tapping the edge of the bed, urging people to go out and look for Young Master Quan again—that Quan was now fourteen years old, and who knew when he had been led astray, developing the vicious habit of gambling at such a young age. In the past, he had only secretly gathered servants within the household to throw dice and gamble for small amounts of money. Starting last year, seeing his father drunk every day, that concubine named Yun Niang had given birth to a stillborn child and subsequently died herself. In his stepmother Zhou’s quarters, there was always some disturbance every few days, and his grandmother’s health had gradually deteriorated, unable to control him. Thus, he had grown bolder, sneaking out to run to those privately operated hidden gambling venues.

The people inside knew he was the grandson of Duke Wei’s mansion and, seeing his young age regarded him as a fat fish. They deliberately let him win some money at first, and after tasting sweetness, Young Master Quan began to sneak out every other day, gambling more and more. When his money ran out, he started stealing antiques and utensils from the house, being careful not to take noticeable items. He even managed to steal the storehouse key and secretly made a copy, specifically to take things from the storehouse without anyone knowing. It wasn’t until the end of last year when Madam Xin needed some items and discovered they had vanished that this matter was uncovered. She told Pei Xiuzhi, who severely beat Quan and confined him. He also sent people to shut down the gambling den. However, such places changed locations every three days, choosing open areas with crisscrossing paths, with people specifically stationed at the four corners to keep watch and establishing secret signals known only to insiders. By the time the officials arrived, people had already scattered and fled in all directions.

After the New Year, Quan was confined at home, without a penny to his name, and seemed to have become much more honest. Madam Xin thought her grandson had finally come to his senses, but unexpectedly, a few days ago, he had managed to sneak out again and had not returned since. She suspected he had gone gambling again, but after checking, there seemed to be no loss of property from the household, which was puzzling. Madam Xin was extremely anxious and had dispatched all available people from the household to search every possible place, but there was no sign of him. Suddenly seeing Madam Meng bringing a group of people, rushing in furiously, she was startled and had someone help her up. She coldly said, “Second Madam, what is the meaning of this? I know there was a fire in the storehouse area, and Xiulu is not well. But I also sent people to extinguish the fire just now. You barging into my place—are you trying to blame me?”

Second Madam glared with round eyes, no longer displaying her usual amiable demeanor. Gritting her teeth, she said, “You wicked woman! In the past, I tolerated you in every way out of respect for the old ancestor! You saw that my son was making a name for himself, and you were displeased, so you had someone lock my son in the storehouse and tried to burn him to death, didn’t you? How can you be so vicious? Don’t you fear retribution on your children and grandchildren? Poor Luo’er, who did he offend? Why should he suffer such cruel harm!”

A mother’s heart connects with her child’s. Thinking of her son’s horrifying state worse than death, Second Madam’s tears flowed ceaselessly.

An old woman quickly ran to Madam Xin’s ear and detailed what had happened earlier. Madam Xin, upon hearing that Pei Xiulu’s face had been completely burned and much of his body was in a pitiful state—and according to the imperial physician, his life was in danger—finally realized the seriousness of the situation. Greatly alarmed, she no longer cared about her grandson’s whereabouts and sternly ordered someone to summon Zhou Jiao’e and that maid. Unexpectedly, a cry came from outside the door: “Madam, terrible news! The Second Madam’s room door was locked from the inside, and no one answered our calls. When we finally opened it, the Second Madam… hanged herself from the beam!”

Everyone was shocked and rushed out in a flurry. Madam Xin, supported by someone, ran in one breath to her son’s room. She saw that Zhou Jiao’e had already been cut down and was lying stiff on the ground, her face ashen, tongue protruding, toes stretched straight, with a deep purple-black bruise around her neck. She appeared to have been dead for some time. Several maids and servants around were running about like headless flies, while her daughter had collapsed on the ground, trembling and crying incessantly.

Seeing this, Madam Xin’s face turned pale, but Madam Meng stared with wide eyes, her finger pointing at Madam Xin’s face, growing more agitated: “Just as I suspected! You first harmed my son, then turned around and drove my daughter-in-law to her death. Do you think this will absolve you? AFu! AFu!”

Madam Meng turned her head, weeping as she called loudly for Jiafu: “AFu, you’ve seen it all! When You’an returns, you must uphold justice and speak for your aunt. My poor Luo’er…”

She collapsed into a chair, covering her face and weeping bitterly, while the servants who had come with her tried to console her.

Jiafu arrived and, seeing Zhou Jiao’e lying stiff on the ground, was greatly startled. She quickly ordered someone to take the young girl away and comfort her, then urgently summoned the imperial physician.

The imperial physician arrived quickly, examined the eyelids, touched Zhou Jiao’e’s neck with his fingers, shook his head, and withdrew.

Zhou Jiao’e had indeed died in this manner. Jiafu found it hard to believe. She saw an old woman take a cloth to cover Zhou Jiao’e’s body on the ground, but could still smell the stench in the room, making it difficult to breathe. Just as she turned to leave, she saw Madam Xin’s old woman Ding grabbing a maid by the arm, dragging her in from the ground, and pushing her to Second Madam Meng’s feet.

Madam Xin followed in and ordered all extraneous maids and old women to leave. When only a few trusted servants remained, Old Woman Ding pinched the maid on the ground hard. The maid, who had been in Zhou Jiao’e’s service and was the one seen meeting with Pei Xiulu that evening, dodged while crying: “Second Madam and Third Master had been intimate for several years. Third Master wanted to end it last year, and Second Madam had me secretly deliver a message to Third Master this evening, saying she would meet him at the storehouse and return the gifts he had given her, to end their relationship. I only delivered the message. As for how Third Master was locked inside and how the fire started in the storehouse, I don’t know. First Madam, First Madam, Second Madam, please spare my life…”

Old Woman Ding stuffed a piece of cloth into the maid’s mouth and tied her up with a rope.

Madam Xin’s face was still pale, but compared to earlier, she had regained a bit of vitality. She stared at the dumbfounded Second Madam: “Madam Meng, you’ve heard it. If there’s anyone to blame, blame your son for seducing my daughter-in-law. Now it seems one wanted to break free, and the other refused to let go. Dogs biting dogs, resulting in such an outcome!”

She laughed coldly, “If you want to make a big scene of this, I’m not afraid! If you still want to save some face, I’ll admit my misfortune here, and you go back and take good care of that son of yours. His behavior is too unsightly.”

Second Madam’s face turned from red to white, and from white to red, changing several times.

Pei Xiulu appeared to be a gentleman on the surface, but in private, he had been a lecher since childhood, particularly fond of married women. Previously, the Second Madam had a steward whose wife had some beauty. Before long, Pei Xiulu had become involved with the woman. Fortunately, the Second Madam discovered it and sent the steward and his wife far away, putting an end to the affair.

A mother knows her son best. How could Second Madam not know about Pei Xiulu’s bad habit? Yet she never dreamed that her son would become involved with Zhou Jiao’e.

Second Madam suddenly turned to Jiafu: “AFu, you must not believe her! How could my Xiulu possibly do such a thing? This mad woman is falsely accusing him, trying to smear Luo’er!”

She turned back to Madam Xin, also laughing coldly: “Zhou Jiao’e has already hanged herself, so you can say whatever you want. A maid’s few empty words don’t count for anything. Not only did you try to take my son’s life, but you’re also trying to ruin his reputation. How vicious your intentions are! It’s only out of respect for You’an and AFu that I’m keeping this matter within the family. If you dare say anything more against him, I’ll rip off all pretenses and will not let this matter rest!”

Madam Xin turned pale with anger, her finger pointing at Madam Meng, trembling continuously, unable to utter a word.

“Madam, Madam, the young master has been found!”

At that moment, a commotion came from outside. Madam Xin hurried out and saw that Young Master Quan had indeed returned, but was being carried horizontally by two servants. His head was wrapped in blood-soaked bandages, his face was as yellow as paper, covered in blood stains, and his body coated with dried mud as if he had been rolling in a field ditch. His eyes were tightly closed, and he was unconscious.

Yang Yun followed behind.

Madam Xin was shocked and rushed forward, calling “Quan’er” “Quan’er” several times, ordering people in a strained voice to fetch the imperial physician again. The physician, who was still observing Pei Xiulu’s burn injuries, had not left. Hearing the news, he hurried over, ordered Young Master Quan to be carried into the room and laid down, and began treatment.

The imperial physician attended to Young Master Quan’s injuries with an extremely grave expression.

While the physician was busy, Yang Yun came to see Jiafu. He said that Master Pei knew that clandestine gambling was becoming increasingly rampant in the capital, affecting everyone from white-haired elders to ignorant youths. Many had lost their entire fortunes, and noble sons were involved, spreading endless harm. He had mentioned Young Master Quan to Yang Yun, ordering the Five Commands Metropolitan Command Office to thoroughly crack down and telling him to participate as well. If Young Master Quan was spotted, he was to be captured. Yesterday, Yang Yun and the people from the Five Commands Office received information and rushed to a mountain ravine a hundred miles west of the city. They dismantled a large-scale gambling den that had been operating there for some time, arresting over a hundred gamblers. While searching for escapees in the vicinity, they discovered Young Master Quan who had been thrown into a foul ditch.

Quan’s head had been smashed with a large rock. The person not only struck him with extreme force but also dumped him headfirst into the ditch, clearly intending to take his life. Fortunately, he was discovered in time and given immediate treatment, barely saving his life. Yang Yun had brought him back overnight.

The imperial physician worked diligently, rebandaging Young Master Quan’s wound and blowing some medicinal powder into his nostrils. After a while, Quan finally slowly regained consciousness, but his mouth and eyes were crooked, with saliva dripping from the corner of his mouth. His eyes stared askew at Madam Meng, and his mouth opened and closed continuously, apparently trying hard to speak.

The physician said that due to his severe head injury, regaining consciousness was already remarkable. His facial appearance was a consequence of serious head trauma. Let alone whether he could recover in the future, even his survival depended on heaven’s will. After saying this, he sighed and shook his head as he withdrew.

Madam Xin was heartbroken and went forward to embrace her grandson. Then they heard Young Master Quan, with great effort, mumble indistinctly: “Third Uncle and stepmother were intimate… I saw them before… I asked my Third Uncle for some money… Third Uncle wanted to kill me…”

After speaking, Young Master Quan’s eyes rolled back, and he passed out again.

The room suddenly fell into dead silence, with only Madam Xin’s sorrowful weeping sounds remaining.

Jiafu was stunned.

That night, one unexpected event followed another, leaving people overwhelmed.

By now, the sequence of events had finally become clear.

It appeared that Pei Xiulu and Zhou Jiao’e had begun their affair many years ago, and Young Master Quan had discovered it. Instead of exposing them, he blackmailed Pei Xiulu. Pei Xiulu, tired of the harassment and fearing that if it became known, his future would be ruined, arranged for someone to harm his nephew at the gambling den outside the city to eliminate the threat.

At the same time, he was eager to end his relationship with Zhou Jiao’e, but she refused. Perhaps her conditions were not met, or perhaps she had truly fallen in love with the Third Master. Driven to desperation, she made a decision that harmed them both.

Second Madam Meng, concerned about her son’s injuries, had originally intended to leave earlier. Upon hearing her son mentioned by Young Master Quan, she stopped and listened carefully. When she understood what was said, she flew into a rage, rushed forward, and shouted fiercely: “All of you in the first branch, one after another, are trying to put my son to death! Let me tell you, my son is a dignified imperial scholar, upright and proper. No matter how you try to slander him, he is pure and innocent. I stake my life on his integrity!”

Madam Xin stared at her grandson, who had fainted again, with rolled-back eyes and continuously twitching limbs. Her vision darkened momentarily. She gripped a nearby old woman to steady herself, then slowly turned her head and glared at Madam Meng for a moment. Suddenly, she turned to Jiafu and said: “First daughter-in-law! At this point, I have nothing to hide! The incident when You’an was sixteen years old, whether it was the old Madam or you two, you probably all believed I was responsible, and that the concubine’s death was also my doing!”

“I was wronged! At that time, I didn’t know, but now I understand. I was confused and not only fell victim to estrangement but was also used by someone, bearing the undeserved blame for murder!”

The events of twenty years ago floated through her mind scene by scene.

At that time, Madam Xin had just lost her husband, but grief could not suppress her hatred for the eldest son who had taken everything from her son.

While that hatred was gnawing at her heart, one midnight, she was awakened by a maidservant who told her that as she was coming out, she had seen the Duke’s concubine hanging herself in front of the eldest young master’s courtyard.

Madam Xin was initially shocked and immediately wanted to report to the old Madam, but the maidservant then said that the eldest young master must have lusted after her and violated his late father’s concubine during the mourning period. Otherwise, why would she specifically hang herself in front of the eldest young master’s courtyard door? If this became known, the eldest young master would likely be ruined, and there would be no place for him in the Duke’s mansion.

It was this statement that moved Madam Xin.

In her subconscious, she didn’t believe that the sixteen-year-old solitary youth would do such a thing. The concubine’s death and the hanging of her body outside his door must have had another cause. But another voice in her mind kept urging her to believe this story, so she tacitly agreed and pretended not to know. The next day, terrible rumors spread throughout the mansion. Before Lady Pei could suppress the servants’ gossip, the news had already reached the ears of the Censorate.

Madam Xin turned to Madam Meng, whose face had slightly changed color. With bloodshot eyes, she stared viciously at her and advanced toward her.

“You wretched woman! That was not my doing. In this Pei family, besides you, who else could it have been? For all these years, I couldn’t understand why you would force that concubine to her death for no reason. At the time, to ensure there was no mistake, I had someone examine the concubine’s body. Duke Wei hadn’t touched her, yet she had lost her virginity. Now I finally understand! It must have been your murderous son who violated that concubine, perhaps even strangled her. Fearing it would become known and ruin your son’s future, you devised such a poisonous scheme, not only framing me but also You’an, causing mother and son to become estranged to this day!”

Madam Xin looked at Jiafu, with two streams of regretful tears rolling down her face.

“First daughter-in-law, I know I’ve wronged You’an. Now I have no face to ask for forgiveness from you two. I only hate myself for being so foolish then, allowing someone to see through my thoughts and set such a trap for me to fall into. That old woman is long gone, but thinking back, it must have been her doing at that time. To protect her son, she not only harmed me but also You’an, who had no connection to her! Your aunt’s viciousness, you should now understand. Every word I just said is true. If there’s a single falsehood, may I die a terrible death!”

Jiafu was completely shocked.

She had always thought that the person who had driven Duke Wei’s concubine to her death and framed Pei You’an was Madam Xin. She never imagined there had been such twists and turns.

She looked at Second Madam Meng.

In her memory, when she was young, her mother had mentioned more than once that her sister, who had married into the Duke’s mansion in the capital, had been so gentle and delicate in her maiden days. The sisters had been close, and even later, her mother still missed her.

What had happened to turn a woman who had been her mother’s cherished sister, remembered for years, into such an avaricious, extremely selfish woman who disregarded others’ lives?

Second Madam Meng suddenly let out a strange cry and lunged at Madam Xin, hitting her while cursing fiercely, red-faced, with disheveled hair. Where was the dignity of a court lady?

“Everyone stop this at once!”

Jiafu, unable to tolerate it any longer, commanded sternly.

Madam Meng shuddered and stopped, slowly turning her face to meet Jiafu’s gaze for a moment. Her face gradually turned pale as she shook her head repeatedly: “AFu, you must not listen to her! She’s talking nonsense, she’s lost her mind! She hates me deeply, and she also hates you and You’an. Even now, she’s still trying to sow discord!”

Jiafu ignored her, took a step back, and looked around at the trusted servants of the two madams present. Seeing everyone’s faces like those mourning the death of their parents, she coldly said: “The events of tonight are confined to here. When the master returns, I will explain everything to him, and whatever should be done, he will decide. If a single word leaks out, all of you present, regardless of right or wrong, will be beaten to death!”

The servants hurriedly knelt, saying they wouldn’t dare.

Second Madam Meng collapsed to the ground, her gaze fixed, motionless.

“Second Madam, Third Master is in critical condition—”

Suddenly, an alarmed call came from outside. Madam Meng, as if pricked by a needle, struggled to her feet, mumbling, “Luo’er, the mother is coming, the mother is coming—” She pushed aside those in front of her and stumbled out.

Jiafu turned to leave the room. Passing by the path, she saw Pei Xiuzhi still lying drunk on the ground. A servant boy was calling in his ear continuously, but he kept his eyes tightly closed, snoring loudly. She stopped, called for a basin of cold water, and poured it over his face.

Pei Xiuzhi cried out in shock, immediately opened his eyes, and sat up. Looking up, he saw Jiafu standing before him, her brows furrowed, looking down at him with crystal-clear, cold eyes, seven parts disgust, and three parts contempt. He felt ashamed and couldn’t meet her gaze, slowly lowering his head.

“Pei Xiuzhi, you are unworthy of being the Duke’s son! If you had even half the manly spirit of your father, you wouldn’t have become such a waste, harming others and yourself! The hardships my husband has endured, from childhood to adulthood, have only been more than yours! Let me advise you, rather than complaining and resenting heaven’s unfairness every day, why not think more about the valor of your Pei ancestors? As their descendant, consider how you should follow their example. Otherwise, your death would be insignificant, but how could you face your Pei family ancestors below ground?”

After speaking, Jiafu turned and left.

Pei Xiuzhi stared blankly at her retreating figure, dripping wet all over, sitting there motionless.