“I’ve sold this maid.” To others, this sentence meant the normal way of disposing of a disobedient maid—selling her to a marriage broker. To Mo Zi’s ears, it meant transferring her to someone else. However one understood it, Mo Zi was no longer Qiu Sanniang’s maid, much less the Xiao family’s maid.
This outcome made the Old Madam, who had thought everything through, feel her wishes had been fulfilled too quickly, so it didn’t seem real. It made Mo Zi, who hadn’t thought things through, feel greatly shocked and regretful that she hadn’t sorted out Hongyu’s account books earlier, allowing Qiu Sanniang to finally implement what she had initially feared most. It left Lü Ju, who was completely unprepared, stunned as a wooden chicken, crying out loud on the spot. Xiao Yi’s expression didn’t change. Her hands had remained on Mo Zi’s knees from beginning to end, not shifting an inch, warm as a stove. Hongmei kept her head lowered, her expression unreadable.
Mo Zi and Lü Ju’s reactions made the Old Madam’s originally suspicious thoughts shift. Feigning casual inquiry, she asked, “Oh? Which marriage broker did you sell her to?”
Qiu Sanniang shook her head. “Not a marriage broker—to the household of Minister Yuan, a colleague of Third Master’s.”
She transferred her to Yuan Cheng?! Mo Zi was dumbstruck.
“Which Minister Yuan?” The Old Madam couldn’t immediately recall.
“Minister Yuan Cheng. His household lacks rough-work maids. When he mentioned it to Third Master, I simply did them a favor.” Qiu Sanniang raised her eyes to glance at Mo Zi. “It was agreed she’d be sent over today, which is why I rushed here to collect her. Otherwise, knowing Grandmother was punishing her, I should have let her suffer more.”
“Yuan Cheng?” The Old Madam remembered, her face immediately turning ugly. “The Minister Yuan whose residence is right next to our Xiao mansion?”
“Ah? Minister Yuan lives next door?” Qiu Sanniang seemed to be hearing this for the first time, covering her mouth slightly. “Third Master never mentioned it to me, though I’ve long known that separated from Yonggu Study by one wall is another family’s residence.”
“How could you not know?” The Old Madam struck her chopsticks against the bowl. Using too much force, the bowl rolled to the ground and shattered into pieces. “This maid climbed the wall from the Yuan residence—didn’t she tell you who owned that place?” Absurd!
“Mo Zi!” Qiu Sanniang pointed at the dazed person with one hand, saying angrily, “Didn’t you tell me that residence was an abandoned, uninhabited mansion? You dared to deceive me!”
Mo Zi blinked, seeming confused in the clouds and mist, answering foolishly, “Originally no one lived there. Later someone moved in. I was afraid that if I told Madam, you wouldn’t let me go out, so I never mentioned it.”
“Truly an unreasonable insolent slave!” The Old Madam, thinking Mo Zi had been severely punished by her, believed these words. “Not beating her to death won’t settle this. Sanniang, you saw it yourself. You thought her loyal, yet she lied to you—who knows how much she’s embezzled privately. This maid cannot go to the Yuan residence. She’s probably already seduced someone there and set up this scheme to escape. She must continue to be punished until she reveals all the truth and dares not hide anything anymore. If she’s to be sold, she must be sold to the cruelest marriage broker to see if she still dares harm others. As for Minister Yuan, select two other good ones and send them as compensation. Since rough-work maids were requested, it needn’t be Mo Zi specifically. He has no reason to object.”
Qiu Sanniang’s expression showed anger for a long while, but then deflated. “Grandmother, it’s too late. This morning I had Third Master take her deed of sale to the Ministry of Revenue offices—all procedures have been completed. Though she’s physically in our mansion, this person is already a maid of the Yuan residence. Right now, the Yuan residence’s steward’s carriage is waiting outside the mansion. If she dies at our hands, that would be the crime of murder. This is the official document issued by the authorities, stating clearly that I no longer have any relationship with this wretched maid.”
“…Very well.” At this point, what could be said? The document bore the official seal, clearly stating Mo Zi had changed masters. Though the Old Madam harbored suspicions about Qiu Sanniang, exposing them would be useless. In any case, she found Mo Zi disagreeable. Since she was leaving the mansion, she couldn’t seduce Wei’er anymore, and Sanniang’s two business operations had been revealed—placing people there in the future would be quite convenient. Let it end here for now.
“Grandmother—” Hearing the Old Madam say “very well,” Qiu Sanniang seemed even more aggrieved than the old lady. “I’m unwilling to accept this.”
“Even if you’re unwilling, it’s because you weren’t careful. With such matters, how much better if you’d consulted with us first. Last time, releasing Bai He was hasty too. How can one release a maid from the mansion without arranging a match for her? This Mo Zi has become a cunning devil also because you indulged her, allowing her to deceive you into such lenient treatment. Very well, perhaps it’s the Bodhisattva’s intention—consider it us accumulating merit and doing good deeds.” The Old Madam waved her sleeve. “Take her out so she doesn’t offend my eyes. If the Yuan residence’s steward asks, tell the truth and tell them to be on guard. You’ve been soft-hearted once—don’t be soft-hearted a second time, letting this wicked maid get her way.”
Qiu Sanniang agreed, stood up, and told Lü Ju and Xiao Yi to carry Mo Zi away. She herself followed to leave as well.
“Sanniang.” The Old Madam wanted to give another instruction.
Qiu Sanniang turned to respond.
“After New Year’s, I’ll find some stewards for you to look over. If they can help you, feel free to keep them. Their monthly wages will come from the common fund—you needn’t worry about anything.” The Old Madam arranged the next step.
“Thank you for Grandmother’s concern, but Wangqiu House doesn’t lack staff. The head manager is both capable and reliable. For now, we can manage.” Qiu Sanniang deflected indirectly.
“What about the shipyard?” The Old Madam felt a tightness in her chest.
“As for the shipyard business, Sanniang knows nothing about it. After marrying, I also can’t casually show my face in public. Doing it was truly exhausting, so better to convert it to silver. Having Mo Zi organize it was to find a good buyer. A few days ago, someone offered a good price, so I sold it, finally settling this matter weighing on my mind. Therefore, Old Madam needn’t worry either. From now on, Sanniang will be a stable, good daughter-in-law and won’t trouble the elders anymore.” After finishing, Qiu Sanniang curtsied and withdrew, leaving through the door. As soon as she exited, she lowered her eyes and smiled coldly. She could roughly guess what expressions and reactions the Old Madam and mother-in-law would have.
Four people had come; five left together. Xiao Yi carried Mo Zi on her back.
“Are you saying this for real or fake?” Mo Zi forgot about her bodily pain.
“Which matter?” Qiu Sanniang didn’t look at her, eyes fixed ahead. “Selling you? Or selling Hongyu?”
“What?!” No need to provoke her like this!
“Both matters are real. Whether it’s you or Hongyu, I found them troublesome and disposed of them all. What of it? Want to fight me desperately?” Qiu Sanniang walked toward the Prince’s mansion gate, half her hibiscus face showing no emotion. “You didn’t deliver the five thousand taels of silver, so I transferred you to someone else—still following what was originally agreed, not breaking my word. Since you’re no longer my steward, and Hongyu has no one who can manage it, if not sold, should I wait for it to grow full of grass again?”
“Sold to whom?” Though at the time she’d planned to leave once she got her deed of sale, actually hearing that Hongyu was no longer under her management felt somewhat unpleasant.
“Look at your expression—more anxious about who Hongyu was sold to than who you yourself were sold to.” Though Qiu Sanniang seemed to no longer look at Mo Zi, she hadn’t missed her expression.
“Sanniang, is this the plan you came up with over one night plus one morning? Selling Hongyu will surely make the Old Madam furious. She was hoping you’d contribute some private funds while conveniently devouring your two properties bit by bit. Especially the shipyard—beneficial to the family in both public and private matters. You sold me and said it was to please the Old Madam. Are you trying to curry favor with your in-laws or invite their displeasure?” They canceled each other out!
“It’s already sold—what can I do? If you have a good idea, why didn’t you say so earlier?” Qiu Sanniang countered. “Today I endured so much, even playing dumb and stupid—all for Third Master’s sake.”
Some words needn’t be said too directly; Mo Zi could understand. Qiu Sanniang and Xiao Sanlang had mutual affection and wanted to separate and live independently, so they couldn’t be too cowardly or too aggressive toward the elders. The push-pull approach required slow separation while conveniently casting off Jin Si. If Qiu Sanniang hadn’t developed feelings, it would be one thing, but since she had both developed feelings and made up her mind, Jin Si wouldn’t have the slightest hope. Like this time’s scheme that thought it could topple Qiu Sanniang—it was merely used by Qiu Sanniang in reverse.
“The stupidest one is me. I was beaten, punished, and even sold—how miserable. Who can say anything good about me?” Could she cry a little?
“If you weren’t good, why would someone half-threaten, half-entice me to hand over your deed of sale?” Qiu Sanniang was referring to Yuan Cheng. “I used to think he was quite gentle and slow-paced—I really misjudged him. Mo Zi, with your deed of sale in his hands—on one hand, I thought you two were fated, and on the other hand, there was truly no choice. Who dares say no to him?”
“Why didn’t Madam simply release Mo Zi from the mansion?” Lü Ju dared to ask.
“If I released her from the mansion at this critical juncture, wouldn’t that be directly confronting my mother-in-law and the others?” Qiu Sanniang had certainly considered it, but after careful thought, still used the transfer method.
“But selling Mo Zi—what if the new master isn’t good?” Lü Ju was worried to death.
“That would be her own fate. In my view, her fate hasn’t been bad since the day she encountered me.” Qiu Sanniang cast a flirtatious glance at Mo Zi. “Little Mo’er, isn’t that right?”
Mo Zi returned a white eye to Qiu Sanniang.
At the entrance to Prince Jing’s mansion, a black carriage truly was waiting ahead.
“I’ll have someone send your things over.” Qiu Sanniang lowered her voice again. “In any case, we live so close—coming and going is very convenient.”
Xiao Yi carried Mo Zi down the steps. Just as she was about to place her on the carriage shaft, several fast horses suddenly arrived, reining to a halt before Prince Jing’s mansion gate. The horses raised their front hooves high, dust swirling.
One person jumped down from horseback. Several young servants ran out from inside the gate, all calling out “Second Master.”
Xiao Wei frowned, looking at Mo Zi on Xiao Yi’s back, and asked, “What happened here?”
Mo Zi shrugged, her oily rogue manner reappearing. “Your grandmother had someone beat me with a spiked stick, made me kneel on a needle mat for a while, so now I can’t walk.” She didn’t deliberately lower her voice saying this.
Qiu Sanniang burst out laughing, then quickly became serious. “Second Uncle, don’t listen to this maid’s bewitching nonsense. She herself didn’t understand the rules and received the Old Madam’s punishment. Now I’ve sold her—she no longer has any connection to our Prince’s mansion.”
Waving at Mo Zi: “Hurry and leave, the sight is annoying.”
Mo Zi no longer acknowledged the completely petrified Xiao Er. She had Xiao Yi set her down and announced loudly, “Sanniang, Mo Zi kneels to thank you for your life-saving grace. From this moment forward, the master-servant relationship is completely severed.”
One kneel, one kowtow, then grasping the carriage shaft to rise.
Qiu Sanniang watched her finish kowtowing and said not another word, turning to enter the gate.
But Hongmei saw tears flash at the corner of Qiu Sanniang’s eyes. “Madam—”
Qiu Sanniang’s sleeve covered her face briefly. When lowered again, she had returned to normal. “Don’t tell her, otherwise she’ll surely think I can’t bear to part with her.”
“Madam clearly cannot bear it.” Lü Ju also had quick eyes. Her own heart still ached.
“A dragon entering shallow waters—how long can it be trapped? Even if I can’t bear it, what can be done?” Qiu Sanniang walked faster and faster.
Mo Zi watched those three familiar figures disappear at the gate. Rather than sighing endlessly like an old woman, with Xiao Yi’s help, she boarded the carriage.
“Wait.” Xiao Wei stepped forward.
Xiao Yi extended her hand to block him.
“Does Young General have more to say? Mo Zi’s new master is waiting—it’s not good to delay.” Mo Zi’s tone wasn’t perfunctory but factual.
“Why did my grandmother beat you?” Xiao Wei always felt that his grandmother, who stayed home all day, couldn’t possibly know about Mo Zi’s activities outside.
“For seducing you.”
Mo Zi was dumbstruck, looking at Xiao Yi who had spoken these shocking words.
“What?” Xiao Wei’s anger rose. “Who said that?”
Having spoken five characters, Xiao Yi evidently believed there was no need to speak more, and remained silent in response.
Mo Zi smiled stiffly. “General Yan, don’t listen to Xiao Yi. That the Old Madam learned of Mo Zi’s activities outside—that was the main reason.”
“Main reason? Then what she said—that’s a secondary reason?” Xiao Wei realized with alarm that he’d helped adversely. His face turned cold, but unable to say more, he could only ask, “To whose household were you sold?”
Mo Zi didn’t know whether she should answer. This person and Yuan Cheng were political rivals. If he knew she was now a maid of the Yuan residence, would he in a fit of rage use his Yinyue sword to chop her?
“This old fellow is a coachman from the Yuan residence. If Young General wishes to reminisce with Miss Mo Zi in the future, it might not be so easy.” The coachman lifted his large bamboo hat—Li Yan’s laughing face.
“Elder Li, how did you come to do this work?” Mo Zi exclaimed.
“This old fellow sees you’re quite injured, miss. Quickly get inside and lie down. You needn’t bother with idle people—let this old fellow handle them.” Li Yan struck the cloth curtain with his whip, indicating Mo Zi should enter the carriage canopy.
Mo Zi nodded slightly at Xiao Er and limped inside.
Li Yan also only responded to Xiao Wei with that one sentence. With a “giddyup,” he pulled the reins directly, and the horse took off running on all fours.
Once they were far away, he said to Mo Zi from outside, “Miss, Young General Xiao inquired about you so earnestly—could he have feelings for you?”
Mo Zi, separated by the curtain, was so startled she nearly hiccupped. “How is that possible? Like your master, I’m also not in his good graces. Each time we meet, we part on bad terms—our eight characters clash. Moreover, he has two room attendants, one quasi-concubine, and everyone in Prince Jing’s mansion believes the legitimate wife he’ll marry will be either a princess or a princess of the second rank.”
Li Yan laughed again. “Then miss’s eight characters must harmonize with our master.”
Mo Zi truly started hiccupping, continuing until the carriage stopped and she saw a hand reach in through the curtain—only then did the hiccups cease.
The hand was slender, its color like warm jade.
“Yuan Cheng,” she said.
“If you still have the strength to walk out yourself, give me a moment. If you need to be carried, see a physician first,” he said.
She bent forward to exit, sitting sideways, leaning against the door frame. “Can still sit for a moment.”
“No need to exert yourself talking—just watch.” He gazed at her, his expression warm, eyes clear as a spring, then handed her something.
It was her new deed of sale.
He waited for her to finish reading, then took it back. On the ground was a small incense burner. Under her puzzled gaze, he brought the contract near the incense, and it immediately caught fire.
In an instant, it turned to ash.