Zi Dai looked at Shu Ran with pleading eyes, but Shu Ran appeared not to notice and lowered her head in acknowledgment. She thought to herself, “These two maids must know something they shouldn’t. The Young Master fears they might spread rumors, so he wants their tongues cut out. Fortunately, these two are illiterate; otherwise, they might have their hands crippled as well.”

After watching Lin Jin Lou walk away, Shu Ran contemplated for a moment before beckoning Cun Xin, who had accompanied her, to her side. “Go tell Madam Han that Zi Dai has committed a grave offense, and the Young Master intends to punish her severely. If she wants to plead with the Madam for mercy, she should hurry, but don’t reveal that I told you this.” Cun Xin acknowledged and left.

Shu Ran adjusted her hair bun. Madam Han was still a person of status; dealing with someone without warning would inevitably create enmity. If Madam Han was capable, she should have Madam intervene and speak with the Young Master. If she came to plead herself, a single phrase – “The Young Master personally condemned and sentenced her” – would suffice to dismiss her, and Zi Dai would have no chance of redemption.

In managing household affairs, one must be meticulous. She had maintained her position for so long because she avoided making enemies unnecessarily. Who could guarantee they would always please the masters? Without mistakes, others would naturally show respect!

Shu Ran pointed at the two people on the ground and ordered, “Take them outside first.”

When Cun Xin arrived at Zhuo Shou Garden, Madam Han had just undressed and laid down, tossing and turning restlessly. When Madam Qin returned from the temple, she was in a state of panic and dishevelment and had lost Zi Dai. Madam Han was extremely anxious and tried probing with a few questions, but seeing Madam Qin’s cold expression, she dared not continue. She could only sigh to herself, thinking Zi Dai was likely in grave danger. What frightened her more was that Madam Qin showed no words of comfort, instead growing somewhat distant. Yesterday, upon returning, she had ordered Green Orchid to take out fine silk and various gold and silver jewelry to send to Chen Xiang Lan’s family as New Year’s gifts, though these gifts seemed exceptionally generous! Madam Han grew increasingly suspicious and barely touched her evening meal. She had planned to question Madam Qin properly upon her return, but Red Note came back to fetch Madam Qin’s clothes, saying, “The Madam will rest at the Old Madam’s quarters tonight. The night watch is arranged; everyone else should retire.” Only then did she reluctantly prepare for bed.

When Cun Xin called at the door, Little Fang lit a lamp and opened it. Upon hearing the news, Madam Han threw on her clothes, terrified out of her wits. She hurriedly dressed, not bothering to properly arrange her hair, and rushed out in her slippers straight to the main courtyard. Lifting the curtain to enter, she saw Madam Qin had already washed up and had her hair down, with Red Note combing it stroke by stroke.

Seeing Madam Han enter through the mirror, Madam Qin ignored her, and Madam Han silently knelt. Rose entered with a copper basin, startled at the sight, and wanted to alert Madam Qin, but Red Note caught her eye and shook her head slightly. Rose closed her mouth and quietly withdrew.

After Red Note had combed Madam Qin’s hair one hundred strokes and bound the glossy black tresses into a bun, then served tea, Madam Qin finally turned around and looked at Madam Han, saying, “Why have you come so late?”

Madam Han’s knees were numb and aching from kneeling. Hearing these words, she repeatedly said, “This old servant was thoughtless to disturb Madam’s rest so late, but Zi Dai has somehow offended the Young Master and faces severe punishment. I beg Madam to be merciful and spare her life.” She kept kowtowing as she spoke.

Seeing her disheveled appearance, messy hair, and nearly bald crown exposed with each bow, Madam Qin secretly sighed. But then she remembered Zi Dai’s betrayal at Qi Xia Temple, and her heart hardened again. She said coldly, “Zi Dai belongs to Zhi Chun Hall now. Since the Young Master wishes to deal with her, I shouldn’t interfere.”

Madam Han pleaded, “Madam is most merciful and wise. Zi Dai has been utterly loyal to you and the Young Master. Whatever her faults, this one virtue proves she is good. Madam…”

Madam Qin had still held some sentiment for old times’ sake, but hearing the words “utterly loyal,” her hatred grew. She said flatly, “If the Young Master has sentenced her, Zi Dai must have committed some crime. Do you know which rule she broke?”

Madam Han was stunned, suddenly speechless. She didn’t know what crime Zi Dai had committed, but seeing Madam Qin’s cold face, her heart sank. She was unsure whether she should continue pleading for Zi Dai. She looked to Red Note, hoping she would say something favorable or give her some guidance.

Red Note kept her eyes fixed on her shoetips, silent. It wasn’t that she was unkind, but Zi Dai had been too despicable. That midnight scream still made her chest tight when she remembered it, let alone how Madam, who had always favored Zi Dai, must feel. Now that Madam was angry, why should she go against her mistress? Besides, she and Zi Dai had no particular friendship. Before gaining status, Zi Dai would approach her with a fawning smile and call her “Sister Red Note,” but later she practically strutted around, pushing her away from Madam’s presence by a bow-shot’s distance. Though she didn’t speak of it, she was quite displeased. This time though… Red Note understood clearly that not only Zi Dai but Madam Han’s years of face would likely be lost as well.

Madam Han was both anxious and angry. She thought something major must have happened on this outing, and Lin Jin Lou was taking his anger out on the servants who had accompanied him. She had hoped a few words of plea to Madam Qin would save Zi Dai, but unexpectedly it turned out like this – Madam Qin wouldn’t give her even a shred of face. Whether from shame or anger, tears rolled down her cheeks.

Madam Qin stared silently at the candle flame on the table for a while, then suddenly sighed softly and said, “Among all the maids, Zi Dai was merely average in perception, breadth of mind, eloquence, and cleverness. She only had a pretty face and seemed capable of bearing children, and because she was related to you, I promoted her and gave her all due respect. But she chose not to walk the proper path, instead doing sneaky things that disgusted her masters, bringing me no glory.” Zi Dai had little depth but some cunning, and was somewhat ambitious. She had sent her to Zhi Chun Hall to compete with Xiang Lan for favor. Xiang Lan was beautiful and talented; such women had some perspective and were most restless. By backing Zi Dai, and letting these two tigresses fight, any future wife of Lin Jin Lou could reap the benefits, avoiding the trouble of having a favored concubine disturbing household peace.

“I originally thought Zi Dai was at least someone who understood service, and what I valued most was her ‘loyalty.’ But as they say, ‘Strong grass is known in fierce winds, loyal ministers are revealed in troubled times.’ I used to think the one with the worst temper and bewitching ways turned out to be the most righteous…” Madam Qin spoke with some melancholy, sighing as she gazed at the flickering candlelight. She continued slowly, “Thinking back now, in my presence, she let others do the pleasing tasks while silently taking on all the thankless ones herself. She neither said too much nor too little. I only thought her stubborn temperament and dullness were not endearing traits, so I didn’t like her. Now I realize that child simply didn’t like to talk; she was an extremely generous person…” As she spoke, thinking of how Xiang Lan’s fate was still unknown, she couldn’t help but shed tears. Red Note also quietly wiped her eyes.

“However, Zi Dai did serve me for a time.” After weeping for a while, Madam Qin suddenly sat up straight and dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief. When Zi Dai served her, she had been utterly devoted, far more conscientious than ordinary maids. She wasn’t a cold-hearted person; she would remember this much loyalty.

Hearing these words, Madam Han immediately tensed up. Earlier, Madam Qin’s words seemed to praise Xiang Lan, but did that imply Zi Dai was disloyal and unrighteous? Madam Han’s heart tightened as she looked expectantly at Madam Qin.

Then she saw Madam Qin tell Red Note, “The household can no longer keep Zi Dai. Award her a few taels of silver to fulfill the obligation between master and servant.”

Red Note bowed and answered, “Yes.” She secretly pouted, thinking their Madam was truly merciful; otherwise, someone like Zi Dai deserved to be beaten and sold off.

Madam Han felt as if lightning had struck her head. With a “boom,” her whole body went limp. She should know the Young Master’s methods, but now Madam wouldn’t even intervene, only awarding some silver – it seemed she was thoroughly disgusted with Zi Dai. Her flower-like niece, clever and obedient, deserved a good future, to be half a mistress by a master’s side, wearing gold and silver, living in luxury, and helping their whole family live gloriously. But being driven out like this… she probably couldn’t even marry a decent steward, farm manager, shopkeeper, or guard!

Looking at Madam Qin’s cold face, Madam Han knew further words were useless. Fearing she might also incur Madam Qin’s disgust, she kowtowed and left, walking out in a daze. Outside the courtyard was brightly lit; Shu Ran stood under the large red lanterns by the flower gate, while several old women and guards held down two maids bound like rice dumplings outside the second gate, with Ji Xiang supervising. Seeing Shu Ran, Madam Han wanted to take a detour from afar, but Shu Ran’s sharp eyes caught her, and she immediately smiled, “Madam Han has arrived.”

Hearing this, Zi Dai immediately became agitated, struggling desperately, but with a handkerchief stuffed in her mouth, she could only make “mmph mmph” sounds. Under everyone’s gaze, Madam Han had to steel herself and walk over. Secretly glancing outside the gate, she saw that Shu Tong had just had her tongue cut out and seemed to have fainted, being carried away on a wooden board by two old women, leaving blood stains on the ground. Madam Han’s legs went weak with fear, and she stammered, “What… what is this!”

Shu Ran stood with her back to the main gate and lowered her voice, “Don’t look outside, Madam. The blood is everywhere – I’m terrified myself and dare only stand inside the gate, not daring to look. These two committed a terrible crime, and the Young Master ordered severe punishment – their tongues to be cut out. Shu Tong will be sent to the farm, and Zi Dai will be married off to a laborer…”

Seeing Madam Han’s face turn as pale as gold leaf, she continued, “We just gave Shu Tong sleeping medicine before carrying out the punishment. I’ve been waiting for the right moment, hoping Madam would bring help from Madam to save Zi Dai. Did you succeed?” She spoke with apparent sincerity, as if truly concerned for Zi Dai’s safety while thinking to herself, “Seeing how she wanted to avoid us earlier, I knew she hadn’t gotten any mercy, only brought trouble upon herself. Zi Dai is really in for it this time.” She felt some sympathy, but remembering Zi Dai’s usual behavior, that sympathy faded somewhat.

Madam Han stammered, her face alternating between red and white. After a long while, she finally said, “Thank you for your concern, Miss. I appreciate your kindness… but at the Madam’s quarters… at the Madam’s… Ai, I suppose it’s my bad fortune, nothing goes right. I wanted to help my niece advance but instead earned the disgust of both the Madam and Young Master. I suppose I didn’t guide her properly.”

Shu Ran’s lips curled in a contemptuous smile, which she quickly concealed, and joined in sighing, “Madam needn’t blame yourself. This is Zi Dai’s fate.”

Then, Madam Han walked to the second gate. Seeing her, Zi Dai struggled desperately, making “mmph mmph” sounds in her throat, with teardrops the size of beans rolling down from her eyes. Her gaze was pitiful, and the guards and old women had to hold her down with all their might; even bound, she might have jumped up otherwise.

Madam Han didn’t dare look at the torture implements placed aside, but looking at Zi Dai’s face made her increasingly fearful. She managed to say, “My child, this time… ai, your big aunt tried to plead with the Madam, but it seemed useless. You must keep your heart open. Your big aunt definitely won’t abandon you; I’ll make plans for you in the future.” After speaking, she hurriedly turned and left.

Zi Dai stared with wide eyes in shock, shaking her head violently, scattering her black hair. With disheveled hair, she looked like a female ghost, the veins in her neck bulging out. The sounds from her throat grew increasingly terrifying, nearly hysterical, but she could only watch helplessly as Madam Han’s figure grew more distant, finally disappearing around a corner.

Shu Ran silently sighed, exchanged a glance with Ji Xiang, and nodded slightly. Ji Xiang ordered the guards to remove the handkerchief from Zi Dai’s mouth, and before she could scream, they pinched her jaw and poured in the sleeping medicine. In her hazy state, Zi Dai seemed to hear people talking. Shu Ran sighed, “After all, she wasn’t her daughter. When Zi Dai was in favor, she shared in the glory, bragging everywhere, putting on airs as the Young Mistress’s relative, almost claiming to be the Madam’s kin. But now? She can’t distance herself fast enough, leaving her to her fate. Ai!”

Ji Xiang said, “Young Mistress? The Young Master hasn’t even taken her yet – what Young Mistress? Tsk, speaking of which, that other one is something. You haven’t seen it – these past two days with her missing, the Young Master hasn’t closed his eyes, acting like a madman. We better keep our distance; whoever gets close becomes a target for his anger.”

After walking quickly for a while, until she could no longer see the swaying red lanterns at the flower gate when she turned back, Madam Han slowed her pace. She leaned against the wall, clutching her chest. She felt guilty and conscience-stricken, shedding tears and muttering to herself while covering her mouth, “My child, don’t hate me, don’t hate your big aunt. I had no choice – the Madam wouldn’t be moved no matter how I begged. What else could I do? I still have to serve the Madam! Don’t worry, your big aunt will take care of you in the future. I’ll also find a way for your brothers and sisters to get positions in the household.”

While she made these plans in her heart, she didn’t know that not long after, she would be assigned by Madam Qin to serve Lin Dong Xiu, and later follow Lin Dong Xiu in marriage to the Yong Chang Marquis’s mansion. Initially, it seemed prestigious and dignified, but Lin Dong Xiu was tight with money and not generous. Having been accustomed to a comfortable life, she tried various ways to embezzle money but was thoroughly investigated and driven out of the Marquis’s mansion. Too ashamed to return to the Lin family, she fortunately received help from Madam Wu and found work managing a farm. By then, Zi Dai had married a lame cook from the household – a short, stout man who specialized in cooking for the servants and attendants outside the second gate. Though he loved drinking and gambling, he at least knew how to support his family and maintain their livelihood. In three years, Zi Dai had given birth to two children. Her breasts now sagged nearly to her navel, and she had grown so stout she resembled a woman of forty or fifty, having lost all traces of her former beauty. When she saw Madam Han arrive, her face immediately changed color. She walked back into the courtyard, slammed the door shut with a “bang,” and never wished to see her again for the rest of her life.