Zhao Feizhou was currently a hot-blooded young man, and being looked down upon by Jiang Ruan today made him somewhat indignant. Jiang Ruan instructed Tianzhu to throw Guo Meng beside the artificial mountain by the pond. Tianzhu naturally didn’t hold back—Guo Meng’s head struck the artificial mountain, immediately drawing a trickle of blood.

Though everyone present was somewhat surprised, no one stopped it. Zhao Jin usually despised such backstabbing people the most, and needless to say, so did Zhao Feizhou. Tianzhu then took out a small porcelain bottle from her bosom and waved it under Guo Meng’s nose, then stood up and said, “Miss, she won’t wake up for two hours.”

Zhao Feizhou stared at Guo Meng’s every movement, finding it strange, and asked, “Your maid actually knows martial arts? Where did you find her?” Being a martial arts practitioner himself, Zhao Feizhou could naturally see that Guo Meng’s martial arts were not weak.

Jiang Ruan glanced into the distance, and Lu Zhu, who had been keeping watch on the other side, hurriedly ran over: “Miss, the two daughters-in-law of the Xia family and several madams are coming this way.”

Indeed, it was the Xia family. Jiang Ruan’s eyes flashed, and she said, “Excellent, let’s go hide in the surrounding area.”

A group of people entered from outside the grove, led by the prefect’s wife. Shen Rou was conversing with her, but Yu Ya’s gaze kept wandering through the grove, as if searching for something.

A maid beside Yu Ya walked at the very front and suddenly cried out, “There seems to be someone over there!”

The various madams all showed expressions of surprise, but the maid seemed to have encountered something unspeakable. Yu Ya’s eyes flashed with joy, but she said seriously, “What are you shouting about? Do you have any manners left?”

“Madam Xia, don’t be hasty in teaching your servant,” the prefect’s wife patted her hand and asked the maid, “What’s wrong? What’s so shocking about seeing a person?”

The maid stammered without speaking, only keeping her head down. Seeing her expression, the various madams felt both puzzled and somewhat speculative. Today’s Golden Chrysanthemum Banquet was set up for those young ladies and young masters—if there were improper people who privately… People generally love watching excitement, especially women. Moreover, these madams were also worried that their own daughters or sons might be involved, making them somewhat torn.

Seeing this, Yu Ya said, “This maid has become increasingly unruly lately. Let me go see what has made her so alarmed.” With that, she took the lead forward.

With Yu Ya taking the initiative, the other madams had no reason to stay behind and followed one after another. Shen Rou’s thoughtful gaze swept over Yu Ya before she pulled her lips into a pleased smile.

When everyone walked forward, they were startled by the scene before them. A woman lay sideways beside the artificial mountain by the pond. Her clothing and jewelry were intact, but there was a patch of blood on her forehead—shocking and suspicious.

Concubine Rumei from the Minister’s family immediately cried out, “Meng’er!”

The Minister’s wife was currently bedridden with serious illness and couldn’t attend banquets, so it was the concubine who had borne the Minister’s son and daughter who brought several to attend the Golden Chrysanthemum Banquet.

That Concubine Rumei from the Minister’s family was originally a singer from a theater troupe, skilled at pleasing men. Today she came to the banquet dressed in flashy, bright colors with jewelry piled on her head that seemed to dazzle everyone’s eyes. Those who didn’t know might think she came to find herself a husband rather than for her daughter. Most of the madams present were legitimate wives, with very few concubines, and they dressed modestly—how could they approve of such frivolous behavior? Concubine Rumei had been sitting in the cold since earlier and was already quite dissatisfied. Now seeing her daughter in trouble, she cared about nothing else and quickly ran forward, holding Guo Meng in her arms.

After seeing the wound on Guo Meng’s head, Concubine Rumei began cursing loudly: “Which damned person harmed my Meng’er like this! Her face is ruined for no reason—how can she marry in the future?” Her voice was shrill and unpleasant, making everyone frown slightly. Concubine Rumei herself hadn’t noticed and shrilly said to the prefect’s wife, “My Meng’er was hurt in Madam’s manor. Madam must find those villains and punish them severely. When I find them, I’ll skin them alive!”

After all, she came from a lowly background, and her words and actions carried the air of a marketplace shrew. Not to mention these ugly words, she was being disrespectful by blaming the prefect’s wife as well, which was inexcusable. Although the prefect’s manor should indeed be responsible for this matter, Concubine Rumei’s attitude immediately caused the three points of sympathy people had felt for Guo Meng to vanish completely.

“Madam, don’t be anxious,” said Madam Yao, the second daughter-in-law of the Zhao family, unable to watch anymore. “Let’s first examine Miss Guo’s injuries.”

This mother only cared about making noise without checking how her daughter was hurt. Hearing this, the madams looked down on Concubine Rumei even more. Concubine Rumei had methods when dealing with the Minister, but she had no brains when facing these refined ladies from great families, naturally unable to perceive the change in how people looked at her. She just anxiously shook Guo Meng in her arms: “Meng’er, Meng’er?”

Guo Meng’s eyes remained tightly closed without the slightest movement. Only then did Concubine Rumei become anxious, no longer caring about making trouble, and said in panic, “What should we do? Meng’er won’t wake up? What exactly happened?”

Yu Ya frowned tightly. The maid who had been acting distressed earlier also lowered her head in some panic. This wasn’t how it should be—how could it turn out like this? Everything had been arranged beforehand. When they arrived, they should have seen Zhao Feizhou and Guo Meng together, with Guo Meng crying after being wronged and Zhao Feizhou refusing to take responsibility. How was it that now Zhao Feizhou was nowhere to be seen while Guo Meng was so severely injured?

Yu Ya had naturally inquired beforehand that although Zhao Feizhou had a fiery temperament like Zhao Yuanfeng, he wasn’t someone who would strike without reason, and the Zhao family wouldn’t randomly beat women. How could this happen? She heard the prefect’s wife say, “Someone come, help Miss Guo to a room inside. Take Master’s invitation and quickly fetch a physician.”

After the maids helped the unconscious Guo Meng lie down in an inner room, before the physician arrived, Yu Ya rolled her eyes and spoke up: “That person actually dared to injure Miss Guo in the manor—it must be someone from the manor. With so many people at today’s Golden Chrysanthemum Banquet, it’s inevitable that there are too many eyes and mixed company. Why don’t we find someone to ask who Miss Guo was with earlier?”

The prefect’s wife thought she made sense and sent someone to spread word, asking if anyone had seen who Guo Meng was with today.

The messenger maid quickly returned, saying that a cleaning maid had seen Guo Meng walking together with Zhao Feizhou today.

At these words, Madam Yao’s eyelids twitched. Today she had brought Zhao Yulong and Zhao Feizhou. Both Zhao Yulong and Zhao Feizhou had reached marriageable age, but both boys had temperaments like stones, stubbornly showing no intimate interest in any young lady. Madam Yao had discussed with Madam Zhou and brought her son and nephew together. Who knew such a thing would happen?

Madam Yao came from a scholarly family and had been taught proper etiquette from childhood. Hearing this, she became somewhat angry: “I watched Feizhou grow up—he would never do such lowly things!”

“You know the face but not the heart,” Yu Ya said. “Besides, no one said anything—just that they saw Third Young Master Zhao together with Miss Guo. What is Madam Zhao worried about?”

“You—” Madam Yao was furious, naturally seeing Yu Ya’s provocation. Looking at Shen Rou beside her, she remembered something. Originally, when Jiang Ruan’s matter spread to the Zhao family, wasn’t this woman Xia Jun’s mother? Today’s deliberate provocation was surely revenge.

Concubine Rumei, fearing the world wasn’t chaotic enough, screamed: “So it was you! I never thought Third Young Master Zhao could be such a shameless scoundrel. I don’t care—Third Young Master Zhao harmed my Meng’er. I’ll go back and tell my master immediately. Even if we take this to court, you won’t get away with it!”

“Concubine Rumei,” Madam Yao was truly angry, saying forcefully word by word, “May I ask why my Feizhou would harm your daughter? There must be a reason for something happening without cause.”

“Perhaps your son saw Meng’er’s beauty and developed those filthy thoughts. When Meng’er refused, your son became angry from embarrassment and injured her!” Concubine Rumei’s shameless words made the surrounding madams giggle. This Concubine Rumei was truly like a shrew, not knowing what impact these words would have on her daughter. Once today’s events spread, it would be very difficult for Guo Meng to find a good family in the future. With such a shameless mother, how good could the daughter be?

Concubine Rumei continued speaking happily, not knowing that the Zhao family always protected their own and weren’t soft persimmons to be manipulated. Even the seemingly gentle Madam Yao, after marrying into the Zhao family for so many years, had absorbed some of the Zhao family’s fierce courage. She immediately sneered: “Concubine Rumei is quite amusing. What kind of young lady can’t Feizhou find? Why would he need to target a concubine’s daughter? Or does Concubine Rumei think that because Miss Guo can sing a few songs, Feizhou would be particularly fond of her? I wonder how she compares to Little Taohong from the theater on East Street in the capital?”

Among the surrounding madams, some were on good terms with Madam Yao and naturally understood that with Madam Yao’s usual temperament, she would never say such harsh words. Today she had been pushed too hard and was truly angry.

After Madam Yao finished speaking, even the prefect’s wife wanted to laugh. That Little Taohong from the East Street theater sang beautiful songs and welcomed and saw off guests daily, having entanglements with countless official masters. Madam Yao’s words were quite venomous.

Yu Ya was secretly annoyed, not expecting that the seemingly easy-to-bully Madam Yao could also be so sharp-tongued. Over there, Concubine Rumei naturally heard the mockery in Madam Yao’s words and was so angry her liver hurt, but she lacked Madam Yao’s wit and couldn’t think of any retort.

Just as the atmosphere became somewhat stagnant, footsteps were heard from outside—the group of noble ladies who had been playing in the courtyard had arrived.

Walking at the front was Miss Guo Xiang, the eldest daughter of the Guo family. As soon as she reached the door, Concubine Rumei looked at her viciously and scolded: “Eldest Miss, how is it that when you went out to enjoy yourself with Meng’er, something happened to Meng’er while you, as the elder sister, don’t know how to take care of your younger sister?”

Miss Guo was only fifteen or sixteen this year. Because her mother was still seriously ill, she wore only a deep green long robe, very plain, and her features were as tranquil and calm as her entire person. Hearing Concubine Rumei’s vicious accusation, she shook her head: “Concubine, I’m not a worm in Meng’er’s belly—how can I watch her every moment? Moreover, I did ask Fifth Sister to come with me earlier, but Fifth Sister refused.”

Concubine Rumei was stunned, then heard another young lady beside Guo Xiang say: “Yes, Sister Guo did want to go together with Fifth Miss Guo earlier, but Fifth Miss Guo not only refused to stay with Sister Guo, she also insulted Sister Guo.”

The surrounding noble ladies all nodded, saying they had witnessed it personally. The noble ladies naturally looked down on concubine’s daughters, and Guo Meng’s temperament was indeed not likeable. While sympathizing with Guo Xiang, they naturally trampled on Guo Meng without mercy. Concubine Rumei was so angry she nearly vomited blood, but with so many noble ladies present, she couldn’t offend them all and could only direct her anger at Guo Xiang, glaring at her.

Guo Xiang remained unmoved, but Yu Ya’s gaze flickered, landing on Jiang Ruan who was following behind Zhao Jin. Seeming to notice Yu Ya’s gaze, Jiang Ruan looked up and smiled slightly at her. Immediately, Yu Ya felt an ominous premonition in her heart, feeling as if she had overlooked something.

“Concubine, Fifth Sister was harmed by someone like this,” Guo Xiang said.

“What?” Hearing this, Concubine Rumei immediately asked, “Do you know who it was?”

“This…” Guo Xiang seemed troubled, but Zhao Jin said, “Because Fifth Miss Guo discovered someone else’s secret.”

“What secret?” Concubine Rumei pressed urgently, but Zhao Jin seemed troubled and wouldn’t say more.

“What secret exactly?” Seeing Zhao Jin like this, Concubine Rumei became even more anxious, reaching out to grab Zhao Jin’s sleeve. Seeing this, Madam Zhao frowned slightly.

The young lady who had spoken up for Guo Xiang earlier said, “Sigh, everyone heard it just now—it’s not a secret anymore.”

This young lady was from a scholar’s family, not yet fifteen, only eleven or twelve years old. She didn’t have so many concerns and spoke quite directly. The noble ladies present looked at each other and lowered their heads, as if this secret was extremely difficult to speak of and really couldn’t be mentioned.

Yu Ya’s heart jumped as she looked at Jiang Ruan. Jiang Ruan’s smile seemed to deepen, looking somehow eerie. She stared intently at Jiang Ruan, her brow gradually furrowing.

“What exactly happened?” the prefect’s wife said gently. “Speak up, don’t be afraid.”

The little miss said carelessly, “Fine, I’ll say it. The secret was that the eldest daughter of the Xia family is actually the second master’s child.”

At these words, everyone was shocked!

Shen Rou, who had originally been watching the show with enjoyment, never expected the conversation to suddenly turn to her. Her face immediately paled.

“What is this about?” Yu Ya demanded sternly, instinctively looking at Shen Rou. Seeing that Shen Rou’s expression was unlike usual, her heart sank, and a overwhelming hatred suddenly arose.

Having been locked in conflict with Shen Rou for so many years, she naturally understood what Shen Rou’s expression meant—it meant that what the young lady had just said… was true.

When she entered the Xia family’s doors, she knew Xia Tiancai was naturally romantic and fickle, but since she had given birth to Xia Jun, she naturally secured her position as the managing mistress. No matter how much Xia Tiancai misbehaved, he had to give her some consideration.

But Yu Ya was naturally a harsh and jealous person. The eldest branch’s Xia Tianyi was dull by nature but had married the beautiful and charming Shen Rou. Women always compare themselves unnecessarily—she naturally couldn’t stand that Shen Rou had her husband’s love even after giving birth to a daughter, while she had given birth to a son yet Xia Tiancai’s heart wasn’t with her. What she hated most was Xia Tiancai’s occasional inadvertent glances that lingered on Shen Rou with pure appreciation.

Now thinking about it, those two had long had an affair. No wonder—though Xia Tiancai’s feelings toward his elder brother weren’t particularly warm, he was very fond of his niece Xia Jiaojiao. So it turned out Xia Jiaojiao was actually their bastard child!

Uncle and sister-in-law having an affair, with Xia Tianyi being cuckolded while raising someone else’s daughter—it was truly the world’s greatest joke!

“Let me explain,” Jiang Ruan said calmly. “Earlier we were here when a little maid came, looking frightened. She said Fifth Miss Guo had discovered the Xia family’s secret, that person killed Fifth Miss Guo and wanted to silence her too. The little maid was terrified. When we pressed her, she revealed this secret. It’s as you’ve just heard.”

“So you harmed my Meng’er!” Concubine Rumei, being naturally opportunistic, immediately changed direction upon hearing this and spat at Yu Ya and Shen Rou: “You did shameful things yourselves and wanted to kill to silence witnesses. If anything happens to my Meng’er, my master will never let you off!”

Yu Ya took a deep breath, knowing this wasn’t the time to pursue other matters. If unfavorable rumors about the Xia family really spread, it wouldn’t be good for her either. She said, “Concubine Rumei, isn’t it too hasty to make judgments based solely on the word of some unknown little maid? My sister and I have been here the entire time—where would we find the time to harm Fifth Miss Guo?”

“This…” Concubine Rumei was at a loss for words.

Jiang Ruan smiled: “Where is Second Madam Xia’s maid?”

Generally speaking, madams going out would bring two maids to attend them, but from the beginning until now, Yu Ya had only one maid beside her—the other had never appeared. Even if she had gone to fetch something and been delayed, this was really too long.

Yu Ya’s expression changed. She naturally knew where that maid had gone—the maid was supposed to be keeping watch here and luring Zhao Feizhou to meet with Guo Meng, but she still hadn’t returned. Naturally, she couldn’t reveal the truth, but Jiang Ruan didn’t give her time to react. She walked up to Guo Meng lying on the couch, gently picked up a handkerchief, and said softly, “This handkerchief seems to have something strange on it…”

Just then, the physician who had examined Guo Meng’s injuries finished writing his prescription and walked over. Taking the handkerchief from Jiang Ruan’s hand and smelling it, he said, “I just determined that this young lady fell unconscious from a drugging. This handkerchief indeed has the scent of a sedative.”