As soon as Ziteng left, the maid suddenly seemed to remember something and said: “Miss, I was too panicked just now. Our residence has prepared a resting place for female guests. It’s cold outside, and your dress is soaked through—you could easily fall ill. Why don’t you come with me to rest first? When your maid returns, she can bring the change of clothes directly there.”

“Oh?” Qin Shuying’s smile was neither quite a smile nor not, and she glanced at Qin Yunyun again, as if seeking her opinion.

Qin Yunyun also strongly encouraged this: “Seventh sister, this girl speaks truly. Since our hosts are being so thoughtful, not going would disappoint their kind intentions.”

Qin Shuying hesitated before saying: “Since Sixth Sister also says so, I’ll listen to Sixth Sister. It’s just that this is my first time at Duke Chu’s residence, and I’m not familiar with it—I’m somewhat afraid. Sixth Sister, why don’t you come with me?”

How could Qin Yunyun go? Though she very much wanted to see the outcome of this affair, she wouldn’t let her own hands be stained with filth, so she looked toward Qin Fangfang.

Qin Shuying said to Second Miss Liu and the others: “Sister has always been best to me. When I was ill, sister came to see me every day, never finding it troublesome. Last time, when Shuying was ignorant, sister didn’t blame me either. Sixth Sister treats me the best.”

Didn’t Qin Yunyun like wearing high hats? Having just performed so kindly and properly before these noble young ladies, how could she not go along with it?

Qin Fangfang already knew today’s arrangements and was excited in her heart. She quickly took over the conversation: “Seventh Sister, Sixth Sister hasn’t seen Sister Liu and the others for quite some time. Today she finally has a chance to chat freely. Seventh Sister, let younger sister accompany you instead.”

Qin Yunyun smiled: “That’s right, Sister Liu, I so rarely get to come out and see elder sister. Cai Yan, you go with Seventh Sister and Eighth Sister.”

In the original plan, neither she nor Qin Fangfang needed to personally take Qin Shuying there, but Qin Yunyun was somewhat uneasy. If this maid took money but didn’t do the job properly, what could they do about it? Mother had promised to thoroughly deal with Qin Shuying, and this opportunity had been so hard to find—she must ensure Qin Shuying could never turn things around.

Having Cai Yan go served both to report back to her in detail and to have Cai Yan supervise Qin Fangfang.

Qin Shuying’s expression remained calm as she smiled charmingly and followed behind the maid, heading west.

As they walked, except for seeing some people at the beginning, later they encountered very few. Qin Shuying asked Qin Fangfang about this and that, as if she had reverted to her former unworldly character. Qin Fangfang had things on her mind and answered vaguely.

Qin Shuying looked around and finally spotted a purple figure behind them. Her heart settled, and harboring one last hope, she said to Qin Fangfang: “Eighth Sister, why aren’t we there yet? Let’s go back. If great-grandmother and eldest aunt can’t find us, they’ll worry.”

Qin Fangfang feared Qin Shuying would return and quickly took her arm: “No, no, no, we’ll be there soon.”

After walking a while longer, Qin Shuying said: “Eighth Sister, let’s still go back. This little tea stain doesn’t matter—others won’t notice it.”

Qin Fangfang grew somewhat impatient. Fortunately she had come along, otherwise with Qin Shuying finding the distance too far and worrying about this and that, this maid would never have been able to lead her here. She said: “How could they not notice? We are noble young ladies—bearing and etiquette are most important. Not even the slightest carelessness can be tolerated. Look, there it is ahead.”

Indeed, red flying eaves appeared behind some artificial rocks. Rounding a cluster of pine trees, a house stood alone outside the grove, its main door open—this was the place. Qin Shuying had been calculating the direction in her mind and couldn’t help but sneer coldly. Behind this house was a wall, and beyond that wall was the outer courtyard. If nothing unexpected happened, there would be a small door near this house leading to the outer courtyard.

If some male guest, drunk, happened to enter through that small door and happened to sleep in this house, while she happened to be inside too…

What excellent planning!

“Aiya!” Qin Shuying’s foot slipped, and unable to control her body, she crashed into the maid. The maid was caught off guard and knocked down hard by Qin Shuying, who fell on top of her. “Aiya-ya!”

Qin Fangfang grew even more impatient and gave a look. Cai Yan reached out to help Qin Shuying up, but Qin Shuying couldn’t stand and cried loudly: “Eighth Sister, my leg, my leg… it hurts terribly!”

Qin Fangfang panicked and covered her mouth: “Don’t shout… we’re noble young ladies—how embarrassing if someone hears!”

Afraid someone might hear and come over? Qin Shuying nodded as if she understood, but her eyes were teary: “Eighth Sister, my leg, I’ve twisted my leg, it hurts terribly…”

The maid hadn’t expected such a thing to happen. Anxious and in pain, she struggled to stand up. Qin Shuying spoke again: “Sister, my leg seems broken. Could you trouble yourself to call someone to carry me? Eighth Sister, the ground is cold. You and Cai Yan help me into that house to rest. When this sister calls someone and Ziteng arrives, I can change my dress right there.”

The maid looked inquiringly at Qin Fangfang, who didn’t want any more accidents and nodded. Qin Shuying supported herself on Qin Fangfang’s arm, slowly stood up, and limped toward the house.

Twenty paces, fifteen paces… Qin Shuying looked back and saw the maid’s figure disappear into the pine grove, while a purple figure had reached the shadow of a large tree behind them.

Ten paces, five paces… Qin Shuying quickly glanced at the house. There was a hanging lock on the main door, but the interior didn’t seem to have anyone in it.

Three paces, two paces, one pace…

Ziteng came running from the side, the wooden stick in her hand striking Cai Yan heavily on the head. Cai Yan collapsed.

Simultaneously, Qin Shuying pushed Qin Fangfang hard inside, then quickly dodged out over the threshold. Ziteng threw down the stick, pulled the door shut, twisted her hand, and locked the door.

Qin Fangfang hadn’t expected things to turn out this way at all. When she crawled up from the ground and turned to open the door, she found it was already locked. She pounded on the door, shouting: “Open the door! Open the door!”

Only silence answered her.

Outside the door, Ziteng and Qin Shuying carried Cai Yan into the grove, finally placing her under a large tree. Still not reassured, Ziteng used the stick to break Cai Yan’s leg.

Having done all this, Ziteng said bitterly: “This servant looked carefully through the back window just now—there’s a drunk man inside!”

Though Qin Shuying had long expected things would be this way, hearing Ziteng say it, she still clenched her fists tightly. Ziteng’s expression grew even colder.

“Qin Shuying, you bitch! Open this door for me!” Qin Fangfang was furious. Even now, she still didn’t understand why Qin Shuying had obediently followed her suggestion to come to this place, thinking it was just Qin Shuying playing around with her. “Open the door! Open the door!”

Qin Fangfang was shocked, angry, and afraid, constantly pounding on the door with no response from outside. “Bitch! Bitch! Open this door for me!”

Suddenly, Qin Fangfang’s waist was encircled by a pair of hands, and a man reeking of alcohol mumbled: “Bitch? Who? Who’s calling here?”

“Ah—”

Qin Fangfang let out a terrified scream, struggling desperately, but the man’s hands were thick and powerful. A sheltered young lady like Qin Fangfang had no way to break free.

“Little darling, come, let master love you properly…”

…